Mr. Darcy's Bite

nephew marrying a “nobody” could possibly end with her refusing to see him again. As much as she disliked the lady, she was the sister of Mr. Darcy’s mother.

“After I visit with my aunt and cousin, I will send Georgie back to you as I must go to Herefordshire. When I reprimanded Nell, I told her that because of her poor judgment if and when she chooses to marry her husband must be a werewolf. Since she is a member of my pack, I feel it is my responsibility to go to Herefordshire so that I might be in a position to recommend a prospective suitor. I can assure you that I do not want to do this, but as the alpha male, it is my responsibility.”

“That is fine. I have no objections.” Lizzy’s mood lightened immediately. In fact, she was smiling.

“You have no objections. Really?” Darcy found it difficult to believe that she could change her mind so quickly, but if she were angry, he would have sensed it. What accounted for the sudden change? “I am beginning to suspect that you will not miss me at all. You seem happy to have me gone.”

“Oh, I shall miss you. Be assured of that. But far be it from me to interfere with the affairs of the pack, and if you say it is necessary to find Nell a husband, I certainly shall not stop you.” And now Darcy understood.

Chapter 26

Because Mrs. Bennet lived life large, all Lizzy and Darcy’s plans for a modest-sized wedding went out the window the day after their engagement was announced. The bride’s mother did everything except hire the town crier to proclaim the couple’s betrothal. As a result, the wedding breakfast that was to be held for “family and a few friends” ended up including everyone from the village and those who lived on nearby farms and estates. With the size of the wedding growing exponentially, Darcy sent for Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Bradshaw. With plans for the reception left in their capable hands, Lizzy departed with Mr. Darcy and Georgiana to visit Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, and she would buy her wedding clothes and accessories in town.

Before leaving, Lizzy reminded her mother that although Lydia was welcome to come to her wedding, Wickham was not. When Mrs. Bennet started to protest, Lizzy cut off any further discussion by saying, “Mr. Darcy would be displeased.” Mama would never want to say or do anything that would “displease” a man who had ten thousand a year.

During the ride to London, Lizzy had another opportunity to see brother and sister interact, and it was quickly apparent that Georgiana considered her dear William to be her ideal for a man, and Darcy did not disagree with that assessment. He held himself to a high standard, and he expected no less from anyone who hoped to approach his sister when the season began in May. No mention was made of the difficulties involved in bringing someone into the family who would not be privy to Darcy’s unique situation.

It was already dark when the carriage arrived at the Gardiner townhouse. Darcy was disappointed that he would be unable to visit with the couple, not only because he enjoyed their company but also because he was grateful to them for bringing Elizabeth into Derbyshire. If not for that holiday to the Peak, it was unlikely that he would now be holding Elizabeth’s hand.

“Georgie, close your eyes,” Darcy told his sister.

“Why should I close my eyes?” When Darcy gave her a knowing look, she shut them tight. Even so, he put his hat in front of his face as he kissed Elizabeth good-bye. After he had assisted her out of the carriage, he whispered that he loved her and that he would see her in three weeks, and after that separation, nothing would keep them apart.

Aunt Gardiner was disappointed that Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy could not visit. Little did she know that the next day she would have a member of the extended Darcy family sitting in her front parlor.

*   *   *

Mrs. Gardiner was enjoying her afternoon tea with her niece when her butler informed her that, “Antony, Lord Fitzwilliam, has presented his card and wishes to pay a call on you.” After taking the card from Rothwell’s hand, Aunt Gardiner took a quick glance at it before handing it to Elizabeth.

“His Lordship must have learned of your engagement to Mr. Darcy.”

“Good gracious! Lord Fitzwilliam has come to pay a call on me? But how did he know where to find me?” Lizzy asked as she continued to stare at his card. “I can’t imagine what I will say to him. Although I have never met him, I have certainly heard about him.”

Any reader of The Insider or any of the pamphlets and gossip sheets sold on the streets of London knew of Antony, Lord Fitzwilliam. He had been married to Lady Eleanor, the daughter of the second Earl of Henley, for about a dozen years, and had been estranged from his wife for nine of them. But according to the newspapers, he did not lack for companionship. He was known to have had numerous affairs with married ladies of the ton, and rumor had it that he was currently having a robust romance with Lady Hillary Donwell, whose husband, Colonel Adam Donwell, was in Nova Scotia. While the colonel was in service to the Crown, his wife was servicing Lord Fitzwilliam. What could Lizzy possibly say to a known seducer and reprobate?

“Rothwell, please show Lord Fitzwilliam in,” Mrs. Gardiner said, and after checking their dresses for wrinkles and their hair for stray tresses, both ladies stood up. And then came the grand entrance of the noble one. His Lordship handed his gold-tipped cane to Rothwell and held out his arms so that the butler might take off his coat. Not until he had removed his top hat and placed his gloves in it was he ready for introductions.

Although there was only a four-year age difference between Lord Fitzwilliam and his brother, Colonel Fitzwilliam, His Lordship looked older than his thirty-two years. The impeccably attired earl in his dark coat, tan breeches, and silk neckcloth showed the effects of the many late nights he spent gambling and carousing. However, with his blond hair, cornflower blue eyes, and mischievous smile, Lizzy understood why so many women fell for this devilish rake.

After apologizing for not giving Mrs. Gardiner any notice that he would be calling, Lord Fitzwilliam justified his unexpected arrival by saying that he absolutely had to meet the lady who had won the heart of his cousin.

“Darcy is a most particular fellow, so I had no doubt that you would be a beauty, Miss Bennet, and I was not wrong. I had hoped that we would be introduced by the prospective bridegroom. I did leave my card with Rogers, his butler, but Darcy chose not to respond,” he said with a sigh before plopping down in a chair nearest to the fire as if he were in his own home, and who would have told him differently?

“Thank you, milord, for your compliment,” Lizzy responded, “but as far as your cousin is concerned, Mr. Darcy has gone to Kent to visit with Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh,” a statement that caused the earl to burst out laughing.

“I wish I had known that he was going to Rosings as I am in need of entertainment. One of my most intimate friends has chosen not to be so intimate, and it has saddened me.” Mrs. Gardiner let out a gasp at His Lordship’s comment, causing the earl to ask, “Mrs. Gardiner, what are you implying that I was implying?” his face a picture of innocence. But then he gave her such a smile that the lady blushed from head to toe. “Mrs. Gardiner, when I see beauty, I feel compelled to acknowledge it, and you are a very attractive lady, with such a rosy complexion. Is it always this rosy? By the way, is there a Mr. Gardiner?”

“Yes, milord. He is presently at his office,” she answered, her voice faltering, “which is nearby.”

“And what takes the nearby Mr. Gardiner away from his lovely wife?”

“He is a coffee broker, milord.”

“A coffee broker? Excellent. Then I should like to get to know him. Unlike many members of the aristocracy, I do not snub men who engage in commerce as they are the future of England and will eventually have all the money. Monsieur Napoleon has called England a nation of shopkeepers. I have no quarrel with that statement. Unfortunately, I currently do not have any friends who are merchants. I mean, I do know merchants. One is waiting for me outside my door almost every day, but since I do not owe Mr. Gardiner any money and I love coffee, Mr. Gardiner would be a good friend to have. Is he usually absent for most of the day?”

After seeing her aunt turn beet red again because of the earl’s suggestive question, Lizzy redirected the conversation. “Milord, as I said, Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy have gone into Kent for a visit. He wished to personally inform your aunt of our engagement.”

“It almost makes me want to rush to Rosings Park. I would pay good money to see how this scene plays out.