He lifted his fingers to rub his chin and was surprised – as he had often been of late – to find it clean shaven. On the journey back to his town home, he had spent the night at an inn, where he had enjoyed a much-needed bath and employed the innkeeper to cut off his unruly long hair and give him a shave. He also had bought himself some new clothes so when he stepped into his house in London, the servants would not be shocked at his appearance. If he had arrived in his previous state, he doubted they would have even recognized him! He had not felt as though he would be quite back to himself, however, until his valet tended to him. Stewart had been waiting when Darcy arrived and immediately had set forth to improve upon what the innkeeper had done to his hair and beard. It was almost two o’clock, and he knew that at any minute his guests would arrive. He was anxious to tell them about the reward, but his excitement was tempered by what had happened with Lydia. He would not divulge knowledge of the situation unless he found they had become aware of it.
