Page 52 of Her Whole Heart
Milton leaned on the edge of his father’s desk. “Anything we plan will be futile unless we convince Henrietta to desist with this campaign she has waged against Miss Elizabeth. I have never understood why she feels such enmity for the girl.”
“Lady Henrietta has denounced the Bennet ladies both privately and publicly,” Darcy replied. “In light of recent events, I shall have no scruple in doing the same to her should she continue. I would hope to avoid that.”
The earl dipped his chin in acknowledgement. “Well, we shall take matters in hand.”
“With Father and Milton united with us, Darcy, Hen will find her follies are no longer so easily dismissed.” Fitz rubbed the back of his neck.
“Regardless of any decisions made here today, gentlemen, Georgiana is my first priority. I have neither the temperament nor the tolerance to extend Lady Henrietta grace should she decide to act against her own best interest.”
Lord Matlock turned to face Darcy, who met the earl’s eyes with an unwavering gaze. His uncle was renowned for his unmoveable equanimity, even when being verbally abused or physically threatened in the House of Lords. He could face any crisis—political turmoil, investment risks, even lurid scandals, without batting an eye. But this difficulty with his daughter was etched in painful lines on his countenance.
Milton, usually no champion of his sister, stirred uneasily beside his father. “You speak plainly, Darcy. Before we take this step, is it possible that Georgiana’s nerves might have contributed in some way to her reaction?”
“Her reaction,” Fitz bit out tersely, “was completely in character, and reasonable given the circumstances to which she was subjected.” He seemed to have forgotten that he had made Milton’s argument himselfnot long before. “Hen knows how retiring Georgiana is andplannedto ambush the Bennets in her presence.”
“Yes, we are sure. No, my sister was not exaggerating.” Darcy kept his tone deferential yet resolute. He would brook no evasion here, as much as his uncle would like to believe his daughter would not deliberately defy his edict to cease her public insults of Miss Elizabeth. “My cousin’s slanders were deliberately intended to wound. Unfortunately for her, the Bennet ladies care so little for her good opinion that they were not much hurt, but the stones she hurled at the Bennets instead struck Georgiana. My sister was so shocked by and ashamed of her cousin’s cruel remarks that she slipped away, in great distress, without even being noted. It was a reprehensible breach of Lady Henrietta’s promise to see to Georgiana’s comfort and safety, duties that were instead performed by Miss Elizabeth.”
Milton held up his hand in a conciliatory gesture. “Peace, Darcy. I am as angry as the both of you and intended no disparagement. I merely suggest a bit more patience before you give Henrietta the cut direct. For all our sakes.”
Darcy cleared his throat quietly. “Discretion is well and good in diplomatic affairs. But in such cases as these, circumspection must give way to inquiry and, if warranted, action.”
The earl nodded, resigned. “You have performed an inquiry, then?”
“We spoke both to Georgiana and Lady Carlisle, who was informed of it all by one of the Amberleys' maids who was present in the room. Laramie, the Carlisle House footman who always accompanies Miss Hamilton, confirmed a part of it. And though it took a great deal of effort, your daughter’s companion Mrs. Smith also verified the report.”
The rap of knuckles against the door drew their attention.
“Enter,” called his uncle.
A footman opened the door, and Lady Henrietta swept in, all defiance. She came to an abrupt halt as she took in the stern countenances of her father and brothers before turning her gaze to Darcy. His expression must have been as thunderous as the emotions he felt, for her posture stiffened and she looked away.
“You asked for me, Father?” Lady Henrietta’s tone bordered on insolent.
“I did,” his uncle said. He levelled an icy glare at his daughter. “You will explain what happened with your cousin Georgiana during your visit to Miss Amberley’s.”
A flicker of discomfort appeared on her delicate features before a mulish expression returned. “If Georgiana is too childish to withstand a few innocuous jests, that is hardly my fault.”
“I might disagree about which of you acted more childishly, Hen.” Fitz crossed his arms over his chest. “You called the Bennets ‘beggars,’ did you not?”
“We were discussing another family entirely.” Lady Henrietta mimicked Fitz’s posture and rolled her eyes for good measure. “It is not my fault if Georgiana did not understand. She might have asked.”
“Georgiana is well aware of the paltry trick that common gossip-mongers use, making up a name for those sitting just before them and proceeding to insult them,” Darcy said coolly. “You said these were the Harris girls, and Miss Elizabeth mentioned two sets of Harris sisters, both of whom it is rather impolitic to be insulting. Did you truly mean to speak of them?”
The earl sighed heavily. “You are fortunate the Bennets and Miss Hamilton are not the gossiping type themselves, Henrietta, or I would be hosting two angry families, and what would I tell them?”
“That it is all a misunderstanding, of course,” Lady Henrietta replied blithely.
“That would be a lie. Are you suggesting that I prevaricate to protect you from the consequences of your actions? For I will not do that.”
Lady Henrietta was even now unmoved, which incensed Darcy.
“More importantly, you were entrusted with my sister’s care. She is your young cousin, for heaven’s sake. Youpromisedto look after her, and you could not manage to do so for less than an hour!”
“Why is she even being sent on calls?” Lady Henrietta asked, exasperated.
“Because I thought attending a brief morning call with the female relation nearest her age would begoodfor her, a way to slowly prepare her for coming out in a few years. Miss Amberley’s family is known to us, and your morning calls seldom last more than a quarter of an hour. I explained all of this when I made my request. Why did you agree to take her if you did not want her?”
Milton rubbed his hand over his eyes. “You wanted an audience, Hen. Father forbade you to insult the ladies publicly, and this was privately—but you wanted Georgiana on your side, because none of us are.”
