“The horse can accompany us to Pemberley. I think you would appreciate being able to ride occasionally on our return as the weather permits. It would give you a chance to get out of the carriage for a time on the trip, which I think you would enjoy,” he told her.
She beamed at him. “That would definitely make the trip north more enjoyable. Thank you, William.”
After several more minutes of viewing the library, Elizabeth chose several books she wanted to read in the next few days. William’s study was attached to the library, so Elizabeth curled into a chair while William went into his study to attend to some correspondence that had arrived in his absence. Soon, Elizabeth heard a visitor announced into the study, and when she heard a familiar voice, she walked to the open door of the study.
The colonel had already greeted his cousin and smiled widely when he saw her. “Miss Bennet, I am pleased to see you again.”
“Good morning, Colonel. I see you have a penchant for arriving unexpectedly,” she cheerfully rejoined.
Both men laughed. “She will keep you on your toes, Darcy. You might finally develop a sense of humour with her as your wife.”
William replied dryly. “Just because my sense of humour often is over your head, it does not mean I do not possess one.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed again. “So, you frequently say. As for why I am here, your note asked about Wickham—it has happened as I predicted. Unfortunately, Miss Bennet’s youngest sister was party to his attempted escape. He had arranged with her to escape to London—she thought they were bound for Gretna Green—but they were caught before she even left the colonel’s house. Wickham was arrested for desertion, and she was sent home to her family. All this happened while I made my way north a fortnight ago.”
“Hmm,” William considered this information.
“That coincides with the timing of the change in my father’s mood according to Jane’s letter,” Elizabeth said softly.
“How did Miss Lydia arrive home? And do you know what information was conveyed to her father?” William asked his cousin.
“Colonel Forster escorted her home the morning following the attempted elopement. I do not know exactly what was said, but I would imagine he was told she had attempted to elope with an officer and had been stopped. The officer was being held for desertion, and Miss Lydia was no longer welcome to stay with him,” Richard explained. “Has something else happened?” He asked suddenly, looking between the two.
William exchanged a glance with Elizabeth, who nodded. “Elizabeth’s father has refused his blessing—his consent was only a formality as she is of age. He has also banished her from Longbourn and says she is no longer his daughter if she remains intent on marrying me. He has not given us a reason for his antipathy toward me; I cannot imagine my poor showing last fall is the sole reason.”
“He has never refused to listen to reason before,” Elizabeth interjected. “He is unwilling even to discuss it and will not explain himself. He has also cut off the Gardiners for permitting us to become reacquainted.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam thought for several minutes. “What if I were to interview Mr. Bennet asking about Wickham and see what information I can get from him?”
“I do not know if he would recognise your name and connection to Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth asked. “I do not recall if I mentioned your name in any letters to my father when I was in Kent.”
“It could not hurt to try,” William suggested. “Bingley is also trying to see what he can find out but must do it very carefully. By the way, he and Elizabeth’s older sister are engaged.”
“Good for him,” Fitzwilliam remarked. “He wasted little time after returning.”
“Yes, Colonel, and now we have a spy to help us gather information,” Elizabeth laughed. “He has been passing letters to Jane from me as well, for which I am very grateful.”
“As you are to marry my cousin, you must start calling me Richard, as he does. Colonel is too formal, and Colonel Fitzwilliam is too long. No one, other than Aunt Catherine, calls me Fitzwilliam because there are too many Fitzwilliams in the family. She does it, and half a dozen men look up, and no one knows who she means.” Richard laughed.
“Then you must call me Elizabeth or Lizzy,” Elizabeth told him. William scowled at this informality, and Richard punched him in the shoulder.
“She is marrying you, cousin, so we will be related soon enough,” Richard teased his cousin.
Just then, the butler came in to announce the meal. “Richard, are you joining us for luncheon?” William asked.
“If you do not mind,” was his reply.
They headed to the dining room, where Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley were already waiting. “Richard!” Georgiana cried when she saw her cousin, as she ran to hug him.
“How are you, moppet?” he asked genially.
Their conversation turned to their plans for the rest of the day. Georgiana was informed of the invitation to call on their aunt and was invited to join them. She readily agreed.
After lunch, all four briefly strolled in Hyde Park across from Darcy House. As it was too early for most of society to promenade, the park was fairly empty, and the foursome walked and chatted without interruption. When Richard learned of William’s intention to purchase a horse for Elizabeth, he invited himself along. Georgiana also expressed an interest, and it was soon decided that the four would all go one day the following week.
“Richard has a way of insinuating himself into my plans,” William complained quietly to Elizabeth. “But in this case, since he is a good judge of horses, his accompanying me might be helpful.”
She laughed lightly. “Your cousin is an interesting man,” she said. “I would dare say he has seen a lot in his time in the military but tries to portray himself as more carefree than I think he actually is. He needs a wife, I believe, someone who can balance his extremes.”
