Pride and Proposals

“I am getting married. Leg shackled. Tied down. The whole bit.” The other man grinned, taking another swig of brandy and setting the glass down on the table. He regarded Darcy with such a broad smile one would think he had invented the entire institution of marriage. “I will marry Miss Bennet!”

Chapter 14

Everything inside Darcy was screaming denial, shaking in horror at the thought of another man proposing to her.

“Ah … you … she … that is … have you thought this through? The marriage, I mean?” Given the circumstances, Darcy was proud he managed a sentence that was even marginally coherent.

Kirkwood laughed with irritatingly good cheer. Darcy wanted to force the self-satisfied smile from the lord’s face with his fist. “Thought of nothing but this for the last two days. She will make the perfect wife. Oh, I know you might not agree—”

You would be surprised, Darcy thought darkly.

“—But wealth and connections are not everything. I have little concern for the opinions of the ton and fortune enough.” So much for the rumors of Kirkwood’s father’s gambling debts.

Despite his black mood, Darcy had to admire the man’s declaration. If Darcy had arrived at similar realizations before Richard’s proposal, they might now be married.

“As my wife, no one would dare slander Miss Bennet again.” Kirkwood pounded his fist on top of the newspaper.

Darcy’s thoughts were a miasma of disbelief, anger, and despair. But amidst the chaos, he seized on one irrefutable fact: he must prevent Kirkwood from proposing. It would be a disaster.

But as he gazed with hatred at Kirkwood’s beaming face, Darcy could think of no means of thwarting the man’s plans. Kirkwood was in every way an eminently suitable match for Elizabeth. Not only was his family old and established, but they apparently were financially stable. Kirkwood himself did not have a reputation for keeping mistresses, gambling, or drinking. But perhaps additional investigation would yield more information …

Darcy immediately dismissed the thought as unworthy. Kirkwood had been a stalwart friend of Richard’s and had supported Elizabeth during a difficult time. That should be recommendation enough of his character. Indeed, Darcy would have no concern about the man—if he did not wish to marry the object of Darcy’s affections.

Darcy fought to keep panic from his face as he realized there was no obvious reason Elizabeth would wish to refuse Kirkwood’s proposal. The lord was every bit as eligible as Richard, even more so.

However, he reminded himself, Elizabeth cared nothing for fortune, particularly since she had her own source of income. There was a glimmer of hope.

Without mercenary considerations, Elizabeth would marry for love—or at least affection.

But … what if she did feel affection for Kirkwood? Certainly they were friends. Perhaps her feelings ran deeper. Darcy would not pretend to understand her heart, and he could not reasonably assume she would decline such a proposal.

Darcy felt pieces of his life slipping and sliding out of his control. He had not expected to face a rival for Elizabeth’s affections so soon.

Belatedly, he realized Kirkwood was speaking. “I suppose Miss Darcy is concerned about Miss Bennet.”

“We both are,” Darcy said firmly.

Kirkwood seemed momentarily nonplussed by the other man’s tone. “Yes, well, your sister’s mind might be eased if she knows my intentions.” Darcy said nothing, and Kirkwood cast about for a means of filling the silence. “Your support for Miss Bennet is quite admirable. I know it is what Richard would have wanted.”

Darcy caught and held Kirkwood’s eyes. “We consider Miss Bennet to be a friend in her own right.”

Kirkwood blinked. “Of course, of course! She is blessed to have friends like you.” Darcy did not reply, instead focusing on not strangling Kirkwood with his own cravat. “So, I thought you would be pleased, relieved, to know I will be lending my assistance.”

Darcy simmered with rage. Kirkwood thought to bestow a favor on Elizabeth. He had not the slightest conception how fortunate he would be to secure her acceptance. I thought similarly at Rosings, he reminded himself.

“Miss Bennet may believe it too soon after Richard’s death to consider another betrothal,” Darcy warned.

Kirkwood’s eyes widened, as though he had not considered the possibility. “But she cannot wait too long, or she will be on the shelf!”

Darcy sighed and rubbed his jaw. His opinion of Kirkwood was falling rapidly. “She may not wish to marry at all. She loved Richard.”

“Huh.” Kirkwood considered this notion for a moment. “Well, tomorrow will tell, eh?” He clapped Darcy heartily on the shoulder, while Darcy gritted his teeth. “I would do the deed today, but I have an important card game with Broad and Smallwood. Need to get some of my own back.” Darcy made no response, certain he could not refrain from the foulest language. How could he view marrying Elizabeth as less important than a card game?

“Very well. I should be on my way.” Kirkwood stood.

Darcy stood as well, forcing himself to shake the man’s hand. “Thank you for sharing your plans.”

“I thought you should know,” Kirkwood repeated.