Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (16 page)

“Amusing, is it not?”

“And Miss Kelly is as well.” 

“How very convenient.”  Their eyes met and they both laughed. “Perhaps if we remain here a little longer they might do something about it?” 

“I have always appreciated your exceptional mind, Mr. Darcy.”  Elizabeth snuggled back into his arms.   “Amongst other things.”

“OH . . .” Sophie said softly when she found her way into the drawing room.  Richard was there alone, standing at the window with his hands clasped behind his back.  “Good morning, Colonel.”

He turned to face her with a warm smile.  “Good morning, Miss Kelly!” 

“You are an early riser, sir.” 

“I am afraid that I will be this way until the end of my days.  I will always listen for the sound of the sergeants calling for the boys to wake at dawn.”  He watched her looking around the room self-consciously and tilting his head, waved to a sofa.  “Shall we sit and wait for the others?”

She sat down and watched him take a chair nearby.  “I think that I heard Robert moving around, but that might have been a servant.” 

“Hmm, it could be.  Parker has three of us to ready this morning.  Ordinarily Darcy would be first down, but . . . I do believe he was serious about starting his honeymoon at last.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Darcy seem,” She hesitated, “very fond of each other.”  Richard snorted and she laughed, relaxing at last.  “I suppose that was a colossal understatement.”

“Either that or you were completely oblivious to your surroundings last night, and I do not think that is you at all.”   Richard stretched out his legs as her cheeks pinked.  “Did you mind their happiness?  Did you find it disconcerting or off-putting?”

“Not at all.”  She said thoughtfully, “I would say it is rare and wonderful.   My parents are happy together, but I have not seen demonstrations of affection like the Darcys show.   Their care for each other comes out in everything, the way they look at each other, how attentive they are . . . even how they argue with each other.”  She laughed.

“Yes, they are very fond of exchanges of wit.”  He chuckled.  “I believe that was one of the things that drew them together; they found their soul mate in the middle of a debate.”  Sophie smiled and he warmed to his subject, “I have a feeling that the affection you see between them will remain just as tender when they have been together decades.  Their attraction is much more than physical, as you have noticed from their conversation, and they have not even begun to explore each other.”

“Why is that?  Surely they enjoyed courtship and a time of engagement?”

“Their courtship was . . .” He searched for a word and just took the best one.  “Brief.”  Sophie’s head tilted.  “I daresay that neither one of them knew it was a courtship until Darcy suddenly made up his mind one fine day, and from what I understand, leapt from his chair,” Richard stood, “pulled Elizabeth to her feet . . .” He took Sophie’s hands and pulling her up, stared into her eyes where he read surprise, confusion, and no small amount of anticipation. Richard smiled and then letting go, stepped away. “. . . and proposed.” 

“Oh my.  How incredibly romantic!”  Sophie’s hand went over her heart.

“My cousin did not shilly-shally.  And Elizabeth, bless her, listened to her heart and thankfully said yes.”  Taking Sophie’s hand again, he urged her to sit back down and sat beside her.  “Their beginning, like their marriage, was unique.” 

“A love match . . .”

“Yes.  They met in mid-October and were married by the end of November.  It was a whirlwind romance.  It seems that a lengthy courtship is not necessary when the two people just know they were meant to be together.”  He met her eyes and saw that his words were not lost on her. 

Blushing, Sophie looked down at her hands in her lap, searching for something to say when she was struck by a thought. “But . . . this is March . . . surely they have honeymooned by now?”

Richard nodded.  “Darcy suffered a horrific carriage accident and has only recently recovered.” 

“Oh, how terrible.”  Sophie could read the distress in Richard’s face and knew then how deeply he cared for his cousin.  “But he is well now.”  She said reassuringly.

“Thankfully, yes.”  He said softly.

“Is this why Mrs. Darcy commented on his ability to tolerate riding for long?”

“Yes.”  He looked back at his hands and cleared his throat.  “So, you are truly an accomplished rider?”

“I am disadvantaged by the side saddle, but . . . I have been known to win a race or two.”  Sophie laughed and he looked back up. “I imagine I could beat you.”

Richard chuckled.  “I guarantee that you would not.” 

“How much would you care to wager on it?”  She lifted her chin.  “I never race without a prize at the end.”

“Ahhhh, a gambler.”  He shook his head.  “My mother told me to avoid gamblers.”

“Your mother probably gave you many edicts and directions that you promptly ignored if you are anything like my brothers.”  Sophie’s eyes danced and his widened.  “I can think of a few.” 

Richard sat back and waved his hand.  “Go on, Miss Kelly, give it your best.”

“Do not drink too much?”

He smiled, “I am inordinately fond of Darcy’s port.  It is like mother’s milk to me.” 

“Then perhaps it is time to be weaned?”  She said pointedly. 

“Perhaps.  My brother would be interested to hear of it.”   Richard urged her on, “What other vices shall you test me on?  I am sure that there are scores of them.” 

She looked down to her hands clasped in her lap and spoke softly, “I am sorry, Colonel, I should not be speaking to you in such a familiar way.  I . . . I just want to know more about you.”

“Miss Kelly . . . I am flattered that you feel this way, and I want to know more of you, otherwise I would not encourage your questions.” He sighed and closed his eyes.  Sophie looked up as he became silent.  “I am an earl’s son, I was raised to be a gentleman and . . . for the most part I am.  I . . . joined the army out of necessity.  I could have followed any path as your brothers are learning now, but I chose the army because it . . . I felt it would provide me with a family of sorts that I did not have at home, if that makes any sense?”

Sophie saw his eyes open and nodded.  “I think so.  I am sorry to know that you prefer a barracks to your father’s house.”

“It is a complicated situation.”  He sighed.  “For the past ten years, I have been away from home, either fighting on the continent or back in London training my boys . . . and avoiding my family as much as possible.”  Richard gestured to the room.  “I feel more at home with Darcy and Elizabeth than I do with my own family.  The fault for that is on both sides, and I am trying to rectify it now.”

“I am glad to know that you are trying, Colonel.” 

“You have good reason to avoid men in uniform.  It is not an easy life and soldiers are not always received well, I admit.  Our reputation for unsavoury behaviour is well-earned.  I had my fair share of revelry.  But I can assure you that I am hale and hearty, and my days of carousing are in my past.”

Sophie studied him staring down at his boots. “Why would you tell me this?” 

“Because I . . . I have never wanted to approach a father to ask for permission to court a daughter before.”  He looked up to her. 

“Oh!”  She whispered.  “But you are leaving.  And . . . you live in a barracks so far away.  How could this possibly work?”

“Answer me this.”  Richard looked at her very seriously.  “Would you want to make the attempt?  Despite the endless strikes against me?  If I was the local earl’s son and I was stationed nearby, if I could find a home away from the barracks?  Would you want to meet me?”

“Yes . . . you may have many strikes against you, but they are matters of location.  You have never had a reason to live beyond the barracks, have you?  You have shown me aspects of your personality that are very pleasing.”  Sophie saw his cheeks pinking and she had an overwhelming desire to hug him. 

“I cannot fathom what I have done to please you.”  He shook his head and laughed when he saw her wide smile. “I really cannot delay my departure.  However . . . if you are willing to wait a little while, I promise that I will return as soon as I can.  I should not consider speaking of such things so soon after meeting you, but I . . .  I do not want to risk losing this chance to know you.”

“Colonel, my brothers tease me regularly of being a spinster, I hardly have a line of suitors at my door.” 

Her assurance helped Richard find his feet again.  “So you will wait for me because you have nobody better to occupy your time?”

“I suppose that is about the size of it, sir.”  Sophie laughed and he did as well. 

“That was incredibly uncomfortable.  I am no good with this . . . talking business.” 

“You are a man of action?”

“I would prefer to demonstrate my feelings rather than speak of them.”

“Which is why your cousin glares when you embrace Mrs. Darcy.”

“Darcy would glare at a kitten that curled in her lap.”  They looked at each other and he smiled.  “Thank you for accepting me.” 

Sophie immediately objected, “I have not accepted you, sir!” 

“You have agreed to tolerate me, then.”  Richard grinned, “And obviously I have agreed to the same for you, otherwise I would not make such an effort to see you again.”

“I suppose that I should be grateful now?”

He puffed his chest.  “Of course, I may very well be your rescue from spinsterhood.”

“To go live in a barracks over a stable.”

“It is not quite so bad as that.  The stables are in a different building, and if the wind is blowing correctly, you would never know they were there.”  He winked when she sighed.  “Have you been to Hyde Park?”

“I have never been to London.”  Richard stared and she became defensive, “Well . . . have you been to Edinburgh?”

“Naturally.” 

“Naturally.”  She sighed. 

“This is not a competition, Miss Kelly.  You simply have lacked the opportunity.”

“A competition?  With my sister?”  Robert entered the room and smiled as he fussed with the cuffs on Darcy’s enormous shirt.  “You had better have a prize for her at the end.”

“Oh, now that just makes me sound so awful!”  Sophie cried.  “Tell him what I always ask for as my prize, go on, Robert!” 

“A purse, I am afraid.”  He shook his head sadly.  “She wants money.”

 “I do not!”  Sophie’s head swung from her brother to Richard and back again.

Richard crossed his arms and looked at her speculatively then asked Robert, “Jewels, then?” 

Sophie gasped, “No!”

“I was not speaking to you.”  Richard raised his brows.  “Sir?”

“Only the best, she sneers if they are not diamonds and rubies.”  Robert grinned.

Richard stroked his chin.  “Hmm, what a shame, all I have are emeralds, and they would go so well with her eyes.  Ah well . . .”

“Are you two finished?”  She glared.  “If you are not, I will start walking home.”

“Without saying farewell to your hosts?”  Richard tsked. 

“Chocolate.”  Robert smiled and nudged his angry sister.  “She demands a cup of chocolate whenever she wins.” 

“ahhh.”  Richard laughed.  “So, an affordable loss.”

“I have had enough of the both of you.”  She went to stand at the window with her arms crossed.  Richard immediately stood and nearly ran into Robert who was moving to apologize.  The two men looked at each other and sighing, Richard stepped away.  Sophie watched the two of them in the window’s reflection and felt a flutter in her heart with the evidence of Richard’s concern. 

Elizabeth watched from the doorway and looking at the men with no small amount of disdain, she went to the window and gave Sophie a hug.  “What have they done?”

“Been themselves, I am afraid.” 

“Colonel.”

“Uh-oh.”  Richard sighed. 

“She stopped using your name, you
are
in trouble.”  Darcy laughed.  “Give him what-for, Lizzy!”

“I was going to suggest that he refine his courting skills.”

“What courting skills?”  Richard and Darcy said at once and looked at each other, one with a grin and the other with a frown.  “Do not worry Cousin; I shall give you a primer before you depart.”

“
You?
”  Elizabeth laughed.  “Oh, and you are such an expert, Mr. Darcy!  I did not know that I was being courted at all!”

“Sly, was I not?”  Darcy lifted his chin proudly.

“Oh heavens.”  Elizabeth groaned.

“I did win you in the end.”  He pointed at the ring on his hand.

“Because
you
gave me no choice!”

“I . . .” He watched one of her brows rise challengingly as her arms crossed her chest.  “You certainly did not seem to mind it at the time.”  His eyes twinkled.  Elizabeth’s arms dropped down and her hands started to smooth her skirt.  “As I recall, you were
most
receptive . . .”

“Hush.”  She whispered and kept working at her skirt.

“This is when he pulled you from your chair and proposed?”  Sophie asked as Elizabeth’s face blushed.

“Did I mention that he kissed her, too?”  Richard laughed when Elizabeth’s blush deepened. “I wish I had been witness to that.” 

“I am glad that you were not.”  Darcy said looking to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth read Darcy’s expression, and turned to their cousin, “Colonel Fitzwilliam, keep in mind that I am the conduit to Miss Kelly while you are away.”  She looked at him pointedly.  “Watch yourself.”  Smiling at Sophie, she linked arms with her.  “I believe that breakfast is laid out, shall we?” Passing the men the ladies left without so much as a backwards glance. 

Darcy smiled and looked at Richard and Robert.  “Well, at least I know how to make up to my lady, and what a pleasure it will be.”

“You are very unappealing when you are smug, Darcy.”  Richard growled.

Robert looked after the ladies thoughtfully, “Maybe we can stop at the chocolate shop on the way home . . .” 

“And what does that leave me?”  Richard demanded.  The two men shrugged and he thought hard.  “Ah, I know.”  Walking past them, he headed for the door.  “I will apologize.” 

“The direct approach.  Well done, Cousin.”  Darcy clapped his hand on Richard’s shoulder.  “Well done!”