The Three Colonels

party to the marriage negotiations, and after the marriage, George Darcy became an advisor as well. In the wedding agreement and afterward in his will, Sir Lewis made sure that Catherine could do little to damage his family estate. Rosings and the title would go, of course, to the eldest son upon Sir Lewis’s death.

“Where Sir Lewis was clever was in the circumstance of his heir being a daughter. Sir Lewis wanted Rosings to go to his offspring and not to be entailed to some distant male relative. He also did not trust his wife to be a good manager of his estates. He knew she did not have the necessary ability to govern or to be advised. So he set up, in case of his demise, a system called usufruct. Lady Catherine would get the income of Rosings, but the ownership would be held in trust until his male heir reached the age of majority or, in case no son survived him, until his eldest surviving daughter married. When either of those conditions was met, Lady Catherine would receive the right of dowager, including the dowager house. He also named George Darcy and me, and our heirs, as trustees.

“When Sir Lewis died unexpectedly, George Darcy and I acted quickly. We made sure the solicitors understood the peculiar aspects of Sir Lewis’s will and gained complete control of the grounds, farms, and household as trustees for Anne. The housekeeper at that time was considered too close to Lady Catherine, and the old steward was ready to retire, so old Darcy and I placed our own people there. We allowed Cathy to have power over the rest of the household staff as a peace offering.

“To say the least, Cathy was displeased by our actions. Our gesture was nothing to her. Oh, how she railed! She tried everything to overturn her husband’s wishes and our efforts. She even had Mrs. Parks and the new steward’s contracts burned. Eventually, she gave way, especially after we threatened to force her into the dowager house immediately as a matter of economy.

“For many years thereafter, George Darcy and I were responsible for the supervision of the management of Rosings. When your good father died, Darcy, you were placed in his stead.”

Darcy looked hard at the earl. “I thought that such an honor was given me in expectation of my marriage to Anne. You should have told me, Uncle.”

“Aye, I should have. I offer no excuse. I suppose I was afraid of stirring things up again with your aunt.”

Richard grunted to himself. You are being dishonest, Father. We both know Darcy. He never would have tolerated Aunt Catherine’s behavior had he known of his true power over her. War between her and the family would have been ignited long ago. The inevitable has only been delayed.

“Father,” asked Lord Andrew, “what would happen if Anne never married?”

“The usufruct would remain in effect until Lady Catherine’s death. It would be up to the trustees whether to transfer control to Anne or continue to act on her behalf.”

“Ha!”

“What do you mean by that, Andrew?”

“Do you not see? This is the genesis of Aunt Catherine’s plan to marry Anne to Darcy!” He turned to his cousin. “There never was an agreement between my aunts for you to marry our cousin, was there?”

“No,” answered Darcy. “My mother wanted me to make my own choice.”

“But had you found Anne agreeable, would you have quit Pemberley?” Richard flinched at Andrew’s words.

“Never!”

“Ah, the perfect solution to her problem! With Anne married to you and removed to Pemberley, Auntie Cathy would remain Mistress of Rosings rather than occupant of the dowager house. The income would probably continue to flow to her for Rosings’s expenses. You always were softhearted, Darcy. It was never about blood—only money!”

The other men were stunned silent. The answer was so obvious they all questioned their wits that they had not realized it sooner. Lady Catherine’s character was certainly capable of fabricating such a scheme.

Lord Andrew was in his element now. “It was rather clever, you must admit. That is why she never turned to you to take Darcy’s place, Richard. You would have taken over Rosings in a heartbeat. No, either the old lady would find some other well-landed suitor for Anne, or our cousin would never marry!”

A blade twisted in Richard’s stomach.

“I disagree, Andrew,” said Darcy. “Anne is of legal age; she can marry without permission.”

Richard hid a smile. Anne’s declaration upon his leaving Rosings had given rise to a new hope. Perhaps Anne would marry without her mother’s consent. If Rosings were indeed Anne’s, she would be able to marry him without sacrificing her situation. Richard would not have to depend on a colonel’s pay and could support Anne in the style to which she had been accustomed. Anne was of age; she wanted him—ha! He did not like the idea of making Lady Catherine his implacable enemy, but he would not let that stop him. If Anne would have him, let the old woman rage. It was her choice. There was nothing she could do to stop their happiness!

“Well,” Lord Matlock rumbled as he puffed his cigar, “I believe that Catherine will storm for a bit, but no harm will come of it. The important thing is that Rosings Park is safe.”

Andrew turned to Richard. “What is next for you now that Bonaparte is loose?”

Richard was pulled from his very agreeable musings. “The regiment is on alert, watching events in France.”

At that moment, the butler entered. “Begging your pardon, you lordship, but there is an express rider at the door.”

“Ah, yes.” The earl got to his feet. “I have been expecting something from my banker in London. Please excuse me.” Lord Matlock followed the butler out of the room.

“Well, I expect we will be hearing next of that damned Corsican’s head on a pike. The Frogs cannot be stupid enough to want him back!” Lord Andrew declared.

Darcy turned from the mantle. “I must disagree with you again, Andrew. King Louis’s government is very unpopular. There may well be civil war.”

“Here is something new—you disagreeing with me, Darcy! All is right in the world as long as Fitzwilliam Darcy finds fault with Andrew Fitzwilliam! Tell me, is there anyone you totally agree with except that wife of yours?” At Darcy’s glare, Lord Andrew continued with a smile, “Oh, come now! Do not take offense, old man! You know we approve of Elizabeth.”

“It took you long enough to come around.”

“Again with that? Very well—yes, we have come to see that she is not the uncultured country girl we feared. She has not hurt our standing in society, and she has done wonders with Georgiana. In short, she is too good for the likes of you. How you managed to win her I will never comprehend.”

Before Richard could express his opinion, all conversation ended with Lord Matlock’s reentrance, a grim look on his face. Without a word, he handed a letter to Richard. Richard immediately noted that it was from the War Office addressed to him. With a sinking feeling, he murmured an apology, opened the letter, and read in silence.

Finally, Lord Andrew could bear no more. “What is the news?”

Richard looked up slowly, all his hopes dashed. “I am recalled to London. King Louis has fled the country. Bonaparte has entered Paris and declared himself again Emperor of the French Republic. It is war.”

*   *   *

Delaford

Richard Fitzwilliam was not the only one receiving express letters.

“Do not worry, my love,” Christopher Brandon told his wife as his valet packed his trunk. “I shall only be gone for a little while—less than a fortnight, I should not wonder.”

“But, Christopher, you are requested so urgently!” Marianne observed. “Why would they want you? You have been inactive for so very long.”

Because Wellington wants me, he replied to himself. The country was not ready—it had too many troops on the other side of the Atlantic because of that insane war with the Americans. “Perhaps they need a new staff officer in London during the crisis. If so, I will send for you and Joy to join me at Brandon House in Town.” Brandon turned to his valet. “All done there, my man? Excellent.” He opened his arms. “My love, I must leave.”

Tearfully his wife embraced him. “I am so worried.”