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Chapter 25

Darcy had just returned from a visit with Anne. He was engaged in pleasant repartee with Richard and Georgiana when the butler entered the drawing room.

“Lord and Lady Matlock,” he announced before stepping aside in deference to the noble party.

“This is a surprise,” Darcy said, as the faces of all those in the room with him attested. “I had not expected to receive you until tomorrow.”

Lord Matlock responded, “Not an unpleasant surprise, I hope?” The elderly man scrutinised the room as if expecting to find something amiss. He returned his suspicious regard to his nephew and asked, “What difference does it make when we arrived, unless you are attempting to hide something?”

So, this is how it is, Darcy considered. Seeing no cause for subjecting the rest of the family to the imminent verbal sparring with his uncle, Darcy went to his aunt and welcomed her properly. He returned his attention to his uncle.

“My lord, please join me in my study.” Lord Matlock was not impressed, far from it. Had Darcy lingered long enough for a reply, he might have witnessed his aristocratic uncle’s dismay, having been ordered about by the younger man.

Moments later, Darcy and his uncle sat across from each other in Darcy’s study.

“I had hoped to receive you in my home with some expectation you would be more reasonable. If such is not the case, I suggest you depart my home post-haste.”

“Though, I am a guest in your home, young man,” his lordship began, “I am head of this family! I demand you treat me with the respect inherent in my standing! That being said, I came to look after my niece! I shall not take my leave of Pemberley until I am assured she is being cared for, and all her needs are met to my satisfaction.”

Darcy regarded the older gentleman with a knowing smile. “Then, you shall be pleasantly surprised to hear she is well on her way to recovery. She awakened this morning. She spoke with Richard and then asked to see my future bride.”

“Your future bride, indeed,” Lord Matlock spoke derisively. The good news about Anne was seemingly disregarded. “Do you mean to suggest you intend to go forward with your selfish plans? Do you intend to marry that woman after all that has occurred?”

“I fail to discern anything that has transpired that would have persuaded me to change my mind about marrying the woman I love. I only regret Anne’s accident was a cause to delay the wedding. Elizabeth and I shall be married tomorrow.”

“What of Anne’s sentiments? Do you not have the dignity to allow her time to recover before you bestow the title of mistress of Pemberley on another woman, when it has long been considered amongst the Fitzwilliam family as Anne’s birth right?”

Darcy cupped his forehead with his fingers and massaged his temples in annoyance. “Must I be subjected to this foolishness, yet again, and on the eve of my wedding, no less?”

“Foolishness? Why it was the fondest wish of both of my dear sisters!”

Darcy interrupted. “Yes, yes, at our cradles—I have heard it all before.” Darcy sat back in his chair as he mocked.

“That is enough of your disrespect towards your elders,” Lord Matlock warned. “What has Anne to say of your plans to allow another to usurp her rightful position?”

Darcy looked at his uncle in disbelief. “Although it is not as if either of us sought it, Anne offered her blessing. Furthermore, she has asked for and received my forgiveness.”

“I hope you do not expect me to stand by as a silent witness to this vulgar spectacle. I have not been in the habit of brokering disappointment, young man.”

Darcy had heard enough. He stood and faced his uncle. “No disrespect intended, my lord. However, I suggest you get used to it.”

Lord Matlock remained in Darcy’s study long enough to enjoy a stiff drink and settle on his next move. Soon enough, he found himself sitting in a chair in Anne’s room, next to her bed, uncharacteristically contrite.

With her hand in his, he affirmed, “This is not how I had intended things to turn out when I arranged for you to come here against my sister’s knowledge. I believed Darcy would be persuaded to do right by you if you were here. It pains me to see how much you have suffered. I am sorry. Can you forgive me, my dear child?”

Anne smiled at her dearest, in truth, her only uncle and gently squeezed his hand. “I can hardly blame you for my literally throwing myself at my cousin, now can I?”

“I blame myself. Darcy waited all these years to commit to marriage. When he did at last, it was to a widow with a child from a previous marriage. I never supposed his intentions towards the woman were honourable. I considered the entire affair as a mere dalliance. When he did not choose a young lady from our own circle, I surely thought he would honour our family’s wishes by marrying you.” He glanced towards the window, as if in search of an answer. “How could I have been so wrong about him?” Lord Matlock pondered aloud.

“As I said, I do not bear you any ill will, my lord. You were only looking out for my best interests. You thought you were doing what was best for our family.

“However, I must confess this is an agreeable alternative. At the end of the day, this is what I have wanted all along—to be part of a family. Cousin Fitzwilliam and his intended have forgiven me. I hope Georgiana will, as well, in time.

“So you see my lord, I can have a family with Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and little Ben. Even though I might continue down a path of vindictiveness, bitterness, and isolation, why would I, when I can be a part of something wonderful?”

Darcy went to Ben’s room bright and early the next day. Ben, who had not been impressed with the outfit he had been forced to don, smiled with glee when he noticed his finery was much the same as his friend’s handsome, rich attire.

“Good morning, Ben.”