Chapter Nineteen #2
Elizabeth, wiping tears from her eyes, responded with, “Oh, husband, I have just told Jane about Netherfield Park.”
Her heart fluttered madly in her chest at the wide smile that graced his face, causing his dimples to appear and she was struck anew at how handsome her husband truly was.
***
She called him husband. Not Mr. Darcy, but husband!
It took every bit of his vaunted self-control to steady his breathing and not drag her up against his body to kiss her senseless in front of their respective cousins. Instead, he smiled and moved with a modicum of calm to sit in the chair beside the love of his life.
“Will you ladies stay as we break our fast?” he asked as he settled in beside Elizabeth.
“Of course, although we do have to change before we meet up with Aunt Lucinda and Georgiana later today,” she answered, seemingly not minding that his shoulder brushed hers ever so slightly.
“What do you have planned?” Richard asked.
“I am not sure. Your mother has an itinerary for my introduction into society. I believe we shall visit a few shops. Aunt Lucinda has decided to take a soft approach over the next few weeks before we storm the fortress of Almack’s and its patronesses.”
“Might Richard and I join you? At least for a portion of the day. It would lend credence to our marital felicity and grease the wheels of your social carriage.”
“I have no qualms over you joining us, although I suspect that as soon as we approach Hatchard’s, you will forget you have a wife and sister.”
“I will never forget I have you in my life, Elizabeth.”
His voice was low, meant only for her, and her eyes widened, the pupils dilating. Pleasure skimmed through his whole being at her outward acceptance of a light flirt. She blinked quickly when Richard cleared his throat.
“Do you mind, Miss Bennet, if a crusty old soldier encroaches on your time with your cousin?”
“I do not mind, Colonel.”
Darcy watched as Jane held Richard’s gaze before lowering her eyes and blushing slightly.
What he wouldn’t give for his wife to look at him with the same yearning.
He then caught Elizabeth observing him with astute eyes.
Almost as if she knew what he was thinking.
No, that could not be true, for if she did, she would run for protection behind a very secure door.
He rose and attended the sideboard, filling a plate before rejoining his wife at the table.
As he pulled in his chair, he also jigged it so that he sat closer to her and their legs brushed against each other beneath the table.
Her cheeks turned a delightful light pink and he tucked into his food feeling very satisfied with himself.
However, all good things must come to an end and the ladies excused themselves to change for the day.
“Are you not a little too old to play footsie beneath the table,” Richard teased as soon as the women cleared the room.
“Upset that you did not think of doing the very same thing?”
“And who says I did not?”
“Me, for if you had, Miss Bennet’s face would have been the color of a raspberry torte.”
“Little do you know, cousin.”
Darcy immediately felt an irrational anger rise in his chest. A protective streak for his cousin by marriage.
“You will not treat her as one of your light skirts. She is a gentlewoman and deserves your respect.”
Richard straightened in his chair, then leaned forward over the table, his blue eyes piercing Darcy’s soul.
“I will forgive the offense you just leveled in my direction because I understand why you feel the need to protect your wife’s cousin, but hear me, Fitzwilliam.
” Darcy knew his cousin was more than a little angered when he called him by his given name.
“I intend to ask Jane Bennet to be my wife. She is not a little bit on the side, nor is she someone who I am flirting with to bide my time. She is the only woman I can see in my life and I will thank you for not telling me how to court her.”
“Forgive me, Richard. I overstepped. This is the first time I have seen you enamored with a woman enough to even think of marriage.”
“She is the first woman who has ever made me want to approach the institution without recoiling in horror.”
“You know the origins of my introduction to the Bennet family and my pre-conceived prejudices. Having said that, I can say without a single quibble that Jane Bennet is most deserving of your time and attention, and when she accepts your proposal, I wish you joy.”
“I am ready to propose this very day. I only pull back on the reins to give her time. It has only been a few short months since Bingley dangled her heart above a pit and cut the ribbon. I will not rush her into a decision, even though I believe she holds me in high regard.”
“I cannot judge her feelings. She has always presented a mask of calm.”
“You are a fine one to chastise someone for hiding their feelings behind a mask.”
“True, which is why I have no opinion in this matter other than you will treat her with respect and do not make me send my wife in to chastise you. You will not like the results.”
“No, I would not. She is a student of the Art of War.”
“She is?”
“Oh, yes. She laid out her long-term plans for her marriage the first day I met her. I knew, right at that moment, you had no chance of victory.”
All of a sudden, Richard slapped his thigh and burst out laughing.
“What?” Darcy asked. “What is so funny.”
“I have just realized your wife played me for a fool that morning.”
“I do not understand.”
“I was gently advising her that even though she had compromised you, you were a good man.”
“She did not compromise me.”
“Of that, we are aware, but remember this was her second day at Darcy House. In our conversation, she brought up some of the terms of the original marriage settlement and let me know that you had allotted her only fifty pounds per annum.”
“I was such a beast. How she can look me in the face, I do not know.”
“You will appreciate how she played me like a finely tuned pianoforte. As I grumbled about taking you to task, she began listing off all the things she could not purchase with that miserable fifty pounds.”
“Again, I do not understand.”
“Having met her youngest cousin, I now know she emulated Miss Lydia as she wove a sad tale of not being able to buy boots, winter clothing, or women’s delicates.
How she would have to choose one thing over another.
How, if she bought cloth to make dresses, she could not afford gloves or a bonnet.
” Against his will, Darcy’s lip quirked.
“She beat me at my own game. I, who interrogate spies for a living, was taken in by a slip of a girl the first time I met her. Given what we know of her wealth, she had to have been laughing uproariously on the inside.”
“That is not all, Richard. I made the mistake of telling her she could only bring one trunk with her and made her wear a torn ball gown for her wedding.”
“You truly did not want that woman to fall in love with you.”
“Not at the time, however, she also hoisted me on my own petard. The day following our disaster of a wedding, at least eight trunks and some personal furniture were delivered to my front door. She informed me quite succinctly that while I had said she could not bring anything, I had not stipulated her belongings could not follow.”
“Darcy, I am so glad she is an ally to our family.”
“My sentiments exactly.” Darcy rose to his feet. “I will call up the carriage. The ladies should be ready to depart soon.”