Title: Two Brothers
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Sir Felix and Bertram belong to me.
Summary: The visit of two brothers to Pemberley has the potential for romance.

Chapter Twenty

"Time to awake, brother," Bertram said as he went into Sir Felix's room. His brother was still curled up fast asleep regardless of this being an eventful day. It seemed almost a shame to wake him but Bertram soon put that thought aside and shook his shoulder. Sir Felix's only reaction was to bury his head in the pillow. "Come on, Felix," he prodded him again wishing he had accepted Middleton's offer to wake him. He was more likely to be successful.

"A little while longer," Sir Felix muttered wanting to stay where it was snug and warm.

"You cannot have 'a little while longer'," Bertram told him. He removed the blankets covering him. "Remember what today is."

"Bertram!" Sir Felix exclaimed. He was certainly awake now. "What do you think you are doing? You cannot…" he trailed off as his eyes widened. "I am to be married today!" he suddenly remembered.

"Finally!" Bertram said. "Now you must stir."

"Is Mary awake?" Sir Felix asked.

"I think so," Bertram answered. "I believe that is where my wife is. Middleton will be in soon to help you dress and there is a tray of breakfast outside."

"I am not hungry," Sir Felix said.

"You never are," Bertram replied. "But remember who urged me to eat on my wedding day. You shall take your own advice." He went to the door and brought a tray back. He passed it to his brother.

"All of it?" Sir Felix questioned. He really did not think he could stomach food at present. He uncovered a plate of scrambled eggs and pulled a face. He shook his head and gave it to Bertram.

Bertram shrugged his shoulders and took it. There was no point in letting it go to waste. "Eat the toast at least," he said with his mouth full. "I like you in this mood," he swallowed. "It makes me feel like the older, responsible one." He then grinned. "Are we feeling nervous then?"

"No," he then sighed and admitted, "Yes, a little."

"Perfectly natural," Bertram said. "I would be more worried if you did not feel anxious."

"Do you think I am doing the right thing?" he asked.

"Yes. You love her." Bertram frowned, "Why do you say that?" he asked warily.

"I do love her, deeply, and I think that is the problem," he replied slowly. Bertram groaned slightly, he did not want a repetition of the night Sir Felix proposed. "Not that," Sir Felix said, knowing what his brother was thinking of. "I am just afraid of hurting her. I love you dearly but it has never stopped me losing my temper with you. I do not want to shout at Mary or be brusque towards her as I am with you. I do not want Mary to suffer when I am short-tempered, which you have to admit is a frequent occurrence."

"You will not," Bertram replied. "It is different. I am your annoying, younger brother. It is expected that I irritate you on occasion. Mary knows what you are like, anyway, and still fell in love with you. She is obviously unfazed by your bad tempers otherwise she would not be down the corridor preparing to marry you."

"I suppose you are right," Sir Felix conceded. "Send for Middleton. I must get dressed." Bertram nodded and went away.

"Mamma, that hurts," Mary protested as her mother tried to twist her hair into a style it did not want to go into. She was presently surrounded by her mother and sisters (sans Lydia who was, thankfully in Mary's view, unable to make it) not to mention a few maids as they tried to make her presentable. It was worse than any ball for which she had been forced to look nice. She did not understand why such a fuss was needed. The Good Lord was unlikely to mind what she looked like as she stood in church and she knew Sir Felix would not. "Please."

"You will look attractive on your wedding day!" Mrs Bennet insisted. "Why is your hair not controllable like your sisters'? Oh how I wish for Jane's tresses!"

"Why does it matter?" Mary demanded. "It will be hidden under my bonnet, not to mention that veil you say I must wear. OW Mamma!"

"See, all done!" Mrs Bennet said in triumph. "And of course it matters. You will take your bonnet off at some point. You need to look nice for Sir Felix."

"He will not care," Mary replied. "He finds me attractive without all this fussing. Others will not agree with him but he is the only one I want to please."

"But what of the people of Grantholme?" Mrs Bennet wondered. "They cannot think you plain on your wedding day."

"Why not? Why give them a false impression?" Mary said. "They will find Lady Calder plain every other day. Please, Mamma, no more. Sir Felix prefers simplicity anyway."

"If that is what you want," Mrs Bennet replied. "You are still happy with your dress though? That is not too fancy, is it?"

"I like the dress," Mary said. "You have chosen well. I shall get ready now. We are running out of time." Mrs Bennet nodded and went to get the dress.

"You still look nice, Mary," Elizabeth told her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Sir Felix will like it."

"To the church?" Bertram asked his brother. They were stood in the hall of Grantholme.

"Yes, I think so," Sir Felix replied nodding. They were among the last to leave. Only Mary and Mr Bennet were left upstairs. They were waiting for Sir Felix to go before Mary made her appearance. The others were already at the church.

They went out of the door. The church was a relatively easy walking distance from Grantholme though a carriage had been arranged for Mary. The courtyard was empty because Sir Felix demanded that no servants be present when he left. He very fond of his staff but still could not face the farewell he knew they would give him. It had been bad enough dealing with an ecstatic Mrs Middleton earlier and it was unnecessary. He was not leaving Grantholme after the wedding. They had not planned an immediate honeymoon because of the time of year but they were considering travelling somewhere in the summer. Sir Felix would have liked to take Mary to the Continent but he did not trust the present situation Monsieur Bonaparte seemed intent on conquering all of Europe. Instead, Mary had expressed a wish to see Scotland so that was a possibility come the better weather. Therefore, it was pointless for the servants to be this excited at him simply leaving for the church. However, he could still feel many eyes on him. There was nothing stopping them watching from the windows.

"Come on," Bertram said. He pulled his brother along until Sir Felix shook himself free of his grasp.

"I am quite able to get there myself," he protested.

"Just making sure," Bertram said. "Are you excited?"

"A daft question, Bertram," Sir Felix replied. "An absence of excitement would not bode well for my marriage, now would it."

Bertram rolled his eyes, "As excited as you are likely to get anyway. Am I allowed to give the same brotherly speech I received from you on my wedding day?"

"No, that was the older brother's privilege," Sir Felix said.

"Still very happy for you nonetheless," Bertram told him. "And proud of you."

"Oh, no gushing from you," Sir Felix sighed. "I have already had my fill today and I am not yet married."

They reached the church gates.

"Shall we go in?" Bertram asked.

"Not yet," Sir Felix replied. He pulled his brother over to their father's grave and stood with his head bowed.

Bertram glanced across at him, taking in his profile. He had never taken to contemplating over the grave as Sir Felix did. He did not believe their father was confined to this one place so did not see the point of this. Their parents were watching over them regardless of where they were. It calmed his brother, though, so he was grateful for that.

"Now I am ready," Sir Felix said.

Sir Felix smiled as he stood with Mary in front of the vicar. Mrs Bennet had been right to make such a fuss about Mary's dress. It suited her very well, he thought. She was finally to be his wife in a few words time. He still found it surprising that he should be stood there getting married. He had honestly thought he would never find somebody he deemed as suitable to tempt him into matrimony. He was glad he had. Everything he had hoped for in a wife he had found in Mary. She may not be some great beauty, indeed according to others it was debateable whether she was even pretty (he disagreed) but he did not care. He liked her rare smiles, now more frequent when she was with him, and he liked her solemn looks. He did not trust girls who smiled too much. They were far too lively and playful for him. He personally did not think it boded well for conversation with them. He did not want to talk with somebody who was forever teasing or witty. He wanted a serious discussion and insisted on proper answers not something that bordered on showing off. That is what astounded him about Mary. He had first made conversation with her reluctantly and with little expectation but had been pleasantly surprised. It had not been love at first sight, he found that impossible, but she had grown on him. He had enjoyed each discovery he had made about her character, her opinion and her interests. He could not imagine himself standing here at that moment with anybody else. She was truly the best thing that had happened to him.

Mary looked at Sir Felix as he listened intently. It has still not registered that he was to be her husband. It struck her once again that he was a very elegant man, even more so today when he was dressed up. She still could not believe he was hers. She was sure they must look strange together as she had never been able to look well dressed. She hoped she not prove to be an embarrassment. She hoped people would not view Lady Calder as dowdy. It would not be fair to him because he was so distinguished. He assured her he did not think like that and she believed him but it would take some time before she got used to everything. He helped though. She would be glad not to be Mary Bennet anymore. This would be a new life with no comparisons or disappointments because she was not like her sisters. She knew it would not be perfect and there would be difficulties but she also knew that she would never lose his love. She may not know much about affairs of the heart but she knew Sir Felix Calder. That is what amazed her. She had never expected to be so familiar with another person but she was with him. She could tell what he was thinking at this moment as he stood in front of her. He said his vows so clearly and confidently with that look in his eyes. Neither of them was aware of anything but themselves and the vicar.

Bertram could not help the joyful expression on his face even though he knew it was probably wrong to be grinning so much in a church. His brother looked very happy. It was a rare occurrence. He had always been used to him being so serious and unemotional. He was a rock to Bertram in many ways than just support. Mary had changed him. He had seen his brother smile more than he ever remembered and there was a new peacefulness about him. Sir Felix had once told him that he lived for his (Bertram's) happiness above anything else and that had worried him. He had been concerned about him shut away at Grantholme after he had married Kitty and it had made him uneasy whilst he had been in London. Now he had no reason to be anxious. Mary have him a new purpose. They made the most ideally suited couple that Bertram had seen in a long time. He personally thought Mary was the female version of his brother. They may talk of things that were incomprehensible to him but they understood each other. Now all was needed was Grantholme to be filled with miniature Felixes and Marys. He smiled at that thought. A whole family of deeply profound individuals. Grantholme was certainly going to be a perplexing place for him in the future.

Mrs Bennet dabbed her eyes as Mary said 'I do'. A baronet for a son! And a handsome one at that. She wished they could be prevailed upon to leave Grantholme. She could imagine herself showing him off around Longbourn and Meryton. It would certainly put Sir William Lucas in the shade. He was only a tradesman that had had the fortune to be knighted. Sir Felix was a baronet (a baronet!) with a long pedigree. She had seen the portraits not to mention it was obvious that Grantholme Hall had history. It was a pity neither Sir Felix nor Mary (Lady Calder!) were inclined to be sociable. It was an opportunity she hated to miss. Nobody at home would be able to top this. Mrs Long's niece had recently become engaged. To a lawyer! Nothing that compared with Mary's baronet. All five of her daughters had married well for even Lydia had handsome Mr Wickham and his uniform. She could certainly congratulate herself on a job well done.

Mr Bennet was pleased. He would be lying if he said he always thought Mary would marry well. She was not Elizabeth or Jane after all but this felt right. Sir Felix as a match for Mary was nothing that he had imagined but the element of surprise was always welcome. It was a son-in-law he could relate to and he had a feeling this one would become a favourite, if only for the promise of his abundant library. He would be sad to lose Mary, though, after Lizzy she was the daughter most like him. He would miss her company at Longbourn. There was nobody left he could talk to. At least Grantholme was not so far from Pemberley. It would be easy to visit both houses. He was thankful that Mary had found somebody that would help her blossom, though. She looked very happy stood at the altar with him.

The ceremony seemed to be soon over and the new couple made their way back up the aisle. Sir Felix had a firm hold on his new wife's hand, for once not caring about being in public. Upon leaving the church they were met with a crowd of Grantholme villagers. They had been looking forward to the day since Sir Felix's engagement had been announced. It was a big event for them and a cause of much celebration. Their lives revolved around the estate at Grantholme and Sir Felix was a well-liked landlord. They were genuinely happy that he was to be married and very curious to see the new Lady Calder.

"Goodness!" Mary whispered to Sir Felix in surprise as she took in the mass of smiling faces.

"You will get used to it," he whispered back. He kissed her cheek to the delight of the crowd. "We will not have any peace until they find something else to amuse them." He was smiling though. He was grateful for a contented tenantry. He took her hand again and they walked out of the churchyard

Mary smiled as she tried to adjust to being the object of so much interest. It was overwhelming but pleasant. They all were happy to see her. Nobody looked disappointed with the new Lady Calder as she feared they would. A young girl came up to her.

"I could only find holly," she said and gave Mary a sprig with lovely red berries on. "There are no flowers." She then looked at Mary's bouquet in awe. "Where did you find those?" she asked, forgetting her manners.

"They are made of silk," Mary replied, swallowing her nerves. She took one out and gave it to her. "There you are."

"Thank you!" the girl curtsied then ran off back to her mother. "Mamma, look! It is almost real."

"You are a natural," Sir Felix said softly as Mary turned back to him. "And have now found a favourite."

He boarded the open-topped carriage that was waiting to take them back to Grantholme Hall and helped her up. They sat then turned and waved as the carriage set off.

"Well then, Lady Calder," he said, smiling, once they were out of earshot. He took hold of her hand.

"I will have to get used to being called that," she said. "Oh, Felix, I am very happy." She looked into the joyful face of her husband and smiled.

He put his hand up to caress her cheek then leant across to kiss her. "I wish we were not returning to a full Grantholme. I would much prefer to be alone with you."

"Locking ourselves in your study would be rude," Mary told him.

"Not even married an hour and you can read my mind," he said. "What am I thinking now?"

"Thoughts that should be left in the bedroom," she replied, laughing.

"It is also occupying your mind," he decided. "It is most unlike us. You look lovely."

"I am going to agree for once," she said. "I cannot believe we are married." She then looked up as the house came into view. "That is my home now."

"And for that I am very grateful," Sir Felix said. "Grantholme is complete now."

"Two hours of being sociable," Sir Felix muttered to Mary. "I am rapidly losing my conviviality." It was only a small wedding party, the Bennets, Darcys, Bingleys and Calders, but it was still very trying for him. He was unable to do his usual practice of standing alone in a corner because he had to speak with people.

"Felix, behave," Mary told her husband. "They are here to celebrate our marriage."

"It has been celebrated sufficiently," he complained. "At least by other people who have very short memories. I remember how eager Bertram was to leave after his wedding to be alone with Kitty and I cannot imagine Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley were any different. Why must we suffer?"

"I am equally desirous to have you to myself but it would be rude to tell them to leave," she reminded him.

"It is my house," he grumbled. "We cannot even use the excuse of having to travel." He then grinned, "But they do. Do you reckon it looks like snow? They had better go soon to avoid the snowstorm that I believe is forecasted."

"Felix!" she smiled. "It will have the opposite affect. Mamma will probably insist she stays here if you frighten her with threats of bad weather. We will never be rid of them then."

"Let us hide then," he said. "We are married now. Nobody can censure us for shutting ourselves in a room. Look around, there is food to eat and they will find their own entertainments. We have been stood here for a while now and no one has come up to us."

"Do you really think we could?" she wondered. She looked into his eyes and they both smiled mischievously. He grabbed her hand and they went to make their escape.

"Oh no you do not!" they heard Bertram's voice from behind them. "That is rude."

"Brother," Sir Felix turned in disappointment as Mary gave a frustrated sign.

"Naughty, naughty," Bertram said. "Deserting your guests is not very nice."

"Neither is putting us through this torture," Sir Felix replied. "Your absence is desired."

Bertram shrugged his shoulders. "Everybody is quite content at the moment. Miss Darcy is thinking of playing for us soon, there is still food to eat and…" he then noticed something, "Mrs Bennet and Mrs Middleton are getting on very well considering they have been at each others throats for the past three weeks. I knew they had the makings of a great friendship."

"Very nice, Bertram," Sir Felix said. "Time to go. I want to be alone with my wife. You owe me for helping you and Kitty escape from your wedding celebrations."

"Fine, I will see what I can do," he said and went away.

"And that is how we get our guests to leave," Sir Felix said triumphantly.

"Peace, at last!" Sir Felix exclaimed to Mary as they watched the last carriage leave. "Come on, let me show you Grantholme."

"I have seen Grantholme," she smiled as she let him lead her away.

"Not these parts. You have seen my library, you have wondered why it did not have as many books as you imagine and now I shall show you," he took her up some steps and then some more so Mary guessed they were going into the tower.

"Is there a bedroom up here?" she asked. "The idea of a room in a tower is a romantic one."

"There was and Bertram thought the same as you," Sir Felix replied. "When he was younger he decided he wanted to sleep in there. It lasted three weeks before he tired of always being late to breakfast because he was furthest away. Now," they stopped outside a door. He unlocked it and pushed it open with a flourish, "I have taken it over!"

"Good heavens!" Mary looked around in astonishment. It was undisputedly a 'book room'. They were on shelves and then piled at least six foot high on the floor leaving narrow paths around them. "Felix! I have never seen anything like it. Do you know where everything is?"

"Each pile is carefully organised," he replied. "They are alphabetical according to the author, starting with 'a' nearest the door. The shelves are grouped by subject, however, and they tend to be the books I used the most but not as much as those that are in the library or my study. There is a number on the inside of the back cover of each one." He picked up a ledger. "This is a catalogue of all the books I own. It has the aforementioned number plus the title and author. It is slightly neurotic, I know, but I cannot help it."

"You have made me quite fearful of reading them," Mary said. "I am afraid I will mess your system up."

"Do not be," he reassured her. "Just put them back correctly otherwise you may send your poor husband insane. Next door are my antique books. They have mainly been passed down the generations but there are some I have acquired over the years. Some of them I was reluctant to remove from the library but I trust them nowhere near Bertram. He eats and drinks whilst he is reading and gets his sticky fingers all over, even at the age he is now. I need to give you this," he passed her a key. "I keep the doors locked at all times."

"So this means more than the wedding ring," she said smiling. "True commitment from Felix Calder is a key to his book rooms."

"I knew it was love when you returned a book I lent you unblemished," he said.

"I want to kiss you but I have visions of knocking over a pile of books," she told him. "I think it would be an immediate passion killer."

He smiled and pulled her out the door. They did kiss but not before he locked the door first.

"I will show you our bedrooms now," he said.

"Bedrooms?" she asked.

"Yes, propriety demands the existence of a mistress' chamber and a master's chamber in a house as fine as this." They walked along the corridor after leaving the tower. "My room," he said as they passed a door, "And your room," they went in the next room.

"Obviously 'propriety' is not expecting an heir," she said in disappointment. She wanted to spend the nights wrapped in his arms.

"Luckily my forebearers found a solution," he drew back a tapestry on the internal wall shared by the two rooms and there was a door. "We can maintain an outward appearance of respectability as needed and nobody will know what happens behind closed doors. Once we have retired for the night we simply nip through here."

"Then I shall be spending little time in my own bed," she said.

"We can take it in turns," he told her.

"No because your bed is bound to be the most comfortable," she said. "I am not a fool."

"Mary," Sir Felix started as they sat in the bed in his chamber. They were undressed and in their nightclothes. "I have to confess I am clueless as to what happens next." He placed his arm around her.

"You have never…?" she asked. She was equally unsure. She had found the 'instructions' she had received from other women to be highly embarrassing.

"You are only the second woman I have ever kissed," he replied. "Let alone the other. I promised myself that my wife would be the only woman I would sleep with."

"Then we are in the same boat," she smiled, partly out of uneasiness. "Do you think it comes naturally?"

"Surely," he decided. "Otherwise we would not procreate. Not everyone can have experience of these things at first. For all my learning it has not prepared me for this. I think I am a fool." It was a new feeling for him. Never had he been out of his depth before. This was nothing he could get out of a book. "All I know is that I love you."

"My mother just told me that my husband would know what to do," Mary said.

"Oh dear," he said, smiling. "We are done for. Bertram took it upon himself to educate me on the ways of the bedroom. I have never been so uncomfortable and I shall never look at him the same again." It had been a disturbing experience. He had not expected his sweet, little brother to be so…sensual. "Bertram and Kitty, by all accounts, are very active in the bedroom."

"All four sisters," Mary shared. "Even Lydia. She sent a letter about it."

"Really?" he said astonished. "What did you do with it?"

"I read it with disbelief then burnt it," she replied. "I have never known anything like it!" she laughed. "I am content to just look at you at the moment."

"I am curious," he admitted, blushing. "Your nightgown holds much promise. I cannot believe I am even saying this!"

"Can it be that hard?" Mary mused. "The presence of children in so many married couples means it cannot be that difficult to master. Our parents…"

"No! No! No!" Sir Felix shouted. "Do not go any further, please, the image it is creating may make my head explode. It is bad enough imagining my brother…" He frowned as Mary laughed. "Argh, Mary! You have done it now." He looked at her wide-eyed. "How can you not be traumatised? Your mother," he said, mischievously.

"Felix!" she protested. "Mrs Middleton," she tried to get her own back. "Oh! Mr and Mrs Collins have a son," she went quiet. "Oh! No!"

"You are going through every married couple we know, though it pains you to do so," he said knowingly. "I have stopped at the Bentleys. Any more and I think we will be having a celibate few months."

"It is horrendous!" Mary exclaimed. "The worst thing is I have no personal experience so my mind is providing the details from what I have been told. No, change the topic, Felix, please talk of something else!"

"Cuddle me instead," he said. "I can cuddle, at least." She snuggled up to him.

"You are very bony," she complained.

"I cannot help the way I am made," he said. "I am tall and skinny. What did you expect?"

"Your clothes hide it well," she said.

"I have a clever tailor," he said and kissed her. Then again and again, "Mary, I…"

"Go on," she said. "If it hurts I will stop you but please go on."