Seven Days With Mr Darcy

by Rose Fairbanks

“So, you will find him a profession then?” Gardiner asked. “I believe you said your cousin could get him a commission.”

  “How will his probable death ensure my daughter’s happiness?”

  “Papa,” Elizabeth admonished. “Mr. Darcy is far more than generous.”

  “Forgive me,” Bennet said and rubbed his temples. “The stress of all this…”

  “It is no matter. I would suggest he enter as an ensign. He must prove himself capable of managing men. He would never suit the church or the law. It is the only path left to him.”

  “I wish to go tomorrow,” Elizabeth said.

  “Are you certain, Lizzy?” Mr. Gardiner asked. “This address is not in a respectable district.”

  “She is my sister and he…was my friend. It is far more my concern than my aunt’s.”

  “She will be safe?” Gardiner asked Darcy as her father wiped his spectacles. It was as though the urgency of the conversation had no effect on him at all. As always, he only seemed partially aware of the conversation around him.

  “I would never risk harming her,” Darcy said.

  Elizabeth knew he meant it with all his heart. “Will seeing you together confirm his suspicions and ensure he asks for a heftier bribe?”

  “I would rather pay more to ensure Elizabeth’s peace of mind,” Darcy said.

  “No, I do not wish to weaken your stance or cost you more money,” she said. “I will stay.”

  “Are you certain?” Darcy searched her eyes.

  “I would not rob our children of money to satisfy my curiosity. I will depend on a full report from you, sir.”

  “Then it sounds as though we are finished here,” Bennet said. “Until tomorrow, Darcy.” He nodded at the man who would be his son and withdrew a book to read.

  Elizabeth repressed the urge to scream. She knew her father cared. There was no mistaking the fear and apprehension he felt when he had first arrived at Gracechurch Street. However, when given the choice of allowing others to settle matters with as little inconvenience to himself as possible, he took it. Elizabeth walked Darcy to the door as the servant called for Georgiana.

  “Do not sit at the house and wait all day,” Darcy said. “Is there some shopping you need to do before our wedding?”

  “There is always shopping to be done,” she said in mock seriousness. The truth, however, was that she had little time to plan the wedding or the things she would need as a new bride; the things a woman bought with their mother in tow. In her case, she would have far more enjoyed her aunt, but even that would not do.

  “I will send Georgiana ‘round. Have the bills sent to me.”

  “In that case, I can really shop,” Elizabeth teased.

  “Ah, and now we see why you were eager to save me money on Wickham! Beware, madam, I am miserly. You will not get one shilling more than your allotted pin money.” He winked, to ensure she knew he was teasing.

  “As if I could spend it all!”

  “In seriousness, do not count new garments and the like as your pin money. That will come from the household accounts.” He took a deep breath. “You will see when you meet the Earl and Countess tomorrow. Certain things about your life will change dramatically. Are you ready for that?”

  As if she had the time! If they did not marry now, they would have to wait six months for mourning Lady Darcy, and Wickham might refuse to marry Kitty in the meantime. Instead of voicing her sharp observation, she reached on tiptoe and kissed her beloved’s cheek.

  “So long as your love for me does not change, I can bear all things.”

  Darcy returned the kiss but was cut short of demonstrating his affection further when they heard Georgiana’s steps on the stairs. From the blush on the girl’s face, she had seen their embrace.

  “Until tomorrow evening, Elizabeth,” Darcy said and raised her hand to his lips.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Dear C—

  I have told myself to only write of the children and mutually enjoyed topics. I could tell you that Lucy has a suitor but I insist she wait until at least one and twenty to marry. I might also mention Angelika’s newest portrait called “The Allegory of Poetry and Music.” Normally, I would be ecstatic to relay news that Empress Catherine of Russia has named Princess Yekaterina Vorontsova-Dashkova as the Director of the Imperial Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is the first woman to head a scientific academy!

  Instead, I must ask if everything between you and George is settled at last. You have been so very sly! Pray, write back immediately and tell me how this came to be after you refused to have him for so many years. I never doubted his devotion to you. I am sure you, like me, wish you could become a true family but soon you will have your heir and spares. I cannot congratulate you enough and wish you every happiness!

  Yours,

  A.F.

  As Elizabeth shopped with Jane, Lydia, and Georgiana, she tried to not worry about Kitty and what circumstances she might be found in. After Darcy had left the night before, she and Mrs. Gardiner had made a list of items they had not already sent for, which she would need immediately upon her marriage. Many of the garments she would require in her new station in life could wait until she had time for an appointment with the premier modiste in London.

  As she and the others rounded a corner at a milliner’s on Bond Street, they met Miss Bingley and Lady Charlotte.

  “Miss Bingley!” Georgiana greeted. “Lady Charlotte, how nice to see you.”

  The ladies had immediately turned when they saw Elizabeth, but upon Georgiana calling after them they stiffened and turned back to speak with them. They returned the barest civility. Georgiana proceeded to introduce Jane and Lydia to Lady Charlotte.

  “Did you say you were all three sisters?” Lady Charlotte asked.

  “Oh, there are two more,” Caroline tittered. “You may wonder at them all being out, but so it is in the Bennet family. I suppose, with Eliza marrying Darcy, their mother sent the next two who are most likely to find suitors to be — how had she put it at my brother’s ball? Ah yes, ‘Put in the path of other rich men.’”

  Caroline glared at Elizabeth, and Jane sucked in a breath. Lady Charlotte tittered behind her fan. However, while Georgiana stared at her feet, Lydia put her hands on her hips.

  “Georgie, what kind friends you have that they warn us how difficult it is to find a suitable husband, even with such connections and wealth. Yes, I will write to Mama directly and tell her she must not hope for such a happy event for her other daughters for many, many years; not if Miss Bingley and Lady Charlotte are the standards.”

  Caroline and her friend turned a violent shade of red.

  “Oh, Miss Lydia,” said Caroline. “I am confident that your mother will not need such reassurances. After all, speedy marriages must be the norm in your family. Why is it you are marrying so hastily, Eliza?”

  “Miss Bingley,” Jane said in a pleading voice, as though Caroline’s conscience would be pricked by their former closeness.

  “Miss Bennet!” the happy voice of the Duke of Dorset interrupted whatever Jane was going to say next.

  “Your Grace,” the ladies immediately greeted and curtsied.

  “I almost called on Gracechurch Street this morning, but my mother wished to go shopping instead. I am pleased I did not risk it lest I be greeted by an empty house.”

  “You call on Gracechurch Street?” Lady Charlotte sneered.

  “Indeed. I spent a delightful morning there yesterday. I have never been more enchanted than when I met Miss Bennet at the theatre.” He bowed over Jane’s hand. “Although, seeing her sister Elizabeth go head to head with me at cricket in Kent came in a close second. However, Darcy would have torn me from limb to limb had I revealed my regard.”

  “You know Eliza?” Caroline’s voice climbed abnormally high.

  “She visited my estate at Knole while she was Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s guest over Easter. We were all very impressed with her knowledge of the game as well as the house.”
>
  Caroline laughed. “Your Grace, Eliza was not the guest of Lady Catherine. I hate to contradict you, but I believe you were misinformed,” she glared at Elizabeth. “Eliza is a cousin to Lady Catherine’s parson, and that is all. How kind of you to welcome such imposters into your home.”

  The Duke shrugged his shoulders. “She and her relations were invited to Knole as the guests of Lady Catherine. At any rate, she will soon have a very close kinship to her Ladyship, will she not? On her next visit, she will certainly be at Rosings.”

  “Dorset, what is this?” The elegant voice of the duke’s mother interrupted their circle. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet I know. Will you introduce me to your friends?”

  “A pleasure, Your Grace,” she said before performing the civilities.

  “How splendid to meet two of your sisters,” she said. “My mother had four sisters as well. I believe they were described by others as an “endless horde of daughters.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I am sure my father would agree, ma’am!”

  “Miss Bennet,” the Duchess directed her attention to Jane. “I find it is you who has captivated my son.”

  Jane blushed prettily.

  “Is your aunt or mother not with you?”

  “You will find, Your Grace,” Caroline cut in, “that the Bennet ladies run positively wild.”

  “Come, Miss Darcy. You and the Misses Bennet must walk with us. We are on our way to ices at Gunter’s, and I simply must have your conversation.”

  Caroline and Lady Charlotte looked on eagerly, the former going so far as to clear her throat lest the Duchess forget to invite her. When nothing further was said by the woman, Caroline curtsied. “We regret we cannot join you. We must continue our shopping. Good day to you, Madam. Pray, send our greetings to your mother, the Countess.”

  Others had gathered around to see who the Dowager Duchess of Dorset was speaking with. She refused to reply to Caroline and turned on her heel. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as Elizabeth and the others shuffled behind the Duchess with Jane on the Duke’s arm. Caroline and her friend were left stuttering in angry chagrin.

  As they ventured further away from the crowd, the Duchess glanced backwards at her son. “Dorset, call the carriage round and tell Smith to hire a hack for our packages. We shall be snug, but we will fit. Ladies, did you bring your own coach? No, I had supposed not.”

  The Duke left to do his mother’s bidding, and in a moment, they were boarded in the large box. Elizabeth could hardly fathom driving in such a large vehicle just for shopping in town. Her Grace must have planned on a great many purchases indeed.

  “Forgive me,” she said in a more relaxed tone. “I had thought we better converse in private.” She rapped on the ceiling with her parasol, and they lurched forward. “I had heard those ladies speaking of you earlier, and indeed, the whole of London is ripe with gossip regarding Darcy’s bride.”

  Elizabeth paled, but the Duchess held up her hands before she could speak. “I have said to all I know that they are words of a bitter and disappointed, gold-digging spinster. That I had personally known Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, the very same lady betrothed to Fitzwilliam Darcy. I have sworn that I saw their mutual attachment and Miss Elizabeth’s acceptance by Darcy’s family.”

  Elizabeth stared at the woman in confusion. In Kent, she had seemed even prouder than Lady Catherine.

  “You wonder at my defending you, Miss Elizabeth?” Her Grace asked, and Elizabeth nodded. “Amelia and I are so close in age we grew up like sisters. Our families were friends; we went to the same school. When I married the Duke, she was my closest friend. I am convinced it is one reason why she married Sir Lewis when she had no affection for him.”

  Her son chuckled. “In short, Miss Elizabeth, they may bicker like family — for they are — but neither is anyone else allowed to insult them.”

  “I was sorry you left Kent before accepting Julia’s invitation to tea at Knole. Now, it is time for a frank conversation, my dears,” she said as they stopped before an enormous home in Mayfair.

  Tea was ordered and all seated. Elizabeth was pleased to see Lydia managed to remain respectful and quiet. It was almost eerie from a girl who had always been so lively. Once the servants had been sent away, her Grace began again.

  “Is there any truth at all to the rumours? You understand that the Fitzwilliam name has been sullied before.”

  Georgiana said looking abashed, “So you know of my mother.”

  “It was before I was born, but I recall hearing whispers of her ruin before she married your father,” the Duchess said. “I hope you understand I am not prejudiced against such. It happens more than some may believe and I hate the blaming of the women.”

  She paused, and Elizabeth fancied she was considering the rumours about her husband, a womaniser in his youth who had caused the ostracising of a lover whose husband had refused to divorce her. Then, there was the statue of his former mistress in the nude in the main hall of her home.

  “Your Grace,” Lydia began, “there is no blame on my sister’s side. She and Darcy marry quickly because his aunt is not expected to live much longer.”

  “I am sorry to hear it,” the Duchess said.

  Lydia took a deep breath, “And because of me.”

  “Lyddie,” Elizabeth interrupted. “You do not have to say anything.” She hardly knew the woman and could not vouch for her ability to keep a secret.

  “No, Lizzy.” Lydia shook her head. “If anything will be said against our family let it be about me, not you and certainly not Darcy.”

  Lydia then explained her seduction at Wickham’s hands and possible pregnancy followed by Georgiana confessing her own near elopement.

  “Oh, my poor dears,” the Duchess said when they had finished. “So, it is true. This Wickham targets ladies close to Darcy.”

  The way she said it made Elizabeth believe Lady Catherine had told her about Anne.

  “Well, Dorset will see to that.”

  Four pairs of feminine eyes looked at the Duke, who they had forgotten about, in question.

  “I have recently been made a lieutenant-colonel of the militia for Sevenoaks and Bromley. Wickham can be under my attention directly and will not have the spare time to seduce anymore ladies.”

  “Pray, sir, you cannot,” Elizabeth said before explaining about Kitty.

  The Duke frowned at the information. “If I can be of service to your family, in any way, please inform me.”

  “Perhaps you can assist in purchasing a commission quickly? I understand Colonel Fitzwilliam met with nothing but hardship when he wished to transfer Wickham and may well be out of favours owed.”

  At this, Dorset grinned. “Do you forget that my uncle is the Secretary of War? Yes, I believe we may have this cad suited and sworn by the end of the day if we desire.”

  “And I can do more for you, Miss Lydia,” the Duchess said. “Stay with me at Knole Park. My eldest daughter is now married, and my younger one lacks a young companion.”

  “I…I will consider it,” Lydia said.

  “Lizzy, we should be going,” Georgiana said.

  “Thank you, your Grace,” Lizzy said and stood.

  “Think nothing of it,” the Duchess replied. “We should chat again soon. I believe you may need some help navigating the echelons of Society,” she said to Elizabeth. “And Miss Bennet, I would be pleased if you and your aunt called on me next week. Dorset will see you home.”

  The ladies curtsied to the agreeable Dowager Duchess, who responded in kind, before removing to board the Dorset carriage once more. Elizabeth smiled at the thought that good souls were willing to help them. She could only hope Darcy’s family could be counted among them.

  *****

  Darcy’s hired hack pulled up to a run-down inn as close to the Seven Dials district as he would dare approach without an armed guard. A gentleman would lose his pocketbook if he were lucky and too often, his life. That Wickham housed a gentleman’s daughter in an inn t
hat looked as though it was a part-time bawdy house sickened Darcy. All for what? Some imagined feud with him?

  “Oh God,” Mr. Bennet said as he looked out the window and saw the filthy streets lined with beggars, and prostitutes selling their wares. “This would kill her mother. Be sure you tell her that.”

  Mrs. Gardiner nodded in agreement.

  “Darcy, I know you do not want their marriage but if she will not give him up you will not be miserly, will you?” Mr. Bennet asked with real concern. “I could never repay you but this…” He waved his hand at the abject poverty around them.

  “I will offer them enough for a genteel life with provision to protect any money settled on Kitty.”

  Mr. Bennet mumbled his thanks but his eyes glistened as he considered how close to devastation his family now was.

  Mrs. Gardiner covered her nose with a handkerchief to mask the stench of their surroundings. Darcy followed her suit as he descended the carriage and handed down his companion. He prayed, likely fruitlessly, that the building might have fresher air. Some coin loosened the man at the desk’s tongue, and he gave up Wickham’s room number. By the time Darcy reached the door, he was too angered to knock politely.

  “Wickham, you scoundrel, open up for me!” Darcy yelled hammering on the door.

  There was a light crashing of glass followed by a groan and shuffling of feet. Wickham pulled open the door looking dishevelled, hungover from too much drink, and unbathed. He produced a charming smile, nonetheless.

  “Darcy, come in.” Seeing Mrs. Gardiner gave him pause. “Kitty, dearest, a visitor for you I believe.”

  The girl stood from where she had been scooping up the broken glass and smiled at her aunt. She wore a dressing gown and looked paler and timider than Darcy remembered.

  “Are you well?” Darcy nodded his head in her direction. “He has treated you well?”

  Kitty remained mute but nodded. Darcy scanned the room, hoping to find signs of food but only saw signs of cheap spirits. The shades were drawn. Undoubtedly, Wickham had wanted to hide from his creditors until he had heard of Darcy’s marriage and would approach him. He wondered if their financial state necessitated such an establishment or if Wickham planned it to increase the urgency to listen to his demands. Mrs. Gardiner murmured with her niece.