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CHAPTER 3

Pray my eyes deceive me! Darcy hurried his steps in order to disrupt the disturbing situation unfolding just down the hall. “Mr. Coolidge, Georgiana, pray I am not interrupting.”

Slender and soft-spoken, the younger man took a step back. “No, sir, I was just begging Miss Darcy’s forgiveness.”

Darcy arched his brow. “Pardon?”

Georgiana graced Mr. Coolidge with an angelic smile. “Sir, as I was explaining, there is nothing to forgive.”

Darcy said, “Perhaps I should be the judge of that.”

“Oh! No, Fitzwilliam. You see, Mr. Coolidge and I nearly collided. I simply was not paying attention to where I was going.” She looked at Mr. Coolidge again, her eyes full of sympathy for his awkward plight in being subjected needlessly to her brother’s scrutiny. “If the two of you will pardon me, I will be on my way.”

Both men watched as Georgiana hurried off. Then Darcy directed his stern gaze at Coolidge, young Ben’s tutor.

“Sir, I was on my way to request a private audience with you.”

Darcy pursed his lips. This was the last thing he wanted; however, Coolidge was a decent man. The least Darcy could do was grant him this final wish.

“I shall see you in my study.”

Moments later, the two men sat on opposite sides of Darcy’s large and imposing mahogany desk.

“Sir—” Darcy’s guest tugged at his collar. “Mr. Darcy, I wish to speak with you regarding a matter of some importance.”

“Certainly, Mr. Coolidge.” Oh, how Darcy dreaded the impending discussion. It would certainly not have been the first time a gentleman of meagre means had sought to improve his lot in life by seeking an advantageous alliance. How many times had he seen Coolidge and his sister in situations the uninformed eye would merely interpret as a chance encounter? Then, too, there were those times when Darcy had observed the manner in which Coolidge looked at Georgiana when he thought he was undetected.

Darcy could never recall the tutor being so ill at ease and, although he supposed he would feel decidedly worse once the conversation was over, he sought to make the man feel comfortable. “What is your purpose in requesting this meeting?”

“Well, sir, there is a situation in the class that warrants your attention.”

Darcy inwardly exhaled. Coolidge’s business had nothing to do with his sister. “So, this meeting has to do with Ben’s progress in his studies.”

“Indeed, it does, in a manner of speaking. Master Bennet is an exemplary student, and it is such a great pleasure to work with him. What concerns me is his insistence that young Samuel be tutored right alongside him. Frankly, the lad has not the capacity for learning as does the young master. If I am to be completely honest, I would say the situation ends up frustrating us all.”

“I was not aware that you were tutoring young Samuel Reynolds right alongside my son. How long has this been going on?”

“It has been going on for the past month, sir.”

“I suppose you are acting at Ben’s request in an effort to appease him. I know how persistent he can be when it comes to his young friend.”

“It is not just Master Bennet who wishes it. Were that only the case, but the situation also enjoys the blessings of his—” The colour washed over Coolidge’s face, and he stopped speaking.

“Go on then, Mr. Coolidge. You were about to say.”

“Well, sir, I do not wish to speak out of turn, but I fear to say more would risk overstepping my bounds.”

Darcy observed the younger man, who appeared far more nervous than he ought to, feverishly searching his brain for the apt words to say. Engaging Coolidge’s services had been Mrs. Darcy’s idea: a compromise of sorts. Despite his young age, Ben needed the structure of a formal, more advanced education. Darcy had recommended that they consider an elite boarding school until he was old enough to attend Eton. Elizabeth would not hear of being apart from her son at such a young age. It was a matter easily settled, at least for the time being, for Darcy did not truly wish to have Ben away so soon either, even though he posited it was only a matter of time. Ben would indeed be sent to Eton, as had been the case for Darcy and as would be the case for his other, albeit unborn, sons when the time was right.

Mr. Coolidge, the nephew of Darcy’s solicitor, was well studied. He had every right to be concerned with the progress he was making with Ben, for if Ben was not benefiting from his tutelage, then he must be away and Ben must be off to boarding school.

“I engaged you primarily for the sake of educating my son. I expect you to be completely forthcoming if there are obstacles in your path that prevent the attainment of the goals we laid out at the start of your employment.”

Coolidge shifted his position in the large leather chair. “Perhaps my coming to you in this manner was a mistake, sir. I suppose I might try⁠—”

Darcy stood from his seat and walked around to the other side of his desk to sit opposite the tutor. “What are you trying to avoid telling me?”

“Well, sir, I spoke with Mrs. Darcy, and she is aware of my concerns with having young Samuel present in the schoolroom.”