Page 21 of Shields and Roses

Miss Lucas dropped her voice again, "But Lizzy sounded so resentful. Upset, too, I would guess, if she was willing to speak up like that and provoke Miss Stanton's displeasure. Lizzy knows that she and Jane are allowed to be here to greet us simply as observers, and only because we are close friends of the family. They are not to speak unless directly spoken to, and even then, they must keep the conversation to a minimum. What was she thinking?"

"I cannot speak to her thoughts at the moment. You will have to ask her, perhaps on your next walk." He emphasized the last two words, hoping she would receive the hidden message.

"Ah," was all she replied, but Richard could tell from her expression that Miss Lucas had understood and would not bring up the subject in the present company.

From across the room, they both heard Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas exclaiming about his new profession, or they heard the louder bits, anyway. Phrases like "dashing lieutenant," "handsome officer" and "our dear friend, Viscount Rand" floated into their ears. Miss Lucas colored slightly, disturbed by her mother's contributions to the conversation.

"What are your plans for the summer, Miss Lucas?" Richard asked, hoping to distract her from the other conversation.

"Oh, I shall not be doing anything too exciting. There will be a few assemblies in that time and perhaps a few dinner parties or afternoon teas. I have known most of these people all my life, so the social engagements that I can attend now that I am out are not as exciting as they might otherwise be. There will probably not be many new faces until the hunting season begins and the neighborhood gentry invite their acquaintances to visit and hunt with them."

"It is the same in the area of my father's estate. My mother used to complain about seeing all the same faces at every event until the hunts started up and then you never knew who might show up and create problems."

"Your mother has passed on, has she not?" Miss Lucas asked.

"Yes. It was several years ago, nearly eight now, but there are times I get sudden very strong memories of her. Your comment about the hunting season reminded me of hearing her talking to my father about local events."

"What would she think about your new rank?"

Richard shifted in his seat, uncomfortable with the question. "She would be very worried, much as my father is. She did not really like to have me 'play soldiers' even as a child. I would have had to do a great deal of convincing for her to accept that this is something I need to do. I feel called to it."

Miss Lucas nodded understandingly. "Parents worry about us. That is to be expected. And usually, they want what is best for us. If it is something you feel strongly about, I think you would have eventually convinced her, although I doubt that she would ever be completely happy to have you put yourself in danger. I know that I will pray for your continued safety and I am certain Lizzy will as well."

"I will probably need your prayers. There is no telling where I will be sent or under what conditions I will serve," Richard said, trying to sound offhand, but not succeeding very well.

"It was unfair of Lizzy to insinuate that the act of taking on a military rank would suddenly transform you into a shallow and idle flirt. After all these years, she should know you better than that."

Richard chuckled softly at the idea, although the new subject made him as uncomfortable as the previous ones. "I am not going to change just because I put on a uniform. I am certain Lizzy knows that, and I appreciate your confidence in me as well. It is true that there are many men who have donned the red coat with a mind to carrying on flirtations and using the excuse of their duty to desert those they charm, but that says more about them than the uniform. For myself, I am taking on a duty with the uniform and must pay attention to my training and building my career. Any distractions from that will have to wait."

"That is wise. You are young yet and will have time for other things after you have accomplished the work you have set for yourself. I wish you good fortune at it."

Before Richard could think of a response, Mrs. Bennet called them in to dinner. Richard offered Miss Lucas his escort once again. They took up the back of the small group heading into the dining room. As Miss Stanton turned to lead Jane and Lizzy up to their own dinner in the nursery, Lizzy turned back and winked at Richard. He rolled his eyes in response at the same time he heard Miss Lucas stifle a laugh.

"Lizzy is not really upset with you, is she?" she asked him very quietly, her voice almost hidden under the sound of Mrs. Bennet talking as she walked into the dining room.

"Not really, no," he said, just as softly, "although some of it is true concern."

"I look forward to hearing the whole story when Lizzy and I take our next walk," she said, and the subject was closed between them for the rest of the evening.

~o~

"Thank you for seeing us, Mr. Gardiner," Viscount Rand said after he and Richard took the seats Edward Gardiner offered them in the comfortably furnished study.

"It is my pleasure," Gardiner replied. "I know we have only met in passing at the christenings of my nieces and never had much chance to talk. My sisters are usually doing enough of that for everyone on such occasions and it is hard for anyone else to get a word in. I must say, Bennet's letter intrigued me, beyond just the investment you wish to make. I am also glad to finally meet Lieutenant Fitzwilliam after all the tales our Lizzy has told of your adventures together. I hope you will allow me to introduce you both to my wife after our business is concluded. She would very much like to meet you. It seems we have always just missed each other during visits to Longbourn in recent years."

Richard self-consciously smoothed his new red coat at the reference to his rank. "I would also like to meet Lizzy's dear Aunt Madeline. Mrs. Gardiner has been a powerful influence and a great comfort to my young friend."

"I agree," Viscount Rand added. "I doubt it shall take us very long to come to terms. I look forward to meeting Mrs. Gardiner as well."

"I am glad that is settled, gentlemen. Now, if you will tell me a little more of what you are looking for in an investment, I can tell you how I can help or if I will need to refer you to one of my colleagues." Edward said, giving the two men across from him his full attention.

~o~

"I am glad you were able to stay for tea," Madeline said after acknowledging the introductions to Viscount Rand and Richard. "Lizzy and Mary have spoken of both of you enough that I already feel at least slightly acquainted. For instance, Lieutenant. Fitzwilliam, I understand you like Mrs. Hill's almond biscuits, while your father prefers sweet biscuits with lemon icing. I hope you will both enjoy the versions I had my cook prepare for you." She gestured at the small table that was already laid out with the tea service and plates of both kinds of biscuit.

Richard laughed as he and his father took their chairs. "Does Lizzy tell all my secrets?" he asked.

"Only the ones that would help me make you more comfortable as a guest," Madeline replied with a grin, "Although the subject of your choice of biscuit may have come up as part of a description of a raid the two of you made on the treats Mrs. Bennet had requested for a large tea party a few years ago."