This story was posted two years ago, but this updated version includes several changes.

Many thanks to my wonderful beta-reader nanciellen. It was a pleasure to work with her.

Preface

FD and LV were caught in a compromising situation at Lady Matlock's ball. Rumours suggested that FD proposed and LV accepted.

Mid-March 1812

In an elegant town house close to Hyde Park, two men were having a very serious conversation, one a Colonel of His Majesty's Army and the other a gentleman wearing a very expensive outfit. Both were tall and well-built; one was blond while the second man was quite handsome with thick black hair and deep blue eyes.

"Darcy, are you sure about this?"

"Richard you were at the ball, and you have already read the gossip column. I have no choice."

"I thought you didn't care about gossip! You know that with time the gossip would die down."

"As a gentleman, I cannot allow Lady Victoria's reputation to suffer in such a way. Besides, I have been courting her for weeks and I need an heir."

"But you don't have anything in common with her. She doesn't like country life, and she is a darling of the Ton. Additionally, you were having second thoughts about marrying her!"

Darcy knew that Richard's observations were correct. However, due to the incident at the ball and the gossip, Darcy felt duty-bound to offer to her. Hours earlier, Lord Matlock had visited him and had been quite adamant that he should marry her. "Your father is right; The Ton is assuming that we are already engaged. Her family and our family are expecting that I will propose! Besides, Lady Victoria is the daughter of an Earl, has a dowry of 30.000 pounds, and is your mother's god-daughter."

Despite his father's remarks to Darcy, Richard was worried about his cousin. He could tell by the look on Darcy's face that he wasn't happy about the situation. In addition, Richard had another reason to try to prevent the wedding. So, he replied, "But, if you marry her, you will probably be miserable for the rest of your life."

Darcy shook his head. "I know you don't think very highly of her due to the incident with your friend, but as you know, I am not a romantic, and our marriage will be a typical Ton marriage."

Frustrated, Richard replied, "I know you are not a romantic man, but there are other women more suited to be your wife. Think about it! You are very gracious in agreeing to marry her, but I know that in time you will live to regret it."

"Richard, I know you mean well, and I appreciate your concern for my domestic happiness, but on this point your father is right: I am duty-bound to marry Lady Victoria. Also, I am twenty-eight now: I need an heir, and Georgiana needs a woman to help her navigate her coming out."

Richard sighed resignedly. "Alright, you have already made your decision and I know you are not going to change your mind; I just want you and Georgiana to be happy. By the way, what is Georgiana's opinion about Lady Victoria?"

"They only met twice. I think they will get along very well, although I recognize that they haven't had many opportunities to talk. As you know, Lady Victoria, has a younger sister who is about Georgiana's age, and has had plenty of experience dealing with young ladies. My decision is final. I am going to visit Lady Victoria and ask for her hand in marriage."

"Well, I have nothing left to say. I wish you good luck and I sincerely hope that you do not regret it."

That night, Darcy reviewed the good qualities of Lady Victoria along with the valid observations that Richard had made. His main incentive when he started courting Lady Victoria was to forget Miss Elizabeth Bennet's fine eyes. Against his will, Elizabeth Bennet had invaded his thoughts and dreams. Luckily, he had managed to escape in time, before making a huge mistake. Lady Victoria was a sophisticated woman, beautiful, rich, and also the daughter of an earl, while Miss Elizabeth was only a country young woman. She was pretty but not classically beautiful, her situation was below his, her dowry was almost non-existent, and she also had relatives in trade. The comparison was clear - Lady Victoria was, in rank, wealth and beauty, far superior to Elizabeth Bennet.

However, during the weeks he had been courting Lady Victoria he realized they didn't have anything in common. He had been toying with the idea of ending the courtship, however, with the incident at his aunt's ball, everything changed. He knew it was not Lady Victoria's fault; she was dizzy in the crowded ballroom, and he accompanied her to a balcony. Unfortunately, she tripped, and he had prevented her from falling. Some gossipy women saw them 'embrace', and the rumours spread throughout the ballroom.

For as long as he could remember Darcy had been an upstanding, honourable man who followed the rules. Duty to his family and estate was his priority. His responsibilities were to care for his sister, look after his tenant's well-being, as well as ensuring that Pemberley prospered, both in terms of income and within the estate itself. He would follow his duty and marry Lady Victoria.

The following morning, shortly after breakfast, he arrived at Lady Victoria's house. The marriage proposal was simply a description of what he expected from her and vice versa.

A few blocks from Darcy's house, Lady Victoria was looking at her beautiful image in an elegantly framed mirror. She had just turned twenty-two years old, and despite her unparalleled classical beauty, with golden hair and sky-coloured eyes, in the four seasons since her debut in society, she had received only one marriage proposal - and that from a poor gentleman, a soldier.

Her father was having a hard time financially due to bad investments, gambling debts, and excessive expenses from supporting his mistress and illegitimate children. He had given her an ultimatum that year: she must make an effort to attract the attention of some wealthy gentleman, or he would arrange a marriage to one of his political friends several years her senior.

At one tedious gathering at her godmother's, the Countess of Matlock's home, she had been seated at dinner next to Mr. Darcy. Without a doubt, Mr. Darcy met all the requirements she sought in a husband: he was wealthy, handsome and well-connected. During dinner, she attempted to initiate a conversation with him, but without much success.

With Lady Matlock's help, she learned about Mr. Darcy's tastes and preferences, so that at future events, she would have the opportunity to put her plan in motion. It was a pity that she had to feign interest in things that seemed boring to her.

Some weeks later, Mr. Darcy began courting her. But the courtship was not going as she had expected, and it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to maintain the charade. She realized that Mr. Darcy showed little interest in her. In addition, she was afraid that Darcy was having second thoughts about her and that he would end the courtship.

At the Matlock ball, she put her plan into action, and her mother ensured that Lady Jane and Lady Sophia – two gossipy women of the Ton – would see her 'hugging' Darcy in a dark corner of a balcony.

She sensed that due to the gossip and added to the pressure from their families, Darcy would finally propose to her. She would smile her best smile and give her ecstatic answer.

PPP

At the appointed time Mr. Darcy arrived at Lady Victoria's house. Lady Victoria was in the drawing room with two friends, gossiping about some article in the newspaper. Lady Victoria's friend made some comments about seeing each other at Lady Matlock's ball and left shortly thereafter.

After the ladies left, there was an awkward silence in the room. Lady Victoria encouraged him with her best smile and stared at him with an adoring expression that was well-practice.

Darcy took a deep breath and said, "I hope you are not too distressed by the gossip at the ball and in the newspaper."

"It is not your fault, Mr. Darcy." She looked him in the eye, "But the Ton thinks we are engaged. My friends came here to congratulate me on our engagement. It was mortifying to tell them that the rumours are not true. Additionally, my parents are furious with me."

Darcy nodded, "I am sorry for your distress. But if you would accept me, I would be my honour to marry you."

Lady Victoria was elated that the marriage proposal had finally arrived, however, she could not help feeling disappointed at the lack of enthusiasm from her future husband. In a clear voice, she answered yes.

That same day, Darcy obtained his future father-in-law's consent, the engagement details were sent to the newspaper, and the wedding date was set for the first week of June.

The next day Darcy and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam left for Kent on what would be a life-changing visit.