Colonel Fitzwilliam enjoyed many things in life: playing chess with his father, having a battle of wits with Darcy or having a good laugh with Bingley, usually over Darcy's finest Brandy. He enjoyed strategizing over battle plans. Spending time with his family and playing with his niece and nephew. But one of this absolutely favourite things to do was racing his favourite steed Max.
Racing through the fields at ungodly speeds was a freeing experience for a soldier who was so used to routine. He relished the fact that he could ride as he pleased, without taking orders from anyone. So when he got an invite from his favourite cousin, bar Georgiana, inviting him to come stay in a MerryTown for a few days in Charles' newly leased abode in Hertfordshire he jumped at the chance. He had a few days leave and as much as he loved his parents he missed Darcy and Bingley's company. His socially reserved cousin and his ever happy friend were rather amusing.
The only problem was that he couldn't find the place.
Usually he was rather good with directions. Used to taking them throughout his entire professional career but that was not helping him now. But then again when the directions were 'cross two green fields, through some trees, over another field and then half a mile straight' what did one expect?
He was sure he had become lost about two fields ago so decided to ride around until he spotted someone who could possibly help him; the only problem was that apparently Hertfordshire was desolate as he had yet to spot another person on his travels. Granted it was rather early in the morning but not one person? They were obviously rather lazy in Hertfordshire.
As he was searching the surrounding area he thought he heard something…yes he most definitely heard something…wait there it is.
'What in the name of God is that?' was the first thing the Colonel thought when he saw what could only be described as an overgrown rat. A bald rat...with a collar. On closer inspection Colonel Fitzwilliam discovered that it was actually a dog; though it was without a doubt the weirdest dog he'd ever seen. Max grunted and the rat/dog turned his head to stare at them both. But instead of running off the thing decided to start barking frightening the birds in the trees. Before Colonel Fitzwilliam could comprehend what was happening; Max reared up, obviously as startled as his master was and he came crashing to the ground.
The first thing the Colonel Fitzwilliam noticed when he regained his senses was a shadowy figure standing over him. The faint outline slowly started to come into focus to reveal the face of a woman who was peering down at him, concern etched on her features.
The second thing the Colonel noticed was that she was without a shadow of a doubt the most beautiful woman he'd ever had the pleasure of laying his unworthy eyes upon.
He was obviously dead then.
What other conclusion could he come to? He had fallen of his horse yet he wasn't all that sore and most importantly he had an Angel standing over him. Maybe heaven wasn't so bad?
"Sir are you okay?" The voice of an Angel too! Colonel Fitzwilliam had to admit he was rather enjoying this whole dead thing.
"Sir?" the voice sounded less sure now, the Angel's lovely features marred with worry. Wait what was that nipping at his leg? He looked down to find the rat/dog nipping him with his small teeth.
"Oh I am so sorry. This is Milo my neighbour Mrs Robert's dog, he can be rather vicious when around strangers. Are you okay sir? You took a bad fall, would you like me to go get help?"
"Milo?" 'Okay I don't think I'm dead' was the next thing that crossed the soldiers mind.
"Sir Can you move?"
"Move? Um…yes…well um ah"
"I really do think I should go get someone, you may have hit your head" The Angel began to move, sending him into a panic. He moved abruptly, shocking them both by reaching forward and grabbing her wrist tightly.
She had very soft skin.
This was becoming very inappropriate very quickly.
He quickly and reluctantly released his hold on her wrist before taking a deep breath to calm himself.
"There is no need to get any assistance. It was only a tumble I assure you, the only thing wounded is my pride, I apologise for frig…"
"Milo! Stop that!"
Milo was relieving himself on his leg. How very delightful.
"Please don't concern yourself, it is not as if he did it on purpose." 'Though I'm sure he did' the Colonel thought silently.
"I am so sorry about this. I should have been keeping a better eye on him. He can be quite a handful."
"I can well believe it." The little Rat dog was glaring at him. The thing was no larger than his foot yet it was glaring at him, growling softly.
"Can you move?"
"Yes but I don't want too." Colonel Fitzwilliam answered without thinking, shutting himself up by biting his tongue and smiling. Well smiling as best he could when biting his tongue.
"You are hurt aren't you? It truly would be no bother for me to go fetch someone." The Angel stated sweetly, her brow still furrowed as she accessed him critically with her eyes.
The Colonel answered by jumping up, probably too quickly and ignoring the pain in his lower back and shoulder.
"See? I assure you my Lady that I am completely fine." Richard smiled gently as he gazed down upon the golden haired vision before him.
"If you insist, though I am not sure I believe you."
"You wound me my Lady. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Colonel Fitzwilliam." Richard bowed, wincing again at the pain in his lower back.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Colonel, though I wished it hadn't been under such circumstances. I am Jane Bennet." If the Colonel hadn't been so bewitched by her smile he might have laughed. Jane meant 'God's Gracious Gift' surely this was a sign?
"You wouldn't happen to know where Netherfield is would you?"
"Netherfield? Oh Yes, it is just down this path and straight ahead, you will come to an old Bramble Tree and it is about two miles past that heading north. You can't miss it. Are you a friend of Mr Bingley?"
How did God's Gracious Gift know Charles?
"Yes he is a great friend of mine, Mr Darcy is my cousin. Have you met him?" At her delicate smile and nod he breathed a sigh of relief. He would most definitely be seeing Miss Jane Bennet again. He hid his smile by turning to grab Max's reins, though the horse watched the little rat dog suspiciously he allowed his master to pull him forward.
"Are they expecting you?" Miss Bennet enquired, looking at him with those beautiful blue eyes. Blue was his new favourite colour, after gold of course.
"Who?"
"Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley" Miss Bennet asked as she looked at him closely. "Are you sure your head is alright?"
"I am fine Miss Bennet and yes they are expecting me." And the Colonel just stood for a few moments, making no attempt to move, almost afraid to blink in case this angel would disappear.
"I should be getting back home, my family will start wondering where I am" Miss Bennet stated as she moved to grab the rat dog. It bared it teeth slightly but allowed her to pick him up. She also didn't mention the Colonel making threats towards the dog behind her back.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, I hope you get yourself checked out. The village physician could be out within the hour if needed."
"Do you live near here? I can escort you home if you would like?"
"That isn't necessary Colonel, I live only down the road. I shall be home quickly, your friend and cousin have been introduced to my family, you and the rest of your party should call upon us tomorrow. I know my father enjoys their company." Not entirely true as he hadn't really conversed with either man but what were small falsehoods amongst acquaintances when the intentions were pure?
"I look forward to it." The Colonel smiled, both he and Miss Bennet blind to the others rather pinked cheeks.
"Goodbye Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"Goodbye Miss Bennet."
The Colonel stood there for almost a half an hour, watching the path with which Miss Bennet had disappeared down until Max nudged him, still rather dazed as he continued to Netherfield.
Who knew their were angels in Hertfordshire?
"Sir, Colonel Fitzwilliam has just arrived."
Darcy nodded solemnly as he marked his place in his book and rose to go meet him, though he was looking forward to seeing Richard again he wouldn't admit it under torture. He ignored Charles as he bounded down the stairs and walked to the front door, just in time to see a dazed and dishevelled Colonel enter.
"Richard! How good to see you." Charles cried as he clapped Richard on the shoulder, failing to notice in his excitement Richard's slight wince at the contact.
"Richard are you alright?"
"Good to see you too Charles, looking dashing as ever." Richard quipped before turning to his frowning cousin. "I fell off a horse and was greeted by an Angel" Richard explained before giving his hat and gloves to a footman.
"Fell off your horse?! Good God man are you alright? Do you want me to call the doctor? Are you injured?"
"Don't worry Fitz, I shall be fine." Richard declared as he walked to the living room with Charles, laughing at how his cousin growled when he called him 'Fitz.' It was a pet hate of his and one that the Colonel tried to commit every time he saw him.
"Who is this Angel then?" Charles questioned as he and Richard sat down in the arm chairs by the fire. Darcy preferring to stand by the window instead.
"Oh I believe you know of her and her family." Richard stated cryptically.
"It's not Caroline is it? I'm not the family that I know am I?" Charles questioned fearfully.
"Of course it's not! Tell him Richard. Richard? Did you hit your head?"
"Calm down Fitz" Fitz growled to which Richard ignored and carried on. "No it is not Miss Bingley, even if I had hit my head I would never hit it that hard, no offense Charles."
"Absolutely none taken."
"No it was a Miss Bennet"
"Bennet?!" Darcy and Bingley cried at the same time.
"Yes Bennet. The most beautiful and charming Lady I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She is the things great sonnets are written about, books are dedicated too, myths about such creatures… " Wistful sigh whilst staring longingly into the fire.
"We are acquainted with the Bennet family, have met them on a number of occasions. Which sister did you meet?" Richard failed to notice the great suspension that hung over the room or the palpable relief expressed silently when he answered.
"Miss Jane Bennet." Wistful sigh and quick quirk of the lips at the reminder that he had met such an Angel.
The three men were silent for a long while then, all similarly lost in thoughts of the lovely Bennet girls. They all failed to notice when a maid brought them tea or when Mrs Goulding came to check upon them. Smiling wistfully and almost knowingly when she had seen their faraway expressions.
"Miss Bennet asked me to call upon her family."
"Then we must." Bingley declared as he arose from his armchair, almost giddy with the prospect of seeing Miss Catherine again.
"She said tomorrow Bingley" The Colonel informed dejectedly.
"Oh…well tomorrow then. I think you'll get on well with the Bennet's, won't he Darcy?"
"Yes you shall." Darcy commented blandly as he stared into the distance, though his mind was entirely focused on fine eyes and a lively disposition.
"You know I have a feeling I am rather going to enjoy Hertfordshire." Richard commented as the three men fell into comfortable silence, all lost in their own thoughts about those Bennet girls.
"And then I said to Napoleon 'no I don't think pink is your colour and no that dress does not flatter you'." Elizabeth commented as she and her sisters shared a glance and then all looked at Jane, who had been in the most peculiar mood all day.
"What do you think Jane?" Mary questioned as she examined Kitty's sowing, the latter was far too busy examining Jane to do anything else.
"Oh? Um… I agree yes" Jane said as she once again blushed and ducked her head.
"Dearest are you alright?"
"Yes Kitty I'm fine"
"Are you sure? You have been rather distant all morning. Is something bothering you?"
"Oh Lizzy I assure you I am alright"
"Tell us right now." Mary demanded as she stared Jane down.
"Tell you what?"
"Whatever your hiding, tell us or I shall get mama and she will get you to talk. Your choice Jane."
"Mary scares me sometimes." Kitty whispered to Lizzy.
"Well this morning I was out for a walk with Milo and you know how he can get. We were just walking down the path, the one near the edge of the Rodgers land and Milo started to get rather boisterous and suddenly he takes off! the next thing I know he starts barking at a horse. A horse! Well the horse rears up and the rider fell off! I felt so awful and went to check and well…"
"What happened Jane? Was the rider hurt? Did he hurt you?"
"No! He didn't do anything! He was so polite and wouldn't accept my apology or my assistance. A true gentleman." Jane blushed deeply and her sisters all held their collective breath.
"His name was Colonel Fitzwilliam and he said he was an great friend of Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy's cousin. I asked him to call upon us tomorrow. Do you think I was awfully forward? I am horrified he'll think ill of me for being so brazen, so unladylike." Jane wrung her hands in worry before Mary took them into her own and Kitty laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I do believe I have heard the name before, I am certain Mr Bingley mentioned him to me before. Let me think on it." Kitty murmured thoughtfully.
"You were not too forward. He is the relation of an acquaintance, one whom you shall meet soon anyway. I know papa and mama have invited Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley around so it truly is just an extension of that, so there is no need for you to worry dear."
"You seem rather determined to have his good opinion Jane, why is that?" Mary teased as Jane blushed and looked away.
"Mary how is your Reverend Barnes these days?" Elizabeth questioned as Mary flushed crimson and Kitty giggled, whilst Jane sent Lizzy a grateful look.
"Is it too early to call?" Colonel Fitzwilliam wondered aloud as Charles fixed his cravat for the fourth time.
"Do you think so? It has been said that it is never too early to call on acquaintances" Charles replied as he stared at the grandfather clock in the great hall of Netherfield. Both he and Richard had been up for well over an hour and were itching to call upon the Bennet's but didn't wish to inconvenience the family, though they were restless to see…particular Bennet's
"Right you are, after all we wouldn't want to keep them waiting, for that would be abominably rude. The earlier we called the quicker they could go about their day. By calling now we would actually be doing them a service."
"Exactly what I was thinking! Maybe the ladies could take us on a tour of the gardens?" Charles hoped aloud.
"I could gift Miss Bennet a rose"
"Miss Catherine would bask in the sunlight."
"A rose for a rose." Dreamy sigh.
"The clouds would part and she would glide across the grass like a vision from above."
"Oh how I love roses."
"We should leave immediately Richard. Not a moment can be wasted."
Richard nodded in agreement before rising quickly from his seat, checking to see if his uniform was in order and marching purposefully towards the door, following his good friend into the foyer of Netherfield.
"Stop right there." A voice thundered as both men were about to leave. Richard and Charles jumped and turned quickly before Charles squealed at the sight before him and dove for cover behind a chaise lounge. Richard drew his sword and prepared to face the beast.
"Fitzwilliam?!" Richard cried as he took a closer look at his dishevelled cousin. He had obviously just been woken from his sleep, probably by Mrs Goulding who stood behind him peeking curiously at the scene unfolding. He wore one slipper, his robe was inside out and his usually unruly curls were standing riotously, sticking out in all directions. One eye wasn't even opened fully and you could see pillow marks on his face.
"What is the meaning of this?" Fitzwilliam hissed as he glared at Richard and then the chaise lounge which Charles still hid behind.
"We were just going to call upon the Bennet's" Richard answered as he tried to coax Charles from cowering behind furniture.
"Come on Charles…yes I know it scared you…I know I thought it was a monster too, drew my sword and everything…you're completely right, what a hideous sight…ha that did just rhyme."
"You were going to call upon the Bennet's? At not even 5 in the morning?"
"Well ah….um…we didn't want to inconvenience them later."
"Have you both lost your mind?!" Darcy bellowed as he ran a hand through his hair. Bingley hid again. "Why are you wearing your full regimental uniform?"
"Miss Bennet asked me to call on she and her family and Charles told me that Mr and Mrs Bennet invited you both to call upon them. Frankly by not going we would be seen as very rude Fitz. Very rude. And I am wearing my uniform because I am a loyal soldier in His Majesties Army and most certainly not because some woman find men who wear them attractive."
"Call upon them at normal calling hours, not the middle of the night! If you call now I shudder to think what Miss Eli…the Bennet's will think of us. And stop calling me Fitz!"
"Oh but Miss Bennet could never think ill of anyone."
"Give her a chance in your company before you make such statements." Darcy quipped.
"Miss Catherine either, she is too gentle of mind."
"Miss Bennet is like Aphrodite."
"Miss Catherine is surely an angel!"
"Helen of Troy pales in comparison To Miss Bennet."
"Grassy meadows and clouds parted for her."
"I don't know why I associate with either of them." Darcy confided in Mrs Goulding, who nodded sympathetically.
"Come now you two! It is too early to call upon the Bennet's and you both look quite tired. Do you not wish to look your best when you call?" Two heads nodded vigorously "Well come along." Mrs Goulding commanded as she turned around and marched down the hall.
"Richard was always rather strange and so has Bingley but together? Sometimes I hide under my desk when I hear them coming into my study." Darcy admitted as Mrs Goulding continued down the hallway, patting his arm in condolence.
"Where did my slipper go?" Darcy enquired as he looked about, Richard and Charles stopping shortly behind him and helping in the search. "Why is my robe inside out? How did I even get it tied?" He then took it off and after some resistance managed to get it on properly as he entered his room.
"So Darcy sleeps in the nude then?" Charles questioned, wincing at the sight.
"Oh God my eyes!" Richard cried.
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