Chapter 10 #2
“He is,” Richard confirmed. “The Governor has been paid to make sure he is in the most secure cell, and no one is allowed to visit him. His ship departs within a sennight,” Richard reported with satisfaction.
The only thing which would have given Richard more pleasure was if the blackguard had given him half a reason to run him through.
“Let us not change the subject. What changed since your infamous insult of the delectable Miss Elizabeth? And you, Andy, taken with Bingley’s angel, are you? ”
“You heard my request for us to begin again at the meeting, did you not?” Both cousins nodded.
Darcy waved off the asking of when things had changed.
“I chanced upon her this morning, and she allowed me to accompany her on a walk to Oakham Mount, which is a sanctuary of sorts to her. We spoke at length, and it seems she is warming to me. As for my feelings, I believe they started the same night I insulted her, after which I truly looked at her for the first time. I admitted to myself that I love her when she walked to Netherfield Park to nurse Miss Bennet, and the way she parries Miss Bingley’s barbs is masterful!
The harpy has no idea she was being set down, and Miss Elizabeth never employs spite to do so. ”
“Well, well, Darce, I hope you win her, for she would be the making of you. As for your question to me, Rich, as far as I can tell, Miss Bennet is not Bingley’s angel.
She needs a man, not an immature boy,” Andrew countered.
“I am attracted to her, but I do not know the lady well enough to claim any feelings beyond an initial attraction to her. I hope to find out more about her character at the ball, which was the impetus of my requesting the supper set from the lady. Unlike Bingley, I desire more than a pretty face, but it is true she is one of the most beautiful women I have ever beheld.”
“She is a classic beauty, but I much prefer my Elizabeth,” Darcy replied, not realising he used her familiar name.
“I did not know Miss Elizabeth had granted you permission to address her so familiarly,” Richard ribbed his cousin.
“A slip of the tongue,” Darcy replied quickly. “What about your attention to Miss Mary, the middle sister? I have heard some call her plain.”
“She is anything but plain! I do not know yet, but mayhap she has felt lost in the middle of her more outgoing sisters, and she hides her light. I believe she may be the most interesting of the sisters we have met,” Richard opined.
“You are a lucky man that the youngest is back in the nursery, Rich. Anyone in a scarlet coat is good enough for her, and at fifteen she is the most flirtatious girl I have had the displeasure to meet. I laud Mr. Bennet and his betrothed for taking her in hand. Doing so has made the second youngest, Miss Kitty, far more likeable. Without the brash one around, I am sure Gigi will be very comfortable with the other four Bennet sisters and the soon-to-be Mrs. Bennet,” Darcy informed his cousins.
Not long after, the men dropped off to sleep, one by one.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Papa, I need an honest answer from you,” Matilda beseeched her father.
“Am I making a big mistake? Before you answer, tell me the unvarnished truth, not what you think I want to hear. I am aware you agree with anything I want as you are the best of fathers, but I need the honest vicar now, not my overly-protective father.”
Dudley suspected he might be asked to have this particular conversation with Matilda. “Why now, Matti?” he asked carefully.
Matilda related her doubts to her father, ones she had been able to put aside until the reaction of Charlotte, Jane, and Lizzy to her invitation to Mr. Collins’s home.
“None of them have ever said anything other than relating the truth of Mr. Collins's rejections before he came to me. But to be fair, I have not asked,” Matilda admitted.
“Truth be told, I was not overjoyed at your accepting him, but as you correctly stated, I will do anything to support you, Matti. I could have asked Bennet for the truth about your betrothed, but I chose not to. If it is what you want, you may join me on my weekly meeting with him on the morrow. If you change your mind and withdraw from the betrothal, I will support you as I always have, and always will.” Dudley hugged his daughter to him.
“Please Papa, I do not want to be blind. It is possible I was wrong about not wanting too much information about my future mate before the wedding. There are too many signs for me to ignore, so yes, I will join you on the morrow.” Matilda rested her head on her father’s shoulder as he placed a comforting arm around her and kissed the top of his daughter’s head.
She was a full-grown woman, but she would always be his little girl.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“William! Andrew! Richard!” Georgiana welcomed the three to Matlock House enthusiastically. “Why are you back? Is the ball not to be held on the morrow?”
“It is, Gigi. We are to return in the morning and wanted to know if you would like to accompany us.” Darcy asked.
“Truly William, you want me with you?” she asked tremulously.
“Never doubt that I will always want you with me, Gigi. If I have ever given you any other idea, then I must beg your pardon.” Darcy enfolded his sister into his arms. “Yes, I, we all, want you to join us.”
“But Richard said you wanted to protect me from Miss Bingley?” Georgiana questioned.
“Although it was part of the reason, it was not the main reason. I have seen from the example of others that hiding the truth from you fails to protect you. I am so sorry I never told you the truth about that scoundrel. You would have been able to make better decisions had I done so,” Darcy stated contritely.
“William, I knew better, but let us move forward. Nothing will change what was. What was the true reason for not wanting me in Hertfordshire?” Georgiana pressed forward to learn what she wanted to know.
“George Wickham was a member of the Derbyshire Militia stationed there. Again, in a misguided desire to protect you, I decided you would not be able to face him. I should have asked you, Gigi. I am sorry, sister dearest,” Darcy explained.
“He did not hurt others, did he?” Georgiana asked with concern.
“The libertine meddled with some merchants’ daughters and tried with a gentleman’s daughter, but he was stopped when a very intelligent lady saw through his facade. He now sits in Newgate and will be transported, never to return, in the matter of a few days,” Richard informed his ward.
“Will you introduce me to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, William?” Darcy started in surprise at his sister knowing Miss Elizabeth’s name.
“Yes, William,” Lady Elaine said as he entered the room, “I, too, want to hear about this paragon you mentioned in each letter you wrote to your sister, mentioning her name more than once in some. She is not a fortune hunter, is she?”
“NO!” All three men chorused emphatically.
“I want to hear this,” Lady Elaine commanded as she seated herself in a comfortable wingback chair.
Darcy explained his history with the Bennets, not skipping any embarrassing facts. Then her sons added their impressions of the Bennets.
“I am looking forward to meeting the Miss Bennets!” Georgiana said enthusiastically, once all three were done with their recitations.
“Gigi, if you are comfortable with them, would you like me to ask if the Bennets will host you? That will keep you far from Miss Bingley’s false friendship and fawning,” Darcy offered.
“Do you think they will like me, William?” Georgiana asked shyly.
“No, Gigi, I think they will love you!” Darcy opined.
The Countess spoke not a word, but she could tell by the way they talked that William was not the only one taken by a Bennet daughter. “William, do you think your friend, Mr. Bingley, has room at the Nether House for your Uncle and me?” she asked casually.
“It is Netherfield Park, Aunt Elaine, and yes, the house has more than enough room. Is Uncle Reggie free to join us?” Darcy asked.
“He will be,” the Countess stated, and everyone smiled, well aware they should not doubt her word.
Darcy sent an express to his friend to request chambers be made ready for the Earl and Countess of Matlock. He hoped Bingley would warn his younger sister, as his aunt and uncle would have even less patience with the harridan than Andrew had shown his first night at Bingley’s estate.