Page 28 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“I am indebted to you. The kindness you have bestowed on the most precious heart, my dearest Georgiana, is appreciated such that words cannot express. She spoke of all the ways you encouraged her to know her mind and make decisions she has had little confidence to make thus far.” Fitzwilliam kissed the lady’s hand. “You are extraordinary, Miss Lucas.”
What Darcy noticed above all else was that his cousin had no idea of the effect he had on Miss Lucas. Or, perhaps, he did but chose to pretend he had made no notice.
“Thank you, Colonel,” Miss Lucas said.
Then they joined the other gentlemen in Bingley’s study, and he heard his uncle: “Miss Lucas, my dear, what do you do here? Surely, you are in need of rest. Do me a favor and find my wife, guide her to her room that she might also take her rest.” The earl took Miss Lucas’s hand from his son’s and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“I imagine she has great cause to be vexed, having such a husband and son. You both face down all that is evil while rescuing damsels near and far,” Miss Lucas said, causing both men to laugh. “I will go to her now.”
After Miss Lucas walked away, Darcy walked to the door, hearing the earl say, “She is quite quick, son. You could do worse than a woman who is both amusing and already cares for your charge with the instincts of a mama bear.”
“How quickly your mind flows from defender to wife.” Fitzwilliam chortled. “Father, I cannot marry her. At one time, I might well have considered it. Yet, in any other circumstance, you would not have accepted it.”
“I like to think I might have recognized her quality of character. Tell me why you cannot marry her. Neither duty nor her lack of dowry are acceptable excuses. We will make certain her dowry is substantial in return for her protection of our family. You have an estate and will do quite well breeding horses as you always intended.”
“Other than only having met the woman this day, there are other reasons.” Beyond that, Fitzwilliam gave no further explanation.
Darcy winced when Fitzwilliam turned his head to stare at him, brow furrowed in expectation.How humiliating to be caught listening at doors.
“I am glad you are not at war again, Cousin,” Darcy said, walking forward to embrace the man. It was the first in more than four years.
“Do not get missish just because you heard of my military act and Forster was twitterpated by my presence,” Fitzwilliam said, returning the gesture.
“I believe it has been some time since the two of you have spoken in person, and I have kept Richard with his mother through guilt this last week. I will go verify nothing else is needed from Sir William or the visiting magistrate,” Lord Matlock said, allowing the cousins some time alone.
“How is it you again appear just when the hour chimes hero-o-clock?”
“Ha, I have not heard that in years. It has been some time since I rescued that cat out of a tree, and Mrs. Reynolds claimed my timing impeccable.”
“My housekeeper hopes to hear of your coming every day. The cat is still in my kitchens and eats better than my prized stallion, I think.”
“No doubt. You will not like it, Darce, but neither will I allow you to speak to Georgiana in anger. Ana sent me a message to say she had seen Wickham. And that he had seen her. You promised him impunity if he kept silent about what occurred in Ramsgate. A silence he is not gentleman enough to keep without continual inducement. I promised her I would handle him. He sought vengeance against you and had no scruples. She feared for your life. Too, she knew I would come prepared to do that which was necessary to make certain he did not kill you nor plague her.”
“I would have protected her.”
“By ordering him to mind his tongue? Pay him off? Those work so well.”
“That is what a gentleman does,” Darcy ground out.
“Too passive—”
“I am not passive, I…I have footmen who are armed with…”
“Clubs, with one real weapon between them. You train her into acquiescence. Highwaymen, George Wickham, and yourself alike. You did not help her protect herself.”
“I never thought he would stoop so low to kidnap her.”
“I cannot think why. You have always known him to be a conniving wolf amongst the lambs. Georgiana is as ladies are taught to be, passive. Knowing Wickham an untrustworthy, dangerous man, she sent for me. She knew I would not hesitate to defend her by any means necessary. Damn it, Darcy, she is also like a daughter tome. You commanded his silence. Threatened him with nothing, instilling no fear of reprisal.”
“That is unfair, Cousin.”
“How long ago could you have put him in debtor’s prison? ‘Til he could persuade some old friend to pay his debt? Until he felt the consequence of one’s reputation, which he had garnered for himself? You knew he was harming women and didnothing. Your relationship with him is one of disfavor and devotion in turns. Why would he not take the prize of your sister, knowing you would capitulate to his every whim?”
“Enough. You have made your point, Richard.” Darcy looked down and away, feeling the heightened color of shame staining his cheeks.
“Thepointis, we love you, you stubborn oaf. Neither of us wants to know a life without you in it.Thatis why she sent for me.”
When Fitzwilliam rested a hand on his shoulder, Darcy felt all the weight Atlas had suffered under bearing on him. His cousin was correct, as was his sister. His demand for Wickham’s silence had meant nothing, and Fitzwilliam and his sister recognized such. Indeed, at this first opportunity, Wickhamattempted again to abduct Georgiana, and against her will. He nodded once when he felt Fitzwilliam squeeze his shoulder, acknowledging the support of his cousin, though Darcy knew he had erred in judgment.
