Mr and Mrs Darcy 02 Suspense & Sensibility (23 page)

"Darcy!"
Despite the admonishment, she laughed. "Indeed, Miss Ferrars needs to
catch a wealthy husband, for it may require a fortune to feed and clothe her.
But your remark applies as much to Mrs. Ferrars as to her daughter. In many
ways, she is as hungry as Regina. I almost feel pity for Miss Ferrars - she's a
simple girl at the mercy of an avaricious mother to determine her future
happiness."

"She is
a willing participant in her own auction. Like most of society's debutantes."

"If
they aspire to no better than Mr. Dashwood, they can have him."

"Did
Mr. Dashwood have the effrontery to address Kitty?"

"Thankfully,
no. But tonight marks the third time diis week she's encountered him in public.
The mere sight of Mr. Dashwood is upsetting enough to her, especially since his
immoderate
habits seem to be taking their toll on his physical person. You should
have seen him this evening, Darcy. He looked most unattractive - his complexion
red, his cheeks heavy, his new clothes already too snug. I think he's gained
more than a stone in only a fortnight."

"Too much of that brimstone concoction. Or too many lemon ices from
that ridiculous larder he built. Perhaps he and Miss Ferrars are well suited,
after all."

"His appearance cannot help but remind Kitty of how much altered
Mr. Dashwood is in character from the man she thought she knew. But beyond
that, their mutual attendance at functions sends society's gossip vultures
circling. Their eyes stalk Kitty relentlessly, waiting to pounce upon the
slightest word, expression, or gesture that could betray her present feelings
toward him, so that they can describe her suffering in minute detail to their
friends the next day. How can she possibly enjoy herself under that kind of
scrutiny? And even if her heart were able to accept the attentions of another
admirer, what gentleman will approach her under such intense exposure? When we
left, not a single partner had invited her to dance."

"If her time in London is no longer bringing Kitty pleasure, let us
offer to take her home. The season is nearly over. By next spring, she will be
ready to hear the addresses of a more worthy suitor, and the
ton
will be
ready to let her."

"You are committing to doing this again next season?"

"If Kitty can bear it, I can." Actually, the thought made
Darcy's head ache. Their months in London had been a failure all round - he had
not even managed to find a suitable clergyman to fill the Kympton living. They
would all have done better to stay in Derbyshire.

"I will suggest it to her. I believe she wants to go home, and
would have asked us herself were it not for my mother's exhortations to punish
Mr. Dashwood's wrongdoing by setting her cap for someone better."

"Mr. Dashwood is unlikely to care whom Kitty eventually weds."

"True. But marriage is my mother's solution to most problems."

The sound of a carriage arriving drew their attention. It was late for a
visitor. Darcy crossed to one of the sidelights that flanked the door and
looked out toward the street.

"Lord Chatfield is here."

"Are you expecting him?"

"No." He frowned. "I hope nothing is amiss." He and
the earl had their regular fencing appointment on the morrow. If Chat-field
sought him out tonight, he must have business that could not wait. He opened
the door before his friend had so much as raised the knocker.

"Darcy!" The earl's expression revealed surprise at being admitted
to the house by the master himself.

"I was in the hall and heard your horses. Do come in."

"I hope I don't disturb you too late?"

"Of course not."

The earl greeted Elizabeth, who echoed Darcy's assurances of Chatfield's
welcome at any hour, then turned to Darcy. "I wonder if I might trouble
you this evening to discuss a matter of business?"

Elizabeth excused herself so that the two gentlemen might speak privately.
Darcy led Chatfield to the library, where he hoped his curiosity would be
quickly assuaged. The earl was so well connected, Darcy could not guess the
nature of business that would require his aid above that of greater men
Chatfield numbered among his friends, nor that would necessitate such urgent
action as the timing of this visit suggested.

As Darcy had planned to spend the evening away from home, the fire in
the library had not been lit, and die air held a chill. Rather than summoning a
servant, whose intrusion would delay
the earl's business further, he knelt before the hearth to light the
fire himself. Chatfield, meanwhile, took his customary seat but did not occupy
it with ease. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his hands gripping
his hat rather too tightly for the long-term welfare of its brim.

"I have
never known you to appear so grim, Chatfield."

"I have
never had so much cause." He released a sound of disgust. "I have
been these past two hours closeted widi Lady Chat-field's brother Phillip. The
countess and I are both deeply concerned about the company he keeps of late."

Darcy began
to suspect the origin of his friend's distress. "Mr. Dashwood?"

"Mr.
Dashwood." He paused, watching Darcy nurture the fledgling flames. "It
appears that Sir Francis's spiritual heir has indeed restarted the Hell-Fire
Club, and Phillip is one of its members."

"If you
speak of these absurd tales of reincarnation - "

The earl
shook his head. "I speak of facts. Since you shared that list of names
with me, the authorities have maintained watch on those gentlemen. They, in
turn, have led the observers to Mr. Dashwood. He is the other common link for
the men on that list, is he not?"

"Yes,"
Darcy confessed. "I drafted the list after observing all of those men
calling at Mr. Dashwood's townhouse. Pray forgive my not revealing that at the
time. When I showed you the list, he was still engaged to Miss Bennet, and I
did not want to cause him unnecessary trouble. Even now, I have no proof that
verifies the existence of a new Hell-Fire Club."

"I do.
Phillip admitted as much to me when I confronted him today. Mr. Dashwood has
brought those old members together with younger ones to corrupt a new
generation. He's hosted gatherings at his house and other locations Phillip
would not name, to conduct activities also held in secret. Much to my
frustration, Phillip will drop only smug hints about their goings-on, considering
any further communication a betrayal of a leader he has come to idolize beyond
my comprehension."

"I
cannot myself understand the attraction of the Hell-Fire Club for any of them,
Mr. Dashwood included."

"They
are callow boys who play at the games of men they should revile, not revere."

Satisfied
that the blaze was well established, Darcy rose but remained standing near the
hearth. "Is Phillip being watched?"

"I
assume so. As I told you before, there are many in Parliament and the upper
reaches of the government who do not want the Hell-Fire Club influencing
England's politics again." He stared into the fire. "I fear for him,
Darcy. Powerful individuals are committed to stamping out this new Hell-Fire Club
before it ignites into a full-blown version of its former self. I'm afraid
Phillip's involvement will ruin him - politically, socially, perhaps even
financially or physically, the way these fellows gamble and drink. Moreover, I
fear for his soul. Surrounding himself as he is with moral corruption - "
He met Darcy's gaze. "Lady Chatfield grieves to see the changes wrought in
her brother already."

Darcy
nodded. "We witnessed Mr. Dashwood's transformation."

"I
realize that relations between you must be strained since Miss Bennet broke
their engagement. But might you speak to him about this? Mr. Dashwood respects
you - I could see that the day he came with you to meet Mr. Young. Can you not
advise him that continuing this Hell-Fire nonsense jeopardizes his own welfare?"

"I have
tried. When he was yet engaged to Miss Bennet, I attempted to explain just
that. If he would not heed me then, I doubt he will hear me now."

Chatfield
rose. "Then might you at least persuade him to exclude Phillip from the
club? I beseech you, Darcy - if not for
me, for Lady Chatfield. My wife
cannot rest easy while her brother involves himself in such madness."

Darcy knew
not what to say. He sympathized with his friend. He and Elizabeth had been
fortunate enough to rescue Kitty from the contamination of Mr. Dashwood and his
Hell-Fire Club, and he wanted very much to help Chatfield extricate Phillip.
But how? Mr. Dashwood was past Darcy's ability to persuade. Indeed, Darcy
suspected him past saving altogether.

Yet Darcy
could not refuse the earl. Motivated by friendship alone, he would aid
Chatfield in any matter it lay within his power to affect. Beyond that, he owed
Chatfield several favors for which the earl had never once asked anything in
return. To deny his present request, particularly one tendered in such
distress, would be an unforgivable breach of honor and friendship.

Beyond that
still, the Earl of Chatfield was a peer of the realm, a member of the
aristocracy who wielded quiet power. He sat in the House of Lords, but it was
the seat at the head of his own table, where he regularly gathered the greatest
minds of the day, that invested him with the most influence. Darcy could not
say no to any man who so commanded his respect.

"You
have my word, Chatfield. On behalf of both you and the countess, I shall do all
I can."

Now he just
had to figure out what that was.

Nineteen

"I should be undeserving of the confidence you
have honoured me with, if I felt no desire for its continuance, or no farther
curiosity on its subject."

-
Elinor
Dashwood to Lucy Steele,

Sense and Sensibility,
Chapter 23

Delaford
Parsonage

16 June, 18
-

Dear Mrs.
Darcy,

Edward and I thank you for your letter advising us of
our nephew Harry's present circumstances. Far from considering your report officious,
as you feared, we are grateful for your forthright account of recent events,
and based on our acquaintance begun at Norland, trust as your motive in relating
them the sincere concern for Harry's welfare that his uncle and I share. Given
the broken engagement between your sister and Harry, which we grieve but concur
was necessary, your continued interest in his safety bespeaks an uncommonly
generous, forgiving, and noble spirit.

As my sisters-in-law apparently wished to spare us the
burden of receiving such unhappy news, we had not been aware of any alterations
in Harry beyond what we ourselves observed when he visited Delaford last month.
That his character has undergone so material a transformation troubles us
deeply.

Whilst, as you know, we had little opportunity during
Harry's school years to develop a particular intimacy with him, the inclination
he showed in recent months of establishing a stronger connection with his
Dashwood relations leads us to hope that perhaps, as you suggest, some
intervention on our part may provide a steadying influence. Perhaps also
Edward's years of ministry to his parishioners may enable him to offer counsel
in a manner Harry will accept. Indeed, it sounds as if any attempt on our part
to redirect him cannot make the current situation worse.

We believe it best to approach Harry in person rather
than by post. As fortune would have it, my sister Marianne and her family depart
with my mother for Kent in two days' time. She and the colonel have offered us
both transportation to London and the use of their house while in town. We expect
to arrive Friday afternoon in St. James's Street, where the Brandons and my
mother will stay a se'nnight before continuing on their holiday. Edward's
duties shall also call him away at that time, though I will remain longer if I
can be of use to Harry.

I shall call on you when we are settled to learn more
about my nephew. Until then, I am
-

Your most grateful servant,

Elinor Ferrars

Darcy
handed the letter back to Elizabeth. Soliciting the aid of Mr. Dashwood's aunt
to prevail upon Harry had been her idea, one to which he, having no better plan
for fulfilling his promise to Chatfield, had readily agreed. As Elinor Ferrars
had expressed, little could be lost by the effort, and they could satisfy their
consciences that every possible recourse toward reclaiming Mr. Dashwood - or at
least, Phillip Beaumont - had been pursued. Mrs. Ferrars's reply, however, had
contained surprising intelligence.

"Mr. Dashwood visited them last month?" he said.

She refolded the note and set it beside the portable writing
desk she'd
been using in the parlor when the post arrived. An unfinished reply to Jane's
last lay on top. "I intend to enquire after the particulars when Mrs.
Ferrars calls, but apparently he indeed went to Devonshire, just as he claimed."

Darcy shook his head. "Impossible! I saw him in his own window during
the period he maintains he was away."