Darcy did not want to be reliant on only one carriage in case he had to travel to London for business which had made him choose to bring his own conveyance along.
Richard had last seen his fiancée more than a fortnight previously. As much as he wanted to be in Hertfordshire with Mary, his duties to his estate could not be pushed aside. Besides, his Mary would not be impressed if he placed hispersonal enjoyment ahead of taking care of his duties which included his estate, tenants, and servants. As such, Richard Fitzwilliam was willing the miles to pass as speedily as humanly possible. Invictus, his stallion, was being led by one of the grooms while another led Darcy’s Zeus.
Richard had not shared who owned the estate, just like he had not mentioned Mary’s actual dowry; Bennet had not authorised him to do so. As soon as they arrived at the leased estate, he intended to wash, change, and then borrow William’s coach to head to Longbourn. Soon enough he would be in his beloved’s company once again. Without realising it, thoughts of seeing Mary caused him to display a wide grin.
Darcy was seated on the forward facing bench amazed at the mooncalf looks Richard was displaying. As far as Darcy knew, the Bennets had no fortune of which to speak, but after having met Cousin Jane, he extrapolated if she was an example of the Bennet sisters then he could not argue Richard’s falling in love with one of them.
Yes, he was doing what his father had urged him and was not closeted at Pemberley. But that had not changed the fact Darcy did not enjoy being in crowds, especially those made up of persons unknown to him.
One he was looking forward to finally meeting was Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Jane Fitzwilliam had nothing but positive accolades for her next younger sister while the members of his family—not the least Giana—praised her to the skies.
Thinking of Giana, Darcy was beyond pleased he had rebuilt his relationship with her. It had taken a while for her to trust him, but now they were once again as brother and sister should be. He spent time with her when she was at Snowhaven, or in London during the season, and she spent a few months each spring and summer with him at Pemberley.
His sister would arrive with his aunt and uncle in about a sennight. Anne’s deteriorating health necessitated all of thefamily, save her mother, be present in the area. His aunt, uncle, and sister were to be hosted at Netherfield Park. They would be joined within days of their arrival by Jane, Andrew, and little Tommy. In fact, he and Richard would be spending a good part of the day at his Uncle Lewis’s estate on the morrow.
On the approach to Meryton, Darcy’s coachman negotiated a rather sharp turn.
“This is where Lizzy rescued Uncle Lewis and Anne,” Richard drawled as he inclined his head towards the window on his left. “The Bennets’ estate is on our right.”
Darcy looked out of the window on the left. He saw the drop into the gully and the rocks below. Now that he saw the place, the actions of the girl who was but ten at the time were all the more impressive.
“Did I remember your relating something about Miss Bennet turning down some suitors in London after she came out?” Darcy asked.
“Yes, in fact, one was a marquess, heir to the Duke of Hertfordshire,” Richard averred.
“But, other than the connections they have, they have no fortune. Would not that have been a prudent match for her?” Darcy wondered.
“If Lizzy cared about such considerations, yes it would have been a brilliant match. She wants to marry for the same reasons your late father urged and will not compromise her values.”
“So she will only marry for love?”
“Yes William, that and respect. Even had I not known Mary was the only woman for me, Lizzy and I would have never suited.” At his cousin’s raised eyebrows, Richard explained. “It is not her intelligence, because Mary has that in spades, but we are too much alike in personality. Mary on the other hand is my foil and balances me perfectly. Now that I think on it…”
“What are you scheming in thatlittlebrain of yours?”
“Nothing. Only that just like Mary is for me, I believe if you come to know Lizzy, she will be the same for you.”
“Do not try any harebrained matchmaking schemes. If you do I will kick your arse!” Darcy growled.
Richard lifted his hands in surrender. “Peace, William. I will do nothing. All I am suggesting is that you be open to the possibilities when you meet her. A man could do far worse than to win Lizzy’s love. I am sure you have heard how loyal she is to those she loves. Ask Giana and wait until you see her with Anne.”
“I have heard all about their friendships,” William acknowledged.
“One thing I will warn you of though. It is possible Lizzy will not be her normal self. She has taken the changes in Anne’s health almost as hard as Uncle Lewis has.”
“I have not seen Anne for some years, not since she and Uncle Lewis were at Pemberley after Father passed. Is she truly so close to the end?”
“As much as I would like to refute that, I cannot. After I returned to my estate about a fortnight ago, I would not have been surprised to have been summoned back from Cloverdell to attend Anne’s funeral.” Richard paused as he looked at nothing in particular. “As much as I wish it were otherwise, it is not.”
After such a maudlin subject, the cousins remained silent for the rest of the journey. Darcy looked out of the window as they entered the market town and traversed it. At the end of the main street they turned to the left and, followed the road for about two miles, Darcy guessed.
Still following Bingley’s coach, they turned past the estate’s gate posts and onto the drive.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The next day while the cousins took Darcy’s coach to make the journey to Oak Hollow, Bingley was at home to receive the gentlemen of the neighbourhood.
The fourth man to call was Mr. Thomas Bennet of Longbourn. “Welcome Mr. Bennet,” Bingley bowed. “I do not know if you remember, we were introduced by Fitzwilliam at Miss Elizabeth’s…Miss Bennet’s coming out ball.”
