Chapter 13 #2
Darcy stared darkly at the floor. How was it possible to be so wrong?
Is the woman some kind of trickster, manipulating her way into the Darcys’ home and hearts?
One thing was very clear, he had a lucky escape from the devil woman.
As soon as he could, he would make his parents aware of Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s duplicity.
~ / ~
Mr Darcy and Lady Anne did not see their son the whole of the following day. Sending inquiries on his wellbeing through his valet resulted in a note saying he was well, but resting.
Darcy knew if he stayed in his rooms a second day, his mother would grow concerned. It was late when he shuffled into the breakfast room.
His mother looked him over as only a mother can and exclaimed, “Fitzwilliam, you are so pale. Do you have a headache? Should we call for our physician?”
“I am well, Mother, merely tired.” His voice was raspy from lack of use.
She kept an eye on him, noting he ate very little. “What are your plans for today? Will you be able to rest?”
“I have no plans,” he mumbled.
“Perhaps that is just as well. It will give you another day to recuperate from your malady.”
His father, too, watched him, but said nothing. His son’s symptoms were a specific kind, so he held his tongue. He did not envy his son’s suffering, making a mental note to have his own valet give Rogers a known remedy.
Georgiana glided into the breakfast room and slid gracefully into her seat. A footman brought a plate with her favourites.
Despite her poise, Georgiana’s voice was small when she spoke, “Mama, did a note come from Elizabeth? I had thought she would make arrangements to visit. I wish to hear all about the ball.”
Darcy scoffed.
“What was that, dear?” Lady Anne’s brows rose.
“Nothing,” came a muttered reply. He continued pushing the food around on his plate.
“Poppet, she may be waiting until Anne is completely rested before visiting. Your poor cousin was exhausted when she came home from the ball.”
More grumblings from Darcy’s side of the table. Mr Darcy observed the dark expression his son wore. He caught his wife’s eye and widened his. She shook her head and gave a subtle lift of her shoulders. Neither knew what ailed him.
Darcy watched his sister chatter exuberantly about seeing Miss Bennet again. He frowned. How entrenched the Bennet woman had become in his sister’s life. In all of their lives. At least she was keeping her distance from them now.
The next morning brought a similar scene at the breakfast table. But Darcy’s mood was darker and Georgiana’s concern a little sharper.
“Mama, should we not have heard from Elizabeth by now? Shall we inquire if she is well?” Georgiana’s sweet face was crumpled in concern.
This time Lady Anne did see the scowl on her son’s face.
“Let us give her one more day before we become alarmed, Poppet. Perhaps, if Anne is feeling stronger today, she will appreciate another lesson with you on the piano.”
When breakfast finished, Lady Anne waylaid her son. “Fitzwilliam, I will see you in my sitting room in a quarter-hour.”
“Yes, Mother,” was his short reply.
Lady Anne was ready for him when he reached her door. “Come in, I had tea brought up.” She poured their tea and sat back on the sofa patting the seat beside her.
As soon as he had dutifully taken the seat she spoke. “Fitzwilliam, will you tell me what has you so out of countenance?”
“I do not trust Miss Bennet.” His speech was clipped.
Lady Anne stilled. It was the last thing she expected to hear. “Has something happened to change your opinion of her?”
“I think she is deceiving us by prevaricating and is duplicitous about who she is.” He finished speaking with a sulky expression.
Lady Anne searched his face. “These are strong accusations. I assume you have proof to back them up?”
He shifted in his seat, but Lady Anne held her peace.
At length her son blurted, “I overheard her speaking to Anne, saying horrible things about me. Calling me disdainful and arrogant, and... and... ungentlemanly!” His voice slowly rose in volume.
“And from this lone statement you now think she is deceitful?”
“How dare she make such disparaging remarks about me? Who does she think she is? A lady with no connections of note, little education, and no dowry. She is my inferior in every way.” He crossed his arms over his chest, appearing to Lady Anne like the little boy he had been many years ago.
She took a sip of tea to gather her thoughts. Keeping her tone soft, despite the sharpness of her words, “Allow me to remind you, Fitzwilliam, it was you who sought her out time and again. Do recall, I asked you to leave her be.”
“You implied I would not be able to garner her attention.” Darcy would not look his mother in the eye.
“And have you?” Lady Anne raised her eyebrows questioningly.
“I have not,” he huffed. “Apparently.”
“Was it merely a challenge, to prove you could have any woman? How did you put it?” Her teacup clicked as she placed it on the saucer and down on the table in front of her.
“That you could snap your fingers,” she snapped hers, “and the ladies of the Ton would fall at your feet.” The look she bestowed on him was one only a mother could give to her child–loving, yet slightly disappointed.
Darcy opened his mouth to respond but shut it again.
“I think you finally begin to comprehend our objections. It is not pleasant being on the receiving end of such insults, is it? What I cannot fathom is why you pursued her. You say she is beneath you, so what exactly did you hope to achieve?”
Darcy looked mulish at first and Lady Anne thought he might not respond.
He began hesitantly, almost choking the words out. “She is beautiful and so lively. She practically glows compared to other young ladies. Her conversation is interesting and I appreciate her intelligence and wit. And she is beautiful,” he repeated.
Darcy grew more animated as he counted off the attributes of the woman who had caught his fancy. “She makes me see the world from a different perspective. Her laugh is joyous and free, not some titter hidden behind a hand.”
“I agree she is all those things, but according to you, it could not lead to anything serious. Were you not concerned about trifling with a young lady’s feelings?”
“Hah! If anything, she trifled with mine. She–”
"Fitzwilliam!” Lady Anne’s sharp retort cut off whatever he intended to say next.
“You made it clear to your father and me, you would choose a wife from the Ton. Then, against my advice, you paid attention to Miss Bennet. Now you blame her? For what? For having a mind of her own? Seeing through your prideful disdain?”
Darcy began an angry retort, but she cut him off.
“Miss Bennet is everything you said and more. She is a strong woman, has a good character and high moral values, which many in our society sorely lack. So, I ask again; would you offer for her? Otherwise, I do not see what right you have to be upset. And no, I do not think Elizabeth is deceitful, nor has she lied to us.”
He stiffened throughout her speech, and in his haughtiest, coldest tone replied, “I could not possibly marry someone so beneath me. She is unsuitable according to society’s norms.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy!” The booming voice made him jump. “I am ashamed of you!” Unbeknownst to Lady Anne and her son, Lady Catherine had entered the room.
“Heavens, Anne, I see the rumours about Fitzwilliam were quite true.”
Lady Catherine turned a fearsome scowl on her nephew.
“I have never seen such conceit, such selfish disdain for the feelings of others. Like the rakes and scoundrels of the Ton, you played with a lady’s affections for your own amusement.
You paid attention to her for all to see with no honourable intentions.
What does that say about you? Or where does that leave her standing and reputation as a gentlewoman, for that matter?
And now you sulk, as you did in your first skeleton suit because she has not fallen at your feet?
According to my Anne, this young lady is everything estimable. ”
Lady Catherine speared him with her eyes. “Answer me this, does she care for the wellbeing of others?”
When he nodded, Lady Catherine continued. “Then she would be good to your tenants. Is she also lively and warm toward children?”
Darcy frowned, but nodded.