Chapter Twenty-Two #2
His second day in Town, Richard returned to Darcy House in one of his least favorite states; with cramped shoulders and ink-stained fingers.
He would take a charge up a hill any day over hours spent closed in a little room with only the scratch of his pen and the flicker of candles for company.
Composing reports of actions taken, rather than taking action, was no way for a man to live.
Leaving his mount with Darcy’s capable staff, Richard trotted up the front steps and inside. As he handed over his outerwear, he asked, “Are Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley occupied?”
He could do with a cup of tea and some of the particularly excellent lemon biscuits Darcy House’s cook made, and he had yet to see his cousin since arriving.
After making headway on his reports the day before, he’d reached Darcy House too late the previous evening to dine with the ladies, who had turned in early after their journey from Hertfordshire, and risen too early to breakfast with them before returning to Watson, Goodwin, and Vane.
“They are in the blue drawing room with Mr. and Miss Bingley,” the butler replied.
Weariness fell from Richard like a discarded cloak. “Are they?” It seemed he would not need to wait days to see Caroline again after all. “I believe I will join them.” He started down the hallway.
“Shall I inform the kitchen that more tea is required, sir?”
“Yes, certainly,” Richard called back, not slowing his stride.
He neared the blue drawing room to the sound of his cousin chatting amiably, much to his surprise.
When he’d seen Georgiana yesterday morning at Netherfield Park, she’d been as miserable as always.
In fact, more so, and angry with him and Darcy, as she’d been since Wickham died.
Richard would have to enquire of Mrs. Annesley what had happened to restore his cousin.
But for now, he looked past Georgiana and her guardian to where Caroline sat straight backed and elegant beside her brother, and smiled.
Caroline met his gaze, taking in his expression.
Her lips tipped up at the corners, her eyes bright with joy, before she schooled her expression into neutrality.
Richard knew she would read the difference in him.
The certainty he’d come to on his journey south.
Two of the things he adored about her were her ability to read his, and others’, intentions, and to contain her reactions.
She would make a marvelous spy, but Padgett could not have her. She was Richard’s.
“Cousin, Bingley, Miss Bingley, Mrs. Annesley,” Richard greeted, bowing. “May I join you?”
“You are always welcome,” Georgiana answered, her smile so much less touched by sadness and anger than typical of late as to appear practically vibrant, relieving some of the sorrow and guilt that lurked in Richard since she’d found them with Wickham. “Shall I call for more tea?”
Casting her a smile he hoped expressed how grateful he was to have her speaking with him again, Richard shook his head.
“Already seen to.” Then, as he could hardly oust Bingley to sit beside Caroline, Richard settled onto the empty sofa opposite the two, where staring at her wouldn’t be remarked upon.
“What brings you to London? When I left you yesterday, I had no indication that you did not intend to enjoy Hertfordshire for a time longer.”
He’d aimed the words at Bingley, but Caroline replied, “I had some banking to do that was best carried out with haste.”
“Best not carried out at all,” Bingley groused. “No good can come of it.”
“No good can come of what?” Richard would have been concerned, but for the bright amusement in Caroline’s eyes.
“We had two august guests shortly before Mrs. Annesley and I departed Netherfield Park.” Georgiana plucked up the last lemon biscuit as she spoke, and Richard fervently hoped more would arrive with his tea.
Setting the confection on her plate, she added, “It was a shame because I had decided to go to Longbourn to say my farewells, but your father hared off there, so I abandoned the idea. Did you know your father and Aunt Catherine were coming?”
Richard looked longingly at the biscuit. “No, but I have since been informed.”
Georgiana nodded. “I was not in the room, did not even see them, in fact, they came and went so quickly, but apparently they accosted Miss Bingley and Miss Elizabeth, and demanded they sign papers.”
“Sign papers?” Richard reiterated, turning his attention back to Caroline with a surge of worry. Had he held his hand too long? Not come to a final decision regarding Caroline until too late? “Did you sign?”
The corners of Caroline’s mouth twitched. “Indeed, I did. Lady Catherine de Bourgh demanded I sign a document declaring that I will make no further attempt to pursue Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, and will never consent to wed him, in exchange for two and a half thousand pounds.”
Richard stared at her.
“Tell her to give the money back,” Bingley demanded. “Tell her no good will come of this.”
Laughter welled up from Richard’s gut, bursting forth. “T-two and a h-half th-thousand,” he sputtered as he chortled. “Two and a half thousand pounds to not marry Darcy.” Mirth shook him, bringing tears to his eyes. He dashed at them. “Two and a half thousand pounds.”
Caroline smirked. “I knew you would be pleased.”
“I am elated,” Richard gasped between chuckles. He dashed at his eyes again.
“She is going to be very angry,” Georgiana observed with a certain amount of glee. Richard’s young cousin did not get on well with their aunt.
“Especially when Mr. Darcy realizes he is in love with Miss Elizabeth and proposes to her,” Caroline observed, her sharp eyes taking in their reactions.
Richard merely nodded, for he’d long since come to the same conclusion. Nor did Georgiana appear surprised.
“Darcy?” Bingley asked. “Marry Miss Elizabeth?”
Caroline nodded. “Honestly, Charles, sometimes it is as if you go about with your eyes closed.”
“Darcy and Miss Elizabeth? Truly?” Bingley mulled that over, the cogs of his mind almost visibly turning. “Even though she has no dowry and no connections?”
“Even though,” Caroline said firmly. “He is enamored.”
“Huh.” Bingley’s brow furrowed in thought.
“No dowry still?” Richard asked. “Then she did not make a similar bargain over me?” That boded well for Darcy’s future with her, but it would have chuffed Richard to see his father lose money as well. Such arrogant interference should cost.
Shaking her head, Caroline said, “I tried to persuade her to sign, but she would not take me at my word that she has no chance of wedding Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.” A warm smile for him accompanied that. “And I could not reveal the truth, obviously.”
“You did what you could,” Richard said with a shrug. It was not as if his bride bringing in a few thousand pounds would change Darcy’s fortune. “And you have secured the funds from my aunt?”
“I have.”
“I am going to offer for Miss Bennet,” Bingley said loudly, cutting off Richard’s next words.
Footfalls sounded in the hall, two maids entering. They exchanged a look, likely wondering at the odd silence, then set down their trays.
As the maids left, Caroline turned to her brother with a smile. “She is everything lovely and will make you a wonderful wife.”
“She seems a very kind, pleasant person,” Georgiana added.
Bingley didn’t seem to hear her. He frowned at his sister. “I thought you and Louisa were opposed to the idea.”
“I did not wish such a connection to hamper my chances of a good match.”
“And since you believe Darcy will propose to Miss Elizabeth, you no longer have that fear?”
Richard silently commended Caroline’s composure when she managed not to so much as glance his way as she said, “I am decidedly past that worry.”
Casting Richard a strange look, Georgiana set to preparing more tea.
Richard cleared his throat. “I will be in London for several days. You are residing with the Hursts?”
“We are, but I mean to return to Hertfordshire first thing tomorrow.” Bingley spoke with considerable enthusiasm. “I cannot permit another day to pass without extending my offer.”
“I believe I will remain in London for a time,” Caroline said calmly.
Bingley turned a surprised look on her. “You will?”
“I will.”
“Then I will call on the Hursts tomorrow,” Richard said lightly.
Bingley frowned, as if he could tell he was missing something but had no notion what. Richard met his confusion with a bland look. Across from him, Caroline picked up her teacup, not quite hiding a smile.