Page 69 of Compromise & Consequence
“I am not as bad as that.”
“Oh, yes you are. I shared a room with you for over sixteen years and know for a fact you detest waking before the cock crows and adopt town hours when visiting aunt and uncle like a duck takes to water.”
“What can I say?” Jane fussed with her skirts, her cheeks a rosy pink. “I was greatly motivated to bundle up nice and warm and traipse up that blasted hill as though it was something I did regularly.”
“Then, I am pleased to inform you that your motivation is coming tonight at my request.”
“Richard is coming here?”
“Yes, but there is also bad news, I am afraid. The Bingleys are coming tonight as well. It is one of the reasons I asked Mr.Darcy to invite his cousin to bolster our numbers. I did not want you to face Mr. Bingley and the superior sisters without reinforcements.”
“I am glad you told me. This gives me a chance to steady my nerves and prepare my mind.”
“If all else fails, turn your baby blue eyes in the direction of the good colonel and let him come to your rescue.”
“I am surprised you invited them at all.”
“I had no choice. The Bingleys have always attended Darcy House for Twelfth Night. Even Mr. Darcy had forgotten until this morning.”
“Would not the housekeeper have informed you when you met to discuss menus?”
“Oh, my dear Jane. That is another conversation you and I must have.”
Elizabeth then proceeded to tell her, in detail, about her first month at Darcy House.
***
Darcy remained in his study following the arrival of Elizabeth’s cousin. He did not feel he should intrude on their reunion as he would see Miss Bennet at dinner before the Bingleys arrived. After spending a good fifteen minutes staring at the same column of figures in his ledger, he gave up, pushed away from his desk, and started for the door. He may as well change for dinner because he would get no work done today.
He had only made it around his desk when the door opened and Richard walked in.
“Richard! You are here early. I did not expect you until later this evening.”
“You asked for reinforcements, so I came to get the lay of theland.”
“And a certain beautiful lady from the wilds of Hertfordshire had no bearing on your early arrival?”
“Now, Darcy, I would never poach another man’s wife,” Richard teased.
“Do not even entertain a wisp of thought for my wife and you know very well to whom I referred. You made your admiration clear when you returned from Meryton.”
“I still stand by that opinion,” Richard said while he helped himself to a glass of brandy. “She grows more beautiful every time I see her.”
“Every time you what?”
“I may as well tell you now. Otherwise, you will wonder why I attend your house even more than I have before.”
“Am I going to like what you have to say?”
“Frankly, I do not care. I am my own man.”
Richard sat down in one of the comfortable chairs situated near the fireplace and crossed one leg over his knee.
Darcy’s whole body tightened. In dread or anger, he could not ascertain. He only knew Richard’s flippant attitude made him uncomfortable. His cousin could very well muddy the waters with his shenanigans and ruin his chance to gain his wife’s favor. If Richard dallied with Miss Bennet only to leave her high and dry when he took up with his next pretty bird… At times, Richard was worse than Bingley for falling in and out of love. How ironic they both were enamored with the same woman.
“Tell me you have not made an offer of marriage.”
“Very well. I have not made an offer of marriage.”
