Darcy had ridden at a leisurely pace towards his London home, his thoughts directed towards Elizabeth when they turned towards his sister. His poor Georgiana, in all honesty he had left, not because of her dire condition, but because he felt he had failed. Now the only way he could fix his mistakes was to marry, and soon. His Uncle Stephen Darcy, his father's younger brother, was the only other person besides Mrs. Annesley, Mrs. Reynolds, Richard, Georgiana and himself who knew about it. It was he who convinced Darcy what he needed to do. Darcy always knew he would have to marry out of a sense of duty. However, this was not what he had in mind.
Darcy shook his head of the grey thoughts and dismounted once he reached the stables. Patting his horse once more before handing him over to the stable hand. If only Richard would let him show him how much he really cared for Elizabeth perhaps? He questioned to himself, but no, she deserved better. Elizabeth had already been through so much, it would not be fair to put her through something such as this. Especially after what he did to her, he could not ask her to let him into her life again. He realized he had hurt her…deeply, but it was for her own good. Darcy knew she was still upset, and why wouldn't she be? He knew because she had more than hinted at it the night of the ball. He had wanted her to call him out on his misdeeds and yet he did not. He felt she deserved an explanation and yet not: he did not want to wound her more than he already had.
Again, Darcy shook his head of the plaguing thoughts.
"Mr. Darcy, a Colonel Fitzwilliam is waiting in the study." Mrs. Hapkee informed him.
"Thank you, please see it that we are not disturbed."
"Of course sir," she curtsied and walked away.
Darcy, wondering over what Richard could want, made his way to his study. He had to laugh at how at home the good colonel always made himself. Sitting, feet propped on his desk, was Richard, hands tucked behind his head.
"Richard, I see you made yourself comfortable."
"Indeed, I have though I refrained from pouring myself a drink. Thought I'd let the host take the reins on that one. Brandy will do fine, thank you."
Darcy shook his head, walking towards the decanter full of brandy. "Why is it you are here, Richard?" Darcy asked setting the glass down on the desk and walking over to the window with his own.
"Come now, Darcy. Can not a friend visit a friend without there having to be a reason?"
"Of course, though that is not the case."
Richard smirked, "Ah, right you are, Darcy. You see, I realize I was a bit harsh the other night. I know you and Lizzy were close as children, almost as close as you and I. It was cruel on my part to make you refrain from seeing her now that she is back. You must know my hesitations."
"I fully respect your authority over your sister, Richard. I would do the same for Georgiana hell, I am, aren't I?"
Richard winced at Darcy's venomous tone when he mentioned Georgiana. "Darcy," Richard began walking over towards his friend and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Everything will turn out; you will find someone within the required three months. Look at you, Darcy, you're a catch," Richard chuckled when he scowled. "What girl wouldn't want you? Besides, you have money as well, that has to count for something."
Richard felt bad for his longtime friend, but it was not uncommon in these days to marry for convenience. Most people did not marry for love, strictly for benefits. What could they get out of it? Hell, Richard himself would have to marry for benefits. He was the second son of an Earl; he had done fairly well for himself but, he would still need to marry an heiress.
"Thank you, Richard, I know you are right. Some floozy woman will take me, even under the circumstances."
"Perhaps Caroline Bingley was not wrong in setting her hopes on you?" Richard teased laughing at Darcy's look of disgust.
"Was that all you needed, Richard? Not that this conversation has not been beneficial, but I have business I must attend to."
Richard took a gulp of his brandy, sighing at the burn in his throat. "Actually, Darcy, there was something else. When I took leave from the war front, I hoped it would be for a time. My commanding officer said he could find me a spot in the war office. With Lizzy back home and all, I had hoped to be her guardian of sorts. Especially now as father grows older and Thomas has his own family to look after. In spite of all this, it was not meant to be. I will be leaving for the front again in a month. I had hoped. Darcy, that you could look after my dear little one? I realize it's a lot to ask, and I would understand in light of things. Your situation is far worse than watching over Lizzy, but-" Richard stopped as Darcy cut him off.
"I would be honored to, Richard." Darcy could not help his increased heart rate. Richard was asking him to watch over Elizabeth. It brought him back to when they were children. Elizabeth would hide behind Darcy's tall frame from Richard as he would advance on them both, wooden sword in hand. Elizabeth would taunt Richard from behind him, and then shy away when he got closer. He even chuckled at the memory of a nine-year-old Elizabeth racing up to him after she had hurt herself.
"Darcy! Darcy!" Elizabeth called.
Darcy turned from where he was fishing by himself to see Elizabeth running towards him. He could see her left elbow held in her right hand.
"Elizabeth?" he questioned as she drew closer. She continued to run towards him until they were face to face. He could see her brown eyes filled with unshed tears. "Elizabeth, whatever is the matter?"
She gasped, and then sniffed, trying not to cry. "I tripped and scraped my elbow," she paused uncovering her elbow and lifting it for him to see. "See," she showed him wiping at her eyes.
Darcy smiled at her, "Come and sit over here, I'll help you."
Elizabeth followed Darcy to the edge of the creek where he had been fishing and sat down in the grass. Legs tucked neatly under her, Darcy lifted her elbow for closer examination. Elizabeth had a deep gash running from the top of her elbow to the bottom.
"Hmm," he said before digging in his coat for his handkerchief. He dipped part of it in the cool creek water and turned back to her. "This might sting a little."
Gently he dabbed at her elbow, Elizabeth let out a little hiss at the sting. "I did warn you," he smiled.
She looked up at him smiling back, "Yes I know, but that does not make it hurt less."
"Yes I know," he teased back. Once the flow of blood had stopped, and it was cleaned of dirt, he pressed the dry side of the handkerchief on the wound.
"It still hurts, but not as much," Elizabeth told him as she looked at her elbow and back at him.
"Well," Darcy thought for a moment before proceeding. "My mother always used to kiss my ouches when I was a child. Perhaps that will help?"
Elizabeth laughed at the word 'ouches' coming from Darcy's mouth but smiled. She could feel a pink blush tinting her cheeks. "You could try, I suppose. I do not think it would make it hurt any worse," She replied looking at her lap.
Darcy smiled before removing the 'kerchief and leaning closer to her elbow. He looked at her once again before planting a soft kiss on the offended area. Elizabeth sucked in a breath at the feel of Darcy's breath on her elbow before his lips touched her already heated skin. She blushed even deeper, again looking at her lap.
Darcy pulled away smiling, "Better?" he asked.
"Much," she smiled back. "Thank you, Fitzy."
Darcy laughed at the nickname and looked at the joyful girl across from him.
"Thank you, old man, this, it means very much to me. I now can leave knowing my dear little one is in good hands. Someone I can trust." Richard finished, giving Darcy a pointed look before finishing his brandy.
"Of course! Richard, you may count on me."
A/N: Oh my goodness, 162 follows! I had never expected to even reach 100. THANK YOU! I know this is a bit shorter than my last chapters, but I whipped this up to thank you for all the follows. You guys did receive some fluff as an extra bonus. I know this whole thing is kind of long winded but just stick with me, it will get better, and everything will fall into place. It just takes time. Also, thanks for the reviews they make my day, I read every single one. I go back and fix what needs to be fixed except the heir air thing because I was too lazy to go search for where I used it (HAHA) but for future reference I will make sure it is correct, thank you. Please tell me what you guys think so far. It really does help me. Hope everyone has or had a great day!
Much love ~ Mrs. Lily Darcy