Richard’s eyebrows shot up.
“I like her a great deal.” Darcy sighed. He liked her a great deal too much! It was a miserable insight to have. No matter what he did, he would disappoint someone he loved—no, not love. That was too strong an emotion. He loved Georgiana; she was his sister, and her happiness was more important to him than anything else.
Then why was it so difficult to disappoint Elizabeth? He had to get the painting, but how could he do it without hurting her and ruining Mr. Bennet’s only means to provide for his offspring? His success would crush her father—a man she loyally loved despite his failings.
“Do I need to say it?” Richard asked.
“Say what?” Darcy asked testily.
“I was waiting to see if you would figure it out, which you obviously have not or else you would not reply in such a snappish manner.”
“I was not snappy.”
“About took my head off.”
“You exaggerate.”
Richard narrowed his eyes, slowly, pointedly searching Darcy’s face, which was scowling. “Oh yes, you are the picture ofcontentment.”
Darcy stared ahead.Netherfield ought to be closer.“Just wait until you fall in lo—like with someone.”
“Ha-ha!You admit it! You love her!”
“I said no such thing.”
“No, what you said is stupid. ‘Fall inlike?’ What is that? You, my dear cousin, are inlove.”
“Is this what you wanted me to figure out? Because it is not helping!” Had he not been holding the reins, Darcy’s hands might have found their way around his cousin’s neck.
“It is so simple, and yet you refuse to see the obvious solution.”
Darcy gritted his teeth. “Kindly enlighten me, then.”
“You must marry the girl!” Darcy’s pulse thrummed in his ears. Unfortunately, Richard’s voice was loud enough to hear over the rush of blood to his head. “Miss Elizabeth inherits the painting. It is already willed to her. If you marry her, you will get the painting when Mr. Bennet is no longer on this earth. You will provide for his wife and daughters until they are settled, and Georgiana will get her painting back. Problem solved. Everyone is happy.”
“I cannot marry Elizabeth to secure a painting.”
“Why not?”
“She would always wonder if I married her for love or out of obligation to my sister. It is a terrible solution.”
“I do not see why. Men marry heiresses all the time for their dowries, as do ladies for security.”
“Not Elizabeth! She is too passionate. To ask her toaccept anything less than the deepest love would be an insult to her character.”
“You fear she would refuse you?” Richard’s grin made Darcy want to knock his cousin’s teeth out. “You are worse off than I thought.”
Darcy urged his horse into a faster gait but could not outrun his thoughts. Were his feelings so plain that even his dunderhead of a cousin could see them? What did Richard know of love? He called his scimitar Connie!
No sooner had Darcy set foot inside Netherfield than Bingley found him, looking much too ebullient for Darcy’s current state of mind. “I have a brilliant idea! Let us call at Longbourn and see how Miss Bennet fares. I did not sleep at all last night for concern, and I daresay I shall do no better tonight until I am reassured that her health did not suffer as a consequence of a premature departure.”
Darcy grimaced. “Do what you wish. I have letters to attend to.”
Bingley looked eagerly at Richard, who said, “My horse has developed a limp. I intend to spend the rest of my morning in the stables.”
Undeterred, Bingley smacked his riding gloves against his hand. “Very well, then, I shall call with my sisters.” He rubbed his fingers over his upper lip, assuring himself that his new mustache was still there as he visibly assembled his list of arguments to encourage his sisters’ cooperation.
Grabbing Richard’s sleeve before he could escape tothe stables or anywhere else, Darcy shoved him upstairs. “You are coming with me to tell Georgie the bad news.”
