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“This is unexpected, it is normally later in the summer before you visit.”

“My plans changed. We are staying at the usual townhouse. I brought Georgiana with me and your father arrives next week.”

“I see. Well, if you will excuse me, I have matters that require my attention and need to return to the barracks.”

With a bow he strode off.

--

Richard did not rush to visit his parents at their rented house in the town. He remained at the Mess rather than move into their accommodation. He could tell the other officers were surprised that he chose to remain there, but Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was struggling with his family. He knew that they often spent September in the town, but for them to be there a month early had thrown his equilibrium. If not for van Grant’s wedding he would be on the road back to London. Eventually he had to make the obligatory visit.

“Richard, it has been more than a week.”

“Good morning mother.”

Once again he noted the basic lack of courtesy, and the need to find fault.

“Why are you being all formal?”

“Formal? I am merely being polite, you taught me manners. And drilled them into me.”

Not a very subtle dig.

“What are you going to do for the next month?”

“The Army has several matters that require my attention. I shall keep myself busy.”

“How did you come to be in the company of Lady Napier?”

“We met in town, Lady Wilson introduced us, or rather re-introduced us given we had been introduced before, by you.”

He was not giving anything away. The Countess changed tack again.

“Andrew and Darcy will be here in a couple of weeks. I will send a note for a family dinner.”

“Give me sufficient notice and I will be there.”

“It will be good to have the whole family together for close to a month.”

It was petty but that was Richard’s mood.

“Are you not forgetting Aunt Catherine and cousin Anne?”

It was not a rebuke but the Countess did not like to be corrected.

“Yes, thank you Richard. The family that does not hide in Kent.”

He stood solemn and impassive.

“I will leave you to your calls.”

The bow was low but even Lady Matlock noted that there had been no familial kiss to her cheek. She sat there wondering what was wrong with him. Richard had turned more formal than even Darcy. Hmmm.

--

Elizabeth’s gaze and Richard’s response were aligned. He was welcome to continue to call on her at Napier Hall, but it was not to be bandied about to the rest of his family. They were in accord, but the presence of the Countess stopped any thought of moving their relationship forward. Her arrival was a timely reminder that the Colonel and Mr. Darcy were cousins. Something that Elizabeth had allowed herself to forget over the summer. Darcy’s younger sister was staying with the Countess, the Earl was due presently, and most pertinently the other two members of the family were due as well.

Andrew Fitzwilliam had come across as tone-deaf at the dinner. Elizabeth had no idea if he truly was as misogynistic as he had come across, and frankly did not care. But he would be a nuisance, given the way he had acted during the supper at the Ball. But he was nothing but an annoyance compared to the last member of the family expected to visit Bath that summer. The one member of the Netherfield Party who had so far escaped unscathed.