First Impressions: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Adaptation

Chapter 18.1

They left New York immediately after breakfast, leaving them a comfortable margin for the six-hour drive. Darcy started behind the wheel; they would switch off somewhere mid-Pennsylvania, so Robert wouldn't have to adjust simultaneously to wrong-side-of-the-road driving and New York City traffic.

Robert Fitzwilliam was the youngest son of the current Earl of Southampton, the older brother of both Darcy's mother and their aunt Catherine. He was closest in age to his American cousins, being not yet 31. He was shorter, more solidly built than Darcy or their cousin Anne, and had a far more open countenance. If Darcy was inclined to shy away from a difficult social situation or awkward moment, Robert was ready to embrace or laugh at it.

True to both their forms, Robert was the one asking the questions, while receiving less than loquacious replies. He drummed his fingers along his knee and began the interrogation. "Still single, then, Fitz?" He had waited until Darcy was looking up into his rearview mirror so he could watch his cousin's expression; Robert's lips twitched as he saw Darcy's eyes widen at the question.

After a long silence, Darcy simply replied, "Yes."

"Hmm..." He leaned his elbow against the side of the door, tipping his head towards the window.

"And what about you then?" Darcy asked sharply.

Robert laughed. "Oh, single, certainly. But which of the two of us has been defending a dissertation?"

Darcy rolled his eyes, even though Robert couldn't see it, and still suddenly. Since when had he begun to use that mannerism? Trying to shake it off, he muttered instead, "You earned your PhD over a year ago."

"Fair enough." Robert leaned back in his seat, crossed his arms over his chest, and glanced over at his cousin. Darcy seemed particularly pale and off put by the topic of conversation. More so than his usual stiffness at personal matters. "You're not still on about that French girl, are you?"

Darcy changed color again, blushing slightly. "No. It's not... quite..." He struggled with his response. No, he was not on about "that French girl," not really, but she had certainly left a strong enough impression on his romances. And others. He pursed his lips, considering what to respond with—what to share and how much. "No," he said again, his voice a little stronger. "But if you must bring her up, one of my very good friends, he was recently in—almost in a relationship with a girl who I didn't think..." Darcy paused, trying to decide how to phrase the situation. "I just didn't want her to turn out to be another Antoinette, you know? She seemed so disinterested."

Robert frowned, tapping one hand against the dashboard. "I suppose. But, surely wasn't she... I mean, of course I wasn't the other party in that whole affair, but surely those were extenuating circumstances?"

"Yeah. Maybe," he responded gruffly.

"You should try dating again."

"I have! I've dated!" His voice rose, hotness behind the words that did nothing to disguise the deepening of the blush on his cheeks.

Robert raised his eyebrows. "Going on dates doesn't mean dating, Fitz. Not every girl is after your money and not all of your friends are after your estate."

Darcy let out a humorless laugh. "Doesn't seem like it, though, does it? Not one relationship I've made in the last five years—friendly or romantic—has turned out nearly as innocent as I was hoping for. And I'm sure the only reason the business side hasn't gone to Hell is because of contracts."

"Fitz." Darcy stopped at the red light and turned to look at his cousin. "I think you're exaggerating just a little bit. Despite your extraordinary bad luck for the last few years, closing yourself off to new relationships isn't the way to fix it."