Title: The Matter of Courtship
Rating: K+
Summary: As the old cliché goes, Georgiana Darcy finds that the course of true love never runs smooth.
Chapter Eleven: Aftermath
"Do you really intend to go through with this?" Philip asked his brother.
The Earl of Cresthope looked from his opponent back to his brother with a smug smile. "I will not need to. I fully expect him to make cowardly excuses as soon as I go over to him. His sister is a whore and the honour I apparently offended does not exist."
"His sister?" Philip queried. "Sister? My god man, she cannot be any older than your daughters are. Not to mention you led me to believe you were the offended party."
"You assumed that. I never said," the earl said. "Really, Philip, surely it should be no surprise that I was the offender rather than the offendee. I am entirely in the wrong here. I grossly insulted his sister's virtue, at least twice." He took extreme pleasure in saying the most morally shocking things to his family. The look of disgust on Peregrine's face, the pain on Lady Cresthope's and the confusion on his daughters' held much attraction for him.
"Really?" Philip would not give the reaction his brother was looking for. "I hope you were satisfied."
"She was," he said. "Why do you think I am here?"
"Cresthope!" his opponent, tired of the delay, shouted over. "Does your nerve escape you?"
"Of course not," Lord Cresthope shouted back. "Are you?" he smirked.
"Do not play games, Cresthope," the man said.
The earl walked over with a reluctant Philip behind him. "Deciding whether to pull out, then?"
"No," he said then turned and bowed at Philip. "Samuel Wheatley," he introduced himself.
"Philip Morris," Philip said. "His brother. I am acting as his second."
"Reluctantly, I can tell," Wheatley said. "My cousin, Peter, acts as mine," he gestured to the other men. "And my friend should we need assistance."
"So then, Wheatley, name your price," Lord Cresthope said. He was certain that the duel would not be undertaken. "That is why you are here. How much for you to go home and forget this?"
"I am here for satisfaction," Wheatley said. "I fully intend to proceed with this duel, Cresthope, unlike yourself I am not a coward."
The earl looked from Wheatley to his brother and back again. He started to feel a little panicked. "Come, come. You could get into considerable trouble. Think of the consequences."
"Any consequences will be fully justified," Wheatley said.
Lord Cresthope swallowed; suddenly realising that this could be serious. "Now, now. How can I repay you? What do I need to give?"
"Your life," Wheatley said. "A duel to the death. My sister's life is ruined."
"Ruined?" Philip asked. He did not expect anything like this. His brother was known for the many duels he did not fight.
"She was with child, his child, but lost it. However, everyone knows and her reputation is in tatters. Nobody will even talk to her let alone marry her," Wheatley said. "Yet he remains untainted."
"F-First blood instead?" Lord Cresthope offered before Philip could comment.
Wheatley shrugged. "Why not? I cannot fault my aim. Shall we proceed?"
"Is this what you really want?" Philip asked. He hated his brother but still felt something towards him. He certainly did not want to stand and watch him being shot.
"Yes. You seemed amused by the prospect of a duel before, Cresthope, why not now," Wheatley said. "Then we will start. Peter?" he called over his cousin.
"Mr Morris?" Peter said to Philip. He took the pistols from him and passed them to the third man who immediately set about making sure they were properly loaded. "Have you or Lord Cresthope any particular wishes? Sam?"
"Nineteen paces," Wheatley said. "My sister's age." Lord Cresthope nodded.
"You will start back to back then walk nineteen paces. Upon my order you will turn and fire," Peter said. "Any objections?"
Philip looked at his brother. Now he could not avoid the duel. "None," the earl said hoarsely. "Shall we begin?"
"Stephen?" Philip said. His brother stripped of his jacket and waistcoat and took a pistol.
"I have no choice," he said. "Look after Annabella." He gave his brother one last anxious look then went to join Wheatley.
Philip watched as the duel played out before him. Lord Cresthope's hand shook but Wheatley was calm and collected. He confidently strode out as nineteen steps were counted. There was no doubt what was to happen next. His brother was having difficulty keeping the pistol straight let alone actually firing the thing. The order to turn and fire was given and Philip closed his eyes as just one shot rang out. He opened them to see his brother drop to his knees and then to the ground.
"Stephen!"
Philip ran to his side and turned him onto his back. There really was no doubting Wheatley's aim; the growing patch of red on his chest was evidence of that.
"Bad?" Lord Cresthope asked. He looked down. "Bad," he decided. "Christ."
"Lay still," Philip said as he bundled up the jacket he was holding and pressed it against the wound. The bullet must have hit a lung; it could not have avoided doing so.
"Hurts," he said.
"Try not to speak," Philip told him.
"Need to," Cresthope said. "Peregrine. I am sorry for the problems I caused him." He tried to take a breath but could not. "He…he is…my only pride."
"Stephen…"
"No, I must talk," he said. "Annabella will…finally be free. Should never have married me."
"The heart is probably pierced judging by the angle," Wheatley said. He offered his jacket, knelt down beside him, and felt his pulse. "My father is a doctor and I often assist him," he explained.
Lord Cresthope looked up at his slayer. "Good aim."
"We must take him home," Philip said. "And send for a doctor."
"Too late," Wheatley said.
Philip looked down at his brother. His eyes were closed and the laboured breathing had stopped. "Stephen?" He was gone, suddenly without Philip realising.
"We will carry him back to his house," Wheatley said. "I will leave the country. I think that will be best. I apologise for your loss but it was the only action I could take."
Philip nodded, in shock, and let his brother be lifted ready to take his body home. He led them to the townhouse in disbelief without a word.
"Anybody there?" Philip called out as entered the kitchen of the Cresthope house. It was the best place he could think of to leave the…body. It was strange to refer to his brother in that way. He looked behind him to where Wheatley and his cousin held his brother between them. His stomach turned. There was no denying now that it was a corpse they carried. A corpse. His brother was a corpse. How did it happen so suddenly? "Anybody?" he tried again, his voice shaking slightly.
"Captain Morris?" a man appeared and Philip saw it was the butler, Wood. "Lord Cresthope?" He caught sight of the gruesome burden held by men he did not recognise. "Is he…"
"Dead!" the maid accompanying him shrieked. "Can it really be Lord Cresthope dead?!"
"Be quiet, Polly," Wood said. He realised it was a shocking sight but the girl did have a habit of being overly dramatic. "What has occurred?
"A duel," Philip explained. "He lost." It was a blunt way to give details but he was afraid of what any emotion would start. "Wake Lady Cresthope but do not allow her to come down to the kitchen. Tell her I will see her in the study." Wood nodded and went, almost dragging a gawping Polly with him.
"We will go," Wheatley said. They had placed the earl on the kitchen table. Philip questioned this with a glance. "It seemed wrong to leave him on the floor. Anyway, we are going. It will be better for me to leave the country for a while, I think. Give my apologies to his family. I cannot deny I intended to kill him but I do regret the pain I have cause them."
Philip nodded and they swiftly disappeared. Trust Stephen to become involved with such a ruthless young man. He shuddered as he looked again at the table.
"Lady Cresthope awaits you," Wood said as he entered. "We will deal with him," he told Philip, noticing his glance.
"Thank you," he said and went to Lady Cresthope.
"What has happened?" she demanded as soon as he came in. "You look terrible. Where is Stephen?"
"Annabella," he said but could find no more words.
"What is it?" she asked. "What has he done now?" his appearance scared her. She had never seen him look so horrified.
"Annabella, he is dead," he said but was sure that was the wrong way to tell her. "A duel."
"Dead? A duel?" she repeated and sank onto a chair. Why did she feel no emotion? She was sure a wife was supposed to shriek and sob after news such as this. "Really?"
Philip nodded. "He…his body…is downstairs in the kitchen. It was over very quickly."
"You were there? Of course you were," she said. "His 'friends' probably would have just left the body."
"I could not stop it," he said.
"I know. I would never blame you anyway," she said. "Oh! We must inform the children."
"Do you want me to tell Peregrine?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied. She did not relish that job. "I will go to the girls. Ernest is out."
He nodded and they went upstairs. Philip went into his nephew's chamber. It was a hard duty, especially as Peregrine was still downcast because of the issue with Miss Darcy.
"Peregrine?" he said as he shook his shoulder. It was a pity to wake him. He was sleeping more peacefully than he had for weeks due to their earlier talk. "Perry?"
Peregrine slowly awoke. "What is it?" he mumbled, becoming more alert when he realised who was there. His uncle looked very grave. "Uncle Morris?"
"Peregrine, your father…your father is killed," he said.
"Killed?" Peregrine echoed. "How? Are you sure?"
"In a duel," Philip replied. "I was there."
"Where is my mother?" he asked. It was too much to bear. He left his bed. "I want my mother," he said, frantically.
He did not have to wait long, though, as his sisters came rushing in followed by Lady Cresthope. Lucy was crying.
"Peregrine!" They were intercepted by Philip as Peregrine went to his mother's side. She hugged him and they joined Philip and the girls.
"Why should he fight a duel?" Camilla demanded of her uncle. Lucy, always closer to their father, was crying at her side.
"Camilla," he started but was interrupted by a gasp from Lady Cresthope as Peregrine dropped to the floor in a faint. "Perry!"
"Oh Peregrine!" Camilla exclaimed. Concern for her brother would always take precedence over their father, even though she had just been told the latter had died. Lucy cried harder.
Lady Cresthope knelt by her son and Philip joined her. He felt his pulse and forehead.
"Send for a doctor," he said. She did not shriek before when told her husband was dead but Lady Cresthope employed all of her restraint to prevent herself from screaming now. Philip rarely saw the need to send for a doctor.
Camilla detangled herself from a still weeping Lucy and left the room. They heard her run down the corridor in search of a servant. Philip lifted Peregrine onto the bed but he did not stir.
"Why a doctor?" Lady Cresthope asked fearfully.
"Perry is not usually given to fainting fits. I want to make sure there is no danger," he said.
Camilla reappeared with a man. "Dr Long was already here."
"Your servant, Wood, sent for me regarding the late Lord Cresthope," Dr Long explained. He crossed to the bed. "What is the problem?"
"He collapsed," Philip said.
The doctor nodded as he started to examine him. The others looked anxiously on.
"It is the shock," Long said presently. "His body is showing all the signs of a severe shock, his father's death naturally. Has he been ill recently?"
"He has been very low spirited of late," Philip told him.
"Then it is the combination of the aforementioned severe shock and an already weakened system," the doctor said.
"Is there any danger?" Lady Cresthope asked.
"Not at present. Send for me if his condition worsens but I believe all that is needed is a rest," the doctor replied. "I will be downstairs. I was in the middle of…preparing Lord Cresthope." He bowed and left them.
"I am staying here," Lady Cresthope said. "I will not leave him." She pulled up a chair and sat, taking hold of one of his hands.
"We are not going either," Camilla said. Lucy was sat in the chair by the fire trying to calm down.
"I have to go. There are things to organise," Philip said. "I will be back." He bowed and went.
"Papa is gone," Lucy said. "I cannot believe it."
"Nor can I," Lady Cresthope said. She stroked her son's hair.
"What will happen now, Mamma?" Camilla asked. "Everything is changed."
"I do not know, Camilla," Lady Cresthope replied. "You must rest girls. Do not worry about your brother. We will get through this."
"I have news that may help your cause with Lord Denley!" Kitty announced as soon as she walked into Georgiana's chamber. She could not be bothered about any silly things such as greetings. She possessed information that simply could not wait a second longer.
"What?" Georgiana asked. She could not think of anything that would be of use to her.
"The Earl of Cresthope – father of your Lord Denley who does him tremendous harm – was killed this morning in a duel!" Kitty said. This was the most exciting piece of gossip with which she had ever imparted and she was very pleased she was telling Georgiana before anyone else did. "There! What do you think to that?"
"Are you sure?" Georgiana asked.
"Very sure. It is all over Town," Kitty replied. "The earl was shot in a duel at dawn and his opponent flees the country. It is quite romantic if you ignore the fact that the earl was an aging rake."
"Kitty!" Georgiana complained. "Poor Lord Denley. What he must be feeling now."
"Relieved?" Kitty wondered. "Now the cause of all his problems is gone. Just think, he is the Earl of Cresthope now. You will be the Countess of Cresthope – when you marry him of course. How fine that sounds. Lady Cresthope!"
"Kitty, please," Georgiana said. "You are becoming quite inappropriate. Do you think it will change my situation?"
"The old earl is gone. Mr Darcy cannot worry any more that Denley's father will access your fortune," Kitty said.
"But there is the brother and Fitzwilliam still struggles with the fact that Lord Denley – Lord Cresthope now, I suppose – was not entirely truthful on first meeting," Georgiana said. "It must change something, though."
"Of course," Kitty said. "The new Lord Cresthope is in a much better position to persuade Mr Darcy of his good intentions. He can promise the improved conduct of the Earl of Cresthope because he is that person."
"Maybe my brother will give him a chance now," Georgiana said. "Denley's brother is now answerable to him so Denley can stop his bad behaviour."
"Will you contact Lord Den-Cresthope then?" Kitty asked eagerly.
"I do not know. They will be in mourning," Georgiana replied. "Perhaps it would be wrong to correspond with him so soon. His father only died this morning and in such a shocking way."
"I suppose," Kitty said, "But I cannot imagine him being very close to the old earl."
"No, he was not, but there is the shock," Georgiana said. "Not to mention it would be improper to court before his father his even buried."
"Yes, of course," Kitty agreed. "Still, it would be nice for him to propose soon."
"Kitty, I hardly know him," Georgiana said. "It would take some time to know whether I wanted to marry him, even under normal circumstances."
"But you do, I can tell," Kitty said. "I know you will protest that it is too soon. However, I am certain Jane saw her future husband in Mr Bingley as soon as she saw him. You cannot deny that you feel more for him than you ever did for Lord Jedhurst, Mr Blair or Mr Bedale."
"No, I cannot deny that," Georgiana admitted.
"See!" Kitty was triumphant. She did often envision that Georgiana would be just as stubborn as Mary in declaring that she knew the man I question would become her husband. "That is practically an engagement for us genteel folk. You are almost in love with him just as he is with you. All that is needed is a little pushing."
"I will not say anything because I cannot ignore the fact that you were correct about Mary and Sir Felix," Georgiana said. "You will forever use that success as justification."
Kitty smiled. It was just as she was thinking. "I am right about you and Lord Denley."
"Lord Cresthope," Georgiana corrected. "Poor Peregrine." Once again the shock of the news about the old earl came upon her. She could hardly believe it.
"Peregrine?" Kitty immediately latched into that. "Why are we using the Christian name of the man we supposedly barely know?"
"You often called your husband 'Bertram' when he courted you."
"Yes, when we were courting, which is a state you have not reached yet," Kitty reminded her. "You cannot deny it."
"I know," Georgiana said. Why even bother trying to protest otherwise to Kitty. "Oh Lizzy," she said as her sister entered. "Have you heard the news?"
"About the Earl of Cresthope? Yes," Elizabeth replied. "I am just come to tell you but I see you already know." The presence of Kitty immediately told her from where she had heard it.
"It is such terrible news," Georgiana said. "Poor Lord Denley to lose his father in such a way."
"Fitzwilliam knows," Elizabeth said. However, she did not tell Georgiana that she thought it had made him look more favourable upon the new Lord Cresthope as she did not wish to raise her hopes in case she was wrong. "The news is spreading quickly around Town."
"Of course, it is an interesting scandal for those not involved," Georgiana said.
"Will you contact Lord Denley, or rather Lord Cresthope as he is now?" she asked.
"I am undecided," Georgiana replied. "It is a personal time for him."
"It may change your situation," Elizabeth said.
"I know but it would be wrong to contact him," she said. "I will wait."
"Then I hope you are rewarded," Elizabeth said. "I believe Lord Cresthope needs you now. His actions over this I expect will convince me of his suitability to you. He now has a chance to prove himself as the Earl of Cresthope. For your sake I hope he succeeds."
"Where are Camilla and Lucy?" Philip asked Lady Cresthope as she joined him in the parlour. She was dressed in mourning but her mind did not match her apparel. She did not revel in her husband's death – that would be against her character – but she could not create any feelings of sorrow. She shocked that he had died in such a way but her feelings were suited more to the death of a distant friend or relation rather than her husband.
"They keep to their rooms," she replied. "They are in shock but I cannot tell how keenly they feel his death. Peregrine is sleeping and he is a little stronger. I have not seen Ernest today and Quentin still wishes to remain at school."
"How are you?" Philip asked. He had spent the past few days wandering around wide-eyed in disbelief. It felt unreal even though he had been present at his brother's death.
"I do not know," she replied. "I must be heartless. I cannot feel any sadness at his passing and it is not because I am numb with shock."
"You could never be heartless, Annabella," Philip told her.
"I hate him still. He is dead but I hate him," she admitted. "Look what he has done to his children. The girls are confused, Quentin does not want to come home, Ernest becomes wilder and Peregrine is ill. I cannot believe the change in both his health and personality. What if he does not recover?"
"He will recover," Philip said. He would not lose his nephew because his brother was stupid enough to be killed. "We will ensure he does."
"At least my lack of feeling means I can comfort my children," she said. "I am not overcome. I will not be seen in public, though. I think comments would be made about my not acting like a new widow. I will not fake my feelings for society."
"Only Ernest wishes to leave the house anyway," Philip told her.
"I am afraid to ask but where is he?" she said but then changed her mind. "No, do not tell me. I would rather be ignorant. At least I do not need to worry where Peregrine is."
Philip allowed himself a small smile. The slight progress made with making Peregrine leave his room after pining for Miss Darcy was undone by his father's death. "Lord Cresthope certainly keeps to his room."
"Do not call him that," she said. "It is too soon. I cannot think of my son as 'Lord Cresthope' when my first association is his degenerate father."
"My father was a good man. Think of that Lord Cresthope," Philip said.
"I cannot deny his good character but I cannot forget him as the man who pushed hard for my marriage to his son," she said. As in most great families the Earl of Cresthope that was her husband's father looked upon marriage as a way to join with other great families. He had viewed Annabella Douglas, a member of a branch of the great Scottish Douglas family, to be an ideal match, mainly because it was the best he could do for his already-debauched son. Lord Archibald Douglas was more willing than most to marry his daughter to Stephen Morris, Lord Denley. He had known that it was an opportunity that would not easily arise again so immediately nominated Annabella, his prettiest and most gentle daughter, to be wed. "Although my father is more to blame."
"You are free of Stephen now," Philip reminded her. "At least he did not ruin your reputation. People are still willing to associate with you."
"Is his death discussed as much as I imagine it to be?" she asked.
"It is on everybody's lips. They all love a duel and this one was fatal," Philip said. "Are you bothered about that?"
She shrugged. "Let them talk. I am sure that soon they will move onto the next piece of gossip, probably involving my middle son. Let all his mistresses start appearing and probably many bastard children. Let the creditors come and all those demanding compensation. We will give them what they want and in a few months time it will be over. He is not here to create problems now. He can torment me no longer. I am free. Now my only consideration, and unfortunately worry, will be my children."
"I will stand for this no longer!" Philip suddenly exclaimed. It was a week since the duel.
"Philip?" Lady Cresthope questioned. She was quite shocked by his sudden outburst.
"That boy must leave his room," he decided.
"Leave him be," she protested. "He is unhappy and not himself."
"None of us are," Philip said. "He must be strong, Annabella. He cannot carry on in this way."
"Philip," Lady Cresthope pleaded. "Give him time."
"There is no time. He is the Earl of Cresthope now. He cannot hide from his responsibilities," he said.
"He is not…" Lady Cresthope started but did not finish. She was going to protest that Peregrine was not hiding but she knew it was an untruth, especially as at some points over the past several days he had been literally hiding. "Do not be harsh on him. I do not think he would cope."
"I think a little harshness is needed," he told her gently. "Otherwise he will never manage. I am worried about him, Annabella."
She nodded. "I suppose you are correct. I have never seen him like this before. I fear that it will become permanent."
"That is what I wish to avoid," Philip explained. "He cannot continue in this way. He will make himself ill."
"Go speak to him then," she told him.
He nodded. "I will be gentle." He bowed and left the room.
"Peregrine," he entered his nephew's room without bothering to knock. "I know you are awake."
Peregrine buried his head in the pillows. "I am not."
"We are talking in our sleep then," Philip went over to the bed. He placed his hand on the upturned shoulder. "You are beginning to lose your looks with all this moping."
"That is cruel," Peregrine muttered into the pillow. "And inappropriate."
"No, it is not but this is," Philip said. He took hold of the covers and threw them back. "Get up, Peregrine." It had some of the result he desired as his nephew sat up in shock with a rather wounded expression.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"It is time for you to face the world." Philip told him. "Get out of bed, Peregrine, or I will drag you out myself." Peregrine hesitated, doubting that his usually gentle uncle would carry out his threat. He was wrong as Philip grabbed a handful of nightgown and, rather painfully for Peregrine, arm and hauled him from the bed.
"Do not want to," Peregrine complained as he was pulled to his feet.
"You have no choice," Philip said. "And stop acting like a baby. It is extremely irritating. You are the Earl of Cresthope now."
"As if I could forget," Peregrine muttered. He tried to escape his uncle's grasp.
"Stop that," Philip grabbed him by the shoulders to stop his squirming. "Look at me. Look at me," he repeated, shaking him to get his attention. "This behaviour is no good, Perry. Like it or not you are the Earl of Cresthope. That fact cannot be ignored however much hiding you do."
"I do not want to," Peregrine said.
"You have no choice," Philip said. He hesitated slightly, knowing what he was to say next would not be popular. "You are acting like your father." It was a low blow but probably effective. Peregrine hated comparisons with his father.
"No, I am not," Peregrine protested.
"Yes, you are. Sulking and hiding from your responsibilities," Philip said.
"I believe it is called 'mourning'," Peregrine pointed out.
"For a man you despised?" Philip reminded him.
"He was still my father," Peregrine said.
"And my brother," Philip said. "But I cannot bring myself to be distraught. Although departed now, and we must not speak ill of the dead as they say, there was nothing about your father that merits risking your health and sanity as you are now."
"I am fine," Peregrine protested.
"You are not," Philip disagreed. "You are pale and thin and hardly leave your room. I am watching my nephew disappear before my eyes. You are a fraction of the man you once were," Philip said. "Your mother constantly worried about you and it does her no good."
"What can I do?" he fretted. "Everything is going wrong. My father is killed and, worse, I have lost the woman I love."
"What can you do?" Philip said. "You can fulfil the promise of the man you should become. Where is the old Peregrine gone?"
"I want Georgiana…Miss Darcy back," Peregrine said. He looked at his uncle and was more animated than he had been for a while. "That is what my heart desires."
"So, how do you achieve that?" Philip asked.
"I do not know yet," Peregrine replied. "But it cannot be done from here."
Philip smiled. A sudden but welcome transformation had occurred. "No, it cannot."
"If I carry on in this dispirited way it will mean that my father can destroy my life even in death," Peregrine said, feeling as if he had experienced an epiphany. "That cannot happen. Where is my brother?"
"Drowning his sorrows," Philip replied. "He mourns your father but does not appear to have realised the dangers of following in his footsteps."
"He is my responsibility now," Peregrine said. "There are so many aspects to my new status. So much rests on my head." However, he did not look scared by this realisation. "I must be a good master. Now it is my duty. I am the Earl of Cresthope and it is I that will change its reputation."
Philip nodded. "You can do this, Perry. Ever since you were a child I have rejoiced that you were the heir. You are the one to restore the Cresthope esteem."
"I have much to deal with," Peregrine said. "Ernest in particular. Camilla and Lucia I possess no worries about and Quentin will be removed from all bad influence. At least now I will provide his guidance, not my father."
"Quentin is safe at school and I believe Ernest to be his main danger," Philip said.
"I will deal with Ernest. I am not sure how at present but his behaviour will not continue," Peregrine said. "Most importantly there is Miss Darcy. I will not be parted from her." He sat on the bed. "I am suddenly tired. What time is it?"
"Nearly ten at night, I would think," Philip replied. "Rest, Peregrine, you can face the world tomorrow."
"Ensure that I will," he asked his uncle. "I must be proactive now. I will make plans but first I must sleep." He lay down but did not try to hide under the covers like previously.
"Sleep then," Philip said. "We will talk again tomorrow."
"Yes," Peregrine said. Tomorrow will be a day for making plans, not just talking. I must solve my problems."
