Chapter 42 Lord Dunwich
“Miss Bennet is not at home, my Lord.”
“Not at home, or not at home to me?”
The butler’s expression did not alter. “Not at home, my Lord.”
Lord Dunwich remained upon the step for a moment in thought. He handed the bouquet of costly greenhouse flowers and his calling card to the butler. “See that she receives these.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Dunwich descended the steps with measured elegance, spoke to his coachman, and settled inside the carriage. It rolled away from Beaumont’s townhouse and rattled down the street.
Jane stood at the drawing room window until it disappeared at the crossroad. Lord Dunwich had been the first of Lizzy’s callers. She wondered if there would be others when the butler entered the room.
“My Lady, where would you like these?”
“Oh, those are lovely. His taste is artistic. Place all of Lizzy’s flowers upon the sideboard, James.”
He arranged the bouquet in a vase and withdrew. Jane rose at once and took up the card. The note was written in his own hand and bore his signature. Hugh. Color rose in her cheeks as she read.
“Darling, my pursuit begins today. Your most ardent cicisbeo, Hugh.”
Beaumont entered the room. “What is it, love? Are those from Dunwich?”
“Yes.” She handed him the note. “This accompanied the arrangement.”
Beaumont’s mouth tightened as he read the missive. “I hope this does not end upon a field of honor.”
Alarmed, Jane asked, “How could it? Elizabeth wants nothing to do with the man. She would never prove disloyal to Mr. Darcy.”
“No, but Darcy may feel compelled to meet Dunwich if he brings dishonor upon your sister.”
Jane sank into a chair. “But how can this be?”
“His reputation is black, my love. Merely becoming the object of his attentions may tarnish a woman’s character.”
“Shall we have this note delivered to Mr. Darcy?”
“We shall, along with any others she receives today. Your sister proved a success. I imagine many gentlemen will call.”
Dunwich remained stationed down the street only long enough to determine that the lady, in fact, remained absent from the house.
The gentlemen who called left their cards and tokens, then departed.
He struck his walking stick against the ceiling of the carriage, and it rolled away.
It was clear that Darcy guarded his intended, exactly as he had expected.
Before the day ended, fifteen gentlemen had left calling cards along with flowers, sweetmeats, fruit, and one gentleman had sent a beautifully tooled leather miniature book of verse. Jane crossed the drawing room, taking in each offering.
“It is a shame Lizzy cannot see these.”
“Why can she not? Calling hours have ended. Let us take Dunwich’s note to Darcy. Perhaps he will grant your sister leave to come admire her flowers. We shall return her before dinner.”
That same morning, at Matlock house, Elizabeth settled at the breakfast table beside her young friend. Her head ached, and she was fatigued after a restless night.
Georgiana bent over a newspaper that lay next to her plate. “Look, Lizzy. Here is the account of Lady Sophia’s ball. Shall I read it aloud, or do you wish to read it yourself?”
“Read it to me, dear girl, while I drink my tea.”
Georgiana read aloud. “The lovely Miss B took the ton by storm. Lord D and Mr. D both paid her unrelenting court. Countess M made it abundantly clear that Mr. D, one of the wealthiest eligibles, now wears Miss B’s fetters, but the question remains: will Lord D prevail? More to come.”
Elizabeth set down her cup and sat in silence through the account.
Lady Helen entered the breakfast parlor. “It might have proved worse, Elizabeth. They might have mentioned that Dunwich conversed during the entire dance and so distressed you that some supposed you would faint upon the ballroom floor.”
The Countess took up one of the newspapers and paged through until she located the society column.
She read aloud, “There is new, lovely competition this season, and the cats are not pleased. Miss B of Hertfordshire is the sister of Sir GB and betrothed to one of our most eligible gentlemen. With his wealth and her beauty, they shall become The Couple of the season, though not if Lord D has anything to say on the matter. He danced only with her and then departed the ball. Did he attend merely to secure a dance with the new mystery lady?”
Elizabeth grimaced. “The society columns are written very poorly.”
“They are not intended as literary works, Elizabeth. They are meant to sell newspapers. Welcome to the world of the upper circles, where everyone observes everyone else. Take care, my girl, not to set one foot wrong, or you may find yourself ruined.”
Mr. Darcy entered the room. “Elizabeth, you are not eating. Shall I serve you a plate?”
“Brother, the society columns have likely spoiled her appetite.”
He took up her plate and served her breakfast. “I never pay them any attention. If you do not read them, they can hardly spoil your day, my dear.”
Elizabeth raised her eyes to his. “Sir, they connect my name with yours and Lord Dunwich’s.”
“Yes, I expected as much. But we shall not attend another function until Lord Morton’s ball. Perhaps in the intervening time, the furor will diminish.” He addressed the Countess. “Aunt Helen, have you settled upon a date for your ball?”
“Not yet. I wished to see how Elizabeth acquitted herself. I did not wish to cast her amongst the ton before she was prepared.”
He sat beside Elizabeth and set her breakfast before her. “These raspberries ought to tempt you, and the crescent rolls are always excellent.” He handed her the butter. “Eat it while it is hot.”
“Thank you, sir.” She bit into the roll. “It is buttery and delicious.”
Georgiana began to read each of the society columns aloud.
“They will likely set wagers in the betting books as to which of her two suitors shall prevail.”
Elizabeth choked and coughed.
“I beg your pardon, darling. I did not mean to startle you. I merely meant...”
Lady Helen handed Elizabeth a glass of water. After she recovered, Elizabeth asked, “Betting books, sir?”
“Gentlemen of independent means have a great deal of idle time upon their hands, and for want of anything better to occupy them, many wager upon nearly everything. I have witnessed bets laid upon raindrops racing down a windowpane. I am not surprised we have stirred interest.” He smiled down into her eyes.
“You were exceedingly handsome last evening. Even I, who have long admired your beauty, found it difficult not to stare. I am not surprised by all this uproar surrounding you.”
“But what of Lord Dunwich, sir? What shall be done about him? The others appear to be mere innocents when compared with him.”
Richard and Anne entered and served themselves breakfast while the others continued discussing Lord Dunwich. Lady Helen finally spoke.
“I agree with Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth, you shall not attend another function until Lord Morton’s ball.
You will continue your studies. Next week I shall take you out on several morning calls, though only to select friends of mine.
They must become acquainted with you so they may silence any who dare speak against you. ”
Darcy asked, “Aunt Helen, might it be possible to delay the ball you intend to organize until after we are married? Perhaps you may hold it next November when we return from Pemberley?”
“Mamma, if you wait until later in the year, you may give a single ball for the Darcys and us. We shall be out of mourning by then.”
Anne agreed. “I should like that.”
Georgiana asked, “May I attend as well? I will be sixteen by then. I promise to remain at your side, Aunt Helen, and dance only with my guardians.”
Lady Helen’s lips curved. “Very well. We shall postpone it. Once you are married, Elizabeth, Lord Dunwich will pose no further threat to your reputation.”
The day passed peacefully. Anne and Georgiana both joined Elizabeth’s lesson on deportment and remained to hear her practice when the music master arrived.
After he departed, Anne said, “Lizzy, I would not have believed your lovely voice capable of improvement, yet that man has earned his keep with you. Your voice is incomparable. I feel fortunate indeed to hear you.”
Elizabeth laughed. “There is an astonishing amount to learn about proper breathing techniques. He has taught me how to take a quick breath, where to breathe without interrupting the music, how to conserve my breath, and how to sustain a long passage. And he tells me there is still more I must learn.”
A maid entered. “You are wanted in the drawing room. Sir Gareth and Lady Beaumont are here to see you, Miss Elizabeth.”
She hurried to her feet. “Jane has come. She surely brings news of Lord Dunwich. I hope he has not distressed her.”
The three ladies joined the others in the drawing room.
Darcy stood beside Beaumont, looking down at a paper he held in his hand. He was frowning.
Elizabeth’s heart began to beat wildly within her breast. Fitzwilliam was angry.
She approached him. “What is it, sir?”
He handed her the note.
“Darling, my pursuit begins today. Your most ardent cicisbeo, Hugh.”
The words struck her like a blow. Cold swept through her limbs, and her hands began to tremble. Would this end on a field of honor? Would Fitzwilliam be injured or killed?
Mr. Darcy placed an arm about her waist and guided her to the nearest chair.
Richard brought her a glass of wine. She drank, then pressed her hand to her damp forehead.
After another sip of wine, she said, “I am recovered now. I was merely taken aback. Who would believe a man raised as a gentleman could be capable of such aggression?” She took Darcy’s hand in hers.
“Fitzwilliam, you do not believe I offered him encouragement?”
“Elizabeth, pray, do not distress yourself on account of Dunwich. We all know Dunwich and the way he pursues women. Soon we shall begin receiving invitations to social functions hosted by his particular friends, those who assist him in his seductions.”
“Oh, I cannot endure his attentions. This is too bad of him. Why should he make me suffer so?” Elizabeth cried.
Darcy said bitterly, “Most women would not consider them a hardship, darling. Most swoon at his feet and hope they shall become the one woman to secure his admiration. He is a handsome devil. Your reaction would astonish him.”
Richard said, “No, it would not. Her rejection may prove the very thing that secures his unwavering devotion.”
Beaumont said, “We had hoped to bring Elizabeth back with us. Our drawing room overflows with floral bouquets, and it would be a shame for her not to see them. Mrs. Gardiner is to take tea with us. If you agree, we shall return her in time for dinner.”
All fell silent and looked to Darcy.
“Of course, Elizabeth may go. She is not confined here at Matlock. I only desire her safety.”
Beaumont rose and offered his hand to Jane. “Thank you, Darcy. We will take care for her safety.”
Elizabeth led the way as they donned their outerwear and prepared themselves for the cold. Farewells were exchanged, and then they departed.
Georgiana entwined her arm through her brother’s. “Fitzwilliam, I am afraid for Elizabeth. Would Lord Dunwich prove so barbaric as to abduct her?”
“Once he might have done so, but he is different with Elizabeth. He holds her in esteem. He will not injure her, for he desires a respectable marriage with her.”
Georgiana raised her eyes to his. “And you approve, brother?”
“No, dear. I merely repeat what Elizabeth herself said. He will conduct himself as a gentleman in all matters concerning her. We shall soon marry, and then she will stand beyond his reach.”