Page 59 of Compromise & Consequence
“Yes, we only have to arrive at a mutually acceptable date.”
“Hmmm…” was all his wife said.
Yes, hmmm… indeed. Darcy deftly turned the conversation by asking his aunt where Georgiana was, only to be told she was upstairs with her music master and would join them later.
Chapter Fifteen
“No need to worry about changing for dinner, my dear. It will be an informal family one, and what you have on is lovely.”
Afternoon tea had stretched into an invitation to dine at Matlock House and his wife had hesitated, stating she and her husband were not properly attired for dinner.
“I must get the name of the modiste Mrs. Gardiner recommended to you. Indeed, she is quite talented.”
Darcy took a closer look at his wife and noted that Elizabeth did look lovely, and the dress she wore suited her to perfection.
“Mrs. Gardiner did not recommend this modiste, Lady…” she stumbled at the stern look from his aunt, then recovered nicely with, “Aunt Lucinda. Mrs. Henshaw is one of Meryton’s own. She does a brisk business, a fair amount coming from the Bennet family, what with five girls to outfit each season.”
“Five girls, out at once! Mr. Bennet must have been driven to distraction.”
“My uncle is intimately acquainted with his library.”
“Oh ho! – he hides, does he?” chortled his uncle, Lord Matlock.
“In all fairness, he cannot abide discussion of lace and fripperies, so no one chastises him when he removes himself to his study. As a landowner of some distinction in our little corner of the world, he is quite busy looking after the estate of Longbourn.”
Lord Matlock leaned forward.
“I hear your family seat is entailed from the female line.”
“Yes, sir, it is.” Elizabeth turned her attention to her uncleby marriage. Darcy noted she did not extend to him the same familiarity she had with his aunt. “However, my uncle Bennet has been diligent in making sure his wife and daughters are well taken care of in the event of his passing before all his daughters are wed.”
“That is good. Yes, very good. Damned nuisance, those entailments. I can see it for a titled family ensuring the family seat is not lost to fools who gamble or drink their lives away, but why a small estate in the country?”
“I know not all the particulars and most of what has been said in polite company is that Grandfather Bennet was extremely angry with his daughter, my aunt Sarah, who married Mr. Samuel Collins. He wished to ensure Longbourn did not get into the hands of his son-in-law. At the time he had two sons, my father, and Uncle Thomas, and of course, everyone expects a new bride to bring forth a son…” Elizabeth gave an elegant shrug of her shoulders. “Aunt Frances had only girls. The rest is sad history.”
“Elizabeth,” Darcy brought her attention to him and his heart stopped beating for two seconds when her gaze lit upon him.
She was so beautiful. When her expression turned quizzical, he realized he had forgotten his question, content to sit and stare at her like a love-sick dolt. Which he was, to be completely honest. Her one brow arched and she waited.Grab hold of yourself, man!
“Elizabeth,” he repeated, knowing he sounded like some fool a comedic troupe had misplaced. “You must have been pleased to see a familiar face during your visit today with Aunt Lucinda.”
Darcy alluded to the Spanish ambassador and his wife.
“I was pleasantly surprised. I had not intended to visit Hertford House until next week to inform them I would nottravel to Spain this summer.”
He felt a moment of disquiet at the thought of how Elizabeth could have, quite literally, sailed out of his life if the compromise had not occurred. He might never have seen her again. Some lusty Spaniard would have snatched her up faster than a child braving the flames of Snapdragon at Christmas.
“I, for one, was glad their visit coincided with Elizabeth’s,” Aunt Lucinda said. “Robert has had many conversations with the ambassador about that French upstart on the Spanish throne.”
“The ambassador came to discuss not only the ongoing conflict in Spain but also to congratulate us on having Elizabeth join the family,” Lord Matlock said.
“How in the world would he know you are Mr. Darcy’s relations?” Elizabeth asked the earl.
“Upon receipt of your letter, he looked to see who Darcy was and discovered he is our nephew. Because we are friends with him and his wife, he sought to welcome us to the family. Do not be surprised if Prinny also sends a letter of congratulations. Regardless, your cousin is a warm and engaging young man. It is too bad his health continues to decline.”
“He has always had a weak heart. I have also seen a marked change in his features and worry about him and Sophia.”
“Sophia?” Darcy asked.
