mother died, asking for the grieving girl to have a visit, but Aunt Catherine refused. She only wants her near now because of the lack of companion for Anne.”
“Aunt Catherine has admitted that she is looking for a position for the girl.”
“And yet she’s been told by Prudence that she is not looking to be situated as a companion.”
“It’s the best she could hope for in the circumstances,” Darcy pointed out. “She cannot expect to make a good match with her background. You must see that Fitzwilliam.”
“I see nothing of the sort,” Fitzwilliam snarled at his cousin. It was the first time Darcy had seen real anger in his cousin’s face, and it made him pause.
“You cannot make a match of it, Fitzwilliam. You need to marry a woman with funds. You know that,” Darcy said gently.
“Don’t you think I’m fully aware of that? It is the thing that keeps me lying awake at night!”
“I sympathise with your feelings. I truly do, but you cannot afford to marry her.”
“I can if I’m prepared to get off my high horse and retrench,” Fitzwilliam retorted.
“You would be happy for the first year, but what happens when the children start to arrive? What then, Cousin? Would your infatuation, love even, survive struggling to feed the many mouths you’ll create together?”
“That is our decision to make. It’s of no one else’s concern.”
“Have you spoken to her about it?”
“No.”
“Does she know of your feelings?”
“Possibly not to their full extent,” Fitzwilliam admitted.
“Then I beseech you to think carefully. You come from the top of society. Don’t let us witness your fall because of a beguiling woman.”
“It is more than that.”
“At least think more about it.”
“As I think of little else, that is an easy promise to make.”
“In that case, I can ask no more,” Darcy said. “I just hope you will come to realise what those of us who care for you have realised. You’ll be happier in the long run.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Of course. I am not here because of malice or the wish to cause you angst. I do have your best interests at heart.”
“I seem to recall your dislike at Aunt Catherine’s interference in your life, yet it seems you consider it is acceptable in my case,” Fitzwilliam said, reminding his cousin of the time Lady Catherine took it upon herself to visit Elizabeth at her home. It was with the intention of warning off Elizabeth from accepting any proposal. Instead of the outcome Lady Catherine desired, it actually gave Darcy hope and was the catalyst for Darcy returning to Elizabeth’s neighbourhood.
“True. But I hadn’t the same considerations as you have. I have persuaded Aunt Catherine not to write to your parents to advise them of your situation.”
“Good God! Can the woman not leave anyone alone? Must she always interfere?”
“She has little else to do,” Darcy admitted.
Fitzwilliam walked to the door of the study. He needed to get away from his cousin, the first time he had ever felt like that with Darcy.
“I’d just like to make one thing clear,” he said, his hand on the door handle.
“What?”
“It is not an infatuation. I am actually deeply in love with her, and I have never felt like this about anyone else I have ever met. I doubt I shall ever feel this way again.”
“Then I am truly sorry,” Darcy admitted before his cousin left him alone.
Chapter 10
Prudence knew the reason Darcy had been brought in was something to do with herself. Fitzwilliam hadn’t sought her out all day, even though he knew she wished to speak to him. Now at the evening meal they were seated at opposite ends of the table, and by the looks of him, he was deeply upset.
It put her in no mood to be congenial towards Darcy. A pity he was seated next to her.
Darcy could feel the animosity radiating from Prudence and aimed in his direction. He couldn’t blame her in some respects, but he still congratulated himself on achieving his aim with Fitzwilliam. He could envisage the lifestyle Fitzwilliam would be forced to endure if he made an imprudent marriage that a man blinded with love could not see.
He decided to try to mend the shaky start they’d shared. “Your features remind me of my mother. Your resemblance to her is quite marked.”
“Yes. Fitzwilliam has mentioned it,” Prudence said, remembering with fondness that morning in the study.
“My own sister looks less like my mother than you do. Strange how we resemble different members of the family.