Notes: This is my first story. While it may not be the best, it holds great significance for me because I wrote it during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a dark period, and writing helped me manage my anxiety.

A LIFETIME OF REGRETS

June 1811

In an elegant townhouse 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, but one was blond, while the second man was quite handsome with thick black hair and deep blue eyes.

"Darcy, are you sure about this? I know you have been courting Lady Victoria for several weeks and you need an heir, but you don't have anything in common. She doesn't like country life, and she is a darling of the Ton. If you marry her, you will probably be miserable for the rest of your life. It is not too late for you to end the courtship."

"Richard, Lady Victoria is the daughter of an Earl, has a dowry of 30.000 pounds, and her mother is your mother's best friend. She is a beautiful and accomplished woman, and your mother told me that she is expecting my address." Darcy looked Richard in the eye and added, "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. Our marriage will be a typical marriage of the Ton."

"Darcy, everybody knows Lady Victoria is a beautiful woman, and she knows it, too! You are not a romantic man, but there are other women more suited to be your wife. Please, think about it! I am on your side always, and I am quite sure you will 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 twenty-seven years old, and I am not getting any younger. I need an heir, and Georgiana needs a young woman to help her navigate her coming out."

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

"They only met three times. I think they will get along very well, although I recognize they haven't had many opportunities to talk. But Lady Victoria has plenty of experience dealing with younger sisters, as she has two sisters close to Georgiana's age. My decision is final. Tomorrow morning, I will visit Lady Victoria and ask for her hand in marriage. In two days, I will go to Ramsgate to visit Georgiana, and we will return to London."

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

Darcy just nodded his head, and Richard asked, "How is Georgiana?"

"She is fine. She writes a letter every week; she is studying with some painting masters. Thanks to God, she is not coughing anymore. Mrs. Younge writes a letter every week about her health and how she is progressing in her studies. It is the perfect time she gets to know Lady Victoria better before we get married."

Richard asked a few more questions about Georgiana and left for his parents' house. He had known Lady Victoria since she was a little girl because her mother was a very good friend of his mother. She was a very beautiful woman, perhaps one of the most beautiful women of the Ton, with blond hair, blue eyes, and an angelic face. Unfortunately, she was also shallow and selfish.

That night, Darcy reviewed in his mind the good qualities of Lady Victoria, along with the valid observation that Richard had made. He had first met Lady Victoria at a party a few years ago. At first, he was not interested, but they met again during a party some months ago. They frequented the same places, and several weeks later, due to some advice from his family about his need for an heir, he asked her for a courtship, which she accepted.

Unfortunately, during the courtship period, he realized they had very few things in common, and most of their conversation was about trivial things or nothing at all. Despite this, Darcy felt duty-bound to marry her. Everybody was expecting an engagement.

The following morning, Darcy arrived at Lady Victoria's house. She was in the parlour with two friends, discussing gossip from the newspaper.

When the ladies saw him, they asked strange questions about Georgiana. They inquired about Georgiana's whereabouts and his relationship with her before departing a few minutes later.

It was a very unusual experience for Darcy, as he was not used to being asked questions about his sister, who was not out. Before he could start his planned marriage proposal, Lady Victoria handed him the newspaper and pointed to an announcement in the gossip column.

Darcy read it and blanched. "Has FD been aware of his young sister's activities in Ramsgate? Witnesses have reported that GD has been spending time with a handsome man at inappropriate hours."

Darcy was astonished. He frankly believed the announcement was just gossip, a horrible falsehood. He would talk to his solicitor that same day to take steps so that whoever wrote that falsehood would publicly retract it.

Before Darcy could express his utter disgust with the gossip, Lady Victoria informed him that her dear friend Lady Helen had a house in Ramsgate, and she had recently spent some weeks there. She had seen Georgiana strolling along the beach with a very handsome gentleman. There were plenty of rumors about her entertaining this gentleman at night. In addition, her other dear friend, Lady Jane, saw Georgiana with two gentlemen at a party in Ramsgate.

Darcy listened in shock; he couldn't believe the gossip was true. The situation was atrocious; everybody in London was talking about his sister!

Additionally, Lady Victoria told him that her close friends had come to her house earlier to give their support because, sadly, she would have to end their courtship. His sister was a fallen woman, and she, Lady Victoria, needed to think about her family's reputation.

At last, Darcy found his voice and curtly replied, "I perfectly understand your feelings and wish you all the best. Goodbye, madam."

Furious, he returned to his house to prepare for his journey to Ramsgate.