Chapter Twenty-five

Needs: A Pride and Prejudice Exploration

Once they were seated Elizabeth attention was directed to Colonel Fitzwilliam who immediately started to question her. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed that his cousin grew more and more uncomfortable with each inquiry…about her home, family members, education, the final straw was,

'How long will you be staying at Pemberly?'

It was Fitz who answered,

"Miss Bennet and her sister's stay at Pemberly is at my discretion. The two of them met Georgiana in Ramsgate and have been asked to allay my sister's isolation with their exceptional company. The three of them are housed together in the family rooms next to a room assigned to their personal maids."

With that statement, Richard looked Fitz in the eye and said,

"Darce, I am a soldier, as such, I am an information gatherer, I guess my job requirements have leaked through at this social gathering."

Addressing Elizabeth he continued,

"If my questioning has been offensive, please excuse me Miss Bennet."

Then turning his attention back to his cousin he stated,

Darce, I think the last apology I offered you was when we were respectively nine and eleven…"

"I believe you were 'gathering information' at that time also. I cannot remember exactly what it was that you were attempting."

Smiling, then Darcy said,

"Apparently you did not have to put on his majesty's regimentals to be proficient at that task."

"So right you are, Darce. Old habits die hard."

By this time Elizabeth had to control herself. She was on the verge of unacceptable laughter at the dining table. She feigned a cough to hopefully dispel the lump in her throat and looked at the gentlemen on either side of her and said,

"Now children, play nice."

The Colonel's attempt to disguise his guffaw was not successful. and he received his mother's reprimanding stare, with which he responded with a general apology to all seated at the dining table.

Once everything had quieted down the Colonel simply said to Fitzwilliam,

"As usual, you come out smelling like a rose and my mother will now spend time with me with instructions of how a gentleman is to conduct himself while dining. Soldiering does cause a 'wearing thin' of such attitudes and grace, for living in a tent, eating the worse food, or viewing a corpse littered battlefield are all foreign to a gentleman's life experiences. Every time I return home I have to review what is expected of me and at occasionally something falls through the cracks."

"Richard, you know you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere at Pemberley, come and stay there for awhile."

"That is a most welcome invitation."

"At the risks of displeasing mother, let me take up your invitation in two days."

"You are welcome any time you wish to come."

Richard nodded and then attacked his food with relish. His description of cold, unappetizing food forgotten at that moment.

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The men withdrew for the cigars and drink and the women left the dining room to allow the staff to set the room to right. Once the women were in the parlor Lady Matlock found Elizabeth and then took her to each woman and introduced her as Georgiana's friend visiting from Hereforture. The women were gracious and as the two would depart from each person or group Elizabeth heard little snippets of comments, 'certainly a lovely young lady, wonder about her family, amazed that Mr. Darcy had brought her to the diner…" Such was the starting of the gossip mill's 'grinding'. For in truth, gossip with fertile imagination worked hand in hand to create what could rightly be described as the formation of a nine foot 'Goliath'.

When the men had rejoined the ladies Darcy immediately went to Elizabeth to determine if there was any service he could perform on her behalf. Smiling she said that again his aunt had made her feel most welcome. She also informed him of her formal introduction to all the women guests and explained that she was certain gossip would be circulated about her appearance at this dinner.

"Do you feel uncomfortable about that situation?"

"You promised you would protect me from harm so should I worry?"

"That is true, for I will now take matters into my own hands."

Signaling for a maid Darcy took Elizabeth out through the doors leading to the garden. Signaling for the maid to seat herself on a bench a distance away, he took her down to a set of benches out of 'earshot, and seated her. Then walked away from her, turned and faced her with his admission,

"Elizabeth, enough is enough…You have captured me, my heart, mind, body and soul and I ask you to accept my hand and make my life complete for without you I see a life that is unbearable."

There was a pained look on her face as she refused to look up at him.

"Fitz, do you truly know what you are saying? You did not imbibe too much strong drink when in male company?"

Placing his hand under her chin he drew her eyes to his,

"Elizabeth, there have been many steps taken to give you a clue as to where my desires lay. No other female, outside my family addresses me with the familiarity that I have afforded you. When you descended the stairs this night, I knew I had to offer for your hand. You cannot know the torment I have experienced when I am in your presence and am unable to touch you, to hold you close. Please Elizabeth, please give me a favorable answer."

Her smile reached her eyes as she replied,

"Fitz I will marry you. But I feel that perhaps it would not be good for me to continue under your roof as your betrothed. I will return home and leave Mary at Pemberley with Georgiana. Of course, you will have to seek my father's permission…"

The look of joy on his face brought a change to his countenance, as if the burden of his responsibilities had been lightened. Once they returned to the room he was going to tell his aunt about the true state of affairs. She would not have to know the proposal had just been offered, but that she had just been informed about the true state of affairs. So although the mill would turn, the news would end the maddening activities of the ton's mothers in their efforts to pair their daughters with the Darcy name, properties and wealth without any effort to know him as a person and it was in the latter matter Elizabeth had excelled.

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While seated between the two cousins Elizabeth was able to observe the friendly banter between the two of them. Each one recounting incidents from their childhood that just reinforced their deep affection for one another. Elizabeth was fully aware that as the second son, Richard had to make his own way in the world. She was under the impression that Richard's father had purchased his commission so that he entered the military with rank, although without training of any sort. Although the indication was he was an excellent marksman and a fencer extraordinaire, talents that could lend themselves to his ability to excel in this new position in life, he had not seen active duty as yet. Although, with the rumblings in France there was a distinct possibility that would not remain so. So, there was a chance that this entertaining, engaging, talented young man might one day find himself far away from home, on a battlefield somewhere on the continent. Elizabeth hoped that would not be the case for him. Perhaps his father's place in government would allow strings to be pulled to prevent Richard from being put in harms way. What Elizabeth did not know was that Richard was looking forward to an opportunity to show his true worth and come out from the shadow of his father and older brother. He was ready to distinguish himself.

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Lady Matlock had the card tables brought in and had insisted that Elizabeth be her partner in Wisk. The two of them did well together and the Lady mentioned that if it had been a game involving money they would have done even better. Smiling Lady Matlock said to Elizabeth,

"Next time we two will break the bank."

Afterwards several of the ladies entertained with song or music on the piano or harp. This session was kept to just an hour and then coffee and desert was served. Three different cakes and pies were offered and Fitz came over to ask her preference. In the meantime, the Colonel came came with small samples of each desert to tempt her. Fitz rolled his eyes at his cousin and said,

:Showoff!"

To which Richard replied, with a deep bow,

"Always ready to do my duty as a soldier in His Majesty's service."

His statement was followed by a haughty laugh.

Turning to Fitz Richard solemnly said,

"I do not have much longer to torment you Fitz. Let me have my freedom."

Looking directly at Elizabeth, Fitz stated,

"There is just one freedom you are not allowed."

Nodding, Richard said,

"I would never do that Darce, even if my life depended on it."

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It was almost midnight when the guest started leaving All were appreciative of an enjoyable evening. Lady Matlock took Eliabeth to the side and said,

"See what you can do to soften up Fitz's edges. He really needs someone he can talk to."

Elizabeth responded with,

"First, I thank you for a most enjoyable evening and secondly, Fitz knows that I am available if he needs to get my opinion."

Sometimes what men need is a sounding board. Just someone to listen and not be judgmental. I think you are more than qualified to serve in that capacity. I call that interaction, 'friendship'."

"I will do my best Lady Matlock."