Page 36 of Lord Lonbourn's Daughter
Darcy left a smiling Bingley at White’s whilst thoroughly regretting having made his next appointment with his cousin. Not that he minded their assignment nor his cousin, but he was too distraught to keep his mind on the subject at hand—a task he usually would have relished performing.
The viscount would meet him at Tattersalls. Darcy was to buy a pair of horses for the carriage he had ordered belatedly for his bride—one of his failings he was trying to rectify. Ideally, he would have preferred to have a wedding ring designed for her especially—another one of his wishes that had to be forfeited in their current circumstances. An old Darcy heirloom had been his only choice given the limited time; he had always imagined he would order something special for his wife.
Viscount Crawford was waiting for him at the entrance with his arms folded across his chest.
“You are late!” the man complained.
“Yes, you must excuse me. I was delayed at White’s,” Darcy explained.
“Make haste! The auction has begun, and I have my eye on a couple of fine-looking bays.”
“I was not thinking of buying bays,” Darcy grumbled. His cousin should be aware of his taste by now.
“You need not always buy black horses. The colour does not enhance their performance.”
“I know, but I am fond of symmetry,” Darcy admitted.
“I wonder whether it is a disease, this penchant to have everything matching. A matter of the humours not being aligned,” Crawford mused unbecomingly.
“Do not be daft. It is simply a preference for the visually pleasing. Let us join the bidders. I would like to have this concluded as soon as possible. I have another appointment later.”
Darcy may have been hasty in his decision, but the viscount had to agree that the black horses he bought were magnificent specimens he had made a note of. He might have bought them himself had they been his own preferred colour. Although he had been taunting Darcy, he was as fastidious as his cousin when it came to his equipage.
#
Meanwhile, Elizabeth was busy at home and hardly noticed her husband had been gone for most of the day. The preparations for Jane’s wedding were well in hand, and an appointment with the seamstress had been made. It was not a busy time for dressmakers as most ladies ordered their apparel before the Season began. She had Jane’s measurements; it was merely a matter of choosing fabrics and styles.
Elizabeth had her own tasks to perform and made sure that proper night attire was among her sister’s bridal clothes. Not that she thought it was of the utmost importance, but it certainlycould be helpful despite her own experience with the blasted garment. Mr Darcy had taken no notice…
Mr Bingley had courted Jane for more than a month; their marriage would differ vastly from her own experience. The foundation for love that had been established through their courtship must be helpful. Yet, she felt no great happiness emanating from her sister. That was not strange in their current circumstances, but still…
She had another concern that had entered unbidden into her mind—she wondered what Miss Darcy would think about her marriage to her brother. Not that the sweet girl would ever voice any objections, but it would surely be strange to come home to a new mistress, a family member who would live with them permanently. It might be awkward in the beginning, considering they had known each other but briefly. To suddenly be living together might require adjustments, especially regarding Georgiana’s distressing experience. Depending on how terrifying the ordeal had been, a stranger in their midst might be unwelcome. Elizabeth prepared herself to follow her instinct and give the Darcys whatever room they needed to heal. She could always visit Bennet House should she feel an imposition between brother and sister.
#
Darcy missed the companionship with his wife that had come so naturally on their wedding night and their first morning of wedded bliss. The easiness had been supplanted by strain and awkwardness he knew not how to remedy.
He entered Bennet House to find her, but she was not there. According to the butler, she was with her sisters and his aunt at the seamstress, acquiring Lady Jane’s bridal clothes. LordLongbourn was at home and had sequestered himself in his study with his nose buried in a book.
“Lord Longbourn! How is Lady Kitty?” Darcy enquired.
“I thought we agreed you should call me Longbourn and drop this Lord stuff,” Longbourn grumbled. “Kitty is well. She does not seem to have suffered any lasting effects apart from strained nerves. I suspect it will take her some time to recover her equilibrium, but that is as expected.”
“Yes, perfectly natural,” Darcy agreed.
“It is. How was your day, Darcy? Did you accomplish what you set out to do?”
“I did. I spoke to Bingley, and he agreed to marry Lady Jane, and Lord Hazard accepted my challenge. Did you speak to the archbishop?”
“No, I am afraid not. He is out of town but is expected home on the morrow. I shall pay him a call as soon as I hear word. Ah, that might be a message from him now.”
Mr Schneider knocked on the door and entered with a missive in his hand. However, he did not approach his lordship but offered the letter to Darcy.
“A message from Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“Thank you, Mr Schneider. Arrange for my horse to be saddled immediately.”
Darcy tore off the seal and quickly scanned the brief message.
