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So this would be a bad time to tell them I married a woman of no fortune. Darcy ran his fingers through his hair. This was another complication he did not need: first Elizabeth’s sister, now his cousin. Their families seemed to be inadvertently conspiring to ensure that they could never publicly acknowledge their marriage.
“In fact, we are planning a ball for two days hence. I expect you to attend.” His aunt added, the return of her authoritarian manner signaled that she had mastered her emotions.
“Aunt Alice, I completely understand and respect your wishes for our continued propriety, and I have no desire to cause additional scandal,” Darcy said. “I will happily agree never to admit the Bennets’ wayward daughter, Lydia, into my home or to Georgiana’s acquaintance. But I am not prepared to shun a respectable family because of the poor judgment of a foolish young girl. It is important to me that Georgiana meet Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” He knew that by insisting on the point, he was virtually declaring his intentions toward Elizabeth. But, they had to know soon; there was no point in concealing his interest even if he could not reveal everything.
Aunt Alice’s face resembled a bull’s when confronted with a red cape. “But she is a nobody! Her family has no name, no fortune and they are disgraced! Georgiana cannot associate with them and you should not either!” In her indignation her face had turned white.
Darcy sighed. “I must insist on this point. I am not about to discontinue my association with Miss Elizabeth Bennet and you cannot forbid me to introduce her to Georgiana. I am her guardian. I will, however, happily abide by other directives that you deem necessary for the family at this time.”
His aunt’s eyes narrowed as she regarded him, enlightenment flashed across her face. “So that is how the wind blows, is it? I have thrown every eligible young lady of the ton at you for years and you have never so much as danced two dances with a single girl. And now you are attaching yourself to a country miss?” Georgiana squirmed in her seat, obviously uncomfortable being present during such a disagreement.
“You should be relieved. You keep telling me I am waiting too long,” he said with an ironic smile.
“I am not relieved!” She snapped. “This is an entirely inappropriate attachment. Especially now! I do not condone it.”
“Miss Bennet is a completely respectable young woman. Her father is a gentleman in Hertfordshire and she has excellent breeding.”
“But much of her family is in trade, I understand, and her family has no standing to speak of. The scandal of her sister will follow her – No, it cannot be done. Not now!” His aunt gestured emphatically.
Darcy stood. “I do not need your approbation, madam. I am not a child!”
He was on the verge of stalking out of the room, but Georgiana touched his hand and he peered down at her, knowing that she did not want dissension in the family. He took a deep breath. “I appreciate your concern for our family’s reputation – and I share it. However, I am more concerned about my own happiness. It is, of course, your prerogative to not receive Miss Bennet or her family. But should you choose such a course, it will almost certainly result in your estrangement from me.”
Lady Alice’s looked nonplused for a moment. “You would create more scandal for the family – at this time? How could you?”
“I do not believe there would be scandal, nor do I wish to be estranged from your family. However, I will not compromise my own happiness.”
His aunt sighed. “Very well. Visit with this Miss Bennet if you must. I will not perpetuate any unpleasantness, but I can do nothing to curb the gossip.”
“I would like you to invite Miss Bennet and her aunt and uncle to your ball. Their name is Gardiner.” His aunt was already shaking her head. “Would you like me to attend the ball? I believe I may have a previous engagement that night.”
His aunt closed her eyes as if in pain, but she won the struggle to maintain her composure. “Very well.”
Darcy smiled mirthlessly. “I think I can rearrange my schedule to accommodate the ball.”
“Where do they live?” Lady Alice’s voice came from between gritted teeth.
“Gracechurch Street. In Cheapside.”
“Cheapside.” The way his aunt said it, it might as well be a curse.
Darcy bristled. “They are thoroughly respectable, genteel people.”
His aunt sighed. “Promise me you will not make your attentions to this Miss Bennet too obvious and you must dance with some of the other eligible young ladies. Perhaps someone more appropriate will turn your head.” Darcy started to shake his head. “You promised to cooperate with my directives,” she reminded him.
Darcy leaned back in his chair. “I will dance with them if you wish, but I can tell you that they will not alter my sentiments.” Thank goodness she does not know it is already too late!
“We shall see.” With that, his aunt arose from her chair and stalked out of the room. Georgiana still appeared distressed, so Darcy sat next to her, taking her hand and turning the conversation to more pleasant topics.
Later that day Darcy was in his study, having finally returned to Darcy House and receiving a long overdue bath. His visit to Mrs. Younge had proceeded as he expected. With some financial persuasion, she admitted that Wickham had been in London for a week, but departed because he could no longer afford lodgings. It was clear, however, that she did not know where Wickham had gone.
Immediately Darcy had proceeded to hire one of the famed Bow Street Runners. One investigator now had the names of Wickham’s associates near Pemberley and would visit Derbyshire to see who had news of him. Without money, Wickham would need assistance from friends. Another investigator would try to pick up Wickham’s trail in London. Darcy had also visited Colonel Fitzwilliam – who was very relieved to find his cousin back in the country –to ask for any help he and his colleagues in the army might provide. Darcy sighed, thinking that he should visit Pemberley to speak with Wickham’s friends in person, but he could not bring himself to leave Elizabeth. The investigator should be able to make progress with the information I gave him, Darcy reassured himself.
Darcy smiled ironically at the thought that the best way to flush out Wickham would be to reveal his marriage to Elizabeth – Wickham would probably be on his doorstep the next day demanding payment in exchange for marrying Lydia. However, there were equally good reasons for concealing the marriage.
Now Darcy was applying himself to the correspondence that had accumulated while he was in France. After he had been working for an hour, a footman arrived and announced Mr. Bingley’s arrival. “Darcy!” Bingley bounced in as usual, but there were lines of care around his face that Darcy did not recall seeing before. “I only just learned that you had returned.”
