“Nothing? Surely it is not so dire as that. You do take things far too seriously, Darcy.”
“Marriage is one of those things which should be taken seriously, as are deceitful relations. I will not suffer my aunt to dictate to me in this matter.”
“And you need not do so. Any luck with that alibi?”
Darcy had paced to the window and was now staring out of it. “No,” was the flat answer.
Richard gave a little whistle. “Well then, wedding bells it shall be. Unless, of course, you pay Anne off with a handsome settlement, making yourself look the guilty party in the matter—assuming she would accept a settlement. She will still be ruined, and you will still be considered a scoundrel, but you will be free.”
“There must be some better solution than that. I have done nothing to legally obligate myself—” Darcy was interrupted when the door opened to admit his lordship. Darcy bowed slightly to his uncle, who approached with a congratulatory smirk.
“Well, Darcy, it is about time I was able to say this to you. May I wish you joy?”
“I wish you would not, Uncle. I had nothing to do with these engagement rumours. They were falsified by my aunt to force my hand.”
“Falsified? Darcy, that is a vile bit of slander against your aunt. You would not dare speak such without proof.”
“I have proof, Uncle. I was not at home last night when my aunt claims my cousin was found in my bed. I do not even know if she was truly in my bed, but I was certainly not there with her.”
“Then your servants could naturally verify this fact. Why have you not confronted your aunt, if what she speaks is not true?”
Richard coughed. Darcy’s fingers twitched.
“I am afraid it is not so straightforward, Uncle. My aunt has seen fit to cultivate the loyalties of my servants. It was done, and done well, before I knew a moment’s suspicion.”
“Really, Darcy, I had looked for better from you. Do you expect me to credit such an account? That you, the master, have so badly managed your affairs that your elderly, widowed aunt could have defrauded you beneath your very nose? If it were not so laughable, I would say such a man deserved to reap the fruits of his failings.”
Darcy’s teeth clenched. “My aunt is far from a helpless widow.”
“Catherine? No, indeed. I believe if we had a dozen of her, we should set them loose in the Tyrant’s household and this war with France would be over within a se’nnight. But that does not answer for these claims of yours. Am I to believe that Catherine would conspire against you and risk ruining her own daughter, simply to force a marriage?”
“Believe what you will. That is what has occurred, and I am determined that she shall not succeed.”
“I suppose you have some explanation as to where you were last night, if not in your bed?”
Darcy frowned. “I have.”
“Well? Was it some other fair creature in your arms? Is it rather some greater disgrace which prevents you from speaking?”
Darcy drew a steadying breath. “It may not seem a plausible excuse, but my valet alerted to me to a substance in my drink which was intended to render me unconscious. I had already consumed the drink when I learned of it. I left the house at once to prevent the very sort of compromise my aunt claims took place.”
“You left? At what time? Where did you go?”
He glanced at his cousin. “It was shortly after eleven when I departed. I intended to go to Richard, but I was… detained. I did not arrive at his apartment until morning.”
The earl crossed his arms and raised his bushy brow. “The last time I examined my clock, there was a handspan of time between eleven and my breakfast hour. How do you account for it?”
Darcy stared at the carpet, his jaw working. “As I described to you, I had been given a substance in my drink….”
“So, what you mean to say is that you have no memory of last night’s events? How, then, am I to believe a word of your defence?”
“I do recall leaving the house and walking. That much I remember with clarity.”
“Perhaps you do not remember coming back in? Staggering to your room with Anne for company? Forgive me, Darcy, but I am afraid I must take up your aunt’s cause. You offer no proof of your claims, but Catherine does. You must marry Anne after such a debacle. If you do not, the disgrace to the family does not bear thinking of.”
Darcy bristled. “I am innocent of any wrongdoing!”
“If you have evidence of your innocence, I suggest you produce it, and rapidly. And Darcy, do not act rashly—an angry confrontation with your aunt will serve you ill. I will not tolerate a public row within the family!”
