Thursday 28 November #2
“One of his daughters is especially dear to me,” he said, to which her gloom vanished, and she straightened her shoulders. “I believe you would like Miss Elizabeth.”
“Fitzwilliam…are you contemplating…a match?” she said, clasping her hands together.
When he hesitated, offering only a teasing smile, she tugged on his sleeve. “You must tell me everything about her.”
“Nothing is certain, mind you, but she is thoughtful, kind, intelligent, witty, and…lovely.” An image of Elizabeth dancing at the assembly lingered in his mind.
Giggling with delight, she fairly glowed from within. “I’ve never heard you speak so favourably of any lady before. Do you plan to address her?”
“Would you approve?”
“If you approve of her, how could I not?”
“Richard is seeing to Wickham’s new position in the army, and once that’s done, I’ll be free to return to Hertfordshire and address her,” he said, then held up a hand in caution. “Of course, I’m telling you all this in the strictest confidence.”
“Yes, yes, I won’t say a word, but oh, my dear Fitzwilliam, I am the happiest creature in the world,” she said, throwing her arms around him.
Darcy could only hope that they would both have cause for celebration.
The familiar sound of music filled the halls as Darcy tended to his correspondence.
A footman entered the study to deliver a scribbled note from Charles, stating that Lydia would start seminary on Monday.
Exhaling in relief, he tossed the note into the fire.
Now that Lydia’s issue had been resolved, all that remained was to get Wickham into the regulars.
With Richard’s help, that too, should be speedily accomplished.
Sometime later, he received a note from Richard stating that he had matters well in hand and would provide more information at supper this evening.
Since his cousin had connections in the highest ranks of society, especially his father, Darcy had no doubt that he would see to every detail.
More to the point, Elizabeth and her sisters would come to no harm.
Mr Hobbs knocked on the doorframe and entered the study. “Good day, Mr Darcy.”
“Ah, Mr Hobbs. I hope your journey from Hertfordshire wasn’t too wearisome.”
“No, indeed, Mr Henderson and I travelled in perfect comfort.”
Recalling his repeated futile efforts to reverse the spell, Darcy pressed a gold coin into Hobbs’s hand.
“Thank you for your excellent services. I apologise for putting you to so much trouble these past few days,” he said, fully aware of what he owed to his loyal valet.
All he and Charles had managed to achieve was to saturate their attire with mud.
“Do you plan to make a long stay in town?” Hobbs inquired.
“I have a few small matters to attend to, then I intend to return to Hertfordshire.”
“Well then, I’ll call on my parents, and be back in plenty of time to dress you this evening.”
Darcy refused to allow this. “I know you will wish to dine with them, so take the night off.” After everything Hobbs had endured this past fortnight, giving him a few hours off was the least he could do. “And please give them my warmest regards.”
***
When Charles returned to Hurst House, he found his valet awaiting him. “Mr Henderson, at last. I’ve been lost without you.”
“When you didn’t return to Netherfield, I worried that something dreadful had happened,” he said.
“Nothing of the sort,” Charles said, dismissing those concerns. “Darcy and I never expected our errand to take a full day, but since I’m here, I finally met with my man of business. It’s devilish dull, but must be done.”
“I understand you are to dine at Darcy House this evening,” he said, taking Charles’s coat and waistcoat.
“Yes, and after sitting all day in a stuffy office, I’d prefer something comfortable.”
Henderson suggested the green pinstripes, to which he readily agreed, relieved to finally be rid of Darcy’s dreary wardrobe. After enduring one disaster after another this past fortnight, he wondered how he could have been foolish enough to want to be like Darcy.
“Will you be attending the assembly tomorrow night?” Henderson inquired as Charles donned a fresh shirt. “It promises to be a grand affair.”
Although he hadn’t thought about going to an assembly in town, he didn’t dismiss it out of hand. “I’ll think about it.”
Once he was dressed in his greatcoat and hat, he set out for the short walk to Darcy House, anticipating a pleasant evening without his tiresome sisters.
***
“My two favourite ladies.”
Darcy grinned as Richard Fitzwilliam swept into the sitting room with dramatic flair, bowed grandly, then kissed Georgiana’s and Mrs Annesley’s hands.
Georgiana giggled merrily as Richard pretended to be shocked by Darcy’s presence. “Oh, you’re here, too, cousin?”
Pleased that his sister was in high spirits, Darcy shook Richard’s hand. “You remember Mr Bingley, of course,” he said, gesturing to Charles.
Richard reached for Charles’s hand. “Mr Bingley, a singular pleasure.”