As soon as Georgiana saw her cousin, she went running to him and practically jumped into his arms. Although Darcy shared her guardianship with Colonel Fitzwilliam, her brother took his role so seriously that there wasn’t anything for Richard to do, and so he was the lovable cousin, who was a lot more fun than the strict brother.
“Richard, what are you doing here?” Georgiana asked.
“Once I had learned that you and Will were at Pemberley and that Anne had joined you, I felt left out. So here I am. And now I find the lovely Miss Elizabeth Bennet is also a guest. There is no comparison to be made between you lovely ladies and that of a regiment of redcoats, who are in ill humor because of too many parades.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, I am actually staying at the inn at Lambton with my aunt and uncle who are now at the manor house. We were just waiting for a break in the rain so that we might join them.”
“We have other guests as well, Richard,” Georgiana added. “Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst.”
Richard looked at Darcy, and he could not help but smile at the thought of Miss Elizabeth, whom Darcy wanted, and Miss Bingley, who wanted Darcy, being together at Pemberley at the same time.
“Such a fun group. I am sorry I did not get here sooner.”
“Georgiana, Mercer is coming with the umbrellas. The rain has lightened considerably, so I would ask that you go up to the house and see to our guests as soon as you have changed. Miss Elizabeth, my sister will see that you get a pair of dry boots.”
“Very well, Mr. Darcy, I shall do exactly that as I am familiar with your opinion regarding muddy footwear.” The two ladies made their way to the manor house with Mercer assisting them over any puddles.
Darcy smiled at the memory of Elizabeth’s arrival at Netherfield on that misty morning. If he had to fix a time when he had fallen in love with her, it would have been that day.
“Sorry to intrude, old boy,” Richard said, interrupting Darcy’s thoughts. “I had no idea Miss Elizabeth was in Derbyshire. She said nothing of it when she was at Rosings.”
“Nor did I know of her plans. Our shy cousin from Kent arranged for Elizabeth and me to be here at Pemberley at exactly the same time. I would have been impressed if you, with all of your military experience, had pulled off such a scheme, but to have Anne accomplish such a feat, it is nothing short of remarkable. I might add there is no need to apologize. These past few days have been a farce, so I welcome you to the play.”
“Is Caroline Bingley also one of the players?”
“Richard, she has become my cross to bear, and I truly am at a loss as to why she is interested in me at all,” Darcy said in a voice reflecting his bewilderment. “I give her no encouragement. I use the same tone of voice that I would use to say ‘please pass the salt,’ but she acts as if my words have wings. I was well aware that she did not like Elizabeth, but her dislike is so intense that she finds it impossible to conceal it, either that, or she has no wish to.”
“And how does Miss Elizabeth fare in all this?”
“She refuses to be brought low, and Caroline has been on the receiving end of her biting comments, something I too am familiar with. But I shall share my travails with you at another time. Please tell me what the devil you are doing here.”
“I am here because of Anne. Apparently, she never told Aunt Catherine she was going to continue on to Pemberley. Once Lady Hargrove departed, our aunt wrote to her insisting she return home, but Anne wrote back saying she intended to stay in the country indefinitely.”
“Why did Aunt Catherine not use the post?”
“Apparently, she wrote to you, but her letters went unanswered.”
“I have had no letters from Aunt Catherine since Anne arrived in London.”
“Perhaps Anne intercepted them knowing what was in them. In any event, our dear aunt sent for me. Apparently, she is under the impression that I am free to leave my regiment whenever she summons me. No matter. When I arrived at Rosings, she was in a fury at Anne’s defiance, and I bore the brunt of it.”
“Well, I shall speak to Anne, but I am not going to order her to return to Rosings. My God, she is nearly twenty-five years old, and if her health permits, she should be allowed to visit her cousins for however long she wishes. But I do not understand why you did not use a post rider. Are you telling me you were so intimidated by our aunt that you rode from Kent to Derbyshire to deliver this message to me?”
“Actually, the part about Anne was the good news. The bad news is that my brother is coming to pay you a visit.”
Darcy started to laugh. “Surely, you are joking.” When Richard shook his head, Darcy’s whole demeanor changed. “He is wasting his time because I have told him I shall not give him any more money. I have already refused him twice, so he knows I am in earnest.”
“It’s not about money. That young hothead, Jeremiah Lynton, has called him out.”
“Good grief! Jeremiah Lynton? I did not know he was married.”
“He is not. This time it is not about bedding someone’s wife. Apparently, Antony and Lynton were playing cards at White’s, and my brother was getting the better of the young man to the tune of half his yearly allowance. He is known to be a sore loser, but Antony decided to tweak his nose about his losses anyway. One thing led to another, and Lynton challenged him to a duel. Lynton’s father sent word that if Antony would make himself scarce for two or three weeks, the storm would pass.”
“When is he coming?”
“Tonight. He is at the inn at Lambton. We came together in his coach.” Seeing his cousin’s distressed look, he added, “There is some good news. He is sober.”
With Lord Fitzwilliam at Pemberley, Darcy could see any chance of his having a private conversation with Elizabeth slipping away. In the morning, she would return to Longbourn, and he could only hope his efforts to win her had been successful. But in the meantime, he had to deal with Lord Fitzwilliam, and that would take up most of his time and all of his patience.