As they turned towards the stair, Elizabeth cast him a sidelong glance. He was uncharacteristically quiet, and her curiosity sharpened at his attitude. If he had sought her out so deliberately, she suspected breakfast would not be the only matter on his mind. She was therefore not greatly surprised when he guided her past the dining room and into his study instead.
He closed the door behind them with care, then gestured for her to sit before taking his own chair opposite her.
“Elizabeth,” he began, folding his hands together as though choosing his words with care, “you know that Colonel Fitzwilliam is to arrive today.”
“Of course, Grandpapa,” she replied, settling more upright in her chair, her earlier lightness giving way to watchfulness.
“I have noticed that you have grown closer to the Darcys—one might even suspect you are nursing atendrefor Mr Darcy—but I hope you will give the colonel a fair hearing.”
He paused, his gaze steady but kind as he looked at her. “I do not fault you for that. I only wish to be certain that, in the midst of all that has been going on, you do not close your mind to another who may also deserve your regard.”
“I never intended to,” Elizabeth said, her tone sharper than she intended. She clasped her hands in her lap to still them. “Georgiana is a dear, sweet girl, and I like her very much. I admire and respect Mr Darcy as well. But admiration is not the same as expectation. While I believe he enjoys speaking with me, he has done nothing to make me suppose he wishes for anything beyond friendly conversation. I think he values my kindness towards his sister—and it seems he finds me an agreeable companion while he is staying here with us.”
Elizabeth had long suspected a softening in the gentleman’s feelings, yet he had offered no indication of wishing to court her. The inconsistency of his manner often left her uncertain; at times he was attentive and obliging, at others reserved to the point of distance. She could not quite understand him, and the effort of doing so left her more perplexed than enlightened.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam is a good man, and a friend of mine,” Lord Granfield repeated, as he had done several times since announcing his guest’s arrival, his hands clasped loosely before him. “Knowing you as I do, I think he will make you a good husband, and that the two of you will be very happy together. I would not have you fail to consider him because of Mr Darcy.”
He paused, leaning forward slightly now, his voice lowering. “Colonel Fitzwilliam is a man I trust. I have seen him tested, andI know his character. My hope is not that you should prefer him because I advise it, but that you should weigh him fairly without imagining yourself already claimed elsewhere.”
Straightening, he continued more thoughtfully, “Mr Darcy is also a good man, but he is too taciturn, too unyielding, to be your husband. I fear that the two of you would argue frequently and that you would both be quite miserable together.”
His expression softened as he looked at her. “While I hope that you will choose the colonel because I think the two of you are suited, I will not force you to marry him if you decide against it.”
He rose then, resting a hand briefly on the back of her chair. “Whatever your decision, you will have my support. I only wish you spared regret, should happiness present itself and go unconsidered.”
Elizabeth studied him for a moment before replying. “Thank you, Grandpapa,” she said quietly. “I do appreciate your support, and as I have told you before, I will only marry a man I love. Since the death of my parents, I have seen too much of what an unequal marriage can become, and I have no wish for a marriage such as that of my Aunt and Uncle Bennet.”
She paused, gathering her thoughts. “Indeed, I must admit I have seen few marriages I would wish to emulate. There are, however, a few couples who appear content—the Gardiners, for one. From what you have said, you enjoyed an excellent match yourself, and I wish for a husband whom I may not only love, but also respect.”
After a moment, she rose and moved to stand nearer to him.
“The colonel may prove ideally suited to me, and I may even fall in love with him the moment we meet. But if you persistin urging him upon me as though the matter were already arranged, you are far more likely to produce the opposite effect.”
She hesitated, then added more gently, “I have noticed how you glare at Mr Darcy whenever he speaks to me, and I wish you would desist. Such looks may only encourage him to take his sister and depart sooner than planned, and I should regret seeing either of them leave just yet.”
He bent and kissed her forehead. “Very well, Elizabeth,” he said with a resigned smile. “I shall cease urging the colonel upon you, and I will endeavour to restrain my glares towards young Darcy since he now finds you far more tolerable than he did at your first meeting. I have said you shall have your choice, and I will do my utmost to honour my promise.”
Elizabeth smiled, her eyes bright. “I thank you, Grandpapa,” she said, returning the affection with a light kiss upon his cheek. “Mayhap I shall find Colonel Fitzwilliam not merelytolerablein looks or conversation when we meet, but very much so—at which point you may claim him as the grandson you always wished for. Only promise you will not love him better than me.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Darcy had ridden out early that morning, pressing his horse hard in an effort to still the restless thoughts that had troubled him since dawn. His cousin was to arrive that day, and though he told himself there was nothing in the circumstance that ought to unsettle him, he could not help but wonder how Richard and Elizabeth would get on.
He knew the earl favoured the match, and he could not deny that his cousin and Elizabeth shared many similar qualities; it was therefore reasonable to expect that they would be agreeable to one another. Reason offered little comfort in this situation, for he could not dismiss the possibility that he might be compelled to observe his cousin pay his attentions to the woman he himself desired—and that he must do so without betraying the depth of his feelings.
His cousin’s arrival soon removed the comfort of speculation.
Darcy had only just returned to Millwood as the household assembled for breakfast. The meal passed pleasantly enough, and Darcy found himself imagining that his own home mightone day possess such cheerfulness as he listened to Georgiana and Elizabeth talking together.
They had scarcely settled in the morning room afterwards when the butler entered and announced a visitor.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, my lord.”
Everyone rose at once. Lord Granfield stepped forward with open cordiality. “Colonel Fitzwilliam, I am very pleased to see you again so soon,” he said, extending his hand and accompanying the greeting with a genial pat to the shoulder. “We are delighted to have your company here for a time.”
“I am much obliged to you for the invitation, my lord,” the colonel replied, returning the greeting with an easy bow. “And, very likely, for the leave that has allowed me to return to England as well. I cannot imagine it was easily accomplished with officers so much needed on the Continent.”
Darcy followed, offering his own hand in greeting. “Richard. I am glad you have returned unscathed.”
