Page 57 of Compromise & Consequence
“Hiding from your wife will not solve your problems.”
“I am giving her space.”
“Woo your wife, Darcy. She does not require space; she requires your presence so that she may come to know you.”
“When you begin to sound like one of Byron’s poems, I know our conversation has concluded.”
“You know I am right, and we begin your campaign now.”
Richard stood and straightened his jacket, Darcy followed after putting down his almost full glass.
“Now?” he asked.
“We join the ladies for tea.”
***
Darcy and Richard paused before entering the drawing room. He heard the ladies chattering in a lively fashion but did not understand a word. He glanced at Richard and noticed him smiling. At his questioning glance, Richard said in a lowvoice. “Your wife just told mother’s guest they should continue conversing in English so as not to be thought rude.”
“You understood what Elizabeth said?”
“I spent some time in Spain under Wellington. I learned enough to get by while there” At Darcy’s still bewildered expression, he asked, “Have you forgotten your wife’s mother was Spanish?”
He had but felt compelled to defend himself.
“Of course not! Do not be daft.”
He made to enter the room and the footman took hold of the door handle. Both paused when Richard cleared his throat.
“Did I tell you her grandfather was nobility? A distant cousin to the King of Spain?”
“Mr. Bennet made me aware of her connections, something you conveniently did not share. Anything else I should know before we join your mother?”
“Well,” Richard looked a bit sheepish. “From what I have heard so far, the lady they are entertaining is the Spanish ambassador’s wife and she has just told your wife they expect the King to be pleased with the marriage. Her husband sent a letter as soon as he received her note.”
Darcy processed this information before Richard nodded at the footman to open the door. He did his best to smooth his expression and thought he was successful until his cousin elbowed him in the ribs.
“Stop scowling.”
“I am not scowling.”
“Forgive me, but the lines on your forehead and the downturn of your lips must have confused me for a moment.”
“Was I truly scowling?”
“Darcy.” Richard paused as though marshaling his thoughts. “To have a happy marriage, I suggest you stand before a reflective glass for at least an hour every morning and study your face. You have the fiercest expression right now and will never earn your lady’s love.”
At the end of his speech, Richard let the footman finally open the door and they both entered and approached Lady Matlock first, each kissing her on the cheek then turned to the ambassador’s wife.
“May I introduce my second eldest son and my nephew, husband of the delightful Elizabeth?”
“Please do.”
A woman, not much older than Darcy, turned an expectant gaze upon the two gentlemen while his aunt made the necessary introductions.
“Your grace, this is my son, the Honorable Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.” Richard gave a low bow. “And this is Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire.”
Darcy also gave a low, respectful bow.
