Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (60 page)

Richard decided to bring their conversation back home. “Dr Wilder and E…” He thought better of what he had been about to say and feigned a sly look to accompany his next words. “…my mother have worked wonders. You remember the midwife, Mrs Hinton, don’t you? Well, she made a salve for Jamie from plants in her garden and liberal applications of it finally did the trick.”

Darcy attempted to match his cousin’s countenance and tone by smirking. “So who rubs this miracle ointment in for you?” He expected a sarcastic or possibly even a ribald reply. Something to the effect that ‘it was a similar person to the one who would administer such treatment for Darcy—since neither was married they had no one at their disposal for such an onerous task and this just proved it was time for both of them to secure a lasting convenience of that kind.’ Richard’s response stunned his cousin.

Colonel Fitzwilliam blushed but did not answer Darcy’s teasing question. Instead, after a moment’s silence, he calmly finished his update on his military career. “Currently, I am training a new group of officers, but in a few months I will return with them to Spain. For the third time Badajoz is under siege and despite the light casualties at Ciudad Rodrigo there is an ever growing need for fresh forces. The fighting in the Peninsula never seems to end, and now there are rumours of another outbreak of war in America.

Darcy was struck by the edge of cynicism that had become imbedded in his cousin’s character since his return. It troubled him for the Colonel’s sake; but at the moment, his most pressing need was to broach the subject of Edmund—he wanted Richard’s honesty not his humorous sarcasm.

The Colonel could tell his cousin was brooding about something and jumped to the conclusion that his dilemma involved Wickham. His friend, Colonel Lawrence Forster, had recently written him that he had been in Darcy’s company in Hertfordshire. However, the main purpose of his letter had been to learn about George’s character. This was surely what was bothering Darcy. That ne’er-do-well, nemesis of his cousin and carousing companion of his despicable brother, had recently joined Lawrence’s militia unit. The local populace was concerned about unsavoury things they had heard about the new recruit. Unwilling to tell his friend the details of what the cur had done to Georgiana, he had replied with a warning that the family of any young woman with an inheritance or significant dowry should be advised that his interest was probably for their fortune. Did all this mean that some woman in Hertfordshire had been threatened by Wickham, and the ever honourable Darcy had come to her rescue? Could it be something more than just concern for her welfare?

Now that his stories of combat and conflict were over, Richard decided to create an opening for his cousin by injecting some irreverent reflection on the subject of love. During the time of Darcy’s first foray into the marriage market, Richard had often jokingly commiserated with him by bemoaning the fact that he had not been born the Earl’s first daughter instead of his second son. The Colonel decided to remind his cousin of that topic. “Think how simple it would have been for both of us if you could have wed me. You would have been saved from those devious women whose treachery you feared, and I could have lived leisurely in the style I prefer and avoided a life of war. How delightful to have someone always available and agreeable to rub salve on my arse when needed.” That seemed to push the corners of Darcy’s mouth upward. “My job would have been to make you laugh, and to spare society from that eternal dour expression of yours.” Richard recalled that it had been during an Easter trip to Kent, and shortly after one of his ribbings of a demoralized Darcy, that his cousin had proposed to Anne. The Colonel had always felt more than a little guilt for propelling his cousin to settle for a marriage of convenience.

This was the kind of banter Darcy had expected earlier. But the Colonel was confusing him today; and damn, he really needed to get some understanding of Edmund’s character. Instead of laughing he shook his head.

Richard felt disheartened when his humorous musing brought on a gesture of disapproval. Believing Darcy might be missing his wife he added, “Though I doubt I would have been able to give you such beautiful children as Anne.” Darcy’s sigh at his words seemed to confirm his assumption. He decided to watch the scenery and wait for his cousin to ask for aid in unravelling his knotted thoughts.

It was not long before Darcy blurted out, “Richard, tell me about Edmund.”

His cousin’s question prompted a snort. This was not at all what Richard had been expecting. “Darce, what exactly do you want to know… his shoe size, his preferred foods or perhaps his favourite pursuits?”

“I guess something more on the lines of favourite pursuits. I have heard him called a rake, is that true?”

“He was definitely a rake, like my father before him, but now I think he is a bird of prey.”

“What do you mean?”

“When younger, Edmund enjoyed the game of charming women in order to be granted that commodity which our society considers so precious… her virtue. I think that is more in line with the definition of a rake. That was how he pursued a love… no, lust life.” The Colonel noticed his cousin was hanging on his every word. He was unsure why this subject held such interest. “About six or seven years ago, I noticed a change in his pursuits. He was more and more attracted to very young women.” Richard saw his audience wince. “Once, when we were both a little drunk, and before he married Eleanor…”

This time it was Darcy’s turn to watch his cousin react adversely to a topic.

Richard cleared his throat, but only paused for a second before he continued. “As I recall, he used the term
‘childlike.’
His new sport became capturing a woman who was very naive and vulnerable. These young women were closer in age to Georgiana—or even younger. I doubt they had any idea what was happening. Edmund spoke of enjoying a young girl’s fear once she realized what was happening.”

With these words Darcy’s face registered revulsion, and he was moved to wonder aloud. “Was it possible he did not
‘wittily, prettily talk her down?’
She sang of a fifteen-year-old being
‘teased and pleased.’
Was that not her story?”

Richard was unsure of the meaning of his mumbling. “Believe me, she experienced nothing pretty, nor did he please her, if you are, indeed, acquainted with one of Edmund’s prey. Watching his victim’s horror and humiliation as he inflicted a bit of pain… all became part of his pleasure. I suspect he found ways to trap them that did not require any form of consent. He liked his game dangerous, and I think several times his tail feathers were almost singed. I heard that one was a gentleman’s daughter, and there was some threat of exposure.”

Darcy’s voice cracked as he asked, “How do you know?”

“Eleanor told me. It came out during an argument she had with Edmund; when he was, once again, drunk. Supposedly this young woman had threatened to tell Eleanor’s father just how depraved Edmund was before they were married. He found it humorous that he had once had some momentary concern that he might not be able to take possession of her fifty thousand pounds.”

“How could he trap a gentleman’s daughter? Why was she not protected by her family?”

“Cuz, how was Georgiana almost caught? A charming man like Edmund can get another woman’s help with his scheme… just as Wickham persuaded Mrs Younge… who you had hired, by the way.”

Darcy’s look was growing more and more troubled. “What more do you know of this gentleman’s daughter?”

One look at the horror on his cousin’s face, and Richard realized this was at the heart of his reason for questioning him about Edmund. “Not much, but I think she was the one I have heard chatter about. Edmund’s friends were once laughing about how much he enjoyed telling the story of the young woman who had helped with her buttons, and how fearful she had been for her sisters’ reputations. Even then—before I experienced Spain, all I could see in my imagination was a petrified child clinging to any hope—much like that whimpering foxhound pup we rescued as children”

Darcy was having difficulty breathing as he squeaked out, “Are you saying you believe he raped her? But I had no idea a man from the highest circle would stoop so low. I thought only brutes from the lower classes took women by force.”

Richard gave his cousin a look of intense scorn. “Darce, you sound so arrogant… uh and naive and possibly a bit witless. Do your tenants make a habit of raping women? Are wellborn rakes more acceptable to you?” His scorn softened and he could only shake his head in exasperation. “Charming some young woman with promises of marriage they have no intention of keeping is a cruel deception. Or do you reserve your animosity for a steward’s son like Wickham—who promises love but is really only interested in collecting a wealthy young woman’s dowry?”

The Colonel’s voice became a sneer. “That and an heir is all Edmund wanted from Eleanor—and he has even told her so.” He suddenly turned away from his cousin to view the passing countryside. A few seconds later he continued. “I struggle to see the difference between those lowly brutes you envision and elegant charming men who take as they please. But, you are correct about what happened to the young woman I heard about. Rape is what I would call what she endured.”

Darcy became aware that the affable Richard was suffering his own anguish. “Why did Eleanor agree to marry Edmund?”

The Colonel’s voice dripped with cynicism as he replied, “He, as you said, prettily talked her down in order to win her fifty thousand pounds.”

“Do you love Eleanor?”

“I do, and I did long before my brother
‘teased her and pleased her’
into believing he was offering her undying love. I was away training troops, when I learned that Eleanor and Edmund had become betrothed. Just a few months before, she had seemed to be expecting and wanting me to propose. We had spoken of our mutual affection and admiration quite openly, and my brother knew of my intentions. Edmund’s treachery and Eleanor’s betrayal was the most crushing defeat I have ever experienced. I raged at them for months.”

“But, why do you still love her?”

“After the raging was over, reflection replaced that emotion. I had depended on her constancy despite my precarious lot in life. Though the blow of her turning to the prestige of Edmund was a severe one, I believed I should try to forgive. She was now my sister. Had her marriage been a happy one, a few years might have reconciled me to my loss. My affection for her had been genuine—it was never just about her large dowry.”

Richard reflected back to that time more than six years past. “My duties kept me from having to attend their wedding. By the time I saw her again, regret was already etched into Eleanor’s face.” Richard turned to look out the window again as he continued his explanation. “I could not help but remember the warmth of her heart and the eagerness of spirits she so often displayed—not to mention an irreverence that matched mine. Her foolish decision had doomed her to the same fate as my mother. I pitied her and prayed she could someday return to her former lively character. When she lost the baby she was carrying and Edmund did not even bother to come to comfort her, my pity became compassion. She begged my forgiveness for the weakness of spirit that had led to her folly. As we talked, our love returned.”

Once again, scorn crept into the Colonel’s voice as he returned his eyes to his cousin’s. “Edmund had been both charming and relentless in his pursuit. Her father’s obvious preference for the Viscount Wolfbridge as his son-in-law added to her confusion. Eleanor had become a commodity to him, just like his textiles. His dream was to “lord” it over his business cronies that
his
daughter would one day be a countess. This noble aspiration was worth fifty thousand pounds to him. Mr Harding cared nothing for his daughter’s happiness.”

“But, what can you do about your love for Eleanor, and obviously her love for you?”

Richard’s face displayed resignation. “Absolutely nothing—but attempt to ease her pain. My brother has no regard for her; his pleasures as we have been discussing were not what they ought to have been. From the first he treated her unkindly. She has even admitted to me that she sometimes prays he will die—even though Edmund’s death would not mean we would be able to marry.” The Colonel seemed to be considering something before he spoke again. “Once, my brother even suggested that I should discreetly assume the job of producing the heir, but Eleanor refused.” His voice wavered for a few more seconds. “She had scruples about dishonouring her marriage vows, but most importantly, she did not trust him. She feared he would accuse us of adultery and divorce her. With her money safely in his possession, there would be no need to keep Eleanor.”

Darcy felt his cousin’s despair, and wanted to determine just how resolved he was to a lifetime of unhappiness. “Did you never try to find love somewhere else?”

“I did find love in Spain, but that was even more disastrous. It has left me a cynic of the worst kind… the kind that has seen too much, and will never embrace hope again.” Richard laughed at the pun he had unconsciously made. He could tell his cousin had no idea why he was laughing. Perhaps he would realize the source of his amusement if he told him the history, that no one—not even his mother or Eleanor—knew. Darcy had, after all, wanted to understand human depravity.

“What happened in Spain?”

“When Napoleon decided to extend his Continental System—two of his targets were Denmark and Portugal. Portugal refused, and Napoleon invaded. My regiment, which was fresh from trying to coerce the Danish to do the same, was sent to their aid.”

Darcy did not want to return to war stories. He said with a need to speed his cousin to explain about finding love in Spain. “But how did you end up in Spain?”

Richard could tell Darcy was trying to hurry him along, but he was enjoying explaining the subtle similarities of war and love for his hapless cousin. His face settled into a contemptuous mask. “See Cuz, Napoleon needed to control the ports of Spain. It is a bit like needing to marry for money, would you not agree?” The Colonel chuckled as Darcy’s face looked confused by his metaphor. “By a series of deceptions, the French were able to accomplish a regime change quite easily. Boney ‘persuaded’ Charles and his son Ferdinand to abdicate the Spanish throne, and made his own brother, Joseph, king. Of course, then he had to reinforce loyalty to him with a large army.”