Page 7 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Darcy nudged his cousin in the ribs. “Quiet, you scoundrel. Do you wish your mother's displeasure to fall upon us both?”

The Earl said, “Phillip, you must begin looking for a wife. You are two-and-thirty. It is time the nursery at Matlock was filled.”

Phillip's expression darkened. “And why now, Father? Why must I marry now? I am still too young to risk making myself miserable with an ill-tempered wife or one who values only pleasure.”

Lady Helen frowned. “My dear boy, you do say the most disagreeable things. Miss Ramsbury is neither. She is all that a gentleman could wish for in a wife.”

“And she would bore me to distraction within a fortnight of our marriage. No, Mamma, pray put her from your mind. I freely admit she is a beauty, and her fortune is certainly attractive, but I watched her with my cousin this evening. We should not suit. She would be far better matched with Richard or Darcy.”

He looked to his father.

“There is no great hurry for me to leg-shackle myself, sir. Richard is my heir, and should anything happen to me, he has both the judgment and the ability to manage the estate and take my seat in the House of Lords. Indeed, I sometimes think he would make the better earl.”

Darcy glanced at Richard before saying in a low voice, “I have heard this argument often enough. See me out, will you?”

Richard and Darcy both stood. Darcy crossed to the countess and kissed her cheek.

“Aunt Helen, thank you for a delightful evening. And I am afraid my cousin is correct. Miss Ramsbury would be far better suited to Richard or me. She is almost too young for me, but I do believe we might suit if it came to that.”

Lady Helen smiled. “Yes, my boy. She would suit you very well. I believe she is a little too staid and practical for my Richard.”

Richard chuckled. “You mean because I am a hardened soldier, Mother?”

“No, son, because you are too clever and far too lively. A more spirited, whimsical young woman would suit you much better.”

“Do you have someone in mind?”

“Yes, dear. I believe your cousin Anne is just the woman for you.”

Darcy and Richard exchanged looks of horror, while Phillip gave an irreverent snort.

Darcy declined to become embroiled in the discussion that was certain to follow. He crossed to the earl.

“Uncle Henry, I am glad to see you back on your feet. Aunt Helen told me the gout nearly crippled you this time.”

The earl smiled. “Yes, my boy, it brought me low, but look at me now. I always recover in the end.”

Darcy grinned, clasped his uncle's hand, and said affectionately, “Take care of yourself, sir. You are the only father we have left. You would be sorely missed.”

His uncle covered Darcy's hand with his own. “I will, son. I shall take greater care, for the sake of the three of you. I swear, raising you boys has been harder than herding cats.”

Chapter 3: Ruined

Elizabeth and her father exchanged a glance before hurrying from his study. Her mother's shriek rang through the house, a sound of horror and grief. She stood in the hall clutching a piece of paper, her wails echoing through the house. Jane hurried in from the stillroom, wiping her hands upon her apron, and Elizabeth moved to her mother's other side.

Mrs. Bennet held out the paper. As he took it, he said, “Take her upstairs to her chamber, girls, while I learn what has upset her.”

Kitty stood against the wall, mute and motionless, stunned by her mother's distress.

Jane said, “Come, Mamma. Let us go up to your room so you may rest.”

“Rest? How can I rest when my darling girl has left us to run away with an ingrate? A man we have never even met? A man who had not the decency to call upon her father?”

Jane and Elizabeth looked at one another.

Mr. Bennet lowered the note. “It is from Lydia. She has run off with an officer, a Lieutenant Wickham. They travel to London to visit the theater and Vauxhall Gardens.”

Mrs. Bennet began to tremble.