Salutations, dear ones! I know it's been some time since I've posted a chapter of Three Brides, so I'm as happy as you are to be getting this one posted. I do hope that you enjoy it. Oh, and I regret that I cannot remember who or when it was said, but someone made a comment about Philip's living arrangement sometime ago... He definitely has the means of paying for his own house in town, but he and his brother often room with Darcy simply for the convenience. They're all so close to one another, and would be at each other's homes all the time anyway. All of them being bachelors, it simply made sense to them to just room together (especially for Philip and Theodore to avoid having to stay with their mom and dad!). Although, considering he will soon be married, Philip should probably begin looking into buying a place of his own. ;)
And as always, my deepest, most heartfelt thanks to everyone reading along, commenting, favoriting, and following. I adore your love for this story.
Chapter Twenty
A glance at his sister was all it took to inform Darcy that she was unhappy.
"What troubles you, dearest?" he asked her as she stepped down from the last stair tread.
Georgiana sighed. "Forgive me, brother, I do not mean to be out of sorts. I just do not understand why I had to give up my day with Jane and Elizabeth for Lady Catherine, when we'll not even be seeing her until dinner at Bolton Street."
They had walked into the drawing room together as she spoke, where Philip sat reading the morning paper. He heard her last words and lowered the news sheet to grin and say, "Because your brother fears being summoned to Disley House early—which, knowing Aunt Catherine as I do, is very much a possibility."
Georgiana frowned as she sat near to Philip's armchair on a sofa. Darcy took the chair opposite his cousin as his sister said, "I was looking forward to going out shopping with them today—I know they were to purchase some fabric to enhance an evening gown for the ball."
At this comment, Philip lowered the paper again. A frown marred his features as he remarked, "I do wish they didn't have to make over a gown, and could have one made specially for the ball, though I am sure my dearest Jane will look stunning in anything."
"Philip, you are the one who insisted on ensuring they were invited with less than a week to prepare," Darcy pointed out. "Had they more time, I am sure the ladies could have had a gown new-made."
"Or had they more money," Philip grumbled. "The only thing about their lack of fortune over which I despair is not having the means to get something done when they need it."
"But cousin, surely you would not wish to put such a burden on a dressmaker, to have two grand ballgowns ready in only five days?" asked Georgiana.
Philip scoffed. "Georgiana, dear, it is a modiste's business to work quickly and efficiently—it's what they do. Besides, what good is being ridiculously rich if you can't use your privilege to your advantage?"
Darcy snorted. "Spoken like a man who has used his privilege to get what he wants even after it was denied him."
His cousin hastily folded the newspaper and set it aside, then crossed his arms over his chest. "Like you can talk, Darcy! Have you really never used your wealth, the influence of your family's reputation, to get something you wanted?"
Darcy cringed inwardly, to be facing such an inquest in front of his sister, who had only ever known him to be kind. Seeing that Georgiana was genuinely curious as to the answer, he drew a breath and released it slowly. "When I was younger, and far more foolish, yes. But it has been many a year since I have been so arrogant. I still use my wealth to buy what I want, but I am also willing to wait for it. Only when others are in need do I… press the point."
"It is unfortunate that we cannot use our influence for the benefit of our ladies," remarked Philip. "We've each of us more than enough to influence a modiste to put together a proper ensemble in so short a time."
"I daresay they would not want you to," Georgiana observed. "My friends have their pride, you know, and would rather make over a gown than to have others' orders be put aside for their benefit. From our conversations, I gather that a good income is important to them, as is only natural, but that the attraction of wealth is not the ability to buy pretty things or get what they want when others cannot. Jane and Elizabeth simply want to have enough to provide for their family—both the one they have now, and those they will have in future."
Darcy and Philip exchanged a look, and in his cousin's eyes, the former saw what he himself was feeling: admiration for the ladies' humility. They were both of them pleased that the Bennet sisters had an appreciation for fine things, but that the power and influence they would gain in being married to a man of fortune was secondary to being in a comfortable home with plenty of food. It was proof positive—in Philip's case, at least, for Darcy was still unsure of Elizabeth's regard for him—that he was admired for who he was and not his fortune.
Above every other aspect of character he had desired in his wife, being appreciated for himself and not his money had been the most important consideration for Darcy.
Before either he or the viscount could formulate a response, however, the front bell sounded.
"Are you expecting anyone, Darcy?" Philip asked.
"No. I informed my acquaintances here in Town that I was unavailable today," Darcy mused, turning his gaze toward the drawing room door. Moments later they heard the unintelligible sound of the butler's voice greeting the visitor, though Tolliver was interrupted by another, more readily understood voice.
"I do not need to present my card, you know perfectly well who I am!" came the sharp voice of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. "Now do your duty, man, and show us to your master."
Darcy and Philip both stood, the latter frowning even as he rolled his eyes, as Tolliver opened the door and announced the visitors—for Lady Catherine's daughter was with her.
Darcy could not help narrowing his eyes as he studied his cousin Anne. She seemed to be rather more…cheerful? No, that did not seem the right word. Her countenance was brighter, her face more filled with color than was usual; Anne so often looked pale, sickly, and cross when he visited Rosings, but the usually timid creature before him was almost glowing.
"Lady Catherine, Cousin Anne, welcome," he said as he straightened from his bow. "What brings you to Darcy House? It was my understanding we were to meet later for dinner at Bolton Street."
Lady Catherine scoffed and waved off his words. "Yes, you will see us at dinner, but I am come to tell you in person that you are released from your betrothal to Anne."
Darcy stifled the urge to snort in the derisive manner her belief in that engagement always stirred in him. "Considering I was never engaged to Anne, you can hardly release me from such—formally or otherwise."
His aunt emitted an exasperated sound. "Fitzwilliam Darcy, you know perfectly well that your mother and I agreed upon an engagement between you when you and Anne were in your cradles—"
"All due respect to my mother, Lady Catherine, any agreement made between the two of you does not override my right to choose my own wife," Darcy reminded her. "We have been over this many times."
"Regardless of what was or was not agreed upon when we were both of us babies, cousin," spoke up Anne with a small smile, "you need no longer be concerned that my good mother will press the point."
Lady Catherine nodded stiffly. "Indeed, for my daughter is now formally engaged to the Duke of Lansbury. Anne will soon be a duchess."
The satisfaction apparent in Lady Catherine's features told Darcy what her unspoken words did not: he was no longer good enough for Anne. He had wealth and lands that his aunt desired, but to her, a title was worth far more. A title would give not only Anne but also her mother influence in society that they currently lacked.
"Angelo Fletcher is my father's age," Philip remarked sourly. "I do not think he will approve the match—even he would not force Anne to marry a man old enough to be her own father."
"You will not speak of His Grace so informally, Philip!" snapped Lady Catherine.
Philip uncrossed his arms and scowled. "And you will remember that I am the Viscount Rowarth, madam. Give equally the respect you demand."
Anne stepped forward. "Cousin, Mother—please do not argue," said she, then she looked to Philip. "Pray do not be concerned that I am being unduly pressured into this match. I have met with His Grace more than once, and we have had some very enlightening conversations; for example, I learned that his mother was Italian, and he used to visit Italy with her every summer when he was a boy."
"You… you do not mind that your husband will be so much older than yourself?" asked Georgiana hesitantly.
Anne looked to her. "I will admit that I had always thought to marry a gentleman closer in age to myself, but His Grace is not unpleasant to look at. He is not so handsome as your brother or Lord Rowarth here, but he has a kind face. He is surprisingly fit for his age, as he is active in the management of his properties. Much like Philip and Fitzwilliam."
She looked to her cousins with a smile. "Mother invited him to join us for dinner, which I hope does not inconvenience the countess's preparations. We'll be informing my aunt and uncle when we arrive at Disley House, of course."
Philip shook his head. "Do not concern yourself on that score, cousin. Mother will be only too happy to be entertaining a duke at her table."
Darcy, who had been once more studying his cousin through the exchange, said to her, "Anne, pray excuse the liberty of my asking, but are you healthy enough to perform the duties of a duchess?"
Anne laughed softly. "Thank you for your concern, cousin, but yes. About a month ago, His Grace asked me if I would mind meeting with his personal physician, to see if he might be able to do more for me than the doctor in Hunsford has done. And while Mr. Lane has been very good to me over the years, Mr. Jackson has been better. His treatments have done wonders for the difficulties I have always had breathing, and the skin irritations… I still tire rather easily, but even the fatigue is not so bad as it once was. Mr. Jackson assures me that I should be able to increase my physical activity in increments as my strength continues to grow, and though slowly, I am indeed growing stronger."
"So much improvement in only a month's time?" queried Philip. "I am all astonishment."
"I've been saying for years that a London doctor would be best for Anne," said Lady Catherine then, before gesturing to her daughter. "Here is the proof of it—you can see for yourselves that your cousin's constitution is vastly improved."
Darcy glanced sidelong at Philip, who was doing the same in his direction. Neither of them mentioned being full aware that Mr. Lane, the physician in Hunsford, had done his medical training in London. Nor did they remind Lady Catherine that she could well have hired a "better" doctor years ago, or that she had long lauded Lane as having the "most efficacious treatments available" for her daughter's delicate health.
"We are, of course, most pleased to learn of the vast improvement in your health, cousin," said Darcy. "But the engagement does seem rather sudden."
"Indeed," agreed Philip as he turned his gaze back to Lady Catherine. "I was not even aware that you were acquainted with His Grace."
Lady Catherine sniffed and lifted her nose higher into the air. "The acquaintance is somewhat recent, but what does that signify? His Grace is smitten with Anne and wishes her to be his wife. That is all you or your father need be concerned with."
With that, she turned away from them and started for the door. "Come, Anne, we are expected at Disley House."
Even as Darcy's aunt was stepping into the entry hall, Anne was stepping closer to himself and Philip. "Pray be happy for me," said she. "This truly is my choice. Neither of you have desired me, nor has Theodore, and I have always accepted that. I have been so little seen in London as to be unknown to everyone there. I never had a proper debut. This match is my chance to finally have a life of my own choosing, so please… be happy for me."
Philip closed the distance between them and took up her hands. With a smile he said, "If it is truly your choice, and you are truly at peace with it, then of course we shall be happy for you. But I warn you, Father will likely have His Grace's finances investigated."
Anne quirked an eyebrow. "As if he would be the first man—titled or otherwise—to marry in order to save himself from financial ruin. His Grace does not live like a man whose finances are in shambles, but even if he required the entire fifty thousand of my dowry to settle debts or save his estate, you know I would still be quite well taken care of."
Darcy and Philip exchanged another glance. It surprised the former that Anne even knew about the codicil in her father's will stipulating she was to receive a portion of Rosings' income even after marriage, in the event that her husband had his own estate.
"Anne! Come at once, child! We cannot keep an earl waiting, even if he is your uncle," came Lady Catherine's voice from the entry hall.
Anne drew a breath. "I cannot wait until I am married," she murmured in a barely audible voice, before she curtsied and departed.
As soon as they had heard the front door open and close again, Philip began to chuckle. "Well now, imagine that—to see Anne as frustrated with her mother as the rest of us perpetually are amuses me greatly."
"I am astonished to see her so well!" cried Georgiana as she sat down again. "And engaged! How can she accept a man old enough to be her father, even if he is a duke?"
Darcy moved to sit beside his sister. "Believe it or not, dearest, it is not entirely uncommon for a young woman to be married to a much older man. More often than not, it is a second or even third marriage for the gentleman, who may need funds or who wishes to sire a male heir."
Philip nodded in agreement as he returned to his chair. "Indeed, Georgie. The Duke of Lansbury, if I recall correctly, did have two children by his first wife, who passed from an illness when they were very young. His son died after a horseback riding accident just before he reached his majority, but I believe his daughter still lives. She's well married herself—to an Italian Count, now I think of it."
"But why would a girl agree to marry a man so much older than she?" Georgiana pressed. "I do hope you'll never ask me to do such a thing, Fitzwilliam!"
Darcy had not counted on having such a discussion with his sister—he was not even certain what to say—but the present circumstances made doing so unavoidable. And really, as uncomfortable as he was with the topic, was it not far better that she learn his views on the matter before being subjected to those of the Disleys or even Lady Catherine?
"Georgiana," he began slowly, "be assured, dearest, that I would not countenance you marrying a man old enough to be your father—not unless you truly loved him. Nor would I sanction a match with anyone who would marry you solely for your fortune, as you well know. However, you must understand that it is the duty of every child to marry as well as he or she is able. Sadly, marrying for love is simply not always prudent—Philip's match with Jane Bennet is rather an exception, as he is quite wealthy enough to have no need of the addition of a large dowry to his finances, and he is already so in love with her that he does not regard her lack of fortune."
"Indeed I am," his cousin confirmed with a nod. "No ungenerous reproach as to Jane's lack of fortune shall ever pass my lips, before or after we are married—and I will have words with anyone who speaks against her."
"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance, you see," Darcy said then. "Many a match has been made for the sake of a lady's security, to ensure that she has a comfortable home and protection and does not become a burden to her relations. Most men marry so that they may have heirs to whom they can pass their wealth and property."
"Would you do that, brother? Marry simply to sire an heir?"
Darcy smiled even as he shook his head. "No, my dear sister, I do not imagine that I could. At one time, perhaps, but that was before."
At this, Georgiana grinned. "Before you met someone you could imagine yourself falling in love with, I daresay," she said with a giggle.
"Yes," he agreed with a laugh of his own; Philip chuckled as well. "I am more astonished than the lot of you, but yes, I have met such a woman. All that is left for me to do is determine whether she returns my regard."
"I could have discovered that information had I been allowed to spend the day with them," Georgiana needled.
"Tomorrow," said Philip with a pointed look at Darcy. "Tomorrow, dearest Georgie, when you are fawning all over the gowns your friends are altering—and you must tell me what Jane's looks like so that I might complement her ensemble with a matching cravat and waistcoat—you can work the question as to whether or not Miss Elizabeth admires Darcy into the conversation."
Georgiana laughed again as Darcy turned a narrow-eyed gaze in Philip's direction. "Pray do not encourage my sister to deceptive behavior, cousin."
"I'll not need to be deceptive, Fitzwilliam," Georgiana countered. "I just need to speak of you and pay attention to her reaction—is that not so, cousin?"
Philip smiled and nodded his agreement, then his expression sobered. "Now we've got that sorted, I think we had best prepare ourselves for the possibility of a row between Mother and Aunt Catherine."
"But why should they argue?" queried Georgiana. "Will not Aunt Frances be happy that Anne is to be married?"
"She will be pleased that Anne has a chance at happiness, yes," said Darcy. "But as Cecilia and Olivia are to be presented to Her Majesty in only two days and are to have their come-out ball on Friday, that is primarily what she will wish to talk about over dinner."
"And Aunt Catherine," added Philip, "will only want to discuss Anne's marriage to His Grace. Mother is likely to be offended and feel that our aunt is trying to upstage her and my sisters—I do not believe the two have ever been in complete agreement with one another and they have often been in competition over the years. One can only hope that the presence of the duke at table will curb their inclination to one-up each other."
