Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (81 page)

“I will walk, I think.”  She shrugged.  “And wait for the ladies to come down at whatever is deemed the fashionable hour since clearly I have no concept of what it is.” 

Darcy chuckled, and caressed her cheek.  “Be careful, love.  You do not know your way around at all.”

“I will keep to the garden.”  His brows rose.  “I
will
!”

“DARCY!” 

Groaning, he kissed her once more, and reluctantly left her alone.  Elizabeth listened to the men departing and then picking up the portrait from its location beneath a table, looked at the smiling man in the picture.  “Now, what to do with you?” 

“COME ON!”  Richard cried and took off after the braying dogs. 

Lord Matlock beamed, looking after his son galloping away from the group.  “Look at him!  Have you ever seen better form?  And on your hunters, Darcy, he is every inch the gentleman!”  

“All those years on parade have done something for him.”  Gladney snorted.   

“Well he is not beating me on my own grounds!”  Darcy kicked his horse and was soon caught up to his cousin.  Lord Matlock and the Viscount were not too far behind when the dogs’ barks turned to high pitched cries of success as the fox was cornered.  Men and boys from the stables worked to take control of the ecstatic hounds and the four gentlemen moved their dancing and temperamental horses out of the way. 

“That was over far too quickly.”  Lord Matlock breathed in a great lungful of air and looked around eagerly.  “Gads, I love this estate!  I have missed visiting here.  What is over that way, Darcy?  It is too small for a barn?” 

“No, it is a cider press.”  Darcy rubbed his horse’s flank, encouraging him to calm as he snorted and stamped.  “It has an ingenuous design, carved right into the stone.  I showed it to Elizabeth the other day.  She was fascinated.”

“I can well imagine.”  Gladney laughed harshly.  “She is likely used to gathering the fruit and crushing it herself.”

“She is a gentlewoman, Cousin, do not forget that.”  Darcy growled.

“She is barely a gentlewoman.”

“Her father’s estate is as old as Gladney.”

“And as small as your fishing lodge in Scotland!” 

“At least it is still furnished!”  Darcy retorted angrily.

“Boys, boys, what are you arguing over?”  Lord Matlock moved his mount between them before they came to blows.  “I will not have this visit spoiled by posturing.  We have had enough of that, and yes, I know it is my fault for not stopping my wife.”  He looked between them.  “Enough.”

“Good day!”  Samuel rode up and his smile faltered when he noted the glares.  “Am I too late for the hunt?  I heard the dogs when I left Mother off at Pemberley.”  He looked between them.  “Have you another fox?”

Richard appeared.  “Of course he does, this estate is full of them.  Is it not, Darcy?”

“Go ask my man.”  Darcy said in a low voice.

“There you go; we will go ask his man.  He will scare up another one for us.  Or perhaps he will find us a rabbit.”  Richard gave Gladney’s horse a tap with his crop.  “Come along, Bertie.”

“Do not call me that!”  Gladney snapped when his horse reared back a little. 

“Try and stop me.”  Richard tapped the horse again, and this time it took off.  “Come along, Samuel, I will teach you the proper technique for overtaking the enemy!”

“Oh . . . all right, then.”  Samuel turned his horse and followed after the brothers. 

Lord Matlock sighed.  “I am sorry for that.  I have not had the opportunity to speak to him about curbing his tongue about your marriage.”

“Why would you do that?”  Darcy looked away from the men and to his uncle.  “You, Aunt, certainly Cathy are displeased.  Why should he be different?”

“I have come to appreciate your choice as I have had more opportunities to observe her.”  He said carefully.  “Grace means well, she feels that she is teaching Elizabeth.”

“Elizabeth feels that she is trying to take over.  And she is holding herself back from expressing her opinion because of my desire to mend our family.  Perhaps you could speak to Aunt and suggest she make a similar effort?”  His brow rose and he looked at his uncle pointedly.  Lord Matlock’s head inclined and they looked out at the others, who had come to a halt.  Gladney was dismounted and bent over.  His father made a noise of disgust.  “Richard told me of his addiction, he is sick often?”

“Your aunt tells me they had to stop numerous times on the way here for him to empty his belly, of what I do not know.  He is becoming gaunt.  The doctors I consulted tell me that he has become tolerant of the effects.  What he takes up his nose would kill either of us in an instant, but for him . . .” He sighed.  “I fear there is nothing to be done, but I have a supposed expert waiting at Matlock for our return.”

“You do not hold out much hope, do you?”

“No, not really, the French disease may be in him.  He has not been careful with who he beds.  It seems dormant at the moment so he refuses treatment.  I suppose he is just as likely to be killed over a bad wager as anything at this point.  It is my fault, I overindulged him and this is the result.”  Lord Matlock noticed Darcy’s expression of distaste and moved on.   “I am grateful that I have Richard should Albert not survive.  He is an outstanding man and will do well by the earldom.”  He paused when Darcy looked at him and nodded grimly.  “Georgiana is becoming quite a woman.” 

Darcy’s brow creased.  “She is fifteen.”

“She is nearly sixteen.  We had Cathy attending private balls at that age, and presented the next year.  This summer . . .”

“This summer will be spent in Scotland, not attending parties.  You see how shy she is.”

“Well this vivacious new wife of yours should draw her out.”

“I pray that she does.”  Darcy looked to him again.  “Vivacious?”

“There is no denying what is clearly before my eyes, Darcy.  She may not be educated, and she may be ignorant of her new station, but there is no doubt that she has charms that would soothe any man’s soul, and inspire his desires.”  Darcy’s cheeks coloured.  “What is, is.”  Lord Matlock sniffed and gathered his reins, looking back out at his sons as Gladney retched again.  “And Georgiana has potential.  Especially if she is subjected to watching your lovemaking with your bride.  She will eventually accept that Elizabeth’s ways are preferred, and she will make a far more fascinating partner than Cathy ever will be, if she finally gets off her high horse and marries as she should.”  He blew some air from his cheeks and turned to see Darcy staring at him.  “What is it?”

“How many more insults can you pack into a statement?”

“Insults?  I was complimenting your choice!”

“My wife is not available for your commentary, Uncle.  Do not ever let me hear you, or hear of you, discussing her beauty, accomplishments, or . . . desirability again, sir.  She is no governess for you to bed; she is the mistress of this estate.  Do I make myself clear?  She is treated with respect.” 

“Of course!”  His eyes widened to see the snarl on his lips.  “I . . . Good heavens, Darcy!  You spend enough time at the clubs; we hardly discuss women any other way!”

“
Not
my wife.  And do not think of including me as a participant in your discussions.” 

“Very well, of course, forgive me!”  Lord Matlock held up his hand.  “I . . . I see that you will not be preserving funds for a mistress . . .”  Seeing the snarl appear again, he stopped.  “I will change the subject.”  He cleared his throat.  “Georgiana.”

Darcy sighed tiredly.  “Get to the point, Uncle.  No more attempts at flattery.”

“Very well.”  He cleared his throat again.  “I expect that your fondness for your sister will drive you to choose carefully her husband, someone who will understand her and treat her kindly.”

“Naturally, but I do not expect that to happen for a number of years.” 

“Of course.”  Looking down at his hands, he spoke softly.  “Marry her to Richard.”

“Pardon?”  Darcy’s head snapped up. 

“No doubt Richard has told you our troubles; you can plainly see that the earldom will inevitably pass to him.  Georgiana will be a countess one day, and married to a man you respect.  He could give up his commission if he weds . . . install them in the dower’s house here!”

“My aunt and uncle live there.”

“When was the judge last here?  If he loves it so, why does he never return?  Send his wife to him, Samuel does not have any overriding love for the place, marry your sister to my son, leave them in the dower’s house and when the time comes, they can move into Matlock.”  He sighed.  “If our dower’s house was still furnished . . .”

“You are financing your idiot son by selling off the furnishings?”  Darcy cried.

“Yes.”

“And you expect me to hand over Georgiana’s dowry to Richard to . . . pay off more debts?”  Darcy glared.  “NO!  Besides being twice her age, and him not wanting the union . . . and do not justify it by saying that Georgiana’s dowry is rightfully Fitzwilliam money as it came from your sister . . .”  He gripped his reins and tried to steady his horse. “You have a lot of gall, Uncle.” 

“I know.”  He sighed.  “I tried.  I tried to marry you to Cathy, I tried to marry Georgiana to Richard . . .  Can you help me?”

“I have no more siblings, Uncle.”

“But you do have an enormous estate with no entailment.” 

“So we come down to the truth of it.  You want me to sell off my forefather’s lands to finance your mistakes.”  Darcy shook his head.  “No.” 

“We are family!”

“Yes, and we have been reunited barely days, and you suddenly think that our relationship is strong enough to ask this of me?”  Darcy’s head shook.   “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.”

“Oh damn and blast!  This is family!  You take care of family!”

“I am under no obligation to pay for your mistakes, Uncle.  I did not create your situation, and I will not give up funds for my children or grandchildren to pay for yours.”  Darcy closed his eyes.  “This is why you wished to reunite, for money.  This is why Aunt wished to accept Elizabeth.”

“Not precisely.” 

“I do not want to know.”  Darcy held up his hand.  “No more.”

“Darcy . . . Forgive me, when one is desperate, one imagines desperate solutions.  You have never been in such a position, I know, but try to put yourself in my shoes.  I . . . I am trying to preserve my family and do my best for them.”  He shook his head and sighed as Darcy studied him.  “I pray you are never placed in such a circumstance.”  Lord Matlock straightened and nodded at him.  “Well then, no more pushing at you, for the remainder of our stay we will concentrate on mending fences.  What say you?”  Kicking his horse, he took off before Darcy could answer. 

“Do not let him do it, man.  Do
not
feel guilty!  You are
not
responsible for his family!”  Darcy clenched his fists and kicked his horse to follow his uncle.  “DAMN!” 

“NOW COME IN HERE, sit down, sit down!”  Mrs. Bennet fluttered and beamed.  “It is so good to have you here, Brother!”

“And it is good to be back.”   Mr. Gardiner smiled.  “I am so sorry that we were unable to come for Lizzy’s wedding.”

“But you have seen her home!  That is far more fascinating, after all Mary’s wedding will be identical to Lizzy’s!”

“No it will not, Mama, we are marrying without haste or speculation.” 

Mrs. Gardiner spoke quickly, “I believe that she refers to the ceremony, dear.  It is the same words that are spoken at all weddings.” 

“Of course.”  Mary’s cheeks coloured.  “Forgive me.” 

“And I can assure you that I certainly detected evidence of felicity between your sister and new brother.”  Mr. Gardiner nodded, “So in haste it may have been made, but you may take comfort that we believe wholeheartedly that the seeds of lasting happiness are sown.”

“Yes, yes,”  Mrs. Bennet waved her hand and she leaned forward with bright eyes.  “Now, tell us of Mr. Darcy’s home!  Park Lane!  I cannot imagine, but all of the magazines and papers are full of stories about the parties and balls that happen in Mayfair!” 

“Is Mr. Darcy as rich as they say?”  Lydia asked curiously.  “He is so snooty, he must be.” 

“Did Lizzy really get a new wardrobe?”  Kitty demanded.

Mr. Gardiner looked to his brother who was listening and clearly interested.  “The home is exceptional, and Mr. Darcy’s . . . behaviour is entirely justified.”  He looked at his wife.

“And yes she was outfitted with wedding clothes by a French modiste.”  She smiled when the girls sighed and looked to Jane.  “We met a friend of Mr. Darcy’s when we dined there,  Mr. Bingley.”

“Mr. Bingley!”  Mrs. Bennet cried.

“Oh.”  Jane sat up.  “Was he well?” 

“A little melancholy, I thought, but a very kind and gracious young man.  I did like him.”  She smiled again. 

“Melancholy!  Oh Jane, he misses you!”

“Nonsense, Mrs. Bennet.”  Mr. Bennet finally roused himself from reading his paper.  “A man can be quiet without having his heart broken.  Let him come back to Netherfield, and then you can judge his feelings.”

“Oh, would it not be wonderful if he married you, Jane?”  Lydia got up and twirled.  “He loves to dance, and we could ask for another ball!”

Jane sighed.  “Please do not; you twisted his arm once, that is enough.”

“He held the ball for you!”  Mrs. Bennet cried and turned to Mrs. Gardiner.  “I know!  Take Jane with you back to London!”

“But he will return in a few weeks, Mama.”  Jane protested.

Mrs. Gardiner shook her head and smiled, “London is not Meryton, Sister, the likelihood of us casually meeting Mr. Bingley is extraordinarily low.  We do not go out often.”

“Oh, she can visit his sisters.”  Her hand waved. 

“I am the one who is marrying!”  Mary cried out.  The room silenced and she looked down to her hands.  “I just thought . . . well, Mr. Bingley is not even courting her.”

“That is quite true, Mary.  Tell me about the teas your neighbours are holding in your honour.”  The clock ticked as silence fell over the room.  Mrs. Gardiner felt Mary’s embarrassment and quickly looked to Mrs. Bennet.  “Or shall we plan one?” 

“There have been several parties.  Our sister Philips held a party just last week, and Lady Lucas will next week.  Of course it would be preferable if the groom were present so they could fete them both.  When Mr. Collins returns after Epiphany I am certain that many more will be planned.”  She nodded at Mary.  “You will get your due, my dear.  It is simply the season, there are so many events planned.  You are a bride; you are the most important woman in the neighbourhood.”