by Dana R. Lynn
The brunette shook her head. “I hope I don’t offend you, Georgiana, but I’m all in today. I think I would prefer to retire.”
Concern reared its head and pushed its way into the colonel’s mind. Was she ill? Or had he offended her earlier for talking so freely about his family?
When she made her way to the stairs, he waited until Georgie was occupied in her music once more. Quietly, he slipped from the room and moved towards where she had headed.
“Miss James.” He kept his voice low so as not to inform his curious cousin that he was speaking with her friend.
Miss James halted before the stairs, but kept her eyes directed away from him. He discovered he did not like that at all. Suddenly, the desire to see her eyes welled up inside him. Never had he been prone to fits of impulsiveness. Until he met her.
“Please, look at me.”
Her head edged up. He could feel the reluctance in the movement. When those eyes met his, he sucked in a breath. The merry orbs which had sparkled this afternoon were pools of misery.
“Miss James, please, I hope I did nothing to offend you this afternoon. If I did …”
“Hush.” She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. He was unprepared for the sensation of her touch, even through his clothing. Her eyes widened. Yes, she had felt it too. Quickly, she snatched the offending hand back and hid it behind her back. He was reminded of a child caught sneaking treats from the kitchen. Bravely, she continued to look at him, blushing furiously. “I was not bothered by you, Colonel. I will admit to feeling at sea, but it’s not your doing.”
She backed up. “And I really am tired. Goodnight.” She fled up the stairs.
Georgiana exited the music room five minutes later and was startled to see her cousin standing at the base of the staircase. He had an expression on his face she had never seen before. It was lost.
Chapter Eleven
The Darcy’s were home. Fitzwilliam watched as their carriage drew up to the house. The footman hopped down to open the door. Darcy jumped down before helping his wife descend.
“Richard!” Elizabeth called, delight in her voice. And for once, he did not feel a tug of envy as he watched Darcy kiss his bride’s hand. A surge of relief rushed through him. It seemed his unseemly infatuation with his cousin’s wife was fading.
Darcy gathered his wife on his arm and headed his way.
“Your letter hinted there was a problem here. I was worried that Georgiana might be in trouble and you were reluctant to speak plainly. We left as soon as we could.” Darcy eyed his cousin carefully. “You didn not need to run anyone through, did you?”
Fitzwilliam flushed. How he wished he had waited to send that letter to his cousin! He had been so sure that Miss James was up to something underhanded. And remembering the way George Wickham had tricked Georgiana into consenting to an elopement last year, he had fired off that letter without paying any heed to the possible consequences. After learning more, he had forgotten about the letter.
“Sorry, Darcy. You must have been out of your mind when you received it.” Grimacing at Darcy’s nod, he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Richard,” Elizabeth’s soft voice drew his attention. “Since there does not appear to be an emergency, maybe we can continue this conversation indoors.”
Fitzwilliam stared at her. Indoors? Elizabeth never wanted to be indoors. If the sun was out, so was she. Was she well? For the first time, he noticed how pale and drawn her lovely face was. Why, she was exhausted! Had he worried her this much? Or was she suffering from some other malady? If so, they should have remained in town until she was well again.
“Elizabeth, are you ill? I do apologize. It was never my intention to upset you. Indeed, let’s move indoors where you will be more comfortable.” In his haste to help her, he moved to her other arm.
And was stopped by her laughter. She did not sound unwell. In fact, if he was any judge, the secretive glance she shared with her husband was exuberant. Darcy raised one eyebrow. She responded with a nod.
Darcy cleared his throat. “Richard, this is not to be made known to anyone outside of our family. Not even to your parents. Elizabeth and I will be parents in December. We would like you to be godfather.”
Elizabeth was … Darcy would be … Godfather.
There was nothing he could do about the grin spreading over his face. “Darcy! Elizabeth! I am very happy for you.”
They entered the house, and were met by Georgiana and Miss James. Georgiana gasped and rushed to embrace her brother and sister-in-law. Miss James paused, uncertainty written into every line of her body. It was clear she doubted her welcome here. Catching her eyes, Fitzwilliam tried to indicate with a smile that she had nothing to worry about. He was sure Darcy would have pity on her.
At the moment, Darcy was busy embracing his excited sister. He laughed as she started jumping up and down, clapping. Raising his eyes, he continued to smile, but his gaze sharpened as it fell upon the pretty young woman wearing one of his sister’s gowns and black arm bands. To his credit, his only reaction was to aim a quizzical glance at the colonel.
“Georgie, would you care to introduce me to your friend?” He had to be curious. His voice, however, was calm and unruffled.
“Oh!” Georgiana’s hands flew to her rounded mouth. “I am so sorry. Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, this is my dear friend, Miss Mackenzie James.”
Fitzwilliam stopped listening while Georgiana explained Miss James’ presence. Instead he focused on Miss James herself. He had always thought she was lovely, but today in Georgiana’s dark blue gown, she was exquisite. He was entranced by her eyes. For the first time he noticed how deeply blue they were. And they were made even more spectacular by the black ring around them. He had never seen eyes like hers before.
“Richard?”
Embarrassed to be caught staring, he turned back to see Darcy giving him a knowing smile.
****
As the introductions were made, Kenzie kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Soon, they would start to demand an explanation for her presence. Hopefully they wouldn’t turn her out. Colonel Fitzwilliam had allowed her to stay. Although, Georgiana’s brother did have a protective look about him. Elizabeth, though, she was lovely. And her eyes were the most open and friendly eyes Kenzie had ever seen. The dark haired woman had taken one look at Kenzie’s arm bands, and her eyes had filled with sympathy. Even now she was moving over to take her hands.
“Miss James, please accept our condolences for the loss of your family. Forgive our surprise, Georgiana had never spoken of you before.”
What could she say without lying? Kenzie hated to lie, but she couldn’t very well say, “Well, that’s because I dropped into your world from 200 years in the future.” Yeah, that would go over like a lead balloon.
“Our friendship has not been a long one. But it has helped me through a difficult time. I can never thank Georgiana enough for her kindness to me.” There. That was all true, wasn’t it? And she didn’t think she said anything shocking. But here, who knew? Half the time Kenzie was afraid to open her mouth lest she give offense or say something that was considered poor breeding.
She held herself so tight, by the time luncheon was completed she had developed a raging headache. Before she knew it, she was squinting whenever she happened to glance towards the windows.
How long did she need to sit here? All she wanted to do was to go to her room and crawl back into bed. Every movement sent a jarring pain through her head.
“Miss James, are you well?”
What? The colonel’s voice reached her, but he sounded far away. When had she closed her eyes? She forced herself to open them. The colonel was standing next to her chair. She knew it was him, even though his red coated figure was blurry. He had asked if she was well.
The effort to answer him took more strength than she had. Wearily, she allowed her eyes to flutter shut again. Ah, that felt better. She let the darkness swallow her.
****
Fitzwilliam caught her as she pitched forward. Gathering her up in his arms, he rose.
“Kenzie!” Georgie ran to her friend’s side, her face white.
Swiftly, Elizabeth rose to her feet and approached. She calmly felt Miss James’ forehead, then addressed her husband over her shoulder.
“William, she’s feverish. We need to get her settled in her room. Would you please have a maid sent up?”
“Should we not call a doctor?” Fitzwilliam blurted. His eyes scanned the girl in his arms again. She was breathing normally, and her face, although a little flushed, was not alarmingly red. Indeed, if he had not seen her faint he might have thought she was merely sleeping.
“I do not believe she is ill enough for a doctor,” Elizabeth stated. He wanted to argue, but she was not finished. “Please remember, sir, I have four sisters. I have seen my eldest and one of my younger sisters faint when they were even the slightest bit unwell. I believe she is merely suffering a trifling cold. However, if it would comfort you, a physician shall be summoned.”
Glancing up, he intercepted the considering looks on all three faces. Georgie actually had a small smirk. What happened to concern for her friend? Surely, they were behaving far too casually. Unless, it was he who was over-reacting. Heat crawled up his neck and face.
“No, if you say she is not ill enough for a doctor, I will trust your judgment.” He followed Elizabeth out of the room, hugging his burden closer to him. The instinct to protect and shelter Kenzie, no, Miss James was warring with his impulse to flee Pemberley at once. Steeling himself against such impulses, he followed Elizabeth and Georgie into Miss James’ room and gently laid her on the bed. Straightening, he remained near her a few seconds longer, battling with his desire to reach out and smooth her hair back from her lovely face. Until Elizabeth forced him aside with a fierce frown. But he saw the sympathy in her eyes.
His chest tightened. No one but Elizabeth would understand so well. She had possessed nothing but her charms to recommend her to Darcy. True, she was a gentleman’s daughter, but a poor gentleman’s daughter. None of the five Bennet sisters had a dowry, and even their house had been entailed away to a cousin. A buffoon of a cousin. When Fitzwilliam had met her last year in Kent, he had felt attracted to her. But he had known that he had nothing to offer her. Just as she had no expectations of marrying well, he knew that he would have very few options as a second son. One could hardly ask a woman to share the life of a soldier. And even then the idea to marry for money was repugnant to him.
His situation was more serious now. He had a duty to marry to provide an heir so the family line would continue. His father had made it abundantly clear that if he did not marry a woman of acceptable breeding, his wife would suffer. And he would be disowned.
It would be unconscionable to show any interest in a woman under those terms. Regardless of any tender feelings that may be developing in his heart for her, he could not bear the thought of her suffering because of him. And he was developing a decided attachment to Miss Mackenzie James. An attachment she could never know about.
Setting his jaw, he gave Elizabeth and Georgie a courtly bow. Pivoting on his heel, he strode briskly from the room. Within a quarter of an hour, he had made his excuses to Darcy and taken his leave, knowing he left part of his heart behind.
Chapter Twelve
London
How early could he leave without appearing rude? Fitzwilliam smiled as he bowed over yet another spoiled heiress’s gloved hand. How had Darcy endured this for so long? At least Darcy had the luxury of choosing with his heart. At his parents’ insistence, he had thrown himself into the various activities of the marriage mart. Balls, the theatre, he attended them all. And he was bored. Bored, bored, bored.
His parents would be in high dudgeon if they suspected he had already formed a tenderness for a young woman without a fortune. In truth, much of his reason for attending the balls with such enthusiasm was to distract himself from dwelling on Kenzie’s blue eyes and melodic voice. It did no good. Every woman he was introduced to was automatically compared to her and found wanting. None of these women would talk with him as freely and without pretense as she did. And the thought of any of these women riding bareback was laughable. He was aware that they looked at him with calculating eyes. Some wouldn’t even consider him an appropriate suitor due to his status as a second son. Therefore, a man without his own property. Others looked at him and saw a link to a title. No doubt they had already considered that his brother had no heir. His lip curled.
“Colonel?” A startled voice broke into his reverie.
Belatedly, he realized he was glaring at the young woman before him. Drat! He could not even recall her name.
“Pardon me, miss. I have a matter I must attend to.”
Ignoring her insulted pout, he spun on his heel and strode towards the exit.
“Richard!”
He sighed. He had hoped his mother would be too preoccupied to stop him. But why should he expect that? She had come tonight expressly to judge the worthiness of each girl he talked with.
She was already at his side. If he did not know it would have been undignified, he would have thought she had run across the distance.
“My dear, surely you are not departing? The ball has barely begun. I have several young ladies I want to introduce you to.” Her smile was pleasant, but her eyes were cold. Do no defy me, they warned.
Fitzwilliam straightened his broad shoulders. He schooled his features into his military mask. She might be his mother, but he was no longer a boy. He understood what was at stake, but he would not be cornered. Or ordered about. He would come and go as he pleased.
“Madam,” he bowed slightly. “I have seen all I wish to see tonight. I feel the need for some peace and quiet. I will bid you good evening.” He continued out at a brisk pace. He knew his mother would not call out after him. Bad ton and all that.
****
Lady Whitehaven stood like a statue, rage brewing in her breast. How dare he walk out on her! Did he have no consideration for the state of the Earldom? She drew in a deep breath, struggling to control her temper. Too late she realized someone was standing beside her. A quick glance confirmed her fears. Lady Greystone was standing there, a look of avid curiosity on her face. And if she was not mistaken, glee was dancing in her eyes. The two women had been uneasy friends for years, always vying to best each other.
“My dear, where was your son off to in such a hurry?” Lady Greystone purred.
“Richard? He had something he needed to complete. I have no doubt you will see him at the ball tomorrow evening.”
“Hmm. I wonder,” Lady Greystone tilted her head as if in thought. “Maybe I should not mention … my information could be incorrect. I cannot say if what I have heard is accurate.” She allowed her voice to fade as if she was hesitant to broach a touchy subject. Her eyes, however, sparked with malice.
“Oh, just say it! It is clear you believe you are in possession of some useful information.”
“Only this. A dear friend of mine lives near your nephew, Mr. Darcy. Her maid reported the colonel was quite an interested visitor to Miss Darcy recently. Is it possible he is considering her as a perspective bride?”
Georgiana? She was young. Only sixteen. But she did have a large dowry. It could be a beneficial match. Not that she believed that Richard had intentions toward his cousin. But maybe he could be persuaded?
“Of course,” Lady Greystone continued, “Miss Darcy herself was hosting a young guest. A young woman of about twenty, I understand. An impoverished friend, I believe she said. And a lovely girl.”
Fear blossomed in Lady Whitehaven’s soul. An impoverished young woman, sanctioned by the Darcy’s! Darcy could not be trusted to guide Richard. Not after his appalling lack of decorum in ignoring propriety by marrying beneath him. Why should he think anything of encouraging his cousin and dear friend to do the same?
Pasting a smile on her face, Lady Whitehaven made her excuses to her gloating
friend. Her mind was fully occupied with finding out the truth, and separating her son from any who did not meet with her expectations.
Sending a servant into the billiards room with a message for her husband, she waited impatiently for him to join her. He finally arrived after five minutes.
“My dear, are we leaving? It’s early yet.” Lord Whitehaven frowned at his wife, puzzled.
“Yes, we must leave this minute,” she hissed. Her eyes skirted the hallway. Not seeing another guest nearby, she relaxed. “I will explain in the carriage.”
Lord Whitehaven huffed in annoyance, but allowed his wife to lead the way out.
“Your son is making a complete fool of himself!” she burst out the moment they were seated in the carriage. Lord Whitehaven’s heavy eyebrows climbed. Seeing his surprise, she forced herself to calm down. “I have heard it reported tonight by Lady Greystone that he has been visiting Darcy’s estate recently.”
“Nothing unusual in that, my dear—”
“He was not visiting his cousins! He was visiting their guest. A young woman with nothing! A fortune hunter, no doubt.”
A storm cloud darkened Lord Whitehaven’s visage. “Are you sure of your information?”
“No, but I intend to find out. First light tomorrow morning, I intend to set out for your sister Catherine’s home. Between the two of us, we should be able to formulate a plan to keep this girl away from Richard.”
Chapter Thirteen
Derbyshire
Had she really been here two months already? It seemed strange to Kenzie that it was already May. After a few days of awkwardness, she had settled in with the Darcy family. In spite of all her fears that the Darcy’s would turn her out, they too bought her story. Georgiana’s awe of Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Darcy had caused her some anxiety, but soon she had been invited to call them William and Elizabeth, as if she were family.
“Kenzie! Are you ready? Elizabeth says we need to be on our way.”