Elizabeth nodded quietly, watching him intently for several moments before her eyes again took on a teasing glint. “And sir, do not think I have not noticed your use of my Christian name. I did not think a mere courtship, and an unofficial one at that, entitled you to such liberties.”
He grinned as he stood and sat at a more appropriate distance, although he remained close to her. “Perhaps not, Miss Elizabeth, but it seems unfair that my sister has been granted the privilege when I have not. And as you see, I cannot completely relinquish the right.”
She laughed. “What then, sir, am I to call you if you insist on calling me Elizabeth?” she teased him.
“I believe you know my Christian name is Fitzwilliam, although my Aunt Catherine is the only one who ever uses that name. Most of my friends call me Darcy, and my sister mostly calls me Brother. My mother called me William, and Georgiana has begun to on occasion. Would you be comfortable calling me by that name?” he requested.
“William is a fine name,” she said, considering his request as she poured the tea. “Yes, I think in private I could call you William.”
When Georgiana returned with her companion, Darcy and Elizabeth were sipping their tea and talking quietly. After Georgiana introduced Elizabeth and Mrs Annesley, Elizabeth asked the ladies how they took their tea and prepared a cup for each. The four began conversing about books they had read and other pleasant topics.
Georgiana was surprised and pleased with how Elizabeth gently teased and debated with her brother, occasionally taking a contrasting opinion to extend the debate. She determined this woman would be a good one to emulate and hoped they would remain friends. While she noted her brother often watched their guest, she could not guess its meaning, but she intended to do some matchmaking since she liked the idea of Miss Bennet becoming her sister. Mrs Annesley joined in the conversation occasionally but mostly observed the interactions between the others in the room. She watched her employer watch their guest and smiled to think what it meant. Perhaps the dour Mr Darcy had found love?
Much too soon, the bell rang, indicating it was time to dress for dinner. As Georgiana began to stand, Darcy spoke.
“Georgiana, since Miss Bennet did not anticipate a stay at Darcy House tonight, what would you say if we forgo dressing for dinner and remain as we are for the meal? It would also allow us to continue our conversation until dinner is ready,” Darcy suggested. Elizabeth enjoyed the conversation and nodded her agreement, as did Mrs Annesley, so the group continued their conversation.
A short time later, they heard a knock on the front door, followed by an indistinct conversation. Darcy’s butler had instructions to admit only Colonel Fitzwilliam, and they were pleasantly surprised when his mother, the Countess of Matlock, followed him in.
“Darcy, Richard told me about your visit to Rosings, and I determined to see if my assistance was needed,” the countess said and then noticed the unknown young lady in the room. “I see ‘Catty’ has acted as unreasonably as you feared.”
Darcy stood when their visitors entered and spoke quickly, “She did. Aunt Helen, may I introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. Miss Bennet, my aunt, the Countess of Matlock, Helen Fitzwilliam.”
The ladies curtsied to each other, and the countess spoke again. “What exactly did Catherine do this time?”
Darcy explained the events that had transpired, ending with, “I would have included you in our plans, but Richard told me you were occupied this evening.”
“I intended to be, but after speaking with Richard and learning of the concerns the two of you have about possible repercussions from your latest refusal to bow to Catherine’s demands, I thought it necessary to determine what needed to be done sooner rather than later,” Lady Matlock said, then turned to Elizabeth. “My dear, I am delighted to meet you and even more pleased that William has found someone he believes is worth courting. I have quite despaired of him ever finding a woman who would meet his exacting standards—a witty woman able to converse about more than just the weather and the state of the roads. He has encountered far too many gossipy, empty-headed debutantes interested only in his wealth and status.
“My son says you are well-educated and well-read, not to mention lively and engaging, and he believes William is quite enamoured of you. Therefore, I will do all I can to forward the match,” Lady Matlock announced.
Both Elizabeth and William blushed brightly at her words as Richard grinned. Georgiana was caught somewhere in the middle of those two reactions. Elizabeth looked at Darcy, who shook his head subtly. “Why do you believe Miss Bennet and I are courting, Aunt?” he asked quietly.
She laughed. “It is obvious, nephew. You would not have taken such extraordinary steps to protect someone you did not care about, and in the few minutes I have been in the room, you have barely taken your eyes off her. Catherine is vindictive but not stupid and would not have acted as she did without some evidence of your admiration. You are too relaxed not to have at least some measure of understanding with the lady—if things were still undecided between you, you would still be fretting.”
Richard guffawed, causing William to scowl at him. “She knows you well, cousin! You have been entirely too serious for a long time, and everyone in the family—except for our mutual aunt—will be pleased to see you looking as happy as you currently do.” Turning to Miss Bennet, he spoke cautiously. “I do hope he can persuade you to accept him soon. You have influenced my cousin for the better in a very short time. I have rarely seen him smile as much as he has the last day or two, even after dealing with Aunt Catherine.”
Elizabeth blushed, and William’s scowl deepened. “I hardly think this is the most appropriate conversation. Please do not pressure Miss Bennet in this and allow our relationship to progress as we see fit,” he growled at Richard.
Lady Matlock, however, was not finished. “I understand why you brought Miss Bennet here, William, but it is inappropriate for her to stay in the same house as you. I suggest Miss Bennet come to my house after dinner and stay as my guest until her relatives return to London. No one will be able to accuse you of anything scandalous or accuse Miss Bennet of compromising you with her in my home, and it will give you time to seek out her father to ask his permission. Her stay at my home will allow me to get to know her before the two of you are wed.”
Darcy scowled slightly at his aunt’s officiousness. Elizabeth winked at him before nodding her agreement to his aunt, causing his countenance to lighten and relax. The two lost themselves in the other’s eyes for a moment. Observing this exchange, Richard chuckled and nudged Darcy in the ribs to draw his attention back to the room.
“I guess I should invite you both to join us for dinner, then,” Darcy said after a moment. “We decided not to dress for dinner in light of Miss Bennet’s unplanned arrival.”
Lady Matlock nodded, accepting the invitation before sitting next to Elizabeth and engaging her in conversation. Darcy watched momentarily before the Colonel caught his eye and indicated that he needed to speak privately. They excused themselves and headed into his study.
Richard spoke the moment the door closed behind them. “I have dealt with Wickham. Tomorrow, he will be escorted to London and offered the choice of a regiment in the Regulars scheduled to head to the peninsula within the month or debtors’ prison. He has run up considerable debts in Meryton, and the other notes you hold will see him in prison until he is a very old man. If he chooses the Regulars, it is unlikely he will ever return to England,” he said.
Darcy was relieved but also slightly sorry for his former friend. Richard saw this and spent a few minutes reminding him of how Wickham abused their family, particularly Georgiana. Ultimately, Darcy accepted that Wickham earned this punishment through his behaviour.
When they rejoined the ladies, Darcy found Elizabeth engaged in lively conversation with his aunt and sister. His face reddenedwhen he realised she was telling the story of the assembly in Meryton.
“Darcy,” his aunt scolded as he walked into the room. “I am quite surprised at your antisocial behaviour. I know you have been reluctant to participate in society much of the time, but this is an extreme reaction, even for you.”
“He apologised very nicely, Lady Matlock, and all has been forgiven, although I reserve the right to tease him about it occasionally,” Elizabeth said in his defence. “I told the story because you insisted I do, not so you could chastise Mr Darcy. And I said before I began, the whole of it is best left behind us.”
Darcy felt a rush of affection at her defence of him and smiled broadly at her. “It was very wrong of me to behave in such a way, and I did apologise to Miss Bennet. She has kindly forgiven me. It was a hard lesson, but one I have learned thoroughly.”
