by Wendi Sotis
Bingley said, “I suppose if Miss Darcy really were here, we would not leave her alone and ride out after what happened. Do either of you fancy a game of billiards?”
Darcy shook his head. “I, for one, would not be able to concentrate.”
Bingley chuckled. “Which is why I suggested it. With you both so distracted, it might be the only time I can win.”
Richard laughed, but Darcy could not find it in him to do so.
They returned to the library since the study was not yet ready for occupation. Soon brandy was passed around, and everyone settled into their chairs.
As Darcy took a sip, Richard cleared his throat. “So, gentlemen, have you decided on a double wedding?”
Brandy burned the insides of Darcy’s nostrils as he choked on his drink. Bingley hit him on the back until he stopped coughing.
“Sorry, ol’ boy. After what I witnessed today, I was sure the mention of marriage would not affect you in such a way,” Richard said.
“What you witnessed?” Darcy growled. “What are you talking about?”
“It could not be more obvious. Bingley and Miss Bennet. You and Miss Elizabeth. If my mother had been here, she would already be sitting at that desk behind you, making out the guest list for the wedding breakfast.”
“You are correct, Fitz,” said Bingley. “In my case, anyway. As for Darcy, he is still in denial. He has been for a while now.”
“Denial!”
“Yes! I will spell it all out and allow Fitz to decide.” Bingley moved up to the edge of his seat. “Even before we occupied the manor house, you could not stop talking about ‘Miss Bennet.’ You spoke of her more than you mentioned your own sister. Even though you kept insisting Miss Darcy wished to surprise Miss Bennet, you stood outside her house for several minutes every time we passed the drive, hoping to see her.”
Bingley took a sip of his brandy. “I was already so convinced of your feelings for the lady that when we went to the assembly ball and saw the lady introduced to me as Miss Bennet, I was heart-stricken. However, I was determined to ignore my attraction as you were already in love with her. When I found out the lady you knew was, in fact, Miss Elizabeth, and you called her Miss Bennet because you were only just being introduced to her elder sister, I was relieved and overjoyed. It was Miss Elizabeth you were in love with.”
Ah, so that was the cause of Bingley’s odd behaviour at the beginning of the assembly ball. However… “Love?”
“Absolutely, Cousin,” Richard said.
Darcy shook his head. He was attracted to Elizabeth, that was for certain, but in love?
“Well, then, I guess Mr. Bennet imagined it, as well as we two?” Richard asked.
Darcy froze.
“What do you think all his amusement was about? And Bingley’s and mine? You were making quite the spectacle of yourself this afternoon.”
Bingley snickered. “Especially when Fitz announced she was a woman after his own heart.”
The two of them broke into all-out laughter.
Darcy fumed. “And just what did you mean by that, Richard? If anything, it was you who gave Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet false hopes.”
It took a minute for Richard to calm enough to speak. “Truly, Darcy, did you think I was making a statement of my feelings for Miss Elizabeth?” He shook his head. “Miss Elizabeth and I have an… understanding of sorts.”
Bingley hesitated, staring at Richard with wide eyes.
Darcy truly felt ill.
Richard laughed so hard this time, he needed to wipe his eyes with a handkerchief before he spoke again. “Not that kind of understanding, Cousin. She knows very well that I cannot marry unless the lady has a fortune, and she also is quite aware that she has almost none at all. We are friends. I consider her a good friend, in fact. Other than those of my relations, I have never felt more comfortable with a lady than I do with Miss Elizabeth.”
Darcy’s stomach relaxed. “So, you have no intentions towards her?”
“None, other than I intend to continue our friendship.” Richard smiled widely. “And it would be very nice if I could one day call her Cousin.” He held up his glass as if he were toasting Miss Elizabeth, and then drained it. “Seriously, Darce, I may require a wealthy wife, but I will not marry a woman I do not care for a great deal. Battle teaches a man a thing or two about what is important in life. Love is the most important of them all.”
Bingley cleared his throat. “To answer your earlier question, Fitz, I will be proposing marriage to Miss Jane Bennet. If she will have me, it will be up to Darcy whether we shall make it a double wedding.” He smiled mischievously, then his smile dissolved. “I can afford to marry for affection alone. My sisters may balk since they have always pushed me to wed someone with much higher connections in society, but that is for their own selfish reasons. I might be a gentleman, but by birth, I am the son of a wealthy tradesman. A gentleman’s daughter is already above me. Although my sisters may not be satisfied, they will be forced to accept my choice. More importantly, I care deeply for Jane. What better reason is there to marry?” He met Darcy’s gaze. “And Darcy, if she accepts and you are willing to lease Netherfield Park, I would like to do so.”
“Smart man, Bingley,” Richard said. “And since my cousin will not admit to his own fondness, I think we need to move on to a much less pleasant subject.”
“Wickham,” Darcy said.
Richard nodded. “What think you about organizing a search party in the morning? You have brought some workers from Pemberley, have you not?”
Darcy shook his head. “There are a few from Pemberley, but most are locals. And honestly, after Lucy and Joseph’s betrayal, in addition to one of Longbourn’s maids, how do we decide who we can trust?”
Richard nodded distractedly. “Clarke, your carpenter — did you not say you put him in charge of all the worksites? I know he has no love for Wickham. Perhaps he could help. Even one pair of eyes could make a difference, Cousin.”
“Clarke is a good man and loyal. I will explain what has happened and ask him first thing in the morning.”
“And I will bring it up with Mr. Bennet this evening,” said Richard. “Perhaps some of his workers are trustworthy.”
The reminder that Richard would be spending the night at Longbourn had Darcy’s jealousy rising once again, which must have shown in his expression.
“Truly, Cousin, I have no intentions towards Miss Elizabeth.” Richard turned to Bingley. “Or Miss Bennet, for that matter, other than helping to keep them safe.” He glanced out the window. Twilight was approaching. “I should get a bath and ready myself to go.”
“I will send word to the kitchens to heat the water,” Darcy said, then brushed a hand across his pants. A small dust cloud formed, and he chuckled. “For myself, as well. Bingley?”
Bingley nodded. “I cannot believe we appeared before the ladies in this state.”
Darcy answered. “It could not be helped. Besides, Miss Elizabeth’s gown was in worse shape. If we had changed, she would have felt twice as uncomfortable.”
Richard laughed. “Your actions speak louder than your words, Cousin.”
They parted.
As Darcy made his way to the kitchens, he thought about this evening. It gnawed at him that he would have to pretend to enjoy his supper and Mrs. Annesley’s playing afterward, while his thoughts would be wholly occupied by the two most important ladies in his life, who would be far too distant from him to assist if they needed him.
CHAPTER 30
“It is very good of you, Colonel, to stay at Longbourn tonight.” Elizabeth’s mother said. “With a bandit in the area, I do not know how we would have rested at all. But with you here, I am sure all will sleep soundly.”
“Not at all, Mrs. Bennet.” Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed his head.
Elizabeth was glad her father decided not to tell her mother and younger sisters the details of what happened earlier in the day, for hysterics would have ensued. He simply said an unlawful
man was lurking about the woods of Meryton. Apparently, her mother had assumed he was a thief or bandit.
“Colonel, why did you not wear your red coat? Did you bring it with you?” Lydia crooned. “Will you wear it for us tomorrow? There is not a more handsome man in all of England than one who is wearing a red coat.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam shook his head and opened his mouth to respond, but Kitty spoke before he could get a word out.
“You mentioned you have been to the continent. Will you tell us all about the battles you have seen? Have you killed many enemy soldiers?”
Elizabeth imagined those memories would not be pleasant to re-live. Undoubtedly, they were not subjects to discuss in mixed company. Again, the colonel made to speak but was interrupted.
“Will you be staying at Netherfield for long?” asked Lydia. “Perhaps Mr. Bingley will host a ball while you are here. You must wear your uniform to a ball, after all.”
“And you must save a dance for each of us,” Kitty added.
The poor man seemed quite dumbfounded. Elizabeth had not seen him at a loss for words before, and it was possible he was not now, either, but her two youngest sisters refused to give him time to answer.
Elizabeth glanced at Jane. Her sister’s cheeks were as crimson as Elizabeth felt her own must be. All their attempts at redirecting the conversation made no difference.
Mary had been so embarrassed that she had left the room a quarter of an hour ago.
At least Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arrival shifted their attention away from Ana for a little while. The way they and their mother had been bombarding Ana with questions about herself, her homes, her brother, and her relations — especially the peers — the poor girl had not stopped blushing since she had taken off her cloak. Neither had Elizabeth or Jane.
Goodness! Elizabeth should have thought about how her mother and her sisters would react to Ana’s and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s spending the night at Longbourn. But there was nothing to be done now except to get through the remainder of the evening.
Mrs. Hill bustled into the room to clear the tea things, and miraculously, everyone quieted. The poor housekeeper seemed overwhelmed. Not only did Longbourn have two unexpected guests, but they were now short-staffed, as well.
Elizabeth understood her father had locked Sally in her room earlier, and Colonel Fitzwilliam had already questioned her upon his arrival. She wondered if Sally had revealed anything new.
“Chess!” her father stood and exclaimed.
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Bennet.” Colonel Fitzwilliam popped up from his seat so fast, it was as if his chair were on fire. “You have set up the chessboard, as promised?”
Her mother said, “Husband, I am sure Colonel Fitzwilliam would much rather spend time with the young ladies than play a game of chess.”
“Earlier in the day, Miss Darcy expressed her wish to play a game with Lizzy, my dear.”
The shock her mother and younger sisters experienced at the idea of two ladies playing a game of chess kept them silent.
Her father continued, “Since Netherfield does not yet have a chessboard, I offered Miss Darcy the use of ours. The colonel wanted to watch the game. And Jane… you also voiced an interest, had you not?”
“Yes, Papa. I would very much like to attend. Thank you,” Jane answered so quickly, Elizabeth almost laughed.
“Then let us remove to my book room,” he said.
“But what about us? You should bring the board in here, Husband, rather than the opposite. That way, we can all enjoy Miss Darcy’s and the colonel’s company.”
“I believe I have mentioned this before, Wife; chess does not allow for any conversation what-so-ever, and spectators must be silent, as well. Quiet contemplation is required before every move. We would not wish to inconvenience you in that manner.”
With that, Ana followed Elizabeth and Jane out the door, with the colonel and Mr. Bennet right behind them.
Once the door to his bookroom was closed, her father said, “I will probably never be forgiven for this, but I could not allow that spectacle to continue one moment longer.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded and took the brandy her father offered. “I welcomed the reprieve, Mr. Bennet.”
Ana remained silent.
“By the way, Miss Elizabeth Rose Bennet,” her father wagged his finger at Elizabeth, “it seems that you, my dear, have some explaining to do. When you returned from your holiday, you failed to mention that you had a run-in with Wickham in Derbyshire.”
She blushed, glancing at Jane, who was nodding. She returned her gaze to her father. “All turned out well, Papa. I did not want to worry anyone.”
“I am surprised Gardiner did not tell me.”
Elizabeth’s blush deepened. “I asked my aunt and uncle if they would allow me to tell you.”
He cleared his throat. “You will never do that again, am I correct?”
“Yes, Papa.”
They chessboard was already set up, and Elizabeth wasted no time in sitting before it. It turned out that Jane had hidden her embroidery within the folds of her skirts and several shades of thread in her pockets. She took a seat by a tall candelabra that held many candles, where their father sat to read at night.
As the guest, Ana was given the choice of whether she would like to play black or white. Their skill was evenly matched, and the game took quite a while to complete. Even Jane was watching towards the end. Elizabeth won. Jane, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and her father congratulated them both for a game well played.
“It could have gone either way,” said Elizabeth. “Ana had me in some tight positions several times.”
“But you found a way out of them all.” Ana smiled brightly. “I should like to play you again another time, Lizzy. This was great fun.”
“It certainly was,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. “I always find that watching someone play chess is like taking a peek into the way their minds work.”
“And that appeals to you, Colonel?” Elizabeth asked.
“In my line of work, it can be a life-or-death necessity to at least make an attempt. I have not yet found a way to turn it off when I am off duty. But you enjoy it as well, Miss Elizabeth, and I have noted your observation skills are quite good.”
“As are mine,” said her father. “Lizzy takes after me in her interest in making out people’s characters and predicting what they will do next.”
“Sometimes, I am wrong,” answered Elizabeth, “but I learn a great deal from those mistakes.”
“That is a good way to regard blunders in judgement — as learning experiences.” Colonel Fitzwilliam glanced meaningfully at Ana, then stood and walked about the room, finally settling his gaze on the shelves of books. He pulled one out and turned to her father, holding up the book and raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, please do,” her father responded to the unspoken question.
Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed his head in thanks. “Do you think the others have gone up? I would like to take first watch if you do not mind, Mr. Bennet.”
Elizabeth’s father looked at the clock on the mantelpiece. It was well after midnight. “They should be in bed by now, but I shall take a peek into the parlour first to make sure. If you take the first watch, I shall get a couple of hours sleep.” He rose from his chair. “Come; I will introduce you to Mr. Hill. I think two of us should sit at the end of the corridor at all times during the night. Do you agree?”
“Yes, I do. Especially since Wickham might have help from Joseph and possibly someone else, assuming he was not going to drive the carriage himself that we found on that little-used path near the London road.” Colonel Fitzwilliam hesitated and narrowed his eyes. “Do your wife and other daughters know we will be in the corridor, sir? I did not get the impression that they did.”
Elizabeth looked at her father. It would be better if he did not tell them. Most of the family were heavy sleepers, and her sisters usually stayed in their rooms once changed into their nightclothes. Still, she was unsure whe
ther Kitty and Lydia would purposely go out into the corridor if they knew Colonel Fitzwilliam was there.
Mr. Bennet grinned. “I felt it best to order them to remain in their rooms. I told them that as a result of your occupation, you tend to sleep lightly and sometimes roam the house at night, a habit leftover from when you were of a lower rank and had to take a turn on guard duty.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam chuckled.
Oh, no! That might prevent them from going to sleep at all. However, if they came out and saw Mr. Hill or her father there with the colonel, they would probably scurry right back inside. Either way, there was nothing she could do about it.
“I wonder how the evening is going at Netherfield,” Elizabeth thought out loud.
If I sit still another moment, I shall run mad! Darcy thought.
As Mrs. Annesley began another tune, Darcy groaned under his breath, got up from his seat, and crossed to the brandy decanter, just to have something to do. When he turned away, he stood there with his gaze on Mrs. Annesley. She was an excellent player, but his thoughts were three miles away.
His mind was too active, wondering how everything was going at Longbourn and imagining every outcome.
Though he was sure that Richard would wish to send word if something went wrong, what if they were all too busy handling urgent matters to send someone?
Perhaps Simons could have pretended to be him at Netherfield, just like Mrs. Annesley was doing with Ana? Simons’s hair was straight, but it was a similar colour. Would someone have been able to tell it was not him while looking through a window, from a distance—and in the dark? They could have moved the candelabras around and left him sitting in a darkened corner. Wickham knew sometimes he had headaches that were worsened by light.
It might have worked. He should have found a way to go with Richard.
All this waiting! In a way, he wished Wickham would just make his move so they could apprehend him and the danger would be over.
