So I know everyone has been wondering who Mr. B is. His name was not really supposed to make him that mysterious. They used to just write like that to save space and time. But now you will find out anyhow.
Also, I know you want Elizabeth and Darcy interaction. It will come soon enough. Give me a few chapters. We need to get through the wedding. Also remember that James did promise his sisters to take them to London to the opera if their marks were good...
Edited because the formatting went super weird for some reason when it published. Sorry about that.
"Darcy!" came Richard's voice as the man burst into Darcy's study. The butler scurried behind him, belatedly announcing him.
"Do not mind my cousin's ill manners, Mr. Colley," said Darcy before thanking the butler and releasing him to his other tasks.
"You will not believe what I have heard," said Richard.
"Have you taken to gossiping then?" asked Darcy.
"It is not gossip if I overheard it myself," said Richard.
"Very well, what have you heard?" asked Darcy as he offered the other man a drink.
"I do not need one, but you may," said Richard.
"What do you mean?" asked Darcy.
"I was calling on Lord Winthrop. You have met him, I believe, and his daughter, Lady Violet."
"I have. Go on," said Darcy.
"Well, Miss Narren was visiting with Lady Violet. Lord Winthrop left me in the library to look at some maps he had recently purchased, for he had been called away by his steward. The ladies evidently did not know I was in the library, because they entered and began discussing the ball for tomorrow night."
"Hardly shocking news," said Darcy, with some impatience.
"That is not it, Darcy!" cried Richard, "Just before I was about to make my presence known, they began to discuss a plan to compromise you!"
"What?" exclaimed Darcy.
"Indeed. At Miss Greta Darcy's coming out ball. I did not hear their entire plan, for they were whispering, but I believe they plan to tell you that either Georgie or Miss Greta Darcy is injured to lure you away from the party. I could not discern which. Then when you are found alone in whatever room they lure you to with one of the ladies, they suppose you will do the honourable thing and offer for them."
Darcy dropped his head into his hands and sighed.
"Are you certain? You said you could not hear all they said. Perhaps they were only discussing what someone else had said or planned. Are you certain it was Miss Narren and Lady Violet who were to attempt it?"
"I am certain. That portion, at least, I could not misunderstand. Miss Narren is determined to be Mrs. Darcy sooner rather than later."
"Why? She must have seen my interest. Surely, she could have simply waited," said Darcy.
"Because her elder sister's husband is barely remaining out of debtor's prison. I had my men do some digging. He is nearly five thousand pounds in debt. Mr. Narren will not allow his daughter to assist them, as he only approved of the match because he was afraid she would elope otherwise. Miss Narren apparently is uncommonly close with her sister and would not see her shamed, even if it meant risking her own reputation."
"At least it is not purely selfish," said Darcy with a sigh, "Still, I thank you. I will be on my guard." Darcy thought for a moment then asked his cousin, "What know you of Miss Cara Vincent?"
"Miss Vincent?" laughed Richard, "I daresay you are wandering down the wrong path there. She shall never wed."
"Perhaps she wishes only to marry for affection?" suggested Darcy.
"Oh, she does wish for affection, that much is certain. Yet I do not think she needs marriage to find it," said Richard.
"Are you implying something about her honour?" asked Darcy with shock.
"No, at least, not in the way you think," said Richard, "It is only, how shall I say it, it is well known that Miss Vincent and Miss Tyler are rather happy together as companions to one another. They have quite enough friendly affections that they have no need for husbands."
Darcy groaned. Why was it that every lady he considered had some fatal flaw? Either they were fortune hunters, laughed like Sir Williiam, reminded him of his sister, or did not wish to marry.
"What of Miss Grace Delvoy?" asked Darcy, recalling the lady he had sat next to at a dinner recently. She was pretty and of reasonable intelligence.
"You mean the lady that my brother is paying court to? I do not think he shall thank you for poaching his lady," said Richard.
"Andy is courting?" asked Darcy with some surprise.
"Not officially, but I daresay it shall be so soon enough. He has called on her six times in the last two weeks."
"Are there any eligible ladies in this ton that are tolerable, kind, not being courted by my cousin, and are at least eighteen or nineteen years of age?"
"Very likely there are, but it may be like finding a needle in a haystack," said Richard.
"I should just will my estate to you or Georgie and be done with it," said Darcy.
"I would not complain," said Richard with a cheeky smile, "but perhaps you might look outside the ton. A gentlewoman not of the ton might not be the grandest match, but acceptable nonetheless."
"You know my bride must be of the first circles if Georgiana is to make a good match," said Darcy.
"So Georgie can go through this same mess in a year or two? I would much rather she marry someone like one of the Lucas boys."
"The Lucases have no fortune or connections," said Darcy with a frown, "Surely you jest."
"I do not. I think Mr. Henry Lucas was rather taken with Georgiana. He is a fine gentleman. Someone like him might marry for fortune, but I doubt fortune would be the only consideration. They would not marry someone they could not esteem. After all, his sister might have had Bingley, but instead opted for her neighbour even though it will be many years before Mr. James Bennet has much fortune of his own while Bingley is entirely his own man."
"They were only recently in trade and still have relations in trade."
"You do not hold Bingley's roots against him, and he does not yet even own an estate," said Richard.
"That is quite different," said Darcy.
"Because he has much more fortune?" asked Richard.
"No. Lady Lucas..."
"Is a fine lady, if a little too outspoken in her views."
"Their connections..."
"Georgiana has enough connections. I daresay you are not talking about Georgiana anyhow."
"I-"
"I saw you at Netherfield. I can read beneath that mask you wear," said Richard.
"You know it is impossible," said Darcy.
"For me it is! I cannot pursue Miss Mary because I have nothing to offer her. No estate, no fortune, no anything. I have to marry a fortune," said Richard, "You can marry anyone you choose! You could marry a chambermaid if you so wished!"
"You know it is not so simple as that. People would reject her. They would be cruel."
"Miss Bennet can withstand it! You saw how she stood up to Miss Bingley. She is no wilting flower."
"I cannot ask it of her," said Darcy.
"Then you deserve your solitude," said Richard, before leaving Darcy alone.
Elizabeth dreaded that night's assembly. Normally she delighted in the amusement, but she did not see how this evening would be anything but terrible. The supper set especially she wished she might skip, for she could not but imagine the stilted conversation between her and Mr. Lucas. Still, she dutifully dressed and put extra care into her appearance. It was, after all, the last assembly before her brother's wedding. Very likely it was the last occasion they would even be in company before the wedding.
When they arrived, Elizabeth was asked for the first dance by Mr. Hadley, the vicar. He was a pleasant man and a fine dancer so Elizabeth enjoyed the set. She danced next with Mr. Henry Lucas, who laughed with her about their siblings, as James and Charlotte were not dancing, but in whispered conversation in the corner of the room.
"Perhaps love is best shown by such incivilities?" she said.
"I think perhaps it must be," said Mr. Henry Lucas, "for Charlotte's head is so often in the clouds of late, that she cannot help but be uncivil."
The conversation continued in this vein. Elizabeth then danced with several of the officers, a few of her neighbours, and enjoyed the first half of the evening. It was not until the supper set was announced that she remembered her dread.
Mr. Lucas came to collect her, leading her to the floor. They danced in some silence, neither quite knowing what to say. Finally, Mr. Lucas broke the silence between them.
"I must know, Miss Bennet, if I have any reason to hope," said he.
His words took her aback, as she had not expected him to broach the subject so bluntly.
"I see I have shocked you," said Mr. Lucas, "But I simply must know. I know you rejected my suit before, but is there any hope that you may someday change your mind? I know I am not so wealthy or handsome as Mr. Darcy, but I would be a good husband to you."
"What does Mr. Darcy have to do with anything?" asked Elizabeth with some confusion.
"Surely you jest," said Mr. Lucas.
"I do not, sir."
"The man is besotted with you! I could barely keep my countenance whenever we were in company with you both together."
"I have no notion of what Mr. Darcy may or may not feel, but it does not matter at this moment. I must tell you, sir. I have the same regard for you that I have for your brother or your father. I think you a fine gentleman, but I will not give you false hope. I do not believe my opinion will alter with time."
"I thank you, Madam," said Mr. Lucas with formality, "I do now see the awkwardness of my having this conversation with you during the supper set. If you wish, I shall escort my sister into supper, and you may go in with James."
"I think that might be best," said Elizabeth.
When the set ended, this is what occurred. There was some little awkwardness even with this arrangement for some of their neighbours were wondering at their exchange of partners for supper, but none supposed the truth of the matter.
Mr. Lucas and Elizabeth avoided each other as much as possible for the rest of the evening, showing civility whenever they passed but there was likely to continue to be an awkwardness between them for some time. Elizabeth returned home that evening, she could not help but think on what Mr. Lucas had said. Not his renewed proposal, for that she wished to forget. What she could not let go of was what he said about Mr. Darcy. He thought the man besotted with her. She did not remember any particular attention he paid to her. Yet, he was very handsome. She would not lie to herself and pretend that she was completely unaffected by him, but she had never supposed him to be affected by her. Still, it did not use wondering. Elizabeth supposed she would have to judge for herself when next she met him.
"Will the tenants have a celebration for the wedding?" Mary asked her brother the next day as she helped him make last minute preparations before he set off to collect their sisters from school.
"They shall," he answered.
"Will Mr. Hadley attend with us or with the tenants?" asked Mary.
"I suppose he might attend whichever he wishes," said James, eyeing his sister shrewdly. Realising that her brother was gaining the wrong impression, Mary explained her matchmaking scheme to her brother.
"I do not think you should bother them," said James, "I think I might have found my way to Charlotte sooner if it were not for Mother and Lady Lucas's interference. Let people tend to their own affairs of the heart."
"Can we at least invite them both for the Boxing Day feast and sit them near to each other?" asked Mary.
"Very well," said James, "I do not suppose it would hurt anything to do that much, but nothing more. I will not have you interfering."
"I will not, Brother."
After Mary promised this, James was soon off to collect their sisters for the wedding.
Rosings Park, Near Westerham, Kent
11th of December
Dear Cousin Fitz,
I am so very excited. I received a letter sent express this morning. Mr. B's ship has reached England. He will still be five or more days before he can reach me, for he must see to the unloading of their goods and then travel hither. He sent also a bundle of letters that had not yet been posted, so I have a great deal of reading material for the next five days.
I have sent the rider onto London, so you should receive this the day I sent it or perhaps the next. The rider will have gone to Uncle Frank and Aunt Elinor, as well as to Mr. B's Uncle Edward and Aunt Maddy, so do take pity on the poor fellow if it is the next day, or if it is not, give him a bed and a hot meal.
I have now begun to plan in earnest, but I cannot think of who might officiate the ceremony. I have only this little toady man of my mother's here at Huntsford. Do you suppose you might send for your rector from Lambton or the parson from Kympton? Mr. B will be stopping in London for a license, but he thinks it unlikely that anyone will be available until after twelfth night and if we wish family and friends there, we will need to wait until then. Therefore, I suppose that perhaps the 9th or the 10th would be best. I do not like to wait so long, but I would not wish to wed without my family and friends.
Do tell me that you will be able to attend, Cousin, and GG too.
Yours, etc,
Soon to be,
Mrs. Benjamin Bateman.
