He had corresponded extensively with his mother, describing the situation he found himself in honestly and in detail. He had always known that his only possible future was to marry a wealthy heiress, and therefore had never permitted himself dreams of love. Yet love had arrived unexpectedly. The wealthy heiress had appeared, though in a form he had never anticipated. She was a widow. A wealthy widow, certainly, beautiful, and elegant, but a woman with two children.
The poor colonel wished very much to have his mother on his side. He knew perfectly well what his father would say, for Lord Matlock had always desired a young lady from the ton. His concern was not for himself, as his mind was already made up, but for Mrs Cooper. He wished to bring her into their London society, yet that would be impossible without his mother’s approval. Only Lady Matlock could properly present her, and only through her could she hope to be accepted.
He told his mother everything, and it seemed that his honesty had won her over. She had always protected him, knowing he was the less favoured son, and the prospect of his marrying a wealthy woman for love delighted her. Yet before saying anything definite, she wished to meet Mrs Cooper.
The three days spent at Matlock would prove decisive.
∞∞∞
“Well?” Darcy greeted him eagerly, curious to know how the meeting had gone.
In truth, few words were necessary. The colonel was positively radiant.
“It went well!” he declared.
Darcy laughed as the colonel settled into an armchair and took a sip from the glass of cognac waiting for him.
“Speak, man!”
“Oh, so the gentleman does not care for secrets unless they are his own,” said the colonel at last.
“Enough. I told you everything there was to tell. Now it is your turn.”
“Well then, I took advantage of my father’s departure on a hunting excursion with some friends and brought Agnes to meet my mother.”
“Alice already?”
“Yes, Agnesalreadyto meet the countess,” admitted the colonel cheerfully.
“Poor woman!” exclaimed Darcy with amusement. He knew his aunt well. She was the most delightful of women…provided she liked you.
“Well, Agnes won her over from the very first moment—”
“No!” cried Darcy delightedly, rising to refill his glass. “Excellent. Go on.”
“I had imagined every possible outcome, each more dramatic than the last. Yet Agnes arrived at precisely the hour my mother had appointed, beautiful, elegant, wearing the proper jewels and a pleasant smile without being too broad. My mother examined her several times, assessed her curtsey, looked at her shoes, as she always does, because that, in her opinion, is where a lady reveals herself, and then invited her to sit down after dismissing me.”
“She remained alone with the countess?”
“Exactly. You can imagine my state. I walked hundreds of steps through the gardens, across the terrace, and through the hall until the butler summoned me. I found two smiling ladies who welcomed me, each delighted in her own fashion.”
“So you proposed?” asked Darcy, surprised, for the colonel had provided very few details before leaving.
“I did before that meeting. I explained the situation honestly. If my mother disapproved, we would scarcely be received anywhere in London except your house and those of a few close friends…and not even there freely, for my mother’s influence is considerable.”
“True,” said Darcy.
He himself had suffered similar anxieties when he first proposed to Elizabeth, uncertain whether their London society, so often snobbish and arrogant, would receive her. Yet Elizabethhad been in a wholly different position. She was a beautiful, unmarried young lady with no obligations, not a widow with two children.
“I also told Agnes that had she been poor, I should never have resolved to ask her to marry me—”
“You told her that?”
“Well, yes. I had an excellent teacher in you. The difference is that you spoiled your moment of honesty with an attitude that might have been somewhat gentler.”
“And you were gentle.”
“Precisely. I told the truth, but only after telling her that I loved her and after becoming certain that she loved me.”