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CHAPTER 9

Richard called on Matlock House for an early afternoon visit. The first person whom he encountered was his father, Lord Edward Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock. He had missed seeing his father when he accompanied Ben, Georgiana, and Anne to the Grosvenor Square mansion earlier that week.

“Richard, how good it is to see you, son. I am sorry to hear about the Bennet family’s travails. This cannot be an easy time for them.”

“Indeed. Elizabeth was especially hard struck by the news. I want to say, on Darcy’s behalf, how appreciative he is that you and mother are able to look after Georgiana and Ben while arrangements are being made to bring them to Hertfordshire.”

“Think nothing of it. We are happy, even if a bit surprised, to be of service.”

“Surprised, my lord? In what respect?”

“Surely you are no stranger to the contentiousness that has long marred the relationship between Darcy and me. I do believe this is the first time he has ever prevailed upon me to do anything for him.”

“You must admit that things are vastly different now that you are no longer determined to dictate whom he should or should not marry. In addition, he is a father now, and I know he wants nothing more than to give young Ben a strong sense of family, even stronger than Darcy himself enjoyed as a child.”

“Yes, that is very clear, as evidenced by that rather odd gathering at Pemberley at Christmas.”

Richard strolled over to the drinks cabinet and began filling a glass. “What a festive occasion that was, but if you recall, we have Ben to thank for gathering us all together.”

Lord Matlock joined him. “Yes—yes, indeed.” Changing the subject, his lordship said, “Your cousin Anne is looking particularly lovely. I was very pleased to see that she did not remain at Rosings. Although, I can imagine my sister did not take too kindly to the development.”

“Lady Catherine was not pleased but, then again, Anne is of an age where she must choose her own comings and goings.”

“True—true, Anne is a fortunate young woman. It is a shame that she has not married. Then she might secure an arrangement of a more lasting convenience than that afforded by her stay at Pemberley.”

Richard threw back his drink in a single gulp and poured another. “I suspect I know where this is going, my dear, matchmaking father.”

“And why should I not make it clear that a match between you and Anne would be most advantageous for both of you? It spares both of you the time and trouble of a long and protracted courtship. Neither you nor Anne is getting any younger. Surely Anne will wish to have children.”

“Having witnessed first-hand the love Darcy has for his wife and what a difference it has made in his happiness, I am thinking I want the same thing for myself. I do not know that I would enjoy such a life with my cousin.”

“Surely you do not compare yourself to Darcy. He is a very rich man, thus he was able to marry where he would with no thought of the wife’s fortune. Besides, if I know anything at all about my nephew, he is firmly in control of young Ben’s inheritance by now.” Lord Matlock took a sip of his drink. “You, on the other hand, must marry a woman of large fortune if you wish to maintain the manner of living to which you are accustomed, and Anne’s fortune is magnificent.”

Darcy stood in almost the exact spot where he and Ben had first met, engrossed in discussion with a local carpenter. Time was of the essence if his surprise for Ben would be ready when he arrived in Hertfordshire. He had planned to keep it a secret—even from Elizabeth. So much for the best laid plans. Hours earlier, Darcy had been working at a table in front of the window of their small apartment, when Elizabeth tiptoed behind him and tried to peep over his shoulders. Her soft breath against his neckline, as pleasing as it was, prompted him to roll up the parchment in haste.

“What are you studying with such intent, my love?”

“I did not expect to see you so soon. I supposed you to be with your father.”

“I came to retrieve my book.” She reached for the parchment. “What is this?”

Darcy tucked it behind his back. “This is meant to be a surprise.”

“A surprise? For me?”

“Actually, it is a surprise for Ben.”

“How wonderful. May I see it?”

“You will soon enough. I plan to unveil it to both of you soon after Ben’s arrival.”

Elizabeth eased her way into his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and nibbled his ear. “Please, my love, do not keep me in suspense.”

“Is this your plan—to use your feminine wiles to bend me to your will?”

Elizabeth traced her tongue slowly along his earlobe. “How am I doing?”

What a dilemma his wife had posed. His special project was in jeopardy of being the furthest thing from his mind. “Can you keep a secret?”