Page 89 of Shields and Roses

"No one here doubts that, Richard," Bennet said, "just as I am sure none of us doubts you will do the title proud. Will you hear a suggestion from your godfather?"

"Of course, sir," Richard replied.

"Your father has not yet announced the deaths, and no one here will know unless you tell them. My suggestion is that you marry Charlotte without delay, even as early as tomorrow if Mr. Timmons will issue you a common license. You are well enough known here that he probably will, since Charlotte is a lifetime resident. It may cause a slight scandal to marry so quickly after your betrothal, but you can claim you are needed back in town to resolve a matter surrounding your commission and could not bear to wait until your return after having waited for each other so long. Most will believe it. I think it best, and I am certain your father will agree, that you face the challenges ahead as a united couple."

Richard looked to Miss Lucas, who said. "Mother will be disappointed not to have a wedding big enough to top Jane's but having me safely married will probably make up for that. What will we do after that to make the story look true?

"You are welcome to stay at Darcy House," Darcy offered. "It will place you in London for a time and then, when the deaths are announced, Richard can claim to have quickly resolved the issue with his commission, leaving you free to rejoin us here in time for Miss Bennet's wedding." He turned to Bennet. "There is no reason the wedding would be delayed for mourning, is there? You are my uncle's friend but not a relative."

"Correct. That is a good resolution, and it would also place Richard a little closer to Rosings Park in order to keep an eye on your aunt."

"I will hire some men when I get into town to observe her movements even more closely than we have been," Richard said.

"I still worry about the timing," Miss Lucas said. "People will figure out that we learned about the deaths and will say I acted as a fortune-hunter."

"Do not worry about that. Truly, Charlotte, it would be best for you to be Mrs. Fitzwilliam before anyone realizes you are Lady Rand," Lizzy told her friend. "Those who count will know you are not marrying him for the title either way but being married before the news breaks will prevent most of that kind of gossip."

"Do you think your parents will agree?" Richard asked Miss Lucas.

"We should tell my father the truth, at least," she said.

Richard nodded. It was clear to Darcy that his cousin was still shocked by his sudden acquisition of a title, not to mention the unexpected loss of his grandfather and brother but had put some of that aside as he donned his military strategist’s persona.

"So," Richard said, "I think I shall use Wickham's horse and go track down Sir William. Charlotte, did he mention whether he would have your mother drop him back at the house or if he was going with her?"

"My father loves to gossip and is very pleased with the news, but that kind of errand is more than he can stand. I am fairly certain he is back at our house."

"Good. I will be able to have a private discussion with him and get his written permission for our marriage to take with me to Mr. Timmons. If the vicar is available tomorrow, we will marry then. If not, we will marry as soon as is possible. Mr. Bennet, would you write in response to my father and send it express?"

"The messenger is waiting to carry a reply," Bennet answered. "Mr. Darcy and I will take care of communication with your father."

"Charlotte and I will make plans for the wedding," Lizzy volunteered. "Quiet ones that do not involve my mother." The others laughed.

"But can you do it without talking?" Darcy asked her and then winked.

She rolled her eyes at him but answered, "We can do it without talking in Mama's presence, at least until Mr. Jones arrives."

Mr. Bennet waved his daughter off saying, "Very good then. Lizzy, you take Charlotte upstairs and make your plans. Mr. Darcy, if you will arrange the chairs we can each use a side of the desk for writing to your uncle. Richard, is there anything more you wish me to add?"

Richard helped Miss Lucas stand, kissed her cheek and then passed her off to Lizzy to be helped from the room. He moved the chair in which he had been sitting back behind the desk for Bennet to use as he thought about what to say to his father.

"I know you will convey my reaction better than I can describe it, and between you all the recent events will be covered. Of course, he will be overwhelmed with work and worry, so please assure him I will help shoulder those burdens as soon as I may. This change also gives us a new weapon against Aunt Catherine of which I would like you to remind him. Of course, he has probably already thought of it. While he will still have no direct control over her or her finances, as the Earl and head of the family he can bring social pressures to bear on her that were not available to him when he was just her brother, the Viscount. He may be able to curb some of her activities."

"Good point," agreed Bennet. "Anything else?"

"Just…" Richard stopped, looked at the two men and then glanced towards the door of the study through which Lizzy and Miss Lucas had already disappeared. He shook his head. "No. You know what to say," he finished.

Bennet nodded. "Good luck with your tasks."

"And try not to overtire that poor horse as you gallop out your emotions," Darcy warned with a smirk. "After all, he is Wickham's horse and just might balk at a jump or toss you in the river."

"Hmm, I will keep that in mind," Richard said. He gave Bennet and Darcy a long, searching look, and then, without another word, he turned and headed out to see to his errands.

Chapter 44: Reports

When the group of five reconvened in the study that evening, they all felt they had made good progress, even though the mood was still somewhat somber. Darcy, who had spent much of the day with Bennet in the study, rearranged the chairs into their earlier grouping. At Bennet's direction, he had also brought another chair in from the music room so that Lizzy would not need to sit on the footstool when all were present.

Although they had not explicitly planned the second gathering, they all arrived at about the same time, just as if they had. Bennet and Darcy were finally finishing up their interrupted game of chess as Lizzy and Miss Lucas came in. After helping Miss Lucas to her chair, Lizzy went to the desk and examined the miniature chessboard.