He nodded. “Good. Do we know how the tenants fared?”
Elizabeth told him the situation with each of the tenants, as well as the suggestions and assistance she received from Mr. Darcy.
“Also, Mr. Darcy, Jane, and Mary assisted me with assessing the house and the servants' cottage for damage. Everything is well except we found some cracks in a couple of windows in the attic.”
“I shall have a look at them. Anything else?” he asked, taking another sip of tea.
“Yes. After the storm, there was debris everywhere. The men have been working daily to remove it all. Quite a bit of progress has been made, but there is still a ways to go. They focused on clearing the grounds that immediately surround the house first. I have not yet ridden out today to check the progress.”
“Thank you, Lizzy. I shall take care of it. You have done very well in your old father’s absence. Indeed, I am proud of all of you for how well you handled such an unexpected and distressing situation.”
“Thank you, Papa,” they said together, smiling.
“I assume you three still wish to go to London on Wednesday as planned?”
They nodded.
“Very well, then, girls,” he said. "We shall make all the arrangements."
Darcy pulled out his pocketwatch. With another half hour to go, they would be home in time for luncheon. When Sir William sent word early that morning informing them the London Road was now clear all the way to town, Darcy felt conflicted. They had all assumed they would not be traveling until the afternoon, and Darcy had hoped to spend the morning in Miss Elizabeth’s company. However, he could not offer that up as a reason to leave later, so around mid-morning, he found himself taking his leave of her and her sisters.
Darcy looked over to Georgiana. She had fallen asleep about twenty minutes ago. Mrs. Annesley was dozing beside her. Fitz had elected to ride in the carriage for the journey back and was seated next to him. Darcy studied his cousin. He looked preoccupied with something.
“What are your plans once we arrive?” Darcy asked him quietly.
Fitz turned to him and sighed. “I am thinking of addressing “the system” with Mother and Father. Probably best to get it over with before the change in my circumstances becomes public knowledge.”
“Good idea.”
“Why not come with me to Matlock House so you can inform them of your own plans to buck “the system”? We can haveluncheon first and then take them by surprise afterwards,” Fitz suggested, one corner of his mouth turned up in a slight grin.
“Why not, indeed? I must tell them at some point, and now is as good a time as any. Thank you, cousin. I believe I shall join you for luncheon.”
As they neared his townhouse, Darcy woke Georgiana. He informed her that he had business with Fitz at Matlock House, and would leave immediately after seeing her home.
The trunks were unloaded while Darcy had a brief word with his butler. Then he and Fitz were off again.
The earl and countess were just sitting down when Fitz and Darcy entered.
“Richard! William!” Aunt Sophia exclaimed. “What a wonderful surprise!”
“Hello, Mother,” Fitz said as he walked over to her and kissed her cheek.
“Is Georgiana with you?” Uncle Byron asked.
“No, sir, she is at home,” Darcy replied.
“William, are you staying for luncheon?” his aunt asked.
Darcy smiled and took a seat. “Yes, Aunt, if you will have me.”
“Of course we will.”
She summoned a servant and instructed him to alert Cook of there being two more present for luncheon.
At that moment, Fitz’s brother Andrew, Viscount Stafford, entered the room. He smiled when he saw them.
“When did you ninnyhammers get back to town?” he asked.
