“No. She is a little tired after the theatre last night. She will be herself again after a good night’s rest.” Darcy spoke calmly, yet even he could tell his words did not sound sincere.
Kent frowned. “Please convey my apology if I caused her any uneasiness.”
Chapter Eight
The men rushed to complete many activities during the week, and much remained to be accomplish. Each day more pieces of the world-trading puzzle fell into place. Kent’s Uncle Daniel was instrumental in everything except the China trade, which proved to be more difficult than anyone expected. The officials at the East India Company had not responded to their request for a license, but at the meeting, they suggested the alliance’s wish to be involved in Chinese trading would cause a problem. England controlled all such trade through its East India Company licenses and to date they had not granted access to any individual or company. Darcy considered scrapping it, but realized it was the critical leg in the worldwide strategy. They continued to pursue the approval.
The men stayed busy with their assigned undertakings convening at night to report any progress over drinks and dinner. With Kent's continued gentle coaxing, Georgiana grew more communicative since the play. Her hosting skills improved with each passing event. Having taken the time to learn all the men’s favorite dishes, she discovered Bingley was the easiest man to please; he savored everything, except mutton. Like her brother, Kent and Blake favored the beef selections; Rawlings showed a partiality to the simple meals and fancy ragouts, revealing his own contradictory personality.
So it was, Georgiana’s selection for an early dinner—a stewed beef rump—was chosen since Rawlings was scheduled to sail the next morning for America. While the men partook of their usual after-dinner brandy, they enlightened each other on their accomplishments in more detail. Darcy announced that he had found sufficient underwriters, and Blake said he had finalized the insurance policy. Bingley had worked on the sale of the modified Baker Rifles, while Rawlings and Kent had pursued many tradesmen in Cheapside, although they reported that Mr. Cuffage urged them to avoided meeting with Mr. Gardiner or visiting his warehouse. He had given them a list of other tradesmen they should avoid.
Rawlings, having grown tired in-depth business discussions, refilled everyone’s glass, and lifted his drink in the air. He led the now familiar salute, thereby ending the serious conversation. “To the Alliance!” The men rose, repeated the toast, and then gulped the liquid down in one swallow. Darcy felt a shiver run through his body. His inner sense nudged him. For an unknown reason he worried this toast may be the last one they drank together.
Edward Atterton’s party was that night. Bingley left to escort his sister to another function, Blake, not yet forgiving of the man for his interference with Lady Beatrice years ago, declined and returned to his home. The remaining men prepared to leave for party.
They arrived late and, unfortunately, so did everyone else, causing a crush of people attempting to gain entrance at the same time. Edward Atterton had spied them through the large window overlooking the driveway, and with unusual promptness, led them inside. He did not know Kent, except by the news accounts of the competition, but he and Rawlings had been friends at Eton.
While they climbed the stairs, Darcy experienced a sense of déjà vu. He sniffed the air filled with the scents of roses, lilacs, and jasmine. He could not detect any lavender. Once the men gathered at the top, they entered the ballroom together.
Those assembled suddenly hushed at the sight. All three men were handsomely dressed and appeared stately in their manner. The most important information floating around the room was that they were unattached, rich and had recently participated in a grand competition in the country. Every matron quickly moved to her unmarried daughters, chastising them to stand up straight, shoulders back and, of course, to display their most pleasing smiles.
Rawlings led the men to the refreshment table. Kent, taking his drink, left to attend to several acquaintances beckoning him to join them.
“Darcy, when we entered the assembly hall in Meryton Sir William came to welcome us. Tonight, Atterton rushed to greet us. I believe you did not appreciate Sir William’s effort, at least not as much as you valued Atterton’s.”
Darcy pointed his head to the host. “Yes, but unlike him, Sir William is a… a—”
“Hobnail? Clodhopper? Perhaps, but Sir William acted for the best reason. His goal was to put us at ease in a room full of strangers.”
“Humph! His goal was for one us to meet and marry his daughter. Atterton has never pushed his sister on me.
“Why then did Sir William introduce Bingley straightaway to the Bennets? I agree, there is a little bit of the buffoon about him, but he is a gentleman underneath. Did you call Atterton a clodhopper? No, but yet, he also possesses the same foolishness in his manner.”
Darcy glared at him. “What are you doing? Why are you bringing up a country dance? What do you wish to lecture me on today?”
“My friend, I plan to introduce you to the Meryton society in this fashionable party in London.”
Darcy attempted to leave; Rawlings held him back. “Hear me out first, and then make up your own mind. I shall not force you to socialize if you are apprehensive about talking with others; but I wish to show you the world through my eyes.”
Darcy shrugged. “Very well.”
Rawlings pointed out a well-dressed older lady standing in the corner with two young maidens. “Do you recall Mrs. Long and her two nieces, Eunice and Diana? Surely you remember them.” Rawlings waited until Darcy fixed his stare on the women in question. “Do you not notice how she fusses over the girls, and how she tries to puff herself up as the social leader there? She is the same as Mrs. Long.”
“Humph.”
“I am well acquainted with her boring and insipid manner. Her two daughters are so much like the Long nieces. I can attest they own little understanding. They limit all discussion on fashion. You did not dance with the Long nieces, but I did and the conversation was the same, I assure you.”
Rawlings next directed his friend’s attention to a well-built older man to their left. “Is he not our Mr. Goulding? His conversations are horses, horses, and more horses. Mr. Goulding breeds and sells the animals while he buys and stables them—no real difference between the two. When did he ever speak to you about anything else?”
When Darcy laughed aloud, many guests turned to stare. “You have a point there. Still, this is not Meryton. These people are not as crash or rude.”
“Take note, my friend, we cannot do as we please, even here in sophisticated London, we are scrutinized. Members of the Ton are not as loud as the Meryton society, but guess what they are whispering. He is Mr. Darcy, my dear, and he is worth ten thousand a year. He is standing next to Mr. Rawlings, a younger son of the Earl of Wolverly, but I understand he is building his wealth. Mr. Kent, over there, almost won the stallion. He is rich, to be sure, but he is not even gentry! Only the poorest gentlemen would allow his daughter to marry that tradesmen’s son.”
Rawlings took a breath when a mother walked by with a younger lady in hand and whispering. “Dear, one of the gentlemen may appreciate your practicality, and may even prefer quality to the shallowness of the other girls.”
After they walked passed, Rawlings turned Darcy, directing his attention to another mother and daughter. “Without a doubt, that was Lady Lucas with Miss Charlotte in hand!” He glanced at a group of ladies approaching them. “Ah. Here comes the pièce de résistance.” Rawlings bowed. “Why, Lady Maria, you look lovely tonight, as do all your daughters. Are you acquainted with my friend?”
“No, sir. We would be most honored with an introduction.”
“Lady Maria, may I introduce Mr. Darcy?”
“It is a great honor to meet you. May I present my daughters: Miss Margaret, my eldest, Miss Felicia, my second, and finally Miss Rebecca.
While the girls curtsied, Darcy figured out which family they represented before Rawling
s asked if there any more lovely ladies at home.
“Oh no, Mr. Rawlings. How kind of you to ask. I have yet another girl, but she is dancing.” Lady Maria pointed with her head to the dance floor. “She is my youngest and most lively child. Would you like to meet her, I can send one of the other girls to fetch her?”
“No, ma’am, I beg you not to interrupt her pleasure.”
“My daughters are well schooled in all dances.”
After waiting a few awkward moments for a response that did not come, they daughters left and with an ill-disguised whisper the mother exclaimed, “Humph, they are not quite so desirable to us, my dears.”
Mr. Rawlings announced, “That was Mrs. Bennet! Although she has only four daughters, they are all out. Well, shall we play cards tonight? I have not noticed anyone lively enough for me to dance with, and I realize none of your usual dancing partners attended tonight.”
“I do not dance as a rule anywhere if I can help it.”
“But you did demonstrate your skill at the Netherfield Ball. Tonight, let us be old men and spend the evening with a deck of cards.” The two men approached the card room in silence. After a few moments discussing the Netherfield competition, they found opponents for whist, and stayed engaged in many games..
Darcy did not utter a sentence longer than three words. The similarities between the two societies hounded his thoughts and his attention to the cards suffered. Rawlings seemed not to care even though they continuously lost. Occasionally, Darcy would lean back in his chair, gaze into the ballroom while the dancers drifted by. He studied the women making their turns. London twins. They are all the same. Still, they are a class above the Meryton women.
He lost interest in whisk after only two games. Rawlings said he sought the quiet of a comfortable room and suggested they return to Darcy House for a few drinks. This would be the last time they would be together before he sailed. When they informed Kent, he chose to remain at the party to continue his flirting and conversing with his new acquaintances. Darcy offered to send the carriage back for his use when the party ended.
Upon arriving at Darcy House, the two men headed straight to the study where Darcy poured the drinks and Rawlings paced the floor.
“Sit down, please, Darcy. I must speak with you.”
“I wish not to debate you on the merits of London society and Meryton’s lack of anything notable.” He crossed his arms. “Have you not said it all tonight at the party?”
“That was just the first act in this drama.”
“Drama? Which play does this resemble? With you, it should be a comedy; perhaps A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Instead of a laugh, Rawlings picked up his pace muttering until he plopped down in the other chair. “The similarities between the two societies I showed you tonight were the first of my warnings.”
“I understood completely what you did, but I hold a different opinion. Meryton cannot compare to London. I grant you there was a little truth, but the two places are not equal.”
“I did not say equal, Darcy, you mistake my point. You should not overlook opportunities because of perceived imperfections.”
“Are we speaking of business or pleasure?”
“Business especially, but do not dismiss the possibility for happiness in your personal life. You, my friend, are in danger of marrying merely for the sake of your family fortunes.
“I have no thought of marriage to anyone. Nor have I ever.”
“Bah! Did you not focus your attention on Lady Victoria the first two we were at Cambridge. She visited often enough to raise eyebrows among your friends. I realize that she did not return once Richmond had graduated, but I also noticed tension between you two. And now I heard you escorted her to a play recently.”
“I did consider her, but we discovered we were too much like sister and brother. Nonetheless, she is an example of what I desire: a good family, impeccable manners, skilled in the arts, an excellent manager of servants, well read, and sophisticated sufficiently to tread the London swamps. She must have the background to aid in Georgiana’s debut. In addition, I wish to have a large family, so she must be healthy and bring a little fortune into the family to bestow upon the younger children. She has no equal in Meryton.”
Joining your life with another should be more than a business alliance. Damn it, Darcy, do not seek merely increased wealth or connections when there is someone who can provide you with a deep source of joy. Happiness in life should not be traded away.”
“Humph. I know whom you are referring too. Her mother is mercenary, Rawlings. The same holds true for her younger sisters.”
“How can you be so positive? You rarely spoke to any of them.”
“I have witnessed how venal Mrs. Bennet is.”
“Oh. Would you be so kind to enlighten me?”
Darcy moved to the fireplace where he stoked the fire in silence; his angry jabs with the poker sending orange embers flying up the chimney. Since the sparks had done little to subdue his demons, he moved over to the window, his reflection clear in the dark panes while he stared bleakly out into the night.
“Are you angry or pained?” Rawlings rose from his chair, but Darcy held his hand up to halt his progress.
“I do not know which it is. A little of both I suppose.”
“Tell me. I am a willing listener. There is no friend here to interrupt us tonight.”
Darcy recalled both times when he tried to share his thoughts about Miss Elizabeth Bennet, but the sudden presence of others had delayed any discussion. After giving instructions to one of his servants, he closed the door. “We will not be interrupted.”
Rawlings brought the brandy carafe closer to their chairs. “I will not joke or tease. I am your greatest supporter, perhaps your truest friend, for I will not hold back my opinions.”
“I know.” Darcy glared out the window. The townhouses across the square gave off only pinpricks of lights on this starry evening. With the study situated at the front of the house, he could easily watch the movements of his neighbors. He found it entertaining to see which carriages drove past each morning and who returned home each night. More importantly, he could discern who was calling upon him before the doorman opened the door. Darcy’s shoulder’s slumped.
Rawlings set down his drink. “What is on your mind?”
Darcy, raised his chin. He spoke to the blackness outside the window, but loudly enough for Rawlings to hear. “You were aware of Blake’s attraction to Miss Elizabeth.”
“Of course. I believe we all knew of it. He was not the one hiding his interest.”
Darcy shot him a black stare. “Did you know he was planning to offer marriage?”
Rawlings shook his head. “No. But my conversations with him left me to believe he was debating the consequences of connecting himself to such a low family. When I heard the Bennet girls had lost their dowries, I assumed he had dropped the connection. He cannot afford to marry without regard to fortune.”
“He has sufficient wealth bestowed upon him by his mother. His situation is not as dire as we had believed… he had every intention of proposing to her the day after the ball.” Darcy slowly shook his lowered head. “I will admit to you that I am not sorry he never made the offer, although I regret that his reason for not doing so only confirmed my beliefs.”
“Which are?”
“Mrs. Bennet is of the most mercenary type. Her daughters are no match for her. They will do as she says. Do not forget, pushing Miss Bennet on Bingley is another example of her nature. And I am convinced had I shown the slightest outward interest in any of her daughters, Mrs. Bennet would have compelled her daughter to show an interest in me that she did not experience.”
“What did Mrs. Bennet do?”
A World of Expectations_Book 2_The Confrontation Page 12
