Smoky Dreams

by Jaeza Rayleigh

  "Your cousin said you were on the continent recently. It is good you have returned safely."

  "Yes, I had only just arrived back in London when I received a letter from him asking about a posting for Captain Denny. I was able to make some arrangements as well as picking up his commission. My commander allowed me to run the errand. I had delivered the paperwork to Colonel Forster and was heading for Netherfield when I ran into Darcy in the village. At his suggestion, I decided to join him in calling here." Richard had been looking around at all the books and added, "He said you were a bibliophile, but I think that rather understates the facts. This is an impressive collection."

  Mr. Bennet looked around as well, with an expression that mingled both pride and chagrin. "They have been good friends to me over the years, but I have lately realized I may have been too much in their company, to the detriment of my family. This collection has reached its zenith for some time to come. I find I will need the funds for other matters."

  "Marrying off five daughters can be an expensive prospect."

  "You know of our situation?" Mr. Bennet was more curious than concerned.

  "Darcy told me a little to gain my assistance getting a good posting for your new son-in-law. He named no names in the body of his letter and kept the details vague to avoid anything getting into the gossip mill. Using caution, he found an alternate way to tell me about Captain Denny and then he filled in a few of the gaps on our ride here."

  "That is good. I appreciate your assistance with the military side of things. Given what I know of Darcy and Bingley, I have no worries about my two eldest. My youngest is settled far better than I would have ever expected, especially when one realizes she chose the man. I think Denny will be exactly what she needs. The other two deserve whatever advantages I can give them now. A little bird whispered of the need for a music master and possibly an art master as well. That now seems more important than adding to the books in this room."

  "Would that be a Lizzy-bird?" Darcy asked.

  "The very same. She has been whispering about it for some time, but I always thought what they had learned was adequate for Meryton. Now that you and Bingley are likely to expose the younger girls to a much wider society, allowing them to trade on your connections, they need the additional skills to make up for the lack of dowry. Of course, I will be adding to the dowries as well."

  "That is wise, Bennet. I am certain all your daughters will appreciate your efforts."

  "All but the youngest. Not that her opinion counts just now," he added with a slight grimace. "And what of you, Colonel? Do you intend to visit with us for long?"

  "If Bingley is willing to host me, yes. I had a great deal of leave accumulated and I am using it while I finish the paperwork to cash out of the army. To my great relief, I inherited a small estate recently and plan to put my military training to use organizing the crops and repairing any breaches in the defensive walls."

  "It sounds like a worthy campaign."

  "Oh, yes. I have General Darcy here to give me marching orders, so I should settle into my change of command with ease."

  "Good luck with it. I expect you two would prefer the company of the Lizzy-bird and other members of my fair flock to an extended visit in this room. If Mrs. Bennet's talk of wedding plans gets to be too much feel free to return. There is always the chessboard if you cannot find a book to keep you occupied."

  Darcy and Richard thanked him for the offer, shaking hands with their host again before they left. This time they took the route that passed the music room, where they found Mary and Kitty sitting together at the bench. Mary was helping Kitty learn to read the music for a simple song. Darcy saw his cousin smile as he took in the charming scene made by the two pretty girls, intent on their lesson. Reluctantly, he knocked softly on the door frame, sorry to interrupt the sisterly moment.

  "Mary, Kitty, my cousin has just arrived in Meryton and I wished to introduce him to you all. Can you spare a moment to meet him?"

  Both young ladies stood and gave proper curtsies to Richard. "We would be pleased to gain an introduction," Mary said.

  Darcy once again made introductions for his cousin. For a moment he was worried, remembering how Kitty had shared Lydia's obsession with officers, but she behaved with perfect decorum aside from rather boldly looking Richard up and down. Apparently, she was taking Mary as her model for most of her behavior now, although a bit of Lydia's influence remained. Richard, for his part, said all that was proper, although he gave Darcy a look that indicated he appreciated the beauty before him and would probably have something to say about it later.

  After the bows and curtsies were complete, Mary asked, "Are you here to see Lizzy? She and Jane are entertaining Charlotte in the sitting room. Mama has gone off to Meryton to talk with Aunt Phillips."

  "Did Miss Maria not accompany her sister? I know Georgiana is hoping to see her again soon, but she and Mrs. Annesley will not be coming until later for tea."

  "Maria sent word by Charlotte that she has a bit of a cold this morning. She asked us not to visit for a day or two. We will let Georgiana know when she arrives," Kitty told them.

  "Thank you, Kitty," Darcy said. "I will have Miss Lucas pass on my sister's good wishes to Miss Maria. Now, we do not wish to disrupt your practice time any further. I could tell you are making good progress with your playing. My cousin will be staying at Netherfield for at least a few days, so we can all talk again."

  "It was a pleasure to meet you ladies," Richard added. "Perhaps I will see you again at tea?"

  Both girls agreed and curtsied again. The two men barely made it out the door before Richard leaned in and whispered to Darcy, "A family of goddesses, indeed."

  Darcy gave him a smug look and whispered back, "The best are yet to come."

  When the two men knocked at the open door of the sitting room, all three ladies present rose to curtsy. Darcy delighted in Elizabeth's bright smile of greeting. He barely noticed the slight disappointment on Jane's face when the man who followed him into the room was not Bingley and the questioning look from Miss Lucas at the sight of the unknown, uniformed visitor.

  "Good day to you all," Darcy said, bowing to Jane and Miss Lucas before he walked over to kiss Elizabeth's hand. "While leaving Meryton this morning I was accosted by this red-coated ruffian, who demanded to be made known to you."

  Elizabeth smiled at Richard. "Colonel Fitzwilliam, I presume? Your cousins have told us much about you."

  "Far too much if you can identify me from that description," Richard replied, laughing as he bowed.

  Laughing a little herself, she said, "I might have had the benefit of seeing one of Georgiana's sketches, which bore a close enough resemblance when combined with your uniform, rank insignia and apparent ease with my betrothed to make the identification more likely. You and Georgiana also share a strong family resemblance, although I am sad to tell you she is by far the prettier."

  "You wound me, Madam," Richard said with a dramatic gesture of grief that set all the ladies to laughing. "And here I thought myself the fairest of them all."

  When the laughter subsided, Darcy made proper introductions. He took a seat next to Elizabeth, while Richard pulled up a chair between Jane and Miss Lucas, forming an intimate circle in which to all talk together.

  "I understand from Kitty that your sister is not feeling well today," Darcy said to Miss Lucas. "Georgiana will be disappointed not to see her this afternoon. She had hoped to drop by for a short visit later today."

  "Maria will be sorry to miss seeing your sister as well. She was just feeling a little under the weather this morning and our mother felt it best she spend the day in bed. I am certain she will be ready to visit or be visited in a day or two."

  "All the same, please give her our regards when you return home, and please let her know Georgiana values her friendship."

  "I will, Mr. Darcy. Thank you." She turned to Richard. "Have you come to Meryton on official business or for pleasure, Colonel?" she asked.

/>   "First one, then the other. I carried the commission and transfer papers for one Captain Denny to Colonel Forster of the local militia. When I told my superior officer that I intended to visit here, he thought I would do well as a messenger. I understand the Captain is now a member of the Bennet family by marriage, just as my cousin soon will be."

  Elizabeth looked at Darcy with suspicion as Jane replied, "Yes, Colonel. Our youngest sister is now Mrs. Denny. They were married on Saturday."

  "If the youngest sister is as lovely as the four that I have already met, the Captain is a lucky man."

  "A man should judge by more than the beauty of a lady's face before deciding whether the marriage is a fortunate one," Elizabeth said a little sharply, and Miss Lucas shared the slight frown she offered Richard. "Character is more lasting and more important as well."

  Darcy hid his smirk as he recognized his cousin had stepped in a verbal mole hole. He was glad that, for a change, he was not the one making the offensive remarks. Richard quickly spotted his error as well and tried to make amends.

  "You are correct. I was merely engaging in a bit of flattering gallantry. I certainly meant no offense."

  "Then we shall take the compliment in your words and ignore the assumptions behind them." Elizabeth said sweetly. Darcy now had to hold in a guffaw. She had put Richard neatly in his place. Both men saw Miss Lucas looking at Richard with evident curiosity.

  "It appears you have a question for me, Miss Lucas," Richard said.

  "I do, but it is outside the normal strictures of polite drawing room conversation."

  Richard gave her a winning smile. "In my experience, the standard habit of politely circling around a topic of discussion generally leads to misunderstandings and unnecessary battles. Please ask your question, Miss Lucas. I will promise you either an honest answer or silence if the honest answer is too personal or indecent."

  "Very well then. Is physical beauty your primary criteria in selecting a wife, Colonel?" Miss Lucas asked.

  "It would sound like it from my earlier comment, but that is not really the case. That was a result of experience with the type of women who prefer to be flattered on their beauty instead of their character. While I know few men who would object to marrying a beautiful woman, physical beauty is, for me, an optional characteristic. Quite honestly, until recently I considered wealth combined with the character traits of sensibility and practicality to be my primary criteria in a potential marriage partner."

  "And now?" Elizabeth asked.

  "Over time I came to realize that the women who possessed all three traits were too sensible or practical to consider me a wise choice as husband. Men of greater wealth, title or connections appeared to be more to their taste, which is both sensible and practical if you need more of those things. I did not have much in the way of material things to offer such women. So, I have dropped the criteria of wealth and am now seeking a woman who is sensible and practical while still able to see me as worthy for what I can bring to a marriage."

  "Why does wealth no longer matter to you?"

  "I did not say it does not matter, Miss Lucas. As with beauty, I know few men who would object to marrying a wealthy wife, and I am not among them. It is, however, no longer one of my primary criteria. When all I had to depend on was my military salary and what I had managed to save from it, increasing my wealth through marriage was a necessity if I wished to retire and still support a wife and family. Now that I have a small, but solvent, estate thanks to an inheritance, as well as a reasonable amount of savings, I have decided I can retire without the aid of a hefty dowry. In fact, I do not need to marry at all if I do not find the right woman for me. That is a good feeling after years of concern over how I might have to live my life. What about you, Miss Lucas. What do you seek in a husband? Or do you seek one at all?"

  Darcy was surprised his cousin brought up the topic so baldly but given the very honest nature of the conversation so far, the question did not seem unreasonable. He sat quietly with Lizzy and Jane as they all waited for a response. Miss Lucas looked at Richard carefully, as if trying to judge his motives or interest. He looked at her steadily, simply waiting with a look that seemed to say he would not judge no matter what the answer. Finally, she replied very solemnly.

  "In my first few seasons I had hopes and dreams similar to most of the girls in this neighborhood. I wanted to be swept off my feet by a handsome young man who would love and cherish me. Money was important only to the extent I would want a decent roof over my head and enough food on the table. Over the years, as no knight on a white steed came to court me, or even dance with me, my desires changed. We have far too few eligible, unmarried men in this neighborhood. The war has taken many of them and London has swallowed up many more. I am not the only woman left unmarried, or even lacking dance partners after several seasons out in company. Yet, each of us is made to feel like a failure by society for something over which we have little control. I hate that. What I fear is to be a burden to my family. Even with the estate, there is little to split among us and when my oldest brother is ready to take a wife, he will not wish to be saddled with the support of his two sisters and two younger brothers. I want to marry and have a home of my own, perhaps to have children. It does not have to be a grand home and I do not require great wealth. My dreams have not changed in that respect. I thought for a short time I had found what I was after. I was betrothed to a cousin of the Bennets, a clergyman. He did not love me, nor did I love him, but he offered me marriage and a respectable home. It would have been enough. However, he died shortly before Christmas and I am once more left wondering if there is any hope for me. Do not take the wrong idea. I am very glad for my friends. Jane and Lizzy are very fortunate, and I could never begrudge them their joy. All the same, it makes me fear my own future even more."

  Darcy looked around at the silent occupants of the room. Elizabeth had taken his hand while Miss Lucas spoke, and she held it tightly. He could see a look of worry on her face. Jane was almost in tears. The opportunity had not arrived before for Darcy to discuss helping Miss Lucas find a match. He was about to mention it when Richard spoke up.

  "I know I cannot fully understand your position. As a man, I can better my conditions by working, which is why I joined the Army instead of living off the charity of my father and brother. The dictates of society do not cause me to lose my respectability when I choose to work, even though they would for a gentlewoman who leaves her family home to make her own way in life. All the same, I respect the concerns you have expressed. It is an interesting perspective since for me marriage largely is a matter of choice. I do not often consider that for women it is often a matter of necessity."

  After another short silence, Darcy felt his moment might have come. "Miss Lucas, I cannot solve your problem entirely, but I had already been thinking that the real difficulty stems from the limited options you have here in Meryton. Ever since I learned of Mr. Collins's death, considering the impact it would have on you, I have been wondering if there might be a way that I could help expose you to a larger society in hopes someone would see your good qualities and offer for you. Once Elizabeth and I are married we will be happy to have you as a guest at Pemberley or in London. I consider you a friend and I know your happiness is very important to Elizabeth for the same reason."

  Miss Lucas nodded gravely. "I thank you, Mr. Darcy. I appreciate your friendly offer more than you can know."

  The conversation had taken a decidedly awkward turn. They all seemed to be searching for a new topic when Mrs. Bennet came bustling and provided one. She greeted Darcy enthusiastically before noticing Richard, who stood along with his cousin on her entry. Darcy provided the introduction and had to hold back a laugh at how she fawned on Richard and complimented him on how handsome he looked in the fine red coat. Mrs. Bennet did not notice the silence at her entry, and she quickly lifted all their spirits with her excited chatter. After offering some details of her visit with her sister, she asked several questions about Ric
hard and his family background. She had not really paid attention to Mr. Collins's mention of Lady Catherine being Darcy's aunt, and found it a great surprise to learn Darcy had relatives who were peers of the realm.

  "Your father is an earl?" she asked Richard in wonder when something he said sparked the connection.

  "He was. My brother is the Earl now. Our father passed on about five years ago, around the same time Darcy's father died."

  "And what of your mother?"

  "Oh, she is alive and still very active in society. She loves to spend the Season in London and much of the rest of the year she visits with friends at their country homes or entertains in the dower house at our family estate. I have not seen her recently. We do not always get along very well. She is much happier in company with my older brother."

  "That is such a shame. Is dear Georgiana close to her aunt, Mr. Darcy?"

  "No, Mrs. Bennet. She is not close to either of her aunts. I think you have heard of my Aunt Catherine, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, that is. She is not a pleasant woman and treats her family with nearly equal disdain as she treats the rest of the world. Georgiana appreciates your kindness to her so much because she has neither mother nor a trusted aunt to turn to."

  "Well, she is such a sweet girl. I so loved having her with us after the snowstorm. Will she be here this afternoon for tea?"

  "Yes, she still plans to come. In fact, I must go and get her shortly. We stopped here before I took my cousin to Netherfield, so she does not yet know Richard has arrived or even that he is home from the continent."

  "Well, then, you boys must leave for Netherfield at once, so she has a chance to visit with the Colonel before you all come back here for tea. And dinner as well, if you wish. Bring Mr. Bingley and Mrs. Annesley with you. Captain Denny is coming, and we shall have a very pleasant party."