Cathy had spoken words that held feeling; and just as with her pathetic attempt at a smile outside, it gave hope. One day they may have their sister back!
That mattered more.
She mattered more.
“Darcy?” a bright, resonant voice Fitzwilliam had not heard in years questioned. “And these young ladies cannot be my cousins; surely not, for they are too tall and beautiful to be the girls you once described.”
Uniform smart, eyes alight, and a jaunty smile gave every proof that the cousin he had been so fond of had little changed, save his rank and an added expression of mischief.
“It has been some years since I was here for university, Fitz; they have had time to grow,” he teased, his sisters peering around him at their cousin.
“Has it? I claim ignorance of this, for as you can see, neither you nor I have been altered by this beast they call time. But, if you insist upon feeding it, then I would see how it has affected my young cousins. All for the better I trust?”
“Of course,” Fitzwilliam said as he directed his sisters nearer their cousin with tender reassurance. “Ladies, may I present Major Richard Fitzwilliam. Major, your cousins, Miss Georgiana Darcy and Miss Catherine Darcy.”
Giving swift curtsies the two girls were quickly met with the exaggerated bow of their cousin; Georgiana giggling at his antics and Catherine managing the tiniest of smirks.
“It is an honour, I assure you,” Fitz grinned. “Perhaps we might all go to the park tomorrow? Or do you have someplace else in mind?”
Neck prickling, Fitzwilliam turned toward his aunt and uncle who remained unmoving by the fire.
Surely, Lady Catherine’s words would not dissuade Uncle from staying in his role to them? From doing his duty by Georgie and Cathy? After all, he had been far closer to their late mother than he had to that cruel woman who had threatened him today.
Yet, the pained expression on Uncle’s face painted a picture he hoped would not mean heartache for Georgie or Cathy. Or a quarrel between his cousin and uncle.
“We would love to go,” Georgie answered shyly before turning to her brother with wide, hopeful eyes, “That is, if William says it is alright?”
How could he say no?
“Would you care to go too, Cathy?” he asked softly, her quick nod all the answer he needed. “We would enjoy that greatly, Fitz. Thank you.”
“Shall you be joining us, Mother, Father?” Fitz asked, the atmosphere heavy for all but he at his words.
A pause. A look shared between Lord and Lady Matlock. Then a brief nod.
For all their hesitance, they had made their decision. And he would do all in his power to make it the right one.
∞∞∞
Sitting at his desk as the clock slowly ticked away the hours until they would meet their relations at Hyde Park, Darcy reread the correspondence he had answered earlier before going over Pemberley’s accounts for the third time that morning.
Aunt, Uncle, the new life he and his sisters were trying to make. Would that they might be forgotten for five minutes. Surely, he might tame his thoughts that long?
“William,” Georgie cried happily as she entered his study; Cathy close behind as he looked up. “Can we leave for the park now?”
“We will be half an hour early if we do,” he answered seriously, his lips fighting to turn into a smile at the hopeful expressions before him.
“Please,” Georgie begged, her lower lip pulled ever so slightly down as she nudged Cathy, eyes wide as she motioned with her head for her sister to do the same.
Mimicking Georgie’s expression, Cathy turned her eyes toward Darcy.
Sighing heavily, Darcy agreed to their plea.He had been having difficulties enough saying no to Georgianna; with Cathy joining in he would have little chance against them.
Within a quarter of an hour the three exited their carriage at Hyde Park, few people out at that hour save those who, like his sisters, were starved for nature.
Lips curling as his sisters hurried toward the large expanse of green, Darcy lingered behind, his gaze never truly leaving them even as he listened to the trill of songbirds or admired the broad trees so rare in London.
“Can we feed the birds now, Cousin Lizzy?” the voice of a little girl asked from nearby.
