“Mmm, yes. You should have seen her. She reminded me of my mother.” Darcy concluded in a quiet voice.
Richard was quiet, a glassy sheen filmed his eyes, and he was clenching his jaw.
Striding over to the drinks table, Darcy poured his cousin a drink and walked over to hand it to him, all without saying a word.
Grabbing it, Richard swallowed it all in one gulp, then he cleared his throat and gave a little cough. “You have done an admirable job with her, Fitz.”
“Wedid, but this… this is all her. She even stood up to your mother.”
“But they went shopping together.”
“Georgie does like to shop.” Both men nodded in agreement.
Richard leant back in his chair to a more relaxed position.
“And you, Darcy?”
“What about me?”
“What are your plans?”
“To see Georgiana has the introduction to society she desires and not the one your parents desire for her. I am not convinced they will respect her wishes.”
“Perhaps not. Mother has been waiting for Georgiana’s time. She is practically giddy with the opportunity to dress a girl. Father will be twirling his moustache compiling lists of his cronies’ sons.”
“I will not stand for it. Georgiana wishes to marry for affection.”
Richard raised both hands up to halt him. “I completely agree, but Father will not be easily swayed from his castles in the sky. At some point either you or I can bash him over the head with his humidor. Perhaps then, someone else’s wishes will sink in.”
Darcy grimaced. “I told Georgiana she had my complete support, but I do not want our ideas for future felicity to end up being a battle of wills.”
“Father is not a bad man; he is just set in his ways and too used to manipulating people for his own gain. We shall remind him neither you or his niece are political pawns, but family who he holds in deep affection.”
“Hmm… I can always bring up his sister, if things get too difficult. I never did reveal the true state of her affairs.”
“Have you heard from Lady Catherine?”
“She knows better than to reach out to me directly.”
“What if she hears you are in town?”
“Lady Catherineshouldbe too scared to leave the estate, as it would be a declaration she no longer wishes to reside there. Her absence for any reason leaves it available to sell, or lease.”
“Darce, our aunt has selective memory.”
“She is no aunt of mine.” Hands tightening into fists, Darcy faced away from his cousin. “And what she chooses to remember is of no matter. The terms laid out in the marriage contract stand. They were Anne’s wishes.”
Chastised, Richard remained silent, waiting for his cousin’s emotions to settle.
After a few minutes Darcy huffed. “I beg your pardon, it will never cease to be a sore subject.”
“Understood. My comment was too flippant.” Clapping his hands onto his knees, Richard stood. “Care to join me at Angelo’s? You have been away from the sparring circle for some time. You will probably need to brush up on your fencing skills.”
“You will be surprised at my level of skill.”
“Oh?”
“Did you think I was a complete man of leisure, all this time? I might have picked up a new trick or two in the north, which may surprise even you.”
