Chapter 10
General Marcus Sinclair sat alone on a bench in a deserted park.
It was a cold winter morning, and few people were willing to brave the weather.
The previous day, after hearing Claire remark upon Elizabeth Bennet's eyes, he had found himself returning to a part of his life he had long believed he had finally left behind.
For many years, he had clung to the hope that Eleanor and little Ella were still alive, and that one day they would return to him so they could become the family fate had denied them.
But when he was finally forced to accept that such a reunion would never come, he sank into a sorrow so profound that it consumed him for months.
Meeting the charming Miss Bennet had awakened precious memories he had believed lost forever.
He had resolved to seek her out and offer her whatever support he could—not out of obligation, but in honour of the woman he had loved above all others.
He would not stand by and allow Thomas Bennet to ruin another young woman's life.
Marcus was convinced that meeting Elizabeth in the park had not been a mere chance.
He truly believed that Providence had placed her in his path, urging him to reconnect with the family of the only woman he had ever loved—or ever would.
Once he had gathered his thoughts and regained his composure, he went about his duties. Later that afternoon, he accompanied Claire on her promised visit to Darcy House.
"I am very glad you could come, General," Georgiana said warmly. "My brother always enjoys your company."
At that moment, Mr Darcy entered the drawing room. He greeted Lady Claire and the General with perfect courtesy, while carefully maintaining a respectful distance from the young lady.
"Lady Claire, General Sinclair, it is a pleasure to welcome you to my home."
"Mr Darcy, if you are not otherwise engaged, I should like a word with you," Marcus said.
"Not at all. Please come to my study, where we may speak more comfortably and leave the ladies to enjoy one another's company."
Mr Darcy was somewhat puzzled. General Sinclair was a man of few words, and they scarcely knew one another. He could not imagine what subject the general wished to discuss.
As soon as the gentlemen had left the room, Lady Claire took Georgiana's hands in her own.
"My dear Georgiana, we have not known one another very long, yet I already consider you a true friend."
"And I feel exactly the same, Claire," Georgiana replied warmly.
"Because I feel I can trust you, there is something I wish to tell you." Claire blushed before continuing. "I have the greatest admiration for your cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam."
She lowered her eyes for a moment before adding,
"I respect your brother very much, and I believe him to be an honourable gentleman, but... I do not have any romantic feelings for him."
Georgiana smiled.
"So was it as obvious as I feared that I was trying to make you and my brother fall in love?"
“Yes, it was,” said Claire, smiling.
Georgiana laughed softly before adding, "Now that I think about it, I believe you and Richard would make a far better match. Then you truly would become my cousin."
"I do not know whether he has any interest in me," Claire admitted sadly.
"I shall help you, my dear friend. Trust me—Richard and I are very close."
"Georgiana, there is no need for you to worry..."
"Not another word, my dear friend," Georgiana interrupted with an eager smile. "It would give me the greatest pleasure to play matchmaker. And before you say anything else, let me tell you exactly what I have in mind."
As she spoke, Georgiana began devising plans to bring together her favourite cousin and her dearest friend.
Meanwhile, in the library, Mr Darcy and General Sinclair exchanged a few polite remarks.
"You have a remarkably elegant study, Mr Darcy," Marcus observed as he glanced around the room. "I have always believed that a gentleman's place of work reveals much about his character."
"You are very kind, General. I have always found this room one of the most comfortable in the house."
Marcus's gaze then settled upon the large painting above the fireplace.
"That is a magnificent landscape. I do not believe I have ever seen a finer estate."
Mr Darcy looked towards the painting with unmistakable affection.
"It is Pemberley, my family estate in Derbyshire. The painting was commissioned by my late father many years ago."
"It is truly beautiful," Marcus replied. "I can understand why you are so devoted to it."
After a brief silence, Marcus turned towards Mr Darcy and, in a more formal tone, he said, "Mr Darcy, there is another reason I wished to speak with you.
I hope you might tell me how I may find Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
I understand that you know her, and I assumed you might know where she is staying while she is in London. "
Mr Darcy immediately rose and poured himself a glass of brandy. He offered one to the General, who politely declined.
He was far from pleased by the General's sudden interest in Elizabeth.
General Sinclair was wealthy, respected, and held in the highest esteem.
If Mrs Bennet learned that such a gentleman had shown an interest in one of her daughters, she would probably do everything in her power to bring about the match.
Besides, the General was old enough to be Elizabeth's father.
Marcus watched the emotions that flickered across Mr Darcy's face despite his efforts to conceal them.
He could not understand the young man. If he cared so deeply for Elizabeth, why was he not courting her?
He possessed both fortune and independence.
Nothing prevented him from marrying if he truly wished to do so.
"I am not particularly well acquainted with Miss Bennet," Mr Darcy replied. "I met her in Hertfordshire and did not see her again until our chance meeting in the park the other day. I believe she is staying with her uncle somewhere near Cheapside. I am afraid that is all I know."
He longed to change the subject before his thoughts returned to Elizabeth once more.
"You are probably right. She was with her Gardiner cousins.
They must be Mr Gardiner's children. I shall call upon Mr Edward Gardiner.
Thank you, Mr Darcy, I shall not take up any more of your time.
If you will excuse me, I shall rejoin the ladies.
I believe it is time to tell Claire that we are expected home for dinner. "
As Marcus turned to leave, Mr Darcy spoke impulsively.
"May I ask why you wish to locate Miss Bennet?"
"For personal reasons," Marcus answered quietly.
"I see," Mr Darcy replied, though the answer clearly dissatisfied him.
"I believe I should rejoin the ladies."
Just as Marcus reached the door, Mr Darcy spoke again.
"Miss Bennet may be a country gentlewoman without fortune or influential connections, but she is an exceptional lady. She deserves..."
He stopped, unsure how to finish the sentence.
Marcus turned back and finished Mr Darcy's sentence with his own thoughts, making the difference between them unmistakably clear.
"She deserves a young, honourable gentleman who is willing to court her without regard for her fortune or connections."
He looked steadily at Darcy.
"Now, if you will excuse me, I shall rejoin the ladies."
Marcus left the library scarcely believing that the young man before him would rather deny his own heart than overcome his pride and fight for the woman he loved.
Mr Darcy remained alone for several minutes, staring silently into the fire.
At last, he made a decision. Once he had paid his visit to Lady Catherine in Kent, he would return directly to Pemberley.
There, he hoped never again to hear the name Elizabeth Bennet.
◆◆◆
Eleanor was in her office waiting for Mary. Before leaving for the London Botanical Garden, she wished to have a private conversation with her niece.
"Did you wish to see me, Aunt Eleanor?" Mary asked as she entered the room.
"Yes, my dear. I want to speak with you about Lady Westcliff's ball next week."
Eleanor had overheard Mary's conversation with Kitty the previous day. She had heard her niece explain that she had no wish to attend the ball because she would feel completely out of place among so many distinguished people.
"I truly do not wish to go, Aunt," Mary said earnestly.
"I understand, Mary. But it is important to me that society knows you are my niece. Do you remember that I once told you how very much you reminded me of myself at your age?"
Mary nodded.
"I was painfully shy and had scarcely any acquaintance beyond my own family and a few neighbours," Eleanor continued. "I was so innocent, my dear Mary, that I made a terrible mistake because I knew so little of the world. I do not want the same thing to happen to you."
"Aunt, you are beautiful and elegant. I am only the plain daughter."
Mary had heard such remarks for so many years that she had long since accepted them as truth.
Eleanor smiled warmly.
"My dear Mary, if you think I am beautiful, then you must admit that you are beautiful as well.
I was not exaggerating when I told you how much we resemble one another.
You and I are unmistakably Bennets," she said with a laugh.
"Your sisters resemble Fanny... and Lizzy...
I do not know... perhaps one of my aunts. "
For a brief moment, Eleanor fell silent. There was something about Elizabeth that reminded her of someone, but the thought was too painful to pursue.
She was startled when Mary suddenly asked, "You are Father's sister, not his cousin... are you not?"
Eleanor looked at her in surprise.
"What makes you think that, Mary?"
"I cannot explain it. It simply seems to make more sense. But please do not worry, Aunt. I shall keep your secret. I am certain you have a good reason for hiding the truth. Father is not a good person, and I do not trust him."
For several minutes, they spoke openly.
"You must understand that I never wished to deceive you,” said Eleanor.
"I know, Aunt."