The two men were eating when Darcy entered. They both looked up as he filled the doorway. Richard grinned in mockery, while Bingley grinned in camaraderie.
“Well, cousin,” Richard said, “how fares the newlywed? Did you get much sleep?”
Darcy frowned in an attempt to depress Richard’s raillery. “As a matter of fact, I did.” He turned to Bingley. “Fancy seeing you up this early.”
Bingley poured out his complaints against Caroline.
“Gone? This early?” Darcy asked.
“It was her idea. She said she refused to remain another hour in this godforsaken county.”
Darcy served himself from the sideboard. “You sent her to your uncle in Selby?”
“Further north of Selby in the open hills, very isolated. Say your prayers on my behalf. If they are heard, Augustus will take her to wife and relieve me of my burden.”
Darcy chuckled. “From your lips to God’s ears, Bingley. I will add my supplications to yours. We leave before luncheon. Richard, Imean to ride out with you. Have you been up to the little hill? Elizabeth calls it Oaken Mount. The view is incomparable.”
Chapter 25: Darcy House
When Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam returned from their morning ride, they found all the ladies already assembled in the breakfast parlor. The two men paused at the doorway, taking in the lively hum of laughter and chatter.
Richard leaned closer and said under his breath, “Your womenfolk appear exceedingly happy, Darcy.”
“They are remarkably cheerful.”
Richard grinned. “Even your wife. A pity she does not know what she missed.”
Darcy cast him a dark look. “Enough, you wild military man. Have you no respect?”
“I have a very healthy respect for the sanctity of marriage vows and the sacred traditions of the wedding night.”
Darcy huffed. “I have heard enough.”
He ran lightly up the stairs to bathe and change. As he scrubbed his hair, he reflected grimly upon his situation.I have only myself to blame. My unruly tongue placed me here, and only by practicing restraint will things between us improve.By the time he was dressed and descending again, he was resolved to behave better for her sake.
He entered the breakfast parlor and bowed to his wife. “Good morning, Mrs. Darcy. May I serve you more food?”
“No, thank you, sir. I have already served myself twice. We are all packed and ready to leave as soon as you wish.”
“Ah, the Bennet women,” he said with wry affection. “Punctual to a fault.”
“We are, sir. Never let it be said of a Bennet woman that she was the cause of tardiness.”
Darcy went to the sideboard, poured himself a cup of coffee, and took a scone. He sat opposite his wife, an ideal vantage from which to admire her without straining his eyes or his neck.
Elizabeth said, “Mr. Bingley has just informed us that Miss Caroline will not be accompanying us to Pemberley. She intends a lengthy visit to her relations in the north.”
Darcy nodded. “Yes, Charles told us this morning. She left at five.”
Bingley corrected him. “My carriage departed at half past four. She hoped to reach Leicester by evening.”
Richard lifted a brow. “What was her hurry, Bingley?”
“I have no idea,” Bingley replied. “She swore she would not spend another hour in this godforsaken county and insisted I call for the carriage. She and her maid were packed and ready when I came down. So I obliged her. And may Godspeed.”
Darcy raised his cup. “Indeed.”
Jane looked gratified, while Elizabeth asked, “Will she spend the entire summer in the north with your relations?”
