16. Chapter 16
J ones had just begun tying Darcy’s cravat when there was a knock at the door. The valet walked to the door and opened it.
“Thank you, Jones!” Fitz said, sailing past the servant.
Accustomed to Fitz’s tendency to barge in at any given time, his valet simply closed the door.
“Darcy, I have come to fetch you.”
“You have come to fetch me? For what purpose?”
“For my purpose,” Fitz said, simply.
Darcy raised a brow at his cousin then motioned for Jones to continue with his cravat.
Once Jones completed the task, Darcy looked at Fitz and asked, “So, what is going on?”
“I have some things to acquaint you with. Follow me.”
Fitz walked to his bedchamber and shut the door behind Darcy.
“I brought you here so that we might speak undisturbed. I was not sure if Bingley might seek you out before dinner.”
Darcy nodded in understanding and took a seat.
Fitz sat down as well. “You will never believe this, Darcy—I have inherited seventy thousand pounds from an uncle.”
Darcy stared at Fitz, his brows lifting in shock. “Seventy thousand pounds? That is excellent, Fitz!” Darcy slapped his cousin on the back.
“Thank you,” Fitz said, smiling. “I believe it has finally sunk in.”
“Finally? When did you learn of this?” Darcy asked.
“It was a few days before you left London. I was unable to tell you because I had to go on that assignment for my superior officer,” Fitz replied.
Darcy nodded. "So, have you made any moves yet?”
“I have. After confirming with the bank that the money was in my account, I informed my superior of my intention to resign my commission. The officer who will take my place is getting some things in order. I believe everything will go into effect on Monday,” Fitz said with a crooked smile.
Darcy reached over and squeezed Fitz’s shoulder. “Cousin, I cannot express how relieved I am that you will never go to war again,” Darcy said, his throat feeling tight.
Fitz lowered his eyes and nodded.
He and Fitz had grown up together. They were cousins, they were like brothers, and they were each other’s closest friend. Darcy squeezed his shoulder again, then released it. He cleared his throat and took a moment to get his emotions under control. “So, an uncle?” Darcy asked.
“Yes, he was my mother’s great-uncle. She says Andrew and I met him a couple of times when we were very young.”
“I know Uncle Byron and Aunt Sophia must have been beside themselves when they learned of it. Andrew too.”
Fitz smiled. “They were. They were much like you—shocked, relieved, emotional.”
“I am sure they were. Why did you not tell me such momentous news as soon as you arrived? We had privacy in the parlor.”
Fitz responded with a chuckle. “When I got here, I quickly saw there were other things I needed to address! It was clear that you were smitten with Miss Elizabeth. I needed to investigate that situation right away, and, of course, I came here to make sure you and Georgiana were well. Naturally, I wanted to know what you had been through so, I just put this business of mine to the side for a time.”
“Well, get ready, cousin. As soon as this news gets around, the sharks will begin circling.”
“Yes, my brother said the same. You know, Darcy, that I have no interest in marrying a debutante. Such a thing was never in my sights before, and I certainly was never in any of theirs. So, why should I go there now?”
Darcy grinned at his cousin. “Thinking of bucking the system yourself, eh?”
“If I go along with ‘the system’ and marry an heiress from the ton, who benefits, really? Not me. I suppose she will bring tens of thousands to my coffers, but if that is all she brings, do I truly benefit?”
Darcy slowly shook his head from side to side, still grinning.
“Exactly!” Fitz said, exasperated.
“It looks like we both will have interesting conversations with the earl and countess.”
Fitz chuckled. “Indeed.”
“What are your thoughts at present on buying an estate?” Darcy asked.
“I thought I would get your opinion on it, Darcy. I would like to move forward as soon as possible,” Fitz said.
“Have your attorney start the search immediately then. Finding an estate that meets your needs can happen suddenly, or it might take time. There is no point in delaying."
“Well, I am sure we will revisit this topic again in the near future. Shall we go down? I shall not be held responsible if there is insufficient time for you to gaze at Miss Elizabeth.”
Darcy grinned. They got to their feet and left the room.
When they all entered the dining room, Miss Elizabeth said, “I shall sit in the host’s seat if it will not scandalize anyone. Just to help keep the numbers even around the table. We are just a small party of friends having a meal together, are we not?”
“Indeed, we are, Miss Elizabeth!” Bingley said.
Darcy enjoyed dinner. The food was delicious, and the company was delightful.
As he was seated to the right of the host’s seat, he was able to enjoy Miss Elizabeth’s company.
Darcy had appreciated the relaxed, informal way of taking their meals at Longbourn.
It was what one did at home with one’s family.
Seeing that everyone was finishing their dessert and would soon remove to the drawing room, Darcy decided to pose a question to Miss Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, I understand you play chess,” he said, smiling.
She smiled back, tilting her head as she looked at him. “I do.”
“Would you care to play a match?”
“Yes, I would like that. You realize I cannot go easy on you simply because you are a guest in our home?” she asked him with a quirked brow and a saucy smile.
Fitz began laughing. “Take no prisoners, Miss Elizabeth!”
She glanced at Fitz, giggling at his words, then looked back at Darcy.
Darcy grinned at her. “I would not have it any other way, Miss Elizabeth.”
She grinned back at him, another soft giggle escaping her. He liked the sound of it.
They decided to forgo separating from the ladies, so everyone filed out of the dining room together.
Darcy and Fitz were walking behind Miss Elizabeth. They paused when she veered in another direction.
She noticed and said, “Oh, please, go on ahead. I need to fetch the chess set.”
“May I be of assistance?” Darcy promptly asked.
“Thank you, but I can manage. I shall not be long,” she said with a smile, then continued on her way.
As they watched her walk away, Fitz slapped Darcy on the back.
“Nice try, cousin. Alas! You must come along with the rest of us,” Fitz said, propelling Darcy forward.
A fire had been lit since it had grown quite chilly.
Darcy and Fitz stood by the fireplace waiting patiently for Miss Bennet to serve tea.
Darcy noticed Miss Mary and Miss Bennet whispering, then Miss Mary took tea to Mrs. Annesley who was sitting at the card table.
Miss Mary returned with Georgiana and Bingley.
They each received a cup, then walked to the card table and sat down.
Miss Elizabeth walked into the room and set a case down on a small table near the fire. She then walked over to Miss Bennet and helped her serve tea.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, how do you take your tea?” Miss Bennet asked.
“Milk and sugar please,” Fitz said.
As Miss Bennet prepared Fitz’s tea, Miss Elizabeth walked up to Darcy and handed him a cup.
“Here you are, Mr. Darcy.”
“Thank you,” he said.
As Miss Elizabeth walked back to her sister, Darcy took a sip of his tea. He looked at Fitz and smiled his satisfaction that Miss Elizabeth knew exactly how he took his tea and prepared it to perfection.
Fitz apparently read his cousin’s smugness easily. He smirked at Darcy and shook his head. He then turned his attention back to Miss Bennet in time to receive the cup of tea she was handing him.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet.”
“You are welcome,” she said, smiling at him. “Colonel Fitzwilliam, are you also from Derbyshire?”
“I am. Growing up, either I was at Pemberley, or Darcy was at Thornbridge, my family estate. This afforded us many opportunities to get into trouble,” Fitz said with a grin.
“I can imagine,” Miss Bennet said with a quiet chuckle.
“Who usually instigated the trouble?” Miss Elizabeth asked.
“He did!” both Darcy and Fitz said simultaneously, each pointing a finger at the other.
The ladies laughed, and Miss Elizabeth said, “Mm-hmm, I believe we are getting a very clear picture of things, are we not, Jane?”
“Oh, yes, indeed.”
When Fitz asked Miss Bennet about growing up at Longbourn, Miss Elizabeth turned to Darcy.
“Shall we play?” she asked him.
“I am ready if you are,” Darcy answered her.
Miss Elizabeth smiled and took a sip of her tea. She put down her cup, then walked to the table where she had set the case.
Darcy came and stood beside her, that alluring fragrance of hers beckoning him closer still.
“Forgive me, I neglected to set the board up,” she said, opening the case.
“Not at all. It is quickly done with another person to help.”
He smiled at her, and together they set up the chess pieces on the board.
“More tea before we sit?” Miss Elizabeth asked.
“Good plan,” Darcy said with a nod.
They walked back to the tea tray. Her sister was in deep discussion with his cousin.
She glanced over to Miss Elizabeth to see she was helping herself and did not require assistance.
Miss Bennet then immediately returned her attention to Fitz.
Miss Elizabeth poured fresh cups of tea for them both, then led the way back to the chessboard.
Once the match was well underway, Darcy sipped his tea.
As Miss Elizabeth considered the board, he watched her, enjoying the opportunity to have her all to himself.
Darcy had given her the seat closet to the fire for her comfort.
His seat gave him the advantage of having his back to the room.
Thus, he could let his eyes linger on her with no one the wiser.