Chapter 13

Darcy sat in his saddle, a pleased smile on his face. Elizabeth liked him, he thought happily. She had told him, blushing, at the end of their walk that walking in the morning was one of her favorite things to do and that she made a habit of it at home and hoped to continue to do so at Matlock. Darcy was well aware that it was a preferred habit of hers and to make sure he had not misunderstood her, he had asked if she would object to company on her walks. She had cautiously told him that if the company was as pleasant as it was this morning she would not object, but that she walked often and she did not wish any of the household to feel obligated to accompany her. He had in turn assured her, the company had every intention of being pleasant if she would accept his escort on her walks and that he did not consider it an obligation, but a privilege.

Her words had not been the invitation to walk with her every morning Darcy had first hoped they were, but rather a way of asking if she would be permitted to do so at Matlock by her hosts. When she had ended the exchange by saying she enjoyed his company and look forward to it again, he had felt a wide smile appear on his face and had quickly pursed his lips against the proposal that wished to pour forth. Instead of asking her to keep him company forever and always, all of his days, nights and mornings, he brought her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on it, that caused Elizabeth to blush and duck her head shyly as a smile he had never seen grace her features in the company of anyone appeared. A smile he instinctively knew was all his and for him alone. It was the unconscious smile Elizabeth would only give to the man she was falling in love with. Darcy had realized the importance of that smile, though Elizabeth had not.

…

Elizabeth admitted that she had never been indifferent or immune to Darcy. It was her instant attraction and connection to him that had made his words at the assembly so much worse. She had attempted to guard her heart against the handsome, intelligent gentleman by disliking him in Hertfordshire. The man he presented himself to be now though it was almost impossible to guard her heart against.

Yes, he was still proud and arrogant, but what man that had made his estste a success and increased his wealth and the comfort of those that depended upon him at such a young age, would not be confident in himself and his place in the world? Such confidence was rather attractive. Darcy knew exactly who he was and what he was made of. He had no patience for falseness or idleness. He met his challenges head on, and with determination. His age and experience had shaped him into a formidable man, but he was not as cold as she had assummed. He had shown an ability to be playful and warm reccently, as well as protective, that when coupled with his other traits increased his attractivness to Elizabeth. She suspected she would be able to temper his pride and ease his manners. Her heart she acknowledged, just might end up claimed by the gentleman from Derbyshire.

…

Lady Matlock smiled inwardly to herself as she observed Elizabeth, it appeared the young lady would be someday calling her Aunt Susan. The smile she had directed at Darcy as he had helped her into the carriage, boded well for her nephew's intentions. Georgiana would be thrilled. Lady Matlock hoped that Elizabeth would be able to draw out her quiet niece once the two met.

…

Col. Fitzwilliam frowned as his young cousin explained how their Aunt Catherine attempted to gain entry to Darcy House a few hours ago. He had spent the morning observing and meeting with other officers to fulfill his cousin's charge. Darcy had considered paying Wickham a sum to agree to marry Lydia but was worried Wickham could make further trouble for Elizabeth and himself with Lady Catherine's support since he would have heard of the initial refusal of Collins offer and consequent support. Having been inolved in Lydia's ruin he would not hesitate to appeal to Lady Catherine for money to not marry Lydia, ensuring the parson and Elizabeth's supposed engagement stood. Such action would also alert Lady Catherine that Darcy did indeed have an interest in the Bennet's affairs. Seeing as how Darcy House's butler and Georgiana both reported that she was headed to Hertfordshire, it would appear his cousin was wise to have him look for other more reliable options. The notion of presenting Meryton Society with a whirlwind courtship for a week or so before a proposal and wedding by common license a week or so later, in defference to the groom needing to be at his new post, would not work anymore with Lady Catherine and Collins in the area. He would need to get the situation resolved in a few days. Which narrowed down his choices to who might be willing to consider Lydia as a bride.

His baby cousin had heard it all from the drawing room. She flushed when she admitted that she was to terrified of Lady Catherine to attempt to help keep her from the premises and had hidden in the drawing room. She had then asked her cousin if her brother's unexpected travel had to do with Elizabeth. Upon hearing that he was escorting that very young lady to Matlock with Lady Matlock, Georgiana had let out a squeal and then asked if they could leave two weeks early for Matlock and go right away. Col. Fitzwilliam was sorry to disappoint the excited girl, but told her that he first needed to stop in Hertfordshire to take care of some business there.

"I could go with you," Georgiana said timidly. "And then you would not need to come back to London for me."

"I am afraid, poppet, that it would not be wise for me to bring you. I anticipate the situation in Hertfordshire may be deteriorating," Col. Fitzwilliam told her gently. "Quite a few unsavory characters appear to be gathering there."

"Oh," Georgiana said softly. Then with more animation as an idea occurred to her. "But what if when she can not find brother or Miss Elizabeth in Hertfordshire she comes back here to force me to Kent with her."

The colonel frowned at this. It was not something he had considered. If Lady Catherine successfully coerced Georgiana into going with her, something his charge would not wish to do, but Lady Catherine was a force to be reckoned with, she would try and use Georgiana as leverage. He found it easy to believe that if the idea of kidnapping Georgiana occurred to his aunt she would simply do it. The servants would undoubtedly stop her, but it would create a distressing situation for Georgiana and the household. She would be safer with him.

With a sigh, Col. Fitzwilliam said, "Have an overnight bag packed, we leave early tomorrow. I trust Mrs. Annsley can see to contacting your masters in regards to your lessons. Your brother won't like it, but he would like Lady Catherine storming the gates of Darcy House and attempting to remove you even less. Luckiky I will have a few officers traveling with me on my business to help provide protection for you."

"Thank you Richard!" Georgiana exclaimed, throwing her arms around her cousin. "I cannot wait to meet Miss Elizabeth. She sounds absolutely marvelous."

"This isn't a pleasure trip, Georgie," Col. Fitzwilliam reminded her sternly. "Or at least not this first part. Though, I imagine Matlock should provide some unusual entertainment this year. We may be rushing to Matlock depending on what we find at Longbourn. It appears our aunt has gotten a bee in her bonnet about Darcy being involved, which means she will consider both Pemberley and eventually Matlock. We were all counting on Darcy having a few weeks to woo Miss Elizabeth at Matlock before the parson discovered she had fled and another related situation had been resolved."

No one had wished to further concern and upset the Gardiners and Elizabeth, so they had not mentioned that Lady Catherine was the meddling type to assit her parson and would hunt Elizabeth down. If they had just been dealing with a parson with the resources of a regular parson, the Gardiners' plan of sending Elizabeth away would have worked, Col. Fitzwilliam thought grimly. As it was, unbeknownst to the Gardiners and Bennets, Lady Catherine was the true advesary, not Collins.

"Does the situation that needs resolving have anything to do with your trip to Hertfordshire?" Georgiana asked shrewdly.

"What's this? Just how did you get to be so smart, poppet?" Col. Fitzwilliam asked raising an eyebrow.

"I could help," Georgiana offered eagerly.

"The greatest help you could give me, and your brother, would be to help him woo Miss Elizabeth once we get to Matlock. My business in Hertfordshire is not the type for you to become involved with."