livelihoods. One ought not, it seemed to Darcy, taste anything but remorse on the day following a dere-
iction of duty and honor such as he had committed.
'Your uncle and I share a common purpose this afternoon.'
'I would invite you to sit,' Harry said, 'but that would suggest that I want you to stay. Which I do not.' He swallowed a spoonful of ice cream. 'You are come, I suppose, to admonish me once more for my wicked ways? You should have saved yourselves the trouble. I have heard enough already from you, Mr. Darcy, and from your wife, Mr. Ferrars.'
Edward appeared puzzled. 'Elinor has been in contact with you?'
The spoon paused halfway to Mr. Dashwood's mouth. 'Forgive me, I meant my other aunt Ferrars. One loses track of them.'
Darcy noted the full glass and half-empty bottle beside him and deduced the nature of Harry's genealogical impairment.
'Harry,' Edward began, 'all your family is very concerned about you.'
Mr. Dashwood swallowed more ice cream. 'This is splendid stuff. I cannot decide which I prefer — water ices or cream ices. I shall have to order Cook to stock both in the new larder.'
'Harry,' Edward continued, 'I did not come to lecture you about Norland, or about your mother's fortune. Those losses cannot be restored. But the rest of it can be mended.'
Harry tossed back his wine, or brimstone, or whatever it was he drank, and refilled the glass. 'The rest of what?'
'This 'Hell-Fire Club' in which I understand you have immersed yourself.'
Irritation flashed across Mr Dashwood's face. 'I do wish everyone would cease calling it that. I have never called it that.'
'What do you call it?'
He shrugged. 'The Monks of Medmenham, the Friars of Saint Francis, the Knights — choose whichever you fancy. I prefer the Knights of late. But it has never been the Hell-Fire Club. That's an old name the ignorant persist in using'
Darcy's patience ebbed. He had many words to describe Mr. Dashwood, his companions, and his activities, none of which I he expected Harry would care to hear. 'Whatever its name, your continued promotion of and I volvement with the organization threatens more than your fortune,'
'What else do I risk, Mr. Darcy? My life? It will run out in due course. My sacred honor? In their day, many great men associated with the Knights.'
Darcy regarded Mr. Dashwood with contempt. Naught but respect for Lord Chatfield could compel him to carry this mission any further.
'You are not a great man. Mr. Dashwood. Great men consider the influence they bear on those around them. If you will not check your behavior for your own sake, at least do not ruin others' futures along with yours.'
'My Knights are grown men who make their own choices.'
'To the grief of those around them.' Darcy leaned on the table, so that his eyes were level with Harry's. 'Mr Dashwood, when you broke faith with Miss Bennet, you also betrayed the friendship I extended to you. My wife and I accepted you into our home, into our family circle, and into our lives. When you came me to me seeking guidance, I gave it willingly I regarded you my brother.'
Mr. Dashwood sighed, his expression bored. Darcy swallowed both his scorn and his pride, and continued.
'In remembrance of that former esteem, I ask one boon of you. Grant it, and I will trouble you no further.'
The petition seemed to amuse him 'The righteous Mr. Darcy begs a favor from the fallen Mr Dashwood? I am all attention. '
'Lord Phillip Beaumont.'
'What of him?'
'Drop him. From your Knights, from your acquaintance, from your memory'
Dashwood studied him. 'What is Beaumont to you?'
'He has friends who wish to avoid heanng his name linked with scandal.'
A sardonic smile twisted Harry's lips. 'And who, in turn, pressure you to intercede.' He laughed coldly 'I am afraid, Mr Darcy. you will simply have to bear their displeasure at your failure, for I choose my own society, and so does Beaumont.'
He emptied his glass again and reached for the bottle. 'You may both leave now, for I have done with you.'
Darcy and Edward stared at the rude dismissal. Mr. Dashwood waved them away. 'That's right 'Stand not upon the order of your going, but go at once'' He returned to his ice cream, now half-melted in its dish. Darcy hoped he choked on it.
'I am astounded,' Edward said when they reached the hall.
'I thought your description had prepared me for his degeneration, but I had not comprehended us extent. He conducts himself in this manner all the time now?'
'Not always. He is often worse.'
Mr Ferrars shook his head 'He looks terrible. I have seen men whose health was mined by drink or gluttony, but I have never witnessed an appearance deteriorate so quickly. And his eyes — his gaze is wizened, as if he possesses knowledge best left unknown.'
'Candles that burn all night dwindle faster.'
A knock at the door summoned the housekeeper, who answered it to admit, of all people, Phillip Beaumont. Providence had created a final opponunity for Darcy to fulfill his pledge to the earl. Darcy greeted Lord Phillip and presented Edward to him.
'Lord Phillip.' Darcy said, 'I wonder if I might speak to you about a matter of some concern.'
Mr Ferrars, recognizing his presence as superfluous and likely detrimental to the achievement of Dairy's objective, excused himself to wait in the carriage. Once he departed, Beaumont regarded Darcy expectantly.
'Lord Phillip—' Darcy considered his words, conscious that he had but moments to form an argument to which Beaumont might prove receptive. If the earl's entreaties had gone unheeded, how could the cautions of a near- stranger expect to find audience? Chatfield had already appealed to Phillip's sense of honor, family duty, and safely But Beaumont was young, too young to believe himself or his reputation vulnerable to harm.
Harry Dashwood had believed himself similarly impervious, and look at him now.
Yes — look at him. Darcy would appeal to Beaumont' s vanity. 'Lord Phillip, I have just come from Mr. Dashwood. As his friend, I desire your opinion. Does he seem much altered to you in recent weeks?'
'Of course. He's more lively and amusing. And he throws much better parties than he ever did at Oxford.'
'But do you not think his pursuit of pleasure has taxed his physical person?'
'Perhaps a little.'
The housekeeper hovered, obviously impatient to announce Lord Phillip to her master so she could get on with her other duties. A look from Darcy induced her to retreat a few steps.
'Only a little?'
'Well, all right — Dashwood is hardly cutting a dash these days. But what of it? He is seizing life.'
'Do you not fear that participating in his dissipation will work similar effects upon you?'
He shrugged. 'It hasn't thus far.'
From the dining room, Mr Dashwood summoned his housekeeper. Harry probably wanted to know who had knocked on the door Darcy had at most a minute more with the countess's brother.
'Lord Phillip, it is not my business, but I urge you to take care in your intercourse with Mr. Dashwood.'
'You are correct, Mr Darcy. It is not your business.'
Darcy accepted the rebuff without answer. This trip to Pall Mall had soundly thrashed his dignity. Having been curtly dismissed by both Dashwood and Beaumont, he would not tarry long enough to be run out by the housekeeper, as well. With a nod of farewell to Lord Phillip, he departed His obligation to the earl had been discharged.
