I don't own Pride and prejudice.
Georgiana looked out at the expanse of land around her. The same land Richard was looking at from another vantage point.
The air seemed to hold thick over the land. As if holding it's breath. She walked the paths imagining that her now gone cousin and his family had walked those same paths taking in the beauty around them.
Richard found himself in front of his father's study an hour before dinner was to be served. He knocked on the door and waited for his father's permission to enter.
"Come in." The Earl looked up at the door from his vantage point at the desk. Richard pushed the door open and walked into what he supposed was now his office. "Sit down Richard there is much to discuss."
"Yes father." Richard sat down and tried not to fidget feeling as if he was a young child called into his father's study to be taken to task.
"Richard neither of us ever expected this to happen. Your brother was strong he was healthy this was a freak accident that no one could see coming but it's come to pass and now we must deal with it. You've now got responsibility on your shoulders you never expected that I never prepared you for. I'm sorry son."
Richard stared at his father surprise he was sure etched across his face. He never expected that from his father. "It's fine father like you said we never expected it. My path was the army. Now my path is the land and title. I know it's not what you were hoping for either but I promise I'll make you proud."
The Earl looked at his only remaining son. "You already do."
Father and son stayed in the study going over the details they'd need for the burial. The mourning and what Richard would need to know when it came to running the estate and in the future the Matlock estate.
"Though I hope that's years in the future." The earl said
"Make that decades." Richard muttered. Paling a little at the thought of becoming an Earl.
The two men found themselves in the dining room soon after their conversation in the study. It was a somber group that took part in the meal before them. The food was scrumptious but it felt like sandpaper in everyone's mouth. After the last of the dishes were taken away the men repaired to one room and the ladies to another.
Georgiana caught herself glancing towards the door as if waiting for something but she wasn't sure what. She could feel Elizabeth's eyes on her.
"Georgie Darling are you feeling well."
"Oh yes Lizzy I'm fine." She gave her sister a wane smile. She looked over at her aunt. The elder lady was staring down at her quickly cooling cup of tea.
"Aunt would you like some more tea?" Georgiana offered holding up the pot.
"Oh no dear that is alright." Lady Matlock looked up at her niece. Georgiana could see the pain shadowing her eyes. Just then the door opened and the men came into the room. Richard came to Georgiana's side.
"Cousin how about a song for us." He nodded towards the Piano that sat in the corner of the room."
"Oh of course." Georgiana quickly sat down her tea cup and hurried towards the instrument. She sat down smoothing her skirts around her. She took a deep breath and started a song she knew by heart. Letting the sweet melody waft around the room. Hoping it would sooth the occupants.
After the last notes wafted on the air. Georgiana stood up and resumed her seat. Elizabeth filled her cup with fresh hot tea. "Thank you." Richard said looking down at her.
"Of course." She whispered a lump forming in her throat at the defeated look in his eyes.
Darcy cleared his throat and looked between his uncle and cousin before turning to the ladies. "We will be doing the Burial rites at the family crypt tomorrow. We will be back by Luncheon. It may be best if you all try to sleep until then. Less time to think of all that has and will come to pass."
Lady Matlock sighed standing. "I should go and tell cook to have a spread ready for tomorrow and Breakfast for you men." She left the room. The sound of her rustling skirts echoing through the room.
Richard balled his hands into fist. He had seen his mother's face the unshed tears and he'd wanted to lash out and punch something. He wanted to do damage to something. "I'm going to retire for the night." He snapped out. Pivoting on his heel he left the room not giving anyone a chance to protest.
Georgiana watched him her eyes slightly widened. She felt a slight pressure on her hand and looked over to see that Elizabeth was gripping her hand.
"Yes I think retiring for the night is a good plan." The Earl said. "We have a trying day tomorrow." With that the rest of the occupants of the room dispersed to find their own bed chambers.
Richard sat on his bed after he'd released Dovan. He stared into the inky night. Tomorrow he'd be saying his final goodbye to his brother. It would be over. It would be final. Would he finally feel like the Viscount Wesley future Earl of Matlock after that. He wasn't sure. He didn't know if he'd ever feel like that. He'd always feel like an imposter he was sure.
The night was filled with Tossing and turning for Richard Fitzwilliam.
Georgiana sat in her own chamber. A pen in her hand as she looked down at the creamy whiteness of the pages in front her of her. Her diary open on the desk. she sighed and shut the book. She wanted to say so much. Let so much out but she just couldn't. No it was all so much she just couldn't put it down. The look of everyone the way everyone moved as if ghost. The house was haunted by not just the dead.
Tomorrow would be horrible she knew that. She was determined to be a rock that her bereaved family could lean on. she let her maid change her into her night dress and then slipped beneath the covers. Her night was filled with flashes of sorrow filled eyes.