Impatiently, Darcy Read online

  But why would such a gentleman even look at a lady of such humble birth as she was?

  7

  Lady Susan knocked at her sister’s door again, holding the letters in her hand. “I think we have a good match for the gentleman I told you about. The one who wanted a lady who read widely and was accomplished in music.”

  Amelia looked up. “That is impressive. Do you want my help in interviewing her?”

  “I think it might be a good idea.” Susan hesitated. “She is a gentleman’s daughter, but she is of relatively humble birth, and I am not absolutely certain that we can put her forward. But he was so insistent on her talents, and seems to be in a hurry to find someone, so I am not sure of our best actions.”

  “Come and sit down, Susan.” Amelia leaned over and rang the bell. “We can have some tea and discuss what we know so far.”

  Settled with their cups of tea, Susan drew out the original letter she had received. “Do you want me to read out again the letter from the gentleman?”

  Amelia sipped her tea and nodded. She closed her eyes in concentration.

  Susan scanned the letter. “I will read to you the main gist of his request and the intentions behind it.

  Madam,

  I am writing with regard to your piece in the Times and wish to avail myself of your services.

  I am ...”

  She looked up. “He gives his name and estate here, and continues, saying,

  … You know of me, I am sure, and that I am able to offer a wealthy and secure life to a suitable lady. You must also be aware that I do not enjoy society events and that I attend as few as possible.

  I was therefore very interested when I read your piece yesterday. It might be that your service to find and approve young ladies would be very helpful for me.

  I do not wish to spend time with much to and fro correspondence so I would like to tell you my requirements now. The young lady must, of course, be suitable to be mistress of a large estate such as mine and my establishment when in London. She must be elegant and pleasing to the eye.

  She must also be kind and gentle because my younger sister is very shy and needs a friend. She must be accomplished, especially in music, and enjoy being out of doors.

  She must also have a lively wit and undertake the constant improvement of her mind by extensive reading …”

  She folded the letter again. “So there you have it.” She hesitated. “Do you think you really ought to know who he is?”

  Amelia shook her head. “We discussed it before, and decided we must be most discreet, even between ourselves.”

  “Very well,” Susan glanced down at the other sheet of paper. “As for the young lady, her sister originally wrote after seeing our original entry in the Times. She said that her sister was lively and adventurous, but in the country where they live, there is no opportunity for her to wed a gentleman who could be her match in intelligence and love.”

  Amelia’s eyebrows rose. “Interesting,” she commented. “And is the writer putting herself forward as well?”

  “No.” Susan shook her head. “She is already betrothed. But they are now staying with relations in London, and she answered my reply to her within the day, saying that she had told her sister, and her sister has agreed, with some reservations, to consider whether she might be suitable.”

  She folded the letter. “I am dubious that she has reservations, I would think most young ladies ought to be enthusiastic for the chance.”

  Amelia smiled thinly. “Whereas I am more inclined to approve of a girl with such frank honesty, who is not likely to lead us on until the last moment before suddenly changing her mind.” She glanced at Susan. “But I see you have further concerns, so pray continue.”

  Susan felt a little better. “I do. But in her favour, she does seem to be very talented. Her musical ability is praised highly, despite the lack of much formal education, so it must be innate. Her wit and liveliness as well as her beauty are apparently well-known throughout the area.” She laughed. “But she knows her own mind. Her mother was very angry when she refused the advances of her cousin, to whom their estate is entailed. I understand the cousin is — not well-favoured, in looks, intelligence or in manners.” She knew she liked this girl, whether she would marry Mr. Darcy or not. But first, she must tell Amelia all about her. “She and her sister are staying with their aunt and uncle — in Cheapside.”

  “Oh, dear,” Amelia’s face fell. “I cannot think that the benefits she brings with her would be enough to ameliorate the mere name of that street.”

  “I agree,” Susan folded up the letter. “We must continue to look in better areas.”

  Amelia reached out for her sister’s cup. “Let me pour you some more tea, Susan. We must not be hasty, especially since your gentleman seemed impatient in his letter.” She laughed. “If we do not think of her for your gentleman, which is much the most important, she might yet do for my gentleman’s pretend fiancee!”

  Susan thought a moment. “The addition to her fortune might well assist her in the future, but I must say, I like the sound of her, and if we might place her permanently, I would be pleased to know she was well settled.”

  “You always were too involved in people’s lives, my dear.” Her sister sounded indulgent and Susan frowned.

  “Do you think we should call, or refuse her?” She knew Amelia realised that she had annoyed her, but also that it would make no difference to her decision. When she had been part of Almacks, she had been unmoved when declining to allow some young girls vouchers, deeming them unsuitable.

  But she did sound quite placatory. “I think we can do a little more investigation, Susan. Then if that is satisfactory, we could call on her.”

  “What do you think we can do further?” Susan wondered.

  Amelia smiled, and rang the bell. The footman who answered was dispatched to find the steward, and when he bowed at the doorway, Amelia beckoned him in.

  “Mr. Gates, I want you to ride to Cheapside. I need your opinion of the address, whether the house is reasonable for us to call on a family there.” She looked at Susan.

  “Do you have the address?”

  Susan unfolded the letter. “Number twenty-three, Gracechurch Street.”

  “Thank you.” Her sister turned back to the steward.

  “I’d be interested to hear your views, Mr. Gates. Is it a suitable home for a young lady? Or is the area too rough? I have not been there myself.”

  The man bowed. “I understand, my lady. I will be back within the hour.”

  Susan knew that he had been part of her sister’s household for many years. When he’d gone, she turned to her.

  “Did you use him in a similar fashion in the past, to check on girls before the season? He seemed unsurprised at your request.”

  Amelia laughed. “There is no point calling on your young lady if I would be reluctant to enter the area.” She put her cup down. “If Mr. Gates’ report is satisfactory, I will send round my card and we will call there tomorrow morning.”

  8

  Elizabeth wandered distractedly around the room. “I’m so sorry to put you through this, Aunt Gardiner. I had not dreamed they would call at the house.”

  Aunt Gardiner glanced around the room anxiously. “I must confess I am surprised. If they wish to see the sort of home you live in, I think the very word Cheapside would have finished the opportunity.”

  Elizabeth looked around the room, too. The maids had been working hard since yesterday and the room and furniture gleamed.

  “Then they would have been the losers,” she said stoutly. “Your home is the most gracious place I can think of.”

  Jane nodded, but Aunt Gardiner shook her head. “You know better than that, dear, I’m sure. Even the very name is usually enough to close the doors on us.” She smiled sadly. “I had hoped to obtain Almacks vouchers for you both when you first came out, but my attempts were in vain then, and I didn’t think that would ever change.”

  “Oh, Aunt!�
� Elizabeth jumped to her feet and gave her a hug. “I didn’t know that.”

  “There was no point in telling you, as I hadn’t been successful.” Aunt Gardiner patted her hair to ensure it had not been ruffled. “But I am sorry you have been reduced to this.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Oh dear, Aunt. You make it sound like a cattle market! I don’t see it as any different to standing at a ball at Almacks, knowing we are being looked up and down by the gentlemen and other mothers.”

  Her aunt smiled. “It is an interesting way to look at it, Lizzy. But I wish you had not felt the need to take part.”

  Elizabeth didn’t answer as she heard the front door opening. “I think that is the lady.” She hurried over to sit beside Jane, who squeezed her hand comfortingly. Looking at Aunt Gardiner, she realised what this must mean to her aunt, and her heart ached as to what she had — all unwittingly — done.

  She very much hoped that Lady Somerville had softened since she had been widowed, she had, by all accounts, been a formidable lady when in her prime.

  “The Dowager Countess of Somerville; Lady Susan Aldridge,” announced the butler, and all three ladies rose to their feet as the two guests entered regally.

  Lady Susan, that’s the younger sister. The one who corresponded with Jane. Elizabeth curtsied and waited to see what would transpire.

  “Welcome, Lady Somerville,” Aunt Gardiner curtsied to them, “and Lady Susan.”

  The lady who had entered first nodded in acknowledgement, her face impassive. She looked round and took a seat on the sofa opposite Aunt Gardiner. The other lady smiled slightly and sat beside her.

  “Mrs. Gardiner, I would be grateful if you could introduce your nieces to my sister and me.” The senior lady adeptly introduced the other without slowing the conversation.

  “Of course.” Aunt Gardiner beckoned the girls forward. “Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” She indicated them each in turn.

  Elizabeth decided at once that Lady Somerville did not approve of her and made her mind up to enjoy the experience, knowing it would go no further. She did not trouble to prevent herself smiling as the older lady turned to Jane.

  “I understand you wrote to us first, Miss Bennet. Please explain why you felt that your sister would benefit from our service.”

  “Oh, er,” Jane glanced unhappily at Elizabeth. “Thank you for calling, my lady. I wrote because I am concerned that my sister might never meet a gentleman who could make her happy.”

  “I see.” Their visitor’s face remained unsmiling. “But why did you write? Why not encourage your sister to do so?”

  Elizabeth wanted to jump in and answer for Jane, but it would not do, and she was embarrassed for her.

  “Why,” Jane hesitated. “I thought that Lizzy would not state her undoubted attractiveness to full effect, being modest as well as polite.”

  Well! Elizabeth hadn’t thought Jane would have prepared such a suitable answer, or been ready to deliver it with such aplomb.

  But Lady Somerville had turned her attention to Elizabeth, looking her up and down. She didn’t look approving, but at least she no longer had an expression approximating to having a nasty smell under her nose.

  Elizabeth knew her eyes flashed, even though she managed to stop her lips twitching.

  The lady’s eyebrows rose, and Elizabeth mentally kicked herself.

  “Perhaps you could tell us about what books you principally study, Miss Elizabeth.” Her voice was rather cold.

  “It would be hard to limit myself to one or two subjects, my lady.” Elizabeth smiled. “Lately, I have obtained a Latin edition of The Odyssey, and have been endeavouring to read what is a favourite tale in a new language. I have also been studying botany, with the purchase of several herbals.” She thought for a moment. “But I would not have you think my reading is entirely studious. I enjoy some of the newer literature and plays as well.”

  There was a short silence as several maids entered with silver trays laden with tea and pastries. When they were all settled with refreshments, Lady Somerville glanced at her sister.

  “I believe Lady Susan wishes to speak to you about the current situation, Miss Elizabeth, and after you have finished your tea, I would request that you play for us, if your aunt has no objection.”

  “Of course,” Elizabeth smiled cheerfully and turned to Lady Susan.

  Half-an-hour later, Lady Somerville looked at her sister, and the two exchanged a look before she turned and looked at Aunt Gardiner.

  “I am sorry we have taken up so much of your time, Mrs. Gardiner, but I would like, if possible, to describe to Miss Elizabeth Bennet something of what we are about.”

  She bent an imperious gaze on Elizabeth. “We find that, while your background is not of the most suitable, you may well be acceptable to the gentleman whose requirements we are attempting to meet.”

  Indignation rose up in Elizabeth. How dare this woman belittle my background? How dare she imply that I, Elizabeth Bennet, am willing to be paraded before some gentleman with a list of requirements? But she saw Jane’s eager features, and her aunt’s anxious face, and pushed her ire deep.

  “I will be interested to hear about it, my lady.” But, as far as she was concerned, the adventure was over.

  “We will not be telling you the name of the gentleman concerned, of course,” Lady Somerville sounded disapproving. “As we will not disclose yours when we correspond with him. But we have some details which we would like to discuss with you, and then you may say whether or not you wish to proceed with the matter.”

  Elizabeth bit back the retort that she had not expected to know the gentleman’s name at once, and smiled guilelessly.

  “I should be glad to hear the facts that you can tell me, my lady.”

  Lady Susan drew a sheet of paper from her reticule. “I have made a copy of the gentleman’s requirements. He is a single gentleman of fewer than thirty years, the master of a great estate in the north of England, and a large establishment in London.” She glanced at Elizabeth. “He is indeed an extremely wealthy man. Although he is not titled, his mother was from an aristocratic family.”

  “Was,” said Elizabeth, thoughtfully. “Do I understand that he has had the misfortune to lose both his parents, then?” She felt rather more sympathetic to this stranger.

  “Indeed,” Lady Sarah looked a little put out that she had been interrupted, and glanced back at the sheet of paper in her hand. “He requires a young lady accomplished at music and with a love of the outdoors. He also asks that she have a lively wit and undertakes a constant improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”

  Elizabeth was sure she detected disapproval of this request in Lady Susan, and wondered if the gentleman might find that amusing, as she did. But she kept her expression bland and attentive.

  “Hmmm,” Lady Susan looked at her. “He asks that the young lady we select for him is kind and gentle, as his younger sister is very shy. I imagine you have much experience in this with so many younger sisters.”

  “I do,” Elizabeth acknowledged quietly. “Although I could hardly call any of them shy. But I have friends with shy young sisters, so I am not afraid that I might discompose her.”

  “Good.” Lady Susan folded up the paper. “Your looks and deportment are perfectly adequate to fulfil his demands in that direction.” She returned the sheet to her reticule. “Are you concerned at all about the running of a great house, with many staff, Miss Elizabeth?”

  “No, Lady Susan.” Elizabeth met her gaze. “The first thing is to gain the trust and respect of the staff and to be firm, but fair, from the beginning.” She smiled. “As part of my extensive reading, I have knowledge about what is required in household management.”

  Lady Sarah looked a little taken aback by the confident rejoinder and Lady Somerville stepped in smoothly.

  “We will take our leave, Mrs. Gardiner, and thank you for your time.” She turned to Elizabeth.

  “Please think on what has happened today
, Miss Elizabeth. Send word to me tomorrow morning as to whether you wish to proceed to the next step and an introduction to the gentleman.”

  Elizabeth rose, with Jane and Aunt Gardiner, and they curtsied as the two grand ladies swept from the room.

  9

  Darcy folded the newspaper and smiled at his sister as she entered the breakfast room, the low sunlight glancing in through the east-facing windows.

  “Good morning, Georgiana. I trust you slept well?”

  “Thank you, William. I did. It’s so nice to have you home. I’m much more relaxed.” She sat in the chair beside him, and the footman poured her tea.

  “It is good to be in London,” Darcy answered untruthfully, and took a sip of his coffee.

  It wasn’t good at all. He had not kept the appointment at Lambeth Palace, and he had not answered Lady Catherine’s last three letters. She was most terrifically angry and demanding. He sighed, hoping against hope that Lady Somerville would find a young lady to pretend to be engaged to him for a few weeks. He fervently hoped that the young woman would be able to stand up to his aunt.

  Despite his mood, he smiled slightly. Any young lady who could stand up to Lady Catherine might actually be worth marrying. He supposed a pretended engagement would furnish enough time for him to discover her true nature.

  “What are you thinking, William?” Georgiana sounded wistful.

  He jumped. “I’m sorry, Georgiana, I was being remiss in not paying you any attention.” He suddenly wondered what he would tell his sister when this sudden fiancee appeared, and the consequences of his idea suddenly seemed to be greater and more apparent to him.