“But I saw no evidence of her returning your feelings,” Fitzwilliam said. Darcy knew he would never seek to hurt him, but the words were like hooked barbs in his heart. “Why did she regard you with such coldness the night of the concert?”
Darcy shook his head and motioned that they should continue walking down the path. “She must have heard about the argument I had with Bingley concerning her eldest sister and her family. She despises me now.”
Fitzwilliam was quiet for a long while. Darcy chimed in first, before his cousin had a chance. “I would not blame you if you wanted to use that knowledge against me in your pursuit of her.”
“I would not do such a thing,” Fitzwilliam snapped. “Forgive me. I do not mean to be harsh. I am only trying to come to terms with what this means. Never would I have guessed that you and I would be in love with the same woman.” Fitzwilliam rubbed the back of his neck. “I do not know what is the right course of action here, Darcy.”
They walked on for some time, listening to the birds sing and the clip-clop of hooves as carriages passed by on the cobblestone streets. “I cannot give her up, Fitzwilliam.”
His cousin nodded, looking at him after a split second. “Neither can I, old chap.” he hesitated for a moment, biting his lower lip. “I must confess, I was drawn to her at first because I heard of her impending inheritance, but as I have got to know her better, I see she is an exemplary woman in every way. She is not only rich, she is beautiful and full of spirit and wit. I find I like that in a woman.”
“I agree. She is quite spirited, and I admire her intelligence as well.” Darcy shook his head. “I suppose it is not surprising that we would both fall for the same woman. There is no man whose good sense and judgement of character I respect more than yours.”
Fitzwilliam flashed him a mischievous smile. “Not to mention that we both have an eye for true beauty. Perhaps we should congratulate ourselves.” Darcy was glad that his cousin could still hold on to his sense of humour, but he could not bring himself to regard the matter so lightly.
“Well, it seems we have come to an impasse then,” Darcy sighed. “I suggest that neither of us back down. We will simply keep on with the way we have been so far and let the lady choose whom she wants.” Darcy waited for Fitzwilliam to answer. It was unwise to have a rivalry such as this between family members. But he was not about to stand aside and allow Elizabeth to slip through his fingers. Silently, he scolded himself for leaving Netherfield when he did — for his unforgiveable clumsiness with Bingley. There were so many things he wished he could go back and undo.
“That is the only fair thing to do,” Fitzwilliam agreed after a long while. “But how will we navigate the loss, you or I? If either of us ends up married to the lady, we shall have to deal with that painful reality, as I am unwilling to give up on family connections.”
“As am I,” Darcy replied.
After a time, Fitzwilliam smiled. “Well, it seems you have put yourself at quite the disadvantage with the lady, Darcy. Why ever did you insult her family?”
“It was in the service of a friend,” he spat, but then calmed down when he realised how foolish it sounded. “Or at least, Ithought it was.” He could not help but agree with Fitzwilliam as they continued to walk. He had put himself at a disadvantage, and there was nothing he could do to change it. If only Elizabeth had not heard of the fateful mistake he had made with Bingley! She must believe he thought her family was unsuitable to marry into. After all, he had said as much. Not for the first time, Darcy wished his hasty words unsaid.
Fitzwilliam was still beaming from ear to ear. Already, Darcy could see how difficult it would be if he lost the wager and had to endure Fitzwilliam’s gloating with Elizabeth at his side as his wife. Was it only selfishness that made him think Fitzwilliam did not love Elizabeth as he did, if he was willing to take the matter so lightly? “What is it?” he asked.
“Let us make this a wager, my dear cousin. It will make it even more interesting and add to the thrill of the chase.”
Darcy frowned. “I dislike the idea of Miss Bennet’s heart being a wager.”
“What wager?” Georgiana asked. Darcy’s heart nearly burst out of his chest when she suddenly appeared.
“Georgiana! We had intended to meet you back at the modiste. You should not walk out alone.”
“Please do not be angry with me,” Georgiana said. “When I finished, I waited a little. But as I could see you both from the shop windows, I did not think it would do any harm to come join you. It is such a short way.”
“Perhaps not,” Darcy relented. “In any case, no harm was done. Were you pleased with your fitting?” Privately, Darcy hoped the change of topic would take. It would not do to have Georgiana learn of the scandalous wager Fitzwilliam had proposed.
“I am,” Georgiana replied, linking her arm through his. “I am prodigiously excited for my new gowns. And do not change the subject. What is this wager you were speaking of?”
Fitzwilliam and he exchanged dismayed glances, and his cousin took up the conversation. “We were only saying how mild the weather has been of late. I wagered we will be in for a spot of bad weather before long.”
Georgiana frowned, but let the matter drop. “That does not sound like a very exciting thing to gamble on.”
Fitzwilliam caught Darcy’s eye. “Oh, it is not as dull as you might believe, dear cousin. I would not scoff at a hundred pounds.”
“A hundred pounds?” Georgiana exclaimed. “Just to see if the weather will turn sour again?” She looked at Darcy to see if Fitzwilliam spoke true. Darcy nodded, knowing it was not the weather they were betting on, but the happiness of their future lives.
Georgiana could not believe her ears. “I cannot leave the two of you alone, I suppose, if you are going to make such silly wagers as that. Let us return to the carriage, for we have a great deal more to do.”
As neither of the men objected, they recrossed the park to the waiting carriage. Darcy pulled Fitzwilliam aside before he could follow Georgiana inside. “A hundred pounds? Are you out of your wits, man? I never agreed to that.”
“Well, it seems you just did,” Fitzwilliam said, his eyes sparking with mischief. “Or else I suppose you shall be forced to tell Georgiana the real nature of our wager.”
“I do not think it right to —”
Fitzwilliam put a finger over his lips as Georgiana opened the carriage door, looking at them curiously. “Are you not ready to leave? Do you wish to remain in the park longer?”
