“Perhaps Henry might purchase from your uncle as well,” William told her dryly. “His costumes would not then pinch his purse.”
“Costumes, you say?” Henry asked, his eyes dancing merrily. “In other words, I dare to wear more than three colors in a year?”
“You have more than three colors on that cravat,” William replied.
Henry only laughed.
The colonel shook his head. “I cannot understand this,” he said, ignoring the banter between the others in the room. “Are you quite certain, Henry?” He appeared almost pained. “I would not have you relinquish anything you will later regret.”
Henry clapped him on the back. “Of course you would not! That is how I know it is the right thing to do.” With that, he stood and made an exaggerated bow to Elizabeth. She rose to offer him an equally exaggerated curtsy. “Well,” he said. “I am off!”
It was several minutes before the colonel stood up with a huff. “I quite forgot that I rode here in my brother’s carriage. I must hurry, or he will leave me behind. Darcy, Elizabeth.”
As he reached the hall, he stopped and turned. “The next time you visit your Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, may I be one of the party?”
Elizabeth nodded slowly, glancing at William. But the colonel had one more favor to request.
“Elizabeth,” he asked, “would you mind terribly calling me Fitz? It seems I may not be a colonel much longer.”