Page 106 of I Thee Wed
Abby looked pensive. “Perhaps you may know my father’s family, Lady Helen, but it is unlikely, as my grandfather is a recluse. My father was the third son of the Earl of Barrymore, Lord Thomas Stanton. We have little to do with him, however, for he and my father had been estranged since my father’s marriage. Grandfather wished him to marry a particular highborn lady, but my father was determined to marry for love. He chose my mother, the daughter of a baronet. He declared she was quite good enough for the third son of an earl. They made a love match, and they were happy together all their days, until we lost Papa last year.”
Lady Helen was pleased to discover that the Stanton sisters were well-connected. Excellent. Aloud, she said, “I am sorry for the loss of your father, Miss Abby. How is your mother bearing it?”
Abby shook her head. “Mother is terribly sad, of course, but Father had been ill for two years already, and he told my mother not to mourn him, for death would be a release from his pain.”
Lady Helen did not know how to continue after hearing the tragic response, so she turned to her plate and ate silently through the second course.
Darcy heard every word of the conversation and was stricken. The blood drained from his face, and a sickness rose in him, and he feared he might be ill. He was on the point of rising from the table when he caught Elizabeth’s questioning gaze. She had raised an eyebrow and now watched him closely. His stomach calmed, yet his mind slipped into the past. He was remembering his mother’s words as if they had been spoken yesterday. She reminded him, even in her last hours, that he was the grandson of an earl. It was her dying wish that he should choose a wife worthy of his station. “Look around you, Fitzwilliam,” she had said, “seek a woman from a titled family, as your ancestors have done before you. A dowry is of little importance when weighed against bloodlines.”
When his father passed away and the responsibility of Pemberley fell upon Darcy at two and twenty, he carried her counsel with him. Year after year, he endured the marriage mart during each London season, searching for a woman who might meet her standard, yet he never found one. The women of his circle met his mother’s criteria, but they did not share his values. Still, he could not lay aside his mother’s wish.
And here was Abby, granddaughter of an earl, beautiful, full-figured, and lively, so like Elizabeth in spirit, yet far above her in birth. She was the wife he ought to have chosen. She had been in the room when he was still unwed and searching. He had married the wrong woman. Abby had been at the Merytonassembly. He might have known her then, but his eyes were fixed only on Elizabeth, and in choosing her, he failed to fulfill his mother’s wish. A heaviness settled in his chest, and the sickness returned. He was bound to the wrong woman for the rest of his life. His children would be born from the wrong woman, the woman whose connections were beneath his station.
When the third course was served, Lady Helen pressed on with another inquiry. “Tell me, what are your accomplishments, my dear?”
Abby colored a little. “I play the pianoforte very poorly, my lady. My main accomplishment is drawing. My music master quite despaired of me. Anise inherited all the musical talent. She plays beautifully, and her singing voice is exquisite.”
Lady Helen’s eyes flicked to the quiet twin, who was listening without adding a word.So she has a voice, does she? But little else. The quiet twin will not do, even though she is beautiful and voluptuous. I know Phillip, and that will not be enough to hold his devotion through a lifetime of marriage.
The interview did not end until dinner was over. Abby held nothing back. She answered every question, and Lady Helen learned that the family was close, affectionate, and loyal to one another. Both sisters were fond of the countryside, and since they had not yet had a London Season, neither was known or tried by London society.
Chapter 78: Matchmaking
After dinner, Georgiana turned to Anise.
“Will you play and sing for us, Miss Stanton? Your sister speaks so well of your talents that I am eager to hear you.”
Anise lowered her head, and Elizabeth noted that her hands trembled. Abby stood.
“Come, I will sit with you, Annie.”
The two sisters moved to the instrument, and Elizabeth observed that Abigail placed herself between her sister and the audience. Although Anise’s rendition was mechanically precise, she played with a delicacy of feeling that one rarely heard. Elizabeth was always moved when Annie performed.
Lady Helen was greatly affected by the music, and she was saddened that a woman with such a gift would not suit Phillip, who had no appreciation of the musical arts. Georgiana approached Anise again, this time to ask for a song.
“Miss Stanton, will you sing The Last Rose of Summer?”
Anise looked more relaxed.
“It is my pleasure.”
Abby moved away, and Georgiana took her place on the bench while Anise sang. Her soprano voice was rich and resonant. Once again, Lady Helen grieved that such a woman would be wasted on Phillip, who was unable to appreciate her talents. It would take a strong, clever woman to hold his interest and his constancy.
When Georgiana began to exhibit, Elizabeth moved to Lady Helen’s side.
“I heard your interview. I believe Abby showed very well. What is your impression?”
Lady Helen looked pleased.
“She would make a fine match for Phillip. Her lively manner is very like yours, Elizabeth, and she has a sweetness of character and enough wit to capture and hold my son. Now, if he will only attend us to the Lakes, everything will fall into place. As for the talented, lovely Miss Anise Stanton, no, she is far too reserved for Phillip’s tastes.”
Elizabeth looked amused.
“Perhaps you dismiss her too quickly. She may have hidden treasures that reveal themselves only in time.”
“Perhaps,” Lady Helen allowed, without conviction. “But men do not fall in love with hidden treasures. They fall in love with charm and conversation. It is a pity, for Anise has beauty and talent enough, but she seems to have no notion how to use it.”
Elizabeth laughed softly.
