Darcy leaned back with approval. “And to think once we were both set against her.”
Richard laughed. “True. We opposed my aunt at every turn.”
Darcy sipped his drink. “Perhaps that was part of it, but Anne was also in some measure to blame. She deceived us. She kept us at arm’s length with her frailty. Imagine my surprise when she walked three miles beside the carriage on our journey to Scotland, as she wanted to get some exercise. Aunt Catherinewas shocked to learn her daughter had the capacity and the will to do so.”
Both men laughed. “She deceived us, but I forgive her. It was her mother’s doing. Lady Catherine would have used Anne to carry out tedious errands. Our cousin was very thin, and because she is tall, it made her look frail. I assigned one of the undercooks to prepare simple fare for her each day, and see how she looks now. Her figure is light and pleasing, and she is strong. It was worth every mile I walked her against her will.”
Darcy laughed at this. “I am glad for you. Our aunt will not be pleased, but if Anne has chosen you, then Aunt Catherine cannot interfere.”
“You have not told Aunt that you are married, have you? Darcy, she will soon learn, and it is more respectful if you tell her yourself.”
“I will, Richard. I will write to her tomorrow and post the letter from here. That will give me a few weeks’ peace before she comes down on our heads. Once she receives the news, I expect to see her waiting on my front stoop at Pemberley when I return.”
“If I can get Anne to agree, I will marry her here and remain with her an extra month. When we return to Kent, I will tell my aunt she must live peacefully with us or move to the dower house. If she refuses to reside in the dower house, I will settle her in Ramsgate, Margate, or Bath. I will not allow her to ruin any more of Anne’s life.”
That night, Darcy entered his chamber to find the fire banked, but a candle burned. In the dim light, he could see Elizabeth in bed, her dark hair loose on the pillow. He climbed in, careful not to wake her, but then she turned to him.
He buried his face in her hair and drew a long, slow breath. “Darling, your scent has become my favorite. It reminds me of family and love and home,” he said softly.
She caught his lower lip between her teeth. “I love you, Fitzwilliam.”
His laugh rumbled in his chest. “I will make you love me more when I tell you what I have done.”
She looked at him curiously. “Now you have got my full attention. What have you done, Fitzwilliam?”
“I scolded Phillip. He is to stop trifling with your friends.”
She drew him into her arms. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam. You have done what I believed to be just and right, though I had not the courage to speak. I do not fear Phillip, but I do fear your aunt when it comes to him. He is her favorite.”
“You need not worry for your friends now, my love. It is done, and he will behave himself.”
Chapter 86: A Mother’s Concerns
Elizabeth stirred in the bed. After a few minutes, she was fully awake and looked to the window, where it was still dark. Darcy lay curled behind her, his arm draped over her waist.
“What is it, Elizabeth? Did something wake you?” he whispered.
She yawned. “What time is it?”
He searched for his pocket watch. “It is four in the morning.”
She turned to face him. “I was dreaming. Phillip was mocking my friends because they rejected his flirtations, and they decided to go home instead of traveling to Windermere with us.”
Darcy kissed her neck. “Phillip is well-bred, darling. He will treat your friends with kindness. And even if he did misbehave, Aunt Helen would not allow him to get away with it.”
She settled into his arms. “Very well, I will try not to worry about my friends.”
He hummed into her ear as he kissed her again, his lips trailing to her neck. “Now that you are awake and wholly mine, I mean to claim my reward.”
Phillip came down to breakfast at his mother’s side, serving both her plate and his own before taking the seat beside her. He greeted each guest with such ease and amiability that the Stanton sisters, reassured by his manner, were able to enjoy their meal in comfort and even take a short walk before the journey resumed.
Darcy said, “Aunt, we shall reach the house I leased this afternoon. You need only endure a little longer, and then you shall have an entire month of rest.”
Lady Helen, who delighted in company, smiled. “Fortunately, we travel with agreeable companions, Fitzwilliam. I have enjoyed the journey, and you need not fear that I am either weary or finding it tedious.”
When the cavalcade resumed, the three men mounted their horses and led the way. After three hours, they stopped to water and rest the animals. Phillip took his mother’s arm.
“Mamma, come walk with me. How are you? How is your back?”
