The laughter of the three of them was the last that Jane, Elizabeth, Caroline and Georgiana heard. The four of them sat in silence for some time.
Finally, Caroline said, “You were right, Georgiana. They are not my friends.” Her voice was flat.
Georgiana said, “More than that, they are not true ladies! The way they spoke about Lady Alicia and about you, Miss Bingley, shows that they have not mastered the rules of the Marriage Game. We must be better than they are.”
Chapter Fifteen
The next afternoon produced a bevy of visitors at Darcy House, both male and female. The presence of so many young men made Mr. Darcy realise that if his sister was to marry one of these gentlemen, he must make enquiries into their characters. He was well aware that a man may look everything kind, gentle and honourable and still be a scoundrel. Had Wickham not taught him that? He would make his own list, a list of the young men who were clustering about Georgiana like bees around a particularly lovely flower, and have them investigated.
He spent some time in the drawing room, observing who came and how long they stayed, and soon was able to compile his list.
Lord Fane, Earl of Westmoreland
Lord Russell, Baron de Clifford
The Honourable Frances Evans, eldest son of Baron Grenville
The Honourable James Davies, younger son of Baron Henley
Mr. Peter Stanley
Mr. Alfred Dunfred
Mr. Paul Adkins
Mr. Samuel Clarke
Mr. George Taylor
He was certain there would be more names as the Season progressed, but this would be a start.
***
The following week saw a number of messages passing back and forth between Darcy House and Mr. Darcy’s lawyer, Mr. Armstrong. Finally, Mr. Darcy was ready to report his findings. He waited until dinner was over and Elizabeth, Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley were gathered in the drawing room with their tea. He cleared his throat.
Elizabeth looked up, “Yes, my dear?”
“I have had my lawyer investigate some of the gentlemen who have been invading our drawing room of late.”
Georgiana looked surprised. “Investigated? Why?”
Mrs. Annesley answered, “Well done, Mr. Darcy.” She turned to Georgiana. “He is having their backgrounds examined to see if there are any instances of ungentlemanly behaviour or if they are in dire need of funds.”
“Precisely. Thank you, Mrs. Annesley.”
“And what have you learnt?” Elizabeth enquired.
“I have no negative reports on Lord Fane, the Honourable Frances Evans, the Honourable James Davies, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Dunfred, Mr. Adkins or Mr. Taylor. However, Lord Russell gambles rather too much than is good for him, and is reputed to be on the lookout for an heiress. Mr. Clarke has a mistress of whom he is quite fond, and it is unlikely that he will give her up when he marries.”
Mrs. Annesley asked, “And are the other gentlemen able to support a wife and children?”
“Yes; it appears that Lord Fane’s income is about eight thousand pounds per annum; obviously this is more than adequate. Mr. Evans currently lives on an allowance from his father, Baron Grenville, but once he succeeds to the title, he can expect an income of about seven thousand pounds per annum. On the other hand, Mr. Davies is a younger son; his allowance is only two thousand pounds per annum. He can support a wife and children, certainly, but he is not considered wealthy. If his older brother dies, that would change his situation, but we cannot count on that, nor should we wish for it.”
“Certainly not,” Mrs. Annesley said.
Mr. Darcy continued, “Mr. Stanley has an estate called Overshire Park; it brings in about five thousand pounds per annum, and the manor house is reputedly in good condition. He is looking for a wife, not necessarily an heiress. Mr. Dunfred also has an estate, though it is smaller than Overshire Park. His income is about three thousand pounds per annum, though I am told that the estate would produce more were it better managed.”
“But he could support a wife and children on three thousand pounds,” Elizabeth said. “My father supported all of us on less than that.”
