by Kay Mares
“What is the meaning of this young man? I have heard you are brawling?” Mr. Darcy is perturbed and raises his voice. Fitzwilliam stands immediately upon his father’s arrival and affirms that he has indeed been in a physical altercation but before either Darcy can say more, the girls come up to them and beg Mr. Darcy not to be cross with his son. They explain that the boys had been teasing and taunting them as they sunk their boats. They did not know what to do until Master Fitzwilliam came and bought the boats then taught that bully a good lesson. Fitzwilliam blushes and ducks his head as Gregory begins to smile. “Well ladies, you have convinced me to withhold punishment. Please excuse us as we make for home.”
Gregory asks his son to verify their claims which he does. “Did you really purchase their boats to make it your business?”
“I did, Sir.”
“I see. Did you take a moment to think through your actions like we have spoken about in the past?”
“Indeed I did Father. Immediately after that boy struck my lip, I decided to lay him out flat.” Fitzwilliam grins as Gregory chortles and puts his arm around his shoulders. “Father, I have one more confession.”
“Oh?” Gregory lifts a brow.
“I seem to have ruined a shirt.” They laugh once more as Fitzwilliam swings Georgiana up on his hip as they walk to their parked carriage.
As Fitzwilliam matures into a young man, he realizes some things are changing in the way others viewed him, particularly the young ladies. George has grown into a notorious flirt, and Fitzwilliam is pretty sure he is no longer an innocent. But even with George’s pleasing aspect and too practiced manners some of the girls are starting to turn their thoughts towards marriage and who would be a good match. George Wickham can offer them nothing but compliments and a ruined reputation but Fitzwilliam Darcy as the future heir to Pemberley and the fortune which goes with it, well that is another story. George begins to resent that his charms are no longer effective with some of these ladies and Fitzwilliam is acutely aware of their interest in him. He never knows what to say, so he relies on his reserve and taciturn ways when confronted with the flighty females.
Having learned well from his father about manipulative people, Fitzwilliam can see past their ploys and mollifying behaviors. Comments about his person which are intended to flatter and gain favor fall short as he starts to loathe pandering of any kind. As he nears his eighteenth birthday, he is convinced most ladies seek his purse and have no interest in him as a person. George is annoyed as well, having to content himself barmaids and servant girls as most ladies look down upon him and his lack of connections. For Fitzwilliam, he has seen what a marriage based on trust and respect offer along with an unselfish love. He wishes to emulate his parents’ union. Also, the teachings of the church are never far from his mind, and even though he has the usual stirrings of a normal male when confronted with an attractive female, Fitzwilliam refuses to sully himself with various dalliances.
Gregory Darcy is looking forward to spending time with Fitzwilliam as soon the young Master will be attending Cambridge. Fitzwilliam, in turn, begins to become even more involved in estate matters, going on tenants’ rounds, sometimes by himself and learning the art of negotiations. He is a quick study and Gregory is thrilled with the idea of co-managing Pemberley with him once Fitzwilliam returns from Cambridge. Gregory is immensely pleased with the man it appears his son is becoming and he looks forward to the time when he and Fitzwilliam will become partners in many business ventures.
Henry Fitzwilliam went into military service where he quickly rose in the ranks. While the family thrilled at the idea of his medals and awards, the dread for him is real as many never return or come back shattered by the brutality. Letters from Henry are an event eagerly anticipated, but no one looks forward to them as much as Anne de Bourgh. Anne and Henry had always been compatible even as children with Henry taking on the role of protector and confidant. As the cousins matured, there were faint stirrings of attraction, but as Henry is the second son and Anne is constantly reminded she will be marrying Fitzwilliam, they both kept the attraction from the others, especially Lady Catherine. On a visit to Rosings, for Gregory refused to go, Fitzwilliam talked Henry (who was on leave) into accompanying him. Once there, Fitzwilliam began to work with Lady Catherine on her many concerns over Rosings. She did not always take advice from the teenager, but soon she saw the wisdom and astuteness her nephew possesses. These visits would become regular occurrences every April sometime after Fitzwilliam’s birthday. Henry jests that Fitzwilliam gave himself one hell of a birthday present as his cousin scowls at him.
Henry no longer denies his attraction to Anne who is dark haired with large luminous brown eyes. They are expressive and captured his soul. As Henry’s military career continues, he and Anne exchange many letters wherein Henry poured out his hopes and dreams to her and told her of some of the horrors he faced. Anne proves to be a comfort, her letters containing a depth and sympathy which at first surprised Henry given Anne’s sheltered life but he saw the remarkable understanding she possessed and much like Henry, she too rallied against a world where a person has no say simply due to one’s birth order or family. They found in each other the succor they had been lacking, and it was not long before all these emotions grew into a true and mature love.
Now the questions are, what to tell Lady Catherine and what exactly is their inscrutable cousin’s view on marriage to Anne? For Fitzwilliam, while he has a true affection for Anne as well, it has never been of a romantic nature. The constant harangues of Lady Catherine about the union between him and Anne are bothersome and profoundly annoying to the self-assured youth. Fitzwilliam enjoys overseeing his aunt’s estate matters as he believes it allows him the opportunity to hone his own skills for when he will become Master of Pemberley. Unfortunately, Lady Catherine thought his interest is solely because of Anne, and her pressure for the two to marry became more focused. Fitzwilliam, whose impish streak is mostly hidden, comes up with an ingenious ploy to avoid her Ladyship while at the same time allowing him the solitude he craves. Whenever she is approaching with skirts rustling and heels clanking, he simply vacates the room. But to do so with her knowledge would be rude, so he utilizes the servants’ entrances.
Her Ladyship does not consider that anyone of the family would condescend to mingle with staff so she has not an inkling of how Fitzwilliam could be in a room one moment then seem to disappear in another. Aunt Catherine narrows her eyes as she scans a parlor, salon, dining room or any other area where she is certain Fitzwilliam had been only to see Henry and Anne chatting or the room totally devoid of anyone. It is frustrating and confusing. After she has left, Fitzwilliam then returns through the same passages sporting a smile with the corner of his mouth upturned. His cousins are aware of his mischief, and they keep his secret. Fitzwilliam sensed the evolving feelings between Henry and Anne, so he is not surprised when Henry broaches the subject with him when they stopped at an inn on their return trip to London from Kent.
Henry watches as his persnickety cousin unwraps his own eating utensils to prepare to dine at the well run and clean establishment. Each item is carefully placed upon another serviette, and still a third serviette appears to wipe the rim of the wine glass. Fitz’s appetite is always good, but his precise preparation is over the top. Henry had learned to eat from the land when he was able during some military tour or another, so he long ago dispensed with much of the artificial artifact found in Society. However, there are some establishments where he would be cautious about the silverware and dinnerware, but at this particular inn, cleanliness has never been an issue. Henry comments. “You are really rich, you know that Fitz?”
“So I have been told,” Fitzwilliam drolly responds as he monitors the wine being poured and the plate of biscuits placed on the table.
“That’s not what I meant Fitz. All this,” and Henry gestures to the array Fitzwilliam has spread out before him.
“I am cognizant of your meaning Henry, and I will remind yo
u not to call me Fitz.”
“You are having a fit right now over the simple act of dining, and you are ridiculous so I will continue to call you such and have sport with your follies.” Henry teases him as Fitz turns up the corner of his mouth.
“Then I shall be forced to retaliate. You cannot best me.” Henry simply reaches over to move Fitz’s fork a mere fraction of an inch, but as he touches the fork, his cousin’s hand shoots out and pins Henry’s hand down. Then Fitz picks each of Henry’s fingers off of the fork and makes a grand show out of polishing the item once more.
“I just bested you now.” Henry laughingly states as his cousin employs a dramatic sigh and frown. “Really Fitz, why you haven’t considered some of the Society ladies we have come across is beyond me. With your haughty airs and superior attitude, I would think it easy for you to find a match.”
Fitz does not take offense as his cousin knows him well and Fitz has told him of his desire to marry for love. Additionally, Henry is aware of Fitz’s extreme dislike of the pandering and falseness he finds in the ton. So Henry’s jest bothers him none as he knows Henry is just poking at him to get a response. “I have told you before, I wish to replicate the love and devotion I witnessed in my parents’ union. I cannot bear the falseness to be found among the women of marriageable age. None have any affection for me, rather they are attracted to a large purse. Really when you think upon it, a woman who would offer herself to me for marriage only to gain wealth and prestige is no better than those who take payment for their services. The very notion is abhorrent.” Fitz ignores Henry’s eye roll. Had he not been warned by his father over and again of those who only sought a connection to elevate themselves? If some chose to use their physical attributes to gain favor, then that was all the more disgusting.
Fitz puts on a very thoughtful mien and rubs his chin. “Perhaps Anne and I should marry. She has grown into a lovely lady, and she does not need my fortune. We may be able to find true love with one another.” The vacant and dreamy look Fitz affects contributes to the ridiculousness of the comment. Now it is Henry’s turn to glare as Fitz rolls his eyes. “Easy big guy, I have no interest in our cousin although I am the better match.” An indignant huff emits from Henry as Fitz once more has turned up his lip in a smile.
“Your brooding and taciturn ways would not be healthy for Anne. She has already withered under her domineering mother. The match would not be fair to Anne; she deserves to have some light and levity in her life.” Henry has spoken perhaps a bit too freely, but as his own feelings are true and pure where Anne is concerned, he finds a tinge of jealousy creeps in when Fitz teases him.
Fitz considers his cousin with his startling blue eyes which have lost some of their humor. “I hope you do not think me to be of the same ilk as our aunt. Yes, I admit to wishing for order and control in my life, but I would not be the sort of man to dominate his wife. I am offended you would insinuate that I would seek to control another person in such a degrading manner. Have I not spoken to you about the unusual and rewarding marriage my parents enjoyed? While Father was always the Master, my mother complemented him, offered opinions of her own and was granted freedom to grow and express herself without causing censure. She honored Father, and in turn, he honored her by seeing her as a partner rather than some bauble. It is precisely because I saw the superior notion of what a marriage could be like that I have not found anyone who I wish to learn more of.” Henry tries to interrupt to apologize, but Fitz waves him off.
“Furthermore Henry, while I am still young and not ready myself for marriage, I can also say without a doubt that the ladies I have encountered are flighty and vapid. Really what would I converse about with any of them? Fashion? Gossip? Some hopelessly protracted and sorrowful tale relentlessly retold in painstaking detail as my eyes slide shut and the drool slips down my cuff? No thank you. I would wish for a woman who could converse about politics as scandalous as that may sound. Perhaps engage in a discussion about science and some of the newest inventions. Horseflesh is a riveting topic. I require a woman who will allow me to speak of my hopes and fears and to assist me with the running of Pemberley. Father had such with Mother and Grandfather lived long enough to have Father mature into the role. So why should I settle for anything less? After a day of dealing with numbers and ledgers, squabbling tenants, and staff concerns, it would be pure bliss to have a wife who could soothe with her singing and playing but also offers a sympathetic ear so to speak when the daily minutiae of running the estate and businesses become tedious. I do not believe it is too much to ask.”
Fitz swirls the wine in his glass as he watches the liquid gently slosh about. “You have told me you had found such contentment in Anne’s letters and her conversation. She listens to you and understands your worries and celebrates your success. I must find a lady who is true and will allow me to come out from behind this mask I have fabricated. I enjoy levity as much as you and you yourself have told me I can be one of the most amusing people you know. But I cannot trust anyone outside of some family and friends. I would wish to be more amiable, but it would be seen as weakness, and there are those who would exploit it.” Henry and Fitz finish their meal, and Fitz diligently wraps up his belongings. Henry mulls over Fitz’s speech, and he feels sorrow for his cousin. The goal of finding such a woman will be a daunting one and Henry fears Fitz will not know success.
“Henry, I have no interest in Anne, and I will rejoice the day you may claim her for your own. You will be retired and safe while our cousin will know true and selfless love which she has never known before.” Henry is stunned at the heartfelt comments Fitz spoke as he stood up. As the serving girl comes up to collect their payment, Fitz with a regal flip of his head, directs her attention to the still flabbergasted Henry, “My cousin will see to the bill and a tip. Thank you for a delightful meal.” Then before he turns away, Fitz smiles his half grin and starts to whistle an annoying little tune.
“Bloody bastard. Simply diabolical.” Henry mutters as he reaches for his purse to pay the girl.
Once they are settled back into the carriage, Fitz cannot resist another poke at Henry. “Bested again.” The two banter and tease all the way back to London and their respective townhomes.
Chapter 10
Fitzwilliam Darcy is now at Cambridge where he immerses himself into his studies. The professors and lectures are interesting and informative. His marks are superior, and he never misses any opportunities for more learning. The professors are impressed by his acumen and they, in turn, spend more time with him, excited by Fitzwilliam’s love of knowledge. However, not all is good at University. The ladies are a frightening and constant problem as they troll the university looking for husbands. They know Master Fitzwilliam comes from one of the wealthiest families in the Kingdom and each covets the title of Mrs. Darcy. They learned from their mothers regarding how to flirt and twitter, to feign interest in a topic when there is none, and they use their most powerful asset, the décolletage. Regardless of rank or beauty, these women never fail to lean forward more than necessary as they push out their chests. The maneuver is effective with many of Fitzwilliam’s classmates, but for him, he does not consider doing more than a discrete inspection. This is not to say he is not affected, quite the contrary, as a full-blooded healthy male, sex is constantly on his mind.
Fitzwilliam has learned the teachings from Ephesians wherein the marriage between a man and a woman is the mirror of the Holy Union between Christ and the Church. Just as the Church submits to Christ as its head so should the woman submit to her husband, but the part which really struck a note with him is that the husband will give his life for his wife just as Christ has done for the Church and the husband will do nothing to sully his body so he will be presented to his wife without blemish thus honoring her when the two become one flesh. To the pious man, these verses mean to him that he must refrain from relations outside of marriage as he would be defiling himself and his future wife. To maintain that level of purity is difficult but he se
ts his mind to it.
The struggle between how he was raised and what his body wishes for is real and frustrating, but the truly galling part is if he even considers how he might relieve his base desires with a woman, it means he would first have to speak with her. His shyness prevents that, and he loathes himself for the weakness, so he becomes even more formidable and stern. He frightens most of the women away with his brooding and with the rest who remain, he is painfully aware of his inability to communicate with them, so he quits trying, instead cultivating some life-long male friends during his stay. Fitzwilliam’s other source of unease is none other than George Wickham. Gregory Darcy paved the way for George to attend Cambridge as well and instead of applying himself to his studies, George applies himself to women and gaming.
The upper crust women disdain him for his poor connections and his lack of fortune so George once more contents himself with debauching servant girls and the occasional dalliance with a bored married matron. Fitzwilliam is repulsed by his low morals and stays away from George especially when rumors of debt and drinking start to be murmured. A time or two George has borrowed money from Fitz after begging and pleading along with empty promises to change his ways. Fitz soon stops giving him coin when he sees no end to the continued poor behavior. George has perfected his gauzy and welcoming manners as he spins his web of deceit. His pleasing countenance along with a most agreeable personality make it far easier for him to fool innocents into thinking he holds them in regard as he strips them of their virtue. His card playing is fair, but because he is so often at it, he loses far more money than he ever wins. Fitzwilliam has started to ignore George, and in turn, George begins to resent Fitzwilliam.