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William could not hold back a smile, but it faded when he looked to the next in line. Edgar’s eyes flashed defiantly. He had always been jealous of his cousin, and his wife’s infatuation with William had only exacerbated the problem. Though he knew the flirtation was one-sided, Edgar still held to his dislike of the man he had always envied. Besides, he had entertained tender feelings for his cousin Florence for years, and she, like all women of his acquaintance, only had eyes for William. Bowing slightly, he spoke stiffly.

“Darcy.”

William took his cue from his cousin and replyed stiffly, “Leighton.”

Earlier, Edgar had delighted in informing Gladys Fitzwilliam that William would dine there tonight, thus securing her attendance. To add further to his cousin’s unease, after he and William had exchanged cursory greetings, he declared loudly, “I say, Darcy, when you entered the room, you look unnerved—as though you had seen a ghost.”

“Edgar,” Evelyn Fitzwilliam warned in a low voice.

Instantly, Amelia switched places with Richard and pinched her brother’s arm, causing Edgar to scowl at her and then shrug at his mother’s look of disapproval. Proud of temporarily disarming Darcy, Edgar skulked away from the group. Amelia raised her chin as if daring anyone else to tease her favourite cousin and seeing this, Richard patted her arm lovingly.

Lady Matlock stepped to take William’s arm, guiding him towards Gladys Fitzwilliam. She pretended a cough and covered her mouth as she whispered, “They were not expected.” William only had time to place his hand over the one on his arm and give it a knowing squeeze before they reached his nemesis.

~~~*~~~

As they finished the main course, William looked up to find Florence, who sat directly across from him, smiling in his direction. Quickly he diverted his eyes to Richard, who happened to be sitting next to her. Richard, however, had turned to Edith, who was going on about something William could not hear.

Firmly fixing his gaze back on his plate, he tried to occupy his mind by considering the extreme differences in his cousins. Florence was approximately six and twenty, tall, with hair so light that it was almost white. Her complexion was fair, but she had dark lashes and brows, which brought out her features. She also had green eyes that danced when she smiled, and tonight she seemed to smile a great deal—at him.

Edith, on the other hand, was about one and twenty and a good bit shorter, with medium brown hair. She reminded him just a bit of Elizabeth, though when he chanced a glance her way, he noted that her eyes were blue, not brown. As he mulled over the puzzle of sisters being so dissimilar, he failed to hear Florence’s enquiry. Finally, Aunt Gladys’ strident voice penetrated the fog of his musings.

“FITZWILLIAM!”

As he looked up, her annoyance was obvious. “Are you listening? Florence asked you a question.”

He coughed self-consciously as Edgar chuckled. “I am sorry. I was distracted.” He looked towards Florence. “What was the question?”

Florence’s green eyes lit up as though she were about to laugh. “I asked if it would be possible to beg a visit to Pemberley in the near future. I barely remember visiting the summer after Uncle George passed away. I do recall the general splendour of the property and how much I enjoyed your tour of the grounds.”

William’s eyes went to Richard, who was watching him sombrely, and then to his aunt, who looked concerned. Realising that he could not refuse Florence after inviting Amelia, he struggled with what to say.

“It would be a pleasure to have you and your family visit Pemberley again.” Florence’s face beamed, as did those of her sister and mother. The delight quickly faded, though, at his next pronouncement. “However, I am afraid your visit will, of necessity, have to be delayed until next year.”

Aunt Gladys interjected. “But, surely you are not so busy that you cannot entertain family for a short while.”

“I assure you that I am quite busy at present.”

“But, you invited Amelia!”

His eyes sought Amelia’s. She nodded knowingly, so he continued. “Who will, no doubt, stay with Georgiana during her visit, as I have no time to entertain her.”

Quite put out, Aunt Gladys declared, “And I suppose it is that cousin we have heard so much about that occupies all your time.”

The entire table fell silent, making all aware of Edgar’s snicker. Speechless, William glared at the woman. Even Florence, sensing that her mother had gone too far, recoiled at the fury on her cousin’s face.

Evelyn Fitzwilliam quickly intervened. “William has been a pillar of strength for his cousin Miss Lawrence. She needed a place to rest and recover from a long illness, and he was kind enough to offer her the quiet of Pemberley. I daresay he would do the same for any of his relations, if their needs were similar.”

Gladys Fitzwilliam was not to be challenged. “I have never heard of these so-called cousins—the Lawrences.”

“Neither have I,” Edgar rejoined, to the dismay of his parents.

Before William could reply, Richard joined his mother’s ruse. “I would be most surprised if you had. The Lawrences are distant cousins of the Darcys, not the Fitzwilliams. They hail from Sussex, do they not, Darce?”

William was so angry, all he could manage was a nod, but Richard continued undaunted, fixing a formidable glare first at Edgar and then at Gladys Fitzwilliam.

“I had the privilege of meeting the Lawrences years ago when I was in Sussex, though I am sorry to say they have passed on—at least the older generation.” He looked back to William. “I believe Miss Lawrence is your only Lawrence relation left, is she not?”

Grateful for his aunt and cousin’s support, William rallied. “Yes. Yes, she is. Both of her parents are dead, and she was the only one of her generation to survive to adulthood.”