More awkward Howard and Vince time, yay!
It's a hot day today and I think I've gone a little silly. Thank you to everyone who reviewed. It was really nice.
Disclaimer: I really, truly don't own this and don't intend to make any money out of it. Promise.
Sir William stayed only a week with his daughter, just long enough to see that she was happily settled, and entreated Vince to accompany his younger daughter home at the month's end. Vince agreed, having little other choice and resigned himself to several weeks of tedium. Conversation with Charlotte was pleasant, he taught the young Miss Lucas to dance, he took walks, and he made many sketches of the landscapes and animals that he encountered, and he was bored. Dinner with Lady Catherine happened with undesired regularity and Vince kept almost entirely silent during these occasions, instead thinking up new adventures for Charlie, the pink glue monster, and devising elaborate plans of escape from Lady Catherine's mansion.
On one such visit Vince was shaken from his musings by the mention of a name. A name of which he was very fond. Mr Darcy was soon expected and, as much as the news sent a thrill of excitement through his bones, if also filled Vince with fear. The Lady Catherine was very pleased to announce his coming and seemed annoyed that the lowly Miss Lucas and Mr Bennet were already acquainted with him. Charlotte did not mention how closely they were acquainted and Vince stayed silent on the topic and wondered how he would be able to avoid seeing Howard while he was here, for it seemed the only available option. He could not be in Howard's company and not want to re-engage their friendship, let alone do ...other... things with him.
He did not have long to think on is, however, as Mr Collins announced the arrival of Mr Darcy's carriage the very next day and informed them all that there were two of the Lady Catherine's nephews to pay their respects to; Mr Darcy, with whom they were acquainted, and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, the eldest son of Lady Catherine's youngest sister, and to the great surprise of all the party, both the Colonel and Mr Darcy chose to call upon them that same day. Charlotte saw their approach first, from her upstairs window and rushed to tell Vince who immediately turned a shade so pale that it rivaled the white of his shirt. He wondered just how socially unacceptable it was to vomit on a visitor's shoes, for he felt sure that such would be the outcome if he were forced to face Mr Darcy at this moment and pretend that they barely knew one another.
The door-bell sent Charlotte flying down the stairs and Vince followed after her and soon the gentlemen were shown into the parlour. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who led the way, was of about thirty, not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman. Howard looked just as he had when they had met, paid compliments to Mr Collins and his wife with his usual reserve and, whatever his feelings might have been toward Vince, met them all with every appearance of composure. Vince merely bowed to him without saying a word and concentrated on keeping his breakfast in his stomach.
They sat and by accident of design Vince found himself next to Howard, sat slightly apart from the Colonel and Mr and Mrs Collins. He could feel the tension in Howard's muscles through his breeches even though their legs were not quite touching and his heart began to gallop about his chest so loudly he felt sure it would be audible to the other man.
When the Colonel was animately engrossed in a tale of his journey Howard finally spoke, in a soft but nonchalant tone.
"Are your family well, Mr Bennet?"
"Quite," came the strangled reply and Vince swallowed and attempted the answer a second time.
"My eldest sister has been in London these three months. Have you never happened to see her there?"
He knew perfectly well that he never had; but he wished to see whether he had even been aware of her presence, or what had passed between Jane and Miss Bingley, but Howard only looked a little confused.
"I have not been so fortunate as to meet Miss Bennet in Town. That is a shame, she would have made refreshing company if I had but known she was there."
They lapsed into silence again and Vince, as he rested his hands on the lounge by his thigh could barely suppress a shiver as he felt the edge of Howard's finger nudge his own.
It was very nearly nothing, and yet it was more than he had expected. A glance at Howard told him that he had reached out to Vince very much against his better judgement but Vince still felt a flicker of hope at the contact. The visit was concluded all too soon and when they stood to make their bows Vince saw that Howard seemed to be shaking just slightly, and he knew, that to anyone who cared to notice, he was as well.
"Shall you be dining with our aunt while we are here?" Howard asked, turning as he reached the door and trying to seem casual.
"I very much hope so, Mr Darcy," was Vince's reply, and for the first time since being introduced to the Lady Catherine, the sentiment was true.
