Page 94 of Compromise & Consequence
Impulsively, Elizabeth tilted up on her toes and kissed William’s cheek.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked, his tone bemused.
“For seeing the worth of my cousin and for not thinking yours could do better.”
“Your cousin is a saint among women and will need all of that goodness to deal with my reprobate of a cousin. You should beworrying about her.”
“Janey has a core of iron beneath that soft exterior. She will make an excellent officer’s wife.”
“Richard has hinted he will sell his commission. He has an estate, which he only saw fit to tell me of the same night he disclosed his courtship with your cousin.”
“Such happy news,” she sighed. “Jane will be pleased.”
“And you? Will you be pleased?”
He looped her arm through his and began to lead her to where her aunt and uncle stood talking to Lady Lucas.
“Very much so. I have a handsome husband and a cousin in love. What more could a girl ask?”
“You find me handsome?”
She was saved from having to answer his flirtatious question because they had reached her family.
“Ah, Lizzy. Mr. Darcy. So glad you joined us,” her uncle said in a jovial voice, although Elizabeth detected an undertone of tension threaded in his words. “Sir William has been telling us Lady Catherine sent her regrets. She had planned on attending the wedding but was detained in town for business. She did send her best wishes and a lovely silver soup tureen for the bride and groom. It is tucked away in their luggage. I guess she forgot she could give it to them when they arrived home.”
“We are so very grateful for Lady Catherine’s thoughtfulness and the gift was much admired before we had to pack it away in Charlotte’s trunk,” Sir William said as he rocked on his heels. “Lady Catherine wrote it was only proper, as she was my new son’s patroness.”
“My aunt is well known for paying particular attention to all things proper.”
“Was that all Lady Catherine wrote? Did she say if she planned on staying in town long?” Elizabeth asked, keeping her voice calm and warm. “Mr. Darcy and I are traveling home soon and if she condescends to pay our humble abode a visit, I wish to be prepared.”
With a pistol, and at least three guards were left unsaid.
“I believe she said she would be there for about a week and urged me to comfort Mr. Collins that her business might keep her in town longer. Once it was concluded to her satisfaction, she wrote she would return to begin plans for Miss de Bourgh’s upcoming nuptials.”
“How lovely for Miss de Bourgh,” Elizabeth enthused. “Did Lady Catherine say who the lucky man was? I would assume it would be someone from the surrounding area.”
“If I recall correctly, she said it was one of her nephews.” Sir William faced her husband. “You must know to whom she referred, Mr. Darcy, or is it a great secret amongst the family?”
“Lady Catherine has a few nephews from her husband’s side of the family. It may be to one them she referred.”
“Very true since you married the jewel of Hertfordshire. She has to look elsewhere.”
William’s grip on her arm tightened and she was glad of his sturdy presence. Sir William had no idea how much his information was much-needed intelligence.
“How thoughtful of Mr. Darcy’s aunt to send a gift and letter once she knew she had business elsewhere. Did she say when she was traveling to town? Again, I ask so that I might prepare for her visit.” Elizabeth said with a disarming smile.
“The gift was sent by express this very morning. My understanding is that she is in town as we speak.
Elizabeth turned that same smile onto her husband.
“How delightful, Mr. Darcy.”
By this time Richard and Jane had come alongside.
“What is this about our aunt?” he asked.
