Page 45 of Compromise & Consequence
“I never underestimated you, Colonel Fitzwilliam, but I must admit, I did not expect a frontal attack so soon in the game.”
“I believe in the adage ofcarpe diem. One never knows when an opportunity such as this will present itself again.”
“Nor that of rifling through important papers.” Richard’s eyes narrowed. Bennet once again had toyed with him. “I told you, sir. Nothing in this house escapes my notice. I trust what you learned will not be used against my niece.”
“Never. She has earned my respect and as a member ofmyfamily, she has my loyalty.”
“Good to know.” Bennet turned his attention to his daughter. “Jane, even though the man put you on the spot with his sudden request for your company once you are in town, I will ask that you answer me honestly. Do you wish for Colonel Fitzwilliam to call on you?”
She hesitated only briefly.
“I would like to get to know the colonel better, and as much as I love Mamma, I am glad it would take place away from Longbourn.”
“Then you have my permission.” Bennet rose to his feet. “I will say my farewell now, Colonel. I hear my wife and daughters coming down the stairs and Jane will not be left unchaperoned. You will find my youngest daughter on better behavior this morning. She and her next eldest sister have been relegated to the nursery until they turn eighteen.”
Richard bade him farewell and took his seat just as Mrs. Bennet entered the room, followed by Mary, Kitty, and a sullen Lydia.
“Jane,” Mrs. Bennet began, “I am surprised to see you alone with the colonel.”
“Papa has only just left. We were not alone.”
“Oh good,” Mrs. Bennet huffed as she sat, “One misalliance in this family is enough.”
Richard grinned. His words of having no fortune had set the mother against him as a future son-in-law. That was fine, for now. If things progressed with Miss Bennet, he would tell her he was quite well off and they would have nothing to worry about.
Within the hour, he cantered down the drive of Longbourn, fully aware that one set of crystalline blue eyes followed his progress from her bedroom window. The day was clear and the traffic light and he arrived in London in under four hours. He attended the War Office and searched for one of his best aides.
“Craigsmuir, I have a task and need it completed by the end of the day or early tomorrow,” he said as soon as the man had saluted properly.
“Yes, sir.”
“I want you to look into naval Captain James Bennet who diedin ’98. I want all pertinent information about his career, family, and finances.” He saw the flicker of interest in the young man’s eyes. “No, he is not a traitor, but I need to know that his family has been properly taken care of. That is all.”
He dismissed the soldier and returned to his office to see what his next assignment was. He always enjoyed his work, his career, knowing that what he did was important for the cause of King and Country, yet since meeting the ethereal Miss Bennet, he had a sudden longing to settle down. To finally put down roots and make a home.
***
The next day the stately grandfather clock had barely chimed the hour of four when Darcy welcomed Richard into his study. Soon they were ensconced in his library, enjoying a good brandy. Elizabeth was out on some errand. Where? Darcy did not know as he had not engaged his wife in conversation since the disaster following their tour of the house.
“I had an interesting time in Meryton. Did you know Mr. Bennet is one of the local magistrates, and as such, came to sign Wickham’s arrest warrant?”
“Did he know who you were?”
“Not at the time and even when he did, he still invited me to dine and stay the night so I would not have to put up in the local inn.”
“He must have had a reason.”
“Other than being a gentleman?” Richard waved his hand in dismissal. “Let us not get sidetracked, there are interesting things I observed and discovered.”
“About Wickham?”
“No, you dolt. About your wife’s family.”
“What was there to discover? The inferiority of herconnections? Their total want of propriety, so frequently portrayed by the mother and three younger sisters, and occasionally even by the father?”
“I no longer wonder why no one there liked you.” Richard leaned closer. “Stay quiet and listen.”
When Darcy looked like he was about to interrupt again, he said, “That is an order.”
