Renewed Hope: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (When Love Blooms Book 2)
Page 12
Arlington was uncertain he could sympathize. Was not a courtship interrupted worse than one declined? Having compassion on his cousin, he nodded his head. “Mother is including Anne and me in the engagement party she is holding for Richard and his betrothed. I know he plans on calling tomorrow before the dinner. Prepare yourself. Mother is expanding the guest list and has set her mind to matchmaking the last bachelor in the family.”
Arlington had no real purpose in calling on Darcy other than to satisfy curiosity and hoping the man might say something that could make the jumble of his thoughts make sense. He soon returned to his quiet apartment, and while he could not mourn the absence of Lady Catherine, he was surprised to consider how he already missed the company of Anne.
*****
Belinda watched Lady Matlock smile at her dinner partner. It did not reach her eyes. Her laughter did not have its usual bright ring to it. The night’s festivities were in celebration of the engagements of her sons and yet she seemed to lack the joy that Belinda had witnessed in recent days.
“You are quiet, love,” Richard said in her ear.
“Is your mother well?”
“I have not heard of any complaints. Why?”
“Watch her. She does not seem her usual self.”
Again, Belinda observed as her future mother-in-law forced a smile at another guest. Beside her, Richard frowned. “She is talking as rapidly as when she is nervous.” His eyes flew to Darcy and his brother’s. Both men were already glancing surreptitiously at Lady Matlock.
“Perhaps it is just nerves from the evening? Or too much wine?”
“My mother could plan a feast such as this in her sleep.” Richard raised her hand and gave it a kiss.
“What was that for?”
“For caring enough to notice. Never fear. I will speak with my father after the meal.”
Richard looked at her with undisguised affection and longing, and it caused Belinda’s heart to flutter. She still had not made sense of her feelings for him. Or rather, she had delayed having to label them. His proposal under the mistletoe at Matlock Hall came a minute after being found embracing her, but Belinda saw no signs that it was a forced proposal on his side. On hers, she had determined to accept her attraction to him. With the intimacies they had shared, Belinda knew as well as anyone what was required.
A part of her still thought it possible she was betraying Seth’s memory by another engagement so soon, but a greater part of her recognised she in no way wanted to give up what she felt with Richard, and it was better to make peace with moving on than try to hold back her feelings. She had read about great storms in Asia. An unstoppable wall of sea water would sometimes crash into the coast. Belinda rather thought her affection for Richard was the same way. Nothing could stop it or explain it. Some things defied logic and science.
The meal soon came to a close and the ladies withdrew to the drawing-room. There the conversation was entirely about the upcoming weddings and Lady Matlock seemed more withdrawn than ever. The other guests did not appear to notice. Even Lady Catherine did not take note. Belinda had been in that lady’s presence long enough to learn that she voiced most thoughts that entered her mind. More surprising, was her own mother’s lack of discernment, but Belinda understood her mother was too distracted.
Between the wedding talk—of which Belinda noticed she and Miss de Bourgh were not allowed to have an opinion on—and her concern for Lady Matlock, Belinda was unusually quiet. She was invited to the pianoforte and could barely conceal her relief when Miss de Bourgh followed to turn the pages.
“I cannot read music so you will have to tell me when to turn, but I had to get away from the others,” Miss de Bourgh whispered as they sat.
“They are in a rather terrible mood this evening,” Belinda said as she looked over the room at the dozen or so sour faces of unwed ladies and their mothers.
“Why must they hate me?”
“Think nothing of it. They are jealous. Rumours abounded that Lord Arlington would not marry at all, even while gossip lingered that he was engaged to you all along. No doubt some of these ninnies thought they might appeal to him.”
“I may not be as young or as accomplished as them but James has always appreciated a lady that can think for herself. They have a look about them that they would agree with anything he said!”
Belinda chuckled as she nodded her head to signal a page turn. “My, you are honest. I quite like that about you!”
Miss de Bourgh laughed as well. “I suppose it would not matter if we liked each other or not. We are to be sisters and at the moment seem to have earned the ire of all other young ladies present.” Belinda’s eyes grew wide. “Not that I mean I dislike you. I don’t. That is, I do like you. Dash it all!”
Belinda had compassion on the woman. “It is quite alright."
“Mother has not let me in company enough. I fear I get too nervous and bungle all my words. That is hardly the behaviour of a viscountess.”
“Actually, that may be an asset. London can be cruel. The ability to insult is a greater tool than the capacity to befriend.”
“You do not worry that I might offend the wrong person? I would hate to be a liability for James. He has told me of his political aspirations.”
“You can easily learn the names worth knowing. Few of them are young, so putting the ignorant misses in their place is unlikely to have drastic consequences.”
Belinda smiled as she saw Miss de Bourgh’s eyes light with amusement at the possibilities. “Since we are to be sisters, as you say, you must call me Belinda.”
Anne reciprocated the civility just before the gentlemen entered. Belinda’s eyes sought Richard’s, and she could tell by the way he held himself that his father must have shared his concerns about Lady Matlock. Despite the cause of the evening’s engagement, the night broke up soon afterwards. The hostess’ energy seemed to drain from her as night carried on.
When it was time to depart, Richard escorted her to the carriage. “Send word in the morning, please, about your mother. I do hope she is not ill.”
“We have matters well in hand, love.” The steely resolve in his eyes assured Belinda that was indeed the case.
*****
Truman slowly drank his tankard of ale while plying his drinking partner with the best whiskey the low-end establishment offered.
“Soon I’ll be able to afford much better stuff than this,” the man slurred.
“Is that so?”
“I’ll be rich. My friend and I have it all figured out.”
As the man continued to drink, his Derbyshire accent came out more clearly, and Truman had a feeling where the conversation might lead. He had followed the gentleman to this tavern on Edward Street.
An hour ago, this man had delivered a note addressed to Lady Matlock, which seemed to unsettle her greatly. There was no time to discuss its contents before guests arrived for the engagement party for Richard and Lord Arlington. Instead, Truman, recently back from Leeds, was sent to discover the man. The stranger had been terribly careless, not realising how badly he stood out in a neighbourhood as refined as Mayfair.
“You have an investment that is ready to return?”
“Gotta a sure fire way of getting ten thousand pounds. Split with me friend.”
“Ah, and he’s going to share with you, Mr…?”
“Denny. And ‘course he will. We old chums an’ I’s half the brains o’ the operation.”
“Of course,” Truman said before another sip.
“You dunno believe me? Jus’ the utha day I’s say ‘Wickham, you otta beat Ol’ Bennet at cards and clear him out!’ An’ he did!”
“A fine idea. And Mr. Bennet lost? What made you sure he would pay?”
“We’s got insurance,” Denny stopped to hiccup. “But it’s a secret, so shhh!”
The man nearly yelled, and Truman was disgusted with how easy it was to gather information from the man with a little drink. “Very clever. Your idea again?”
“Another time. Enjoy the next on me,” Truman said and paid the barkeep before returning to Matlock House.
The following morning, Truman arrived at the residence of Richard’s cousin, Mr. Darcy. Last night, Richard, the Earl, and the viscount were grieved to hear that Wickham was involved in the letter and after some pleading, Lady Matlock revealed the note she had received. The letter listed no demands, simply:
It would be a shame for a scandal to befall the House of Matlock due to her ladyship’s gambling debts.
Unfortunately, there was some substance to the claim. Years ago, Lady Matlock had been an avid card player, like most of her class. She racked up debts to a middling earl, who owed a debt to a powerful Duke known to take the favours of ladies instead of payment. To complicate matters, the Duke had once been engaged to Lady Matlock and in a fit of anger from being thrown over for a mere viscount, he circulated rumours that her eldest child was his sire. Although old gossip from over thirty years ago, the Earl and Countess were desperate for rumours to not resurface and mar their sons’ impending marriages and careers.
Soon after arriving at Darcy’s house, Truman and the others learned that Wickham also attempted to blackmail Darcy out of ten thousand pounds—clearly, the sum Denny spoke of the night before. His missive to Lady Matlock was an ill-planned endeavour for revenge for being ordered to West Riding of Yorkshire to suppress the frame breakers. He blamed Darcy for the assignment when in reality it was Arlington that suggested the Regiment in question.
Ordered to retrieve Denny and bring him to Lord Arlington’s apartment, Truman was leaving with the others when a face he never expected to see again greeted him in Darcy’s hall. For a moment, Truman greeted Caroline Bingley’s brother with happiness. Until, unavoidably, their past was brought up.
“You know my batman, Bingley?” Richard asked.
Bingley tore his gaze from Truman to answer Richard. “Indeed. The last time I saw him, I was a lad about to enter my second year in Eton. Mr. Truman was about to enter the army and was good friends with my cousin, with whom my family was staying. Caroline would…”
Bingley winced, undoubtedly in response to Truman’s reaction at hearing Caroline mentioned. “How are your sisters?” Truman was not practiced in the arts of disguise and the anxiety in his voice must have been clear to all.
“Louisa married a few years ago. Her husband is heir to a small estate. Caroline is still unwed.”
A great feeling of relief washed over Truman, and he nearly missed the strange exchange between Arlington and Bingley. His lordship seemed to want to make his engagement known to Bingley. Soon, the gentlemen parted, and Truman went to conclude his errand. He could not put from his mind, however, that Richard knew Charles Bingley, and there was the smallest possibility of crossing Caroline’s path.
Chapter Twelve
Caroline sat in the Netherfield drawing-room as Louisa laid on a sofa with a cold cloth over her eyes. “Mrs. Bennet’s voice is just so shrill. Oh, my head hurts so much more after visits at Longbourn.”
“I am sorry,” Caroline said. “Perhaps we can invite Miss Mary over here tomorrow. Our instrument is superior, and I believe she would enjoy playing it.”
“I am not complaining, dearest, but it will take some getting used to for all these changes in you.”
Caroline shrugged. “I only wish to be honest with myself.”
“But you are giving up London?”
“I do not desire a London life. I have had enough people peering down their noses at me. Besides, Eliza should go with Jane and Charles and make amends with Darcy.”
“You are too kind to her,” Louisa said with a hint of humour in her voice.
“Perhaps,” Caroline said. “But I also know the regret of giving up the man you love. I do not understand what she can be thinking.”
“Undoubtedly, she has her reasons as you had yours,” Louisa’s voice belied her fatigue of the subject. “But will you actually go to our aunt and uncle’s?”
“I can hardly stay here alone, nor can I accompany you.”
“You do not fear the memories?”
“You may say his name, Louisa. No, I do not fear the memories of Jacob Truman. It was years ago, and I have determined to embrace the good rather than dwell on the bad.”
Caroline would have said more but heard loud, rapid knocks on the front door. “Good Heavens!” She ran to the window and saw an express rider. “I hope it is not Charles!”
A moment later the butler carried in a missive for her to read. What she was more or less able to make out was:
Dearest Caroline,
Fear not, I am well. You have insisted that you do not wish to come to London, but I have seen Jacob Truman. He is alive and well. He was visiting Darcy with Colonel Fitzwilliam. If you still regret him, come to Town and I will do my best to arrange a meeting.
C. Bingley
She had read it aloud. Louisa immediately sat up. “Oh, my dear! Shall we go?”
“You can give Hurst a reason?”
“Yes, he will gladly escort us.”
“Then let us go tomorrow.”
The ladies had just settled matters with the housekeeper when they heard another, gentler knock. Caroline’s shock when Elizabeth Bennet was shown in, limping, with matted hair and a ripped gown was beyond expression. Immediately, Louisa’s nurturing instinct took hold and Eliza was nestled in a guest chamber. While attempting to hide her tears, her gown slipped low, revealing a terrible bruise. As Louisa inquired who had assaulted their friend, Caroline knew in her heart. There had been one officer, hated by Mr. Darcy, paying her far too much attention at Longbourn lately. Caroline could only pray nothing irreparable had happened. It did not escape Caroline’s notice that Eliza was adamant her father not know and instead requested Miss Mary to be sent.
“We will let you rest,” Louisa said when it became apparent their guest would resist any other interference from them.
Caroline paused before leaving. “I have had a letter from Charles, and we intend to leave for London in the morning. If you are recovered, you are welcome to join us. I hope… I hope you will use your time in London wisely, Eliza.”
The journey the following morning to London was unlike any Caroline had ever known. Could she have imagined when she returned to Hertfordshire mere weeks ago that she could now be driving to renew her friendship with the one man who still held her heart and likely ever would? Eliza was mostly silent on the ride and Caroline genuinely hoped she would overcome whatever reason she had for refusing Mr. Darcy. For herself, Caroline hoped she would have some cause to see Jacob Truman before fate allowed him to slip by again.
*****
Anne watched Darcy and Richard interact with their betrotheds with longing. They were all at Darcy House, along with Darcy’s friend Mr. Bingley, his betrothed, and his sister, celebrating Darcy’s engagement to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Surrounded by smitten couples, it became more evident than ever that despite James’ promises of faithfulness and his passionate kisses the morning of his proposal, their engagement looked nothing like the matches of affection she saw. It was a marriage of convenience for them both, she knew, but after waiting so long, Anne could not help but wish James would play the suitor better. Particularly since he did for every other lady in the kingdom. She consoled herself with although she was the last chosen, she would keep him the longest.
While her mother asked Miss Elizabeth impertinent questions, Anne kept company with Miss Bingley. It seemed as though there were lines drawn amongst the room between the charming and the reserved. Arlington seldom glanced her way, and when he did, he looked pained. Anne examined Miss Bingley. They were near in age, but that is where their similarities ended. Miss Bingley was taller, beautiful, and had an air of accomplishment and grace about her. Anne felt awkward and bumbling. Recalling that James and Miss Bingley had spent seve
ral weeks together in Hertfordshire, a suspicion formed in Anne’s mind.
Taking a cue from her mother, Anne turned to her companion. “I believe you are unmarried, Miss Bingley?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Lord above. When had she become old enough to be “ma’am”? “And have you any beaus? A woman in your position must desire to marry.”
“In my position?”
“Your brother is marrying, and his wife will become the mistress of the house. Surely you wish for one yourself?”
“Oh, yes. Certainly.”
Anne watched as Miss Bingley’s eyes were drawn to the lively gathering of Darcy and Richard. Perhaps she had been wrong in supposing Miss Bingley had been the recent object of James’ affections. On the other hand, she would not look at him at all, which seemed to denote some degree of embarrassment. Anne’s interview of Miss Bingley was interrupted by her mother directing her attention to them. As her ladyship held court around Miss Bingley and Miss Bennet, Anne felt a tickle in her throat, causing her to refill her tea more often than the others.
At the close of the visit, the Bennet ladies’ relatives had asked about touring Manchester this summer. James and Lord Matlock discussed the current unrest in the Northern counties. Anne sat enthralled as her betrothed sensibly explained the situation and then, with all due confidence, assured that matters would be resolved by the summer. Anne knew that James’ fortune came from factories. In fact, for as much as her mother liked to tout the importance of land ownership, all the gentlemen in the room were involved in the manufacturing business.
By the time she returned to Matlock House, the tickle in her throat had developed to a true cough, making her feel lightheaded. Lady Catherine ordered a physician who declared the London smoke of winter did not agree with her.
“I knew it,” her mother said. “I will speak to Arlington, and we will have you removed to Rosings right after the wedding.”