Chapter 4

Chapter 4
 
 
 “Surely, he cannot continue on to York in this dreadful weather, Fitwilliam!” Elizabeth put a coaxing hand on her husband’s arm. They were all gathered in the Blue Salon, having just sat before the fire to partake of Cook’s celebrated iced fruitcake marking Elizabeth’s release from childbed, when Reynolds came with the startling news.
 
Darcy looked up at her from his perusal of the letter of introduction in his hand.  Her lovely smile threatened to melt his natural guard against such surprises as this evening’s arrival at his front door of a young French nobleman quite unknown to him. “No, no of course not,” his smile down at her was cautious. He looked over to his brother-in-law. “Charles, have you ever heard of the Comte du Pont-Courlay or his father, the Duc de Fronsac?”
 
“No,” Bingley shrugged, shaking his head with a laugh. “My acquaintance does not usually extend to French nobility. But the letter; who is it from?”
 
“A fellow member of my club, Lord Deaveraux. He recommends him to my acquaintance in unexceptional terms.”
 
“Deaveraux? Is he reliable?” Bingley left his wife’s side and peered over Darcy’s shoulder at the letter. “I do not know him well.”
 
“He can be relied upon not to cheat at cards!” Darcy replied.

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