“There you have it,” Gardiner chuckled. “Proof positive that the man is smitten. He just turned positively green at having to ask yet another man for his blessing!”
Lord Belmont laughed loudly and slapped my shoulder. “Too right, Gardiner! Well then, Darcy? Shall we send you off to plead your case?”
“DonotfretoverBennet’s consent,” Gardiner reassured me in a low voice as we walked together down the corridor toward the drawing room. “He may heckle and poke fun purely for his own amusement, but he hasn’t half the stubbornness required to withstand Elizabeth’s formidable will, let alone you both united.”
I breathed a deep sigh of relief. “Thank you, Gardiner.” I paused my steps and waited for him to stop and turn toward me. “And thank you, most sincerely, for guarding Elizabeth’s welfare all these years. My father’s faith in you was well placed.”
Gardiner smiled and clasped my hand. “‘Twas an honor seeing her thrive. She has been one of the joys of my life these seven years.” His glance turned thoughtful. “But I ought to return soon to my own bride with these glad tidings. I hate to break up the happy party, but propriety suggests I not abandon Elizabeth and Jane here unchaperoned tonight.”
Just then, the footman opened the door to the drawing-room, and I beheld my aunt, Lady Matlock, conversing vivaciously with the ladies, holding court as though she reigned mistress at Pemberley. She must have received word from my uncle that there was intrigue afoot and arrived post haste to sample it for herself. She looked up at my entry and inclined her head graciously before turning to address Lady Belmont once more.
I chuckled at the spectacle and assured Gardiner, “I believe Lady Matlock would object rather strongly to their removal at this juncture. She will ensure the ladies’ every comfort and see that all propriety is observed. Travel arrangements to Hertfordshire can be finalized on the morrow.”
“Very good, then. I will take my leave.” Gardiner rested a hand on my shoulder as he smiled, watching Elizabeth across the room. “Your father would be proud of you, Mr. Darcy.”
I warmed a little. “That is one of my fondest hopes.”
Gardiner nodded with a light chuckle, then he moved to the door and let a footman help him with his coat.
My gaze sought out Elizabeth. She was nestled happily on the divan between Jane and Lady Lucilla as she regaled them with tales of boyhood antics with George. Animated and lively as ever, she was describing youthful adventures like sling-shooting grapes into George’s mouth for stakes while he hovered nearby, denying every word. “George here always fancied himself a skilled marksman,” she said. “But it was I who always claimed the forfeit.”
“Not so, Lizzy!” George cried. “I swear, Lucilla, she is making half of this up.”
Lady Lucilla looked up at my brother and shook her head, a faint arch to her brow that… egad, it looked just like one of Elizabeth’s expressions. “I fear, my love, that I must believe Elizabeth and not you in this case.”
“Indeed, it is the truth,” Elizabeth vowed. Miss Bennet giggled as she continued. “Why, we used to wager on whether he could catch grapes in his mouth from across the lawn. I had quite a mean slingshot arm, if I do say so myself!”
“Only because you would cheat and move closer halfway through!” George protested with an exaggerated grimace.
“How dare you!” Elizabeth gasped in mock indignation between spurts of laughter. “You know very well I won fair and square at least three-quarters of the time. Isn’t that right, Fitzwilliam? Oh! But if you want the juiciest tales, they are not about George, but that one, right there. The ‘stoic’ older brother.”
At this, the merry trio of ladies dissolved into fresh peals of laughter behind their palms. As I moved to join them with a bemused smile, Elizabeth turned aside to whisper theatrically to her avid listeners. This sent Lady Lucilla and even gentle Jane into renewed gales of giggles they tried vainly to muffle.
Intrigued, I arched a teasing brow. “Come now, what amusing tales are being told at my expense?”
Elizabeth glanced up, eyes dancing impishly. “Ah, but that must remain a mystery until we can speak privately.”
“Hardly fair, do you not think? At least George has a chance to defend himself if he knows what accusations are leveled at him.”
Elizabeth smiled and reached up to let me take her hand. “The only ‘accusation’ I point at you, if you wish to call it that, is being far too irresistible for your own good. But I am afraid the details of that must await a more… discreet setting.”
I raised a brow. “I am all anticipation, my love.”
Just then, a footman entered behind me and beckoned my attention. I turned and took him aside so he could ask in a low voice, “Pardon me, Mr. Darcy. A gentleman has just arrived asking to see you.”
“Indeed? Of course.” It was probably an investigator, come to speak to me about the mill fire. They certainly wasted no time. Curious, I followed him into the hall.
There stood a travel-stained man, his hat already removed. He had turned away and was divesting himself of a greatcoat to reveal… a red military uniform beneath. My heart stuttered. “Richard?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam turned, a broad smile breaking over his face. “Darcy, old man! I finally tracked down the family.”
“Richard!” I rushed to embrace him, thoughts churning in confusion. “When your letters stopped, we were worried sick about you. How ever did you arrive with no forewarning?” Then I noted his arm bound in a sling. “Good God, you are injured!”
“Took a bullet then was struck by fever,” Richard explained matter-of-factly. “Packed me off home once I could stand. Came straight to Derbyshire without even stopping in London.”
“You must be exhausted. Why would you not repair to your bed? Good heavens, you are hardly standing.”
He grimaced ruefully. “Found the house abandoned at Matlock, so I made haste here instead, when they told me the family had decamped to Pemberley.” His sharp eyes assessed me. “But enough of me—you look wearied, Cousin. What momentous events have I stumbled into?”
