WOW
Your response to my question was amazing. I never expected to get over a hundred comments.
It seems that the majority of you want to see a gentlemanly Darcy, although for a variety of reasons.
One of them is novelty. Ooops…
Here are the numbers which I laboriously extracted from all the other (and appreciated) advice.
Gentleman – 47
Prat – 24
Combination – 19
Other options – 15
Fence sitters – 5 😉
I hope I got it right. It was sometimes difficult to work out.
I did like a number of the suggestions, and will incorporate them when I tweak the chapter which is already written. Although I won't tell you which till afterwards.
As I said before, this won't change the outcome of the story, but the journey might be slightly different.
Again, thanks for all your comments and encouragement.
I hope you enjoy the last chapter before the meeting.
~~~o0o~~~
'How did your afternoon go?' the Duke asked when the ladies returned to Southwell House.
'I think it went quite well. Would you not say so, Sophia?' answered his wife.
'Personally, I think you did wonderfully well, Frances. Lady Susan was quite taken with you.' The ladies had become such fast friends over the three months they had spent together, that in private they had dropped all formality. Lady Sophia was very proud of her student. She had come a long way from the insecure wife of a gentleman, who was determined to better herself, now that she was given the opportunity and support.
The Duchess shrugged, but smiled with pleasure at the compliment'. 'As long as I can stop myself from getting excited, it is not too difficult. After all, even the ladies of the ton are just women like myself. If they have children, they wish to see them well married. Although…' she could not help the little giggle which escaped her, 'it was delicious to see the consternation on Lady Matlock's face when I told her that I wanted my girls to take their time in choosing the right partner.'
'It is indeed rare for young ladies to leave the chase up to the gentlemen. That alone should make them even more desirable to the more reluctant gentlemen.'
The Duchess turned to her younger daughter. 'Lizzy, you were going to tell me why you did not wish for me to mention that we knew Mr Darcy, although you never did tell me. I respected your wishes, of course, but I would have thought you would wish his aunt to know of our acquaintance.'
The Duchess added, 'I admit, I was not predisposed to like him, after he insulted you, but I thought you had forgiven him, and had become good friends.'
Elizabeth blushed at the reminder, and because she did not want to confess that she wanted a petty revenge for his comment at their last meeting.
Her father noticed her discomfort and took pity on her. 'Last time Lizzy saw Mr Darcy, he had the nerve to say that he hoped that due to their friendship, he had not raised her expectations, since her station as a gentleman's daughter was beneath him.'
'Those were not his exact words…'
'Perhaps not, but that was what he meant.'
'He thought that you were beneath him? How dare he…' spluttered the Duchess, before she caught herself, and exclaimed with a chuckle. 'Lizzy, you sly thing, you wish to see his reaction when he finds out just how wrong he was.'
Elizabeth blushed even more. 'It is not proper or ladylike…'
'No, but it is very human.'
~~~o0o~~~
Lord and Lady Carlton, and their sons had arrived in Town, to help with the introduction of the Duke and his family to society.
They, with contributions from Lady Sophia, advised the Duke and Duchess whom to invite to their introduction ball, while the Duchess, with the assistance of Lady Riona and Lady Sophia busied themselves with organising the function.
Invitations were sent out just before the family took up residence at Barrington House.
~~~o0o~~~
Darcy had had several very busy days, meeting with various contacts about business. Since he had hardly ever been home, he was grateful to his aunt to have hosted his sister. He was in his study, hoping to finalise his correspondence, when his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was announced.
After cheerful greetings and enquiries about their respective families, Darcy asked, 'what brings you here so early? While I always enjoy your company, I did not expect you till this afternoon at the earliest.'
'I am here to fill you in on the latest gossip. Do you remember the old Duke of Barrington?'
When Darcy acknowledged that he did, the Colonel informed him, 'I am sure that you have heard that the old curmudgeon passed on to his rewards a few months ago. Now his heir, a great-great-nephew of the man who had been languishing in Herefordshire, is in town with his own heir, as well as two beautiful and unmarried daughters. They had their audience with Prinny, and while he was there, he presented his wife and daughters to the Queen. Now that he is out of mourning, he is giving a ball next week and the Fitzwilliam clan is invited.'
'I can see why you are excited. Barrington was known to be something of a skinflint, but a good manager of his estates. So, the new Duke has two beautiful daughters, probably with healthy dowries. The answer to a soldier's prayers.' Darcy grinned at his cousin, who looked slightly shamefaced.
'You make me sound like a fortune-hunter.' While the Colonel had for years proclaimed that he could only afford to marry an heiress, he hoped to find a woman whom he liked, preferably even loved, who also happened to have the money he needed. Since he would not marry purely for the money, he skirted around the title of fortune hunter. 'What about you? You keep saying that you will only marry a woman with connections and a fortune. Does that not make you a fortune-hunter as well?'
'No more than anyone else in the ton. Although I have no need for any more money, even I am expected to marry a woman from a good family with a fortune.' Darcy was unhappy about this prospect. He could not rid his memory of a pair of fine and sparkling eyes, which haunted not only his dreams, but much of his day as well.
'In that case, you will be pleased to know that mother has an invitation to Barrington's ball not only for us, but also for you.'
'Oh no, you know how I hate balls,' groaned Darcy.
'Come now, Darcy. How often do we get a new Duke with two completely unknown grown-up daughters? I heard they were raised in the country, so they might not be as irritating as the local crop. Just come along and look them over, dance with one of them and then you can sneak out. The house is only two blocks from here. You can easily walk home if you do not enjoy yourself. And mother would be less shrill if you put in appearance.'
Darcy weakened during this speech. The thought that he could easily walk home if he found the company too much, decided him. 'Very well. I will come, but I make no promises how long I will stay.'
~~~o0o~~~
Since Darcy had managed to finish with the bulk of his business obligations, he sent for Georgiana to join him at Darcy House.
His sister was happy to comply, so that she could put her plan into action. Since meeting the Duchess and her daughters, she had given much thought to the best approach with her brother.
That evening after dinner, Georgiana entertained her brother with her music, while he sipped a brandy and relaxed.
She finished her song and went to sit by Darcy. 'Do you remember telling me about Miss Elizabeth Bennet, brother?' Darcy, startled that Georgiana would bring up this subject, cautiously agreed. 'I happened to hear her name mentioned the other day, when the Duchess of Barrington was having tea with Aunt Susan.'
Darcy immediately became alert. 'Please, continue.'
'I was told that the Bennets of Hertfordshire were distantly related to the late Duke of Barrington. Is that not interesting? Perhaps Miss Elizabeth has better connections than you thought.'
'I suppose that her being even distantly related to a Duke…' Darcy suddenly felt hopeful. Would one set of relations cancel out the relatives in trade? Was he willing to risk it? What about Georgiana?
He examined his sister's hopeful smile and realised that Georgiana would not have mentioned the relationship unless she was trying to encourage him in that direction.
'But she also has relations in trade,' he reminded her carefully.
'Your good friend Mr Bingley is a perfectly amiable man, whose father was in trade, whereas Miss Elizabeth only has an uncle engaged in a profession.'
Having said her piece, Georgiana went to bed, giving her brother a chance to consider her words.
~~~o0o~~~
The rider was heading north from London at a ground-eating pace, designed to cover the distance quickly without tiring the horse too much.
Only half of Mr Darcy's attention was on the road, the rest was still engaged in weighing the decision he had taken.
Having spent the previous days considering his feelings, as well as the information provided by his sister, he had made up his mind to request a courtship with Miss Elizabeth.
It was his way of dipping his toes in the water. He might find that after all these months of separation, his memory of the lady was faulty and they could turn out not to be suited.
Once he acknowledged the courtship, he could also determine society's reaction to the match. If it was wholly negative, he would still have a chance to reconsider. After all, not all courtships resulted in a marriage.
Although he hoped that Miss Elizabeth was still as charming, witty and alluring as he remembered her. He was looking forward to seeing her delight, when she discovered that she did not have to deny herself his company.
It would not be long now.
~~~o0o~~~
Mr Darcy arrived at Longbourn, only to be frustrated in his desires.
He dismounted in the forecourt, which appeared remarkably quiet, even for this time of the year. Not even a groom appeared to see to his mount.
Not having another choice, Darcy held onto the reins while he knocked on the door.
At length a familiar face opened the front door. 'Mr Darcy,' exclaimed the surprised Mrs Hill. 'I had not expected to see you. What can I do for you?'
'I would like to have a word with Mr Bennet, if he is available,' Darcy answered politely and made ready to enter the house, but the housekeeper did not move or invite him inside.
'I am sorry, Mr Darcy, but the Master is away.'
'In that case would it be possible to speak to Miss Elizabeth? And Mrs Bennet, of course.' He added the mother for propriety's sake, although he had no interest in speaking to that shrill woman.
'I am afraid that is not possible, Sir. The whole family is away.'
That was not a situation which had occurred to Darcy. He had expected to arrive and sweep the lady off her feet. Instead, he was cooling his heels at the front door, speaking to the housekeeper.
'When will they return?' He considered that they might be visiting their neighbours, although he was surprised that the indolent Mr Bennet had joined his ladies.
'I do not know exactly. The family have gone away on a holiday with the Gardiners. The Master said he would let us know a week or so in advance when to expect them. But I have not heard anything lately.'
'Where have they gone? Perhaps you could give me their direction, and I could write to Mr Bennet.'
Mrs Hill, who knew her employer very well, did not mention that since Mr Bennet was unlikely to respond, it was pointless to write to him. Instead, she said. 'I cannot do that, Sir, since I do not exactly know where they are at the moment. But I will be happy to let the family know that you called, next time I hear from them.'
Darcy had to be satisfied with that answer. He took his leave of Longbourn, and slowly started the journey back to London.
It had never occurred to him that he would have a wasted journey. Not because the lady or her father objected to his intentions, but because they were absent.
~~~o0o~~~
Mrs Hill had the best intention of keeping her word.
Unfortunately, a small emergency later in the day, and the resulting uproar, drove Mr Darcy's visit out of her mind.
It was not until several months later that she was reminded.
~~~o0o~~~
~~~o0o~~~
Consequence and Consequences (working title – Ooops) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2021