Page 42 of Compromise & Consequence
“How would you know?” she challenged. “I am sure Mr. Darcy has told lies, knowingmyWickham was revealing his true character.”
“I know, Miss Lydia, because I was there when Mr. Wickham signed documents agreeing to three thousand pounds only two years ago, and I was there at the reading of the will and watched the solicitor give him the one thousand pounds that very day. Mr. Darcy did not have to tell me anything. I was there.”
“Why would you be there?”
“I am Mr. Darcy’s cousin.”
He heard Miss Bennet gasp softly.
“Lydia,” Mr. Bennet said in a deadly quiet voice. “What did you mean when you said,myWickham? I hope you did not allow that man any liberties.”
Richard noticed the shift in her body and the furtive licking of her lips.Has the instincts of an alley cat, this one, he thought, and waited to hear what tale she would spin about George Wickham, who had a penchant for seducing young, innocent girls.
“We engaged in only light flirtations. Mr. Wickham always behaved the gentleman, but he let me know in lots of ways that he had singled me out for hisparticularattention.”
Inwardly, Richard cringed. He well knew what Wickham’s particular attentions were. With luck, she would not grow large with a child.
“Come with me, Daughter. We are going to have a long conversation in my study.”
Mr. Bennet and Miss Lydia left together. As they departed the room, another two daughters entered, followed by a flushed Mrs. Bennet. One girl wore spectacles and appeared closer in age to Mrs. Darcy, the other one looked about the same age as MissLydia, although not as tall.
“Where is Mr. Bennet going with Lydia?” Mrs. Bennet asked.
“Papa had something to discuss with her. They shall return shortly.” Miss Bennet turned her attention back to Richard. “May I introduce you to my sisters?” she asked quietly.
“Please do.”
“This is Mary” – indicating the sister wearing glasses – “and this is Catherine or Kitty as the family calls her. Mary, Kitty, this is Colonel Fitzwilliam. He is joining us for the evening, returning to London tomorrow morning.”
He noticed Miss Bennet did not share with them the fact he was Darcy’s cousin. Mrs. Bennet began to flutter and organized the girls in different chairs, leaving the seat next to him empty. He wondered why only briefly until Mrs. Bennet revealed her grand plan.
“I see you already met my Lydia. She is such a lively girl and already a favorite with the officers of the militia encamped in Meryton. She would make a fine officer’s wife.”
It seemed Mrs. Bennet was offering the youngest up for marriage. Why not Miss Bennet? She was the eldest and far more beautiful than the others, besides, he was not interested in an air-headed child, like Miss Lydia. It was time to let Mrs. Bennet know her matchmaking would not find fertile ground with him.
“There are few officers who can well afford a wife.”
“But you are a colonel. Have you no fortune or money set aside for your future felicity?”
“As a single man and officer, I have enough to live comfortably, but to support a wife in the lifestyle she would expect, is beyond my means at this time.” He dared look Mrs. Bennet in the eye. “And even if I was, Madam, I would not marrya child who is not even sixteen and has not yet learned how to behave like a lady in polite company.”
Mrs. Bennet huffed and looked about the room, clearly not knowing how to respond. He dared to glance toward Miss Bennet. She had her head bowed demurely, but he noticed a tinge of color on her cheeks and was positive she was embarrassed by her mother’s antics. He had only been in Longbourn for a little under an hour and his personality was one that got along with almost anybody, but he could see how Darcy would have been absolutely horrified to be shackled with them and understood a little better why he hadn’t wanted Georgiana exposed to them, most especially the youngest.
He had to hide a smile. It would do his cousin good to have his feathers ruffled once in a while. Darcy lived such a quiet, somber life and Georgiana trod down the same lonely path. Elizabeth would bring a breath of fresh air into their lives. If they let her.
Chapter Eleven
“Good morning, Colonel.”
“Good morning, Bennet.”
Richard had risen at his normal hour and was surprised to see Mr. Bennet seated at the breakfast table, a cup of coffee by his empty plate. Too used to being the only one in his parent’s household to rise early, he had forgotten that estate owners were known to keep country hours to get most of their estate work done during the light of day.
“Did you sleep well?” Bennet asked.
“I did, sir. Thank you for extending your hospitality.”
“Truly, Colonel, it was our pleasure, but I did not do it just to extend hospitality. I have other reasons for wanting you close by.”
