Page 2 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
“It’s too bad you didn’t arrive tomorrow and avoid being subjected to this dreadful assembly.” She sniffed in disdain. “I expect a pig to be loosed at any moment and the crowd to go absolutely giddy chasing it.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Richard drawled. “They seem to be a polite bunch and you’re still unharmed.”
Miss Bingley frowned, not quite sure if she’d been insulted. There was no love lost between his cousin and Charles Bingley’s youngest sister. Desperate to climb the social ladder, she tried to curry favor with Richard, if only for the fact his father was an Earl. Anyone with half a brain and one dead eye could see she had lost the battle before it ever begun.
“Fancy meeting up with you in Hertfordshire of all places, cousin,” Richard boomed out in a jovial voice.
“Bingley asked me to look over an estate he’s leased with an option to buy.”
Miss Elizabeth, enjoying a country reel, skipped by on the arm of Bingley. He steadied his breathing and forced himself to relax.
“I’m surprised you’ve let Georgiana out of your sight. I didn’t think you’d leave London so soon,” Richard commented in a low tone while Miss Bingley’s attention was drawn to her brother.
“Georgiana is perfectly safe with your father.”
A sudden cry, followed by ‘Miss Elizabeth!’, and a soft body collided with Richard. Gallantly, he caught and held her in his arms. Just as quick he released her and asked if she was all right.
“I am. It appears I lost my footing−”
“Miss Elizabeth. I’m so sorry for losing your grip in that last turn.” A flushed Bingley hurried to her side. “I hope you are uninjured.”
“Not to worry, Mr. Bingley.” She laid a comforting hand on his arm and Darcy imagined Charles dying a slow death. “I am unharmed, as you can see. His Majesty’s finest has come to my rescue.”
Bingley turned his attention to Richard.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam. I’m so very glad to see you again.” He extended his hand, which Richard shook. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, may I introduce you to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Darcy’s cousin.”
She executed a polite curtsy to Richard’s equally polite half bow. With a decidedly impish grin, she asked, “And, who is Darcy?”
Quite befuddled, Bingley’s mouth hung open.
“This is Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley interrupted, waving her fan in Darcy’s direction.
“I would not know as Mr. Darcy did not allow your brother to introduce us earlier in the evening.” She dared to look him directly in the eye.
“Darcy didn’t introduce himself? To you?” Richard’s tone of disbelief was very evident.
“Nor my family, Colonel.”
Darcy could see that she struggled not to smile, or even laugh outright. He also noticed she didn’t react to Richard’s glamour. Women all around them, Miss Bingley included, couldn’t keep their eyes off him. Although his cousin cut a fine figure in his uniform, when he turned on the charm, so to speak, he became irresistible. Miss Elizabeth’s non-reaction was deliciously mystifying.
“Then I must immediately rectify that situation so that you don’t think we descended from barbarian hordes,” Richard offered, his tone silky. Seductive. Darcy’s hand fisted by his side. It was evident his cousin also realized Elizabeth remained unmoved by his glamour and sought to remedy the situation. With aplomb, and overdone gallantry, Richard introduced Darcy to Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, may I introduce you to my pompous cousin, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Darcy.”
He gave her a polite bow and was about to start a conversation with her when another young buck stepped forward.
“This is our dance, Lizzy.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lucas.” She cast her gaze around their small half circle. “Enjoy the rest of the evening.”
She turned and weaved her way back onto the dance floor, smiling at the young man. Darcy focused his attention on Richard because if he watched her walk away, it would be difficult to keep his out of character desire in check.
“May I have a moment of your time, Darcy. I have news from the Earl.”
Darcy acquiesced, knowing this to be a ruse. One of Richard’s favorite. He loved to bandy his father’s title in front of Miss Bingley. They politely excused themselves from the Bingley siblings and moved to the edges of the hall. Once alone, Richard leaned into Darcy.
