“Richard!” She jumped up and ran to him to give him first a small curtsey and then a big hug.
“How are you, Poppet?”
“I am well.” she leant back to look at him. “Are you well?”
“I am indeed. I have been busy travelling for the war office.”
Darcy too had risen and made his way over to greet the newcomer. “Richard, it is good to see you. Shall you join us?”
“Of course. I would not miss a meal your cook prepares if I can help it.” His grin was cocky, and he entertained them with humourous stories of his fellow soldiers during the meal.
When Georgiana finished her meal, she excused herself to prepare for her outing with Lady Matlock. “We are for themodistetoday. She says if I am not going to appear often, I should at least appear memorable.”
“You would be memorable even in sackcloth, Poppet.”
She laughed “Indubitably, Cousin, especially if Ididappear in a sackcloth.”
Richard watched her walk away with a smirk, then faced the younger man. “She is wonderful, Darce. You did very well with her.”
“I do not think I did anything at all. It is all Georgiana.”
When he saw Richard look at him sceptically, Darcy clapped him on the shoulder. “Do you have somewhere to be?”
“Not until this afternoon.”
“In that case, join me. I have a tale to share.”
The two men settled into comfortable seats in Darcy’s study, where Darcy proceeded to tell him all about the incident at the inn. Of the young widow, the birth, spending the extra days there and seeing the new mother and her newborn son back to her father’s estate.
True to form Richard reacted with his smirk and a comment about Darcy saving the fair maiden. “Or not, as in this case.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Richard,” Darcy growled.
“Oh ho! Is she pretty, then? Does she have fine eyes?” Seeing Darcy blush Richard barked out a laugh, “You always were an eyes man.”
Darcy desperately tried to cool the heat in his cheeks and made sure his expression gave nothing away. Richard sometimes resembled a dog digging for its bone if he smelled something he could tease Darcy over.
“Who is she, who are her people?”
“Are you turning into your father, Richard?”
His face crumpled into a grimace. “I am just curious,” Richard pouted.
“She is the widow of a Royal Navy war hero, and quite courageous herself, if not a little foolhardy. Though I suppose she felt she had no choice. She is intelligent and poised.” Darcy recalled her composure when telling him and Georgiana of her family’s history. “She makes Georgiana laugh.”
He paused, contemplating his cousin and how much exactly he should share.Well, why not just reveal it all.
“Georgie called me out on my attitude.”
“Did she, now?”
“It seems my sister liked the man I was during our travels and not the proud, disagreeable one I tend to be.”
Richard whistled. “Mayhap your trip did more than you originally surmised.”
“Indeed. She expressed very clearly what kind of match she desired, or she shall not marry at all. To her a man is more than his wealth or status, rather his character is his true worth.”
“Our Georgie?” Richard’s eyes opened wide, and his jaw dropped.
