always extremely personable. Green eyes laughed out of a face more rounded than the typically sharp aristocratic face, but his wide smile was very appealing.
Prudence stood and offered her hand in greeting. “Prudence Bamber. Pleased to meet you. So, you’re the famous colonel. Anne has been telling me all about my relations since my arrival.” She was a young woman, tall and slender, one who would be classed as striking rather than pretty. She had angular features, but laughing grey eyes and a ready smile softened her appearance. Her looks reminded Fitzwilliam of his Aunt Darcy, who had been considered extremely attractive in her youth.
“Unfortunately, I’m only famous in the very small circle that consists of my family, outside of which, I am just another military man,” Fitzwilliam said pleasantly. He couldn’t help but be amused at Prudence’s northern accent. His aunt probably wouldn’t introduce her as a relation on the grounds of that alone. “I hope you are settling into life at Rosings.”
“It’s not like any house I have ever stayed in before,” Prudence admitted.
“No. Nor I,” Fitzwilliam responded with a twinkle in his eye. In his eyes, her comment wasn’t a sign that she hadn’t been used to the higher echelons of society in claiming she’d never seen such a place. Most people would be surprised and a little over-awed at the excessive opulence displayed in every room at Rosings. Lady Catherine believed in making visitors fully aware of the wealth and status of the family who owned the house. “I’m very interested in your story. I must say neither myself nor our cousin Darcy had any inkling about you.”
“No. We are the side of the family best forgotten,” Prudence said, sitting down. Her tone was not recriminatory in any way. “It is nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you and your — sorry — our cousin Darcy. It is taking a little getting used to, knowing that I have cousins.”
“But you’ve not heard about his wife, Elizabeth?” Fitzwilliam asked.
“Oh, yes. A little.” Prudence smiled.
“I thought it would be odd for Aunt Catherine not to have informed you how the whole family is going to the dogs.”
“Mother is becoming more accustomed to the marriage,” Anne said in defence of her parent. “In fact she intends to write with suggestions and recommendations for when the new baby arrives. She did with their first born, and she wishes to ensure Cousin Elizabeth is under no doubt what to do.”
“That is good of her. I’m sure Elizabeth will appreciate the correspondence,” Fitzwilliam responded, noting Prudence’s bland expression at Anne’s words and appreciating it. “Now, tell me. What entertainments have you got planned whilst I’m here?”
Anne smiled. “You know we do little entertaining and even less exploring. You could take Prudence and show her beyond the boundary wall. I’ve never dared to. It would be bad enough if Mother found out about our morning rides. Even worse if we were seen outside the grounds.”
“But you do go outside,” Fitzwilliam said.
“Yes. But only when mother has arranged everything.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Is that my nephew? Why was I not told immediately of his arrival?” echoed the voice of the lady of the house as she entered the room.
Anne immediately withdrew into herself, seeming to grow smaller even though she hadn’t actually moved. Her look was that of a wary, frightened sparrow. She had lost the colour from her flushed cheeks.
Fitzwilliam had wondered at his aunt not noticing the positive change in Anne, but when he saw the result of Lady Catherine’s entrance on her daughter, he completely understood how the two women were able to keep their excursions secret. He felt real sympathy for the effect his aunt had on his young cousin.
“Richard, at last we see you! Arrived safe and sound. Are the family well?”
“They are, indeed, ma’am,” Fitzwilliam said, standing and kissing his aunt’s proffered cheek. “Mother and everyone else send their best wishes.”
“Yes. Yes. Sit yourself down and tell me all your news. Prudence, make yourself useful and ring for a tray to be brought.”
“Yes, Aunt,” Prudence said, standing and moving to the fireplace to tug on the rope at the side of the marble surround.
“I could have done that,” Fitzwilliam said. “Especially as I’m still upright.”
“You can come and sit near me and tell me the latest on dits.”
Fitzwilliam dutifully obeyed and spent the next half hour pandering to his aunt’s questions. When the tea tray was brought into the room, Prudence dutifully poured the tea and then