Jones had just begun tying Darcy’s cravat when there was a knock at the door. The valet walked to the door and opened it.
“Thank you, Jones!” Fitz said, sailing past the servant.
Accustomed to Fitz’s tendency to barge in at any given time, his valet simply closed the door.
“Darcy, I have come to fetch you.”
“You have come to fetch me? For what purpose?”
“For my purpose,” Fitz said, simply.
Darcy raised a brow at his cousin then motioned for Jones to continue with his cravat.
Once Jones completed the task, Darcy looked at Fitz and asked, “So, what is going on?”
“I have some things to acquaint you with. Follow me.”
Fitz walked to his bedchamber and shut the door behind Darcy.
“I brought you here so that we might speak undisturbed. I was not sure if Bingley might seek you out before dinner.”
Darcy nodded in understanding and took a seat.
Fitz sat down as well. “You will never believe this, Darcy—I have inherited seventy thousand pounds from an uncle.”
Darcy stared at Fitz, his brows lifting in shock. “Seventy thousand pounds? That is excellent, Fitz!” Darcy slapped his cousin on the back.
“Thank you,” Fitz said, smiling. “I believe it has finally sunk in.”
“Finally? When did you learn of this?” Darcy asked.
“It was a few days before you left London. I was unable to tell you because I had to go on that assignment for my superior officer,” Fitz replied.
Darcy nodded. "So, have you made any moves yet?”
“I have. After confirming with the bank that the money was in my account, I informed my superior of my intention to resign my commission. The officer who will take my place is getting some things in order. I believe everything will go into effect on Monday,” Fitz said with a crooked smile.
Darcy reached over and squeezed Fitz’s shoulder. “Cousin, I cannot express how relieved I am that you will never go to war again,” Darcy said, his throat feeling tight.
Fitz lowered his eyes and nodded.
He and Fitz had grown up together. They were cousins, they were like brothers, and they were each other’s closest friend. Darcy squeezed his shoulder again, then released it. He cleared his throat and took a moment to get his emotions under control. “So, an uncle?” Darcy asked.
“Yes, he was my mother’s great-uncle. She says Andrew and I met him a couple of times when we were very young.”
“I know Uncle Byron and Aunt Sophia must have been beside themselves when they learned of it. Andrew too.”
Fitz smiled. “They were. They were much like you—shocked, relieved, emotional.”
“I am sure they were. Why did you not tell me such momentous news as soon as you arrived? We had privacy in the parlor.”
Fitz responded with a chuckle. “When I got here, I quickly saw there were other things I needed to address! It was clear that you were smitten with Miss Elizabeth. I needed to investigate that situation right away, and, of course, I came here to make sure you and Georgiana were well. Naturally, I wanted to know what you had been through so, I just put this business of mine to the side for a time.”
“Well, get ready, cousin. As soon as this news gets around, the sharks will begin circling.”
“Yes, my brother said the same. You know, Darcy, that I have no interest in marrying a debutante. Such a thing was never in my sights before, and I certainly was never in any of theirs. So, why should I go there now?”
Darcy grinned at his cousin. “Thinking of bucking the system yourself, eh?”
