"Darcy, my good man, lovely to see you again," greeted Viscount Henry as his cousin stepped through the doors of the house. They shook hands and the viscount led him towards the sitting room. "You are incredibly punctual, cousin, I had only just arrived myself."
"It is good to see you, Henry," said Darcy in response, clapping his cousin on the back as they entered the large room. "Is your family here?"
"Emily and the babe are upstairs, she felt the need to rest after the journey and put the child to sleep," there was sparkle in his eye as the viscount spoke of his wife and daughter, being one of the fortunate men of Darcy's knowing who had married for love, though Emily Davenport had had a sizeable fortune as well. Darcy wondered if he looked like that when he spoke of Elizabeth, but a booming voice interrupted his thoughts.
"The man of the hour!" Richard appeared before him, a wide smile on his face as he led Lady Fitzwilliam towards his cousin. "I congratulate you, William, in a tone that I am sure my letter did no justice to. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, indeed!"
Darcy smiled one of his rare smiles and accepted his cousin's warm congratulations, since they had not met since the eventful time at Rosings. "Thank you, Richard. You are well, I hope?"
"Very well!" Richard practically dragged Darcy over to the side of the room, intent of teasing his cousin as much as he could, however Darcy was saved as the sitting room door opened once more and Lady Emily walked in, smiling and followed by none other than his sister and his fiancé, who had both decided to make the journey from Hertfordshire together since Georgiana had been staying at Netherfield following the announcement of the engagement. After them were the two that Darcy had specifically procured an invitation for, Mr. Bingley and his betrothed, the elder Miss Bennet, who no doubt looked angelic with her gentle features. However, it was Elizabeth's bright eyes and smile that Darcy had been dreaming of, though he had seen her only the night before. The realization that those eyes and smiles were now for him and him alone caused a warm feeling to envelop him, which evidently did not go unnoticed by his cousin. Richard chuckled and followed his cousin to go greet the newcomers, stopping only to scoop up one of his young nephews from the floor, the viscount's eldest and only son, Henry.
"You do spoil him so, Richard," reprimanded Emily gently as she passed him. "He really must learn to walk on his own."
Richard merely shrugged, and the young boy giggled happily as they approached the new arrivals. He put the boy on the floor as they were introduced to the elder Miss Bennet, who was all grace and loveliness as she greeted his parents and thanked them for the invitation in a gentle and pretty way, her softness a contrast to her younger sister. Miss Elizabeth was all grins and brightness as she greeted the earl and his wife, allowed Mr. Darcy to kiss her hand and hold it for perhaps longer than strictly appropriate, and then turned to the colonel himself, her smile still bright. "Colonel, how delightful to see you!" she said, offering her hand.
"Miss Elizabeth!" exclaimed Richard, grasping her hand and attempting to convey to her his happiness with the mere gesture. "Had I known in Kent that this would be the result of your frequent arguments with my dear cousin, I would have attempted to instigate them so that this happy event may have come about sooner!"
Elizabeth blushed prettily and said all that was appropriate and then accepted Darcy's arm as he led her towards the other guests, fortunately only family for now since the few people Lady Fitzwilliam had deemed appropriate for the small gathering were to arrive shortly before dinner. There was old Mrs. Davenport, Lady Emily's mother, a strict old widow with no time for smiles. However, her fortune was sizeable, as was her influence, and Richard saw his mother's planning in introducing Elizabeth to the old woman herself. He had no doubt that his cousin-to-be would be a hit with the older women, specially the ones with daughters who had had no designs on Darcy himself. There was also Lady Ellen Carmichael, Lady Fitzwilliam's sister married to a much older man of sizeable fortune and a particularly good taste in company. His uncle was present as well, and both looked curiously, though not unkindly, at the young woman on Darcy's arm.
Richard was stopped from his studying, however, when the doors opened again and two more women entered. He recognized the older one immediately and narrowed his eyes. Mrs. Wilhelmina Harris had the same expression of severity that she had had on her face the last time he had seen her in London two seasons ago, and her greeting had been kind but short. She was dressed in a black dress which was undoubtedly the height of fashion, but Richard noted with some surprise the sparkling diamonds she wore in her ears and at her throat, something he knew with certainty was beyond her modest income since the death of her husband ten years ago. Her expression softened only slightly when his parents approached her, and when she advanced forward to meet them his eyes were drawn to the figure behind her, and he froze in his tracks.
Diana Harris had always been a slight woman, with blue eyes brighter than the sky on a midsummer day, or so Richard had always thought. Her skin was a lovely golden brown colour, thanks to her vacationing in the South of France twice a year since the age of thirteen. Even now, though her skin was paler than the last time he had glimpsed it, it retained its sparkling hue. Her dark hair was piled atop her head simply, but her long neck was on display and covered with a cobweb of diamonds and emeralds that sparkled as she inclined her head and curtseyed to his parents. Her dress was as black as her mother's, which he once again considered odd since she had always detested the colour. Her lips twitched when Emily approached with her son, and Richard saw a glimpse of the seventeen-year-old girl he had once known when she bent down and shook young Henry's hand, giving him a delighted kiss on his cheek when he said something that evidently amused her. As she straightened up, her eyes drifted across the room and landed on him. If he did not know better, he would have thought she was searching for him, which seemed plausible since it was his own home. However, evidently his appearance was a surprise. Her complexion became ashen, and her hands gripped her fan so tightly that he was sure it would break. And it was then that Richard's eyes landed on the single ring on her left hand.
"Richard?" it was his mother's voice. "My dear, do come and say hello instead of staring!"
He snapped out of it immediately, his eyes lingering on Diana's face for only a second longer before he forced a smile onto his face and approached his family. He bowed to both ladies and kissed Mrs. Harris' hand, surprised to see her smile at him when he did so. To Diana, he merely nodded his head stiffly, his eyes hard and yet beseeching her to erase the look of surprise from her face before his mother grew even more suspicious.
As she had always been able to do, Diana understood his glance perfectly and began fiddling with the bracelet she wore, muttering something about it being too tight and gladly accepting Emily's invitation to take a look at it in the other room in case she wanted to remove it.
"Well, well, Richard," Mrs. Harris smiled at him in the same, soft way he was sure he had never seen her do. "You do look well. Your mother told me you are a colonel now. I must say, it is a noble pursuit."
Richard bowed again. "I thank you, madam."
"I am glad that he is home, though," said his mother, resting a hand on his arm softly. "I do wish there had been something to incite him to stay all those years ago," her eyes were sad, and Richard knew exactly what she was talking about.
Evidently, Mrs. Harris did as well, because she briskly changed the topic. "That girl is wild as ever, though you'd think marriage would have tamed her," Mrs. Harris rolled her eyes, indicating the departing back of her daughter. "That bracelet was a wedding present, but I daresay she hasn't worn it since he gave it to her and seems unwilling to wear it even now."
"She will get along splendidly with Darcy's fiancé, Mina," said his mother, linking arms with her old friend and leading her towards the small group that comprised of the two Bennet sisters, their betrotheds and Georgiana. "Elizabeth is from Hertfordshire, and a very pretty and bright young thing."
"Yes, I have heard," said Mrs. Harris dryly. "Your letter was full of praise, Alexandra, though I fail to see her getting along well with my daughter in her current state."
"You mustn't speak so," hushed his mother, and then they were out of earshot and Richard felt his brother touch his shoulder. He turned abruptly and noted the look of sorrow in Henry's eyes.
"You knew," he said flatly.
"Yes," Henry sighed. "I did want to tell you, Richard, but after –"
"I didn't want to know."
"I am sorry," his brother's tone was sincere. "I know you loved her, Richard."
"Eight years is a long time," was all Richard said. His eyes flitted across the room, coming to rest on Darcy and indicating to his cousin everything he could not say. Darcy nodded slightly. "Excuse me," he made for the door, knowing his cousin would follow.
Not ten minutes later, Darcy joined him in the small study adjoining the sitting room, closing the door behind him and frowning when he saw the glass in his cousin's hand. "Richard, please."
"Did you know she was married?" asked Richard, swirling around the contents of his glass and keeping his eyes on the carpet.
"Yes," sighed Darcy. "Her engagement was announced two weeks after you left and she was married soon after since the man's father was ill."
"And have you met him?"
Darcy frowned. "Richard, he -"
"Darcy, I must know. Is he –" the colonel cleared his throat. "That is to say, does he treat her well?"
"Diana married Lord Charles Herbert, but he was merely a viscount then and a month later his father had died and left him to inherit it all. Then –"
"That doesn't answer my question," interrupted Richard. "They are happy? He is kind to her? I know he is rich, Darcy, clearly, but is he a decent fellow?"
Darcy finally lost his temper. "My good man, I know how much you cared for her but you must realize what she did to you! It was unfair, and your concern over her welfare does you credit, but it is—"
"Do not speak ill of her, Darcy."
Darcy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose between his forefinger and thumb in exasperation. "I know you loved her, Richard, and she loved you too. Her reasons for refusing to marry you were baseless and wrong."
"You don't know anything, Darcy," Richard's lips twitched in bitterness as he downed the contents of his glass and indicated for them to leave the room. "We should re-join the others."
Darcy hesitated, but finally nodded and left the room, giving his cousin the space he needed. Richard lingered, his fingers delving into his pocket and caressing the silver watch he wore despite his father's valid concern that it did not suit his regimentals. Nevertheless, he had not taken it off for eight years, and he would not stop now. Squaring his shoulders, he left the room and came face to face with none other than Lady Diana Herbert.
They locked eyes, and he knew he had to approach. Her face was anxious and pale, but she didn't attempt to run away. Stiffly, he made his way towards her, thankful that his sister-in-law was still standing with her. The bracelet was missing. Richard have a small bow. "It is good to see you, my lady."
She paled even more when he spoke. "Y-you as well, Colonel," stammered Diana. Her hands clenched around her fan as she looked anywhere but at his face. "I-I did not know you were in the country."
"Yes," he said simply. Some of his stiffness was melting away at her genuine confusion, however reluctant he was for it to be so, and he smiled at her slightly. "Eight years is a long time."
"Many things can happen," she admitted, her hands once again touching her hair. She blushed slightly when Emily swatted her hands away. "I can't stand these things," she muttered, intending obviously for only her friend to hear, but Richard heard as well and couldn't help but chuckle lightly, causing her blush to deepen.
"Have you met Miss Elizabeth?" he asked, taking pity on her and steering the conversation away.
"Yes," Diana smiled, raising her eyes and meeting his a little hesitantly. "She is quite lovely."
"Quite."
"She reminds me of Diana," said Emily, finally interjecting. She smiled at her friend's look of surprise. "Before you were married and tamed, my dear. Elizabeth is such a free spirit."
"I wouldn't call myself tamed," said Diana, and the fire in her eyes was something that Richard was glad to see had not diminished. "One must act a certain way in certain company, Emily, and fortunately it is an act that I am proud to say I mastered many years ago," at that, she glanced at Richard for only a second before adding, "Had circumstances been different, I doubt I would have had to."
Emily inclined her head slightly, but she was obviously uncomfortable with what Diana had said. Before Richard could speak, dinner was announced and he found himself alone with Diana as Henry came forward and hurriedly took his wife's arm. Richard hesitated for only a second before offering Diana his arm. His grip was feather-light when she took it, and they walked in silence towards the dining hall. He wanted to speak, but as he took in a breath to do just that he felt a light tapping against his arm, a sensation he had not felt in years. Looking down, he saw Diana's eyes fixed on the sight in front of her, but her forefinger was tapping incessantly against his arm. It was a tell-tale habit of hers, and one Richard had almost forgotten about. However, his reaction was automatic: he raised his other hand and rested it gently against her twitching fingers, stopping the movement. The action itself took seconds, but it felt like an age to Richard, until her hand squeezed his arm in the familiar way of recognition and thanks. It was the perfect opportunity to speak, to explain himself. However, as he looked down at her, she looked up at him and he realized there was no need.
She knew.
Uploading a new chapter today so I can stay on schedule. See you next week! x
