“Naturally. Lady Malvern’s son has just come of age, and Lord Wallace’s wife died last year in childbirth. Either would be a distinguished match for her, and they are both good Tories.Thatis essential for any consideration of future connection to the family,” she avowed with a firm jerk of her chin.
“I am less concerned about the man’s pedigree and politics than his character and suitability as a husband. I would rather see her attached to a man with no prospects at all, but who cared for her.”
“Pshh!” huffed his aunt. “Richard Fitzwilliam, I am ashamed of you! These modern romantic notions have no place among decent society! I always told Darcy that he sheltered her from her responsibilities and permitted her far too much liberty for a young lady of her situation, and you are likely to do the same.
“Georgiana Darcy is possessed of over half a million pounds, an estate that yields ten thousand more per annum, and one of the most fashionable houses in London. Her place in Society is of paramount importance, and the man she marries must be chosen with the greatest care! Of course, we cannot consider one who is not properly of her sphere, for her husband must be depended upon to steward her fortune. You are a fool not to already be considering the man’s politics and background, but at least you do not subscribe to my brother’s notion that you should wed Georgiana yourself!”
“No, Aunt, but I am of the opinion that Georgiana is too young—”
“Fitzwilliam,” she dismissed him with an air of supremacy, “you have not raised a daughter, so you cannot know what is to be done These alliances must be planned and brought about with the utmost delicacy and wisdom, which is why it is not the proper place of a childless bachelor to guide the process. You have not the stomach for it.”
“I, a seasoned combat veteran, have not the stomach?” he nearly laughed.
She fixed him with a withering look. “If you think the battles you have encountered on the Peninsula bloody, you have not yet experienced a Season with a wealthy debutante.”
“Perhaps not, but I shadowed Darcy through enough drawing rooms. He always kept me at his right side as his sword arm, and for good reason as I recall.”
Lady Catherine permitted herself a nostalgic sigh and a flutter of her aging lashes. “He was always so faithful to Anne! It is only a pity she was too ill for marriage for so many years, but I was very put out that he did not affirm their engagement last spring. She is perfectly strong now!”
Richard coughed slightly. “It is a pity,” he agreed diplomatically.
“Which is why it is all the more important that your marriage takes place as soon as possible. Anne must produce an heir, and her health—”
“Aunt!” he cried in astonishment. “You are not suggesting thatImarry Anne!”
She blinked slowly, as one compelled to explain patently obvious matters to a child. “I have sent a letter to my solicitor. He is to print the announcement as soon as Anne’s half-mourning period for Darcy is complete. A full mourning shall not be necessary, for their engagement was never announced publicly. As for the date, April would be in poor taste, but May shall still suit. Young brides are more successful at conceiving an heir in the spring months.”
Richard felt his forehead beginning to sweat. “Aunt, there has never been any symptom of regard between my cousin and myself, beyond what is proper for near relations. I have never held any inclinations toward marriage—”
A bored hiss escaped the lady’s lips as she fairly rolled her eyes. “Regard! Do not trouble me with such callow notions. Richard Fitzwilliam, it is for you to step into Darcy’s place! You must see to Georgiana’s upbringing and the well-being of Pemberley until she is decently married, and youwillfulfill your duties to Anne. Heaven and earth, you would not leave her another year on the shelf. Rosings requires an heir, and Georgiana is in need of a woman’s guidance!”
“Feminine advice I shall not deny her, Aunt, but for me to marry Anne—”
“Fitzwilliam, I tolerated Darcy’s delays for years. He put off my advice regarding Georgiana, and he dallied with Anne’s sentiments, but no longer shall I remain silent! I will see Anne with child and Georgiana engaged to a suitable candidate by this time next year. I will not be dissuaded!”
Richard could command himself no longer. He caught shaking fingers in his collar and tugged for dear life, as though his cravat were the only thing cutting off his supply of air.How did Darcy ever prevail against our aunt?Never once had his cousin capitulated on matters of import. He simply adopted that “Darcy” stance, returned deadpan for outrage, and carried his own point.How?
“Aunt,” he croaked, affecting to turn and pace so that he was not required to look Lady Catherine in the eye, “there are so many other matters that require my immediate attention, my head can hardly sustain such schemes. Perhaps we may defer talk of… alliances… for a few months.”
She drew in a measured breath, lifting her chin and lowering her gaze like a hawk. “Naturally one might expect the transition from military life to civilian duties would be a difficulty. Pemberley is, I think you understand now, amuchlarger concern than your few boys in uniform. None managed Pemberley better than George Darcy, though his son had begun to show promise. You will require a great deal of assistance in your endeavours, Fitzwilliam.”
He caught that idea with relief. “Indeed, I shall, Aunt! I have an appointment with the steward in half an hour to talk over plans for spring planting and the breeding stables,” he hinted, hoping that notion might sooner draw this interview to a close.
“The steward! What can he know? I shall send word to Rosings for my trunks. If Georgiana is not to return to London, Anne and I shall remain here indefinitely to advise you.”
Fitzwilliam yanked once more at his cravat, his face turning a few shades of red. “I assure you, Aunt, that will not be necessary, I—”
“And you will take yourself to London at once to see to the relinquishment of your commission! Shameful that you should so long neglect such a matter. I no longer wish to see you appearing before me in uniform, Richard Fitzwilliam! It was all well and good when you had no proper responsibilities, but you have more important concerns now than to play with your swords and guns.”
There was nothing else to say. Any argument of his would have prolonged the discussion until he was battle-sore and his aunt carried the victory flag. Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was wise enough to know when he was beaten, and he raised the white handkerchief in surrender. He began slowly backing toward the door, bowing a little hastily. “I will attend to the matter, Aunt Catherine.”
He fled to the outer hall, nodding briskly to the footman to close the door. His heart was racing, his collar damp, and his head light from lack of proper air. Lady Catherine to take up long-term residence at Pemberley! Georgiana might never recover from the invasion! His trembling hands brushed self-consciously at his shoulders as he gasped and stumbled for the stair.
Darcy would have put a stop to it.For the thousandth time, his heart ached at the loss of his cousin. Darcy had been like a brother, an adviser in many ways and yet a pupil in so many others. So many times in the past two months had a clever notion or amusing circumstance come to him that he thought to preserve to share with Darcy, only to be followed by the crushing emptiness of knowing that he never again could.
If only…. He groaned, clasping the stair railing along his slow ascent. There was something—a number of things, really—about that whole situation that still sat ill with him. The villains still at large, the prostitute with Darcy’s money, that bloodied body identified as Darcy…. Something was missing, but he could not yet put his finger on it. Perhaps his investigator would help assemble the pieces for him, but he could not let the matter rest until then. He narrowed his eyes, his vision again turning inward to the perfect picture of his memory.
Scholars and politicians might have counted it a blessing, but there was no greater curse for a soldier than a memory such as his. Every broken body, every dying face brought clearly to mind at a mere breath; and as if that were not agonising enough, he could not help also recalling the light of life borne by the same man only moments before. There was some detachment between the uniquely powerful aura that had belonged to Fitzwilliam Darcy and the contracted, lifeless body shown him by the inspectors.
