Chapter 27

27

D arcy sat at his desk, staring morosely at the stack of letters in front of him. Four days since he had returned to London. Four days since Miss Elizabeth had left Longbourn, and he had made the excuse of needing to see Georgiana, and fled to town to escape Miss Bingley now that nothing remained to keep him in Hertfordshire.

But work could no longer keep him occupied, and Georgiana had wanted to continue to stay at Matlock House, because his eldest cousin was there with his family, and Georgiana loved the children.

He sighed, and took the top letter from the stack. It was from Mr. Reed at Pemberley. He smiled tightly; his steward was a good man, and would only trouble him for important matters. Darcy pushed away the thought of Miss Elizabeth walking around Pemberley's lake, and concentrated on his business.

An hour later, his butler knocked on the door. "Lady Matlock has called, sir."

Darcy was on his feet. Perhaps she had finally heard from Bennet. "Thank you, Mr. Jones. Please invite her into the drawing room and arrange for refreshments."

He pulled his jacket straight, hurried through, and bowed. "Aunt Alice, this is a delightful reason to avoid my post!"

She laughed. "I am pleased you went to Hertfordshire, Darcy. You are more relaxed and have become much better company."

He raised his eyebrows. "I cannot imagine why you think so. I am the same as ever I was."

"If you believe so, then I will allow it." His aunt gave a tiny, knowing, smile.

Darcy grimaced. His aunt had already asked why he had written to her about Miss Elizabeth. He must be careful. "To what do I owe this pleasure, Aunt?"

"I have finally received a letter from Mr. Bennet, although I cannot be pleased at his tone."

Darcy raised his eyebrows. "Surely he would not be rude to you?"

"Oh, no. He is perfectly civil — on the surface."

Darcy turned as the housekeeper entered, supervising the maids with the trays of tea and pastries. He watched them silently, then nodded at her. "Thank you, Mrs. Porter."

Once the doors closed behind them, he took a seat. "Was Mr. Bennet not grateful at the opportunity you offered his daughter?"

"No, he was not." There were two spots of colour on her cheeks. She was not pleased, and Darcy winced. This did not bode well for Miss Elizabeth in society.

"I cannot understand it, Aunt. Offering your patronage was extraordinarily generous."

"Yes. Well, he has not turned it down completely — for the future, at least."

"What did he say?" Darcy enquired.

Her gaze was steady, and quite disconcerting. "I believe he did not appreciate that you had not asked his permission to write to me." Her brow wrinkled. "Although I cannot really imagine anyone not being pleased with my offer, surprise or not."

"Neither can I." Darcy was annoyed. "Does he wish to keep his daughter a secret all her life?"

His aunt sipped at her tea. "He gives an explanation which makes some sense, although not enough to refuse me, really." She shook her head. "Perhaps you had better read it, Darcy. I can see you are curious."

His heart leaped; he hadn't known how to ask.

Dear Lady Matlock,

I was surprised, but honoured, to receive your letter of the 25 th . The contents therein were also a surprise, and I thank you for your condescension towards my second daughter with your offer to introduce her to society.

Two years ago, Elizabeth was commanded to present herself to Her Majesty, and we both hoped that by not going into society from that occasion, she would be able to stay unknown in town and therefore safer — not completely safe, as it turned out — from those who would wish to possess her talent, although caring nothing for her.

She is happy in the country, visiting relations in town only occasionally to access masters, and has not particularly wished to enter society, although I have discussed it with her several times.

She is of a strong character, and is not pleased at being discovered by you, although acknowledging the honour of your attention.

She is away from Longbourn at present, and I have journeyed to speak to her and her relations at some length about your generous offer.

She is currently unwilling to perform at your soiree before Christmas, although we both wish you well with the fund-raising and instead enclose a donation towards the Asylum.

It might be that in the new year, I could persuade her to consider accepting your kind offer at another occasion, when she has had longer to think over certain matters.

Again, I thank you for the honour of your attention.

Yrs, etc

Thomas Bennet Esq

Darcy reread the letter swiftly, then folded it and returned it to his aunt, his brows still lowered in a frown.

"As you say, civil on the surface, but extremely unhelpful beneath."

"What did he mean by saying that as she is unknown, she is safer, but not completely safe ?" His aunt had unfolded the letter and was reading it again, her lips pursed in displeasure.

Darcy hesitated. "Her voice is extraordinary, even to my ears, and it seems some gentlemen, certainly more than one, have lost their heads in an effort to possess it, even stooping to attempt a compromise." He drew breath. "Thus far, she has not been, but I cannot think it will remain so for ever."

"Then her father needs to put in adequate protection for her." Aunt Alice sounded annoyed. "And if, as you say, the income from the estate is small, concerts may bring them more income to guard her."

"Her character is probably too stubborn to allow for that," Darcy murmured.

"I think you are far more invested in her than you have admitted." His aunt sounded troubled.

"I know I cannot marry so far beneath my station, Aunt." He sighed. "I had hoped … but if she will not even try to move in society, I suppose there is no chance of it."

She looked at him sharply. "She is a gentleman's daughter. If you are enamoured, it is more than I have ever seen from you." Her voice softened. "I want you to be happy, Darcy. If you do decide to offer for her, she will perforce be in society."

He shook his head. "She must know it was me that wrote to you, and from what Bennet has written, it seems she is very angry with me. And I doubt she would have accepted me even before that."

"She would refuse you?" She sounded disbelieving. "Then I think you need to go back at once and win her approval, Darcy. Any young lady who is honest and not mercenary must be a great prize."

He shook his head. "Georgiana and I always celebrate Christmas at Pemberley, and give gifts to the tenants to thank them for their efforts over the year past."

She nodded. "I had forgotten." She thought for a moment. "Well, I suppose you will be able to examine your feelings over the festive season." She rose to her feet, her call over. "Come to see me in the new year, Darcy, and tell me what you have decided. I do wish to see you settled, and, if you wish it to be with this young lady, I will assist you all I can."

Darcy had risen as she did. "I am very grateful." He hesitated. "What are you going to say when you reply to Bennet?"

"Hmm." She looked thoughtful. "I think I will wait a day or so, then I will thank him for his kind donation and ask if, after the holiday season, I might have the honour of calling and hearing Miss Bennet play and sing — without any expectations."

Darcy looked at her in surprise. "That seems extraordinarily conciliatory, given the way he wrote to you."

She shrugged. "It is why I will wait a day or two until I am calm enough to write in that vein. I am too insulted to do so today."

"I suppose taking him to task would close off his cooperation in the future," Darcy murmured, quite failing to imagine his aunt at Longbourn and meeting Mrs. Bennet.

The thought made him grin, and she looked at him questioningly.

"Mrs. Bennet is an uncouth, loud and vulgar woman," he admitted, "and the younger daughters are heedless and silly."

"Then what are Miss Bennet's manners like? I cannot imagine you becoming enamoured of a female from such a family."

Darcy hesitated. "Her manners are perfectly appropriate and genteel, Aunt. But I confess she dislikes me as I did not cover myself with glory when I was first in company there. It is a long story — I may tell you in the future."

Her gaze was gimlet-like. "Will I hear about it if I go there before you are back from Pemberley?"

"Aunt, I pray you do not. I am eight and twenty, old enough to manage my own affairs. I will write to Bennet, apologising to him and Miss Bennet for failing to consider that I ought to have asked their permission before writing to you."

She turned to the door. "Very well. But do not take too long before I can hear her. You have me curious about her talents."

"I can promise you it will be well worth the wait."