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“I appreciate it ever so much, Richard,” he said much more light-heartedly than he felt.

William took up the papers once more, trying to appear busy. He actually had much to occupy him now that he was in London. But truth be known, he had read this particular page several times and still did not know exactly what it was about, as his thoughts kept drifting to the last day he had spent with Elizabeth at Pemberley.

Richard continued to observe. Suddenly, he reached over and grabbed the paper from William’s hand. “Tell me who this is from and what it is in regards to!

William reached towards the missive. “Do not be silly. Give me the letter.”

“Go ahead! Teach me to mind my own business—show me that you are actually getting some work accomplished in this drab room.”

William looked flummoxed. “Very well! It is a letter from my solicitors!”

“That much was easy. Which partner?”

“Johnson. No, Grant!” His face contorted in frustration. “I cannot remember who it is, but it does not matter. I care not which one handles the matter.”

“A good deflection, I must admit. And what is the subject of this letter?”

William turned in his chair to stare out the window. Weakly, he replied, “It has to do with the sale of ... of ... bonds.” His voice got louder with his certainty. “That is it, bonds!”

Looking back to glare at Richard, they seemed locked in a battle of wills until, abruptly, everything changed. William sighed heavily, leaned back in his chair and began rubbing his eyes.

Walking swiftly around the desk, Richard placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I am sorry. I did not mean to pry.” Then, with a mirthless laugh, he recanted. “What am I saying? That is simply not true! I did mean to pry because you are my best friend and more a brother to me than Edgar. It troubles me when you are in pain.”

William was silent for a moment, then closed his eyes. “I miss her dreadfully—that is all.”

Richard’s face darkened. “That is all? Hell, Darce, you hung your head out of the window until Pemberley was completely out of sight, and you acted the part of a puppy too soon taken from its mother during the entire trip. If you cannot bear to be apart from her for such a short time, how in the world will you survive if she takes you up on your offer to live at one of your estates? Neither one is an easy journey from Pemberley.”

William had not mentioned their decision to live as man and wife to his cousin, as he was determined to wait until everything was settled to reveal their plans. But just the suggestion that Elizabeth might move to another country caused his anxiety to rise. What would they do if the vicar would not conduct a ceremony? If truth be known, he was quite worried about the vicar’s reaction to their pledge to share their lives in every way.

If only Mr. Williamson will understand how much we need each other—how much we are in love.

Glancing at Richard’s furrowed brow, he tried to shake off his melancholy and paste on a smile. “I do appreciate that you worry about me. It is comforting to know that I have you to turn to if I need to talk. But right now, things are out of my hands, and you know how ill I become when I cannot control every facet of my life.” William’s attempt at humour made Richard grin.

“And I am truly sorry, but I do have a great deal to accomplish before I shall be able to return to Elizabeth. Now, would you please be so kind as to find a book and be quiet while I work?”

“Well, I suppose I shall just make myself invisible,” the colonel complained, “though I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would rather look over those boring papers than have a brilliant conversation with me.”

William did not reply, so Richard shrugged, declaring, “Come find me when you are finished.”

Leaving the study, he headed in the direction of the billiards room.

~~~*~~~

Perhaps an hour later, Mr. Barnes knocked on the door. “Come,” William called, rising to his feet in anticipation of greeting his uncle. However, it was not Edward Fitzwilliam, but Charles Bingley who walked into the room.

“Darcy! I could not believe my good luck! I am only in Town until tomorrow, and I heard that you were in residence.”

William’s brow furrowed. He had tried to keep his presence a secret, but since Charles was a friend, he held out a hand, enquiring, “How did you learn that I was here?”

Charles reached to shake William’s outstretched hand. “One of our maids came bustling in this morning to report to Caroline, not knowing I was in the room. It seems Caroline has been paying the maids to report when you are here.”

William scowled at the mention of Charles’ sister. “And how would the fact of my arrival spread so rapidly?”

“I asked Bertha the same thing. Apparently, she saw your servant at the butcher’s shop picking up a large order. All Mrs. Barnes need do is order a goodly supply of meat, and the rumours begin that you are in residence.”

William seemed to ponder that a moment. “I see.” Charles noted his distraction.

“I realise that you are probably busy, and I pray I am not disturbing you, but I had to enquire after Lizzy. Jane would never let me come back home if she knew you were here and I did not speak to you personally. Tell me truly, how is my dear sister?”