Darcy groaned at this and ran his hands through his hair. “How could forcing me into marriage have impacted your father? He has plenty of influence in Parliament and is well aware that I have little interest in politics.”
“He may have political influence, but he is broke,” Fitzwilliam said, his voice flat. “My investigator learned that my brother has bankrupted not only his own estate but our father’s as well. Despite all his efforts to keep it secret, there are murmurs beginning within theton. Be wary of him, especially if he offers you any investment or business opportunities. As much as I maynot want to believe it, I am convinced he would sacrifice any relationship—yours included—to save his own reputation and secure his finances. My father sees alliances as assets and your wealth as a solution. Marrying you to a woman of his choosing would have secured him both an influential connection and a way to access your fortune, however indirectly.”
Darcy shook his head, his face clearly showing his shock. “The man I thought I knew would not have done so, but perhaps I do not know him that well. Did you have any inkling of this?”
“I did not,” Fitzwilliam replied. “However, as you well know, my loyalty is to you, as my brother in spirit if not in truth. You and I have always been much closer than I have been to Andrew since my parents preferred me to be at Pemberley rather than Matlock whenever it was possible. That is why I am telling you all I know. Perhaps it is only a slight advantage, but forewarned is forearmed. I wish I could assure you that he would stop, but I fear he will grow desperate. He could marry off my brother, which might help to some degree, but unless he changes his ways, few women would want to marry him and even fewer wealthy fathers would bind a daughter to him. Without you to marry off, it is possible he will attempt to set his sights on me.”
Darcy stood silently for a moment, deep in thought. “Then we shall proceed as though he is desperate. If he attempts to use the threat of scandal, I will make it clear that I will not tolerate any further schemes or interference. He may be family, but I will not allow him to meddle in mine.” Darcy’s voice was steady, with just a trace of regret. “I never wanted our family to become fractured in this way, but if he seeks to force my hand, I shall not hesitate. What will we do about Lady Catherine?”
The colonel’s expression became grave. “If we wish to avoid a public scandal, our best course is to cut her off from any leverageshe might still have. Father sent her to Matlock, although I wonder whether she truly went since she managed to hire those men to kidnap Elizabeth and Georgiana. Send a man to discover if she has gone there, and then we must find a way to prevent her from sending letters or having any contact with anyone. Banishing her seems too easy an option for her, but I am not certain what else we might do. Lady Catherine is not one to see reason, Darcy.”
His jaw tight, Darcy glared at his cousin. “Regardless, she will not have any further opportunities to harm my family. I will inform my servants to remain on alert, and perhaps we can impress upon the woman a final warning, making it clear that it would be foolhardy to attempt another scheme.” He sighed, shaking his head. “Her funds should be limited, since I doubt your father is able to give her much, according to what you have discovered, but we should attempt to discern what her schemes might be. Can we find a trustworthy servant at Matlock to report her activities?”
Fitzwilliam thought about this for a second, then a grin broke out on his face. “I know just the person,” he replied. “We will stop her, Darcy. Family or not, we will not allow her to harm anyone in our family.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 1811
When the Matlocks arrived at Darcy House at the prescribed time, they were greeted coolly. The introductions were quickly made and the entire party in residence at Darcy House, minus Georgiana, sat down for tea. A few minutes after tea was served, Fitzwilliam joined them.
Lord Matlock was surprised to find his second son in residence at Darcy House. “Richard, I did not know you had returned from Hertfordshire. Why did you not let me know?” he asked.
“I arrived a day or two ago on some business with Darcy and decided to stay to have tea with you all before I return. Mrs. Darcy, I also had news of your family which I have yet to impart,” he began. “Did you know that your cousin Collins, who is to inherit Longbourn upon your father’s death, is our aunt’s rector?”
Elizabeth pretended to be surprised at hearing this news. The Darcys and Fitzwilliam had agreed to share the information in front of the earl to judge his reaction to see what he might reveal. “The same Mr. Collins who is currently in residence at Longbourn and refuses to leave?”
“Yes, and he is the one to whom your father engaged you after you accepted Darcy’s proposal of marriage,” Fitzwilliam replied.
“After?” Elizabeth repeated in genuine shock, having not heard this part of the story before.
“Yes, after,” Fitzwilliam said. “Your father might be rather tight-lipped about the arrangements, but that fool is less so. The marriage contract was not signed until several months after you returned from Derbyshire and likely not until after Darcy came to request your hand.”
“Did Collins know why the engagement was approved?” Darcy asked.
“The elder Mr. Collins orchestrated the arrangement,” Fitzwilliam continued, voice measured. “He aimed to mend a longstanding rift, offering Bennet a way to ensure his widow and daughters would not be left destitute. I suspect Bennet found this quite convenient; it allowed him to continue in his indolence, knowing someone else would assume responsibility once he was gone.”
He paused, studying his father with an intensity that bordered on scrutiny. “And, of course, the ‘incentive’ Bennet received for refusing my cousin’s proposal no doubt influenced his decision as well.”
Lord Matlock’s expression was carefully schooled, his face devoid of reaction. Yet Fitzwilliam noted the faint twitch in his father’s cheek—a minute betrayal of anger. His father’s silence was telling; the flash of irritation in his eyes was enough to confirm what he had suspected.
A shocked silence filled the room before Lady Julia broke it, eyes wide with disbelief. “A bribe?” she gasped. “What on earth are you saying? Why would anyone offer some country gentleman money to refuse a proposal from your family?” She looked from her son to her nephew, incredulous. “What kind of fool would accept it? It would take an extraordinary sum topersuade anyone in their right mind to turn down Darcy’s hand in marriage.”
She shook her head in dismay, glancing at her husband with an expression of both frustration and bewilderment. “Forgive me for sounding mercenary, but I cannot fathom any sum worth alienating a Darcy. Short of a royal command, I cannot imagine anything that would have convinced me to refuse you, had I a daughter of my own.”
"Six thousand pounds upfront, with a promise of another six later," Fitzwilliam replied grimly. "That was the price of his loyalty. He will never see the rest, for Elizabeth married Darcy, not the man he had chosen for her."
“Not that he would have ever received the second payment,” Elizabeth added, her voice steady. “I would have refused the match regardless, even if it meant leaving my home and family. I kept back a small portion of my allowance each quarter, hoping to make my way to my aunt and uncle in London if it became necessary. Although my father forbade any contact with them, I held to the hope they would take me in, at least for a short while.” She turned to Darcy, her expression softening. “In fact, as soon as I reached my majority, I had intended to make my way to London to ask them to help me journey to Derbyshire—to find you at least once more. Even through all those years of silence, I never doubted there was a reason for our separation. I prayed you had not married another and that one day we would meet again.”
Darcy ignored everyone else in the room, wrapping an arm firmly around his wife’s waist and drawing her close. “I love you,” he murmured softly, his voice meant only for her ears. “I know I told you this before, but I came to Hertfordshire for you and you alone. I could not stay away; I had to see you one moretime and prayed for the chance.” Gently, he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss there, unwilling to reveal more in company.
The quiet intimacy of the moment did not go unnoticed by those around them, and all except Lord Matlock averted their gaze, allowing the couple their moment. “Enough of this romantic tripe, Darcy,” Matlock scoffed, his tone dismissive. “You have married the girl; there is no need to play the lovesick fool. Now, let us return to the matter at hand.”
Darcy pulled his eyes from his wife and narrowed them at his uncle. “It is not ‘tripe,’ Uncle, to demonstrate love for my wife. That is why I married her, after all.”
Lord Matlock’s expression was stern as he addressed his nephew. “Nevertheless, your hasty marriage is already the talk of theton, especially after your wife’s encounter with Lady Blackwell. Her refusal to remain in town and formally introduce herself to society gives the impression that there is something amiss in your marriage. You must stay in London until the spring, attending balls and social events so your wife might establish the necessary connections. My wife will sponsor her, ensuring the proper introductions are made.”
Lady Julia, who had been sitting quietly beside her husband, gave a faint, disapproving glance at her husband. Her lips tightened, but she said nothing aloud.
