Chapter 4
Colonel Fitzwilliam had come to greet his cousin after several months without seeing him. He wished to know whether Georgiana had recovered since his last visit and to extend an invitation on behalf of his mother, Lady Helen.
Richard instructed the butler not to announce him, explaining that he would go directly to his cousin's study. As a member of the family, he was treated as such by all the servants.
When he entered the room, he found Mr Darcy staring at a small jewel as though lost in thought.
Christmas was approaching, and Mr Darcy had recently collected a gift he had commissioned for Georgiana.
He had purchased a beautiful pearl necklace, which he knew his sister would admire.
While waiting at the jeweller's shop, however, he had noticed a small emerald brooch.
The colour of the stone was remarkably similar to Elizabeth's eyes whenever sunlight caught them.
Almost without thinking, he had purchased it.
Now he held it in his hand, wondering how he could be such a fool.
He could not deny that he had bought it in the hope that one day he might give it to her. At that moment, he wondered why he continued to prolong his misery. He ought to forget her once and for all.
“Darce, do you have a secret love to whom you wish to give that jewel?” the Colonel asked teasingly.
Mr Darcy quickly put the brooch away and frowned at his cousin.
“Do not be absurd, Fitzwilliam. You know perfectly well that I would never behave in such a manner. I am the head of the Darcy family, and the Darcys have always been honourable men.”
Richard laughed.
“Darcy, you are always so serious. You remind me of my commanding officer, General Sinclair.”
“There are certain subjects upon which one ought not to jest, Fitzwilliam. I would never keep a mistress, and you know that very well. And although I do not have the honour of knowing the general personally, I am flattered that you compare me to a hero such as he.”
“Then it is your lucky day. My mother has asked me to invite you to dinner in two days' time. She intends to play matchmaker with both you and General Sinclair”
The colonel then explained that Lady Helen wished to pair her sister, Lady Samantha, with the general and Mr Darcy with Lady Claire, the general's niece.
Lady Helen and Lady Samantha were the daughters of a younger son of a Duke.
Both were attractive, though exceedingly vain.
Lady Helen had succeeded in catching Lord Matlock and had become a Countess.
Her sister had always believed she ought to marry even better.
Consequently, she rejected two offers from wealthy gentlemen simply because they lacked titles.
Now five-and-thirty, she had begun to think that if she could not secure a titled husband, she might at least marry a celebrated hero such as General Sinclair.
“And what is this Lady Claire like?” Mr Darcy asked with curiosity. More than ever, he wished to meet a well-born young lady whom he could marry and thereby fulfil his duty to provide an heir for Pemberley.
“Lady Claire is General Sinclair's niece and the daughter of an Earl.
I met her a few months ago at a ball held in honour of her uncle.
She is a pleasant young lady, not at all the typical product of fashionable society.
She is somewhat shy, but once she feels at ease, she has a great deal to say.
Do not worry. I know how much you dislike my mother's matchmaking schemes. I shall find some excuse on your behalf.”
Richard liked Lady Claire very much. Indeed, he had met her on several occasions, though he had no intention of telling Darcy. He felt a little disappointed to learn that his cousin wished to make her acquaintance.
“No, Fitzwilliam. Tell your mother that I shall attend.”
That was all Mr Darcy said, though privately he wondered whether Lady Claire might prove the solution to a problem that had occupied his thoughts for far too long.
Wishing to change the subject, he asked, “I was not aware that Lady Samantha was looking for a husband.”
“Aunt Samantha claims that she is tired of remaining single. The truth, however, is that she has exhausted most of her dowry and now requires a wealthy husband to support her expensive tastes. Nevertheless, I doubt the general will give her a second glance,” replied the Colonel.
“Why? I know your aunt can be difficult, but if the general is looking for a wife, I should think she would be a suitable candidate. He is no longer young, and if he is a widower, that is all the more reason.”
Mr Darcy was curious to learn more about the renowned General.
“How shall I put this, Darcy? The General must be in his mid-forties, and he has never married.” Fitzwilliam hesitated for a moment before continuing. “There have long been rumours in military circles that some officers do not necessarily enjoy the company of ladies.”
“What? The great General Sinclair is...?”
Mr Darcy left the sentence unfinished, unwilling to utter something so improper.
“I do not know, Darcy. It is merely gossip.
A man with a career as distinguished as Sinclair's naturally attracts envy. What I can tell you is that he began his military career in the regiment stationed at Newcastle, where the Campbell scandal occurred. For years, all manner of strange stories circulated about that regiment. Since Sinclair has never married and appears to have no close attachments beyond his niece, people have drawn their own conclusions.”
“Is this Colonel Campbell Lord Westcliff's brother?” asked Darcy.
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“No. I have only heard of him through a friend. Curiously enough, I recently met his widow. She has just returned from Canada. A very pleasant lady, and undoubtedly intelligent and accomplished.”
“Then perhaps everything said about Colonel Campbell is as untrue as the rumours surrounding General Sinclair,” Fitzwilliam concluded.
The conversation soon turned to other matters until Richard suddenly asked, “And how did you enjoy your time in Hertfordshire, Darcy?”
Mr Darcy immediately rose and crossed to the sideboard, where he poured two glasses of brandy.
He then explained everything that had occurred and the reasons for their sudden departure.
“Unfortunately, Bingley was on the verge of making a serious mistake.”
“I know you acted out of friendship, but ought he not to decide for himself whom he wishes to court?” Fitzwilliam disliked his cousin's tendency to interfere in the affairs of others, always convinced that his own judgement was superior.
“Bingley chose not to return to Netherfield. I merely offered my opinion.”
“Well, I can only say that Bingley ought not to value your opinion quite so highly. Difficult as it may be for you to believe, Darce, you are occasionally mistaken as well.”
“Indeed,” replied Mr Darcy.
Mr Darcy was unwilling to continue discussing Hertfordshire, so he quietly changed the subject.
“And how are matters at the regiment? I trust you have already secured leave for our spring visit to Lady Catherine.”
“Everything is going well at the regiment. And do not worry, Darcy—I would never leave you alone to face the dragon,” Richard replied, laughing. “But enough about that. Tell me, how is Georgiana? I have been meaning to call upon her.”
“She is much improved,” Mr Darcy answered, his expression softening immediately. “Mrs Annesley has been a constant source of comfort and support. I do not know what I should have done without her.”
“I am delighted to hear it. Georgiana deserves to be happy after everything she has endured.”
“She has made remarkable progress these last few months. I believe she is beginning to recover her confidence.”
“That is excellent news. Please give her my warmest regards. I shall call upon her soon.”
“I shall do so.”
The cousins continued conversing for more than an hour, speaking of family matters, Parliament, the army, and mutual acquaintances.
At last, Richard rose.
“I had better take my leave before my mother sends someone in search of me.”
Mr Darcy stood and accompanied him to the door.
“Do not forget,” said Richard, smiling, “two evenings from now at Matlock House.”
“I shall be there.”
The two cousins shook hands warmly before the Colonel departed.
◆◆◆
Eleanor was anxious. As she stepped down from her carriage, she was almost trembling with anticipation. After so many years and so many painful memories, she had returned to Longbourn.
This time, however, she had come with a purpose.
She intended to protect and help her nieces, who, like herself, were victims of the wretched entail the Bennet men had imposed upon the estate so many years before. Because of that entail, no daughter of Longbourn could ever inherit, no matter how capable, intelligent, or hardworking she might be.
Now, however, Eleanor no longer needed the money or the consequence that came with belonging to the Bennet family.
She was Baroness Campbell, sister-in-law to the Earl of Westcliff, and mistress of a considerable fortune that included vast estates in Canada, the largest estate in the Meryton district, and a shipping company that yielded an income of more than fifteen thousand pounds a year, besides numerous investments throughout the Empire.
Unlike many widows, Eleanor had always taken an active interest in her husband's business affairs. Indeed, she had conceived many of their most successful ventures. Daniel Campbell had recognized his wife's remarkable gift for finance and encouraged her innovative ideas and business ventures.
He was an intelligent man, far ahead of his time.
Having suffered prejudice throughout much of his life—beginning with his own father—Daniel understood better than anyone how unjust society could be towards those whom it refused to understand. For that reason, he never doubted Eleanor's abilities simply because she was a woman.
Eleanor knocked at the door, and Mr Hill answered it.
At first, he failed to recognise her. Then, as recognition dawned, his eyes widened in astonishment.