The Countess made a face. “I dislike having to deal with my own son in such a manner.”
“It seems to me that he has left you little choice.”
“I fear you are right; I will tell your uncle what you suggest.”
***
The next afternoon brought an unexpected visitor to Darcy House; an infuriated Daniel Fitzwilliam had come to call. “I know you are behind this, Darcy!”
“Behind what, precisely?”
“This idea of keeping me short of coin! No, do not bother denying it, my mother admitted that it had been your idea. Darcy’sbrilliantidea, she called it!” The Viscount advanced upon Mr. Darcy, waving a fist threateningly.
“I have no intention of denying it.” Mr. Darcy shrugged.
“How could you do this to me? You know I did not compromise that girl!”
“I am certain that you did not; Miss Weatherington is not someone who would interest you in any way. But that is not the point, cousin.”
“It seems to me that it is very much the point! I will not let them win!”
“They already have.”
Mr. Darcy’s calm voice seemed to take a good deal of the wind from his cousin’s sails. “What do you mean?” he asked, sitting upon a sofa near the fire.
Mr. Darcy sat opposite him. “You played too dangerous a game, Daniel. If you had been known for upright behaviour, this scheme of theirs would never have worked; likely it would not even have been thought of. But once word got around that you enjoyed kissing young ladies – well! It was just a matter of time until someone took advantage of that.”
“So I should have been more like you, all dour and prudent and priggish!”
“I would never suggest such a thing,” Mr. Darcy said, coolly.
“Well, hang it!” The Viscount fell backward upon a sofa and folded his arms over his chest.
“You must decide to take the girl and the money, or to turn your back on both and leave London.”
“You know I cannot give over my inheritance to Richard!”
“Then your choice is clear. Make the best of it, Daniel. Go home, apologise to your parents. Then visit the Weatheringtons and apologise to them. And do your best to make it look as if you care for Miss Weatherington.”
“Impossible!”
“If you do not, then everyone will know that you were compromised by them and feel pity for you. Then the pity will turn to scorn.”
“So I am scorned either for being a fool or for marrying the least attractive young lady in Town.” The Viscount dropped his head into his hands.
“Precisely. Which do you prefer?”
He raised his head and scowled. “Neither!”
“That does not appear to be an option.”
The Viscount put his head back into his hands and rubbed his scalp until his hair stood on end. Then he got to his feet. “Very well. I suppose I should thank you.”
“No need,” Mr. Darcy replied, standing up as well.
And without another word, the Viscount marched from the house.
An hour later, he received a message from Matlock House.
