Page 45

That same day

“Fitzwilliam, I cannot believe you expect us to sanction your engagement to this … this woman!” Lord Matlock declared, unable to think of a better word to use in his wife’s company.

“She may fancy herself a lady because Lord Morgan married her, but she was certainly never a member of our sphere. Moreover, now that he is dead, she will never be accepted by the ton. In fact, now that I think about it, Morgan held a tenuous grip on his own position in society for some time before his untimely death.”

An equally offended Lady Matlock weighed in. “One would think, seeing how society reacted after Anne’s death, you would have learned your lesson and kept from inviting more scandal! Why, some practically accused you of orchestrating Anne’s demise! And this woman is what? Seven or eight months pregnant? Surely you realise the ton will think you and she were having—” Waving a hand as though she could not possibly continue, she added, “And what about poor Georgiana? Have you not put your sister through enough torment? It will take years for the ton to forget the scandal surrounding Anne’s death, and now this! Do you not care that the rumours must dissipate before Georgiana can expect to make a good match?”

Weary, William pinched his nose and closed his eyes, wishing for the hundredth time that Richard had waited until tomorrow to make his way to Derbyshire. He could have used his cousin’s support, for he was not of a mind to argue with his relations. One reason was because all the liquor he had consumed yesterday had not afforded him more than a few hours of sleep and before he was jolted awake by a dreadful dream—one that caused his heart to race frantically. In this dream, he was married to the love of his life and was lying in bed with Elizabeth spooned against his chest, but when she turned in his arms to instigate yet another kiss, it was not Elizabeth’s face he saw but Lady Morgan’s. Startled, he had lain awake until dawn, at which time he stumbled out of bed and called his valet, Adams, to help him dress.

Suddenly, hearing his sister’s name, William refocused on the present. “I cannot worry about Georgiana’s opinion!” he proclaimed fiercely. “She will never agree to accept anyone I may engage myself to or marry.”

“So, you mean to marry her, do you?” Lord Matlock asked. “I thought you said you hoped to break the engagement after the trial is over and done with.”

“That is my goal, but one never knows how things will work out.”

“All I can say is that it would be a hardship to tell my friends about your new engagement whilst appearing to approve of this woman,” Lady Matlock declared. “I am not used to expressing feelings I do not own. To ask me to sponsor the idea that I am pleased that my nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, is engaged to marry a recent widow with one child and heavily pregnant with another is unfathomably cruel.” She sighed. “How can you ask it of me?”

“I can ask it because you and Uncle insisted that I marry Anne to keep down rumours of a family conflict. I did as you asked and look what that got me: Eighteen months of pure torture! Moreover, if Georgiana is suffering, the fault lies with the both of you. And if you refuse to help me, if another scandal results, it will injure your family as well as mine. As Richard is fond of quoting, ‘We must, indeed, all hang together or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.’”

Lady Matlock looked to her husband, who was holding his chin whilst rubbing his thumb across it in quiet contemplation. At length he spoke. “Fitzwilliam is right, Eleanor. We have no other option but to appear to support his choice to lessen the chance of another scandal.”

“I am glad someone has come to their senses,” William interjected, rising to pace the room. “I plan on having a dinner party at Darcy House to introduce you to Lady Morgan. Naturally, I would like Georgiana to attend. She needs to meet her, as do Leighton and Lady Susan, if you can convince them to come.”

“No!” Lady Matlock declared. “As much as I hate to say this, the dinner should be held here. Your engagement would appear more plausible if Edward and I sponsor you. I can always invite a select group of people who will spread the news of our approbation just to ingratiate themselves to me—one of which is the foremost gossip in London.” She seemed to contemplate the occasion as she continued. “As for Georgiana, I have no idea if she would behave, so it might be best not to include her. We can always say she is not in attendance because she has taken ill.”

“Let me speak to her,” William replied. “Afterwards, I shall decide whether to have her attend.”

“I shall inform her that you wish to speak to her,” Lady Matlock replied as she turned to exit the room.

“Impress upon her that I intend to see her before I leave, whether she wishes it or not,” William cried, raising his voice so that his aunt might hear.

After Lady Matlock was gone, Lord Matlock poured himself another glass of brandy and held up the bottle to gauge if William wanted one.

“No, thank you, Uncle.”

Resuming his seat, the earl shook his head resignedly. “You know that I cannot guarantee that either Leighton or his wife will attend the dinner or behave themselves if they do. In truth, you may be better off leaving them off the guest list. Whilst I intend to lay down the law regarding presenting a united front if they do agree to come, I cannot say either will comply. After all, most of the ton knows they are unhappily married because each of them has seen fit to share their problems with their friends. I am sure they would not scruple to bandy your dirty laundry about, too”

“I understand.”

Just then, Lady Matlock reappeared in the doorway. “Georgiana has agreed to see you.”

Georgiana’s bedroom

Upon entering his sister’s bedroom, William found it almost impossible to see, with only a lone candle lit on a table beside the bed. Squinting, he walked toward the light until he could see a form lying atop the counterpane.

“Would you mind if I lit more candles?” he asked. “I am barely able to see my hand before me.”

Out of the darkness came a timid reply. “I-I had rather you not … if you do not mind, Brother.”

The sound of her calling him Brother made his heart ache, and he sat down on the bed beside Georgiana. As his eyes adjusted somewhat to the darkness, he could make out her face and, impulsively, leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead.

“I have missed you, dearest.”

The sound of a muffled cry filled the quiet and then, “I-I have missed you, too.”

Nothing would do but for him to pull Georgiana into his arms. They held each other tightly, neither saying a word for some time. Eventually, however, he pulled back and began to explain how his engagement had come about.

After William had finished, Georgiana said nothing for so long that he almost expected her to say she did not wish to attend. Instead, she began asking questions.