Page 20 of Compromise & Consequence
Darcy gave a curt nod of agreement and followed his uncle down the hall to his study. As soon as the door closed, his uncle turned and said, “What in god’s teeth is going on?”
The earl stomped to the far side of the room and brought out two cut glass tumblers.
“Georgiana arrived here this morning in tears, blubbering about a compromise. Lucinda and I thought she was talkingabout that reprobate Wickham and began to console her, only to find out she was not aware we knew about Ramsgate, which caused her to cry even harder. Between the hiccups and the wailing, we finally discovered that you – you, Darcy! – have compromised a gentleman’s daughter and refuse to marry her!”
“Iammarrying her,” he managed to say once his uncle had calmed down. Uncle Robert handed him a full glass of brandy and sat down heavily behind his desk. Darcy took the chair opposite. “I am surprised Richard did not tell you; I saw him at White’s the day after the compromise.”
“We have not seen Richard for weeks. They captured some high-ranking spies and have had their hands full with interrogations. If youaremarrying the chit, then why is Georgiana so upset?”
“I had the Bingleys over for dinner last night and the topic of the compromise came up.”
“They are aware of the compromise?”
“It happened at a ball Bingley hosted.”
“I assume there were plenty of witnesses?”
“Yes.”
Lord Matlock took a sip of his drink.
“Explain why Georgiana thinks you will not marry this lady.”
“I cannot say she is a lady,” Darcy muttered bitterly.
“Is she a gentleman’s daughter?”
“Barely.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Her mother has connections to trade and a more uncouth woman I have never met.”
“You mean, other than Catherine?”
Almost against his will, the corner of Darcy’s mouth tuggedupward.
“On par with Aunt Catherine.”
“The father is a gentleman? Does he have an estate?”
“His estate is called Longbourn. Of decent size and entailed.”
“No sons I take it.”
“Mr. Bennet is saddled with five daughters and never have I witnessed so much ill-bred behavior in one family. The two youngest are ripe for the picking and it would be a safe bet that one, or both of them, will be high in the belly before the beginning of summer.”
“That is a harsh statement, Darcy. But for the grace of God, that could have been Georgiana’s fate. Poor choices are made not only by the ill-bred daughters.”
“Do not bring Georgiana’s folly into this conversation. She was led astray by that wastrel Wickham.”
“I never understood what your father saw in him. Let us not get side-tracked. This is about your future wife. How did you meet her? What led to the compromise?”
“My very first night in Hertfordshire I discovered Bingley had accepted an invitation to the local quarterly assembly. As he was anxious to meet his new neighbors, I agreed.”
“Knowing your friend, he would also have been on the lookout for his next angel. Am I wrong in that assessment?”
“No, you are not. Unfortunately, his attention settled on the eldest Miss Bennet.”
