Page 145 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

They continued toward Darcy House in silence.

* * *

They returned to Lady Helen’s shortly before seven and found her waiting in the drawing room.

Richard arrived a few minutes later. He came directly to Fitzwilliam and pulled him into a fierce embrace before doing the same to Georgiana.

Fitzwilliam met his cousin’s eyes, but before either could speak, Richard reached into his coat and drew out a folded white handkerchief.

E.D.

Georgiana caught her breath, and Fitzwilliam gripped Richard’s shoulder.

Lady Helen stared at the handkerchief. “Richard, never tell me you have set your heart upon a woman. I hope she is well dowered. You must remember that you have very little money and ought to marry a woman who has plenty of it.”

“No, Mother. A woman gave me her handkerchief, but I have no thought of marrying her.”

Lady Helen sniffed. “Well, I never! Young women have become remarkably forward.” She looked at Georgiana. “You, Niece, will not go about giving gentlemen your handkerchiefs.”

“No, Aunt.”

“Good.”

Richard tucked the handkerchief back into his coat. “Now that my character has been thoroughly examined, shall we sit down? Darcy, I have a fine cognac that rivals the one you purchased during our grand tour in France.”

They had time for one drink before dinner was announced.

After dinner, when Lady Helen and Georgiana withdrew to the drawing room, Fitzwilliam and Richard remained at the table with their cognac.

“You remember everything,” Fitzwilliam said.

“Every damned moment.”

Fitzwilliam sat back in his chair. “Tell me what happened after we were gone.”

“You were there, and then you were not. All three of you vanished from the stone. Dr. Wynn and I both saw it happen.” Richard took a drink before continuing. “I picked up Elizabeth’s handkerchief and remember looking at those initials, wondering whether I would still have it in the morning. The next thing I knew, I was standing in my general’s office at the War Office while he handed me orders for the procurement of cavalry horses.”

“On April twelfth?”

“Yes.”

Richard placed the handkerchief upon the table between them.

Fitzwilliam picked it up and passed his thumb over the embroidered initials. “Georgiana and I were holding the Clementi receipts when we found ourselves back in the shop. We both remember everything.”

“How is Georgie?”

“She is as she was on the day we left you to visit that quaint little music shop, but she carries the sorrow of what she lost, Richard.”

His expression softened. “I am sorry for her pain, Darcy. I doubt she will ever be entirely free of it, but I am grateful she has been given another chance.”

“Yes, I am too.”

For a time, they sat without speaking.

“I drove past the Gardiners’ house this afternoon,” Fitzwilliam said. “I nearly went to the door.”

“I am not surprised. I would have done the same.”