“Fitz, allow me to introduce you,” Darcy said. “This is Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and Miss Mary Bennet. Ladies, my cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.”
He bowed, and the ladies curtsied.
“It is a pleasure, ladies,” Fitz said.
“We are pleased to meet you, sir,” Miss Bennet said. “Have you eaten breakfast?”
“I have, thank you,” Fitz replied. He then turned to greet Bingley and Mrs. Annesley.
“How were the roads?” Bingley asked.
“Still quite a bit of debris on the London Road. Not so much in this village, though,” Fitzwilliam replied.
“Are you planning to return today?” Darcy asked.
“I had thought to send my batman to find an inn,” Fitz replied.
“Oh no, indeed, Colonel. We are happy to host you here at Longbourn,” Miss Bennet said with a quick glance at Miss Elizabeth, who nodded in agreement.
“I would not wish to inconvenience you . . . "
“I assure you it is no inconvenience, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Miss Elizabeth insisted.
“Then I thank you for your hospitality,” Fitz replied with a polite smile.
“Lizzy, will you take everyone to the drawing room while I speak with Mrs. Hill?” Miss Bennet asked.
“Certainly,” Miss Elizabeth replied. She then linked arms with Miss Mary and led the way from the dining room.
Darcy noticed Miss Elizabeth let go of her sister’s arm and step aside, while Miss Mary kept walking towards the drawing room. Georgiana, Mrs. Annesley, and Bingley followed her.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Miss Elizabeth said.
Fitz and Darcy both came to stand before her.
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Would you like to send an express to your mother?” she asked.
“I would, thank you.”
She gave him a nod and smiled, then turned to Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, do you mind showing your cousin to the escritoire in the parlor?” she asked, grinning at him.
He grinned back. “No, I do not mind.”
“Thank you,” she said, still grinning at Darcy. She gave Fitz another smile, then walked into the drawing room.
Darcy turned his head, watching her until she disappeared into the drawing room. He then turned back and noticedhis cousin looking at him with raised brows and an amused expression on his face.
Fitz chuckled. “What is going on here?”
Darcy smiled at his cousin and said quietly, “We will speak in the parlor.”
Then he led the way.
Chapter 15
After Fitz penned his letter and gave it to Mr. Hill, he and Darcy walked over to a pair of chairs and sat down.
