by Wells, Linda
“It is common enough, Darcy.” Richard laughed to see his guilt and delighted to hear of Elizabeth’s interrogation. “You simply do not think to take advantage of the privilege of your sex and wealth.”
“I told her that I have not been with a woman since the day we met.” Darcy saw Richard’s wonder and looked down to his hands. “It was dissatisfying and felt wrong. You knew this of me, we have spoken of it.”
“I admit that I found it implausible, I should have known better, you never colour the truth. However, I am stunned that you told her that. What did she say?”
“Details were not necessary.” He looked up again. “But I wanted no secrets between us; not after this experience with Anne, and it seems that her aunt had prepared her for such knowledge during one of their …enlightening discussions. Elizabeth hated the confirmation but said that she suspected that I …”
“Displayed experience? Good for her, she took a horribly embarrassing conversation and turned it back on you.” Fitzwilliam smiled. “I wish all girls were taught what is what, it makes it all so much less embarrassing.” Darcy rolled his eyes and Fitzwilliam laughed. “Well, I have heard that our aunt and cousin are back at Rosings.”
“I do not care.”
“Ah, but you should. She is likely not finished with you.”
“And what could she do to me? As if I would marry Anne now.” Darcy laughed shortly. “Never.”
“Perhaps I will.”
Darcy stopped the glass rising to his lips. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Probably, so how appropriate to marry a woman who is as well?” He smiled and saw that Darcy was not amused, and spoke seriously. “It is the only way for me to have an estate. Who wants a second son?”
“But you would be tied for life to …you could never have children!”
“Or kill her in the process, but her life will be short I imagine, even without the rigours of childbirth. It is a calculation on my part, I know. The thought of consummation is impossible. What you saw is far more than I ever would want to experience, but there is a compassionate aspect to it as well, she would be protected until her death; and for my sacrifice, I would be a landowner.” He met Darcy’s insistent gaze. “I cannot see Anne being sent to Bedlam Darcy. That is hell on earth.”
“I know. There is that place in the North, the York Retreat run by the Quakers, they take a humanitarian approach and do not treat the patients like freaks or animals.” Fitzwilliam looked down at his hands and Darcy watched him steadily. “No, Richard, please do not do this. You are hardened from your experience at war, and making such a match would make it worse. You need …you deserve so much more. If Aunt Catherine dies or becomes incapable of her care, you know the family will step in.”
“Thank you for reminding me of that. It is a shame to lose Rosings, but it was Uncle Lewis’ decision that it be returned to the de Bourghs if Anne died before marriage.” Fitzwilliam spoke thoughtfully, “I suppose seeing both of my siblings making unhappy matches just puts me in the mood for feeling undeserving of anything for myself.” He sighed. “You have ruined me, you know.”
Darcy shrugged with a small smile then became serious. “Speaking of your siblings, Audrey was crying in the theatre.”
“What did he do to her?” Fitzwilliam demanded.
“He was drunk. And Richard, she was looking to someone …I hope that he can be convinced to reform, I fear that Audrey may look for comfort elsewhere, and that would be a tragedy.”
“My duties have kept me from confronting him about Wickham, now I have more ammunition to fire.” He stood up. “Nobody hurts my sister.”
“Do not make her a widow, Cousin.” Darcy said seriously.
“No, but I do believe I will make him soil his breeches with anticipation.” Fitzwilliam said grimly. “Derby tomorrow?”
“Yes, are you going?”
“No, have Elizabeth place a bet for me. Lady’s luck.”
Darcy smiled as he caught the guinea flying his way. “I will give her the message.”
“And I will claim the victory kiss!” Fitzwilliam laughed and ducked out the door as Darcy’s curse assailed him.
“WICKHAM?” Layton paced the room and returned to stare at his brother. “Are you sure?”
“I believe that Darcy would recognize him.” Fitzwilliam said dryly. “I wonder how you did not know of this association. You and Singleton are thick as thieves, practically twins. It is a wonder that Alicia puts up with your shenanigans.”
“See here, Richard, I may be a … I may be fond of society and all that, but I am not a reckless gambler. I enjoy a game as much as any man, but I would not gamble away the estate even if I could! Father’s teachings did make some impact on me.”
“Did they? Then why did he recently take you into his study for a thorough tongue-lashing about your lack of pride in the family and your lack of industry in learning the estate?”
“How did you …What do you mean?”
Fitzwilliam laughed and leaned against a bookshelf. “Just because I do not live here most of the time does not mean that I am without information. I hear that he is embarrassed for failing you. I disagree; you have never taken the initiative to do more than was absolutely necessary. What happens when Father dies? You will get his seat in the House of Lords and take over Matlock. Do you really know what that all entails?”
Layton looked up and sighed. “Not as much as I should. I actually have been taking steps to change myself.” He walked away and played with a shepherdess on the mantle. “It is all Darcy’s fault, you know. If he weren’t such a damned good example …”
“Yes, I had a discussion with him about that recently.” Fitzwilliam looked down at his boots and placing his hands behind his back paced a little. “We have failed another as well.”
“Who?”
“Our sister.”
“What is wrong …oh. Singleton.”
“I have not been here to protect her from this idiot. He gambles away her dowry, he drinks, what else does he do? Do you two go whoring together? What disease is he bringing home to our sister?”
“You are one to talk, Brother.”
“I am not married Brother, and it is from your body that the heir must come.”
“It is hardly a …” Layton met his glare and sighed. “You do hang about Darcy too much.” He caught his brother’s raised brow and sighed again. “Forget I said that, Darcy’s had enough, especially after Aunt Catherine’s scheming, I will give him no trouble over his choice for wife.” Layton closed his eyes when he saw Fitzwilliam incline his head with an ironic smile then continued, “Did it occur to you that some women welcome the opportunity to not be perpetually with child?”
“Yes, but that would be so if she had ever been with child.” Fitzwilliam pointed out. “My guess is that Alicia knows of your behaviour and has refused your bed, and although it is your right to force your will, you either are afraid to or …you care about her too much to do such a vile thing.”
“I have not been out,” he met his brother’s eye significantly, “in that way since Morris was found with the French disease. I wanted to be sure that I would not infect Alicia, and have stayed away.”
Richard was dumbfounded. “Your unprecedented consideration honestly surprises me; may we blame this on Darcy, too?” Layton glanced at him and away. “Does she mind?”
“She does not know why!” He said with frustration.
“If you are not infected, will you return to your previous activities?”
“That depends on my wife. Perhaps after the heir is born she would wish to lead separate lives. I am hoping not.” He said quietly. “I truly do care for her, you know.”
“It is about time. I know that it was an arranged affair, but she is a wonderful woman. No mistress could replace that. I might actually come to respect you if you follow through with this transformation.” Fitzwilliam looked his brother over and their gazes met and held. “I intend to confront Singleton. He made our siste
r cry in public with his behaviour.” Layton’s eyes grew angry and focussed. “I see that you agree with me that nobody hurts our little sister? I would like to frighten this fool into seeing the light before he finds himself at the losing end of a duel or Audrey decides to find comfort in the arms of a lover.” Layton’s head tipped in question. “She would not be the first, Brother. Singleton must secure an heir as well; I do not wish to see our sister endure her husband’s doubt of her child’s paternity.”
“Where is he?”
“At the club, most likely.”
Layton opened the door, and held out his arm. “After you, Colonel.”
Richard’s brow rose as a hint of his childhood playmate reappeared in his brother’s demeanour. “Oh no, after you, Viscount.”
“I insist.”
“By your pleasure.” Fitzwilliam smiled. “Together?” Layton nodded in agreement, and yelled when his brother dashed out first.
Arriving at their preferred club, Layton led the way to Singleton’s likely haunt. As expected, he was at the card tables, surrounded by many others, and this time, winning. He looked up at his brothers with a smile. “Excellent! Come to join my success?”
Fitzwilliam came around to look at his cards and whistled. Immediately everyone else at the table folded their hands and Singleton glared at him. “I was bluffing.”
“Hmm. Well, we want a word.” He looked up and across the room. “Wickham!” He called.
Wickham startled and seeing Fitzwilliam’s steely gaze, flinched before he smiled. “Fitzwilliam, a pleasure.”
“How goes your family?” Fitzwilliam asked loudly, then striding across the room to Wickham’s table, he clapped Lord Creary on the back. “Sir, I see that you are welcoming all comers to your play. I am surprised.”
“What are you speaking of Fitzwilliam?” He blustered and looked at Wickham. “He is a fine player.”
“Of course, all gamesters are.” He pointed and nodded. “Where did you learn your craft? Certainly not at your father’s knee, he was too busy working as steward at Pemberley.” He smiled and bent to Creary, “You know; Darcy’s estate?”
“What?” Creary stood while Wickham cringed, drawing his coins into his hands hurriedly. “You are not even a gentleman? Who sponsored you? How dare you enter this club! Begone from here!” Several footmen appeared on the scene and Wickham was grabbed by the arms to be dragged out.
“Damn you Fitzwilliam!”
“You should not have come back after seeing Darcy, you fool!” Fitzwilliam laughed after him. Creary touched his shoulder.
“Darcy recognized him here?”
“No, Darcy saw him at Vauxhall, but his engagement has kept him from the club, otherwise I imagine he would have spotted him here and raised the warning. You have seen his betrothed, have you not?” Fitzwilliam raised his brow. “You can see why he would be preoccupied?”
A small smile appeared on Creary’s lips. “Ah, yes. Quite well-formed.” He chuckled and then his face grew serious. “I will speak to the serjeant-at-arms about Wickham.”
“I leave it to you, sir.” Fitzwilliam nodded to the rest and joined his brothers. “Now why is it that I had to identify Wickham? You knew who he was.”
Singleton looked down. “I sponsored him here, if I had said who he was, I would have been a laughingstock.”
Layton looked at him with disgust. “Come on, we are going to talk about a few more of your failings.” They moved off to take a private room, usually meant for very high stakes card games, and locked the door.
“What is this about?” Singleton straightened his coat when Layton let him go, and noted Fitzwilliam leaning against the door with his arms folded.
“You Brother; have disappointed the family.”
“What do you mean?” He demanded.
“I mean, our sister was moved to tears in public over your behaviour.”
“Did Harwick put you up to this?” Singleton said angrily. “He said he was giving me friendly advice, I did not realize he was going behind my back.”
Fitzwilliam and Layton exchanged glances and Layton shrugged. “Obviously his advice fell on deaf ears if we found you here.”
“He warned me to cut my ties with Wickham, and pay attention to my wife, that I might regret my behaviour deeply if she were to die unexpectedly or my actions might lead to my premature death and leave her alone.” Singleton’s voice dwindled away as he spoke.
“Spoken as a man who has lost a great deal. I see that you have repaid his thoughtfulness by continuing as you have?”
“It is a difficult habit to break and besides, I was in my cups and did not really catch all that he said.”
“It sounds to me that you caught a great deal,” Fitzwilliam said softly, “but chose to ignore it.” Advancing to his brother he looked down at him, and put his hand on the hilt of his sabre. Singleton swallowed and watched in fascination as the shining metal was caressed, almost lovingly. “I will say this to you once. You make some changes to your habits and amends to our sister, or we will have more than just words in a closed room in a private club.”
“You threaten me?” Singleton’s voice shook.
“I promise you.” Fitzwilliam spoke softly. “I am very adept with the art of persuasion …Brother.”
“I have the scars to prove that.” Layton added.
“Scars?”
“Hmm.” Layton nodded.
“What gives you the right to question my behaviour? You are no better!”
“I take great exception to that. I may play cards, but I have never touched my wife’s dowry. I may be a social snob, but that is the right of my position. I have come to see the ways that I have failed myself and my family and have begun to make changes. I am not perfect, but at least I am not you. My wife does not cry.” Fitzwilliam unlocked the door and opened it. “I believe that you need to read your marriage contract and make sure that Audrey’s assets remain intact. If you have gambled them away, I suggest that you find a way to replace them, and if I catch you doing anything beyond being a good husband to our sister and learning your role for your estate, I … will not hold back the Colonel.” He smiled and Fitzwilliam nodded.
“We will be watching you, Brother.” He touched his blade again and glanced at Singleton’s breeches. “Spill something?” He smiled and left. Layton glanced at the fall and laughed, and followed Fitzwilliam out. Singleton looked at himself and sank down on a chair at the table, and sat alone to contemplate their words while he waited for his breeches to dry.
“I HATE TO SAY THIS, UNCLE, but this year our trip to Epsom is far more comfortable than the last.” Elizabeth smiled across to where Mr. Gardiner sat with Darcy and Bingley.
“You mean that riding on a stagecoach with a group of merrymakers was not enjoyable? Why I am insulted!” He chuckled to see her head shaking.
“You rode a stagecoach?” Darcy said unhappily.
“We did.” Elizabeth smiled. “It was better than trying to find somewhere to leave Uncle’s coach. We simply paid our fares and agreed to meet at an inn at the appointed time. Our companions were a friendly, if drunken lot.”
“I am surprised that you noticed them at all, Lizzy. The ride home you were decidedly in a world of your own.” He smiled at her then back at Darcy.
His mouth dropped open when he saw her blushing, then he sat up a little straighter and smiled. “If I might relieve your discomfort Elizabeth, I will own that I spent the ride home wondering where in the convoy a certain girl’s carriage was located.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip and blushed brighter.
Mrs. Gardiner patted her hand and smiled. “I will tell you Mr. Darcy, she did not lose that dreamy countenance for days afterwards.”
“Is this embarrass Elizabeth day?” She demanded fiercely as her face grew increasingly red, and Darcy’s chest puffed with pride
“May I ask what finally brought you back to earth, Miss Elizabeth?” Bingley asked with a grin.
“Oh, well it was not
hing to be remembered, sir.” She said quietly and looked down at her hands. “I …I met a man in Hyde Park who did not think much of me and I am afraid that effectively burst my bubble of happiness for quite some time.” She glanced at Jane who opened her mouth in surprise then at her aunt who nodded with the memory.
“Yes, but he was rather rude, you will recall.”
Elizabeth saw Darcy’s smile had disappeared as he remembered that moment when he had decided to let her go. “Fitzwilliam?”
“I do not like hearing of anyone who brings you unhappiness, Elizabeth.” He said softly.
“Well, I had my revenge, of a sort. We met him at the theatre, and he found me … handsome enough, I think.” She smiled at him, but saw that the sadness in his eyes remained. It was not the place to question him, and the company prevented any more conversation on that subject.
“Have you chosen your horse yet, Miss Bennet?” Bingley asked, noticing how she had fallen into her own thoughts.
“No sir, I would like to see them first.” She smiled a little and his eyes lit up.
“You need to assess their build?”
“No, Mr. Bingley, she likes to look at their eyes.” Elizabeth teased and saw Jane blush. “If they have pretty eyes then they will assuredly run well.”
The men laughed. “Lizzy!” She said angrily.
“I go by name, and Aunt looks at their colours, what is the difference? We are silly, but may I point out, I did win last year.”
“A fluke, I am certain.” Mr. Gardiner declared.
“So you will not split your purse with me again this year?” Elizabeth demanded. “And which will you follow? Eyes or colour?”
“I had better follow my wife, I think. Besides, you have Mr. Darcy’s funds to play with this year, do you not?”
“And Fitzwilliam’s.” He added, slowly regaining his humour. “So who is our choice, Elizabeth?”
She studied the list of names that Jane held up, and scanning them she picked one. “Pope.”
“Why? You are not Catholic.” His lips twitched.
“I doubt that his owner is either, but Papa is coming to visit on Tuesday, so I thought it would be good luck.” She saw Jane’s confusion. “Pope is from the Latin, Papa.”
