The soldier doffed his hat, tucking it under his arm. “As is your company, but you will never hear me complain about it.”
Elizabeth liked the man already. Mr. Darcy was clearly at ease with him. They exchanged a brief look, after which the stranger turned to her with a brilliant smile and a devilish twinkle in his eye. Facing her but addressing Mr. Darcy, he said, “Had I known you were keeping such charming company in Hertfordshire, I would certainly have come sooner. I hope my cousin has behaved himself.”
She knew he was full of nonsense but smiled anyway. Remy happily positioned himself between the two men. Mr. Darcy presented the newcomer as his cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth curtsied, pleased to make his acquaintance.
Just as quickly as the colonel had turned his charm toward her, he turned to Mr. Darcy, his expression somber. “I bear unhappy news.”
Elizabeth stepped back. Mr. Darcy’s eyes met hers for the briefest moment, and she knew there were questions he wished to ask Colonel Fitzwilliam but could not because of her presence.
If ever there was an opportune moment to slipaway, this was it. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Colonel, but I must see to Remy.” She looked at Mr. Darcy, hoping that his cousin’s arrival and the news he bore would provide sufficient distraction to prevent him from accompanying her. “We shall not go far.” Before either gentleman could say anything, she dashed off, calling Remy to her side.
She should be happier to have more time to paint, for Jane was likely to sleep until after breakfast, and the arrival of Colonel Fitzwilliam would provide a distraction for Georgiana. The situation would allow Elizabeth to spend more time at her easel.
However, it was not good news the colonel brought. If it affected Mr. Darcy, it was also likely to affect Georgiana.
A dozen explanations and scenarios swirled through Elizabeth’s mind as she ran to the lodge and mixed her paints. What should she expect when she returned to Netherfield Park? Would this bad news signify a change of plans for the Darcys? Would she return to find them packing to depart?
She worried that her concern would make it impossible to concentrate on her work, but once the first brush stroked the canvas, swirls of Pomona green and canary yellow swept her away.
CHAPTER 15
Richard watched Miss Elizabeth disappear around the corner of the house. “She is handsome.” Darcy bristled, and he knew Richard noticed. Wiggling his eyebrows, the colonel slapped him on the back. “She has caught your eye, has she?” He squinted at the dewy dawn after her. “Hm…a subject I shall revisit once you have shown me to a fire and fed me. I have not eaten since yesterday, and my bones ache from riding through the cold.”
Darcy prayed his cousin would not bring up Miss Elizabeth again. In the meantime, he would gladly ply him with food. “My apologies, Richard. I was not expecting you.”
“No. No, I daresay neither of us could have expected this news. But let me warm myself first. I really am quite miserable.”
When they entered the house, Bingley’s butler led them to the front parlor, where a fire had already beenignited. “I sent to the kitchen for a repast, sir. It will be brought in shortly.” Richard approached the blazing fireplace with his palms out.
“Inform my groom that our departure will be delayed,” Darcy instructed the servant. While he recognized that Richard’s arrival would postpone his trip to London once again, he clung to the possibility of continuing with his plan with stubborn hopefulness.
“Very good, sir.”
With a nod of thanks, Darcy turned to the colonel, noting appreciatively that the butler had closed the door behind him. “What has happened?”
“Patience, Darcy, patience. I am only now able to feel my fingers once again.”
Clenching his jaw, Darcy sat. “Take your time, Rich.”He would, whether I tell him to or not.
Slowly, agonizingly, his cousin rotated before the fire, only sitting when a generously laden tray of food was placed on the table. Darcy waited as Richard slathered butter on his bread, he waited while Richard poured himself a second cup of tea, and he continued to wait when Richard, satiated from the pile of food he consumed, rose to warm his hands again at the fire.
He was tired of waiting. If he did not leave soon for London, he would not be able to go at all. Pretending a calm ease, he asked, “What brings you here so urgently?”
With a nod of his head, Richard sat in the chair opposite him. “Yesterday, a sailor called at Darcy House with news of Wickham.” Darcy stiffened. Hehad received no word of this. “Your butler did as you had instructed: he sent for me immediately, knowing that I was in town. Once it was ascertained that the sailor was on the same ship which conveyed Wickham to Charleston, your man plied the informant with food and drink and kept him there until I could attend him, which I will assure you, I did not delay in doing.”
That was precisely how Darcy would have hoped the situation would be handled. He nodded his approval and waited for him to continue.
Richard exhaled deeply and rubbed his hand over his face. “For months, I have wished a pox on that poor devil. If he were here, I would curse him to his face. Wickham knew what would happen if he attempted to approach either of us again after what he did to Georgie. He was a rogue and a villain.”
“Was? You speak of him as if he is dead!” There was no immediate reply, and Darcy’s concern grew. He had long ago ceased to be Wickham’s friend, and after his attempt to elope with Georgiana, Darcy had considered him an enemy.
Finally, Richard continued, “He did not survive one week in Charleston.”
With the scoundrel’s gift for dodging consequences, Darcy was unconvinced that any ill could befall the man. “He is gone? Dead?” Richard nodded.Unbelievable!“How? What happened?”
“There was a woman on the ship, Mrs. Crawford—a wealthy widow traveling to her relatives. She fell forhis charm. Wickham convinced her to marry him, even arranging for the captain to perform the service.”
“Typical Wickham,” acknowledged Darcy.
