Friday November 13, 1813 – Matlock House, London
Darcy and Elizabeth strode up the steps of his uncle's house, impatient to see Georgiana. His letter to Richard had indicated that he expected to arrive today and indeed they had made a good passage and they wished to see Georgiana immediately. They had taken time to stop at Darcy House to refresh themselves after the rigours of the trip. He had expected Elizabeth to be fatigued by the trip but surprisingly she was in excellent spirits although she had conceded that the bath which had awaited her was immeasurably welcomed.
The butler was quick to show them in and, after relieving of them of outerwear, responded to his request to be taken to Georgiana by informing him that Lord Matlock and his cousin were expecting Darcy in the study. Since he had not included in his letter that Elizabeth was to accompany him, he anticipated some surprise on their part. Controlling his impatience, he briefly dismissed the butler and they walked into the study. Lord Matlock and Richard were quick to rise and welcome them both, controlling their surprise at Elizabeth's presence. That his letter had raised concerns on their part he had no doubts and, if he had any, their countenances would have quickly relieved him of such. After a few perfunctory pleasantries as to his trip and the offer of a brandy, which was declined, he very quickly indicated his desire to speak with Georgiana. That his uncle wished to discuss the matter with him first was evident but on this he was firm, "Uncle, I will be quite willing to talk with you later but I must insist on seeing Georgiana first." He turned to Richard, "I hope you do not take offence but I wish to talk with her alone – as her brother, not her guardian."
Richard simply nodded. "Of course. She is in her chambers, I believe, but is expecting you. You should also know that rumours of the courtship offer have not surfaced to my knowledge."
Taking leave of them both – his uncle's dissatisfaction clearly but silently expressed – Darcy and Elizabeth ascended the stairs to his sister's chambers. She rose to greet them as they entered her sitting room and her worry as to the cause of this precipitous visit by her brother and sister could not be concealed despite her obvious efforts to act composed. His smile seemed to reassure her and she stepped into his hug which he held for an extra second or two longer than he should. After accepting a similar greeting from Elizabeth, she was then led back to the settee. Darcy sat her between Elizabeth and himself and, continuing to hold her hand, finally spoke, "Georgiana, Elizabeth and I are both greatly worried about this courtship offer that you have received. I am glad you had the sense to ask for time to respond and call on us. You showed uncommon sense my dear."
Georgiana did not answer for several moments, her gaze firmly fixed on the hand being firmly clasped by Darcy. She briefly glanced first at her brother and then Elizabeth, her eyes pensive as she considered what must be said. With a visible effort she gathered her composure and replied, "I have spent the last day or so trying to see…how this situation came to be. I am worried that I will be expected to accept the offer because of Lord Albert's connection to the Duke of _. I know our uncle wishes me to do so and will argue that I should give the utmost consideration to connections and rank. Yet I cannot like the gentleman. I cannot see that I would wish to marry him…ever."
Darcy considered his sister thoughtfully, "Georgiana, what did our uncle say to you?"
"Uncle Henry asked to speak to me and mentioned that Lord Albert had expressed some interest and then spoke for some time on the appropriateness of a match with the family of the Duke of _. He talked a great deal of the importance of connections, the need for a family to enhance them and that such a match would be of benefit to our family as well as myself. I was left with the impression that he spoke for you on this, which I found to be disturbing. I had not thought you to hold such opinions. When I spoke of a desire to marry with affection, his response was that you and Elizabeth were very much the exception and that marriages between those of our station were, most usually, matters of money and connections, not affection and that to expect otherwise was impractical. I was confused and when Lord Albert seemed willing to increase his attentions, flattered by them, I suppose."
Darcy relaxed, "The main question is simple, Georgie. Do you want to accept this courtship? I will speak quite frankly and state that I had not intended to allow a courtship before the end of your first season. You will be eighteen then and old enough by then, I believe, to enter into one. I can - and will - refuse to allow a courtship as your guardian, if you wish it so. That will remove from you the need to actually have to refuse the offer to Lord Albert. I think that will be easiest for all parties. As well, I am concerned that since a courtship almost invariably results in an offer of marriage, that accepting a courtship only to reject the marriage offer would be considered by His Grace to be more…ah, more of an insult because of it being made public than simply refusing the courtship offer which is private to the two families."
Georgiana looked at the concerned faces of her brother and Elizabeth and took heart from the assurance she found there, "I do not wish for it. I only wish I had decided to refuse it in the first place."
Darcy regarded her closely, "I think your decision to postpone your answer was wise. It allows me to deal with the matter and avoid an outright rejection." After a brief pause, he asked, "How much of Lord Albert's company have you had, Georgie? And what did you think of it?"
Georgiana's expression grew thoughtful as she considered her answer, "He has called several times and we have talked – or rather he has talked." She looked at her brother, "I find I cannot respect him. He displays no interest in any serious activities. He has not visited his estate in almost three years. As long as his steward sends him enough money, he is content. He rides, he hunts, attends the theatre and opera but for what purpose I cannot say since he knows naught of the plays. He has no time to read. His life is one of idleness."
She paused for a few moments before looking at Elizabeth, "I may be wrong but I also sense that he holds you and your family in some disdain. He has said nothing explicit but I cannot believe I am wrong. He is, in my opinion, most assuredly convinced of the superiority of his station in society." She giggled, "He was a trifle upset when I asked for a few minutes to consider his courtship offer. I almost refused him immediately because of his arrogance. I wish now I had!"
With a quick glance at Elizabeth and interpreting her slight nod correctly, Darcy stated, "Then this courtship offer shall not be approved. I will speak now with our uncle and Richard. Elizabeth, shall you join me or will you stay with Georgiana?"
"I will stay with my sister for now."
Darcy nodded and, with a brief hug for his sister and a kiss on Elizabeth's cheek, left to join Lord Matlock and Richard in the study. Entering without knocking, he found them comfortably sitting in front of the fireplace nursing a brandy and talking quietly as they waited for him. Lord Matlock waved towards the sideboard where brandy and port awaited him but feeling that he needed his wits about him tonight, he availed himself of the port. Sitting himself down across from Richard and beside his uncle, he took a sip of the port before beginning, "It will obviously not surprise either of you that this courtship offer from Lord Albert has greatly worried both Elizabeth and me. We would not have traveled hither in her condition if it were not so. We have talked with Georgiana and her reluctance to have him court her is obvious and she has requested that we reject the offer. Frankly, I was inclined to do so even without talking with her."
Lord Matlock's displeasure increased as his nephew spoke until he burst out. "That should not be. This is a most advantageous arrangement!"
"Advantageous for whom, uncle?"
Lord Matlock was taken aback at Darcy's response, "For…for Georgiana, for our family…of course!"
"On this I am afraid we must disagree, uncle. I see no advantage to Georgiana possibly being shackled for the rest of her life with a man she does not respect or admire and my family does not need or want the connection."
Richard interjected before the temper of either man could escalate further, "Father, Darce….please, calm yourselves. I admit I have not thought much about the situation we face but…"
Darcy gave a slight grin, "I suspect your attention was otherwise engaged Richard." He paused for a moment before speaking once more, "I must also admit some responsibility. I did not expect any such offers – not so soon. I intended that Georgiana be allowed to complete her first season before having to consider a courtship offer. She is but seventeen now and I thought to wait until she was eighteen before agreeing to…." the brief wave of his hand completed the thought. "She is, I consider, too young to consider marriage and I would not see her wed for several years, if possible. I regret I did not make my wishes known to Richard before I left London, else this whole business would not have occurred. He could have rejected the offer or dissuaded Lord Albert before it came to that point."
Darcy looked at Lord Matlock, "From what I have been able to ascertain, Uncle, several of your actions may have contributed to, or acerbated, the problem. I recognize that Georgiana is under your protection while living here, but it was not your responsibility to allow Lord Albert to make his offer. Richard should have been consulted first and his decision sought."
Lord Matlock's surprise and affront was obvious to them all and his immediate response was to disclaim any knowledge of what actions he could have taken that would justify such words from his nephew. Richard laid a hand on his arm to calm him, "Let us hear what Darcy has to say before losing our tempers."
Darcy bowed in Richard's direction and then fixed his gaze on his uncle, "I regret if my words are such as to upset you, uncle. I do not wish to do so but I must understand your actions in this matter. From what I have been able to determine, the main issue that I would have an explanation for is that Georgiana was given to believe that you spoke on my behalf in pressing the advantages of a courtship with Lord Albert. That matters of affection were of little significance and that his connections, station and income were of the utmost concern. I will not argue with you about such beliefs, we have already discussed those thoroughly at the time of my marriage and you know my opinions then. They have not changed. I do take exception to your pressing on Georgiana, opinions which are in such contradistinction to mine. I am her guardian, as is Richard. This responsibility is ours alone."
The ruddiness of earl's countenance increased as he listened to Darcy. Richard and Darcy watched as he took several deep breaths in order to control his choler. At last he responded, "I will not apologize for what I told Georgiana. Those are my opinions and, as her uncle, I believe I have a right to advise her where I think it appropriate. I will apologize, however, to both you and Georgiana for misleading her as to your opinions. It was most unconsciously done but nevertheless I may have allowed the warmth of my approval and opinions to colour my words. I spoke, wishing you to be of a similar opinion, rather than believing it to be so. I may well have convinced myself that, in this instance, you would agree with me."
Darcy looked at his uncle coolly, "We may have to disagree on this point, Uncle. I do accept your apology and I am sure that Georgiana will do likewise; however, on the business of advice, I would prefer that you consult with me or Richard before tendering such advice that is contrary to ours." He continued to gaze at his uncle until the latter acknowledged his request with a slight nod. At that Darcy sighed, "We have a problem. I must advise Lord Albert that Georgiana will not be allowed to accept his offer. The question…"
Lord Matlock interrupted, "Why? Why do you and Georgiana wish to reject it? It is a most suitable connection. He is the son of a Duke and may well be the next Duke of _."
Richard was about to respond until he saw the glower on his cousin's face. "This could be interesting." He thought, "Darce looks like he just ate a sour pickle."
Darcy looked at his uncle with some concern and thought, "Uncle is so blinded by Lord Albert's station and connection to the Duke of _, that he can see nothing else." He gave himself a minute or so to collect his thoughts before answering.
"Uncle, I cannot deny that the young man may have the advantage of being connected to His Grace and could be the next heir although that does depend on the health of his brother, does it not?" He paused again before continuing, "Unfortunately, that seems to be his sole attribute to recommend himself to me. I have discussed Lord Albert with Georgiana and with Elizabeth and I have, if you are not aware of it, come to place a great deal of value on my wife's opinion of people. Neither of us has met Lord Albert more than a few times but on those occasions he has managed to convince my wife of his arrogance and disdain for others and as well, I might add, of the poverty of his opinions. To quote Elizabeth, his father could have gotten more value from the money spent on Lord Albert's education by giving it to the poor. I myself was concerned about his lack of attention to the management of his estate and Georgiana only confirmed this when she mentioned that he freely told her that he had not visited it for almost three years."
Darcy's countenance took on an angrier cast as he continued, "As well, I have no doubt that he views Elizabeth with disdain. His words in his courtship offer to Georgiana suggest as much and, according to Elizabeth, he has shown naught but the barest civility when in her company."
Lord Matlock's eyebrows rose at this statement and he was about to remonstrate with his nephew when he reconsidered and hesitated before responding, "I know the Duke is arrogant beyond belief and his pride in his position is, I admit, truly wondrous." The chuckle that he elicited from Darcy and Richard drew a small smile from him. "I had not, however, thought his son to be of a like mind."
Richard looked thoughtful as he spoke, "I have not had much to do with either gentlemen but I must admit that, according to Georgie, Lord Albert's manner in requesting the courtship was not…ah, pleasing. According to Georgie, he appeared to expect her to agree to it and was surprised, perhaps even annoyed, when she requested time to consider it." He snorted, "I wonder what he thought when she had asked to consult you, Darce?"
Darcy shook his head, "None of this matters now. The issue before me is how to reject the courtship offer without antagonizing the Duke." He glanced at his uncle and Richard but neither seemed prepared to venture a suggestion and he grimaced to himself, knowing that he alone would bear the responsibility. "I shall write a note to Lord Albert, requesting to meet with him tomorrow at his convenience either at Darcy House or at his own house - I assume he is staying at the Duke's home, is he not?"
Lord Matlock nodded in agreement, "Yes he is. How…on what grounds will you break the courtship, William?"
"I do not wish to antagonize the Duke or his son. I believe that if I simply state that it was my wish that Georgiana complete her season before considering any courtship offers. That I believe her too young and inexperienced. I have no intention, nor would any purpose be served by doing so, of mentioning our dissatisfaction with his character."
Lord Matlock shook his head, "I suspect his Grace will be most annoyed, although I would suspect that Lord Albert will have no difficulty fixing his attentions on another young woman - and more successfully I would think."
"I agree most heartedly with Darcy's plan!" Richard's strong statement was an obvious surprise to his father. "His Grace may be insulted but the offer is private and since we have no reason to announce it, such it should remain. If it does not, the fault will not lie with us."
Lord Matlock was clearly not convinced or resigned to the decision but recognizing that it was not his to make, conceded the issue although not before cautioning Darcy, "You realize, of course, that since Georgiana will not be participating in the season next spring that she cannot consider being courted until the end of the following season? She will be almost nineteen by then, you know."
"Darcy nodded in agreement, "True, although it may be that we can entertain an offer a year from now after another 'small season' or possibly even after her next birthday. I would also expect that should Lord Albert enter into an engagement with another, we could act as we wish. Now, I must collect my wife and write a note to Lord Albert." He looked at his uncle, "We will collect Georgiana and Kitty tomorrow and remove them to Darcy House. I believe Elizabeth and I should remain in London for a few extra days so as not to give rise to ill-founded rumours about our sudden return to London."
Taking his leave of his uncle and cousin, he hurried upstairs to Georgiana's room. After apprising her and Elizabeth as to what had been decided, he collected his wife, who was showing signs of fatigue, and they quickly returned to Darcy House. Elizabeth was sleeping soundly before he had finished the note to Lord Albert and, after ensuring its prompt delivery, he slid into bed and drew his wife into his arms before falling asleep himself.
