“You saw a chance for a comfortable home, and I commend you for taking it. I believe most young women, in securing an establishment, would trust to love after marriage.”
Elizabeth kept her silence, because even if such a thing was possible or desired in the present case, there would not be enough time.
“How doesa proper gentleman like you even find these sorts of taverns?” Colonel Fitzwilliam looked like he did not wish to sit on the dirty bench.
“The barkeeper might throw in the straw for you to fall down on for free if you spend as freely here as you do in better establishments.”
“We could have met anywhere else, Darcy.” His cousin had lowered his voice. “It is madness for you to be in town. Lady Catherine plans to come to London soon! You would not even go into Ramsgate, and here you are in the shadow of St Paul’s. If you wanted to discuss the moneylenders and Mr Wickham’s debts, you could have written.”
“I had business in town; not everything is about you.” Fitzwilliam gave him a look of feigned disbelief. “Besides, after what happened to Perceval, everyone has his head in the newspapers or is crowded outside Newgate.”
“Very true. None shall notice you this week. The Foot Guard wasdeployed when they feared an uprising after the assassination; Bellingham’s trial is today. You are lucky that I found the time to visit moneylenders and bankers this week when I was defending this great capital.”
“As well as visiting all the places Mr Wickham might have gambled?”
“Ah, yes.” Fitzwilliam leant back and smiled. “Such a shame to have to spend someone else’s money in so many card games, gaining enough trust to ask the right questions to find the right lenders. I shall also have to see some horse racing, some prizefighting, but I draw the line at visiting the prostitutes that scoundrel is known to enjoy.”
“You do the First Regiment of Foot Guards proud.”
“In all seriousness, I think pursuing legally enforceable debts will work. I have made progress, but it will take time to find them and buy them all. I have dispatched a man I trust to do the same in Bath. If you did not come to speak to me about Mr Wickham, why are you here?”
Darcy ran a fingernail along the grain of the grimy table. “Would you come to Hertfordshire with me tomorrow? Georgiana would like to see you.”
“Has she worsened, then? Do you think that, that soon ...”
“No, on the contrary, one of the apothecaries thought her improved. The Hertfordshire air has done her well.”
“It cannot last, my dear Darcy.”
“I am hoping it will last for a year rather than months. My mother lived until forty, after all.”
“Then why risk coming to London?”
Darcy kept his attention on the table. “Business with the Bishop of London’s Office ... Doctors’ Commons... I had an allegation to make, something to acquire. I have it now and am leaving tomorrow, and?—”
His cousin then swore—exclaimed a question, in truth. “You are gettingmarried? When? To whom?”
“I should have brought you with me to hear my allegation if you are so curious.” This reply produced a request, along with another oath not fit to be repeated, that he answer. “I am marrying Elizabeth Bennet, spinster, age twenty-one, of St Albans parish, with consent of hermother. We will marry on Tuesday. Should you like to attend me to the altar?”
The stupefied look on Colonel Fitzwilliam’s face would have been humorous if it was not his life that caused such a look. “Georgiana’s friend? But why?”
Darcy resumed his examination of the table’s grains. “The short and the long of it is Miss Bennet is dying, and she wishes to be of use to Georgiana before she dies. She is necessary for my sister’s health and happiness—Georgiana adores her—so I am content to marry Miss Bennet since she will be dead in a few months.”
His cousin only blinked and looked at Darcy’s face for explanation that he had yet to provide. “Her family oppresses her—she is an unwelcome old maid to them, and they scarcely tolerate her visiting Georgiana. She suffers from dreadful fits of heart pain where she can neither stand nor breathe, the same that killed her father, and the apothecary says she will be dead before summer’s end. I have seen these dreadful episodes, and there is no denying her pain.”
“You are marrying for the convenience of your sister and her friend?”
“For mydyingsister, and her dying friend. There are many instances where convenience to one party or the other is the sole inducement to matrimony; if it were for connexions or wealth in the present case, you would not be shocked. Georgiana’s health has improved with Miss Bennet’s attention, and as my wife, she will be with Georgiana all the time.”
“You are grasping at straws. Georgiana will still die, and I suspect sooner than the year you are hoping for.”
“Miss Bennet’s care has eased and cheered my sister, and it is not impossible that such continued kindness and attention could extend her life. At the least, Georgiana will be made exceedingly happy.” He sighed. “And so will Miss Bennet, who wishes for independence and who wants to be of use before she dies.”
“But marriage! Darcy, you ... you are ... fastidious. Have you reflected on the seriousness of this? There will be no dissolving of this marriage.”
“The union is hardly forever because Miss Bennet’s heart will giveout soon, whether she exerts herself or not. Marriage lasts until one of the parties drops into the grave, and Miss Bennet will be in hers by Michaelmas. I am not above showing kindness to a worthy dependent, after all.”
“Georgiana loves this girl? Do not give me that warning look. I knowyoudo not, but Georgiana does. She will be shattered when Miss Bennet dies.”
