A Wife for Mr Darcy

“Yes, the matter is settled in my mind, and I am eager to be in London to settle it in fact. But until I have spoken to Miss Montford or her father, I do not want anything regarding the matter spread abroad.”

“I look forward to wishing you joy, and I might add that I envy you. My parents determined who my bride would be, and look how well that turned out! And poor Richard over there must marry a woman of wealth. You, however, will marry for love.”

“Before we break out the champagne, Antony, tell Will what is going on in London,” Richard said. “It may affect his plans, and you know he will say nothing.”

“Yes, I can see how that might happen,” and Antony revealed the continuing tragedy of George III. “Apparently, the death of Princess Amelia has pushed our king over the edge. He is no longer capable of ruling, and there will be no coming back this time. The wheels have begun to turn to make the Prince of Wales his regent, and it will happen early in the new year.”

“I am very sorry to hear it, but how does this news affect me personally?”

“The king’s list will remain unchanged, and Sir John Montford will be given his barony. However, his ties are to the king, and he has said some imprudent things about the Prince of Wales. Once the prince is made regent, he will cut everyone who ever criticized him.”

“That is no hardship on my part. I do not run with that crowd.”

“Will, don’t you see what could happen?” Richard asked. “Once Sir John learns that his friendship with the king will not work in his favor, he might be willing to overlook your politics in order to access your connections, and he may insist on your marrying his daughter.”

“But you just said no announcement is to be made regarding His Majesty until after the new year, so Miss Montford and I will have parted company long before then.”

“Darcy, Darcy, Darcy! Sometimes your naïveté amazes me,” Antony said. “London leaks like a sieve. The news is already starting to come out, and Sir John is likely to hear of it. So be sure that ending your courtship with Miss Montford is your first order of business, or it may end up being your last.”

Chapter 38

Lizzy was still clinging to her pillow when she heard Colonel Fitzwilliam and his brother come up the stairs. She did not mind the disruption because her waking thoughts were even more pleasant than her dreams, and flashes of the evening passed through her mind: the dance, the touch, looking into his eyes and seeing hope there, and resting her cheek against his. If only he had kissed her, the evening would have been perfect.

When Lizzy turned on her back, she felt the crush of Jane’s letter beneath her, and since the candle by her bed still burned, she began to read it.

My Dear Sister,

I hope you are enjoying your stay in Derbyshire and that it continues to be the ideal holiday for you. Although I regret writing anything that might take away from the pleasure of your visit, I must write of my concerns about Lydia. In her last two letters, she mentioned that a particular lieutenant was paying her a good deal of attention, someone she already knew from Meryton. She then wrote to Kitty to say that the officer’s first name began with a “G,” and when she next wrote, she indicated that his last initial was “W.” When I asked if the initials, G.W., belonged to Mr. Wickham, Kitty said that they did.

Lizzy, what possible reason can George Wickham have for paying so much attention to Lydia? We know her to be a silly girl, ill educated, and more importantly for Mr. Wickham, lacking a fortune.

I know Mr. Darcy gave you no specifics when he told you to be wary of anything Wickham had to say, but the implication was that he was not to be trusted. I spoke of my concerns to Papa, but he insists Lydia’s lack of fortune will protect her, especially since she is under the protection of the colonel. And I asked if such protection would protect her from a determined seducer, and, Lizzy, he actually laughed. He still sees Lydia as a child, and intellectually I agree with him. But physically, she is a woman. Papa did agree to write to the colonel to tell him he is sending Adam Hill to Brighton to escort Lydia home. But what if it is too late? If our father will not act, what can be done? Please write as soon as possible as I am greatly troubled by this news.

Love, Jane

As soon as she had read the last word, Lizzy was on her feet searching for her dressing gown. She needed to know from Mr. Darcy what injury Wickham had caused his family because she was convinced that it had something to do with Georgiana. When she went into the hallway, she ran straight into Mercer.

“Mr. Mercer, has Mr. Darcy retired for the night?” she asked in a quaking voice.

“Not yet, miss, but he was about to. Is something wrong?”

“Possibly. Would you please ask Mr. Darcy if I may speak with him?”

When Mercer went into the study, he found his master had removed his jacket and taken off his neckcloth and was staring into a snifter of brandy, watching as the amber liquid lapped the sides of the glass. This was something he often did when he needed to think.

“Are we ready, Mercer?”

“Sir, Miss Elizabeth is in the foyer asking to speak to you. She is quite disturbed.”

Darcy jumped to his feet, and with no regard to his appearance, he went into the foyer and found Elizabeth in a considerable state of anxiety.

“Good grief, Elizabeth, what is wrong?” and he directed her to a sofa in the study. “Mercer, stay close.”

“Mr. Darcy, I have had a letter from Jane concerning my youngest sister, Lydia, who has been visiting with Colonel Forster and his family in Brighton. Apparently, she has met Mr. Wickham there, and it appears that for the last couple of weeks he has been paying her quite a bit of attention. I remembered your warning to me about him, and after being in his company on a number of occasions, I had the impression that he is not to be believed or trusted. But I am hoping he is not a bad man, merely an exaggerator and a flirt. May I ask you to read Jane’s letter, so that you might reassure me that he has no designs on my sister?”

Darcy took the letter, and it was as expected. To him, Wickham’s intent was clear: the seduction of Elizabeth’s youngest sister.

“But why?” Lizzy asked, unable to hide the anguish in her voice.

Darcy placed his hand on her cheek and, looking into her tear-filled eyes, explained the ugly truth. “It is because you believed me and not his lies, and this is his way of punishing you.” When Lizzy began to cry, he pulled her into his arms and rested his head upon hers. She fit perfectly, as he knew she would. He ran his fingers through her long dark curls and kissed the top of her head, trying to give her some comfort, but there was little else he could do at that moment.

Taking her by the hand, he led her to the chair closest to the fireplace, and he thought how beautiful she was, and despite her sadness, the pleasure he felt when holding her in his arms. But there was business to be done, and after handing her a glass of wine to calm her, he went into the foyer where Mercer waited.

“Bring His Lordship’s man to the study immediately. After you have done that, prepare for our departure to Brighton, and we shall be moving with all possible speed.”

Returning to Elizabeth, he found her standing in front of the fireplace staring into the fire, and although she was no longer crying, the pain she was feeling was clearly visible on her face.

“Please come and sit down. I want to tell you of my plans,” and with her hands between his, he began, “First, I am reasonably confident we have some time. Because Wickham intends a seduction and not an elopement, he will be unable to return to his regiment. Thus, he must plan his every move to avoid risk of discovery. I have sent for His Lordship’s man, who is an expert horseman, and he will ride to Brighton with a letter from me alerting the colonel as to Wickham’s intentions.”

“But it is the middle of the night.”

“Please remember he is Lord Fitzwilliam’s man, and he is used to being summoned at such times and moving expeditiously.”

Lizzy nodded that she understood.