‘So…’
‘I just had a most amusing realisation. Darcy mentioned that your family had relations in trade and the exceedingly pleasant gentleman I met must have been that relative.’ He grinned at her.
‘Your perspicacity does you credit, Colonel.’ Elizabeth tilted her head. ‘Does that knowledge change your opinion?’
‘Not at all. It makes this situation even better. Will you be home to callers later today?’
‘As far as I am aware we had no specific plans for today.’
‘In that case, may I bring my mother to meet you, if she is available?’
‘By all means, I would be honoured to meet the Countess.’
~T~
Fitzwilliam strode back to Matlock House, which was almost next door to the Carleton’s residence, where he found his mother breaking her fast.
‘Good morning, Richard, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?’ the lady asked with a fond smile. Despite the Colonel’s propensity to give her twice as much grief as her older son while they were growing up, she was particularly fond of her younger son.
He greeted her with a kiss to the cheek and helped himself to a plate of food from the buffet. ‘There is someone whom I would like you to meet,’ he said with a mischievous smile as he sat down to eat. ‘A young lady…’
‘Have you at last met the love of your life?’ she teased.
‘No, but I think I may have met Darcy’s.’
‘Darcy? You cannot be serious. He has never shown the slightest interest in any of the ladies whom I have introduced to him. Apart from that, he has been somewhere in the country with his friend Bingley for the last several weeks.’
‘About that… he was only there for a couple of days. Just long enough to upset a whole town and get himself kicked out,’ Richard said before taking another large bite of ham. He was pleased with the reaction his words had caused.
His mother sat in wide-eyed silence for several moments before she managed to say, ‘How?’
Fitzwilliam grinned and between bites told her the story his cousin had related to him.
The countess listened attentively but with growing horror. When he finished, she exclaimed, ‘That triple dratted fool. How did he become so very arrogant? I know his parents taught him better than that.’
‘You do not even know the best or the worst part yet.’ He paused to heighten the suspense until his mother gave him an impatient look. ‘Thelady he insulted is the daughter of a gentleman who has a brother-in-law in trade… Mr Edward Gardiner, who is also related to the Carletons.’
‘So, the daughter of that poor and insignificant country gentleman is related to half the ton. Admittedly the relationship is via a tradesman and the black sheep of that family, but nonetheless, she has the connections.’
‘Rumour also had it that Henry Carleton was an extremely wealthy man, yet his wealth seems to have gone into obscurity.’
‘You think the Gardiners or the Bennets were the heirs to his fortune?’ the countess asked.
‘I would not be in the least surprised. The ladies whom I met yesterday were very elegantly dressed… your kind of elegance.’
Lady Matlock raised her brows and smiled in appreciation since her husband had been known to complain about the expense of her wardrobe. ‘I can see your point.’ She frowned as another thought occurred to her. ‘So, this Miss Elizabeth is a gentleman’s daughter, well connected and possibly wealthy, but what about her manners and accomplishments?’
‘Her manners are excellent and unassuming. I cannot speak to her accomplishments as I have only met her twice and conversed with her but once. But I get the impression that she exceedingly intelligent and could be as well read as Darcy.’
‘He thought her pretty and you think her intelligent. Yes, there are possibilities there.’ The Countess hesitated a moment before she raised another point. ‘What about her discretion. While I abhor Darcy’s contemptible behaviour while in |Hertfordshire, I would not want his name dragged through the mud,’ the countess asked in concern.
‘I do not believe there is an issue on that score. She refused to tell me what happened. It was only after I told her what Darcy had related to me that she confirmed his story to be true.’
His mother smiled and said, ‘Excellent.’
‘Before you start matchmaking, please keep in mind that at present she is angry at Darcy for his insult and generally bad manners.’
‘So, you think we should just give them an opportunity to argue?’
