please call on me at the main house.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”
He had left the decorations to his guests and his staff and had retreated to his study to review newly arrived correspondence and to escape the inevitable confrontation with his aunt. He had addressed a letter to his solicitor and another to his steward, Mr. Lynden, before the room’s door opened and his cousin slipped in and slid into the chair across from Darcy.
“I’m busy, Edward,” he murmured without looking up from the instructions he was writing.
“And I’m the cousin with whom you’ve shared everything since we were boys,” the colonel argued as he propped his booted feet on the corner of Darcy’s desk.
Darcy placed the pen to the side. “Then tell me what the hell Her Ladyship is doing at Pemberley,” Darcy grumbled.
“I wish I knew. She swears the weather left her no choice, but before Her Ladyship left Matlock, Lady Catherine sent word to the Collinses to meet her at Pemberley.”
“I thought the Collinses traveled with her.”
“They will return to Kent in the second coach, but Mr.Winkler brought them to Pemberley when the Collinses arrived on the mail coach in Lambton.”
Darcy growled, “Damn! I swear if our aunt ruins the Christmastide for Elizabeth…” Before the colonel could respond, a tap on the door took their attention. “Enter!” Darcy called.
The door opened to a hesitant Lieutenant Southland. “Excuse me, Colonel.” The man bowed. “Mr. Nathan told me where I might find you. Will you and Mr. Darcy allow me a moment of your time, Sir?”
Edward shot a quick glance at Darcy, who reluctantly agreed. “Come in, Southland.”
“Thank you, Sir.” The lieutenant quickly closed the door and came forward to stand politely beside the imposing desk.
“What may we do for you, Southland?” Darcy’s eyebrow rose in amusement. He gestured the man to a chair, one of the lessons he’d learned from his late father — never permit a man the advantage of standing over him.
“I seek your advice, Mr. Darcy, as well as that of the colonel. On a private matter.” Southland had, obviously, added the idea of privacy as an afterthought.
“If it deals with your service, Southland, perhaps we should discuss this at another time.”
“It concerns Miss De Bourgh,” the lieutenant said evenly.
Darcy sat forward with interest. “What of our cousin?”
“I wish to pay my addresses to Miss De Bourgh, and I seek your advice on how to approach Lady Catherine.”
Darcy shot Edward a conspiratorial smile. “This is a speedy arrangement, Southland.” Both men moderated their expressions. “Her Ladyship will question your motives, Lieutenant. Our aunt is quite protective of our cousin.”
The lieutenant stiffened, but his facial expression remained noncommittal. “I expected as much. I possess no title and have only limited connections. Lady Catherine would prefer that her daughter find a more compatible match.”
“You appear to be arguing Her Ladyship’s side of the issue,” Edward said wryly. “Trust me, Southland, my aunt will require no assistance in disparaging your suit, and although it is admirable that you anticipate Lady Catherine’s objections, your time would be better spent in convincing Her Ladyship of your worth.”
“Why do you not share with the colonel and me the reasons you believe you’d make Anne an acceptable mate?” Darcy coaxed.
This time Southland’s discomfort showed. “I’m not certain I can explain — not logically.” The man paused in contemplation. “The colonel will recall that the late Mr. Knight was my father’s cousin. I grew up with tales of Rosings Park and of the De Bourghs. I feel as if I have known the family all my life. As if my relationship with Miss De Bourgh is a matter of fate.”
“Her Ladyship will never accept Fate as reason,” Edward declared.
“Absolutely not,” Darcy agreed. “Southland, to win Lady Catherine’s approval you must think more ruthlessly. Her Ladyship has functioned admirably in a man’s world. Our aunt won’t mince words, and you can warrant her ability to poke holes in a weak syllogism.”
The lieutenant shifted uncomfortably. “Then what should I say?”
Edward laced his fingers behind his head and leaned back nonchalantly. “Be brutal. Point out the fact that Anne has never had a suitor and is not likely to ever have one. Present yourself as Anne’s last opportunity. Do not hesitate to remind Lady Catherine of Anne’s advanced age.”
Southland blustered, “I… I couldn’t defame Miss De Bourgh thus. She deserves better than such pettiness.”
Darcy corrected, “Anne deserves a family and a home of her own. She’ll never know such happiness unless you’re willing to fight for her. Be the swain in our cousin’s presence, but with Lady Catherine, treat your suit as a business proposition. What are the advantages of Anne aligning herself with you?”
“Unfortunately, by no fault of hers, Anne has long since lost her bloom. She can recover some of her youth. Her bubbly conversation upon Darcy’s arrival this morning proves that.”
“I’ve never known my cousin to be so animate,” Darcy confirmed.
Edward continued, “Besides providing Anne the opportunity to know marriage, stress your connection to Mr. Knight. Lady Catherine bemoaned her loss when the clergyman passed.”
“Of course, your allegiance to the colonel should serve you well. Her Ladyship will turn to the Earl for advice. I’m assuming, Edward, that you’d have no qualms in recommending Lieutenant Southland.” Darcy enjoyed this interplay. It had been too long since he and Edward had worked in tandem to solve a problem. Without complex explanations required, they’d always understood each other. It had been Edward who’d first offered compassion and then advice after Elizabeth’s initial denial of Darcy’s love.
“I’m more than pleased with the lieutenant’s service,” Edward announced, as if he recited the lines for the Earl’s benefit.
Southland took them to heart, nonetheless. “Thank you, Sir.”
“You’ve served your country. Don’t forget to stress that fact for Her Ladyship. Our aunt enjoys reflected glory. She’ll want to ‘steal’ your accomplishments,” Darcy explained.
Southland looked from one to another. “Do you believe it so?” he asked the colonel.
“Darcy knows our aunt well. Explain how you’ve served both on the Continent and on the American front. That’ll be a key issue for the Earl.”
Darcy said, “It’s important that you speak to Lady Catherine before she returns to Kent. I assume she’ll travel on Tuesday, as Mr. Collins will have missed three Sundays. Her Ladyship won’t tolerate the man’s shirking his duties. It would be unseemly for you to call at Rosings without permission.”
“So, I should speak to Her Ladyship tomorrow?”
“At the latest,” Edward assured.
Southland stood. “Thank you, Gentlemen. You’ve given me much to consider.” The lieutenant bowed and excused himself from the room.
With the sound of the door’s latch closing behind the man, Darcy released the breath he had held. “Was that wise?” he asked with self-chastisement.
Edward returned his booted feet to the desk. “Southland homed in on Anne immediately. At first, I warned him away, but the more I thought on it, the more I realized this might be Anne’s last chance.”
“And the man will have to face Lady Catherine eventually,” Darcy reasoned.
“And the fact that Southland’s request will occupy Her Ladyship’s interest until our aunt’s departure had nothing to do with our encouraging the man.” Edward’s lips twisted in a smirk.
“At least, the advice we gave him is the same that I would’ve issued even if I didn’t wish to distract Lady Catherine from Mrs. Darcy.”
They sat in silence — each analyzing his part in sending Southland off to face Lady Catherine alone. “I
