Richard leaned against the mantel, already grinning.
“Darcy was in the foulest humor imaginable,” Bingley said.
“I was not.”
“You were positively grim,” Richard interjected. “You terrified the poor fellow.”
“I was terrified,” Bingley confirmed. “Until Richard began teasing him so mercilessly that Darcy was forced to laugh at himself.”
Darcy shook his head.
“And then,” Bingley concluded, “I realized he was merely a human being like the rest of us.”
Georgiana laughed softly, and even Lady Anne’s eyes shone with amusement.
Richard looked around with satisfaction. “Well then,” he said. “When do I meet the delightful ladies responsible for persuading my cousin to become respectable—and who will soon make Bingley family as well?”
Darcy could feel a grin spread over his face. “They were kind enough to request that we not call today. There are many final preparations underway.”
“So, I must wait?”
“Until the wedding breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Richard sighed dramatically. “I shall endure.”
At that moment the distant bell rang through the house.
“Time to dress for dinner,” Bingley said.
The company dispersed to change. Darcy was relieved, as it meant the day was almost over. He still had no idea if he would be able to sleep that night and did not look forward to finding out.
His valet had just left the room after tying his cravat when a knock sounded on his door.
“Come in.”
Richard entered, fastening the final button of his waistcoat. “Darcy,” he said casually, settling into a chair.
“I am glad you were able to come after all,” Darcy replied. “Your last letter made it sound as though you doubted you would be able to get leave.”
“When I explained to the general that it was because of your wedding, and I was the only one who would be able to represent the Fitzwilliam side—other than Lady Anne, of course—he was gracious enough to consent to two weeks.”
Darcy regarded him thoughtfully. “Howareyour father and brother?”
Richard made a face. “I have not spoken to either of them since Lady Weatherby’s ball two months ago.”
Darcy frowned. “You did not mention this. What happened?”
Richard leaned back, his expression darkening slightly. “They asked for my assistance in a small family enterprise.”
Darcy waited.
“They wished me to help…persuade…Georgiana to accept Reginald’s suit.”
Darcy’s expression hardened with visible fury. “They wished for your elder brother—who is only a year younger than myself—to marry myfifteen-year-oldsister?”
“For her dowry,” Richard added flatly. “Matlock’s finances are considerably worse than he allows the world to believe.”
“They intended to marry her to her own cousin for money?”
