“Of course, Colonel. Your room is ready and waiting, as usual.” Then she added. “You do realise that I shall have to tell Mr. Darcy that you are here sometime before dinner.”
“I suppose you must,” Richard chuckled, “but if he does not come out of his rooms for tea, let us leave off telling him until nearer the dinner hour. After all, we would not want to interrupt anything.” With those words, he went up the grand staircase, laughing to himself.
Mrs. Reynolds could not help but smile as she watched him ascend the stairs. Then remembering the bath water, she hurried towards the kitchen.
Chapter 32
Pemberley
The next morning
Dawn found Richard making his way as quietly down the grand staircase as his boots would possibly allow, sporting a smile that he could not expunge. Last night William and Elizabeth had joined him, Georgiana and the Fitzwilliams for dinner, and the couple’s newly acquired felicity had been unmistakable. Not only were they amiable to one another, but they acted very much in love, and the transformation had lifted everyone’s spirits, including his. Well, everyone except Georgiana’s, that is.
He had managed a private word with her as they removed to the music room after dinner, but Georgiana had been her usual aloof and haughty self. Recalling it now, Richard wondered at the futility of trying to get through to her and questioned how long Darcy would tolerate her attitude. His mind thus occupied, he was unaware of William’s presence until he heard his name called. Stopping on the last step, Richard turned to gaze up toward the landing and found his cousin hurrying towards him down the stairs, pulling his coat on as he came. William’s hair was unkempt and he was unshaven. He wore no cravat, and his shirt was open. It was so unlike his staid cousin to be in such a state of disarray that Richard broke into a wry smile.
“Darcy, I hope I did not disturb anything important.”
“Richard,” William said, dragging the word out in warning.
“What?” Richard declared innocently. “Do not begrudge me the opportunity to tease you, Cousin. I have watched you carry on without the love of a good woman for far too many years. Now that you have found Elizabeth, the least you can do is allow me a bit of fun whilst your marriage is still new.”
William’s smile returned and he shrugged. “I suppose you are right.”
“I am always right.”
Shaking his head at Richard’s bravado, William added quietly, “To be truthful, I would not have left Elizabeth except that she is fast asleep, and I must discuss a few things with you before you leave.” By then he was standing on the same step as Richard. “I shall instruct Mrs. Reynolds to send food and drink to my study so that we may break our fast whilst we talk in private—that is, if you have no objection.”
Being in such close proximity, it was hard not to notice some incriminating red marks along William’s neck. Consequently, it took all the colonel’s strength not to smirk with his reply.
“That suits me. And I imagine you would rather have this discussion done with and return to more pleasant pursuits.”
A GOOD WHILE LATER, empty plates were set aside and coffee cups were refilled as the conversation became more serious.
“So, you are saying that the Bow Street Runners had no luck?” Richard ventured, somewhat perturbed as he leaned back to prop his boots on the edge of William’s desk. “I felt sure that by now they would have tracked down whoever was responsible for the fire.”
“I did not say they had no luck. Harahan learned the identity of the man who left the horse at Eastbrooke Manor. He is called Brumeloe. Most likely it was he who killed Mr. Hobson and set the house on fire. Harahan tracked him as far as Gretna Green before losing him.”
“That is reasonable. Most of the miscreants I track head straight to Scotland. It is easy to get lost there, as very few Scots will help an Englishman looking for someone on the run, but I suppose if I were a Scot, I would not either.”
“I agree. And there is more. The receipt found in the saddle led Harahan to a warehouse in London. The proprietor remembered the sale—a used saddle—and to whom he sold it. You see, the family name was familiar to the man because he had done business with that particular family for years.”
“What name is that?”
“Darcy.”
Richard’s feet came off the desk as he stood. “Andrew?”
“It had to be, for the shopkeeper told Harahan that he resembled me. Though I shall never be able to prove it unless someone confesses, I will always believe that Andrew sent the man to Eastbrooke Manor. Perhaps he believed he could scare the women into leaving England, but things got out of hand. If the women and children were no longer around, it would have relieved him of future obligations, like the children’s education.” William stood up now, angrily tossing his serviette down on the desk. “I would give anything if I had never told him about the estate. I hoped that he would take an interest in his children—perhaps even decide to see them now and again.”
“You are not God, Darcy. And you could not have known this would happen,” Richard declared, gripping William’s shoulder in a brotherly gesture. “As usual, you were only trying to help.”
William dropped his head. “Still—”
“I will hear no more talk of that!” Richard interrupted, taking his seat again. “However, I agree with you, for why else would Andrew have provided the man a saddle. Have you located him yet?”
“Coleridge says he is on the run. In the last letter I received, he was heading to Sheffield to see if Andrew was there. I do expect to hear from both detectives this week, however.”
“If you do, send me word in London with the details. You have the address.”
“I will, if you have not returned.” William sat back down, taking another sip of the hot coffee. “When are you going to come for a real visit?”
“I am not sure at this point,” Richard smirked. “But do you ask because you miss me or because you are worried that my visit would disrupt your honeymoon?”
“My honeymoon, as you call it, will never end if I have any say about it!”
There was a loud guffaw. “Oh? And how do you propose to get any work done if you stay in bed all day!”
“Tease me all you wish,” William said, suddenly smiling like a fool. “I am too happy to get upset.”
Richard considered him fondly. “You cannot know how much it pleases me to see you happy—nay, deliriously happy. I have spent many years worrying about your penchant for melancholy, especially after Georgiana tossed aside your good opinion in favour of Andrew’s useless approbation.”
William’s face fell, and he began to toy with the Darcy crest ring that never left his little finger. “Ah, yes, my sister. I had hoped—” He stopped to control his emotions. Then shaking his head in resignation, he continued. “It appears that she has no intentions of behaving kindly towards Elizabeth, and if that continues, I feel I have no choice but to send her to live with your parents. At any rate, she is now more akin to your father in temperament than to me.”
“I did not want to bring it up, but I spoke to Georgiana last night, and I am of the same opinion. She is unwavering in her bias against Elizabeth.”
“That comes as no surprise.” William shrugged, then chose to change the subject. “To tell the truth, I was hoping you might return from London quickly and stay for the rest of the summer.”
Richard looked puzzled. “And why is that?”
William saddened. “Unfortunately, I have business in Chesterfield next week—business I was going to have you handle if you were here.”
“Chesterfield? Laughlin Manor?”
“Yes, in regards to the horses Pemberley provides so that Lord Laughlin can meet his obligations to the army.”
“Perhaps Uncle George got along well with that man, but you and Laughlin are so dissimilar that I marvel that you can agree on anything.”
“We have always been in opposition, but he has changed for the worse since Lady Laughlin’s death. He is certa
inly not the sort of man I would seek out for company. Still, his contract with the army brings in considerable income for Pemberley. He never has enough stallions, and with my help, he fulfils their demands.”
“Do you feel your ankle is well enough to ride that distance?”
“It still gets stiff if I ride for long periods, but it is not unbearable.”
“I see. Well, since you and Elizabeth are inseparable, have you thought of taking her along?”
“That will never happen! Since Lady Laughlin died and the viscount is still unmarried, there is nothing respectable about Laughlin Manor. One might think they were at White’s or Boodles for the surfeit of gambling taking place there, not to mention the number of questionable ladies who magically appear after dark.”
The corners of Richard’s mouth lifted. “It sounds more like my kind of gathering than yours?”
“Precisely.”
“And the talk is that Viscount Barrett inherited his father’s reputation as a rake.”
William’s eyes darkened. “Another reason I have no intention of subjecting Elizabeth to their company. I had planned to send Sturgis to negotiate a price, but Laughlin would not hear of it. He keeps to the old ways and is unwilling to meet with a mere steward, but you could take my place with no argument.”
“That is because he and father are old friends.”
“And because you are an earl’s son and one who can hold your own in an argument. Lord Laughlin loves to negotiate.” William stood and began to pace. “That is a practice I find abhorrent when we both know how to arrive at a fair price.”
Richard smirked. “I see your point; you have always detested arguing.” Then his expression softened. “Sorry, Cousin. I would gladly go in your stead, but I have no idea when I shall be able to return to Pemberley. General Lassiter may keep me in London for a week, maybe more, before sending me this way again.”
“I understand.”
“So what will you do if I do not return in time?”
“There will be no getting around it. I shall have to go; however, I am determined to go via horseback if I must. By taking Mason’s Pass, it is a day’s ride there and another back. With one day to work out an agreement, I should return in three days.” Walking over to a window, he pulled back the curtain and stared into the distance. “Three days apart from Elizabeth will seem forever.”
Richard almost laughed at the absurdity of his statement, but caught himself when William looked back to him. There was definitely nothing humorous about the anguish in his eyes. So he stood and walked over to William, gripping his shoulder with one hand.
“How would this suit you? When I get to London I shall ask the general what his plans are, and if I can make it back in time to go to Chesterfield, I will send word.”
A smile crossed William’s face. “I knew I could count on you to make an effort.”
Richard was somewhat uncomfortable being praised. “Just as I have always relied on you.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. “Come,” William called. The door opened slightly and Mr. Walker appeared.
“Begging your pardon, sir, but the colonel asked me to inform him when his horse was ready.”
“Thank you, Walker. I shall be right there,” Richard replied, then addressed William as the butler retreated. “I must be on my way. As always, I appreciate your hospitality, Darcy, but I cannot express strongly enough how pleased I am to find you and Elizabeth so content.”
“And it is, in no little part, thanks to you.” William said with a grin. “Elizabeth told me that you spoke to her—against my express orders, I might add—when you escorted her to Pemberley.”
“You are well aware of my propensity for stating my opinions, especially when I think someone is wrong. So if I spoke out of turn, it is clearly your fault for asking me to escort her.”
William slid his arm around his cousin’s shoulder as they walked toward the door. “Regardless, I am glad that you completely ignored me in this case.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I almost always ignore you.”
They chuckled as they walked into the hallway, the sound of their laughter causing several maids and footmen to stop, listen and smile before continuing their duties. Moving into the foyer, though, they were surprised to find their aunt and uncle waiting patiently at the bottom of the stairs.
Richard was the first to speak. “I thought I made it clear that you were not to rise at this ungodly hour to see me off.”
Olivia Fitzwilliam’s expression grew serious as she placed her hands on her hips. “Richard Fitzwilliam, you are never too old for me to discipline!” As everyone quietly laughed, her face softened. “I would not have you leave without saying a proper goodbye. In my lifetime, I have learned a hard lesson—no one is promised tomorrow. Thus, I say what I wish to say whenever the opportunity arises.”
Richard looked properly chastised. “You are right.”
“Of course I am,” she teased, stepping forward to place a kiss on Richard’s cheek and cup his face in a motherly fashion. “Joseph and I just wanted you to know that we love you very much, and we shall pray for a safe journey to London.”
Touched at the display of affection, Richard could only nod. Next, Joseph stretched a hand out for his nephew to shake and with the other gripped his shoulder. “Be watchful, Richard. Without your batman, you are more vulnerable to those up to no good. Keep an eye out for highwaymen, and let Fitzwilliam know when you arrive, so we will not worry.”
“I shall.”
“Good. Then Olivia and I shall leave you and Fitzwilliam to say your goodbyes while we break our fast.”
As they walked away, Richard turned to find a concerned look on William’s face. “I had not thought about it, but would you object if I send a footman along with you?”
Richard chuckled. “I have travelled many years without an aide. I think I can manage to get to London all by myself.”
“It would certainly be no problem. He could attach himself to Darcy House once you arrive in London.”
As Richard walked toward the front door, he teased, “You do know that marriage has changed you?”
“In what way?”
“It may just be the novelty of having your lovely wife dependent on you now, but you are beginning to sound just like our aunt. And I am not sure I can cope with another aunt.”
As they went out the door, loud guffaws could be heard coming from the portico.
THAT AFTERNOON
Zeus appeared totally unaffected to be carrying both William and Elizabeth up one of Pemberley’s many hillsides towards a stand of trees, whilst a pack horse, tethered to a rope, trailed behind. Standing eighteen-hands high and weighing 1300 pounds, he was the largest stallion in Pemberley’s stable and well able to shoulder the load. The smaller of the two horses had been enlisted solely for the purpose of carrying the two large baskets filled with items that Mrs. Reynolds deemed necessary for a picnic. Though Elizabeth feared riding so large an animal alone, from her perch sitting sideways in front of William, she felt secure. So secure, in fact, that instead of focusing on keeping her seat, she was enjoying a view of Pemberley that she had not seen previously. And as her head swung from one side to the other, William could not have been more pleased.
“Will, I was just thinking... the idea for this picnic was so unexpected. Only yesterday you said that you did not want to leave our rooms for the rest of the week.” Her voice was even more subdued when she added, “Has the teasing from your cousin made you uncomfortable about spending so much time alone with me?”
Suddenly Zeus was reined to a halt and two strong hands framed her face, turning her so that they were eye-to-eye. William willed her to see inside his heart.
“I shall never be embarrassed by my feelings for you, Elizabeth. In his usual manner, Richard did tease me this morning about keeping you locked away and it made me consider if I was being selfish. I know how much you enjoy being out of doors, and I thought this pic
nic might provide a welcome respite while still providing us with complete privacy.”
A crooked smile crossed her face, and Elizabeth turned back around, leaning languidly into his chest. “Thank you for being so thoughtful, but I can assure you that I do not regret any of the hours we spent in our rooms.” Then she became curious again. “There is one other thing though—why did you insist I ride with you when Phoebe was available?”
His lips pursed as he tried not to smile at his cleverness. “Zeus is well able to carry us both.”
“Still, it seems unfair for him to bear the weight of the two of us.”
“It is obvious that he is not struggling, sweetheart. Besides, I love having you close to me, and I thought it simpler if you rode with me so I could do this.” He took a handkerchief from his pocket and tied it around her head, covering her eyes. “I have a surprise for you.”
Elizabeth giggled. “Another surprise? Will, you are going to spoil me.”
He kicked Zeus into a trot. “There is no such thing, my darling.”
After only a short while, the horse came to a stop again and William dismounted. Then Elizabeth felt his hands around her waist as he pulled her from Zeus, placing her firmly on the ground.
“Now you may look.”
She reached up to remove the blindfold and gasped. In front of her lay a fairytale setting—a large pond with a waterfall fed by a stream, surrounded by a carpet of multi-coloured wildflowers.
“Oh, Will, it is beautiful!”
Reverently she advanced toward the pond, her face growing more animated with each step as William’s chest filled with pride.
“This is where my parents brought Georgiana and me whenever they wished to enjoy life as a family—just the four of us, with no servants.” William came up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist. “Do you see the large boulder that juts into the water near the falls?” Elizabeth nodded. “That is where I learned to swim.”
“It looks idyllic,” she answered. Suddenly she looked down to see something dart across the sunny, pebbled bottom of the pond. “Will, I see fish!”
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 54
