Page 55 of The Wager
“Because we both want to be in Hertfordshire.”
“I do not know about you, Darce, but after Lady Kildair’s ball, I am walking out her front door into my carriage and heading straight back to Meryton. I can sleep on the way there.”
“No, you cannot.”
“What do you mean? Of course, I can.”
“Bingley dropped by yesterday.”
“Stopped in for a chat before returning to Hertfordshire?”
“His sister closed up the house and followed him to town.”
“Dash it all. Now what are we to do?” Ash shot to his feet and began to pace, furrowing a hand through his hair, destroying any work his valet had performed that morning. “It will be difficult to visit Jane from London. I will do it if I must, but staying at Netherfield was so much easier.”
“You cannot expect Bingley to house the man who stole his girl?”
“To begin with, she was never his,” Ash said with an elegant sniff of derision before resuming his seat. “She made that very clear the night of his ball.”
Both cousins sat in quiet contemplation before Ash mused out loud, “Do you think he would accept an offer to take over the lease? I cannot imagine he wishes to return to the scene of his humiliation.”
“You should let me approach him about the possibility. He has no trouble with my relationship with Lady Elizabeth and might entertain the idea of recouping some of his funds.”
“Before I forget, expect an invitation from Mother to dine at Matlock House this evening.”
“Your mother is not known for last-minute entertainments.”
“Richard is home, quite unexpectedly.”
“Truly? How is the old man?”
“A little worse for wear. He took a musket ball to the shoulder in Spain and the month-long sail back to England did not do him any good. Mother is already planning menus to fatten him up, starting with tonight.”
“I shall be there. I cannot wait to see him. It has been too long since he sailed off to defend King and country.”
“Those days are likely over. His shoulder is a mess and he will never be able to raise his arm above his shoulder. However, as he said himself, he can bend his elbow and enjoy a good port brady, so all is not lost.”
Darcy laughed at Richard’s sense of humor, which at times was quite dark. Given what he’d seen and experienced in battle, it was no small wonder.
“In some way, your mother’s expected invitation is a good thing. I was going to invite all of you here for dinner so I could tell them about Elizabeth.”
“Were you going to invite Aunt Catherine to your intimate dinner?”
“No.”
“You should. She still has expectations of you offering for Anne.”
“I have told her, more than a dozen times, I will not ask my cousin to marry me.”
“I am sorry to hear that. Does Elizabeth know about this stricture you have put upon yourself?”
“What are you blathering on about now?”
“Have you forgotten Elizabeth is your cousin? If you will not marry a cousin, she is back on the market and Richard requires an heiress—”
“Bite your tongue!” Darcy shot Ashton a dirty look. “Let me clarify my previous statement. I will not ask my cousin, who resides in Kent at Rosings Park and is a direct descendent of Sir Lewis de Bourgh and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, for her hand in marriage. I would rather marry my horse.”
“Thank goodness, Elizabeth can at least claim to have saved your horse from a fate worse than death.”
