Page 84 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“No need to inform me, Richard. In fact, I was the first to know.” Darcy waited for whatever mischief Richard was plotting.

“Hopelessly in love, obviously.” Richard grinned.

Darcy glared at him. “Obviously.”

The colonel grinned. “I spotted it the moment I arrived.”

“Of course you did.” Darcy rolled his eyes.

“You were impossibly obvious, Darcy. If only you could have seen how outraged and moody you became whenever any man so much as spoke to our dear Lizzy.”

Elizabeth laughed in spite of herself.

Darcy sighed. “Must you speak your nonsense aloud?”

“Yes. It is one of my greatest talents.” Richard eyed Elizabeth. “I believe we shall be great friends when you become my new cousin, madam.”

“I hope so, Colonel Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth giggled. “I hear that you finally persuaded Sir Rupert to depart from Ramsgate.”

“It was not so very difficult.” Colonel Fitzwilliam shrugged. “Once he and his sister found themselves as closely observed as you and my poor cousin Anne, and the only tourists who entertained them departed the area in disgrace, there was very little point in remaining. I set a handful of officers to follow the two of them everywhere quite obviously during their free time. It seems that the man and his sister did not like being followed any more than you or Anne did.”

Not far away, Viscount Fitzwilliam lounged next to Jane beneath the shade of a tree, plying her with grapes and all manner of delicacies.

The viscount conducted his courtship with confident determination. He ought to have been a general. He needed no dramatics. No fanfare. Only enduring diligence. He listened when his lady spoke; recalled every word she said. And pursued her with such self-assured adoration and intent that even Lady Barry noticed and remarked upon it:

“That one means business.” She thumped her cane in interest.

Charlotte smiled, attempting not to be over-excited about the prospect. “I certainly pray that it is so.”

Jane was glowing in the warmth of his steady attention. Lady Matlock, who had despaired of her son ever selecting a bride, was watching with great interest, thrilled by the prospect. Jane might not be heavily dowered or well connected, but she was astonishingly beautiful, and Ashley Fitzwilliam was wealthy and important enough that an impossibly beautiful wife would be instantly accepted in society as a prize. Lord Matlock smiled with the confidence of a father who knew it would happen eventually all along.

Anne de Bourgh and Mr Bingley were strolling sedately along the paths together. Anne was already stronger since arriving in Ramsgate.

She had not transformed rapidly into robustness, as Charlotte had done, for Charlotte had been robust all along. Charlotte had merely needed to shed the attention of her overbearing mother and resume her usual activities. Anne, having been a great deal longer confined, needed more time to gain her strength.

Bingley spent hours in Anne’s company each day, and considered every sign of Anne’s progress as a personal triumph. “Your strength lasts much longer today,” he observed happily.

Anne smiled at him. “Yes, it does indeed.”

“And you are not tired?” he asked, ever solicitous.

“Not at all, I assure you, Mr Bingley.”

“I am delighted. I cannot wait to solicit your hand at the next assembly you attend.” He smiled at the thought.

They lingered to sit upon a bench.

“I believe that London will agree with you.” His eyes glazed over as he imagined it. “You will be much sought after.”

“Rosings Park will be sought after,” Anne corrected him. “I prefer the regard of those who actually seek my company.”

From the other side of the garden, Lord Matlock exchanged a knowing look with Darcy Senior. Anne’s uncles silently acknowledged the inevitable.

Lord Matlock sighed. “A man from a family of trade. Her mother will expire from rage.”

“At least it seems like he sincerely admires her.” Darcy Senior shrugged.

“If she decides she is in love with him, we will have no choice but to let her have him.” Matlock pointed out. “She has waited so long to be happy, I will not be the one to gainsay her.”