“Well, love, for one thing. A true and steadfast love.”
He grinned. “Yes, the kind that looks on tempests and is never shaken.”
She smirked again. “Indeed. That is the kind I speak of.”
“What else?” he asked.
“Respect. Mutual respect.”
As soon as she said this, Elizabeth felt the need to look away, so she reached for her cup of tea and took a sip. After indicating his agreement with her last comment, Mr. Darcy also sipped from his cup. However, he wasted no time getting them back on topic.
“Number three?”
She smiled. “Well, it would be ideal to have some things in common.”
“Indeed.”
“What would you add to the list?” Elizabeth asked.
He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. “Trust.”
She held his gaze. “Absolutely.”
They heard Mr. Bingley speaking with Mary as the two approached the dining room.
“I guess we shall have to add more to our list later,” Mr. Darcy said with a small smile.
As she watched him greet Mary and Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth thought,our list?
They were just finishing breakfast when Mr. Hill came and whispered something to Miss Bennet.
“Mr. Darcy, do you have a cousin by the name of Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam?” Miss Bennet asked.
“Yes,” Darcy said, looking alert.
Miss Bennet looked back at the butler and said, “Please invite him to join us, Mr. Hill.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Darcy stood. A few moments later, his cousin entered the dining room.
“Fitz!” Darcy said.
“Richard!” Georgiana exclaimed with equal surprise.
Darcy walked towards him, hand outstretched. They shook hands and slapped each other on the back.
“It is good to see you, cousin,” Fitz said. “Hello, Georgie.” He hugged Georgiana, who had walked up beside them.
“It is good to see you as well. What brings you here?” Darcy asked.
“We were all worried after hearing of the storm that tore through here. I was willing to wait another day to give time for you to get a message to us, but Mother insisted I come to make sure you both were well.”
“Sorry, Fitz, there has been so much going on. It never crossed my mind to send word that we were all well. We expect to be able to travel on Monday, and I was simply planning to contact Aunt Sophia when I got back in town, as I always do. I did not think about the fact that news of the storm would have reached you.”
“I understand, Darcy,” Fitz said. “I imagine you all have had quite a bit to contend with here.”
“We certainly have!” Georgiana said.
