So, RL has been super full for me. I am actually getting a small break for the next few days, so I am taking the opportunity to update some fics. I won't be freed up for much until the beginning of July. Hopefully, I will be able to post more often or have some kind of schedule for updating my fics by then. Thank you for your support. I enjoy reading your reviews and getting new favs and follows.
Richard took his time riding back to Rosings. He was almost sure the evening could be turned into a comedy. He could title it 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'. It suited the night, anyway. Guilt settled deep in his stomach. The poor girl was practically being forced to marry him. Oh, she had the option to choose, but it really wasn't a choice was it; marry or be ruined. And then there was his cousin. He groaned, thinking back to the audience with his aunt.
Flashback
"I will marry Miss Bennet."
Mr. Collins and Darcy stared at him, shocked. His aunt looked on at him approvingly. Why would she approve of his marrying her?
"Well, nephew, that would be the honorable thing to do, if you are, in fact, at fault."
Room was silent. It was truly an odd thing because in that room, someone, mostly his aunt, was always talking. The silence could not last for long.
"You can't be serious!" argued Darcy. "You can't marry her!"
"And why not?" this came from his aunt. "Why should he not marry her to save her reputation? I dare say, as little a chance as she had at making a favorable match before, her chances now would be truly done."
Darcy clenched his jaw before speaking. "He has nothing to offer her. Forgive me cousin, but the last time I checked, even a Colonel did not bring in much wealth. How do you suppose to support her?"
Richard's own anger stirred. "My father is not like most and has made arrangements for my benefit. I need only to seek him out and discuss this matter with him."
"Which you must do with haste," cut in Lady Catherine. "I would like to speak to my nephew alone. Mr. Collins, if you will wait, my nephew will travel with you to your home to speak with Miss Bennet. Darcy, I shall see you in the morning. Once I have finished speaking with your cousin, I shall check on Anne and retire. This evening has been quite vexing and I shall not have it weighing on me in the morning."
Everyone left, sans him and his aunt. He watched her warily.
"That could have gone worse, I suppose," she broke the silence, "but you must be extremely happy."
"I beg your pardon?"he was flummoxed.
Lady Catherine smirked at him. "You think I do not notice things, but I do. I saw that Darcy was enamored with the girl. She does seem to attract the attention of your sex with ease, even when she does not intend to. Mr. Collins has told me that they are all pretty girls; they have that working in their favor, but that does not matter at the moment. I had thought I would not have to worry about his fixation on her, as he would never attach himself to someone who did not meet the expectations instilled in him since his birth, so I was content to allow him to continue admiring her from afar. However, I recently began to fear greatly that Darcy was going to make an offer for her himself, but then you stepped in. For that, I am grateful."
Richard was reeling inside. His aunt had caught all of that?!
"I noticed your own attraction to her, as well. But like Darcy, I was positive you would never ask for her hand, knowing what was expected of you. I honestly do hope that she makes a good wife for you. Your dispositions are similar enough. I am only happy that I need not worry about Darcy's continued attentions to her. Maybe he will finally do what he knows he must and ask me for Anne's hand."
Not for all the money in the world would he tell his aunt, in that moment, that her will would never happen; she was being far too agreeable to his plight. If that made him a bad man, so be it. She would learn soon enough that his cousins had no intensions of following through with her plans.
"Fitzwilliam, this is not what I would have wanted for you, but it seems it is not to be. For your sacrifice, should you need my assistance, you need only call on me. I will do whatever necessary to aid you, especially if your father refuses you."
"Thank you, Aunt."
"You may go now, and ask the young lady to marry you. I am sure she will not refuse. If she does, she is a fool."
End Flashback
It was almost too bizarre to remember. He still wasn't sure it had actually happened.
The house was quiet when he entered. His aunt's voice could usually be heard as soon as you entered the front door. He bounded up the stairs, thinking only the he wished for nothing more than to go to bed and wake to find everything had all be a dream. Or maybe not. He was honest enough to admit he wasn't unhappy at all at the prospect of marrying Miss Bennet. Only, he worried for his father's reaction, and of his relationship with his cousin.
As he entered his rooms, is was apparent that he was not alone.
"Darcy."
"Am I to give you my congratulations?" he said from the settee.
"She has accepted me, if that is what you wanted to know." He sat across from his cousin. They stared at one another.
Darcy nodded, and seemed to look everywhere but at him. "How did you know it was Miss Jane Bennet that I had separated Bingley from?"
"She told me. This whole affair started because I was trying to improve her opinion of you. I told her of your care for your friend just before she claimed to be feeling ill. I soon put together that she must have known the woman, and wanting to, once more, help, I went to apologize. That was when I learned that it was her sister and her family that you disapproved of for your friend."
Darcy was resolute. "I did it for his own good. He needs to distance himself from trade, and the Bennets, while genteel, are wanting in proper manners."
"And yet you still admire Miss Bennet," Richard pointed out.
Darcy sighed heavily. "I did not stand to lose anything." He looked away again. "With her new knowledge, I doubt she would have me now, anyway, if things were different."
"I cannot say. Our conversation continued, and she told me about Wickham and all he had said. I again tried to paint a better picture of you. She accepted my words, by the way, but she seemed to think her family safe from the knave. You walked in as I was trying to convince her to stay away from him, because he could ruin her." He laugh. "It seems she needn't have worried. We did a good job of that ourselves."
They sat in miserable silence. Richard had nearly convinced himself to go in search of a drink when Darcy spoke again.
"You care for her?"
He hesitated. "Yes."
"You will make her happy?"
"I will do my best. My father promised me my own estate if I could play nice with Matthew for the sake of our mother. I have more than earned it, and father has always respected my high sense of honor. Mother and Matthew are not likely to be very happy, but they will not make a scene. Mother will spin it as a love match and bask in the awe and condolences she will receive for it. Matthew will be happy to have yet one more reason to bar me from Matlock once he takes possession of it."
Darcy stood. "I wish you both well. I shall stay the week here before returning to Town. Georgiana will soon finish school. She has been begging for a trip, so I think I shall take her for a tour of the North, just the two of us. We will then retire to Pemberly for the summer."
"I do not know where we will settle. I shall send a letter once I know more." He hesitated for a moment before pressing on. "I am sorry, Darcy."
"I know." He did not turn around.
Richard listened to as his cousin left the room and closed the door. 'One door opens, another closes,' he thought to himself.
The occupants of the carriage sat stiffly as they swayed towards London. While sincere, Lizzy's morning goodbyes had still been a bit strained, and the Colonel's wounds appearing more pronounced did little to ease the tension. The maid had turned out to be an older woman who eyed Elizabeth suspiciously, holding herself in a way that reminded Lizzy heavily of Lady Catherine. There had been some talk when they first began, but the elder maid's tendency to sniff at everything being said discouraged anything further.
About two hours into their ride, the woman fell asleep, snoring moderately.
"Does it make me desperate to prefer this to her glaring at us?" asked the Colonel.
"No, I think it makes you quite human. Of course, I am equally as relieved and have no wish to be labeled as desperate myself," she smiled. She brought her eyes back to his face. "Does it hurt terribly?"
He waved away her concern. "No less than I deserve for behaving in such a way."
"Well, your cousin did attack you."
"Yes, but instead of retaliating, I should have restrained him."
"You'd still have the eye," she smiled wryly.
He chuckled. "Yes, I would still have that, but I would also have retained a bit more dignity."
Lizzy smiled at him, before shooting a glance to see that the older woman was still sleeping. Her smile became a little more nervous. "Colonel, what is going to happen once we reach London?"
"I wondered if we would have the opportunity to speak on this. I shall escort you to your uncle's home, of course, and ask to have a word with him, to explain what has happened and what is to come, and what suggestions he might have to offer," he spoke anxiously. "I hope I come out of this without another blackened eye, to be honest." This elicited a small laugh from Lizzy. "I shall then excuse myself to call on my father. I know he has remained in Town while my mother and older brother visit friends in the country. I hope to know a little more of our prospects by tonight, and I shall call on you again in the morning, to finalize what we can before I call on your father."
Lizzy nodded her head. "I have a few requests." He eagerly indicated for her to continue. "I do not wish for my mother or younger sisters to know the details of our engagement. I trust Jane, my eldest sister, wholeheartedly, as well as my father, uncle, and aunt; however, my mother and younger sisters are not discreet enough to be privy to such details."
"I understand. The fewer who know, the better, in any case. Was there anything else?"
"If you would permit it, I would like to invite Jane to stay with us, at our earliest convenience."
He nodded, though she thought she caught a hint of disappointment. It was gone no sooner than she had noticed it. "Of course, you are close."
"Yes, and I know it will take time for her heart to mend. I believe she will do much better out from under our mother's constant badgering."
"Miss Bennet, all of your sisters are welcome to stay anytime they wish."
Laughter bubbled from her. "Be careful not to utter such words in their presence, dear Colonel, for they will eagerly take you up on your offer, especially once Lydia and Kitty realize you are a soldier. They simply adore them."
He chuckled, and she found she liked the sound.
"Tell me about them," he said. "You have been very vague about your family, and as I shall soon call them my own. I should like to know what I am marrying into."
"Take heart, dear Colonel, for you may very well wish to run away once you have heard the tale of my family."
"So, let's see how well of a grasp I have on your family," Richard smiled at her. "Jane is an absolute angel, and has no faults; your father, like you, takes great delight in the follies of others; your mother regularly comes down with a case of nerves and becomes easily excitable at both good and bad news; Mary will preach at me; Kitty and Lydia are likely to giggle and flirt with me. I must say, that is a rather vast display of characteristics. You must be so much fun at parties."
Miss Bennet snorted. "You have no idea."
Richard looked out the window. "Well, it looks like we have finally arrived in Town. Should we wake Mrs. Norris?"
"If we must."
Richard cleared his throat. "Mrs. Norris? Mrs. Norris! We're nearing London, Mrs. Norris!"
"Hmm? What?" the woman snapped as she came to.
"You fell asleep Mrs. Norris," Miss Bennet said kindly. "The Colonel thought we should wake you."
"Yes, of course. How soon before we arrive at my sister's?"
"The carriage shall take you on once we deliver Miss Bennet to her uncle's home."
She sniffed, and the strained silence from before once more filled the carriage. It was just as well, Richard needed to think. While he had made light of his fiancé's relations, he knew he needed to be cautious. He remembered his cousin telling him about the unsuitable family of the woman his friend, Bingley, wished to wed, and while he now knew it was the Bennets he was referring to, and that his cousin had almost impossible standards, he couldn't shake the need to intervene. If they make a misstep while connected to his family, things wouldn't bode well for him or them. Obviously, he would have to discuss this with his father.
Elizabeth clearly adored her father; she had described him as being nearly as perfect as her elder sister; however, he thought he might agree with a few statements Darcy had made: Mr. Bennet might hold a large portion of the blame for why his family was the way they were. He would try hard not to form any solid opinions until he had met the man himself, of course. But it begged the question: what sort of man would allow his family to become so unruly?
First, he would discuss and arrange things with Elizabeth's uncle. He hoped the man was as competent as his fiancé seemed to believe. At some point, after he had been to see his father and settle his own affairs, he would need to see Elizabeth's father, which would be when he would form his own opinions on the family. With that final thought, the carriage came to a stop.
Richard disembarked first, turning to lend a hand to Mrs. Norris first, and then Elizabeth. As the footmen unloaded her trunks, she took his arm for the few steps up to the house. A maid answered the door.
"Miss Elizabeth!" she near exclaimed, opening the door to admit them.
Miss Bennet took initiative. "Hannah, is my aunt and uncle home?"
"Mrs. Gardiner is in the drawing room."
Miss Bennet saw herself down the hall. Mrs. Norris sniffed, following the same path, leaving him to awkwardly smile at the maid, Hannah, as he handed her his things. He made it to what he suspected was the drawing room to find Mrs. Norris's expression to have softened a bit, and his intended clinging to an older, though not too much older, woman.
"Lizzy," the woman said, pulling back. "Whatever are you doing here? Not that you are an unwelcome sight, but I thought we were not to see you for another week, at least."
"Forgive me aunt, there was no time to write. A matter has arisen. Is uncle home?"
"No, he is seeing to some business at one of the warehouses, but he should be home soon. What has happened?"
Richard cleared his throat, but Mrs. Norris cut him off before he could say anything.
"Madame, my lady requested I act as chaperon and companion to your niece as she traveled here with her intended. As my duty is fulfilled, I will leave you now."
The woman, Mrs. Gardiner, gaped at the woman, but nodded her head in acceptance. Mrs. Norris spun, dipped to him and made her way back outside. Richard counted back from ten. He wanted to have a word with his aunt about some of her help, but he realized it would be in vain. She did not care so long as they were loyal to her and did not offend anyone she considered her equal or better. Turning to Miss Bennet's aunt, he smiled as best he could.
"Aunt, allow me to introduce my intended, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Colonel, this is my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner."
"It is a pleasure, Madame," he came forward and bowed. "Miss Bennet has regaled me with tales of your excellence. I pray our abrupt arrival does not disrupt your day."
His fiancé smiled at him, but Mrs. Gardiner seemed to have no idea what to do with him. Miss Bennet spoke again, taking her aunt's attention. "Where is Jane?"
"She took the children for a walk in the park. She, also, should be returning soon. Lizzy, you are engaged?"
"Yes, aunt. Once my uncle arrives, we shall tell you all."
"Very well. Give me a moment and I shall have your things sent upstairs, as I assume you will be staying with us, and I shall call for tea. Please forgive me, Colonel Fitzwilliam, for not greeting you properly. It is a pleasure to meet you. If you will both excuse me." She swept from the room.
"Miss Bennet, are you well?" he studied her; she looked pale.
"Yes, sorry. Upon seeing my aunt, I felt overwhelmed. Everything suddenly became too real."
"I understand." And he did. Everything had moved very quickly, even he had moments of disbelief. She sat on the sofa, but not before directing him to a nearby chair. He had barely sat when they heard the front door open and someone coming up the hallway.
"Marianne, dearest? I just had the strangest encounter with Mrs. Bramble. She is positive that that we have some prestigious guest as a grand carriage was spotted in front of our home not a half hour ago... Lizzy!" a happy gentleman exclaimed. "What are you doing here? Have I forgotten my days again?"
"No, uncle," she chuckled as she stood to approach the man. "I have arrived early and with cause." She turned towards him. "Uncle, allow me to introduce Colonel Fitzwilliam. Colonel, this is my uncle, Mr. Gardiner. Uncle, the Colonel and I are to be married as soon as it can be arranged."
Mr. Gardiner's smile faded and he took on a more fierce persona. Richard felt his eyes judging him. "What has happened, Lizzy?"
"Once my aunt returns, we shall explain all."
The man took a seat, never once taking his eyes from Richard. Knots were now forming in his stomach. He really hoped Mr. Gardiner would be agreeable once the whole of the matter was laid out before him.
