Mr. Darcy's Daughters (22 page)

She gave Wytton’s arm a little tug. “Who is that man? Do you know who is with Georgina?”

“It is Joshua Mordaunt.”

She eyed the tall, rangy man with his high-arched brows, pale gold hair and fine, thin mouth. Her heart sank; although a good fifteen years older than Georgina, he had just the kind of looks her sister admired. So dark herself, she was always drawn to fair men, and he had an air of authority about him that Georgina would respond to.

“He is married, before you ask,” Wytton said. “He has a wife in the country, and he enjoys himself in town. He is a cousin of mine, as it happens.”

How many of these people here tonight were related to one another or connected through those ties of blood and kinship that bound society together in tribal unity?

Most of them, and those who weren’t, the men who had climbed from the middle classes through industry, enterprise, brains or sharp dealing, would sooner or later make those same connections through their own marriages or those of their children.

Georgina opened her violet eyes wide and fixed them on Wytton. “Are you Mrs. Gardiner’s errand boy?”

“Indeed I am, and happy to be so,” he replied promptly.

“I do not want to leave. We have only just arrived.”

“An hour and a half to my certain knowledge, Miss Georgina. I think Miss Darcy in particular wishes to go home.”

That was a false move, she thought, Georgina would care nothing for Letty’s well-being.

“What, has she bumped into Tom? Oh, famous, is he here? I have not seen him.”

“Tom is not here,” Camilla said crossly. “You had better come, for if you don’t, Mrs. Gardiner is bound to mention it to Mr. Fitzwilliam when he returns tomorrow, and there will be an end to any parties. Pemberley will be your next destination, you may be sure.”

“Oh, as to that, I am not afraid of being sent back to Pemberley; my cousin cannot force us to go. And as for now, there is no need for me to go, no, nor Belle. My aunt Lydia can send us home in her carriage when the party is over.”

Wytton bowed to Mordaunt. “Must beg permission to relieve you of your charming companion, Joshua,” he said, and with a viselike grip on Georgina’s arm, he swept her away before she could do more than utter a squeak of protest.

“Let me go! What do you think you are doing? You are hurting me! You have no right to lay a finger on me—”

“Be quiet,” Camilla said. “Do you want to make a scene? Do you think you will be asked anywhere again if you do so?”

This threat worked as nothing else had done, and tight-lipped, with her chin set at a defiant angle, Georgina allowed herself to be pushed through the thick knots of people at the entrance to the room and all down the stairs. Breathless and rumpled, the whole party finally emerged into the night air and stood by the steps to wait for the carriages, their faces illuminated by the unsteady flames of the torches held aloft by the link boys, the chasing shadows hiding whatever feelings of temper or pleasure might be found on their faces.

It fell to Camilla, the next morning, to wait upon Mrs. Gardiner and thank her for taking them to the rout. Letty said she preferred to wait in; she had a slight headache from the night before, and besides, it would not be right if neither of them were at home to greet the Fitzwilliams upon their return from Southend. Belle and Georgina had slept late, were not yet dressed, and were full of yawns and complaints at the suggestion that they might accompany her.

“No, for although Sophie is good enough company, Mrs. Gardiner is bound to preach at us, which is such a bore. You go, you do not mind being bored.”

“I do not find the Gardiners in the least boring, and if you are going to yawn and throw yourselves on to chairs and sofas all morning in that very unbridled way, I agree that it would be better for you to do so here, where nobody has to look at you.”

Belle only yawned even more widely, and wilted prettily until the maid came in with their chocolate. At that, she became much more alert, for she was passionately fond of chocolate.

It was a wet, windy day, the sort of day that made summer a distant dream. To her younger sisters’ horror, Camilla donned a pelisse, ignoring all their cries of how unfashionable she was, and did she not know that no one with any pretensions to style would be seen out in a pelisse at this time of year? She did not choose to arrive at the Gardiners’ house looking like a damp rag, however, and so set off well clad against the inclement weather.

She found Mrs. Gardiner reclining on a sofa.

“Such a to-do, my dear,” she said, greeting Camilla with affection and gesturing for her to take a seat. “Pray forgive me if I do not rise. I tripped on the bottom stair as I came down this morning and caught my foot in my gown. I have given my ankle a dreadful wrench.”

Camilla expressed her concern and was assured that there were no broken bones in the case. “Dr. Molloy tells me that it will heal in a few days. I am to rest it for now, though; I must keep it up. So I am especially glad to see you, for I have a favour to beg of you.”

“I am happy to be of any use at all,” she said at once, wondering what her aunt might need doing that could not be undertaken by her bevy of servants.

“If Fanny can spare you, for I know she returns today, I should like you to accompany Sophie on a drive out this afternoon. Mr. Wytton is to call for her; it is a matter of looking over some jewellery of his mother’s that is being reset for her.”

“Does she need anyone to accompany her?” Camilla was surprised. There was nothing improper or incorrect in a girl being driven out in an open carriage by the man to whom she was engaged. His groom would be there, and she could always take her maid.

Mrs. Gardiner sighed and rang the bell. “I know you like to drink coffee, so I will order a pot to be made. Sophie is in her room just now, so I may speak freely. The fact is that with my being laid up, if you do not go with her, she will refuse to go, and I think Mr. Wytton will not be pleased.”

“Refuse to go!”

Mrs. Gardiner looked troubled. “I do not know why it is so, for my other daughters were always delighted to drive out with their young men. It is almost as though Sophie fears to be alone with him—not that she is in the least danger from him in any way, he is far too much the gentleman to attempt anything indecorous.”

“Would that be likely?” Camilla said, surprised. “In so very public a situation, it would hardly be possible for him to behave in such a way, even if he wished to do so, which I am very sure he would not.”

“I think it is rather his conversation, his quick way of speaking and the way his mind leaps from subject to subject, that makes Sophie uneasy,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “Then he makes some witty remark or other, and indeed, he is often very funny, only Sophie seems not always to understand him. She has a very straightforward way of thinking, and it seems that the vigour and speed of his thoughts and speech alarms her. She will grow used to his ways in time.”

Camilla listened with growing amazement. Could Mrs. Gardiner really be talking about the glowing young girl she had seen flirting last night, the composed, demure creature who sat basking in the evident admiration and love shown by Wytton?

Mrs. Gardiner fidgeted with the lace trim on her sleeve. “The thing is, and I know I can be frank with you, Camilla, that Mr. Wytton is a passionate man, and Sophie, well, Sophie is very young, and very young women often find that side of a man’s attachment threatening. It is only natural.”

Camilla thought of the twins and said nothing.

“I sometimes wonder if he is not too passionate in his liking for her, whether such strong feelings may burn themselves out. I have mentioned this to Mr. Gardiner, but he pooh-poohs the idea. Besides, he says that everything is agreed and settled, all the papers drawn up; there is nothing to be done but for the nuptial knot to be tied. Oh, Camilla, I wish the wedding might be brought forward. Sophie is not a sensible, clever girl like you, and she may work herself up into goodness knows what state of mind about Wytton if we are not careful.”

Camilla set herself to soothe Mrs. Gardiner’s fears, although she felt she had no right to offer comfort or advice; what did she know of such matters? Sophie was no doubt a little nervy, that was all. Girls were apt to be nervy in the weeks leading up to their weddings. It was only to be expected. It was best not to make an issue of it, to go along with her desire for constant chaperonage. “If Mr. Wytton finds it odd, well, he will have all the time in the world alone with her come the summer.”

“I am so glad I mentioned it to you,” said Mrs. Gardiner, whose face was looking a good deal less worried. “You are much of an age with Sophie, you are more likely to understand her than I am.”

And when Camilla protested that this was not true, she shook her head and went on, “Young people have changed. They have all kinds of romantic notions which we never gave a thought to when I was a girl. They want to love and be loved, and every other consideration must give way to that.”

“In which case, Sophie will do very well, for I am sure she loves Wytton, and you only have to see them together to know how deeply he is in love with her.”

Mrs. Gardiner held out her hand to give Camilla’s a squeeze of gratitude. “You are such a good girl, Camilla. I cannot say how much I want you to make such an attachment, and I know you will, only you are not going to be easy to please. Just like your mother.”

“I don’t seem very wise in my choices,” Camilla said ruefully. “Unlike my mother.”

“Oh, but your mother went through her own vicissitudes before she became engaged to Darcy, I do assure you. She would not like me to tell you of it, but it was so, you may take my word for it. Some young ladies meet a man and from there it is all plain sailing, but this is not the usual way it happens. Girls nowadays tumble in and out of love before settling their fancy on a particular man. You have plenty of time. I know your parents are in no hurry to see any of you married, however much the twins may moan about old maids and being on the shelf. The world has its share of intelligent, attractive, agreeable, good men, Camilla, and I am quite certain that you will meet just the man for you.”

Camilla had no such certainty, and indeed foresaw a life of lonely spinsterhood ahead of her. But she smiled, and asked if Mrs. Gardiner would take another cup of coffee.

Mrs. Gardiner’s mind was running on eligible men. “I saw you chatting to George Warren last night. He is a clever man, and handsome with it. He will have the title, too, when his father dies. It is only a barony, but there is no denying that a title can have its attractions. However, he has a reputation for wildness; there are rumours of certain doings abroad, in Italy, you know, where it is very easy for a young man to be led astray.”

“He is not such a young man,” Camilla said dryly. “Nor does he appear to me likely to be hoodwinked by anyone.”

“You are very right. He is what Mr. Gardiner calls a tough customer. Now, you must not repeat that, but Mr. Gardiner is a good judge of character. He would not have succeeded as he has if he were not.”

“I have no designs on Mr. Warren, and I am very sure he has none on me.”

“Not amorous ones, perhaps, but take care. There is little goodwill in that family towards yours.”

Camilla raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Now, that is very odd! I met George Warren for the first time last night, and Mr. Wytton also warned me to be on my guard with him. Little goodwill towards my family? Why should that be?”

“I suppose I should not tell you, it is all gossip from long ago, but you may as well hear it. You know that Lady Warren is George’s stepmother, not his natural mother.”

“Yes.”

“His late mother was Eudora Paxborough. I never liked her; she was a hard-hearted woman with a nasty tongue. All her servants were afraid of her, and I think Hartley, her husband, Lord Warren as he is now, was too. So why he chose another cold creature like Caroline Bingley, no one could understand; however, she did her duty by his son, and if she can be said to have affection for anyone, it is for George.”

“That is to her credit.”

“Oh, it is, and I may say that George adores her, and is very protective of her. That is just my point. Caroline had wanted to marry your father, you see—not that she was ever in love with him, I am sure of that. It was his position and fortune that attracted her as much as his person and character. He never looked at her, especially not once he had got to know your mother, and she took the whole business very badly. She is quite capable of doing you an ill turn, Camilla. I do not believe she has forgotten and forgiven, and that is why I say you should be on your guard with her.”

“I have met her only once at my cousin’s house, when the Warrens dined, and again last night. It is a very slight acquaintance.”

Mrs. Gardiner seemed relieved, and her thoughts returned to Sophie. “So you are sure you do not mind driving out with her this afternoon?”

“No, indeed. Only I must return home to change, I am not dressed for driving. When does he call for her?”

As Camilla turned into Aubrey Square, she saw that her return had coincided with the arrival of her cousins from Southend. All was hubbub and uproar. The carriages with their steaming horses were drawn up before the door, servants ran about, a barking Pug threatening to trip them up as he frisked between their legs. Charlotte clamoured for Letty to listen to her cough and the baby howled. Fanny was uttering pleased cries of greeting to the Darcy sisters, as she disentangled herself from a shawl that had got caught in the door of the carriage.

Dawson bade her keep still while she deftly unthreaded the fringe. “There, my lady. Now, be so good as to hand me that package. No, Miss Charlotte, I can’t attend to you at this moment, so quieten down, do, you make my ears ring.”

Fitzwilliam was surveying the front of his house, as though to reassure himself it was still standing, and then ushered everyone indoors. He wanted to go to his room and change before he hurried off to his club to make sure the government hadn’t fallen in his absence and to catch up on all the news and gossip.