Page 51 of Mr. Darcy and the Mysterious "Miss B"
“You meant well,” Mrs Bennet said.
“I did. I wish I had the funds myself but you said… there is another matter? Another resolution?”
“There is,” Elizabeth said. She explained her arrangement with Mr Darcy, emphasising the mutual benefit rather than the deception involved.
Mr Morton listened with growing amazement. “A temporary engagement? To save both families from unwanted matches?”
“Yes.”
“And Mr Darcy is willing to settle Longbourn’s debts as part of this arrangement?”
“He is.”
Mr Morton was quiet for a long moment, studying Elizabeth’s face with uncomfortable intensity. “My dear, are you quite certain you understand what you are undertaking? Deception on such a scale if discovered…”
“It will not be discovered,” Elizabeth said. “A courtship between us would surprise no one since we have a prior connection. Besides. I am Miss B.”
“And when the engagement ends? How will you find another husband with such a broken engagement?”
“It shall be quite alright. Do not fret, Uncle. In due course, society will move on. They are only interested anyhow because Mr Darcy has connections to the nobility.”
Mr Morton nodded. “It is irregular. Most irregular indeed. But if it saves Jane from an unwanted marriage…” he paused, then smiled suddenly. “I confess myself rather impressed by your audacity, my dear.”
“Then you will support the arrangement?”
“I will support whatever keeps this family together and happy,” Mr Morton said. “Now then, when do I meet this Mr Darcy properly? I suspect he and I have much to discuss.”
Elizabeth sighed with relief. “He will call on you tomorrow. I told him I would meet you today so you would be prepared.”
“Very well. I shall see your young man and if we come to an agreement, I will speak to James when he returns. He ought to be in Brighton for a little while.”
“Will he be very upset?” Jane asked.
“I assume he shall be. But I do not want to see you unhappy, Jane. But pray, are you not worried about finding a husband for yourself?” he asked. Jane looked at Elizabeth who beamed.
“Uncle, there is so much more to tell you. Will you not take tea with us?”
And with that, Elizabeth called for a maid to bring a pot of tea, for there was much, much more that needed to be addressed.
Chapter 18
Darcy
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Darcy stood before the modest townhouse in Great Ormond Street, noting the well-maintained but unpretentious facade. The brass nameplate beside the door bore the simple inscription ‘Morton’, and the knocker, whilst polished, lacked the ostentatious grandeur of some of the other Bloomsbury addresses. This was clearly the residence of a gentleman of comfortable but not extravagant means.
He was shown into a study that reflected its owner’s character—lined with well-worn books, furnished with solid but unfashionable pieces, and warmed by a fire that spoke of practicality rather than display. The desk was mahogany, scarred with years of use, and the chairs, whilst comfortable, bore the patina of age rather than the gleam of recent purchase.
Mr Morton rose from behind his desk, moving with the careful deliberation of advanced years. He was smaller than Darcy had expected, with silver hair and kind eyes that held both intelligence and weariness.
“Mr Darcy. How good of you to call.” Morton gestured to a chair before the fire. “Please, sit. I confess myself most curious about this arrangement Elizabeth has proposed.”
Darcy settled himself, fighting the surreal sensation that was rapidly overtaking him. Here he sat, in a stranger’s modest study, about to discuss the financial particulars of a completely fabricated engagement. The absurdity of it all threatened to overwhelm him.
“Mr Morton, I should begin by saying how much I admire Miss Elizabeth’s initiative in this matter.”
“Initiative?” Morton’s eyes twinkled with what might have been amusement. “My dear sir, that is a diplomatic way of describing what some might call outright audacity.”
