for that matter?”
“I care not what either one thinks. They have overruled all my objections, so I am under no obligation to inform them.”
William held fast to his vigil at the window, his eyes searching the horizon as though somehow the answers he sought were out there. When the silence continued, Richard ventured, “And the other matter?”
William’s shoulders visibly slumped, and with his free hand, he gripped the window frame as though it were necessary to keep him upright. His knuckles turned white with the effort. “I met someone.”
No further explanation was necessary. Those words could only mean one thing—Darcy had fallen in love. This was a significant development, possibly disastrous, and Richard could not, would not, make light of it. All of his bravado disappeared and he stood mute as his cousin continued.
“She is entirely unlike any woman I have ever known. She is intelligent without being haughty, full of merriment without being ridiculous and refreshing as a spring rain in her innocence. And beautiful. So beautiful I can only compare her to a painting of a woman I saw on my tour of the Continent.”
For a moment William seemed lost in thought, so Richard ventured, “Does this paragon have a name?”
“Elizabeth … Elizabeth Bennet.”
“And she hails from Hertfordshire, I presume?” William nodded absently. “Knowing you, Mr. Duty and Honour , I am perplexed as to how you were able to form an acquaintance, given how attentively you avoid being in company with women.”
Without turning, William began to recount how he had met Elizabeth in the bookstore and again at the ball. Then he explained how Providence had placed him in the role of her protector. Leaving out the finer details of their night spent together, he quickly moved on to his meeting with Mr. Bennet and the decision to leave Meryton straightaway.
A low whistle preceded Richard’s reply. “I knew you would not raise her expectations cold-heartedly. And I will not ask what transpired during your stay in the cabin, as you have so studiously avoided telling me that part of your story, but it is obvious that you have strong feelings for her.”
William’s eyes hardened. He drained his cup, then in one motion turned from the window to fling it into the hearth, where it shattered into tiny pieces. The ferocity of the gesture caused Richard to flinch.
“Duty and honour!” William shouted. “Why must I be the one held to such a standard?” His voice grew louder and he began to pace. “Why must I suffer when I was not the one who carried on an adulterous affair? And why was it left to me to spare my mother and sister from the embarrassment of my father’s lust?”
William stopped pacing and stood with his hands covering his face as Richard hurried to him. Sliding an arm across his shoulder, Richard could feel him shaking with fury.
“Because, my brave cousin, you were man enough to step in to protect those you loved. That is more than I can say of Uncle George.”
William threw up his hands in frustration, laughing mirthlessly. “I often wonder if it was worth it. Had I known that father and mother would die soon after…” His voice trailed off, as his thoughts returned to what might have been.
“I know you too well, Cousin, and you would have gone through with it regardless. You were always fearless when it came to protecting your family, whereas I would have likely refused, as I am not so fond of mine.” Richard replied dryly.
William slumped down in a nearby chair, and for a time he ran both hands through his hair, something Richard has seen him do since they were children whenever he was distressed. Finally, his hands stilled and he murmured roughly, “I was afraid that if I stayed one more day, I would confess my feelings and if I had—”
“Do not torture yourself, Darcy. You are only human. And you deserve more than the misery that has been your lot. Perhaps it is time to put this matter to rest
“I care not what either one thinks. They have overruled all my objections, so I am under no obligation to inform them.”
William held fast to his vigil at the window, his eyes searching the horizon as though somehow the answers he sought were out there. When the silence continued, Richard ventured, “And the other matter?”
William’s shoulders visibly slumped, and with his free hand, he gripped the window frame as though it were necessary to keep him upright. His knuckles turned white with the effort. “I met someone.”
No further explanation was necessary. Those words could only mean one thing—Darcy had fallen in love. This was a significant development, possibly disastrous, and Richard could not, would not, make light of it. All of his bravado disappeared and he stood mute as his cousin continued.
“She is entirely unlike any woman I have ever known. She is intelligent without being haughty, full of merriment without being ridiculous and refreshing as a spring rain in her innocence. And beautiful. So beautiful I can only compare her to a painting of a woman I saw on my tour of the Continent.”
For a moment William seemed lost in thought, so Richard ventured, “Does this paragon have a name?”
“Elizabeth … Elizabeth Bennet.”
“And she hails from Hertfordshire, I presume?” William nodded absently. “Knowing you, Mr. Duty and Honour , I am perplexed as to how you were able to form an acquaintance, given how attentively you avoid being in company with women.”
Without turning, William began to recount how he had met Elizabeth in the bookstore and again at the ball. Then he explained how Providence had placed him in the role of her protector. Leaving out the finer details of their night spent together, he quickly moved on to his meeting with Mr. Bennet and the decision to leave Meryton straightaway.
A low whistle preceded Richard’s reply. “I knew you would not raise her expectations cold-heartedly. And I will not ask what transpired during your stay in the cabin, as you have so studiously avoided telling me that part of your story, but it is obvious that you have strong feelings for her.”
William’s eyes hardened. He drained his cup, then in one motion turned from the window to fling it into the hearth, where it shattered into tiny pieces. The ferocity of the gesture caused Richard to flinch.
“Duty and honour!” William shouted. “Why must I be the one held to such a standard?” His voice grew louder and he began to pace. “Why must I suffer when I was not the one who carried on an adulterous affair? And why was it left to me to spare my mother and sister from the embarrassment of my father’s lust?”
William stopped pacing and stood with his hands covering his face as Richard hurried to him. Sliding an arm across his shoulder, Richard could feel him shaking with fury.
“Because, my brave cousin, you were man enough to step in to protect those you loved. That is more than I can say of Uncle George.”
William threw up his hands in frustration, laughing mirthlessly. “I often wonder if it was worth it. Had I known that father and mother would die soon after…” His voice trailed off, as his thoughts returned to what might have been.
“I know you too well, Cousin, and you would have gone through with it regardless. You were always fearless when it came to protecting your family, whereas I would have likely refused, as I am not so fond of mine.” Richard replied dryly.
William slumped down in a nearby chair, and for a time he ran both hands through his hair, something Richard has seen him do since they were children whenever he was distressed. Finally, his hands stilled and he murmured roughly, “I was afraid that if I stayed one more day, I would confess my feelings and if I had—”
“Do not torture yourself, Darcy. You are only human. And you deserve more than the misery that has been your lot. Perhaps it is time to put this matter to rest
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