“Richard, do not be ridiculous. He would never set Georgiana on a horse to travel and certainly not astride for such a trip.”
“I assure you, he did, and when we arrived at Pemberley, no rest was awaiting us but several days of work, for the fields were flooding that spring. Why, even Georgiana had a list of tasks. Darcy did permit her a pair of Wellingtons for her work in the field….”
“Richard, I do believe you are teasing me. Georgiana wearing boots and working in the fields! Preposterous.”
“Nothing of the kind, dear Cousin! I would never speak an untruth about Darcy, for I love him like a brother, for all his peculiarities. I must, or I certainly would never have arranged quite so many affairs for him.”
“Affairs?” Anne laughed. “Forgive my rudeness, Cousin, but what couldyouhave possibly arranged for Darcy? I always thought it was the reverse, for I am certain you have had access to his purse.”
“On occasion, indeed, both assertions have been true, but… well, it is hardly fitting knowledge for a lady. I suppose as you are to be his wife, you will discover soon enough what his ways are. There are certain matters for which a less refined sort of expertise is necessary.”
“Richard Fitzwilliam! If you intend to imply that Darcy has had his indiscretions—”
“Indiscretions! That is a mild description. I have certain knowledge that he spent the night, just recently, mind you, hiding in theservant’s quarters with one lady—or perhaps ‘lady’ is too strong a descriptive.”
“It matters not, for I am to be his wife, so all that must be in the past.”
“Oh, to be sure, Darcy is a fine man and will certainly never disgrace his wife… at least, not intentionally. There may yet be some bother with that one from.…” Richard stopped, affected a frown, and then shrugged. “Certainly, it must not matter to you, so I should not repeat it.”
“Which one?” Anne insisted.
“Well, it is only hearsay, after all. There may be little truth in it.”
“And do I not have the right to know what is being said about the man I am to marry?”
“You do have an excellent point, fair Cousin. It is only that some say Darcy visited the home of a certain paramour just after his interlude with you last evening. I understand he—”
“Richard Fitzwilliam!” Anne stood, shaking and white, as she pointed one of her talon-like fingers toward his chest. “These are the basest, vilest of accusations!”
“It is nothing but the truth. You desired to know of his habits, and rightly so, for you are to be stuck with the man.”
“I did not wish to hear jealous slander,” she sniffed.
“Slander! All the men at the club have nothing but the highest regard for Darcy and his exploits.”
“I care nothing what the gentlemen at the club think! My interest in him is that of a respectable lady toward her future husband.”
“Do you think you can live with a man and remain ignorant of his secrets? If you do, I pity you, Cousin, for your disappointment will come as a rather wretched surprise.”
“Nonsense! I insist you leave this house at once, Richard, and do not return until you have recanted these odious defamations.”
“I beg your pardon, Cousin. I fear I have overstayed my welcome.” He bowed a proper farewell, rolling his eyes as his face was hidden from her. “May I only beseech you, dear Cousin, considercarefully and enter this marriage with all due contemplation. I am naturally concerned for your happiness and would wish you to know something of the man before you take his name.”
As he turned to go, leaving her scowling and turning pointedly away from him, a footman opened the door. Just in the corridor stood Wilson, looking expectantly to him with a hopeful eagerness in his face.
“Ah! Excellent timing, Mr Wilson. I was hoping you might have the name of Mr Darcy’s tailor for me.”
Wilson bowed and extended paper, catching Richard’s eye with a significant expression. “I understand, sir. I have written down the direction. Please inform me if I may be of further assistance.”
“Very good, thank you, my good man. I think this is sufficient to the moment, but I shall not hesitate to enquire if I have forgotten something.”
Turning back to his cousin, he inclined his head. She ignored him, but he bade his farewell all the same. “I wish you a very good day, Cousin. Please do give my regards to my aunt.”
She never answered.
Darcy shifted the parasol in his hand, trying to discover how to carry such a device and not feel himself the fool. “How, precisely, do you propose we find your uncle? I appreciate your willingness to be of assistance, madam, but there are any number of attorneys on a single street in this part of Town, and we were given very little direction. I think perhaps we would do better to return to Gracechurch Street to await your uncle.”
“That will not be until this evening, and he is likely to be occupied when he does come home. You know, you ought really to put your hand out if we wish to summon a hack chaise, for it looks rather badly if I should do so when I am accompanied by a perfectly good footman.”
