Conceit & Concealment: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Page 22

  As they departed from Darcy House, they passed an older gentleman about to enter his house next door. He gave Darcy a curt nod, but his upper lip curled and he did not touch his hat. Darcy nodded back but said nothing.

  “What was that about?” Elizabeth asked after they were out of earshot.

  Darcy shrugged. “Cartwright dislikes my politics. He was a close friend of my father, so I let it pass.” But from the tone of his voice, his neighbor’s disdain still stung.

  “I am sorry you are subjected to that and most especially that I did the same to you.”

  “It was perfectly understandable, but enough unpleasantness. Even though it is near the fashionable hour, the park should not be crowded since so many people have left London to escape the heat. It can be more like a parade ground than a park much of the year.”

  He had considered her preferences? Surely that must be a hopeful sign. “Yes, a crowded park does not feel like a park at all.” Then, unable to tolerate the uncertainty, she blurted out, “And a quiet one is much more suitable for delivering reprimands. Is that your intention in inviting me to join you?”

  Astonishingly, he laughed. “Have I turned into such a duty-bound Puritan as that? I assure you the only reason I made the suggestion was because I wished to walk with you.”

  “Simply because you wished to? I am sadly disappointed in you, sir! I thought you far too serious to engage in activities for such a frivolous reason!”

  “Now that is a well-deserved rebuke. I only decided recently on this new strategy of doing things simply because I wish to. I am even serious when I am deciding to be frivolous!” He smiled down at her as they entered Hyde Park. “Have you a preference for any particular walk?”

  Happiness bubbled through her. How ridiculous to be so pleased simply because he was being considerate of her! “My only preference is not to be run down by feckless horsemen.”

  “We will avoid Rotten Row then. Did Kit take you there?”

  “Yes. He wished to sigh longingly at the fine horseflesh on show there. I am not such an admirer.”

  He gestured towards a path on their right. “Then perhaps a stroll along the Serpentine will suit.”

  She glanced up at him through her eyelashes. “Georgiana was worried when you did not return last night.”

  “Did she not receive my message?”

  “Yes, but she fretted anyway.” And so had Elizabeth. Just when hope had returned to her, had she lost him to another woman? “But I am certain you had a good reason for your absence.”

  He smiled, looking oddly boyish. “I think so. I was arranging for a surprise. Perhaps later you will tell me if it was worth the trouble.”

  That certainly did not sound like another woman. With greater cheer, Elizabeth said, “I hope you do not expect me to question you about your surprise as many women might. I will not fall into that trap!”

  “I would not expect you to, and I should have to resist if you did question me.” Suddenly his face clouded over. “Oh, devil take it!”

  Startled, Elizabeth asked, “What is the matter?”

  “We have company,” he muttered. “Follow my lead, I pray you.”

  Two men in highly decorated blue uniforms rode towards them. As they drew abreast, they reined in their horses and dismounted. The more decorated one tossed his reins to the other officer and strode up to Darcy and Elizabeth.

  “Darcy, I can hardly believe you are here so close to the fashionable hour!” he said with a French accent. “And with a charming young lady!”

  Elizabeth dug her fingernails into the palm of her free hand as she smiled.

  Darcy bowed. “I had not anticipated the pleasure of your presence, sir. Miss Gardiner, may I present General Desmarais, whose timely assistance freed me from imprisonment in Hertfordshire and removed a very unpleasant garrison commander who had been terrorizing the local women? General, pray permit me to introduce my aunt's ward, Miss Gardiner, to your acquaintance.”

  General Desmarais? The General Desmarais, commander of all the French forces in England? Her happiness faded under a surge of old hatred.

  “Enchanté, Miss Gardiner! Your aunt, Darcy, is that the famous Mrs. Fitzwilliam?”

  Darcy said coolly, “As you say, General, or perhaps I should say Monsieur Desmarais, since you apparently object to titles.”

  “Ah, touché!” cried the general. “Do not worry, Miss Gardiner; I will not arrest him for insubordination. I have the greatest respect for Darcy's honesty. I cannot trust these Englishmen who pretend to be delighted by the presence of an army of occupation. No, I prefer a man who is not afraid to show his resentment and who makes it clear he only works with us because he has no other choice.”

  Elizabeth hoped her voice would remain steady. “Pray accept my gratitude for your assistance to Mr. Darcy and for taking an interest in the behavior of your subordinates.”

  “Ah, Darcy, she is as prickly as you were when we first met! No matter. I try to stop the excesses of my men when I can. We French are unhappy to be so far from our families, just as you English are unhappy to have an army of occupation, but that is no excuse for abusing our power. The Emperor has ordered us here, so we must all learn to rub along together. And your Darcy, he tells me whenever I become – how do you say it? – too high and mighty.”

  Caught off guard, Elizabeth blurted out, “I imagine he would be quite good at that!”

  Darcy's head swiveled towards her. “You do?”

  Why did she suddenly feel breathless? She tried to cover her discomfiture with an arch smile. “If there is anyone your stern look cannot quell, I have yet to meet them. However, I must say adding General Desmarais to the list is a surprise.”

  “Ah, I like this one, Darcy! She knows how to tease you. I must study her technique.”

  Darcy snorted. “You, sir, are in no need of improving your ability to tease me.”

  The general leaned towards Elizabeth and said in a whisper clearly intended to be overheard, “Darcy tries so hard to convince us he has no sense of humor, but we are not fooled, Miss Gardiner, are we?”

  She managed not to recoil from him. “Or perhaps it is part of a subtle plan of his, too deep for simple folk like us to fathom.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “Darcy, I like this one! You must bring her to dinner tomorrow night.”

  Darcy raised his eyebrows. “I must? That decision would have to be made by my aunt – and Miss Gardiner, of course.”

  Elizabeth opened her eyes wide with mock innocence. “Too high and mighty, is that what you meant to say?” She regretted it instantly; this was the worst possible moment to allow her playful spirits free rein.

  But the general roared with laughter again. “Precisely so, Miss Gardiner! Darcy, you say I will need the permission of your infamous aunt to invite her? Very well, I would like to meet her in any case, if she has finally come out of hiding.”

  “Perhaps seclusion would be a better word, but I warn you, her seclusion protected you as much as it did her. She does not always mince her words,” said Darcy dryly. “Still, I will introduce you if you wish.”

  “But I may live to regret it? I confess a great curiosity about this redoubtable lady. Is she at home today?”

  Darcy stiffened. “She is at Darcy House, but she has not been receiving callers or going about in society. This is purely a family visit.”

  It sounded like such a weak excuse that Elizabeth added, “In fact, she came here to order new clothes for me, and the opportunity to visit Mr. Darcy was an added incentive.”

  “Then I am unlikely to have another opportunity, am I?”

  Darcy shook his head. “I know better than to think I can dissuade you.”

  “Shall I meet you at Darcy House in, say, half an hour?”

  Darcy made a slight bow. “I will be at your service.”

  “Until then!” said the general. “Miss Gardiner, it has been a pleasure!” Taking the reins of his horse from his aide, he mounted and raised a hand
in farewell.

  As the two soldiers rode off, Elizabeth said, “If this is the usual result of doing what you wish, I can see why you would avoid it. I had not realized your French friend was General Desmarais himself. How can you abide spending time with him?”

  Darcy looked away. “It is not as bad as you may think. General Desmarais is a decent fellow. If it were not for his position as an enemy of England, I would consider him a friend. He does not take offense at people who disagree with him or at those of us who love our country better than his. He will not be affronted when my aunt is frostily polite with him.”

  Elizabeth glanced around them before saying, “But Georgiana—”

  “I agree; it would be best for them not to meet. May I suggest we turn back now so we arrive first and can give a warning?”

  “I think that would be wise.” The thought of what Georgiana might say in the presence of the French general was terrifying.

  Darcy remained silent as they strolled back up the path to the park gate. Elizabeth was grateful for the lack of conversation. Her head was spinning from the unexpected encounter. Had the commander of the French forces truly been teasing, practically flirting with her? He had been responsible for so much misery, and yet Mr. Darcy called him a decent man and a friend. She could never be friends with a French soldier, much less their commander – and now he wanted her to dine with him! Did he want the same thing from her that all French soldiers seemed to want from Englishwomen?

  She bit her lip. “I do not understand why he invited me to dinner.” If only she could ask about the general's intentions more directly!

  Darcy appeared surprised at her question. “He seemed to find you amusing. He enjoys the company of clever people who are not intimidated by his rank.”

  “But he only exchanged a few words with me.”

  “True, but you were with me, and he trusts my judgment.” His eyes shifted away from her. “It is also possible he is playing matchmaker. He has told me often enough that I should marry.”

  “Oh.” Her cheeks grew warm, but at least that explanation was better than the alternative. Finally she blurted it out. “Then he is not one of those officers who seeks out young ladies for his own purposes?”

  “Good God, no! He is married and loves his wife dearly. She will be present at the dinner.”

  How vain he must think her to assume the general might be interested in her! “I am glad to hear it,” she said hollowly.

  “That is why I knew he would wish to stop Captain Reynard.”

  Should she apologize for misjudging his so-called friend? Better perhaps to say nothing. The mood between them had been ruined in any case.

  As they left the park and turned onto Brook Street, Darcy cursed under his breath. “Look, he is there already!”

  It could not have been more than a quarter of an hour since the general had left them in the park, yet even from this distance, he and his aide were visible standing in front of Darcy House. There would be no opportunity to spirit Georgiana away. “But he said...”

  “I know,” said Darcy flatly. “This is his idea of a joke, no doubt thinking to embarrass me. He does not know what is truly at stake.”

  “I suppose we must hope for the best.” If worst came to worst, she could drag Georgiana from the room.

  When they reached General Desmarais, Darcy said dryly, “I believe you are before your time.”

  “Of course I am,” said the general affably. “It would take all the fun out of meeting your aunt if you had the chance to warn her in advance.”

  “I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours. Whom shall I contact to remove your body after she is finished with you?”

  The general chuckled. “I have survived a few battles in my day. Lead on, my friend!”

  Naturally the gentlemen allowed Elizabeth to precede them into the sitting room. Her heart pounding, she contorted her face into a dramatic expression of horror as she walked in, hoping to give Lady Matlock, Georgiana, and Kit at least a moment’s warning that something was seriously amiss.

  “Elizabeth, whatever is the matter?” asked Lady Matlock.

  Elizabeth stepped aside to reveal the uniformed general behind her. “Why, nothing, madam. During our walk in the park, we encountered one of Mr. Darcy’s friends who is most eager to meet you.”

  Darcy said, “Madam, may I have the honor of presenting General Desmarais to your acquaintance? General, this is—”

  “No,” interrupted Lady Matlock. “You may not. I have no desire to make his acquaintance.” She stared at the general for a moment and then turned away. The cut direct, given to the most powerful man in England. “Kit, do take Georgiana upstairs. She is too young to be in mixed company, especially company of this sort.” She pronounced the last words with distaste.

  “Of course.” Kit bowed and escorted the wide-eyed girl from the room, giving the general as wide a berth as possible.

  Darcy said, “The general has been a good friend to me. It was his intervention that brought about my release from prison, perhaps saving my life.”

  Lady Matlock's eyes flashed. “How very kind of him.” Her voice was sharper than a knife. “He is also responsible for my eldest son fleeing to Scotland where he may yet be if he is not dead, for my second son's imprisonment and exile, for the disappearance of my daughter and the conscription of my youngest son, not to mention seizing everything my husband owned on mere suspicion, leaving him bedridden and unable to speak before going to an early grave. You will have to forgive me, Darcy, if I find his assistance to you does not outweigh all those others.”

  Darcy turned to the general. “I did warn you.”

  Lady Matlock was not finished. “If for this discourtesy, he wishes to introduce me to Madame Guillotine, he may do so with my blessing. Having lost my husband, children, lands, and station, I do not consider my life of any great value.”

  “Indeed you did warn me,” the general said genially. “You may tell your aunt that I understand completely – and that her eldest son is indeed still alive and well in Scotland. I will leave you now. Good day, Miss Gardiner, Darcy.” He bowed deeply in Lady Matlock's direction. “Good day, your ladyship.”

  “I will show you out.” Darcy followed the general from the room.

  Lady Matlock maintained her pose until they heard the sound of front door closing. A small smile played across her face. “It is been many years since I have had the opportunity to behave so badly. Apparently it is a skill one does not lose. A worthy opponent, too; did you notice he used my title at the end?”

  Elizabeth sank limply into an armchair. “No. I was too preoccupied with fear of the punishment you were risking to notice such details.”

  “Well, yes, it was a risk, but I had to do something to draw his attention away from Georgiana. I daresay it worked quite well.”

  “It certainly distracted me!” Elizabeth's voice was still trembling.

  Of course Lady Matlock would notice her discomfiture. “Why, did I frighten you? My apologies. I did not think it a great risk since I was aware of his fondness for Darcy.” She poured a cup of tea from the tray and brought it to Elizabeth. “Drink this. It should still be warm.”

  Obediently Elizabeth took a sip even though she had no desire for lukewarm tea. No, what she longed for was to hide away from this topsy-turvy world. If only she could return to the time when she could make a tent beneath her bedcovers and pretend that the outside world did not exist!

  ***

  After seeing General Desmarais off, Darcy walked slowly back to the sitting room where the ladies were waiting for him.

  “Darcy! There you are,” said Lady Matlock. “Would you like some tea?”

  He massaged his aching temples. “I think something stronger is in order.”

  “Was he very angry?” His aunt sounded more pleased with herself than concerned.

  “No, he was more amused than annoyed, having already heard you were a redoubtable character. And he is downright gleeful to
have managed to glimpse ‘the mysterious sister.’ Perhaps I have made her too mysterious. I shall have to mention her more often.”

  Lady Matlock smoothed her skirts. “I am glad there will be no repercussions for my insolence. Now that is settled, I had best check on Georgiana and Kit. They have been alone together too long.”

  “Too long? It has only been a few minutes.”

  “My dear boy, it may have passed your notice that Kit is a handsome young man and Georgiana is a pretty girl, but I assure you, they are both aware of it.”

  “But she is his sister!”

  “Is she? That is precisely the problem. You met her as a child, and after all these years, she feels like your sister, and she looks to you as her brother. Kit met a pretty young woman. Now, if you will excuse me...” She sailed from the room.

  Darcy stared after her. That was a problem he did not need. Now he definitely wanted something stronger than tea. He poured a glass of wine from a decanter on the sideboard. “Would you like some?” he asked Elizabeth belatedly.

  She shook her head without looking up. Something was odd about the way she sat hunched over, gazing into her cup of tea.

  He set his wineglass on a small table and joined her on the sofa, his body angled to face her. “Is something the matter?”

  Her only response was another shake of her head, this time barely perceptible. The teacup was trembling in her hands, so he took it from her and placed it on the tea tray. “What is it? Pray do not tell me you are perfectly well. Is there some way I can be of assistance to you?”

  Elizabeth still would not look at him. “Not unless you can make my world return to its normal state.”

  What was its normal state? “Are you missing your family?” he hazarded.

  She flicked her hand dismissively. “I always miss my family. But this – this is too much. Your aunt could have been signing her own death warrant.”

  “General Desmarais will not hold her words against her. He told me as much.”