Page 71 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“Blast you, Ashley, I meant to ask her for the first!” Colonel Fitzwilliam objected.

“What a shame, I suppose you shall have to be content with the second.” Viscount Fitzwilliam grinned at his brother.

“I believe that my stepmother accepted the invitation.” Jane coloured. “I will reserve the dances in question for both of you.”

“Sir Rupert Barry and Miss Barry are at the door again, Mrs Bennet,” Peter announced as he entered the room.

“What do you mean, again?” Lady Barry was outraged by this news.

“They have called every day, except Sunday,” Charlotte explained. “Of course, we have not admitted them. It was quite alarming to think that he was observing the house while Lydia was missing. I do wish he would go away. He even appeared this morning at the warm salt-baths. He was asking questions there about Miss de Bourgh, as well. It seems he has not limited his hunt for an heiress merely to Lizzy.”

“One would have to be a prize idiot to ignore the fortune held by Cathy’s girl. She ought to be guarded like a royal princess.” Lady Barry looked displeased. “He calls upon Nethercourt House daily as well. In the past, I have usually humoured him for a day or two before sending him away, but I knew instantly what brought him here on this visit, considering the rumours flying about Ramsgate. It was inevitable that the gossip would make it to London and someone would write to him. I will not allow him to pursue or disturb our Lizzy-girl. I hear that a few visiting families with daughters have extended invitations to him, despite my decree. Of course, to most, I am only the widow of a baronet, not someone to be concerned with, but those people will be shocked to find themselves without invitations and snubbed in the assembly rooms. I have already spoken to Lady Arlington and Lady Nibsby on the matter. No one who seeks his notice will be accepted here. If they wish to throw their daughters at a cruel man who has already driven one poor, broken-hearted girl into her grave in less than two years simply for a connection to a title, so be it. But he is not decent, and I have ensured that everyone in Ramsgate knows it.”

“Making inquiries about our cousin, having never even met the family?” Colonel Fitzwilliam raised an eyebrow at his brother. “Perhaps Ashley and I might go to the door and have a friendly chat with him…send the fellow on his way.”

“Reggie raised you to be quite useful.” Lady Barry sounded almost appreciative. “Do not go too quickly. Let them wait at the door for at least a quarter hour.”

“I do like the way you think, madam.” Viscount Fitzwilliam grinned.

“That will do, Peter. Allow them to wait upon the doorstep until our guests send them away,” Mr Bennet instructed. “Tell the other servants that from now on, when they come, please close the door on them without reply, and leave them to rot on the step. But be sure to let us know if they are about the place.”

“Very good, sir.” Peter bowed and left.

“You were very good to send him to us, Lady Barry,” Mr Bennet said. “Of course, the cottage was already staffed with a housekeeper, a sensible number of maids, and a manservant, but it never occurred to me that we needed protection here. For heaven’s sake, this is England! What is the country coming to?”

“We ought to have thought of hiring a proper companion for Kitty and Lydia as well,” Charlotte worried. “They have been staying at home with the nurse and Lucas at night when we attend events. It ought to have been suitable, but now I think they would have been better served by having someone to chaperone them properly. I suppose that we will watch them a great deal more closely until we leave.”

“Mother received your letter about a new companion for Georgie, Darcy,” Colonel Fitzwilliam spoke up. “I have just the lady. An old comrade of mine died of a fever last year, and his wife resides here in Ramsgate with her sister, though she would prefer to have something useful to do. I have known her for years. She is a perfectly genteel woman, and we know of her background, for she is from the area around Matlock. Father knew their family when he was young, though I gather she is perhaps five years younger than Aunt Anne would have been now.”

“What is their name?” Lady Barry asked with interest.

“The woman in question is called Mrs Annesley,” the colonel informed her. “And her sister is Mrs Prior. Their maiden name was Grafton.”

“Ah, the rector’s daughters.” Lady Barry nodded. “I had no idea they resided in Ramsgate, or I would have invited them to call. I will not say I knew them as well as your mother, Darcy-boy, but they were good girls before they wed and moved away. Both of them married officers of good families from the north.”

“That is certainly good enough for me, and I believe my father would agree. You are sure the lady is considering employment?” Darcy was pleased to see his cousin nod in satisfaction. “If you would invite her to Darcy Cottage and conduct an introduction, I do not see why she would not suit us very well, if Georgiana meets her and agrees.”

“And I ought to see about finding another footman to serve until we leave the area,” Mr Bennet observed. “Peter is a fine chap, but as we can see, it is not only Lizzy who can come to harm, and Peter cannot watch over all of my ladies.”

“He has a brother who makes him look diminutive, Bennet,” Lady Barry advised. “The family in Margate that he worked for let him go because they have lost some money. I planned to hire the boy, but you take him on until you leave. Speak to Peter on the matter.”

“I will call upon Mrs Annesley later today.” Colonel Fitzwilliam rose from his chair. “Come, Ashley, let us see if this Sir Rupert is still waiting by the door.”

The men left, and Elizabeth turned to Darcy. “It feels strange, not being in the middle of a crisis.”

“I know what you mean.” Darcy smiled ruefully.

“Georgiana looks recovered. I worried for her.” Elizabeth looked fondly across the room at his sister, who was giggling happily with her own.

“She seems to recover from her fears much better in the company of your family.”

“That is generous, but she could not recover without the loving support of her own, I assure you,” Elizabeth insisted. “Your love and approval mean everything to her.”

“She is eager to forget the entire affair and go back to her previous, more enjoyable activities,” Darcy said.

“I believe we all are,” Elizabeth agreed. “I plan to beg Lady Barry to allow me to return to my morning walks, but not today. I fear it is too soon to mention it. Perhaps when I read to her on Friday.”

“It is not too late today for the confectioner’s.” Darcy raised a brow. “My sister would be very pleased.”