A/N: Again, I thank you all for the heartwarming responses. I apologise for the delay but college does get to you. Procrastination bites you really bad. I think I have replied to every review; however, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the guest reviewers as well, especially Lynned13 for the continuous support.
Also, the Bennet sisters are finally here. :)
"I am not driving if you two keep bickering like five year old kids" growled one Charles Bingley at the two menaces, one of whom was perched on the passenger seat beside him and the other had his head poking in from the backseat, though he was practically kneeling onto the floor in an effort to stave off his artistic cousin's barbs. Said kids scowled.
As they drove through the meandering road, Richard felt the beauty of the region envelop him in a tight embrace. Bounded on both the sides by lush greenery and partially screened by brush, the wilderness was beguiling . The trees further ahead rose high in the sky, their canopies seemed to form a net over him.
He wondered about the wonders of this world as he wandered through the memories of eons ago, when all three of them were kids, when despite the constant bickering there was a certain respite. Nonetheless now there was an undercurrent of bitterness in their discussion..no fight. Something was bothering William Darcy and that something was related to him (Richard). Yet he couldn't be bothered with it. He had his demons to fight and one of them had its base in Spain itself.
"Toothbrush?"
"Check"
"Sun screen?"
"Check"
"Toga"
"Check"
There stood the blonde beauty with her hands on her hips and an eyebrow raised in a manner reminiscent to her sister. Jane Bennet was not amused. "Lizzy, are you even checking it?"
Her sister was lounging on the carpet, a copy of Mansfield Park in her hand and a pencil tucked behind her ear. She kept her book down and faced the otherwise serene angel.
"Jane, we have already been through that list two times now.I don't think the elves would come and take my toothbrush away in the middle of the night." The amusement was clear in her voice on seeing her sister's incessant worrying.
The eldest Bennet blushed. "I know. I only feel guilty that I had to decline your request to join you."
"Oh, Janie! Don't feel guilty. Those tiny tots need you more than I do. Plus, Mom would be happy to have her darling daughter all to herself in the absence of the menace kids"
"You lazy sod! Get up. I didn't let you sit beside me so that you could sleep." Richard nudged Charles with his foot, his hands busy on the steering wheel.
Meanwhile, William Darcy sat in the back with his laptop propped up in his lap and a Bluetooth earpiece attached to his ear as he spoke to Mrs R brusquely.
Charlie grumbled about Morpheus' enemies. He turned around to complain to Will and immediately his expression turned to exasperation.
"WE ARE ON A VACATION, FITZWILLIAM ANDREW DARCY. Put those papers back or I swear on all that is holy that I will burn your briefcase and have a bonfire party."
The other two companions were shocked on seeing the placid man's outburst. Darcy, still stupefied and surprised, complied.
"Honestly I am starting to feel like Ross here with the way we shout 'WE ARE ON A VACATION' and the way he spoke-'WE WERE ON A BREAK' constantly." Richard's jab was unheeded.
"We are just about to reach there. Also, I am renting a new car tomorrow. This one is way too cramped." Darcy said after a few minutes of silence as he tried to stretch his legs in the confined space.
"Well I 'm sorry, your highness but I could not acquire a mustang for you on such a short notice" was the sarcastic response of a certain Fitzwilliam. The little twitch of lips was the only sign of Darcy's amusement. The rest of the journey was accompanied by silence with the occasional whisper of wind in their ears.
"Ah! There is the villa." Bingley pointed towards large white villa built in the Victorian style. The two storey cottage had an exterior made up of white stone lending it a charming facade. They drove the car through an intricately styled gate that had vines wrapped around it.
The three of them got out of the car and took the luggage out of the boot. The stairways lead to a wrap-around front porch decked with turned wood. As they proceeded towards the door, it was suddenly opened by a woman in her 50s whose face bespoke of her kindness. The wrinkles around her eyes and mouth lent her a benevolent disposition that complimented the cheery character she possessed.
"Welcome to Costa Brava, sirs. I am Julia White, the housekeeper of Netherfield."
"Thank you, Mrs White. We are definitely grateful for your presence. Had we been left to our own devices, you surely would have found a burnt villa on your return" laughed Bingley. The housekeeper instantly liked this jovial young man.
"Very well sirs. I think you would like to rest now after that arduous journey. Meanwhile, I will prepare your meals. Any preferences, sirs?"
"Spaghetti would do." Darcy contributed to the conversation. Richard looked baffled. They were in Spain. Surely F. Darcy wouldn't mind if they ate Spanish delicacies but he remained silent. Mrs. White nodded and the three of them moved to explore the house and then towards their respective rooms.
"I had fallen in love with this place as soon as I saw its pictures on the internet. I confess this villa was one of the reasons why I chose Costa Brava. It is no Pemberley for sure but it resonates with me" opened up Charlie. Darcy patted his back in approval as Richard got a whimsical look in his eye.
The house was blessed with spectacular cornicing on the ground and first floors. The floors were adorned with pinewood. Each of the Villa's four sumptuously furnished guest accommodations had a private bath and an authentic antique touch to it. Charles Bingley had good taste.
Perhaps the magic of this house would help them to mend their broken friendship and fill up those cracks to regain what once was cherished fiercely by all the three musketeers.
