Chapter 9

Darcy rode slowly towards Longbourn, his cousin beside him. “Remember, you must not do anything to discompose Miss Elizabeth. I will not have it.” I cannot do much about the embarrassment caused her by her mother. Yet. He sighed.

He hoped he would be able to improve her opinion of him soon; he wanted nothing more than to have her accept his offer, to have the right to be beside her and protect her from all unhappiness.

“I will be the soul of discretion, Darce.” Richard’s usual good-humoured expression was in full force. “I am looking forward to meeting Mr. Bennet, too.”

“Only for chess,” Darcy grumbled. “You cannot miss the opportunity to meet an unfamiliar combatant who is also a good player.”

“Certainly.” If they hadn’t been riding, his cousin would have been rubbing his hands together. Darcy hoped he would see Richard’s chagrin if Bennet could, in fact, beat him. It would be a close run thing.

* * *

At Longbourn,Darcy asked to see Mr. Bennet, although he really wished to be taken through to Miss Elizabeth. She had seemed cool towards him when she’d turned away after their walk in the gardens the previous day, although she had accepted his apology. He’d hoped for it, but overnight he had wondered if she could truly forgive him, given that she had said her mother disparaged her looks.

He bowed to Bennet. “Good morning, Mr. Bennet. I hope I might introduce my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, of the Blues and Royals? He turned to his cousin.

“Richard, Mr. Bennet of Longbourn, and the dedicated chess player I have tempted you with.”

Bennet had risen, and bowed to them. “I am pleased to meet anyone who is willing to play chess, Colonel.” He glanced up at the clock. “It is a little early yet for a drink, may I order tea or coffee?”

Richard was rubbing his hands together at the sight of the chess board standing ready by the window. “Coffee would be excellent, thank you, Mr. Bennet. Might I challenge you to a game?”

“Peace, Richard. First I would like to show Mr. Bennet the evidence of Wickham’s habits …” he spat the last word with disgust, “… and then, perhaps, sir, you might permit me to show Miss Elizabeth — in here — those parts of the evidence you feel suitable for her to see.”

“Very well,” Bennet sighed. “If you are determined to deprive me from beginning the game now, you had better hand them over.”

It did not take long. Their host seemed an astute man. He listened to the story, glanced over the appropriate documents at each point, the only reaction being a raised eyebrow as he saw the amounts of the bequests and the debts Darcy had bought up.

Finally, he put aside four of the depositions, and nodded at Darcy.

“Very well, Mr. Darcy. I will call Elizabeth in. You may explain the story and show her whatever she wishes to see. With regards to these depositions of the young women, you may tell her what they are, and that I have seen them and can vouch for what I have seen.” He drew a deep breath.

“If she says she wishes to read them, then she may do so.” He looked up bleakly. “Hiding facts from young ladies often does not serve them well.” He rose and rang the bell.

“After that, you and I will discuss what action needs to be taken to protect all my daughters.” He was moving eagerly over to the chess board as he spoke, and when the housekeeper entered, he tossed the instruction over his shoulder.

“Ask Lizzy to join us, please, Hill. And send in refreshments, if you please. Tea and coffee.”

Darcy stayed on his feet as his cousin sat down opposite Bennet, his eyes alight with enthusiasm. There was a quiet tap at the door, and Miss Elizabeth entered the room, sweeping it with a practised glance.

“I see you have found another victim, Papa.”

Her father waved his hand. “Yes, yes! Introductions later, Lizzy. But now, Mr. Darcy has some evidential stuff to show you — I have reviewed it all, and you may look at that while I beat this young whippersnapper.”

Miss Elizabeth huffed a quiet laugh, and shook her head. Then she turned to Darcy.

“Very well, sir, I believe we are superfluous to that match,” she kept her voice low. “So we will sit here, where you may explain what you are showing me.”

It took much less time than he had anticipated; she read quickly and was able to understand everything in the documents within a glance. Her questions were pertinent but without malice.

Not only that, she seemed able to keep a weather eye on the chess match by the window, which seemed to be developing into a battle royal. Richard was crouched over the board with a maniacal stare as he pondered it and muttered to himself. Bennet seemed vastly amused.

Her quiet laughter drew Darcy’s attention, and he glanced at her.

“I see where your enthusiasm has come from,” she observed. “But before we join them, can you explain how you intend to stop Mr. Wickham’s depredations on one community after another? I am surprised you have allowed it to go on so long.”

Darcy removed his attention from the chess, and looked at her, chagrined. “I am ashamed to relate why I have not yet done anything, Miss Elizabeth, and give you my word that now it will stop as soon as we may do so.” He knew the other men were not listening to him. “It is painful to tell you about that reprobate and my sister, but I know I can rely on your discretion.”

He looked down as he related his deep guilt at his failure to protect Georgiana and her near-elopement. When he had finished, she reached out and touched his hand. A flame licked up along his arm and all ability to think left him.

“Do not blame yourself too much, Mr. Darcy. It is not helpful, going forward. How is Miss Darcy now? What are you doing to assist her to recover? And the other matter; how you are going to prevent him from doing harm to other young women who are as precious to their families as Miss Darcy is to you — and without damaging her reputation more?”

Darcy ran his hand through his hair. “You have the heart of it, Elizabeth — I apologise — Miss Elizabeth.” He grimaced as he’s spoken to her without the honorific which was as he now thought of her, and hastily glanced at her father who was leaning forward, the light of battle in his eyes. Then he glanced back at her and saw both a blush on her cheeks and the light of amusement dancing in her eyes.

“Don’t worry about Papa, Mr. Darcy. While he is playing chess, you could set the house afire and he would barely notice. But it may be better to attempt not to address me thus again.”

He bowed his head. “I deeply apologise, Miss Elizabeth.” He glanced up at the clock. “I had hoped to be able to challenge you to a game of chess, but we might have to wait awhile for this one to finish.”

“Oh, I don’t know, sir.” She was leaning back and smiling now. “I don’t think it’ll be much longer.”

“Oh?”

“I believe your cousin is going to get quite a shock in a moment, but he will fight back valiantly, and rescue a draw out of certain loss. Hmm…” she thought a moment. “Perhaps fifteen minutes.”

“Really?” Darcy couldn’t see anything which told him Bennet was not about to lose.

“I know Papa’s technique very well, of course. And your cousin is much more predictable than he probably thinks he is.” She was watching interestedly, while Darcy was torn between gazing at her and watching the match.

Suddenly, Richard exclaimed in chagrin, and then Bennet’s king was advancing menacingly towards Richard’s, which struggled valiantly to escape being driven into a corner. Finally, it was done and Bennet muttered something unmentionable under his breath and extended a hand to Richard, who shook it, shaking his head. “I have never known such a match, Mr. Bennet. I pray you allow me a return game to attempt to beat you.”

“How did you know what was going to happen, and how long it would take?” Darcy could hardly believe what he had just seen. Miss Elizabeth shrugged slightly.

“It seemed obvious, but, of course, might easily have gone the other way.”

“I am sure you no more believe that than you sometimes expressed opinions not your own at Netherfield to extend the debate.”

She laughed lightheartedly. “You quite mistook me, sir. Whatever I said then was merely to extend the argument.”

“A hit, a veritable hit, madam.” Darcy chuckled, his heart lighter than ever.