Caroline took her mission seriously, and it was not long before she could report the situation as regards to Miss Bennet well in hand. The former had been kind to the latter and visitations between the two were limited. Caroline did not believe Miss Bennet would be of any distraction to Charles, and while Darcy was unhappy with the methodology used, he was happy with the results; Charles remained ever present and a needed respite from anxieties.
Darcy had just finished a most remarkable financial coup involving a land acquisition of Ackerby’s, and he was enjoying a quiet evening with his sister and the Bingleys. Intruding on the evening, a servant announced the arrival of Miss Marianne Dache on a matter of business. Upon approval, Miss Dache was shown into the room where the household was seated.
“Miss Dache,” Darcy acknowledged, standing as she entered the room.
Charles also stood and was happy to meet with the young lady. Darcy gave quick introductions and Charles took the opportunity to welcome her with a cheerful attitude.
“Would you care for some tea, Miss Dache, or perhaps some pastries? Mr. Darcy’s chef is excellent, and I can personally attest to all the delicacies.”
“Thank you, no,” she replied.
Although she smiled and was polite in her refusal, she portrayed an air of amusement with regard to Charles’ boyish good nature. Darcy thought his friend was found to be quite amusing by Miss Dache.
“I understand you are here for business Miss Dache,” stated Caroline, “personally I find business matters of all sorts rather boring. I am very happy to have Charles attend to them; of course Mr. Darcy is keen on them and very adept in several industries.”
“I understand that to be the case,” Miss Dache responded, eyeing Mr. Darcy with a wry smile. “I, however, find the engagement of the mind on matters of finance and politics to be invigorating. I believe Mr. Darcy may share the pursuit for similar reasons.”
Sensing a possible challenger for Mr. Darcy’s affection, Caroline quickly adjusted and attempted her all too familiar attack on social graces and stature.
“Mr. Darcy may enjoy business, and I do believe he prefers women to be accomplished. His dear sister Georgiana here is well accomplished in language and history. She is even becoming accomplished with the piano forte and the harp; however, I am not sure Mr. Darcy would care for a young lady of her standing to engage in business.”
“The harp, Miss Darcy? Are you quite accomplished?”
Georgiana quickly blushed and turned away slightly. She was much like her brother and comfortable only with people to whom she was well acquainted. Miss Dache, not hearing an answer, politely repeated her request; Georgiana eventually replied.
“I should not say so. I do love the instrument and my brother is content to listen to my practice, but I have no degree of professionalism,” Georgiana said in an innocent and humble manner.
“Well then I should get you a copy of ‘En Paix’. It is a piece my father, Lord Dache, commissioned for me to play.”
“En Paix,” replied Georgiana. “French, for At Peace.”
To which Miss Dache affirmed in French. This sent both Georgina and Miss Dache into a minute of civil French pleasantries. Caroline listened with contempt and little understanding as she had failed miserably in her French lessons.
“Miss Dache, your accent is very well learned; I wish mine was as smooth. I am also pleased to hear you play the harp. Do you play often?”
“When I can. My father has political connections throughout Europe and recently was able to acquire an original Naderman Harp, made for the French royal courts. It is an exquisite instrument. I do enjoy playing the instrument; but I prefer the new upright piano or violin.”
“You play all those instruments?” cried Charles, “and you speak French and are conducting business. You must be a most accomplished lady.”
Caroline did not enjoy hearing this and attempted to detract from the newcomer’s presence.
“Please forgive my brothers enthusiasm. He finds the accomplishments of many ladies to be grand. I do try to remind him that the proper upbringing of ladies will teach them many subjects. My sister and I were educated by private instructors in many of the social graces. Mr. Darcy can attest to how well we dance, as he rarely chooses another partner.”
“I can be sure to believe his opinion. I have had the pleasure of a dance with Mr. Darcy and found him to be competent enough to judge his partner’s abilities.”
This statement seemed to upset Caroline for a moment. Miss Dache witnessed Caroline’s discomfort and continued. “However, I do not share your limited outlook on the social education of ladies; but perhaps that is because my father had the means and determination to educate me in matters of science, math, and business. While I do not partake in the intricate dealing of business, as per social norms, I do assist my father from time to time.”
Turning to Darcy she addressed him directly. “I am here to deliver news from my father and receive a reply. Is it possible to attend to this?”
Darcy nodded in agreement and then showed Miss Dache out of the room and up to his formal office. Caroline watched the two of them leave through slightly compressed eyes. She did not care for this new interloper and hoped business would be concluded quickly so that she may bend Mr. Darcy’s ears over perceived slights.
In the office, Mr. Darcy and Miss Dache took seats after assuring themselves of privacy. Darcy offered a drink and Miss Dache efficiently declined. Asking the nature of the business which brought her to his house, Miss Dache replied directly.
“Your financial dealings of late are to be commended, and I am here to deliver payment.”
Startled, Darcy replied to Miss Dache’s statement.
“I am unaware of any payment to which you could refer.”
“A week ago you surreptitiously enlisted the aid of members of the local criminal element. The intent being to interfere with Ackerby’s flow of money before it could be removed from the street and deposited into banks.”
“I recall the event. It took several days and many reports for me to determine how Ackerby was moving money. It was a comment from my cousin about the methods spies used to move money across Europe that gave me insight. I saw a connection and decided to interfere.”
“My father’s resources were used to assist with your endeavor and I saw an opportunity for benefit. I allowed the criminal element to interfere in the matter and then had them disbanded by men loyal to my father. We were able to retrieve the monies, and I am here to offer you a share.”
Darcy eyed her coldly.
“It is not my intention to conduct business in such a mode as this. My family is wealthy enough with land and business holdings that I do not need to profit from the actions of criminals.”
“Of course you do not; but the situation in which we find ourselves was created by Ackerby. He has overstepped the bounds of the gentry and is now drawing our attention. His ignorance of our existence will be his undoing, and it is not a sin for the victor to take the spoils. As I have been informed, you intend to keep parts of Ackerby’s organization. I would think that would include his business dealings as well.”
Darcy angered slightly with Miss Dache’s presumptions. “His business dealings I assure you will be disbanded. We are the gentry, and I will not see us engage in blatant criminal activity. As to his business holdings, I will certainly take possession and have them returned to their suitable owners. When a suitable owner is not determinable they will be handed over to others within our organization who will then decide their fate.”
Miss Dache stared at Darcy and attempted to size up the man sitting before her. She was not usually tempted by men of any stature, but the one now in her presence intrigued her. Most of her life was spent attempting to measure up to men in one form or another; a task for which she was well suited and which taught her disrespect for many undeserving men. She was hard pressed to name any man she could fully respect; but Mr. Darcy showed promise, even if he seemed timid in some matters. Still undecided, she smiled coyly and changed the topic.
“Pray tell me, Mr. Darcy, your thoughts the night we almost met. I was ensconced across the street having missed my opportunity to stop the lord’s assistant from baiting his employer. Too far to intervene, I was pleased to witness you dispatch the would-be assassin. I admit I am not easily impressed, but I watched you that night with admiration. You quickly disarmed the assailant, took his life, and before the lord was fully aware, you were leading him out of danger. The light from the lamps cut across your face as you secured the lord, and I must say you were quite the dashing figure. My blood warmed with the exhilaration of it all.”
“Miss Dache I can assure you I thought only of the safety of the lord.”
“I find that difficult to believe. I myself am trained in similar fashion and have encountered more than one individual wishing to do me harm. The speed of the action and threat of injury is exhilarating.”
“I believe you enjoy your pursuits too much.”
“And you not enough,” she responded.
Elizabeth Bennet sat before Darcy for a moment; the vision of an intelligent woman engaged in a sparring match was pleasing. The vision and pleasant feelings quickly faded, and Darcy could not help but compare the true identity of the lady before him with the one his mind had conjured.
Miss Bennet and Miss Dache both taxed Darcy in regards to verbal argument; however, Darcy had to admit he preferred the more generous nature of Miss Bennet’s arguments. Miss Dache seemed to lack this generosity of spirit; Darcy saw fit to test his belief and continued the conversation.
“I came across a report in regards to the formerly mentioned assistant. It seems he was robbed and left murdered; an unfortunate incident.”
“I would disagree with your conclusion, Mr. Darcy. The assistant foolishly accepted money to lead a notable member of parliament into a trap. His dispatch was well warranted; but I see your thoughts. Rest assured I did not perform the act personally. I merely precipitated it. He had caused me embarrassment in regards to the lord and I rectified the situation.”
“He did accept money, and all reports led to the conclusion that he did so out of an honest belief that his employer would merely be accosted by individuals with arguments to sway his vote. He did not make himself willingly accomplice to an attempted murder. For this I see punishment and dismissal, but not a death sentence.”
“His actions led to a direct attack on a member of parliament, and I am not as wont to forgive the transgression. You seem at odds with the thought of killing, Mr. Darcy. On one hand you dispatched an assassin with skill and precision, and on the other you take great pains to save life.”
“It is often easier to take a life than to save it. When time is short we must be prepared for action; but with time to contemplate, I find it more ruthless to choose death over alternatives which allow for life.”
“This is why you seem odd within my mind. I am not fully unaware of some of your deeds; highly secret as they may be. I believe you have recently taken great pains to plan and implement the removal of a gentleman from society.”
Darcy thought back several months to his encounter with Shantly. He would have been happy to count it the only situation of that nature, but for as rare as it was, it was not unique.
“Each of us, Miss Dache, must confront our own demons and come to terms with our beliefs. We each draw a line in the sand and justify our actions whether they are good or bad. When we transgress that line we will either come to terms or we shall go mad. I assure you I do not take those situations lightly. Each one is carefully considered and only dealt with personally by me when I feel the burden of guilt must be mine to bear.”
“Do you perceive yourself a martyr then?”
Darcy turned cold at this remark. He stared at the woman across from him and replied in a tone befitting his mood. “I see myself as obligated and honourable. When the two conflict in any manner I will fulfill my obligations to the extent that will allow the ideas and codes of honour to be fulfilled; even if that should mean sacrificing my own.”
Miss Dache remained silent for a moment. She realized the extent to which she had pushed Mr. Darcy and was not displeased by his reactions. Regarding him as a whole, she coolly tallied the information she had learned about him. This handsome man that sat before her had wealth, family, a genius mind, and a conscience the she did not quite understand. However, she was certain of one absolute truth as she rose to leave the room.
“Whatever your internal demons are, Mr. Darcy, do not let them convince you that you are without honour. You are more honourable than any man I may claim as an acquaintance.”
Mr. Darcy stood, nodded, and the two silently headed out of the office. Miss Dache preceded Darcy through the house with a smile of unmistakable pleasure; all the while thinking she would have this man as her husband.