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Darcy answered reluctantly, “I may have a particular lady in mind, but I cannot reveal her name, since I am uncertain whether she would accept my proposal.”

Lord Matlock stood, considering the discussion closed. “I hope she is a worthy lady. I trust your judgement in choosing someone of our rank and station, and do not forget that we are here to support you. One thing is clear to me. Even if your mother signed the codicil, the false statement concerning your consent deprives it of any moral authority over you in my eyes. And, as you both said, I knew my sister Anne well. But for now, let us dine.”

∞∞∞

After dinner, the colonel invited Darcy to his rooms for a glass of brandy. They drank in silence on the terrace overlooking the garden. They had always shared a closeness that allowed them to discuss matters they would not confide to others. Darcy had intended to speak about Elizabeth ever since their stay in Kent. Still, her refusal had distressed him so much that he could scarcely bear to mention her. What could he confess? That the woman he loved had the worst possible opinion of him? Nevertheless, it seemed that the colonel had noticed his preference for Elizabeth.

“I do not wish to press you to confide in me,” the colonel said. “However, if your feelings for a certain lady remain unchanged, I would venture to give you some advice.”

Darcy tried to avoid his cousin’s gaze, fearing his eyes would betray the hope those words had awakened.

“Advice?” he said. “The last time I gave advice, it ended badly.”

“You are not Bingley. You make your own decisions. I believe courting Miss Elizabeth would be a good decision. You may have some chance of success.”

“How can you be so certain?” Darcy asked, eager to hear more.

The colonel laughed, pleased that Darcy had asked, for all his life he had admired his cousin’s confidence, and that evening the man before him was full of doubts.

“I observe and draw conclusions,” he explained. “Most of the time, I listen to what the ladies say, including what they imply, and watch their expressions closely!”

Darcy decided to confide in the colonel, unexpectedly finding that, for the first time in his life, he needed someone to whom he could speak and unburden himself.

“I proposed to Elizabeth, and she refused me,” he admitted, “but it was my fault. My proposal was a series of offences rather than a declaration of love.”

Speaking openly of such matters was difficult for Darcy and left him tired and disheartened. He fell silent, and the colonel understood, deciding to let him reveal only what he could bear to discuss. However, he wished to tell his cousin that he had already guessed something of what had happened. Darcy’s manner changed considerably in Miss Elizabeth’s presence, betraying the strength of his feelings for her. Having also observed his dejection some months earlier, he had suspected disappointed love, since he knew of no other trouble that could account for such unhappiness.

Darcy remained silent, so the colonel continued, “Dear cousin, whatever may have passed between you and the lady, when we met her at the theatre, she did not appear to…hate you. I would say she seemed willing to know you better!”

“How could you discern such a delicate matter?” Darcy murmured, turning his face away in the darkness.

“Trust me. Speak to her again and discover her feelings. If she comes to Pemberley, you will have an excellent opportunity. You have nothing to lose, and, as my father said, if she allows you to court her and her feelings do grow into love, you may also defeat our aunt’s plans. Take a chance and trust a man who enjoys studying human nature! Nevertheless, I must warn you that even if my father supported your marriage, he would not readily approve of a match outside our circle. My advice is to keep your intentions private until the proper moment.”

“Everyone will surely object to my choice,” Darcy said. “I imagine even your father will be less kindly disposed when he learns whom I wish to marry.”

“Perhaps!” the colonel replied. “However, that did not prevent you from proposing in Kent.”

“You are right. I do not greatly concern myself with London’s opinions. If we consider the matter honestly, even my father was not thought suitable for my mother by the Matlocks. He was wealthy, I know, but his family resembled the Bennets.”

“I agree, and their marriage was exceedingly happy until her death.”

“Do you believe Lady Catherine will pursue this scheme to the end?”

“Yes, I do! During our last visit to Rosings, her looks and her behaviour towards Cousin Anne alarmed me. You were too occupied with your own concerns to notice. She seemed quite beside herself and behaved accordingly. You should take her threats seriously. She is capable of doing great harm to obtain what she wants.”

Darcy remained motionless, considering his cousin’s words. He was less inclined to apprehension, but needed to hear the colonel’s opinion. He could recognise danger without fearing it.

“You must discover whether the codicil is authentic, and I doubt our solicitor is the best man to undertake those enquiries. He has served the family too long and may hesitate to question Lady Catherine closely. The surest way to defeat her would be to prove the document false—”

“So I am not the only one who suspects it?”

“No. Having known Lady Anne, I cannot believe she would have prescribed such a future for her son. I suspect Lady Catherine, who has both the money and people willing to serve her.”

Darcy nodded thoughtfully. “I must find a younger and more energetic solicitor, one who will take an interest in the matter and pursue every enquiry.”

“Indeed, that would be wise,” the colonel replied.

“As for marrying—”