Richard? Here? Not on the Continent?
Wait…loaned carriage? Richard’s sister? What the blazes was Richard on about?
Darcy swung around in absolute confusion, only to be swallowed in a back-pounding embrace as Richard whispered fiercely into his ear, “You are me and I am you. I mean it, Darcy.”
Richard released him and Darcy fell back a step, stunned. What was Richard doing in England? Here, in Hertfordshire, with Bingley?
And what did he mean, he was Darcy and Darcy was him?
Darcy looked about, taking in how red Bingley’s face had gone. How his gaze, and Miss Bingley’s, both darted from Richard to Darcy and back again.
“Richard,” Richard said forcefully, looking right at Darcy. “You know Bingley and Miss Bingley, but permit me to introduce you to our new acquaintances. This is Miss Charlotte Lucas, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Of the six of them, only Miss Lucas appeared not to find anything amiss. She dipped a curtsy, the elegance of which wenta long way to make up for a homely visage. Miss Elizabeth, the dark-haired beauty he’d spotted from up the street, studied Darcy and Richard, her keen eyes full of questions.
“You are a military man, Colonel Fitzwilliam?” she asked.
Though she spoke directly to him, it took Darcy a moment to realize she expected him to reply. “I, ah…”
“He is.” Richard slapped Darcy on the back, rocking him on his feet. “A colonel in the regulars, and we are all very proud.”
“As you should be,” Miss Lucas said with a smile.
“Yes,” Miss Bingley agreed, amusement finding its way into her voice. “Colonel Fitzwilliam is in the regulars, and a cousin to Mr. Darcy.”
Beside her, still red-faced, Bingley made a strangled sort of sound.
Miss Elizabeth cast him a sharp look.
Upon what madness had Darcy stumbled?
Richard gave him another clout on the back. “You must be tired from your journey, Richard.” He gestured to the gaggle of men, which seemed to be breaking up. “That lot is going back into the inn. Why do I not join you in your carriage and show you the way to Netherfield Park so you can refresh yourself before traveling on?”
“Georgiana is asleep in the carriage,” Darcy said, lightheaded with confusion. “And we are not traveling on.”
“You brought my sister here?” Richard’s smile was more of a grimace. “How delightful.” He sounded anything but pleased. “I am certain she will want to refresh herself while you and I catch up.”
This time, Darcy was braced for the clout. He cast Richard a sour look. Beating him into submission would not work.
Richard returned his look with a hard stare.
Darcy shrugged. Whatever Richard and Bingley were up to, undoubtedly Richard’s idea, Darcy would put an end to it. Hewould, however, do his cousin the courtesy of hearing him out first. Not that Richard seemed to have extended like civility before implementing whatever mad scheme he was undertaking.
“So, ah, we are for Netherfield Park, then?” Bingley asked tentatively.
“We are.” Richard’s reply was firm.
“May I ride in your carriage with you, Colonel?” Miss Bingley asked, her expression eager. “That is, if Miss Darcy is awake now. I do so enjoy spending time with Miss Darcy.”
“Our carriage is down the street,” Bingley replied, which was fortunate as Darcy only then realized that Miss Bingley had been asking him, not Richard. “We should permit, ah, Darcy and, ah, Colonel Fitzwilliam some family privacy.”
“Indeed, we do have catching up to do,” Richard said. He turned to bow to Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lucas, the motion oddly stiff. “Ladies. Though it astonishes me to do so, I must thank you for your quick thinking.”
Surprise sped through Darcy to hear Richard be so rude. He was not one to imply that two perfectly competent looking ladies were not, in fact, capable.
Miss Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose. “I am pleased to have astonished you, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy started to hear her address Richard byhisname.
