Page 62 of The Wager
She rested her cheek against his broad chest, listening to his heart return to its normal rhythm.
“No, it has not and I would not change one jot or tittle. It is uniquely ours.”
Chapter Seventeen
Gentlereaders,ithascome to the attention of this author that FD of Derbyshire danced three premiere sets last night at Lady K's sumptuous Christmas ball with none other than the infamous Lady E. It is rumored the impertinent lady askedhimfor the sets, setting tongues to wag all over the ballroom. Have no fear, the lady’s reputation remains as pristine as newly fallen snow as I have it on very great authority that wedding bells will be ringing for the couple come the new year.
Heartbroken misses all over London are not only crying over the news of FD’s future nuptial bliss but also moaning about the loss of Viscount A, heir to the earldom of Lord M, who has convinced the serene Lady J to take his name on the very same day as her sister at the very same church. There must be something in the air in Hertfordshire.
WhileDarcydidnotmind that Elizabeth had in a roundabout way proposed tohim, he still wished to present her with a ring and make the occasion special. To that end, he intended for the two of them to abscond to the library, whereupon he would get on bended knee and issue his proposal, complete with a ring. A lovely emerald encircled by small diamonds his maternal grandmother had worn as a gift from her husband.
"Darcy, sit down," Ash finally said in exasperation. "You have been pacing the floor for the last half hour. Our ladies will arrive when they arrive. Wearing out your mother's favorite carpet will not bring them any quicker."
He complied for nearly five minutes before returning to the window, uncaring that both Ashton and Georgiana thought him mad. This time he was rewarded by the sight of a carriage pulling slowly to a stop in front of his townhouse. A surge of disappointment rushed through his body when he realized it was his Uncle Matlock's carriage and he returned to his chair to await his butler announcing them.
If he had been more aware of his surroundings, he would have caught the sly grin his cousin gave his sister. It was when Burke announced not only Lord and Lady Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam but also Lord and Lady Courtland, Lord Shelton and Lady Sophia Kendrick, Lord Tiverton, Lady Jane, and Lady Elizabeth Hamilton that Ashton outright laughed.
"Angelo's. Tomorrow at noon," Darcy said to his now sixth favorite cousin and stood to welcome his guests.
Before he greeted everyone, he walked up to the colonel and enveloped him in a warm hug, shocked more than he would dare admit at how fragile his normally robust cousin had become. Richard was the brother he'd never had and to have him return safe, yet injured, was almost more than his heart could bear.
"I know the Royal Dragoons is in your blood and you hate to leave your men, but I am a selfish man and am glad you have returned home."
"It is good to be home and it is time for me to hang up my sword and spurs," Richard said after the two men stepped apart. "Have you any estates that need a mediocre steward or stablemaster?"
"Richard!" Aunt Lucinda exclaimed as she stepped forward to receive a kiss on the cheek from Darcy. "You have an estate in Buckinghamshire that your Aunt Miranda left you. Stablemaster, indeed."
"True, I keep forgetting about that pile of rock and limestone. The only redeeming feature of the house is the secret priest's hole."
"And the stables," Darcy reminded him. "You have always wished to breed horses, now you can."
"That was the one thought that kept me sane during my recovery." Richard straightened his shoulders and half-turned in the direction of Elizabeth. "I met your lovely lady before arriving here. She is too good for you, you know."
"I do know, but I will not give her up. She made the mistake of promising herself to me and I will hold her to it for the rest of her life."
"Did my dour cousin make a joke?" Richard said in a teasing manner. "Have I entered an alternate universe where white is black and wrong is right?"
"Tease all you want, she makes me excessively happy."
"Then, I am happy for you. Now, let me greet Georgiana, I cannot believe how much she has grown since I last saw her."
Richard excused himself and Darcy finally approached Elizabeth and Jane, who stood talking to Ashton and their brother. He unobtrusively touched her elbow, bringing her attention solely to him.
"May I steal you away for a few minutes? There is something I wish to show you in the library."
"You may," she replied, her eyes sparkling.
His heart did a traitorous flip and he could not wait until they were alone.
"I have yet to see this magnificent library. Do you mind if I tag along?" Trenton asked, his expression hopeful.
Darcy should have known Elizabeth's brother would be an avid bibliophile.
"Jane and I will join you. There are some rare editions you will not find anywhere else and I know Darcy has a copy of the Gutenberg Bible somewhere in that room." Ashton smiled at Darcy, who had narrowed his eyes and glared at his cousin. "Most likely in the safe, where he keeps all his prized possessions. Among them are precious family jewels. I seem to recall an emerald ring…"
Darcy was not a stupid man. His cousin had set him up, but two could play at that game.
"Yes," he said agreeably. "Let us all go to the library."
