"Your coat?"
Truth be told, he had meant his neck, but he found such a disclosure far too intimate.
"Utterly so. I refuse to have it cleaned."
"Pray, tell me. How did Miss Bennet's scent suddenly adhere to your clothes?"
"I do not know. I wish I did. I supposed I might have danced with her. But I suspect something more happened."
"I am sorry. I fail to comprehend your meaning. What else could have happened?"
Darcy remained silent, his muteness quickly enraging the colonel to the point of no return.
"I believe I asked you a question," he said impatiently.
Darcy pondered the possibility of disclosing his fears to his cousin. Much as he should need someone to hear his love sorrows, the idea of exposing even the slightest doubt of Miss Bennet's respectability was simply preposterous.
"Of course, nothing happened. It is merely that her presence, so close to me, has released such a befuddlement of emotions, I know not fantasy from reality. I had this dream of her. If only you knew, Fitzwilliam. It is driving me mad."
"You must put a stop to this, Darcy," Fitzwilliam ordered more than said. "It is dangerous to play with fire. You may burn yourself and harm those around you in the intent."
"What do you propose that I do?
"You must avoid Miss Bennet."
The words Fitzwilliam said rang a bell into his ears. "What? What did you say?"
"I said you must endeavour to avoid Miss Bennet."
"I know."
A change of subject was mandatory, and Darcy and Fitzwilliam continued talking amiably of Fitzwilliam's commission in France. He expressed his regrets in failing to appear at Georgiana's ball, yet he explained that he was resolved to stay in the continent at most for a year. Darcy told him, in exchange, of his plans for the ball. He would go back to Kent and bring his wife and aunt to London to attend it. Such was his trust in Fitzwilliam, that Darcy even told him he wished Anne's indisposition would prevent her from obliging. Fitzwilliam then pointed out that the gossip upon her absence would be unsupportable in the long run.
Georgiana was the happiest of girls. Her upcoming ball had given her a lot to think about and many an exciting thing to prepare. But the prospect of her ball was nothing in comparison with the joy she felt on meeting the Colonel again. After their meeting in Pemberley and their brief season in Kent, Georgiana had come to feel an acute dependency on her cousin. She saw in him the protection of a father but also the alluring figure of a handsome man. She had previously counted on her brother in reference to protection, but the rather unsettling demeanour William had displayed of late had compelled the young girl's mind to seek said protection in her cousin. She admired him exceedingly well and cherished every moment she spent in his presence.
Upon their meeting in Darcy house and after his conversation with Darcy was over, Fitzwilliam took the girl for a walk in the park. They sat on the same bench he had first been with Elizabeth a few weeks ago. There were no swans now and the water of the pond had turned into a skating round. They watched children play on the frozen surface of the pond and were having a terrific time laughing at the many little falls some of them were having. Fitzwilliam then turned a little serious as he addressed her this time.
"Georgie, I have something to tell you."
"I am all ears, cousin."
"I am leaving for the continent in a few weeks."
"The continent?"
"Yes. I have accepted a commission in France."
"But then you will not be in London for my coming out?"
"I am afraid I shall not. I am sorry, Sprout. I would miss your coming out for nothing, but unfortunately my responsibilities to his Majesty cannot be overlooked."
"And what about your responsibilities as my guardian?" she responded vehemently.
The Colonel had expected resistance but not direct confrontation from his young cousin.
"Sprout, 'Tis beyond my power. You still have your brother."
"Fitz. I dare say my brother has not been of much assistance of late, rather the opposite. And, pray, do not call me Sprout. I have already grown up," she said in earnest, her pouting revealing, in fact, quite the opposite.
"Indeed you have, Miss Darcy. And as such you must understand a lot more is expected from a young lady than from a girl. Growing up comes with maturity. I dare say you are mature enough to face certain facts of life, are you not, cousin?"
Her eyes welled with tears as she heard him speak like this. Still, he was absolutely correct. She was not behaving like what she claimed to be. Fighting her tears, she apologised to her cousin.
"I am sorry, Richard. 'Tis only that I shall miss you so!" she wished they were in the house so that she could sink her face into his lapels as she had frequently done when feeling down.
"I know, Sprout. I shall miss you, too." He handed her a handkerchief and assisted her in sweeping the moisture from her cheeks.
"How long are you staying there?" she managed to say between sobs.
"Not long. I shall be back sooner than you might begin to miss me."
"I hope so."
Georgiana's battle with tears, unfortunately for the girl, was soon a compleat defeat for her. Ever so softly, gentle sobbing turned into disconsolate weeping and Fitzwilliam's heart melted in the face of so much sorrow.
"Come, come Sprout. Why are you crying now?"
"I have been so selfish, Richard! Here you are, telling me you are leaving for France. You are going to put yourself in danger for sure. And I am solely worried that you are not going to be at my ball!" she cried openly now, and the Colonel was obliged to hold her hands. "I wanted you to stand up with me for my first dance. I had wished for that for so long! And now you are leaving. Perchance you will never come back!"
"Georgie! What can I say? I thank you. I have always thought you wanted to dance your first with Darce!" Her crying was cut short.
"So, you are staying?" she attempted hopefully.
"No. But I am honoured that you should have thought of me. You must not worry. We shall dance a thousand reels when I am back. What is more. I promise we shall hold a ball and dance a waltz at my return."
"A waltz! Oh, Richard, how can you tease me so!"
"I am not teasing you, Sprout! I shall come back, and we shall do as I told you."
He had not realised how their bodies had shifted position. Truth be told, he had been too concerned with Georgie's pouting and sobbing to make out they had come closer than was proper outdoors. To a witness's eye, they looked like a pair of lovers telling endearments to each other. He was holding her hands and as she rested her head on his shoulder, she renewed a round of sobbing, his wet coat to bear witness of her sadness. Ever so slowly, she regained composure. As Georgiana lifted her head, their eyes locked. She had stopped crying, and her profile was dangerously close to his. The Colonel froze as he noticed the loving gaze in the girl's eyes. He could feel his face blushing, and his heart skipped a beat. Good heavens! What is the meaning of this? He immediately released her hands and, clearing his throat, he put some distance between them.
"Let us go home, shall we?" he said.
On their stroll back to the house, they barely talked, such was his embarrassment. Georgiana endeavoured to make some conversation, but the Colonel's mind was still reeling with the shock his young cousin's enamoured demeanour had given him. He pondered what could have inspired those tender feelings in the girl. Surely he had not fostered them. Nay. It was a truth generally acknowledged that a young lady in the presence of a marriageable man should eventually set her cap at him. But Georgiana was not a young lady looking for a husband. Or was she? And she could by no means consider him as a potential suitor. Or could she?
She was a very pretty girl, and her beauty happened to be a sort which Richard Fitzwilliam particularly admired. She was tall, plump, had a pert bosom and a round bottom, light fair hair, with a fine bloom in her countenance, blue eyes, regular features and a look of great sweetness
; he found her remarkably clever, and although she was not a keen conversationalist, she was not unwilling to talk, at least, not to him. But of course, encouragement should be always given.
Still, those soft blue eyes and natural graces should not be wasted on him. Lord, he could be her father! Or could he not? Still, to merely think of Georgiana as anything other than his little sister was impossible to conceive.
As he left her in the company of her brother, the Colonel felt enormous relief wash his soul, and instantly made up his mind not to find himself in her company again without a proper chaperone.
Darcy was sitting at his desk, working at some deeds and documents, when Fitzwilliam noticed the fruit displayed on a plate in front of him.
"Oranges? I thought they were hard to find at this time of the year."
"They are. Mrs Bates knows this man at the market, though." he said without raising his gaze from the paper he was reading. "He brings them from an orangery in the south." That said, Darcy raised his eyes from the document and stared at the plate of fruit.
Fitzwilliam noticed something amiss. "What?"
He shook his head as if trying to remove some troubling thoughts from his mind. "'Tis nothing. I had the feeling I already… Have you ever felt as if you have already said or done something before in another life?"
"You mean vague recollections of carousing while drunk? Aye, countless times. What? What have you just remembered?
"Nothing. 'Tis nothing," and he went on reading.
"I am leaving, Darce. I must away and fix some business before embarking for France. I shall be back in a fortnight."
Darcy was used to Fitzwilliam's unsettled way of life. He never stayed too long in a place. Darcy shrugged and muttered-
"Fare well, Fitzwilliam."
"May I take one?" he asked while grabbing one orange.
"Oh, yes, of course. Help yourself."
"Goodbye."
When Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Longbourn, he found an upset fiancée. Elizabeth's mind had decidedly wore herself out thinking and pondering.
But in the end she had made up her mind to put Mr Darcy's memory behind. She must move on. And her fiancée was there again to help her in her purpose. Soon, she would be his wife. The proud wife of the second son of an Earl.
Yet, she could not help feeling upset and uneasy.
"Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss Bennet." announced Hill.
The Colonel bowed ceremoniously at the ladies in the drawing room.
"Good day, Miss Bennet."
"Good day, sir." she replied. "May I introduce you to my mother? Mama, this is Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, from Matlock. Mama, I came to make the Colonel's acquaintance while visiting my cousin in Kent. The Colonel is Lady Catherine De Bourgh's nephew. Colonel, my mother."
"Mrs Bennet, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"The pleasure is mine, sir. Please, make yourself at home."
"Colonel, this is my sister Mary and my sister Catherine."
The Colonel bowed twice towards the two ladies, but kept silent as to salutation. There was a strange look upon his face, and Lizzy immediately noticed.
"What is it that brings you to this part of the country, Colonel. Business or pleasure?"
"Pleasure, ma'am."
"I hope you have had a pleasant journey?" said Elizabeth demurely.
"Yes, ma'am. I thank you. I could not have had a nicer one with better prospect than calling on such pleasant company at the end of it."
"Oh! How well you speak, sir!" cried Mrs Bennet. "Pray tell me. Are you planning to stay long in Hertfordshire?"
"No, ma'am. Not for long."
"And you are staying…?"
"At the inn in Meryton."
"Then you should accept an invitation to stay with us, Colonel. I cannot let a nephew of Lady Catherine's endure the pains of staying at an inn without proper service. The guest room could be prepared in a wink of time. Let me just talk with Mr Bennet."
"That will not be necessary, ma'am. I assure you I shall be quite comfortable at the inn."
"Nay, I am sure Mr Bennet will be delighted."
"Mama, the Colonel might not feel inclined to stay at Longbourn."
"Nonsense! How can you say so? My dear Lizzy, do support me. Go and find your father. He is to be persuaded to allow us the pleasure of lodging the Colonel. No, no. You had better stay here and keep him company. I shall go myself."
"Your mother is an excellent matchmaker," he said grinning broadly when Mrs Bennet had exited the room.
"Indeed, Richard. I am glad you approve on this ability of hers. Not many a gentleman would feel comfortable with this side of mama."
"Not many, I gather, are to be the principal beneficiary of her exertions." He leaned over and in a daring fashion whispered softly into her ear, "Since I am to be that one, it will be my pleasure to be under the same roof with you, my love."
Mrs Bennet came back in no time at all. "There now. Everything has been arranged!"
"Well, I declare you are a delightful Mistress of Longbourn, ma'am. Nothing will give me more pleasure than accepting your kind offer. Now if you will excuse me, I shall thank Mr Bennet for his kindness, personally. Where can I find him?"
"He is in the library, Colonel. Lizzy, take the Colonel to your father."
The Colonel looked askance at his fiancée. "Lizzy, huh?" he said playfully. She looked ahead smiling gaily and then halted at the entrance of the library. Thereafter, opening the door with a confident gesture, she entered her father's sanctuary, leaving Fitzwilliam behind.
"Papa, Colonel Fitzwilliam wishes to speak to you." "Show him in, my dear. And close the door when you leave." She swiftly stepped aside to let the gentleman in and exited the room without further words.
"Good day, sir."
"Good day, young man. I was beginning to think you have changed your mind."
"Indeed, you do me injustice, sir. I sent a note to Mr Gardiner in which I explained the reasons for my absence from London."
"Yes, yes. I was apprised of your motives. Indeed it speaks very well of you, to be so attentive to your family. Is that Mr Darcy you are related to?"
"I am, sir."
Mr Bennet frowned.
The Colonel immediately noticed his interlocutor's uneasiness. Hence he offered, "May I speak frankly, sir?"
"Please, Colonel. I have no objection to hear you."
"Very well. I gather you are well aware of the affection that once existed between my cousin and Miss Bennet."
"Indeed, I am. I see you are, too."
"I must confess I have recently learned that my cousin, Mr Darcy had made a marriage proposal to Miss Bennet, and that his hand was rejected."
"This circumstance must give you great grief, I assume." "You assume correctly, sir. Till lately I have had no idea of the direction of my cousin's affection, since he is not a man who will easily reveal his emotions. Had I known this in advance, I am afraid we would not be having this conversation nor the prior one we had."
"Do I take that you are retracting to the commitment you have entered into with my daughter? Does she know of this?"
"Indeed, I am not, sir. Much as I respect my cousin, my own affections for your daughter would not allow me to do such a thing. Not at this point in our understanding. I have already given my word in matrimony to her. My word is something I never underestimate."
"I suppose, then, nothing remains to be said." "However, there are two issues that require our attention, sir. The first one is related to your saying that Miss Bennet had suffered from heartbreak. I would very much appreciate if you were more precise in your statement, sir."
Mr Bennet cleared his throat and sank, defeated, into his tall chair behind his desk.
"And what exactly is it that you want me to disclose?"
"What or rather who was the cause of that pain."
"I am afraid I am not entitled to give in what has been confided to me. You must inquire that from Elizabeth herself. I cannot
betray her confidence."
"I understand that, sir. I shall put it another way. Allow me to suggest that the person in question was a member of my family?"
"You would not be wrong, sir."
"I thank you. Now, the second issue in question is my commission on the continent. You have expressed your uneasiness at my leaving my wife in danger of becoming a widow sooner than expected. I must confess that after close deliberation I have come to agree with your position. You were absolutely right there, sir. However, I have tried to break my engagement with my regiment, but unfortunately, everything came to naught. I am leaving for France during the first weeks of February and expect to remain in my duty for as long as a year. What is it that you suggest?"
"What says my daughter?"
"I have not told her about it yet. I confess I wanted you to be apprised of the news before making any decision."
"I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Colonel. In a case such as this, I would suggest you talk about it with the person more directly affected. Then you can come and we shall discuss the possibilities together."
"I thank you, sir."
~•~
To the delighted eyes of Mrs Bennet, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth took a turn in the garden of Longbourn, chaperoned by a reluctant Kitty, who, proving herself either very unwise or rather bored, whichever explanation sounds more plausible, lingered substantially behind.
Colonel Fitzwilliam did magic to Elizabeth's spirits, so amiable and entertaining he could be. She soon, again, forgot about her worries, and not a thought did she direct towards Mr Darcy, until, to her chagrin, Richard chose to talk about him.
"I find from my cousin that you actually enjoyed yourself at the ball at Netherfield," said he, divested of chagrin or suspicion.
She replied in the affirmative, her face pale, her whole body trembling slightly.
"I almost envy him, you know. He said he had the pleasure to stand up with you for a reel or two."
"Yes, he did," she said biting her lips.
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