Elizabeth stopped her husbands pacing with a laugh, taking his hand she sat him down beside her saying. "Calm down my love and tell me about Malcom Carstairs."

Darcy ran his fingers through his hair before replying.

"Malcom Carstairs is another Wickham, only worse."

"Worse than Wickham, impossible," Elizabeth interjected.

"Yes, worse, as bad as George was he did not have a fiery temper such as Carstairs. He has always been a gambler and a wastral, spoiled by an indulgent mother who gave him almost all of her inheritance before the Duke found out about it and put a stop to it. Every time he got in trouble with his creditors or gambling friends he went to his mother and she paid his way out. The last time the debt was so large that it took a full years allowance for her to pay it and the Duke refused to allow her any money to spend for the rest of the year. After his mother's money ran out he started to court the daughter of a wealthy businessman. The girl was the only child and her fathers pride and joy. Being just 17 she was overjoyed to be wooed by the son of a duke. At first her father was overjoyed but when he began to check on Carstairs he became alarmed and sent his daughter away. Carstairs became so enraged he beat the poor man into unconsciousness before the servants interfered and threw him out. When the lady's father appealed to the duke he had Malcom sent to the ends of the earth, as he said. I thought he meant the West Indies or maybe Africa but I never thought of Australia. A penal colony, an appropriate place for him though."

Elizabeth listened in horror, "Depend on Lydia to find such a reprobate, she sighed, but what could he find in my sister."

"You forget that her late husband left her a generous income," Darcy replied, "enough to attract such a scoundral as Carstairs for certain."

"What are we to do," sobbed Elizabeth, "when she tells my mother she will be filled with plans for a huge wedding and even if he is the devil incarnate she will accept him so that she can boast to her friends that she has the son of the Duke of Bingham for a son-in-law."

"I will think of something, my love, first we must pack to go to town, I shall need the assistance of Uncle Gardiner with this," said Darcy thoughtfuly.

"What are you planning William, I know that look," Elizabeth said.

"I will tell you when I have it worked out," he said with a grin

Darcy watched his wife as she finished her toilette herself after sending her maid away, she was still the most handsome woman he knew and he loved her so very dearly. It was a source of consternation to him to see her so troubled.

Lydia had arrived and blessedly was staying at the Gardiners. She had wanted to stay with them but Aunt Gardiner in her wisdom had insisted upon keeping her and her two daughters with them. She was wise enough to know that there would soon be confrontations if they stayed at the Darcy townhouse.

Lydia had not changed an iota, she was an overgrown child, still as silly and impossible as she had been at 15. Her taste in dress was revolting, Elizabeth told her that she looked like a trollop, which started a stream of invectives that had shocked everyone in the room and brought a sharp reproof from their Uncle Gardiner. With the threat of isolation if she did not conduct herself in a ladylike manner in the presence of the rest of the family she had calmed down and was for a few minutes silenced, but unfortunately it had not lasted long enough and they were subjected to a long story of her dearest Malcolm.

Darcy knew after the first few words that Malcolm Carstairs had not changed, but was still a gambler and a wastrel. She had giggled like a stupid schoolgirl as she told how much money he had already taken from her to pay off his creditors, but she was sure that he would soon score a big win and give it all back.

Her oldest daughter had more sense in her little finger than her mother had in her whole person. The younger girl was shaping up to be much like her mother but with a great deal of guidance could still be saved. It seemed that Arlette, the oldest daughter, had spent most of her time with her stepbrother's family and learned good sense from his wife, she was trying to get her younger sister to spend as much time as possible there before it was too late. She had come to visit her Aunt Elizabeth on the second day that they were in town to ask her for her assistance in teaching her sister to act like a proper lady.

Lydia had brought them with her in the hope that they might find husbands in spite of their being only 17 and 16. She was sure that when she married Malcolm they would be surrounded by rich, eligible young men.

Darcy walked over to stand behind his wife and stooping to kiss her gently on the head he smiled at her in the mirror and received her answering smile though it did not reach her eyes, and this bothered him greatly. Taking her hand he pulled her to her feet and into his arms saying, "Do you trust me, Elizabeth?"

With the laugh he loved so well she answered, "After eighteen years of marriage and six children do I have to answer that question, of course I trust you, William, I love you.

Six children, she had answered six children, of course he thought this would have been Cassandra's 15th birthday, she was thinking this day of the daughter they had lost at such a young age. With all the hubbub about Lydia he had forgotten but her mother had not.

"I love you too my dearest wife and I promise you that all will be well in the end. Shall we go down now," he said.

As they entered the room Elizabeth was surprised to see Lady Juliet Dawson among their guests. Lady Dawson was the widow of the Duke of Northwich who had died two years ago and left her with his entire estate since there had been no children from the marriage. Lady Dawson though she was still young and beautiful seldom left her country estate in Yorkshire as she did not care much for the social whirl of London where the predators lurked just waiting for a rich beautiful woman to fall into their hands. Elizabeth liked Juliet very much and was elated at seeing her there.

"William what a wonderful surprise, you did not tell me that Juliet was in town, I am so happy to see that you have invited her to our little party, but I must say I am nonplused at seeing her here."

"Juliet knows Carstairs well, very well," replied Darcy "and she is most anxious to help in any way she can to expose the scoundrel and save you sister from another foolish marriage."

"William, what are you up to, asked Elizabeth, I know that you have something up your sleeve, the looks between you and Uncle Richard and now Juliet, tell me what is going on.

"Not yet my love, answered Darcy, but soon I promise you.

Elizabeth look at the clock in consternation, "I cannot understand where Lydia and Mr. Carstairs are," she said to Darcy, "Lydia likes to made an entrance but this is ridiculous, they are an hour late already. I am glad we kept the guest list very small but our friends are beginning to get restless, if they do not come soon I shall start dinner without them. It is certainly not like Aunt and Uncle Gardiner to be late, they are always so punctual."

No sooner had she spoken these words than her Aunt and Uncle entered the room looking very upset and angry.

They were closely followed by Lydia on the arm of Mr. Carstairs, giggling and snorting just as she had as a child, but to her credit she was fashionably dressed and was not wearing all that horrible makeup that she had worn the last two times Elizabeth had seen her at the Gardiners.

Elizabeth sent a quick look of alarm at her husband, never had she seen a man with such a cruel, dissolute countenance. His cold, hard eyes circled the room, taking in each guest. She was perplexed to see him start when his eyes fell on Juliet and he bowed briefly in her direction before turning to acknowledge Lydia's introduction to her sisters.

The cold hard look disappeared from his eyes as he looked with satisfaction at the two ladies and turned on a charming smile but the mask had not been in place when he entered the room and Elizabeth knew at once what the real man was. She felt somehow unclean when his eyes traveled over her body as he gave a courtly bow, and she wanted nothing more but to be out of his sight as soon as possible, but she knew that she must play the part of hostess and took them around the room introducing them to the guests who had never met them before. Most of them, however, had previous acquaintances with Mr. Carstairs and were stiff and formal in their greetings.

When she came to the Duchess he could not contain his surprise and softly said, "Duchess of Northwich, well, Juliet, you have done well for yourself."

"Yes, she replied with a smile I had a very happy marriage to the best of men."

"Had, he replied, do I understand from that that you are widowed."

"Yes. Three years, but I seldom come to town, I prefer the quiet life of Yorkshire," Juliet answered coolly.

Lydia did not like the way her intended was looking at the beautiful Lady Dawson and pulled him away to talk to Bingley and Jane, saying, "We must circulate, my love, I want you to meet my family and friends before dinner and I can see that Lizzie is getting impatient."

As they moved into the dining room Juliet moved to Darcy saying, "He is just as he always was, exile has taught him nothing, I shall enjoy this, Darcy, if it works.

"It will work, laughed Fitzwilliam quietly I can see the greed in his eyes, he will not be able to resist."

Elizabeth watched the two of them thoughtfully while her Aunt explained that they had been so late because Malcolm had made Lydia change three times and remove most of the makeup before he would set foot from the house.

"He tells her that she is not in the wilds of Australia now and if she wants to become Mrs. Malcolm Carstairs she had better start learning to dress and act like a proper English gentlewoman, at least in that he is good for her, and she listens to him after a time, but he speaks so cruelly to her though, I wonder what he does when the are together in private. He truly frightens me Lizzie. Whatever Darcy and Richard are planning I hope it comes to fruition soon before she talks him into eloping, or your Mother gets wind of him and comes rushing into town."

"I wish my father knew what was going on," Elizabeth said, then he could keep my mother home until -- whatever it is -- is over."

"Oh your Father knows, he is staying close to Longbourn to make certain that he receives all correspondence that comes into the house, just in case Lydia finds it necessary to write to her mother about all her grand plans."

"I wish I knew what they are up to," Elizabeth answered, I am tired of being kept in the dark.

Elizabeth was thoroughly disgusted with both Lydia and Mr. Carstairs. After nearly a fortnight in London there was still no sign of his introducing his intended to his parents, in spite of Lydia's constant imploring him to do so.

He seemed to spend less and less time with her sister and more time with his friends , though Darcy had informed her that he saw little of him at any of the men's clubs he belonged to. She was suspicious of his excuses even though her sister was not.

Tonight they were to have dinner here at the Darcy's town house with The Gardiners, Jane and Charles, and Col. Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth was not looking forward to the get together, it seemed that Lydia got sillier and more stupid while her fiancÈ became more and more distant.

To Lizzie's surprise Lydia arrived with the Gardiners, telling her that Malcolm would arrive soon from his club. Aunt Gardiner seemed very upset by the circumstances but as she said to Elizabeth there was nothing she could do about it and Lydia didn't seem to mind.

Lydia meanwhile was telling all that Mr. Carstairs had been to see his parents and was soon to take her to meet them, on the weekend as a matter of fact she declared so that they could take part in the fox hunt The Dukes country estate.

At last Mr. Carstairs arrived with apologies and they were seated for dinner.

"Malcome, said Darcy, Lydia tells us that you are going to the hunt at you fathers this weekend and will make you engagement official."

"Yes, that is the plan at the present time, but I did not know that my dear Lydia had broadcast it about." replied Mr. Carstairs in a tight voice, my, dear, you should consult me before telling all our plans" he said turning with a glare to Lydia.

Lydia however in her usual way just giggled and replied that she only told her family, that she was so happy and excited that she could not contain herself.

"Well, Darcy said with a smile I do imagine that your stepson will be most happy to hear that as your marriage will relieve him of the burden of your most generous allowance."

Malcome's head snapped back as he shouted "WHOT, what do you mean the marriage will relieve him of her generous allowance."

"Oh yes indeed smiled Darcy, that was the way the will was written, when she marries again the allowance ceases and the money goes back to the children. You must have told Malcolm of this Lydia."

"But I do not understand, the money is to come to me for life I am sure, I know nothing of it stopping if I marry," cried Lydia. Surely You are mistaken Mr. Darcy."

"No, I am not I read the will very carefully as your late husband appointed me administrator.

Lydia looked fearfully at Malcolm Carstairs as he sat there white as a sheet. She could tell that he was steaming mad and would not be able to speak for a few minutes, she had seen him angry like this once before and she was frightened of what he might do.

Elizabeth looked with great anxiety to her husband but he seemed to have a pleased look on his face and she immediately wondered if this was a part of what he had planned. The look disappeared as soon as he saw her watching him though. She wondered why he was not frightened as she was, she would insist as soon as they were alone that he tells her what he was up to.

Malcolm soon seemed to take control of himself and was his usual charming self for the rest of the evening but Elizabeth could see as she watched him that he was still very, very angry and upset and she wondered what was to happen next and she would find out sooner than she wanted.

The next afternoon she went to visit her Aunt Gardiner and found the house in a turmoil.
The engagement it seemed was off and Lydia after shrieking at her that it was all Darcy's fault ran crying from the room vowing that she never wanted to see either of them again.

"What happened, when did he break the engagement, it is barely two o'clock," she said to her aunt.

"Come and sit down with me and I will tell you all about it," her aunt said.

"It was dreadful, Lizzie, he came shortly after ten o'clock in an angry, hateful mood. Oh, Lizzie, he was so cruel to her he told her that he had no intention of marrying her now that he only put up with her stupidity for one reason -- the money -- and since marriage to her would mean no money he was relieved and happy to get away from her and never see her again. He called her a strumpet and told her she would never learn to be a proper lady and be the wife of a son of a peer of the realm. He said that she was nothing more than a strumpet and she dressed and looked, most of the time, like the women who sold themselves down on ---- Street." Then he took his leave as quickly as he had come.

"Poor Lydia, what will she do now" sighed Elizabeth, her heart is broken I am sure."

"She has been in hysterics since he left, answered Aunt Gardiner and neither myself or her daughters can talk to her, she will listen to no one, just as she always has."

"I will go up and try to talk to her," Elizabeth said as she gave her aunt a kiss.

When she got to Lydia's room she found Lydia her throwing her clothes into a trunk while still sobbing.

"Where are you going, back to Australia, she asked.

"No I am going to Longbourn to see Mama, she will know what to do when I tell her, she will make him marry me." Lydia shouted.

"You are not going to tell Mama anything about this fiasco," Elizabeth said quietly and firmly.

"Yes I am, you cannot stop me," screamed Lydia.

Lizzie started to laugh, "Yes," she said, "run to Longbourn and tell them. Won't Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas as well as Aunt Phillips enjoy your predicament. What laughs they will have while telling everyone about how you thought that you had the son of a peer in your grasp only to have him run away as fast as he could as soon as he found out that you would bring no fortune to the marriage. Go to Longbourn by all means, Lydia it has been a very long time since they have had such a juicy bit to bandy about,"

"I only mean to tell Mama and enlist her help," sobbed Lydia.

"What is it that you think she can do, you know as well as I that Mr. Carstairs means it when he says it is over and nothing our mother or father can do will change his mind. You know too that Mama cannot keep a secret from Aunt Phillips and that she will tell everyone in England about you pretensions, she loves nothing better that such a bit as this."

"You will go to Longbourn as you stated," said Elizabeth thoughtfully. "Since your daughters have been accepted by Lady Harriet's academy for genteel young ladies you will tell Mama that that is why you are here, and after a short visit to their grandparents they must enter the school and you must return to Australia on the next boat before Robert stops your allowance thinking you have married."

"Now wash you face and come downstairs and we will discus the particulars with Aunt Gardiner."

Lydia after a few minutes thought agreed that this would be the best course and to Elizabeth's great disgust began telling her about a sheep rancher who had fallen under her spell before she met Carstairs and making plans to renew her acquaintance with him when she returned.

"So much for love," she said to her Aunt, but at least I think the girls will profit from this. I fully intend to confront William tonight and find out what is going on, he has put me off for the last time, I tried again last night but he just told me again in due time, it is most vexing.

Elizabeth was very much put out with her husband when he told her that he could tell her nothing until the last stage of the plan had been carried out.

"Have patience, my love, he said by the end of the week we shall know to what extent we have succeeded and then we shall tell you all about it."

When she tried to protest he silenced her with ardent kisses and she soon forgot all about Lydia and anything else except her own husband.

As she lay watching him sleep she thought what a vexing man he could be but he always succeeded in distracting her with his loving ways. Why couldn't her sisters find husbands as wonderful as her own she wondered as she snuggled up to Darcy and felt his arm tighten around her before she fell asleep.

It was however a full week before the parties in the plot met at the Darcy's happy to have Lydia at Longbourn and out of their hair.

Well, Juliet, where is the great Malcolm Carstairs," asked Darcy I hope you have disposed of him to our satisfaction.

"What does Juliet have to do with this, asked Lizzie in surprise I thought you had gone back to Yorkshire until you came through the door tonight, Juliet. Tell us what has been going on I am tired of being kept in the dark and being told that I will be told when the time is right."

"I have been keeping close to my town house so that Malcolm could find me, answered Juliet, he has been spending time with me trying to convince me of his undying love all the time he was telling you and your sister that he was with his friends."

"With you, gasped Elizabeth, but why, why would you want him if you knew what he is."

I didn't want him but I had to be certain he wanted me, or shall I say my money and property, Juliet laughed, it was so easy, he was so confident of his charm and his power that he fell headlong into our scheme."

"Where is he now," asked Mrs. Gardiner, "surely he is not with you, if as you say you do not want him and despise him so."

"He is on a ship bound for the West Indies, Juliet said with a smile. he believes I am to be aboard the ship and am sailing to my plantation there to be with him until this blows over. When he arrives my overseer will take care to see that Mr. Carstairs receives the proper respect. He has had dealings with Malcolm before and lost his only daughter because of him so he is looking forward with great eagerness for Mr. Malcolm Carstairs. I wonder how the son of a duke will like working as a common field hand in the cane fields.

"But how did you bring this about," asked Lizzie and Aunt Gardiner at the same time.

"It was very simple, laughed Juliet, after he left your house having broken his ties to Lydia he came to me and we went to Yorkshire where I went through my correspondence and told him I would have to leave for the West Indies to settle a dispute there. He would not hear of my going without him and insisted that he must go too, so I agreed and sent him home to pack and go to the ship, but since I did not want anyone to know that we were leaving I would meet the ship at Calais when it docked there so that no one would suspect we were together. He of course fell for it and agreed at once that it was best. Of course I sent Richards with him to assist him and make certain that he made the ship before it left. I wonder what he did when he awoke far out to sea and was informed that there was no docking at Calais, but a direct sailing for Kingston.

"What did my husband have to do with all this, asked Elizabeth.

"It was my idea, replied Darcy, as soon as I saw Carstairs I knew that he was much the same as before maybe even worse. I knew that he would not be able to resist the temptation of a beautiful rich widow who was very much a lady and accepted by all of society, so enlisted Juliet's help.

I knew also that he wanted to win his fathers approval and what better way than to marry the widow of the Duke of Northwich with all her riches and properties. His father would forgive him and accept him back into the family if he could arrange the marriage, but he needed and excuse to rid himself of Lydia and what better excuse that if she were to prove to become penniless if she married."

"i am sorry that your sister had to be hurt, Elizabeth, Jane, but I am sure you will agree that it was for the best, Juliet said as she took Elizabeth and Jane's hands in hers.

"I know that it is but it doesn't lessen Lydia's pain," Jane answered in her quiet sweet way.

Elizabeth laughed and said "Don't worry about Lydia, before she left for Longbourn she was making plans for a sheep rancher when she returns to her home, so her heartbreak was short lived. At least we have the satisfaction of knowing that Arlette and Margaret will have a proper education and be taught to act like proper young ladies.

Margaret was shocked indeed when Mr. Carstairs told her mother that she dressed and acted like a streetwalker and rid herself of everything that resembled her mother from the clothes to the makeup. I am so glad that she had not been using that horrible stuff long enough to ruin her complexion.

Everyone agreed that their ordeal had come to a happy ending for everyone but Mr. Carstairs, but Elizabeth would not be satisfied until she knew why Juliet was so anxious to help in bringing down Malcolm Carstairs and asked for an explanation.

"My dear father was the man Malcolm beat so brutally, and he died little more than a year later never having fully recovered from his wounds, and I vowed to make Mr. Carstairs pay dearly for what he had done," she replied.

************

the end