Chapter 5 Marriage Schemes
Darcy bowed over Lady Isabella’s richly gloved hand, her diamond bracelet catching the candlelight.
When his eyes met hers, he allowed himself a moment of anticipation.
She was a stunning beauty, as his aunt had assured him.
Full-figured with a handsome countenance, any gentleman might have declared her a diamond of the first water, even without her fifty-thousand-pound dowry.
And yet, he wondered why Philip was not in close attendance upon such a prize. His cousin must know something of the lady. Darcy concluded that he ought to have consulted him before consenting to the dinner.
He glanced toward Richard, who returned his look with a most unhelpful grin. Clearly, his cousin knew something he did not.
“Mr. Darcy, do you intend to escort me to the drawing room, or are we to stand here and admire one another all evening?”
Darcy’s brows lifted with a hint of amusement, and he perceived Richard laughing at his expense.
He offered his arm to Lady Isabella, though her impertinent remark cut him. “Was I staring, my lady?”
“Yes, and I find it most disagreeable. I am not an object to be ogled, sir.”
“I beg your pardon. I will not do so again.”
“See that you do not. It is of all things what I disapprove of most. I will not tolerate such insolent treatment, sir.”
A contrary impulse rose within Darcy. He understood the game well enough, but refused to play it for this shrew. “And yet, my lady, you appear this evening in the most elegant silk I have ever seen. Can you wonder it attracts the notice of every gentleman present?”
“I do not dress to please men, Mr. Darcy. I dress to please myself.”
He inclined his head slightly, though he did not yield. “And your coiffure, ma’am? Am I to refrain from offering a compliment? I count no fewer than six braids woven among your raven curls, and the string of pearls is most artfully placed, with stunning effect, my lady.”
She drew herself up. “No, sir. I attended this entertainment in expectation of intelligent conversation upon elevated subjects, not to endure compliments to my person or my coiffure.”
He turned the topic. “What think you, ma’am, about the King’s health?”
Her nostrils flared, and she rapped his arm with her fan. “Sir, I find that subject exceedingly disagreeable.”
He saw Lady Helen cover her mouth, hiding an expression of shocked disbelief while Richard grinned roguishly in the background.
He continued with greater resolve than before and introduced a topic calculated to please. “Are you a patron of the musical arts, ma’am?”
“How dare you, sir. Do you imagine I shall allow you to slight me? All my acquaintances know I am tone-deaf and have no appreciation for music. Had you taken the trouble to learn my preferences from your aunt, you would know which subjects are forbidden. Mr. Darcy, you are not a peer and possess neither address nor charm to compensate for your want of title. Why should I exert myself on your account?”
Darcy knew not how to answer her, nor where to look. His complexion darkened as he stood mutely before her.
She struck his arm once more with her delicate fan and left him.
“Nephew, you might have delayed your quarrel until after dinner. Now we must all endure the meal while Lady Isabella directs her displeasure at you for your impertinence, at Richard for his status as a second son, at Philip for his absence, and at me for assembling so ill-assorted a company.”
Darcy’s expression softened, and he grinned. “Aunt, I am grateful for your efforts to find me a suitable wife, but under no circumstances shall it be Lady Isabella.”
“Not even for a fifty-thousand-pound portion?”
“That paltry sum would not tempt a rational man to take on such a termagant.”
“That termagant is the daughter of the Duke of Eldon, Fitzwilliam. Would you not reconsider?”
“Especially not for that, Aunt Helen. I imagine she learned such tricks and manners from her elevated father, who would likely feel no compunction in treating me in much the same fashion.”
She asked, “What of Lady Horatia?”
“I confess I hesitate to approach her, Aunt Helen. What if she overheard my exchange with Lady Isabella? I should not wish to have frightened her away.”
“Nonsense, Darcy. She was quite occupied in the corner, having her drink refreshed.”
Darcy raised a brow. “Having her drink refreshed? May I inquire what she was drinking?”
“I did not observe. I was too intent upon your dispute with Lady Isabella to attend to Lady Horatia. Do not forget your age, Fitzwilliam. You have no heir.”
“Very well. I shall go now and hope for the best, though I require no reminder that I am nearly eight and twenty and must establish my nursery.”
“Go along, then. Why do you delay?”
Darcy took a measured sip of his drink to bolster courage and approached Lady Horatia.
She was a handsome woman of about four-and-twenty. Why she remained unmarried was not immediately apparent. He knew her portion stood at forty thousand pounds, and her appearance would satisfy any gentleman. Her fair hair was arranged in a most becoming style, and she possessed a striking figure.
He bowed. “Lady Horatia.”
“Mr. Darcy.”
“My aunt informs me you are but recently returned to England. I understand you traveled to Canada.”
She smiled. “I have, sir. But before I relate my Canadian adventures, will you refresh my glass?”
“Certainly.”
“Cognac, if you please.”
His brow rose. At this rate, she would soon rival any gentleman at the table.
He took her glass and withdrew to comply.
From what he had seen so far, she was excessively fond of the bottle. Perhaps this accounted for her remaining unwed at her age? For she was undeniably handsome. Her gown lacked the elaborate ornament of Lady Isabella’s, but was elegant in its simplicity and most becoming.
He handed her the glass, which she drained in a single swallow. She laughed. “Mr. Darcy, have I shocked you, sir? Have you never met a lady who can outdrink a man?”
“No, ma’am, I have not yet had that pleasure.”
“My father did not admire it either, sir. His lip would curl in much the same fashion as yours did. That was when he resolved to send my sister and me to Canada, in the hope that such an adventure might cure me of my habits. It did not. Tell me, sir, have you considered how little there is to occupy one upon a long sea voyage? There is nothing but games to fill the hours.”
He allowed himself a faint smile, for she was a most engaging creature. “No, ma’am, I confess I have not given it much thought. But I agree, if one does not care for games or books, one must soon fall into a state of tedium.”
“And that was precisely my condition, sir, for I care for none of those pursuits. I passed my time upon the deck, when the weather allowed, drinking away the hours with my sister, and I assure you it proved a very agreeable method of enduring the journey. There were only two unmarried officers on board, so conversation was limited. It suited Diana well enough. She fell in love and married before we reached our destination.”
She regarded him with a knowing smile. “She declares her husband kept her most agreeably occupied, and as evidence, sir, I saw very little of either of them during the voyage. They appeared only at dinner and were gone again soon after.”
“Your sister remained in Canada?”
“She did. My aunt, on my mother’s side, resides in Montreal with her family, and it so happens my new brother-in-law is stationed there, so the arrangement answered very well.”
“I see. And you, ma’am? How did you like Canada?”
“It was delightful, Mr. Darcy. But my father sent for me, and here I am. He declares I must marry this year, for I shall soon be upon the shelf, as they say.”
Darcy raised his eyes. “Your father, Lady Horatia. Is he present this evening? I do not believe I was introduced.”
He glanced about the room and soon observed a gentleman watching him with particular attention. She followed his gaze and raised her hand in greeting. “Yes, that is my papa. He has arrived. Come, I shall introduce you.”
Darcy was not eager for the acquaintance. The gentleman regarded him with a focus that suggested intention, and though Lady Horatia might be destined to marry this year, Darcy had no desire to be the unfortunate candidate. He was considering how best to withdraw when dinner was announced.
His aunt drew near. “Nephew, you will escort Lady Isabella, and Richard will attend Lady Horatia.”
Darcy’s eyes met Richard’s, though he did not dare linger, lest he betray himself with laughter. What possessed his aunt to suppose either he or Richard might admire these ladies?
He went to Lady Isabella’s side. “My lady.” He offered his arm and conducted her to the dining room. They found their places, and he seated her.
By the end of the week, Darcy remembered little of that evening; it might now be considered amusing, though it had not struck him so at the time. That night, a measure of pity stirred in him for Lady Horatia, a woman endowed with many advantages, undone by an unfortunate fondness for drink.
“Darcy, what is the cause of your smile?”
“I was recalling that disastrous dinner your mother contrived for us to attend.”
Richard laughed. “You were most diverting, cousin. I have not enjoyed an evening so well in a long while.”
Darcy cast a dark look at his irreverent cousin. “You are fortunate you were not the one under attack.”
“Tell me, has Mother set a date for the second dinner you agreed to attend?”
“That is entirely out of the question. I have already informed Aunt Helen that I shall be out of town. Lady Catherine has sent for me.”
“But we were only just there at Easter. What can she want now?”
“She writes the house is haunted.”
Richard cackled.
“Haunted? Has she finally lost her wits? Am I to accompany you in order to secure her a keeper? What is to become of Anne, unwell as she is, with Lady Catherine in such a state?”
“Her letter was perfectly coherent, Richard. I cannot imagine what is amiss, but I have been summoned. Will you come with me?”
Richard grinned wryly. “Gladly. It will spare me from any more of my mother’s designs.”
Both men laughed.