The Resolute Suitor: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Read online

  Elizabeth was at first astonished Darcy would have mentioned her in his letters, but then realized that if he had been enamored of her, it would be natural for him to mention her in letters to his sister. Once again she was chagrined she had not been able to recognize his feelings for her. “Mr. Darcy mentioned me in his letters? I must admit that surprises me. I do hope he was not too severe on me. He and I often did not agree on issues.”

  Georgiana giggled. “Oh no. In fact he said he enjoyed his conversations with you, some of which he said were more like verbal combat. And he told me he very much enjoyed your singing and piano playing.”

  Elizabeth looked around and did not see Darcy. “Mr. Darcy is not here with you? I understand he is somewhat of a regular in the bookstore.”

  “No, he had some business with his solicitors this morning. I was quite alone when Richard came to see me. But I am very glad he came because, somehow, the discussion got around to Kent and he mentioned meeting you there and that he knew where you might be if I wanted to meet you. I hope you do not mind, but I have wanted to meet you since Will mentioned you in his letters, so I begged Richard to bring me here in case you might be here. I argued that even if you were not here, it would not be a wasted trip, because I always like to come and browse the piano music.”

  “I think Mr. Baker told you we just received a new shipment of piano music. Come, let us go look at it. I helped put it out this morning before we opened. I always scour it for new singing material, but unfortunately have to pass some of it up because the accompaniment is too difficult for me.”

  As they were walking to the music section, Elizabeth spoke to Col. Fitzwilliam, “I am sorry, Colonel, I do not mean to exclude you from the conversation. Unfortunately, once musicians start talking about music, other things seem to be forgotten. May I assume you do not have to return to the Continent and the front lines for some time?”

  “I may not be returning there at all. My last wounding was serious enough that my father, the Earl of Matlock, convinced the War Department I should not return to active fighting, so I will probably be spending the rest of my career working in the War Office. I will miss my men, but not the constant danger and harsh living conditions.”

  “He’s being very modest,” said Georgiana. “He was just notified last week he will be knighted for his service above and beyond the call of duty, so in less than two months, he will be Sir Richard Fitzwilliam. My brother and uncle assure me it is something he richly deserves, although he will never admit it.”

  Elizabeth stopped and looked at him. “Colonel, that is amazing. I am impressed and am sure you must deserve it. Congratulations. I will look forward to reading about it in the paper in the coming weeks.”

  “Thank you, but as Georgiana says, I am not sure I deserve it any more than most of my men. Will you be in town for the next two months? My mother and father are going to throw a party in honor of my knighting on August 5th and I would love to have you come to it.”

  As they turned to walk on to the music section, she replied, “Are you sure your parents would agree to that invitation. I am not the kind of woman with whom an Earl and Countess usually associate.”

  “You mean pretty, kind, intelligent, witty, and talented?”

  She gave him a dazzling smile. “Thank you for your kind words, Colonel, but you know exactly what I mean—one of little wealth and no status or connections: a country miss from Hertfordshire.”

  They had arrived at the music section, which was in a separate room of the bookstore with a piano in it. Those who were looking at piano music could try out some of the music before purchasing it, if they wished. Also, twice a week, a young man, who was an up and coming piano master in London, would come in to demonstrate some of the new music and occasionally gain a new student.

  Elizabeth showed Georgiana the new piano music which had just arrived. As they were looking through it, Elizabeth said, “I am sorry Mr. Phelps is not here to demonstrate some of these. As you may know, he is usually here on Thursday mornings, but he was fortunate enough to have a playing engagement this week in Liverpool, so is not in town.”

  Georgiana said, “I am happy for Mr. Phelps. The few times I have heard him, I have been very impressed, but I must admit, I rarely have him demonstrate music for me if he is here. I prefer to sit down at the piano and try the music myself, as long as there are not many other people in here. You said you occasionally did not pick some music to sing because the accompaniment was too hard. Would you show me some of that type of music?”

  After they had looked through several pieces, Georgiana continued, “Miss Elizabeth, I am actually quite a good pianist for my age. Would you consider singing some of those songs if I played the accompaniment? I would very much like to try being an accompanist for a good singer and I can tell from the pieces you have shown me you must be a very good singer.”

  “I would like that very much, Miss Darcy, but I do not see how that can be accomplished. I live in Cheapside when I am in town and would find it difficult to get to Park Street from there and I am fairly certain your brother would not want you traveling to Cheapside.”

  “That is a problem that is easily solved,” said Col. Fitzwilliam. “The Fitzwilliams and Darcys have more carriages than they need. A coach with a maid can be sent to fetch you on days you would like to work with Georgiana. As her guardian, I will argue that working with you will be beneficial for her confidence and I will make sure arrangements are made.”

  “Are not you forgetting one little detail?”

  “What is that?”

  “Mr. Darcy. I am sorry, but he and I are not on very good terms these days and I would not want to incur his displeasure any more than I already have. I am not at all sure he would like me to be visiting his sister at Darcy House.”

  “I do not know why you would say that,” said Georgiana. “I was sure from the tone of his letters that he liked you.”

  “We had some major differences of opinion, while we were in Kent, which I believe have changed his opinion of me. I do believe you should get his approval before we make any definite plans.”

  “May I make a suggestion,” asked Col. Fitzwilliam. “Let me make arrangements for you to go see Georgiana and then she can check with Darcy. If, for some reason, he decides you should not visit her, then she can send you a note saying he has refused the visit. Otherwise, I will have the carriage there for you at the appointed time.”

  Georgiana clapped her hands. “I think that is a wonderful idea. Miss Elizabeth, would you be willing to visit me under those conditions, and, if so, when is a good time for you to come?”

  Elizabeth thought about Col. Fitzwilliam’s suggestion for a few moments. “I suppose that will be satisfactory. I could come either tomorrow or next Monday afternoon after 1 o’clock. But I must admit I still do not understand why you want to work with me. You do not know me well and your brother and I do not get along very well.”

  “It is because I was intrigued when Will mentioned you in his letters. I decided then I would like to know a young woman of whom my brother actually approved. When he has mentioned other young women to me he has met, it is rarely with admiration. Furthermore, he said you were a young lady I would like, and now Richard has assured me I will like you. From what I have seen of you, I think he is right. I do not have many friends in London and I would like to have one with whom I could perform music. Please, would you be willing to try with me?”

  Elizabeth had to admit to herself she liked what she saw in Georgianna. She was certainly nothing like Wickham had described her. Perhaps if she made friends with Georgianna, she could help her recover from her experience with Wickham. Also, if she visited Darcy House, she might get an opportunity to apologize to Mr. Darcy for her misjudgment of him. “I always like making new friends Miss Darcy, and I must admit, from what I have seen of you, I think we could be friends. Also, I would certainly like to have the chance to sing some of the more difficult songs with a good accompanist.”


  “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You cannot know how happy this makes me. I would like to do it as soon as possible, so if you do not mind, we will have the carriage at Gracechurch Street for you at 1:30 tomorrow unless, for some reason, which I do not expect, my brother objects.”

  They spent another 15 minutes looking for music they might like to perform together and then Col. Fitzwilliam and Georgiana departed for Darcy house.

  When Elizabeth returned to the rear of the bookstore and saw her Aunt Madeleine, her aunt asked, “What was that about? What did Miss Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam want with you?”

  “Apparently they came here today because Miss Darcy wanted to meet me. We started talking about music and I admitted I sang, but there were many pieces I did not try because the accompaniment was too difficult for me. She stated she was a good pianist and would enjoy working with me on songs I would not sing because of the difficult accompaniment. She then asked if I would be willing to visit her at Darcy House to work on some music pieces together. When I asked why she would want to do that with someone she hardly knew, she said she had wanted to meet me ever since her brother had written about me when he was at Netherfield. She also said Col. Fitzwilliam had told her she would probably like me. The final result of all this is, if Mr. Darcy approves of the visit, they will send a carriage for me at 1:30 tomorrow to take me to Darcy House so I can practice with Miss Darcy and get to know her better.”

  “I think that sounds wonderful Elizabeth. Your uncle and I have been trying to find a way to get you introduced into the ton and maybe this acquaintance with Miss Darcy will somehow lead to that. As a matter of fact, Lady Matlock is one of those who are interested in supporting my Hope House initiative and she is the Miss Darcy’s aunt. Perhaps you will have a chance to meet her. I will be looking forward to your report on how your session with Miss Darcy goes.”

  Chapter 5: Discussing Elizabeth

  When Darcy arrived home after conferring with his solicitors most of the morning, he was surprised to find Col. Fitzwilliam there. He and Georgiana were sitting at the dining table awaiting Darcy for lunch.

  “Richard, what are you doing here? I thought you were buried in the bowels of the War Office working on some secret plans for the war and that you said they would not let you out for weeks.”

  “We finished the major project on which I was working and the general gave me a few days off. When I arrived at Matlock House, there was a note from Georgiana saying she needed to talk to me, so, of course, the first thing I did this morning was to come over to see what she needed. It seems you have been acting strangely lately and she was concerned about you.”

  Looking at Georgiana, Darcy asked her, “What did you tell him Georgie?”

  “I told him that ever since you returned from Kent, you have not been yourself. And you know you have not. You have been going to balls, attending parties, and participating in the ton more than you ever have. When you told me it was time that you found a woman with whom you could produce an heir, it was the last straw. I did not want you to marry one of those mercenary women of the ton just to produce an heir. You have always told me we should marry for love and companionship, never just for convenience. It sounded to me like you were giving up, and I was not about to let you do that without an argument.”

  Darcy walked over to Georgiana and put his hand on his shoulder. “Georgie, it is time I had an heir. I am certainly going to try to find someone I can love and respect, but I have to be realistic and I need to be more serious about it than I have been. I am not getting any younger. I thought the only way I could do that is to participate more in the ton and give some of these young ladies I have been ignoring more of a chance. I have certainly learned my performance at social gatherings was not what it should be and I have been trying these last few weeks to improve my ability to socialize with others.”

  Col. Fitzwilliam laughed. “Are you telling me, Darcy, you have gone to balls and parties and not stood in the corner or against the wall just watching, but have actually been dancing and participating in conversations? I suspect the people who know you have been going into shock, thinking your body has been taken over by some other person.”

  “Before you went to Kent, you said nothing about this. Then you came back and suddenly you have changed your entire outlook,” said Georgiana. “I think something happened there and I think it somehow relates to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire, who Richard said was there. Did she say something to you to make you change your mind?”

  Darcy looked at Georgiana with surprise. “How did you come up with that name?”

  “Because I went back through all the letters you wrote to me and Miss Elizabeth was the only young woman ever mentioned other than Caroline Bingley, whom I know you do not respect. Then I found out from Anne she was in Kent while you were there and you never told me about it. I decided she must have something to do with your unhappiness. So I asked Richard to come here to talk about her.”

  “And just how much did you tell her, Richard?”

  “Just that we saw her there and you and she seemed to have some differing opinions about certain things. What else was there to tell her?”

  “I must tell you Richard took me to the bookstore so I could meet Miss Elizabeth. I assume you know she is the Gardiner’s niece. I met her and I think she is very pretty and very kind and I think you were right when you told me in your letters from Netherfield I would like her. To that end, once we found out we had a common interest in music, I invited her here so we could work on some music together. She is scheduled to come here tomorrow afternoon unless you have objections to it.”

  “You know you are not supposed to invite people to the house without my approval.” He looked at Col. Fitzwilliam. “You were there with her Richard. How could you let her invite someone without my approval?”

  “Because she is my ward also and I approved. I think Miss Elizabeth will be good for her. Georgie could use a friend and I think Miss Elizabeth is a very good example of what a young gentlewoman should be like. Furthermore, I think they will make beautiful music together – perhaps good enough we might want to invite them to Matlock house to entertain my parents and their friends.”

  Darcy shook his head, looking back and forth between his sister and his cousin. “I suppose you are right, Richard. She is a good example of a gentlewoman even if she is from a lower social stratum. I will allow the visit, however, Georgie, hereafter I expect you to obtain approval from me before you invite anyone to Darcy House.”

  During lunch Georgiana told Col. Fitzwilliam and Darcy what she expected to be practicing with Elizabeth. Col. Fitzwilliam also told them about the plans his mother was making for a party to celebrate his elevation to knighthood. When lunch was over, Georgiana excused himself to go practice some of the pieces on which she and Elizabeth had chosen to work the next afternoon.

  After she had gone Darcy said, “Richard, this visit by Miss Elizabeth is not just a ploy to get us together again is it? I have told you about my conclusion that her rejection was serendipitous. We are not compatible. I think I became infatuated with her because she is so different from most of the young women of the ton I have met. But in fact, as I consider it logically, she is too different and, of course, is of unsuitable lineage, status, and wealth. Furthermore the family, except for the elder Miss Bennet, generally exhibits completely unacceptable behavior.”

  Col. Fitzwilliam stared at his cousin for a moment before answering. “No, it is not a ploy. I truly believe Miss Elizabeth will be good for Georgie. But are you certain, absolutely certain, you are not interested in her anymore?”

  “Yes. I am certain.”

  “Then I am glad, because I happen to believe Miss Elizabeth is one of the most beautiful, pleasant, talented, and intelligent young women I have ever met. I was very attracted to her in Kent, but sensed there may be some connection between you and that dissuaded me from making any attempt to woo her. I became even more impressed with her when Georgie and I met her at t
he bookstore. I have always believed I needed to marry a woman of wealth and status so I could live the lifestyle to which I am accustomed. But I have been giving it much thought lately, and I believe, now that I am to be knighted, I will have sufficient funds to live comfortably no matter whom I marry – maybe not at the level I live now, but one at which I could be happy. I am seriously thinking about courting Miss Elizabeth, assuming she would accept a courtship from me. You may have decided she is unacceptable, but I assure you I find her perfectly acceptable for someone like me.”

  Darcy was stunned. He had known his cousin favored Elizabeth to some extent, but had no idea he might consider her an acceptable mate. “You cannot be serious. Your mother and father would never accept her.”

  “I think you misjudge my mother and father – particularly my mother. They were very particular about whom my brother Andrew married, because he is the heir apparent and his wife would be the Countess. But I firmly believe their only wish for me is that I am happy, and I have come to believe Miss Elizabeth may be the first young woman I have met that could make me happy.”

  Darcy did not know what to say. He had certainly not anticipated this reaction to his announcement he would not be pursuing Elizabeth. He wondered how he would feel seeing Elizabeth as his cousin’s wife. He had the feeling he would not like it at all, but he certainly had no grounds on which to object to his cousin seeking Elizabeth’s hand in marriage.

  “Does that upset you Darcy? Does my interest in Miss Elizabeth upset you for some reason? Has my declaration somehow made you reevaluate your opinion of Miss Elizabeth’s acceptability?”

  “No, I still believe she is unsuitable and that our family and friends would not consider her an acceptable wife for me. However, I can see she might be suitable for you. I believe your mother and father have higher expectations for me than they have for you. I wish you success in your pursuit of her.”