In the Arms of Mr. Darcy (31 page)

They all laughed, Mr. Falke's dimples flashing as he bowed slightly. "Indeed, far more straightforward and honest."

The frivolous banter continued with plans laid for Derbyshire winter diversions and springtime London amusements until the orchestra signaled the beginning of the next set. Mr. Falke claimed Georgiana and Mr. Teddington escorted Kitty.

Colonel Fitzwilliam and Dr. Darcy honestly did strive to oversee the interactions of the flittering girls, but it was an assignment not always successful. Melcourt Hall was an enormous structure with a dozen of the main rooms open for the party. Crowds of bodies occupied every space and the flood of traffic was incessant with celebrants constantly on the move as they danced and socialized. Keeping track of two girls amid the ebb and flow of activity was extremely difficult. Add to those facts their own socializing and the truth was that the older gentlemen, for all their good intentions, lost track of their energetic relatives far more than they would ever confess to Darcy.

Fifty-four years is far from ancient, especially when one possesses a sparkling personality, limitless charm, extreme handsomeness, youthful vigor, and wealth. Dr. George Darcy was gifted with all these traits and many more so was thus a sought after guest from numerous quarters. Ladies were quite infatuated and flirty, which George shamelessly encouraged and relished. Unlike his nephew, George indulged in the joy of notoriety, jolly banter, and frivolous entertainment.

"Are there truly lions and tigers running wild in India, Dr. Darcy?"

"Indeed, Mrs. Longham. Majestic creatures. Exotic flora and fauna unseen here, although I am sure you have been so blessed to view wild animals from time to time in circuses?"

"Of course, but one imagines they are vastly differing in their natural habitats."

"This is true, madam. Unfortunately, the specimens displayed in such venues are generally weakened and domesticated to a degree. Certainly not allowed to interact and perform normally."

"I saw a lion tamer once with three ferocious beasts," Miss Carmichael breathlessly interjected. "It was terrifying! Their fangs and razor sharp claws!" She shuddered dramatically, fan fluttering. "Surely they could not be any more horrifying!"

"Quite the contrary, dear lady. Once, not but one year after arriving in Bombay while yet young and incredibly naive, I traveled with another physician up the Ulhas River. We were on our way to a remote village in the jungles where a pestilence had erupted. It was my first extensive journey away from the immediate, more civilized regions around that great city, and you can imagine how enthusiastic I was. But also rather frightened, not that I would have confessed this to my wiser mentor and experienced native guides!"

His audience was spellbound, George's Darcy-inherited flair for the dramatic enhanced over the years by listening to the indigenous people's storytellers who had perfected the art form. His voice naturally assumed a slightly singsong rhythm with gestures and facial expressions adding emphasis and enlightenment. His choice of garment, handsome face mildly lined from years of harsh sun, and modulation of voice to a Hindu flavored accent augmented the effect. None of this was accidental on his part and he reveled in the attention.

"We sailed on a machwa. That is an open decked fishing vessel built by the natives, wide but offering no protection from the elements, you see, and sitting quite low in the water. The Indians use poles to propel the boat along with the currents, wind upon occasion aids movement, but this was in the hottest part of the year when breezes were rare. Ofttimes, we would creep along not much faster than a snail. I found it all so fascinating! Vegetation of a lushness and variety not seen here. Colors vivid, leaves appearing as if polished with fine lacquer. And the wildlife! Ah, teeming it is."

"Were there crocodiles?" Interrupted one wide-eyed woman.

"Indeed, madam! Enormous brutes, which thankfully prefer to hide along the shores under the shaded waters. There are other reptiles of stunning variety as well as birds vibrantly colored who mimic extraordinary sounds, insects of truly hideous sizes and shapes. It would be far too terrifying for me to elaborate further. Even I grow squeamish at the vision of the monstrous spiders and beetles." He shuddered, eyes closing momentarily as the women collectively shivered.

Resuming after a melodramatic pause, "I cannot fabricate nor embellish, so must truthfully confess that I did not espy the full complement of Indian creatures indigenous to the region upon this first trip. Over time, as I was there for some thirty years, I would become closely acquainted with the beasts both large and minute which inhabit the waters, jungles, and deserts. Ah, the stories I could tell! But we would be here all night listening to me drone on and that would not be entertaining in the least!"

Instantly several voices, both male and female, rushed to assure him that it was decidedly entertaining and none would wish to be elsewhere,
Oh absolutely not!
George humbly accepted the accolades, hesitantly resuming his tale upon the urging of an increasing fan club, twinkling eyes in sharp contrast to the meek tilt to his head. He described the verdant jungle, open grasslands, murky waters, insect-riddled air, and sultry atmosphere rife with alien odors so vividly that each listener was instantly transported to the foreign land.

"I sat on the edge of our machwa, bare feet dangling in the tepid waters, simply absorbing it all. Suddenly"--spoken with an abrupt tonal catch, causing everyone to jolt slightly--"my mentor, Dr. Ullas yelled, 'Dr. Darcy! Look quickly!' Naturally I obeyed, leaping up so rapidly that the boat swayed dangerously. Our driver scowled at me, but I ignored him because the sight before my eyes was riveting. There, roaming majestically over a mangrove-ringed valley covered with tall grasses was a group of leopards."

The
oohs
and
aahs
were intense. "What were they doing, Dr. Darcy?"

"That is the exciting part, Mrs. Allen. Leopards, like all the great cats, are shy creatures. They tend to hide in shady areas away from any traffic zones, stealthily lurking and gliding through the forests, nearly undetected in the thick underbrush or high within the tree branches. Of course, the river was not exactly a major thoroughfare, so we were invading their solitude. Unlike lions, who travel in large packs called prides, leopards prefer small clusters of three or four. Also, they generally are nocturnally active so what we witnessed, I came to realize in time, was extremely rare indeed."

Another infinitesimal caesura, the rapt audience holding their breath. "It was mating season, you see, and two males were in the throes of a serious dispute over an outstanding specimen of a feline female. All species on earth, so it appears, become incensed and foolishly aggressive when captured by an attractive lady." He flashed a dazzling smile and nod toward each captivated woman, blushes flaring prettily all around. "She paced imperiously, tail swishing while her suitors circled each other a time or two before engaging. It was brutal and noisy. Roars, fangs, and claws."

"Was there... blood?"

"Some, yes. All thoughts of medicinal treatments for the stricken villagers fled my mind, I daresay. Both leopards appeared evenly matched. Easily five feet long, not counting the tails, two hundred pounds with stocky bodies covered with gorgeous black spots on tannish brown fur. Incredible animals! Jaws squared and strong, teeth as needles, and a growling roar that sent shivers up my spine."

"Did they notice your boat? Were they angry?" Gasping with a hand to her mouth, Mrs. Longham whispered, "They did not... attack, did they?"

"Be still, dear lady. They were far too caught up in the moment to notice us. We glided silently and slowly past, for the first time truly grateful for the lack of breeze, as we were able to observe the entire spectacle. The fight itself was not lengthy, but intense with ferociousness and animalistic power. They did not seem to seriously be attempting to kill the other, but merely to display their prowess and superiority. They would stalk each other for a few moments, angry eyes locked with ears flattened on their massive heads. Then they would leap. Several times they embraced in combat, the noises rising while the she-leopard observed her would-be mates. A particularly vicious swipe with half-foot-long claws across the nose of one effectively ended the battle. He slunk away while the victor wasted no time in approaching his harshly won mate."

"Was she impressed and amenable to the winner?" Mr. Longham asked.

"Apparently, she was quite impressed as they instantly attended to those activities I believe most species would consider a pleasurable reward for such valor and exhibited virility." He grinned widely, the ladies flushing and twittering as decorum demanded although it was clear that most were energized by his allusion.

While George Darcy charmed his way through every available and unavailable woman in the entire establishment, Colonel Fitzwilliam's heart was firmly planted in High Wycombe with Lady Simone Fotherby. George enchanted with a flamboyant cheekiness fully intended to sow the seeds for future socializing and romantic trysts if possible, whereas Richard congenially socialized for the sheer enjoyment factor. Bachelors of all ages were in abundance, but the son of Lord Matlock, a colonel in His Majesty's service, and a man of no mean attractiveness and wealth was a prime object of flirtatious advances in varying degrees. Simply put, the good Colonel was not in danger of boredom from lack of receptive dancing partners, but he might well have been in danger of bold female advances! Thus, he primarily visited with his oldest friends from childhood.

"After tonight's revelry I am not so certain a hunt scheduled for the morrow was a wise idea. Who thought of that anyway?" Gerald Vernor asked.

"Obviously the one man who is not here imbibing imprudently and is undoubtedly already sleeping!" Rory Sitwell answered with a laugh.

"Be cheered, Vernor. At least we are trekking through your lands, so you have that advantage over the rest of us."

"True, Colonel, but he has that fabulous long rifle. Gerald tells me he managed quite well with it, at targeting anyway." Mr. Henry Vernor gestured toward his son, who nodded affirmative.

"Yes, he did well, but you know Darcy. He can hit nearly anything. Almost as good as I am as annoying as that is to confess." Richard winced.

Lord Matlock spoke in his quiet tenor, "Did he reach four hundred yards?"

Richard shook his head. "Not quite. Probably 300, 325 would you say, Hughes?" Mr. Hughes nodded. "Fairly impressive for the first go around. Took a bit of sighting it in and compensating for the dimensions and weight, but Darcy has a knack for firearms. Sitwell did quite well also," Richard concluded with a clap to his friend's shoulder.

Mr. Sitwell had a glow of heavenly rapture upon his face. "It was stupendous. Exquisite instrument! Well worth trudging through the snow from Reniswahl Hall. I may never have forgiven him if not invited. You really must shoot it, Lord Matlock."

"I shall be joining you tomorrow, if I can drag my old bones out of bed by noon. I will ask Darcy if I may try it out. Prove to you young bucks that the mature stag can aim true."

They all laughed, Mr. Gerald Vernor voicing their admiration, "We have no doubt of that, my Lord. My father can outshoot me any day of the week."

"And don't you forget it, my boy," Henry Vernor declared with an authoritative scowl leveled at his son, who flippantly saluted in return. Mr. Vernor the elder smiled and chuckled. "You may need to exert your familial clout, Lord Matlock, as I doubt Darcy will readily part with his weapon on this first hunt utilizing it. You know how serious he can be."

"Well there is the understatement of the century," Richard intoned under his breath, earning a humorous nudge from Albert Hughes and chuckle from Charles Bingley.

"Not a problem. One of the advantages of closely knit families is knowing things, you see. Blackmail, if all else fails, Mr. Vernor." Lord Matlock winked broadly, eliciting more laughter.

"When do you return to your regiment, Colonel Fitzwilliam?" Mr. George Fitzherbert asked.

"In two days. This is why the hunt was scheduled for tomorrow. So we can teasingly blame Darcy, but honestly it was due to me."

"At least it is for mid-afternoon, and if the weather remains fair, it should be tolerable. Worse come to worse we can always retire to Sanburl Hall sooner than expected where the fireplaces are ablaze and the brandy flows."

"Here! Here!" Several glasses lifted at that pleasant vision.

"How shocking. Thank goodness the womenfolk no longer solely rely on tough manly men to provide our sustenance or we would likely starve." They collectively turned at the words of Harriet Vernor who had arrived with the wives and a few hopeful singles as the strains of music recommenced for another set of dancing. "Afraid to be rained upon, my dear?" She smiled at her husband.

"Moisture is damaging to the mechanisms, Harriet," he answered dryly. "We would hate to see Darcy's fine weapon suffer. Think how upsetting that would be to Mrs. Darcy."

"Of course. Mr. Bingley, your lovely wife sent me to request your company on the terrace. She was in need of fresh air. Just through the music room there."

"Thank you, Mrs. Vernor. Excuse me."

"Is she well, Mrs. Vernor?"

"Merely with child, Colonel, as you would not quite comprehend... yet." Richard blushed and smiled before remembering to grimace as he normally would have.