Page 43

“Do I really sound like him?”

“Only when you force me to realise how wrong I am.”

Pemberley

William’s study

One week later

“Well, it seems, once again, that you are too preoccupied to notice my arrival.”

Richard’s entrance had gone undetected by William until he stood before him. He had entered quietly to find William leaning back in his chair, his feet propped upon the edge of his desk, his gaze firmly fixed out the window and his mind obviously elsewhere. Richard had stood perfectly still for some time until realising that his cousin was not going to notice his presence unless he spoke.

For William’s part, his thoughts had not been on the problems of his estate, but were, as usual, on Elizabeth’s situation. Startled by Richard’s greeting, he swung his feet to the floor and sat up straight, agitated at the interruption.

“Perhaps if you were announced as any other visitor—”

“Visitor?” Richard guffawed, plopping down in the chair directly in front of William’s desk. “Is that all I am, a visitor?”

“You know what I mean, Cousin! Mr. Walker would be happy to announce your presence, should you slow down enough for him to get ahead of you.”

Richard smirked. “You know my penchant for alarming the servants with my impropriety! It is my only entertainment when I visit the wealthy, especially as I have no servants of my own to bother. Besides, I hear you have learned this same trick from me.” He raised his brows and wagged them. “I was told that you make Mr. Jenkins very nervous when you call on Georgiana.”

William tried not to smile, but remembering Georgiana’s butler following him in the same manner, he did in spite of himself. However, just as suddenly as it appeared, it faded. He did not wish to be rude to his cousin, but he had hoped to have no company for a time, praying Elizabeth would return to her previous state of mind—before Georgiana’s visit.

“How is it you are here without any notice?”

“General Winston has decided that I am his emissary so I am sent here and yon without notice. I was in London before I was sent to Derbyshire to consult with the local militia leader regarding a new recruit who once served here. However, the commander is out of town until next week, so I am forced to await his return. I hope it is not an inconvenience for me to stay with you until such time as I return to my unit which is now stationed in York. It should not be more than a week.”

“Of course not, Richard.” William sighed, feeling somewhat guilty for his earlier tone of voice. “You know you are always welcome here. It is only ...”

“Only?”

“Miss Elizabeth has not been ...”

“Oh, come now, Cousin. Surely the young lady has lightened your disposition now that she is in residence.” Richard’s voice softened as a look of sorrow flashed across Darcy’s face.

“Did I say something to upset you? She is well, is she not?”

Richard watched William stand and walk to the windows, locking his hands behind his back. That was never a good sign!

It was several more seconds before he answered. “Everything was going well, I believe, before Mrs. Preston arrived uninvited. And furthermore, she gave Georgiana the impression Miss Elizabeth was my mistress.”

“That busybody! Why was she even at Pemberley? After her threat to you in London—to suggest that she would tell Georgiana that you were a cad!” He tossed the riding crop with which he had been slapping his leg, down on the desk. “What nerve to show her face here!”

William smiled slightly as he looked over his shoulder to find Richard pacing across the rug now. It warmed his heart to see his cousin so concerned for his sake. He returned to take his place behind the desk.

“Calm yourself, Richard. It will serve neither us, nor Miss Elizabeth, if we get angry at this point. I must focus my energy on determining how to help her.”

Richard nodded and sat down again, crossing his legs. The constant twitch of his foot was the only visible sign that he was still irritated. “Pray explain to me what happened.”

It was some time before William was done with the tale of Mrs. Preston’s appearance and quick departure from Pemberley and then Georgiana’s unfortunate call on Elizabeth. When he was finished, both men sat in silence, contemplating the possible effects of the incident on the young woman. Finally, Richard broke the silence.

“You realise that Georgiana was worried sick over your absence for the last two years. I am sure her reaction was partially due to her concern for you.”

William’s hand in the air stopped his cousin’s defence. “I am not angry anymore with Georgiana. I do own to the fact that I am hurt that she did not trust me, and because she did not, she has caused a setback in Miss Elizabeth’s recovery.”

“But, Darce, you must be aware of how it appeared to Georgiana—having a woman living at Pemberley, a married woman, I might add, and Mrs. Preston implying that she was with child.” He whistled, shaking his head. “If the gossips of the ton ever discover that, I daresay even the fact that they may believe she is your cousin and Mrs. Drury her aunt, would not save you.”