Lady Matlock's List: Chapter 2
Three days after visiting his Aunt, a note arrived from Matlock House.
Dear William,
I have been considering your request and have put together a list of twelve young ladies I think would be suitable.
Miss Isabella West
Miss Dorothea Smith
Lady Diana Williams
Miss Harriet Morlenton
Miss Charlotte Tate
Miss Margaret Wright
Miss Jane Millener
Lady Sarah Andleton
Miss Henrietta Bailar
Miss Anne North
Miss Louisa Simmons
Miss Elizabeth Bedford
I am hosting a ball on Saturday evening where all twelve ladies are invited. I know you detest such things, but I thought a public introduction might be best.
All my love,
Your Aunt Edwina
Darcy would never admit that his heart skipped a beat at the last name on the list, his eyes tricking him into thinking that his Aunt had recommended another lady entirely. But that would have been impossible as she was right where he had left her in Hertfordshire and doubted that if she were in London, she would be in the same circles as his Aunt.
He had heard of most of the women on his Aunt's list and had met their brothers and fathers in his club, some of whom had already mentioned their female charge.
Although, it could not be said that Darcy was looking forward to Saturday evening, his Aunt's news had given him something to think about other than what he had left behind.
It was not until he had put down the letter and began his breakfast that his contemplative silence was broken, interrupted by his jovial cousin barrelling his way into the dining room. "So, I hear you are finally allowing my mother to find you a wife."
Darcy did not reply but did pass him the letter he had received from his Aunt. "I know some of them."
"For good reasons?"
"A few. Miss Bedford is generally well liked. It's a wonder she is not married already. Miss North on the other hand..."
"Yes, I thought that one was an odd addition after I met her in your Mother's drawing room."
"I tend to avoid the house altogether during calling hours. With both yourself and my elder brother unmarried she is almost constantly swamped by debutantes and their mothers."
"Well, if your mother is successful in finding me a wife, then perhaps your brother will indulge her also."
The colonel let out a short, loud laugh. "Not very likely, he's too in love with his mistress to even consider another woman."
"And have you met her?"
"Who?"
"The mistress."
"Oh, yes I have. A pleasant enough woman. Is as in love with him as he is with her. The only thing keeping him from marrying her is the threat of disownment, and God knows he doesn't have any viable skills to support himself without father." He chuckled to himself quietly, but Darcy could not bring himself to laugh at a man in a position too close to his own.
Darcy took a deep breath to collect himself, before going back to his breakfast. The servants had already brought in a plate for their master's cousin, and a fresh pot of tea was put on the table to replace the old. It had been a long time since the servants od Darcy House were unprepared for a visit from Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Do you have an opinion on any of the other ladies your mother is planning on introducing me to?"
"Not particularly. Many are too dull for me to converse with them long enough to form an opinion."
"Are they dull, or are they simply not impressed by your military heroics?" Darcy asked teasingly. Richard's exaggerated military stories were well known amongst the family and were the but of many a joke.
The colonel, not pleased with being teased by his stern younger cousin, quickly turned the conversation around. "Speaking of introductions, Mother told me to tell you to be early for the ball."
"Why?"
"She wants to brief you beforehand."
Darcy opened his mouth to respond, paused, then closed his mother shifting his eyes towards his plate. "I've made a mistake, haven't I?"
"A terrible one, but what can be done about it now?"
In the next minute or so, when Darcy was contemplating his incoming doom, Georgiana arrived from the music room. She had already eaten but still took a cup of tea, sitting beside her brother and opposite her cousin.
"So," she began, "what are we teasing my brother about today?"
"Well my dear, your brother has made the grave mistake of asking my mother to assist him in his pursuit of a wife. She has already provided him with a list of potential suitors."
She giggled, revelling in her brother's look of hopeless defeat. "And do I know any of these fortunate young ladies."
Despite Darcy's attempts to stop him, Richard still managed to pass the sheet of paper over to his young cousin. Her brows scrunched together as she read, trying to link names to faces. "I have met a few of them. William, is this Elizabeth Bedford the Miss Elizabeth from your letters?"
Darcy froze as a smirk spread across Richard's face. "Oh, a Miss Elizabeth you say. And what does my dear cousin have to say about this Miss Elizabeth."
Georgiana, who was more than willing to put aside her shyness to tease her brother, replied, "He met her at an assembly in Hertfordshire and while he does his very best to hide it, he is almost in love with her."
"I am not in love with her," Darcy interrupted, "and I doubt that I will ever see her again."
His little sister turned her eye's back to her tea, not wishing her brother to see her confusion. Of course, she had wrongly thought herself to be in love in the past, but this was different. This was her brother. And those who love us best almost always know us better than we know ourselves.
Richard, never having been one for quiet brought the conversation back on track, "Well is she? Is it the same Miss Elizabeth?"
"No. No it is not."