His Good Opinion: A Mr. Darcy Novel (18 page)

"He is, sir."

"I believe I will ask him to ride with me tomorrow."

As winter slowly passed, Darcy kept Bingley too occupied to discover Jane Bennet was in town. Every afternoon they rode, or Bingley joined Darcy at his club for an early dinner and conversation after.

Darcy's reason was simple: though he had convinced Bingley once that Miss Bennet did not share his affection, he did not trust his friend not to fall in love with her a second time if he were to see her again.
And this time, my efforts at separating them might not be so successful,
he mused. As much as he hated to admit to such weakness in himself, he knew instinctively that his own defenses would crumble were he to meet Elizabeth again.

One evening in early February, Georgiana broached the subject of a visit to Pemberley. "For you never answered my earlier petition," she added.

It took him a moment to realize she referred to the letter she had sent him while he was at Netherfield. He recalled her desire to spend the spring at Pemberley, and he sighed. "I did not, did I?"

Georgiana turned slightly away, one hand playing with the folds of her gown. "You need not say anything else, Brother," she said. "I can hear in your voice that we are not to return to Pemberley before the Season begins."

Darcy took her hand in his, and she looked up at him. "I am sorry, Georgiana, but I cannot leave London right now. I am needed here on a matter of some delicacy."

Her ears reddened. "It is not... You have not seen..."

"No, it is nothing whatsoever to do with Wickham," he assured her, and her color receded. "In truth, my dear, a friend of mine is considering a bad decision, and I fear that if I leave, he will allow his emotions to sway him from a rational course of action."

"Then of course you must stay, if Mr. Bingley needs you," she said immediately. When he raised an eyebrow, she said, "Do you think I have not noticed you spend all your time with them? You are a good friend, Fitzwilliam."

Georgiana tapped her chin thoughtfully. "If I am not to go to Pemberley, I might bring Pemberley to London."

"How do you mean?"

"Mrs. Annesley and my painting master would like me to begin a landscape. I believe I will paint Pemberley in the spring, surrounded by green and flowers."

Darcy smiled at her. "I look forward to seeing it completed." He grimaced. "I cannot blame you for wishing to return home, but I quite envy you London. In six weeks, I shall have to make my annual trip to Rosings Park."

Georgiana wrinkled her nose. "I am glad I need not join you. Our aunt makes me quite nervous. I am always afraid she will find fault with something I do."

"Lady Catherine has decided opinions on everything," Darcy pointed out, "but you need not fear her rebuke."

Georgiana played with a fork for moment. "Are you going to m...marry Anne?"

The question was so unexpected, Darcy nearly choked. "I beg your pardon?" he said once he cleared his airway.

Georgiana returned his gaze. "I do not think you would at all suit, Brother." This time, she did not stammer. "Anne is not strong enough to care for the tenants or walk the estate with you. I do not think her little phaeton and ponies could quite make the full circle of the park."

She blushed a little under Darcy's disbelief. "I do not mean to speak ill of our cousin," she said hurriedly. "Indeed, I quite like Anne... At least I think I do. I am not sure I really know her."

"I am not sure Anne knows herself, Georgiana," Darcy said quietly. "You must understand, though we only see Lady Catherine once or twice a year, poor Anne has lived with her all her life."

Georgiana paled. "Oh, to always be told who you are to like, what you are to think. I do feel sorry for her."

"As do I. And to answer your most impertinent question, no, I do not plan to marry Anne. I have many reasons, but your point is a valid one. She could not manage the walk..."

Darcy's voice trailed off, his mind on another young lady who loved to walk, who would rather cross three miles of fields on foot than ride on horseback. He glanced at Georgiana, but she had turned back to her food, believing the conversation to be over.
Ah Elizabeth, what must I do to forget you?

As February ended, Darcy was glad for Georgiana's painting on two counts: first, it brought a little light and sunshine into the dreary London winter, and second, it distracted them both from Richard's continued absence. That Richard had hesitated when Darcy asked when he might return did not make him feel any better.

When a knock on his study door disturbed him late one evening, he knew without being told who it was. "Come in, Richard," he called out and rose to pour some brandy. "You know," he said, his back to the door, "this manner of returning late and unannounced..."

The words died in his throat when he turned and caught sight of his cousin leaning heavily on the doorframe, his arm up in a sling. "Good God! What happened? Never mind," he said hastily when Richard opened his mouth. "Just sit down before you fall over."

Richard limped over to a chair and sank into it gratefully. "I believe I will take that brandy, William--thank you." He took a sip and released a sigh of satisfaction. "Excellent, as always. I hope you do not mind if I stay here for a while. I stopped by my rooms first, but they were cold and lonely." He did not explain why he avoided the Fitzwilliam townhouse--both men knew he could not show up there looking so haggard, not without enduring a long line of questions from the Earl and Countess.

"Of course not. You will want to clean up as much as possible before breakfast, however. I believe your current state would concern Georgiana a great deal."

"I should be able to dispense with the sling come morning. It was really only necessary to keep my arm from being jolted during travel. That injury at least is nearly healed."

"What exactly are your injuries? Were you shot?"

"Shot
at,
" Richard corrected, "which scared my horse. Losing my seat was somewhat ignoble, but it likely saved my life, as the next shot might not have missed. However, I landed awkwardly--you can imagine--and injured my leg."

"And your arm?"

Richard's face darkened. "A knife."

Darcy's fingers tightened on the arm of his chair. "There were two attempts made on your life?" He knew Richard's occupation was dangerous, but he had never expected this.

"Yes, and it was the second which decided my superiors on returning me to England. An agent of the Crown whose identity has been discovered is of no use."

"Understandable. Well, I will have Johnston bring you hot water for a bath."

Richard stood gingerly. "Actually, I already requested one. It should be ready now. Good night, William--I might not make breakfast tomorrow."

In fact, it was nearly teatime before he showed his face. Darcy and Georgiana were in the salon when he appeared. "Richard!" She half rose, a ready smile on her face. However, a look from Mrs. Annesley settled her back in her seat. "I am glad to see you, Cousin. It has been far too long."

Richard glanced between Darcy and the companion. "Oh no, this will never do," he said in mock dismay. "I am gone for four months, and the only greeting I receive is one of a decorous young lady? Was I not missed, sweet Georgie, not even a little?"

"Wretch!" she said on a laugh. "You know you were missed very much. Does the Army not allow you to write, Colonel?" she asked pertly.

Richard hesitated, and Darcy wondered how he would answer the question. It was not certain to Darcy if he could not write because of the sensitivity of his work, or if he had in fact written and those letters had been intercepted.

The pause had just become noticeable when Richard smiled. "I did not stay in any one place long enough to write, nor could I receive any letters. If I had, I am sure I would have known how much taller you have become."

Georgiana straightened in her chair and smiled at him. "I am now nearly as tall as Miss Bingley."

"Yes, I can see that."

Richard settled into a chair, and Darcy indicated that Georgiana should order tea. When she had done so, he turned to Richard. "Will you be ready to leave for Kent in a week?"

Georgiana pouted. "Are you to leave so soon?"

"I fear we must. Imagine Lady Catherine's displeasure were she to learn you kept us from her side." Georgiana sighed and Richard patted her hand. "Fret not, sweet Cuz, we shall return as soon as we can."

* * *

"I am glad you took my advice and left London for a while--though it will be some time before she is back to her old self, Georgiana is much better than she was before. I imagine some of that is just the passage of time, of course."

Darcy looked across the carriage at his cousin. Though Richard claimed his arm no longer bothered him, he kept his leg stretched out in front of him. "You were right, as you usually are. My presence kept her from regaining her self-confidence." He shook his head. "I do wish she would laugh again. I miss her laughter."

"She will, Darcy. Just trust her, and yourself."

Darcy tapped his fingers against his leg. He had not told Richard about seeing Wickham in Hertfordshire, but if they did not change the subject, he would not be able to avoid it.
"Yes, well, it seems I am destined to save all those I care about from imprudent matches of late."

"Really? I could use a good tale. Come, tell me what you have been doing while I was away."

Darcy shifted in his seat. He had said those words more to himself than to Richard. Mention of Bingley and Miss Bennet would take the conversation far closer to Elizabeth than he wished. Still, this was the most animated he had seen Richard since his return from France.

"I do not know that there is a great deal to tell," he said with a shrug. "A friend of mine came quite close to offering for a young lady this winter, but I was able to persuade him to do otherwise."

Richard raised one dark eyebrow. "I value your opinion, William, but when I choose my bride, I would appreciate it if you did not interfere."

Darcy snorted. "When you choose your bride, she will be worthy of the name. I know you, Richard. You are not a romantic. You are far too practical."

Richard laughed. "True--that is one thing the Army has given me, at least. So tell me, what was lacking in this young lady? Fortune?"

"Yes, though that was not my primary concern. My friend has more than enough to provide for a wife and children. Her family, however..." Darcy shuddered.

"Was she not a gentleman's daughter?"

Darcy flinched at the echo of Bingley's own words. "She was, but her family connections would do nothing for his standing in Society."

Richard carefully stretched his leg out in front of him. "William, you know that not everyone is looking for the same high connections you are."

"Yes, but I imagine most men would like to see a semblance of propriety in their family," he countered.

"Was the lady herself lacking?"

Darcy pursed his lips. "No, most of the objections were against her family. I cannot tell you the vulgar displays I was forced to witness. Why, I believe her mother already had the wedding planned."

Richard grinned, and Darcy was relieved to see his cousin's playful spirit returning. "By that count, you must despise most of the women in town. They have all had you married to their daughters for years."

Darcy laughed and shook his head. "It will take more than the will of the matchmaking mama to convince me to marry."

"True, or you would be wed to our cousin by now. Tell me, how long will you let her continue to believe you will marry her?"

"I beg your pardon," Darcy said stiffly. "I have never misled Anne."

"Oh no, not Anne--I am sure she is very aware you do not intend to marry her. But what of our aunt?"

Darcy raked his hand through his hair. "That is not a conversation I relish. I prefer to postpone it until I can present my engagement as a
fait accompli
."

"So much for the vaunted Darcy integrity!"

"As a military man, you will, I am sure, be familiar with the phrase, 'Discretion is the better part of valor.'"

Their laughter softened the jolts as the carriage passed over ruts left by spring rains, and the hours of their journey passed swiftly by. All too soon, they reached the palings of Rosings Park, and Richard put a hand on Darcy's shoulder. "Are you ready to see your future bride?" he jested.

"Alas, I fear she will not have me," he joked in return.

They rounded a bend and Hunsford rectory came into view. A figure of a man was visible standing outside along the road, and Darcy stiffened with a sudden certainty that he knew who it was. Sure enough, Mr. Collins sketched one of his odd little bows as they passed. Darcy nodded in reply, and Richard looked at him curiously.

"Do you know him, William?"

"He is Mr. Collins, our aunt's new parson. He introduced himself to me in Hertfordshire."

Richard's eyes widened. "He introduced himself to you?"