“You are correct about most,” said an unfamiliar voice.
Elizabeth turned and noted the approach of a tall, distinguished man who carried himself with a distinct air of confidence. He was handsome in a roguish sort of way, wore an expensive suit, sported brown eyes and a head of wavy brown hair, and a piercing gaze. The way her husband and his cousin stiffened, Elizabeth suspected they did not approve of this man, though neither made any comment.
“I must say, Darcy,” continued the man, “that you and your wife have made quite the splash in London. Douglas lacks a certain measure of... finesse, though I am confident in your enchanting wife’s ability to deal with any who become too... insistent.”
“I beg your pardon, for I have little patience for this,” said William. “To the best of my knowledge, I have not been introduced to you; I do not wish to engage in innuendo.”
The man smirked and nodded to Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Fitzwilliam, if you will do the honors, I would be very much obliged.”
“Very well,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Lord Winchester, this is Fitzwilliam Darcy and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, the new Darcy family at Pemberley. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, Benjamin Sutton, the Earl of Winchester.”
“Charmed,” said the earl, bowing as Elizabeth and William returned the gesture.
“If you will allow my observation,” continued the earl, “the way you dressed down Douglas in public will provoke a certain measure of respect, though there will still be those of his ilk waiting in the shadows. I was not overstating, Darcy—you andyour wife have been a sensation—I believe you are persuading many to approve of you.”
“Their approval or lack thereof bothers me little,” said William.
The earl chuckled, though Elizabeth thought many in his position would not appreciate a gentleman using such a tone with them. “Yes, I can see that. In that, we are the same, for I have never concerned myself with the opinions of others either. I appreciate your spine, Darcy, just as I appreciate your wife’s determination and fortitude.
“It was for this reason—to offer my commendations—that I approached you.” The earl shrugged. “That and to solicit your enchanting wife’s company for a set.”
Elizabeth was amused by this man, though she suspected he could be quite dangerous when he put his mind to it. That William did not agree was never in question, nor was his disinclination for the man’s company.
“I apologize, my lord, but your reputation precedes you. As I have already run off one objectionable man, I would not repeat the experience. Do I need to call you out to protect my wife’s honor?”
The earl let out a bark of laughter. “Just as I said, Darcy—I admire your determination. Given your performance tonight, I do not doubt that others have taken notice and will treat you with more respect.
“As for your wife, please know that my request was nothing more or less than it appeared. I ask for only a pleasant half hour in her company and promise that I will behave strictly as a gentleman.”
William considered this and then turned to Elizabeth, who smiled at him. “After Mr. Douglas bored me to tears and proposed that I ‘come to know him better,’ I doubt it will be more difficult to endure his lordship’s company.”
“That is the spirit, Mrs. Darcy! Then you accept?”
“Very well, my lord. The next dance is yours.” Elizabeth paused and offered him a saucy smile. “It is well the next dance is not the supper set, else I would have needed to demur in favor of my husband’s claim.”
Again, the earl did not restrain his laughter. “I think I will enjoy your company very much, Mrs. Darcy.”
The earl bowed and offered his hand as the music for the next sets began. “Shall we?”
Elizabeth accepted and allowed him to lead her away, though she bestowed a smile on William, promising to return thereafter. William did not appreciate her position on the floor with the earl, and he did not leave to seek a companion of his own, preferring to stand nearby like a watchman on a tower. For that matter, Colonel Fitzwilliam stayed close, keeping William company and her in his sight the entire time she was in Lord Winchester’s company.
Though it surprised Elizabeth, she enjoyed the earl’s company, for he was intelligent and witty, and never strayed into inappropriate subjects. Having said that, she was relieved when the end of the set released her from his company. The man was entirely too dangerous, and even if Elizabeth was devoted to William and knew she would never betray him, she had no notion what the earl meant by his attention.
Chapter XXXI
News of a serious sort arrived only two days later. Though he had expected something and wondered if they were not all a little too given to imagining conspiracies, a part of Darcy had always known there was something amiss. When Lord Matlock arrived in Fitzwilliam’s company that morning, each sporting expressions one might wear to a funeral, Darcy knew his intuition was correct.
“Darcy,” said the earl without preamble, “we must speak. Tell me, is Mrs. Younge about?”
A glance at Elizabeth provoked her to respond. “She is in Georgiana’s room, attending to her morning lessons. Should I instruct the staff to separate them?”
Lord Matlock considered the question, even as he nodded at Elizabeth’s instant understanding of the situation. “For the moment, I believe there is little danger.” Turning to Darcy, he added: “If Thompson is about, have him guard the door to Georgiana’s room. When we summon Mrs. Younge as we must, Georgiana can return to the company of your sisters. I assume they are not with her now.”
“Mrs. Younge has made heropinionof my sisters clear,” said Elizabeth, her tone a little curt. “She does not consider herself obliged to see to their instruction, so they make themselves scarce when Mrs. Younge is seeing to Georgiana’s lessons.” Elizabeth shrugged, which did little to soften her features or her estimation of the companion. “I suppose we do not pay her toinstruct three young ladies, though to own the truth, I doubt she would give much attention to them even if we paid her to do it.”
“Then she is out of the way for the moment,” agreed Lord Matlock. “If you will see to Thompson and have Mr. Bennet summoned, we can see to this business at once.”
Darcy nodded and had the housekeeper summoned, passing the earl’s instructions to her. There was little reason to inquire about the particulars of what Lord Matlock had discovered, so Darcy stood with Elizabeth engaged in quiet conversation while they awaited Mr. Bennet’s arrival. When the gentleman came, he shared a few jests with Lord Matlock, the two men having become friendly since Mr. Bennet’s arrival in town, and though his lordship was not in a mood for jesting, Mr. Bennet’s wit lightened the atmosphere for a few moments.
