The room fell silent. Elizabeth’s pulse thundered in her ears as she tried to make sense of the earl’s words. She dared a glance at Darcy and caught him sneaking a glance at her at the same moment. His gaze darted back to the floor, his fingers tightening on the arms of his chair.
At last, her uncle cleared his throat. “My lord,” Mr. Gardiner said, his tone calm but firm, “this is... a great deal to consider. I would like to discuss the matter with my niece and write to her father before any decisions are made.”
The earl grunted, leaning back in his chair. “Not unreasonable. But I expect an answer in two days’ time.”
“That will not be necessary,” Darcy said sharply, rising to his feet. “I have no intention of participating in this preposterous scheme.”
The earl grinned at his nephew, unperturbed. “We shall see.”
He rose, signaling the end of the discussion, and gestured toward the door. “Hartley will show you out. Mr. Gardiner, I will speak with you again in two days.”
Elizabeth stood stiffly, her thoughts in turmoil as her uncle guided her toward the door. She dared one last glance over her shoulder as they left, and her stomach flipped when she caught Darcy watching her again. He quickly averted his gaze, his jaw tight and his expression stormy.
The door closed witha soft click, leaving Darcy alone with his uncle. For a moment, neither man spoke. The earl leaned back in his chair, puffing on his cigar, his sharp eyes watching Darcy as though waiting for him to speak first. Darcy, however, refused to give him the satisfaction. Instead, he stood rigidly by the chair he had vacated, his hands gripping the back of it.
“I want nothing to do with this scheme,” Darcy said flatly.
The earl chuckled, setting the cigar in a nearby tray. “I gathered as much from your performance just now.”
“This is not a jest, Uncle.” Darcy’s tone hardened. “Whatever you think to achieve by orchestrating this ridiculous charade, leave me out of it.”
The earl waved a hand as though brushing off his nephew’s protest. “Fitzwilliam, you do not yet see the full picture. But trust me when I say that there are larger matters at stake here than your personal preferences.”
“Larger matters? Such as what?”
The earl gave him a knowing look, but his smile was maddeningly evasive. “Let us just say that keeping Miss Bennet in London—and by extension, under my protection—serves more purposes than one. But you need not trouble yourself with those details. What matters is that this arrangement is mutually beneficial. For everyone.”
“Everyone? You expect me to parade about London with a tradesman’s niece on my arm, all for the sake of some political charade? Surely you see how implausible this is.”
The earl leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. “I see a great many things, Fitzwilliam. For instance, I see a young woman who is fetching enough to turn the head of any gentleman with eyes in his head. Do not pretend you are immune to such charms.”
Darcy grunted, his brows drawing together. “I find her… unique.”
“Unique. How diplomatic of you.”
Darcy ignored the jab, his voice growing colder. “Even if I were inclined to indulge in such frivolities—which I am not—the practicalities are impossible. A Darcy is expected to look to his own station in choosing a bride. Anything less would—”
“Would what?” the earl interrupted sharply. “Cause a scandal? Lose you the esteem of people who are already prepared to turn against you the moment it suits them? Open your eyes, Fitzwilliam. These voters you are so eager to dismiss are not looking for more of the same. They are tired of the old families and their insular ways. And more to the point, the balance of power in Derbyshire is shifting. A handful of former merchants have become landowners—men who, for the first time, hold votes but no loyalty to the old order. Some will always side with Stanton, others will always oppose him, but these men are the ones still weighing their options. And those are the votes that will decide this election. You need an ally who will make you seem approachable, trustworthy—a man of the people.”
Darcy’s fingers tightened on the back of the chair. “I do not want to make myself palatable to voters. I want nothing to do with any of this.”
The earl sighed, leaning back again and steepling his fingers. “And yet, you will find that ignoring this problem will not make it go away. Stanton’s abuses will not vanish because you refuse to act. The discontent in Derbyshire will only grow. And you, my dear nephew, will spend the next decade watching as the ground beneath your estate is chipped away piece by piece.”
Darcy’s lips pressed into a thin line, his fury simmering just below the surface. “This manipulation does you little credit.”
“Manipulation?” The earl laughed. “I am giving you sound advice, Fitzwilliam. What you choose to do with it is entirely up to you.”
Darcy shook his head, his frustration boiling over. “You are asking me to entangle myself in a false engagement for the sake of a fleeting advantage. And for what? To appease a handful of voters who are as fickle as the wind?”
“To secure the future of Pemberley,” the earl said sharply. “And to secure your own legacy. Whether you like it or not, Fitzwilliam, the world is changing. The old ways will not hold forever. You can adapt, or you can let men like Stanton shape the future for you.”
Darcy said nothing, his gaze fixed on the floor. His fingers ached from how tightly he gripped the chair, but he could not seem to let go. The earl’s words rang in his ears, each one an unwelcome truth that only fueled his resentment.
After a long silence, the earl softened his tone. “I am not asking for a wedding tomorrow, Fitzwilliam. Egad, a formal engagement is probably not even necessary. All I ask is that you begin appearing in company with Miss Bennet. Lady Matlock will secure invitations for her, and you will make a point of attending those same events. Take her driving, pay a call on the Gardiners’ residence—small gestures that will give the appearance of a growing attachment. So long as you pay your attentions toonlyMiss Bennet, it will be noted. That ought to be sufficient.”
Darcy exhaled sharply, his shoulders rigid. “And if I refuse?”
The earl shrugged, reaching for his cigar. “Then you are free to do as you please. But mark my words, if you reject my advice now, you have no right to complain when things do not go your way in Derbyshire for the next ten years.”
