She rose gracefully from a chair and embraced him, then pulled back and examined him closely. Her glance was smug. “She said yes.”
Fitzwilliam beamed and embraced her enthusiastically. “We have entered a courtship. Elizabeth has stated the desire to learn more of the duties of an officer’s wife, and of the requirements society will demand of us.”
At her pleased countenance, he continued. “Mother, Elizabeth has related her mother’s life-long fear of being cast from her home due to an entail to the male line, as her father has invested nothing but her mother’s portion for her care. I see this as the reason her mother seems so avaricious. She fears for her own future and that of her daughters. My Elizabeth seeks a true partnership in marriage and asks that we begin as we mean to go on. She has been trained to manage household and estate accounts and intends that we manage our funds efficiently for the future security of our family…I find myself captivated by her intensity. She does not hesitate to tell me what she expects.”
He took his mother’s hand.
“I have assured Elizabeth that you will be her greatest supporter, after me, of course. She is a remarkable woman. I know you will love her.”
“When shall we meet this paragon of womanly virtue? Did you mention how you would court her from London when she remains in Hertfordshire?”
Fitzwilliam gave a contented sigh.
“Elizabeth will come to London next month after her mother’s birthday. I hoped it would be sooner, but she reminded me that she will not always be able to attend such celebrations with her family. I didn’t want to leave her.”
“This time apart will be a good test of your resolve.” His mother told him with amusement.
Fitzwilliam went to Darcy House and presented his card. He had not written to Darcy after receiving his first letter. He had not even read the second, disappointed that his cousin and friend had so discounted his judgement. He followed the butler into the study, determined to control his temper whatever the provocation.
Darcy met him at the door, his hand outstretched. He looked as though he had not slept, with dark circles around his eyes.
Fitzwilliam took his hand and was pulled into an embrace.
“Forgive me, Richard. I regret my intemperate words. Miss Elizabeth is everything worthy. You are a fortunate man if you have gained her favour.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy felt as though he stood on a cliff overlooking a storm-tossed sea. Below him, a ship was pushed closer and closer to treacherous shoals by the waves and wind. He felt helpless to stop the impending disaster. What had he done? What did these confusing memories of pursuit of Elizabeth mean if he was to lose her regardless?
He staggered to a wingback chair near the flickering fire and reached for the slim, embossed volume from the bottom shelf, turning to read the title:In Defence of Honourby Hazel R Banks.
He opened it to read something, anything, that might pull him from his dark thoughts.It is a truth universallyacknowledged that a desperate man is doomed to perform desperate deeds.He snorted at the words. Indeed, he thought.
Chapter 6: In Defence of Honour
by Hazel R Banks
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
Monday, the 6thof January, 1812
Arut in the road jolted Darcy awake, and, cursing silently to himself, he quickly straightened his attire. It was unusual for him to fall asleep whilst travelling, a result no doubt derived from the many sleepless nights he had endured since that wretched day at Rosings. Exhaling a shaky breath, Darcy quickly pushed down the maudlin thoughts and let his gaze roam across the countryside. All too soon, the familiar façade of Netherfield Park loomed into view through his carriage window, returning to where the heartache started for him. He knew he should not, but like the proverbial moth to the flame, when Bingley said he was to return to Netherfield, how could he not?
He had no time to collect his thoughts as the footman opened the door, and he was ushered up the steps to be greeted by a smiling Bingley. Darcy’s eyes wandered over the rest of the company as Bingley prattled on with his greetings. They were exactly as he remembered from the previous autumn: Miss Bingley posed beside her brother, statuesque, preening with delight. MrHurst, in the background, looked as thoroughly uninterested with the arrival of their guest as he did with anything that was not of the edible or drinkable variety, whilst his vapid wife stood beside him, fingering the bracelets on her arm. If Darcy ever suffered the feeling of having experienced a previous situation, surely this was it.
“Those awful murders.” Miss Bingley’s voice brought him back to the moment.
Clearing his throat, he noticed the assembled looked upon him expectantly. “Pardon me, madam, I was not attending.”
“Why, MrDarcy, we only remarked whether you had been the latest victim on account of your arriving so late.”
Bingley guffawed. “Now, Caroline, I don’t think the man knows how to be anything less than punctual. Besides, I cannot see Darcy being overset by dastardly kidnappers, for I know no creature as irritable as Darcy when he travels in a carriage. With such an awful sight before him, I’m sure the kidnapper would release Darcy back to us!”
“Moreover,” said Hurst, “this murderer is only abducting fair maidens. I think MrDarcy will be safe from him.”
What? Darcy frowned. He had not read of murderers and kidnappings in the papers. “Indeed. I encountered no kidnappers or highwaymen. However, I fear the poor state of the road has given me a headache. You’ll forgive me if I take a short walk.” Wincing slightly at how wooden his voice sounded, even to himself, he sucked in a steadying breath.
“Darcy, do not tarry!” Bingley called to his retreating back, his voice laced with amusement. “I have accepted an invitation to the twelfth night assembly this evening.”
Darcy strode down the steps without a backward glance, past his startled valet, who was overseeing the removal of his trunks, and set off at a brisk pace towards the park. He shook his head, aware he had been abominably rude, but he needed to stretch his legs, calm himself…especially knowing how nearshewas. Unsurprisingly, his feet led him, of their own accord, to the boundary with Longbourn, and his thoughts took a maudlin turn towards Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her cruel rejection.
