Notes: Half chapter
Edited by SamH294
PPP
The next morning, Lord Sebastian and Darcy met at the agreed time and place…
"Darcy, good to see you are on time today."
"What do you want to talk to me about?" Darcy asked without preamble.
Lord Sebastian looked around to make sure they were alone and said quietly, "Wickham is dead, he was found floating in the Thames."
Darcy's eyes widened in surprise and before he could say anything Lord Sebastian added, "Neither my father nor I are responsible for his death. My father has his suspicions about who killed him, but he did not want to share them by letter. The important thing is that there is one less scoundrel in the world and Georgiana is free of him forever.
Darcy nodded, and Lord Sebastian continue talking.
"It will be much easier to put our plan into action. After we spend a few months in London convincing the Ton that both you and Georgiana are close friends of the marquis, no one will remember the rumors about Georgiana and Wickham. Subsequently, my father and I would like to invite Georgiana and you to our castle in Scotland. It is a secluded and beautiful place, which has several centuries of history, secret passages, and everything that young girls love."
Darcy shook his head, "No, it won't be possible. I can't go from one side of the Kingdom to the other every time you and your father want to spend time with Georgiana. If you want to see her, we will be happy to host you at Pemberley."
Lord Sebastian nodded and looked into Darcy's eyes defiantly. "I understand what you are saying, but what if I get married and my wife is friends with Georgiana? Would you let her go as my wife's personal friend?"
Darcy shook his head, "Georgiana has no friends in the Ton. So, your question is absurd."
"Why should I marry someone from the Ton?" He paused, looked at Darcy, who was frowning, and added, "One of the advantages of being extremely wealthy and liberal is that I can marry whomever I please as long as she is a gentleman's daughter, and of course, the young lady must be willing to be the wife of a future marquis."
"Who wouldn't want to be the wife of a future marquis?" Darcy replied sarcastically.
"I have no doubt that women like Caroline Bingley and most of the women of the ton would gladly accept being my wife without caring in the least about me… but I am sure a woman of integrity and intelligence like Miss Bennet would not agree to marry me just because I am the son of a marquis. I don't think such a woman would be interested in attending a lot of pointless parties, living in London most of the year, making friends, and having to talk about superficial topics and the latest London gossip."
Darcy frowned and replied, "You know very well Miss Bennet is far below you and it is not kind of you to trifle with her."
"I don't think you understood what I said. Do you think I am the kind of gentleman who would play with a lady? In addition to being a beautiful, intelligent, and educated young lady, Miss Bennet is the sister of my cousin's wife and Georgiana's friend."
The two gentlemen looked into each other's eyes for several seconds and finally, Lord Sebastian said, "I have noticed how often you look at Miss Bennet and I am quite convinced you admire her, perhaps even 'against your will'. I am going to have this conversation with you just once, and depending on what you say I will know how to proceed." He took a deep breath, "If you have an interest in Miss Bennet, I will step aside; my feelings aren't engaged yet. But if you tell me, you are not interested in or are not willing to marry someone 'below your social position' I will consider myself free to proceed as I see fit. You decide Darcy…"