Page 46 of I Thee Wed (Pride And Prejudice Variation #2)

That evening, no one but Richard was able to eat.

Lady Catherine was worried and could think of nothing other than their escape from Rosings.

As soon as he could politely do so, Darcy excused himself from the drawing room, saying he needed to finish preparations for the trip.

Lady Catherine watched him leave, then she stood and excused herself.

“Anne, do not stay up too late. You are supposed to be ill. Try and act like it.”

Richard felt restless and proposed to Anne that they take the air.

She agreed at once, and wrapping her shawl around her shoulders, she stepped out with Richard.

“It is a beautiful night to be out walking with a handsome man,” Anne said. “The air is unseasonably warm for November, and the moon is rising to light our way.”

Richard spoke then. “Anne, you jest, but this may be my last chance to speak freely before you leave. I have come to know you better during my stay here. I cannot say that I like the prospect of your departure.”

She looked up at him. “That sounds very solemn, Cousin. Am I to feel guilty for leaving Kent when the decision was not mine?”

“No,” Richard said with a laugh. “You are not to blame. Yet I cannot help but feel the loss. You are not at all the frail, silent creature I have always thought you to be. You are clever, lively, and determined. I find that I wish to know you better.”

Her eyes shone in the moonlight. “You mean to say I have surprised you. That pleases me. I have always thought you a solemn soldier, yet you are droll when you choose to be.”

“Then you are not displeased with me?” he asked.

“Not in the least,” she said, smiling. “I enjoy our talks. You do not treat me as though I shall break into pieces with every step. That is refreshing.”

Richard slowed his pace. “Anne, when you are gone, I shall miss you. I wish to continue what we have begun. If you are willing, I hope we may see each other often when you are settled again.”

She tilted her head, her smile bright. “That is a very pretty speech, Cousin. I should like that very well. I may even write to you, though you must promise not to tell Mother, or she will accuse me of imprudence.”

He laughed. “I shall keep your secret. And I shall write in return. You may rely upon it.”

She gave a small, quick nod. “Then it is settled. You shall not be rid of me so easily, Richard. I like you too much for that.”

They reached the edge of the grove and stood for a moment in the quiet. The house loomed in the distance, its many windows glowing with light. Richard looked down at her.

“Anne, I am glad we spoke tonight. Whatever comes, I mean to know you better.”

Her reply was pert but warm. “See that you do. I shall expect it.”

With that, she slipped her hand through his arm, and together they turned back toward Rosings.

Richard and Anne entered the house together. She excused herself at once, saying she must see to a few last preparations before the morning’s journey. Richard watched her go, then turned down the corridor and made his way to Darcy’s rooms.

He found his cousin seated at the writing desk, a letter begun but the pen idle in his hand. Darcy looked up when Richard entered, his expression drawn.

Richard closed the door behind him. “Well, cousin, I cannot help but ask. How did it go with Miss Elizabeth? You were very quiet at dinner. That is not the manner of a man whose offer has been accepted.”

Darcy set the pen aside. “It did not go as I hoped. I made her an offer. She refused me.”

Richard turned sharply. “She refused you? That cannot be. When you are in the same room, she cannot take her eyes off you. I would swear she has loved you since the ball at Netherfield. Never tell me she refused you! What reason did she give?”

Darcy passed a hand over his brow. “I told her the truth that I had struggled for months. That I was held back by her connections to trade and the knowledge that she is not of my circle. I confessed that these were obstacles that were not easily overcome.” His voice faltered.

“She listened in silence, and then she refused me. Nothing I said afterward could change her mind.”

Richard gave a low whistle. “Darcy, did you actually repeat to her that her family was beneath you? Twice now you have told her as much. No woman alive would have accepted your proposal. You practically begged her to reject you.”

Darcy’s shoulders stiffened. “I spoke honestly. Should I have dissembled?”

Richard shook his head slowly. “Darcy, sometimes I wonder at you. How can you be so skilled in business and estate matters, and yet so very naive in affairs of the heart? Of course, she did not accept you. I would not have accepted you either. You practically talked her out of it.”

Darcy’s brow furrowed. “You think so?”

“I know so,” Richard returned. “What woman in her right mind would accept a proposal from a man who begins by listing every reason she is unworthy? You told her again that her connections were low, that her family is beneath you. This is the second time you have made such a speech. I am surprised she has not closed her door to you altogether.”

Darcy rose and began to pace. “Elizabeth said she loved me. She admitted it but also said we were at an impasse and asked for time. She promised to accept no other until I return from Scotland and we can speak again.”

Richard leaned against the mantel with folded arms. “Then she has more forbearance than I expected. But mark me, Fitzwilliam, the best thing you can do now is stay away. Give her time to forget the sting of your words.” He paused and then looked gravely at his cousin.

“However, she will return to London again within a fortnight, to her uncle’s house.

Pembroke will have every opportunity to press his suit there. ”

Darcy turned sharply. “She promised me she would wait.”

Richard lifted a brow with a half-smile.

“Yes, and let us hope Pembroke’s renown and his fine address do not tempt her beyond endurance.

He is handsome, he has a good estate, and he is free of scandal.

There is no reason in the world for her to refuse him.

If you didn’t want her for yourself, you would agree that Pembroke is an excellent match. ”

Darcy halted in his pacing and rubbed his eyes.

Richard’s voice softened, though his bluntness remained. “Well, cousin, let this be a lesson. When you next offer for a woman, remember that a compliment to her fine eyes will go farther than any slight to her relations. Women want to be cherished, not catalogued against a balance sheet.”

Darcy gave a half-smile that carried no mirth. “You are determined to school me, Richard.”

“And you are in need of it,” Richard replied. “Now get some sleep. Tomorrow you must take our aunt and cousin to London, and you will need a clear head for the road.”

Darcy said nothing more, but when Richard left him, he remained standing in the middle of the room, his thoughts torn between hope and despair.