Reflected Fate Ch. 7
Elizabeth was becoming less and less certain of her fate every day.
Later that morning, she sat at the dressing table searching her still swollen visage in the mirror, while Betsy fixed her curls. She knew she must stay in London as long as she could to secure a husband but her heart was not invested. As far as anyone in the Ton knew, she was still on the market and her acquaintance with Mr. Darcy was merely that, an acquaintance.
She didn't blame Darcy for engaging himself to his cousin Anne. She knew it had been the express wish of his mother and aunt but more than anything it was to save Anne from her own sad fate. She was always well aware of her social standing and that her connections were low. As pragmatic as she had always been about Mr. Darcy, resting her cheek agains his bare chest a few hours ago lit something in her so primal and insistent that she quite despaired.
That Lady Anne was unwell, Darcy knew. That she was getting worse, he had only just discovered.
Anne had taken Darcy aside at the ball to deliver the news of her tragic prognosis and plead for his assistance. She wanted Rosings to fall into his hands if at all possible and she knew it would be easier for Lady Catherine to withdraw her control if he were at the helm.
But Anne dropped another family bombshell, her mother was also unwell. Lady Catherine did everything in her power to hide the fact but she wasn't long for the world either. They would both need protection.
Although the Colonel was considered, he was needed at war. Staying home to care for the sick was not to his taste. He needed adventure. Darcy was the only relation they trusted and it was agreed by Lord and Lady Matlock that he must stop dallying and do his duty.
Elizabeth tried to focus on the ribbon Betsy held up. She nodded absentmindedly. It would be her duty to rally herself back into the season. She still had a week before her sisters wedding in Hertfordshire and she was going to accept invitations if it was the last thing she ever did.
The Highclere ball had been blissful and her connection to the Matlock's had risen her status in the Ton. She was in a much better position to accept visits from the better bachelors and cards accumulated.
That afternoon, Elizabeth donned her indigo blue muslin dress with India print shawl her uncle had brought back. She styled her hair simply and pinched her cheeks before descending the stairs. Darcy had been removed and Colonel Fitzwilliam was in the parlor.
"What a pleasant surprise!" Elizabeth exclaimed. They exchanged greetings and the Colonel kissed her hand, tickling it with his mustache.
"Have you heard the good news, Miss Eliza?" Was the first thing out of the Colonel's mouth.
"No. I do not think I have. Pray tell me." Elizabeth lied.
"Mr. Darcy is to marry my cousin, Anne! It is the wish of both families but I never though he would oblige. He was always so evasive. Imagine."
Elizabeth rallied a smile and nodded for the Colonel to sit. She rang for tea.
"Tell me, more." She wanted to know every detail. As the story continued she realized that not only did Darcy do the right thing, Colonel Fitzwilliam knew more about the situation than she had originally thought. They must be very close confidants, he and Mr. Darcy.
The visit proved something else to Elizabeth: she and Colonel Fitzwilliam shared many interests and views. He was worldly and adventurous and his life captured her imagination. Sailing on the high seas, visiting exotic ports, navigating a huge vessel with nothing but stars, meeting unusual people, speaking unfamiliar languages, all of these things made Colonel Fitzwilliam larger than life. If Darcy was unavailable, maybe Colonel Fitzwilliam would be the next best thing.
It was not long before other bachelor callers began to accumulate in the parlor. Mr. Langford Lucas was Charlotte Lucases younger brother just graduated from Oxford and soon to take his orders. He longed for news from home and sat mostly with Jane. Captain Denny visited to pay his respects and the recently widowed Mr. McGlaughlin, a friend of Mr. Gardiners, came to see if the Bennett sisters were as pretty as everyone said.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, sensing competition, quickly secured Elizabeth for the theatre that evening and left to meet his other social obligations landing a possessive kiss on her hand. She had to stifle a laugh. Watching the Colonel bend his auburn head over her hand, kissing it and never taking his eyes off of Mr. McGlaughlin sent a certain message.
Soon the party moved out of the house and onto the lane as Jane and Elizabeth were going to visit Caroline and Louisa Bingley and put the finishing touches on the wedding plans. Only ten more days until Jane and Bingley would be man and wife.
When Colonel Fitzwilliam came to collect her for the theater, she was wearing the raspberry silk she wore the night she first danced with Mr. Darcy. Her hair was artfully arranged with plum ribbon and she donned a plum colored coat with fur collar.
"You look quite extraordinary this evening, Miss Elizabeth." Colonel Fitzwilliam took her arm in his, gave a charming smile and escorted her to the Matlock box.
Her heart caught in her throat as she was stunned to find herself seated behind Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne de Bourg. The public announcement had been made official and they were making themselves present to society. Lady Catherine was noticeably absent.
Darcy looked worse for wear. His face still pale and a shadow under his eyes. It was hard to believe that just that morning they had been entwined in a completely inappropriate passionate embrace. She wished in her heart that she had been afforded more time to recover from the loss. It seemed that Mr. Darcy would be an ever present person in her life for the time being. She didn't mind but it would hurt.
Anne sat very still so Elizabeth moved into her view, gave her a big smile and did something rather daring, she lowered herself to give Anne a kiss on both cheeks as people intimately acquainted do and said, "Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials, Lady Anne." Anne nodded to Elizabeth knowingly as Mr. Darcy distantly bowed over her hand and whispered, "Thank you."
Colonel Fitzwilliam gave her hand a squeeze of understanding when she took her seat next to his. He appeared to know more about her situation than she would have expressed. Many eyes witnessed the interaction.
Elizabeth was getting used to the officious Colonel Fitzwilliam. His manners were confident but sensitive and she felt at ease in his presence. There was a decided preference for her over all other ladies but whether that was due to his own volition or a request, she knew not.
He physically reminded her of Mr. Darcy. He was tall and fit with strong shoulders and a natural grace and there was an athleticism about him that turned female heads. She could not account for his bachelor status except to say that his commitment to the Navy was stronger than his desire for a wife.
At intermission Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth went downstairs to find a glass while Anne stayed seated in the box, her companion nearby. Mr. Darcy followed them down but stopped Elizabeth while they were still in the private stairwell.
"Mr. Darcy, I want you to know, I wish you happiness in you marriage to Lady Anne." She spoke deeply from her heart. She did not want him to pine for her. They both needed to move on.
He lowered his head and whispered.
"Miss Elizabeth, you know I would have made a different choice had circumstances allowed. I fear my cousin Anne is declining and I want to make what is left of her life a happier one."
"I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers." She became distracted by the shapely curve of his lower lip. "When is the wedding?" She added breathlessly.
"We hope to post banns this week and marry shortly after the new year."
"I hope she knows she is also invited to Jane and Charles' wedding. It would be lovely to see you both. I will be inviting Colonel Fitzwilliam to escort me, if you do not mind."
"I envy Fitzwilliam but can not begrudge him your excellent company. You seem well suited to each other. I will warn you, he is unlikely to attach himself, so tread cautiously."
"In all fairness, Mr. Darcy, I am also unlikely to attach myself. My heart is not easily touched." A glimmer of hope registered on his handsome face as he exhaled carefully.
Colonel Fitzwilliam approached with two glasses of wine.
"Darcy! I hope you are feeling better. Would you like my glass?" The Colonel offered his drink to his cousin with a smile.
"No, I thank you, Cousin, I will take my leave. Miss Elizabeth." This time he kissed her hand, squeezing his eyes shut to stop the pain, and quickly ran up the stairs.