Page 75 of Compromise & Consequence
“I know I left Meryton quite precipitously last November, but before that, I am confident Miss Bennet held me in some regard. I mean to renew our courtship and ask her to be my wife.”
“If you knew she held you in some regard, why did you leave?” Richard asked, his voice dangerously soft. “Did you not think she would wonder why a gentleman, who had given her his undivided attention, would leave like a thief in the night?”
“I did not leave like a thief in the night!”
“You left the area without saying your farewells to any of the residents of Meryton, least of all the Bennets.”
“There was so much confusion following the… the incident at the ball.” Bingley chewed his lip, seemingly deep in thought. It became quite apparent he was agitated. “Do you think I should speak with Jane… er, Miss Bennet?” he finally blurted out. “You know, to explain my reasons?”
“No.” Darcy gave a sad shake of his head. “It is time for you to find another lady.”
“But surely she will forgive–”
“I am under the impression that she is, at present, being courted by another gentleman.”
“She lost her affection for me so quickly?”
Richard grunted and Darcy was close enough to him to hear him grumble, ‘Insolent pup.’ Bingley may not have heard what was said, but he knew Richard had said something.
“What do you make of all this, Colonel?”
“While you attended balls and charmed other women, did you think Miss Bennet waited by her window in the faint hopeof your eventual return?” Richard leaned back in his chair and crossed one leg over the other. A picture of deceptive calm. “I can tell you, for a fact, Miss Bennet is being courted by another gentleman.”
“By whom?” Bingley demanded.
“Me.”
Richard gave him what could only be called an insolent smile.
“You!”
“Charles—” Darcy began.
“You knew of this?”
Bingley’s focus switched from Richard to him.
“I only found out myself last night. My cousin and I have not had time to discuss details.”
“What…? How….?” Bingley ran a hand through his hair, causing the red gold curls to fall about in a tangled mess. “You always said you had to marry a wealthy woman. How can you afford to wed someone like Miss Bennet?”
“Bingley is not wrong to ask you that question,” Darcy interjected because his cousin looked as though he wished to take the younger man apart with his bare hands. “It is common knowledge the Bennet sisters do not have much by way of a dowry.” He held up a hand when his cousin began to argue. “They have a nice portion from all the careful planning Elizabeth and her uncle have done, but not enough for an estate or any type of comfortable housing.”
“I do have an estate.”
“You do?”
“What estate?”
Bingley and Darcy spoke at the same time. Richard chose to answer Darcy.
“The one mother brought with her when she married. It is hers to bequeath as she sees fit and as she had no daughters, it is mine whenever I wish to take possession.”
“What will you do for money? You cannot live on love.”
Darcy well knew his cousin made a healthy living for a single man but supporting a wife and future children would be difficult at best.
“Not that it is any of your business, but I have a nice tidy sum saved and the estate clears about four thousand pounds per annum.”
