Colonel Fitzwilliam's Dilemma Page 17

  “Hmm, it depends upon the circumstances.”

  “Name your circumstances, Lizzy, my love.” His expression turned passionately, ardently sincere. No longer teasing her, his dark eyes smouldered with intense emotion, stealing her breath away as his face hovered mere inches from hers and his lips brushed gently against hers. “You must know I would give you the moon itself, if it was mine to give. Everything I have is yours. Everything I am is because of you.”

  “Oh, Will, I love you so very much, especially when you turn poetic.” She leaned in, taking her turn to steal a kiss. “But as far as your cousin is concerned, I think we should invite the odious-sounding Sheffield to Lambton, or rather Mrs. Sheffield should.”

  “Go on,” Will said, stroking her hair.

  “She ought to write to him, say she has had a chance to reflect since her solicitor’s visit, and that they ought to discuss the matter face to face. She will not invite him to Briar Hall, of course. I am sure she can think of a good reason not to do so.”

  Will chuckled. “I am equally sure Fitzwilliam wouldn’t sleep a wink if she did. So why have him come to Derbyshire?”

  “Because he doesn’t know Mrs. Sheffield has allies here, of course. He must be aware that she seldom shares her affairs with Lord Briar for fear of oversetting her sister, who does not enjoy a strong constitution. That being the case, he will assume she is ready to capitulate.”

  “But she has no intention of giving up what is rightfully hers.”

  “Nor would I ask her to, but if Sheffield puts up at the inn in Lambton I dare say he will while away his spare time in the tap room.” Lizzy sent her husband a mischievous smile. “There is no telling whom he might encounter in that establishment. Perhaps even a military man who does not at all relish the idea of being leg-shackled to an heiress.”

  Will scowled. “I see what you are thinking, and it is very clever. Fitzwilliam befriends Sheffield and complains about being obliged to marry his cousin when he is in love with another lady.”

  “Well, that part is certainly true.”

  Will flexed a brow. “You think Fitzwilliam is as far gone as that.”

  Lizzy shook her head in faux despair. “You men are blind when it comes to such matters. I have seldom seen any man more love-struck.”

  “Oh dear. Poor Lady Catherine.”

  “Hang Lady Catherine,” Lizzy replied impatiently. “Now, where was I? Oh yes, I understand Sheffield to be a handsome man, popular with the ladies and very sure of himself in that arena. He is also unquestionably greedy. If he thinks there might be an opportunity to meet this elusive heiress and make himself agreeable to her, he will be obligated to the colonel. Naturally, the colonel will ask his new friend what business brings him to the district. They will start talking about Jamaica and it will all come out. Fitzwilliam can then say his plan won’t work because in order to pursue Anne, Sheffield will have to give up his claim to Mrs. Sheffield’s estate. If they have this conversation when Sheffield has consumed enough brandy to loosen his tongue, I dare say he will admit he has no legitimate claim to the estate anyway. Men like him can never resist bragging, especially when they are in their cups. Needless to say, Colonel Fitzwilliam will have someone else situated in the tap room, close enough to overhear the conversation and bear witness to it if necessary.”

  “It’s ingenious, Lizzy, but for one snag.”

  “Oh, did I overlook something?”

  “Something rather important as it happens. This could endanger Anne.”

  “Not if we don’t allow Sheffield to set foot on Pemberley, or Anne to leave it.”

  “Even so.” Will shuddered. “I dread to think what Lady Catherine would have to say if she got wind of the scheme.”

  “You underestimate your cousin’s newfound determination. Anne has no wish to marry Fitzwilliam. Her affections are engaged elsewhere.”

  Will sighed. “Perhaps, but Anne marrying Asquith was always going to be out of the question, even before these accusations against his character came to light.”

  “Maybe so, but she lives in dread of the colonel paying her his addresses. If he is otherwise engaged in pursuit of Mrs. Sheffield and if he manages to restore her estate to her, I feel persuaded it isn’t Anne who will benefit from his attentions.”

  “Leaving Anne free to persuade her mother to let her follow her heart.”

  “Precisely.”

  “She will never succeed in that ambition,” Will said.

  “Oh, I am not so very sure about that. Lady Catherine has a weak spot when it comes to anything to do with Sir Marius.” Lizzy wrinkled a brow. “I would give much to understand why. Anyway it must be so, otherwise she would never have given Asquith the benefit of the doubt and permitted him to remain in his post.”

  “Yes, that was rather peculiar.” Will lapsed into thought, idly twisting one of Lizzy’s many escaped curls around his forefinger as he did so. “I will put the proposal to Fitzwilliam later and let him decide. If we are to do this, time is of the essence. Lady Catherine won’t stay here much longer, nor can Fitzwilliam avoid addressing Anne indefinitely.”

  “Or not doing so and have Lady Catherine leave Pemberley in a high dudgeon.”

  “Quite so. But apart from all that, I have one condition of my own.”

  “What is it?”

  “That Anne must be made aware of the plan and decide for herself if it goes ahead or not.”

  Lizzy grinned. “In that case, it is as good as agreed. Miss de Bourgh is hungry for adventure and even if there is an outside chance of her procuring Mr. Asquith as a result she will grasp it with both hands. You just see if I am not right.”

  “Talking of occupying one’s hands, Mrs. Darcy.”

  Lizzy treated her husband to a flirtatious smile. “Yes, what did you have in mind?”

  Will spent the next half hour allowing his actions to answer that question for him.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Joshua was dressing for dinner when Darcy knocked at his door.

  “Mrs. Darcy is nothing if not inventive when it comes to righting wrongs,” he said by way of greeting.

  “Really?” Joshua dismissed Cox and gave his cousin his full attention. “You refer I presume to Mrs. Sheffield’s problems.”

  “Yes, she has made a proposal that is both daring and a little irresponsible. My initial reaction was to dismiss it out of hand. Then I decided you ought to hear it first.”

  Joshua listened with growing astonishment as Darcy related his wife’s suggestion.

  “I see what you mean about inventiveness,” Joshua said when Darcy ran out of words.

  “But the dangers. It could easily fail. We don’t know enough about the man’s character to be sure he would give himself away. And then of course there is a risk to Anne, to say nothing of Lady Catherine’s reaction were she to find out that we had involved her.”

  “Only Mrs. Sheffield will know if her brother-in-law is likely to fall for the ruse,” Joshua replied thoughtfully. “I must consult her as a matter of urgency.”

  Darcy flashed a half-smile. “Naturally you must.”

  “As to Anne, I have just received a not-so-subtle message from our aunt to say she will be in the conservatory a half-hour before dinner.”

  “So you will speak with her?”

  “Yes, but not on the subject Lady Catherine expects me to.” Joshua flexed his jaw. “I know there are many risks and uncertainties connecting to Mrs. Darcy’s plan, but I have been racking my brains all the afternoon and can’t think of an alternative that is half as likely to work. But whether Anne will agree—”

  “Lizzy thinks she will jump at the opportunity. She firmly believes that Anne has matured since being influenced by Asquith, and I tend to agree with my wife. Asquith has encouraged Anne to think for herself and express her opinions freely. That, as we both know, is something she has never done before. ”

  “Yes, that is certainly true. Georgiana and Miss Bennet must take part of the credit too. It mu
st be pleasant for Anne to mix with other young ladies and be accepted by them.”

  “According to Lizzy, who has a happy knack for discovering such things, Anne has never had companions of her own age before. Lady Catherine thought the local children were either beneath Anne’s notice, or that Anne was too frail to join in their rough and tumbles.”

  Joshua shook his head, feeling guilty that neither he nor Darcy had noticed these things on any of their visits to Rosings and attempted to do something to rectify the situation. He must shoulder his share of the guilt for simply accepting that Anne was weak and assuming she had nothing of consequence to say for herself.

  “Anne has no wish to marry me and I don’t see why she should be forced into a union when we both know it would be for all the wrong reasons. It is time we discussed the matter between ourselves and decided on a plan.”

  “I know you are keen to help Mrs. Sheffield,” Darcy said, his expression sombre. “But if Anne even hesitates to go along with the scheme, I need your assurance that you will not put undue pressure on her.”

  Joshua scowled. “What sort of cad do you take me for?”

  “Sorry, Fitzwilliam.” Darcy slapped his shoulder. “I intended no insult. I merely needed to be sure we understood one another.”

  “Absolutely.” Joshua straightened his cuffs, optimism filtering through his earlier feelings of ineffectiveness. “But now, if you will excuse me. I have an engagement with our cousin. One which I am suddenly very anxious to keep.”

  Darcy chuckled. “Then don’t let me detain you.”

  Anne was already in the conservatory when Joshua arrived. He watched her from the open doorway before she realised he was there. She stared out of the window without appearing to take in the view, her expression remote as she repeatedly pleated the fabric of her skirt between her fingers. She looked nervous and upset, as though her life was about to come to an end. Joshua felt for her excessively. Being an heiress and having Lady Catherine for a mother could not be easy burdens to bear, especially for such a delicate creature as Anne. In spite of the fact that she had almost come of age she was still a child in so many respects and Joshua couldn’t understand Lady Catherine’s determination to marry her off when she was still so unworldly wise. Unless…

  A disquieting thought occurred to him. Could Lady Catherine herself be unwell? She certainly appeared to be her usual robust, disapproving, autocratic self. But now that he thought about it, Joshua realised she was less outspoken than usual, spent a lot of time alone in her chamber, and when she was in company she often seemed to drift off into a reverie and make no attempt to dominate the conversation. That was not at all like his aunt, and Joshua wondered why he had only just noticed the changes in her. She normally had opinions on every imaginable subject and wasn’t slow to voice them. Perhaps being at Pemberley and being forced to give way to Mrs. Darcy was the reason for her unnatural reticence.

  In spite of everything, Joshua felt great affection for his aunt and hoped there was nothing more to the changes in her attitude than sullenness at having been gainsaid. But if so, why the great rush to see Anne married when it must be obvious, even to Lady Catherine, that Anne was nowhere near ready for marriage? Anne’s spirit had been suppressed for too long and she needed to live a little before settling into marriage.

  At least Joshua came with a scheme that, if she was willing, would help to restore the balance. His plan would require her to have the courage to go against her mother’s wishes, as well as absolutely secrecy, and would give her a taste of adventure. Of course, it would also set her mind at rest about being obliged to marry Joshua.

  “Anne, I hope I have not kept you waiting.”

  She started at the sound of his voice. “No, not at all.” She spoke distractedly and didn’t turn to look at him. “I was deep in thought and did not realise you had come.”

  “What were you thinking about so intently?” he asked.

  “Oh, nothing of consequence.”

  Realising what an intrusive question that must appear to be, Joshua didn’t persist with it. “May I sit?” he asked instead.

  “Please do.”

  “I think you know why I am here.”

  She lowered her eyes. “Yes, of course.”

  “Anne, look at me.” Slowly she lifted her eyes and turned her head in his direction. She looked pale and afraid. “There, that was not so very difficult was it?”

  “You must forgive me, Colonel. I am a little nervous.”

  “And distressed, because you don’t wish to receive my address but your mother has insisted.”

  “Oh no…well, yes.” She bit her lip, her anxiety giving way to animation Joshua had never seen light up his cousin’s narrow face before. “I am sorry, Colonel, I didn’t mean to make light of this situation. I realise it is as awkward for you as it is for me.” She sighed. “It all seems so very…well, cold and formal I suppose. Although I know that is often how these things are arranged.”

  “Supposing then that we decided not to marry?”

  She gasped, and this time Joshua didn’t need to request her full attention. He most assuredly had it. “How can that be? My mother, she—”

  “I hold you in great respect, Anne, and I am considerably attached to Rosings. But I don’t think those are strong enough foundations upon which to build a successful marriage, do you?”

  “I feel exactly the same way about you, Colonel,” she replied breathlessly. “But it does no good. Mama is quite determined, you see.”

  “I am not afraid of Lady Catherine.”

  Anne wrinkled her nose. “Unfortunately I am, although not as much as I used to be.” She fixed Joshua with a curious gaze. “Since we appear to be speaking plainly, how can you afford to pass up on Rosings?”

  “I have fixed my interest elsewhere, as I think you have.” She lowered her eyes again but remained silent. Joshua wondered if she found his admission insulting. After all, he had just admitted that he preferred another lady to her. Even so, as she had just pointed out, this was definitely a time for plain speaking. Besides, she was in a similar position to him. “Nothing has been agreed between myself and the lady in question and probably never will be, but I cannot bring myself to marry for money when my heart is not in it. That would not be honourable or fair to you.”

  “You certainly do believe in plain speaking, Colonel,” she replied with a nervous little laugh.

  “Whereas you find the prospect of marrying the man your mother tells you to appealing?”

  She shook her head. “What would you have me say, Colonel?”

  “Plain speaking, remember.”

  “Yes, all right. I enjoy your company but I do not think we would suit.”

  “Quite so. I can see we understand one another perfectly.” Anne’s uncontrived smile seemed too wide for her face. “But Mama will be beside herself if you don’t do as she asks and will probably blame me for not encouraging you.”

  “I will not allow any blame to be directed upon you.” Joshua matched her smile. “But I do have a suggestion to put to you.”

  “By all means.”

  “Firstly, we ought not to tell her quite yet that we have decided against matrimony.”

  “She will want to know what passed between us.”

  “Tell her we have agreed to go for a drive in the morning and get to know one another better.”

  “We have known one another for years.”

  “Not in the manner your mother has in mind. Any young lady on the brink of matrimony is entitled to be courted.”

  “But you don’t intend to court me, Colonel.” She lifted her shoulders. “You have already admitted as much. And so why–”

  “Instead of courtship I require your help.”

  She elevated her brows. “My help? How can I possibly be of help to you?”

  “The lady I have fixed my interest on has a problem, but with your permission, I think we might have devised a way to resolve it for her.”

  “Mrs. Sheffiel
d?”

  It was Joshua’s turn to flex both brows. “What makes you suppose I refer to that lady?”

  Anne laughed. “Colonel, I saw the way you looked at her when she dined here the other night and I was seated beside you. Your manners were perfectly correct and I cannot claim you neglected me in any way. However, I saw how frequently you glanced across the table at Mrs. Sheffield and how you didn’t seem to be able to look away again. I have never seen such a look of total adoration on your face before.”

  And I thought she was not worldly wise. “Oh dear, it seems I have given myself away.”

  “Don’t worry. I am sure no one else noticed. I was seated beside you so I was bound to see. Everyone else was far too busy trying to be witty and amusing to take much interest in you.” Joshua was too astonished by her powers of observation to respond. He had definitely underestimated his quiet cousin. She was far more intelligent than he had ever supposed and had hidden depths that even her mother could not know about. “I tend to be overlooked in company you see, and so I occupy my time by watching the reactions of others. It can be a very productive pastime.”

  “Clearly. And since you have guessed my secret, I might as well explain Mrs. Sheffield’s problem to you, together with Mrs. Darcy’s suggested resolution of it. First, I will require your word that even if you do not agree to help, you will not reveal any of this to anyone. Not to your maid and especially not to your mother.”

  “You have it,” Anne replied, clearly intrigued. “I would certainly never confide in my maid. She reports everything I say directly back to my mother. I always suspected as much and so one day I gave her a quite erroneous account of my day’s activities, which my mother lost no time in upbraiding me for.”

  “A lesson in discretion well learned,” Joshua said, doing what he could to conceal his anger at the extent of Lady Catherine’s determination to control all aspects of her daughter’s life. Had Joshua decided to marry Anne, she would doubtless have attempted to subject his own life to the same degree of scrutiny, and Joshua would never permit that to happen.

  “Quite so.”