“I searched long for love, a particular type of love that I never saw even remotely in anyone until Elizabeth. The odds of me being able to relinquish the totality of my sentiments were unlikely. The odds of finding another woman to love and fill that void, even slightly, were smaller still. You, conversely, barely considered the idea of marriage, let alone passionate love, until a year ago. I am in no way diminishing the force of your convictions and emotions, Cousin. Rather I judge you a man more capable of handling the battles and storms of life. I envy you that trait, always have. Your strength is of a different quality than mine. You are resilient, adaptable, spirited, and sanguine. Doom and gloom simply do not surround you, they never have.”

Richard nodded. “Perhaps that means I am incapable of deep love.”

“No! I did not mean that!”

Richard chuckled. “Oh, be still, William, I know you didn’t. Nor do I think that true of me. You are absolutely correct, actually, annoying as that is to admit to your face. You have a serious streak a hundred miles long whereas I cannot go an hour without joking.” He sighed again, deeply, before leaning forward and snatching Alexander away from his perch between his father’s legs, the baby hardly blinking as he calmly transferred his interest to the big man’s shiny buttons and epaulettes.

“We are different, you and I, in many ways. I know my love for Simone was real and strong. And I know it will hurt for a long while to come. But I also know I can love another. Resilient, as you said.” He smirked, Darcy grinning helplessly. “Yet there are dozens of ways in which we are exactly the same. Furthermore, I have changed significantly. I know what I want and it is a family. I want a woman at my side and one of these”—he tickled Alexander, who giggled—“to play with and annoy me at night. And just to be clear, I blame you for every last bit of it and damn you each chance I get!”

“I shall accept responsibility partially, although I believe your mother may have some fault in your corruption. For the record, and I cannot believe I am saying this, the woman who graces your side will be a lucky woman indeed.”

“Do you truly mean that?” The sharp tone and piercing glance were not lost on Darcy, but interpreted incorrectly.

“Of course I mean it! I may deny it unless in a court of law, but I do mean it.” He smiled to soften his taunt, voice falling into the husky timbre associated with heartfelt emotion. “Lady Fotherby is a fool to choose as she did, Richard. There is no sense in it at all. It is her loss and I pity her idiocy even though I am filled with anger for her hurting you. Elizabeth is merely incensed with no sympathy at all.” He chuckled. “You will be a fabulous husband and marvelous father. Any woman will be blessed to be yours.”

“Thank you, William. That means the world to me.”

Late the following afternoon, Richard successfully sought out Georgiana in the orangery. A light rain had begun to fall again, softly pelting the panes of glass and obscuring what grey daylight feebly shone through, casting the generally bright, almost summery atmosphere of the garden chamber into a gloomy pall. Nonetheless, it was warmer here than anywhere else in the Manor, and the varied blooms and greenery persistently flourished in oblivion to the dormancy in the world without.

The previous night’s revelry at the Vernors had extended until daylight was beginning to flirt with the horizon, so the household was even at this late hour in a state of hushed recuperation. Few stirred, Georgiana having not risen until well after noon. She did not bother to dress in more than a simple morning gown and her hair was worn down in a thick, unadorned braid, but Richard thought she never looked lovelier.

“Should I greet with good-morning or good-afternoon?”

Georgiana turned from the roses with a ready smile. “It is nearly close enough for good-evening, so take your pick.”

He bowed gallantly, kissing the hand offered, and then tucked it into the crook of his arm. They began to stroll. “How are your feet this afternoon, Colonel?”

“Surviving admirably, Miss Darcy. And yours? I do believe I may have trod upon them a time or two.”

“You not even once. Light as air when you dance, kind sir. Pity the same cannot be said for Mr. Simpson or Mr. Dalby.” She shuddered dramatically.

Richard tsked sympathetically. “Poor lads. See, you should have reserved all your dances for me and then you would not be suffering so today.”

“A girl needs to spread her charms about, so I have been taught. It is the proper way of it, and I am a proper lady so will make the sacrifice. As it is, I danced with you four sets so you are now indelibly part of the Derbyshire rumor mill for some time to come. Horribly irresponsible of me, but I could not resist your charms.”

“And are my charms and any subsequent rumors involved distasteful, Georgie?”

She flushed slightly, but glanced into his eyes. “You know well that they are not, Richard.” He opened his mouth to speak, but she went on quickly, “Did you see William or Lizzy about?”

“No. Mr. Taylor said they have placed orders not to be disturbed until dinner time.” He chuckled. “I would have thought after two years of marriage they may have grown bored with languishing in each other’s company all day.”

Georgiana laughed gaily, slapping at his arm. “You know as well as I that that is unlikely ever to be the case.”

“It never bothers you at all? Being ignored while they… focus elsewhere.”

“No need to be coy, Cousin. I am not all that innocent! And besides, you forget that I have lived all my life with William’s attention often diverted elsewhere, and thus spending days and occasionally weeks rarely seeing him. At least now I know he is not buried unhappily under a mountain of work, but rather buried in a more pleasant manner.”

Richard nearly choked at the sly tone of her innuendo, unable to speak as he stared in astonishment at her arch expression. “They will emerge eventually, smiling and rested, glowing ridiculously. No, it warms my heart immeasurably to witness my brother’s felicity. The whole world should strive for the same.” She paused, releasing Richard’s arm to pick a pink camellia, and then turned slowly back toward him. “Forgive me, Richard. That was a thoughtless remark.”

“No apology necessary, my dear. And you are correct, of course. The world should strive for happiness and love. The fact that my first foray into the romantic realm failed miserably does not alter that reality. My prayer is that my second attempt shall prove victorious.”

She met his eyes, blushing faintly before looking away as she again clasped his arm and began walking. Silence fell for a time, broken by Richard, “Georgiana, you know I am planning to leave tomorrow?” She nodded. “I came here seeking refuge and a sturdy shoulder to cry on, so to speak. However, I never anticipated that I would find both in you. I hope you know how deeply appreciative I am?”

“I do, but you need not thank me, Cousin. I am happy to have been your solace.”

“That is the amazing thing, Georgie. Or at least one of the many amazing things.” She gazed up at him in question, Richard halting and reaching to lightly stroke her cheek. “I know you offered yourself freely to comfort me with no expectation or hesitation. You are truly a remarkable woman, Georgiana Darcy, a wonderful friend, and very dear to me.”

She smiled and laughed, tone teasing. “So you finally admit it? That I am no longer your little mouse?”

“Yes, it is a fact of extreme clarity to me.” His voice was muted and a bit shaky. Their eyes locked, both unable to draw away although the reality of what they knew was coming loomed largely between. Surges of emotion raced over their eyes and countenances, too rapid to interpret fully. Richard inhaled deeply, “Georgiana…”

“Richard, I do not think…”

“Please, dear, let me say it. I know it is all too soon, too fast, too real. But I cannot leave without telling you how I feel. I came here broken, despairing, and certain that my life was over as far as love is concerned. I was not looking for anything except escape. Discovering a birth of new emotions for you was most assuredly not on my agenda, but I cannot contradict their blossoming. I have fought it, analyzed it, dissected it, denied it, but the result is the same. I am falling in love with you, Georgiana, as a man does a woman who is astounding and beautiful and kind and generous and, and… so many perfect traits that it would take me hours if not a lifetime to list them all!”