of the shop where he could lurk with other gentlemen. Lizzy had said she had more errands to complete and as he had intruded on her morning plans he could hardly complain.
Half an hour later she arrived at his side with a brown paper parcel held triumphantly before her. 'I have everything I came for, Fitzwilliam. We can go home so we can settle on a new date for the house party. It's fortuitous I hadn't invited my parents as my mother would no doubt have found the change of date an interesting topic of gossip amongst her friends.'
Much as he enjoyed her company he politely declined to go with her on her morning calls that afternoon. Instead he walked round to his club where he hoped to learn more about the Sinclair and Hall families.
*
Lizzy returned to Grosvenor Square delighted with what she had accomplished that afternoon. She had met half a dozen young ladies doing the rounds as well as two older women, one a widow and the other working as a companion. If Colonel Fitzwilliam was in genuine need of a bride then both these candidates would be a suitable match for him.
Her husband was not the only one who could keep secrets. She was determined to find his cousin a wife even though he thought this search to be a false one. If she had her way by the end of the house party the last member of the Darcy clan would be betrothed.
She made a list of those she wished to invite and made sure that the families of the candidates she had met that afternoon were included. It was unlikely that either her husband or his cousin would take much interest in the list as long as the two suspect families were on it.
Making morning calls had never been a pleasure until today. Having an ulterior motive for visiting had made the experience so much more enjoyable. She was almost looking forward to the next week of musical evenings and informal supper parties.
When Fitzwilliam strolled in to change for dinner he looked more relaxed than he had recently. 'Good, I'm glad to see that you haven't yet changed. Hugo won't have time to return to his lodgings to put on his evening rig.'
She put down her pen with a smile. 'We don't change at Pemberley anymore unless we have guests so why not do the same in Town?' She picked up the list and handed it to him. 'I have four families already, with the two that must be invited, we almost have a house full.'
He scrutinised the paper and nodded. ‘Excellent. We shall meet them at the first two events we attend. I just hope they are not impossible. If they are indeed traitors then they will be suspicious if they get an invitation from someone who is known to be highly selective in his acquaintances.'
'I'm sure Cousin Hugo is well aware how high in the instep you are. He wouldn't have suggested this ploy unless they are acceptable. Remember you considered my family to be beneath your notice when you first met us. By the by, the Gardiners will be coming to our house party as well as Mrs Collins and her impossible husband.'
His eyebrows vanished beneath his hair. 'I beg you, my darling, do not invite the Collins family. I doubt I could survive the experience.'
He was so easy to tease. 'Don't look so alarmed, I would never willingly have Mr Collins under my roof. The last time I heard from Charlotte Collins she was in an interesting condition again so couldn't travel anyway.'
'Don't look so sad, there will be more children to fill our nursery in good time.' His smile was wicked as he continued. 'I give you my word, sweetheart, I shall make every effort to achieve this end.'
Hastily she got to her feet and fixed him with her sternest look. 'Your cousin will be here at any moment so do not think I shall tumble into bed with you right now.'
'In which case I guarantee that neither of us will have much sleep tonight.'
Hand in hand they made their way to the drawing room; the colonel was announced a few minutes after they arrived. Fitzwilliam went forward to greet him, leaving her to view the two of them
Half an hour later she arrived at his side with a brown paper parcel held triumphantly before her. 'I have everything I came for, Fitzwilliam. We can go home so we can settle on a new date for the house party. It's fortuitous I hadn't invited my parents as my mother would no doubt have found the change of date an interesting topic of gossip amongst her friends.'
Much as he enjoyed her company he politely declined to go with her on her morning calls that afternoon. Instead he walked round to his club where he hoped to learn more about the Sinclair and Hall families.
*
Lizzy returned to Grosvenor Square delighted with what she had accomplished that afternoon. She had met half a dozen young ladies doing the rounds as well as two older women, one a widow and the other working as a companion. If Colonel Fitzwilliam was in genuine need of a bride then both these candidates would be a suitable match for him.
Her husband was not the only one who could keep secrets. She was determined to find his cousin a wife even though he thought this search to be a false one. If she had her way by the end of the house party the last member of the Darcy clan would be betrothed.
She made a list of those she wished to invite and made sure that the families of the candidates she had met that afternoon were included. It was unlikely that either her husband or his cousin would take much interest in the list as long as the two suspect families were on it.
Making morning calls had never been a pleasure until today. Having an ulterior motive for visiting had made the experience so much more enjoyable. She was almost looking forward to the next week of musical evenings and informal supper parties.
When Fitzwilliam strolled in to change for dinner he looked more relaxed than he had recently. 'Good, I'm glad to see that you haven't yet changed. Hugo won't have time to return to his lodgings to put on his evening rig.'
She put down her pen with a smile. 'We don't change at Pemberley anymore unless we have guests so why not do the same in Town?' She picked up the list and handed it to him. 'I have four families already, with the two that must be invited, we almost have a house full.'
He scrutinised the paper and nodded. ‘Excellent. We shall meet them at the first two events we attend. I just hope they are not impossible. If they are indeed traitors then they will be suspicious if they get an invitation from someone who is known to be highly selective in his acquaintances.'
'I'm sure Cousin Hugo is well aware how high in the instep you are. He wouldn't have suggested this ploy unless they are acceptable. Remember you considered my family to be beneath your notice when you first met us. By the by, the Gardiners will be coming to our house party as well as Mrs Collins and her impossible husband.'
His eyebrows vanished beneath his hair. 'I beg you, my darling, do not invite the Collins family. I doubt I could survive the experience.'
He was so easy to tease. 'Don't look so alarmed, I would never willingly have Mr Collins under my roof. The last time I heard from Charlotte Collins she was in an interesting condition again so couldn't travel anyway.'
'Don't look so sad, there will be more children to fill our nursery in good time.' His smile was wicked as he continued. 'I give you my word, sweetheart, I shall make every effort to achieve this end.'
Hastily she got to her feet and fixed him with her sternest look. 'Your cousin will be here at any moment so do not think I shall tumble into bed with you right now.'
'In which case I guarantee that neither of us will have much sleep tonight.'
Hand in hand they made their way to the drawing room; the colonel was announced a few minutes after they arrived. Fitzwilliam went forward to greet him, leaving her to view the two of them
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