Chapter 43

The Colonel had no designs to waste time while in town. He was a man with a sole mission; correcting Darcy's blunder while ensuring he did not deliver himself over to despair. Arriving at Darcy house he insisted on being seen at once. There would be no waiting to be announced, either the butler would show him into Darcy's study, or he would show himself in. The Colonel quite knew what he could get away with.

"Darcy," said Richard as he entered.

Darcy jolted, looking up at the unexpected sound of his cousin's voice. Richard noted his distressed features, clearly weary for lack of sleep and distress. He was evidently driven to distraction, a man tormented, over what he believed could not be made right.

"Richard, I must apologize for abandoning you in Hertfordshire without word, but I'll not speak of it," declared Darcy.

"I've been called back to my regiment, it will be some time until I see you again."

"You've not been stationed on the continent have you?" cried Darcy, aghast at the thought of losing his closest relation. Having so few that he could truly count upon, and with Richard to be counted on as the most reliable, Darcy could not bear the thought of his life being in peril, even for the crown. He cared not that his cousin was a second son, he could value him no less for it. His word was worth something and his habits revealed his self-control, not given to the excess of so many elder sons of the Ton, making him ideally suited to be in company with.

"No, but I had to see you, to straighten out affairs before it was too late."

"Richard, there is nothing to be done for it. I beg of you to leave the matter alone. Mention it no more. It pains me to hear of it."

"Darcy, Miss Elizabeth is not engaged, there must be some dreadful misunderstanding, as Bingley mentioned, Collin's tried to wrest the eldest Miss Bennet from their engagement. I understand you were announced during a great deal of confusion at Longbourn. A quarter of an hour sooner or later and matters would have been self-evident."

"What are you speaking of, I heard it with my own ears?" cried Darcy incredulously, not one to easily give in to the temptation of his hopes, often dwelling instead on his fears.

"Darcy, I must have you hear the truth. It seems Miss Lydia thought you were there to stop Charles from proposing to Miss Bennet, at least that is Bingley's estimation. Miss Elizabeth declined Collins' offer, Collins proposed to Miss Bingley, Collins returned to propose to Miss Jane Bennet, but Bingley beat him to the fight for her hand by mere minutes, as I understand it. That mother of theirs tried to foist him on Miss Mary but she declared she would not have him and he then quit the house in a rage, mumbling about Lady Catherine; who you know won't keep herself in Kent with such happenings. I wouldn't be surprised if she descended on both Miss Bingley and Miss Bennet to declare her opinion on the matter, though my sympathy only extends to one of them.

I tell you also, it is no small matter to keep all of the Miss Bennets' straight, outside the eldest two that is. I had to have Bingley draw me a blasted diagram before I departed, to ensure I keep this matter with the proposals straight. Bloody war battle plans are less complex than that parson's marital designs. Only a gossiping matron of the ton, like mother, would be practiced enough not to take notes on the matter, and still have the ability to keep it all straight." said Richard, vexed, but appreciating it would be quite diverting, had anyone other than himself been trying to mop up this mess. It was like a blasted romance novel designed for debutantes; fools threatening the hopes of young women, suitors mad with love rushing in to save them, a great fool rushing in and causing misunderstanding, disguising his good nature under an ill-temper, and of course a scoundrel bound for the brig.

Such diversions ought to be kept from young women like Miss Lydia is his opinion, he paused to think. At least until she learned how far they usually strayed from the real happenings of life. He could see her dying to be made love to by a "reformed" rake, desperate for his attentions, she should not yet be out, but he was of no mind to bring that matter up with Darcy just yet. Yet it must be done, he would inform his cousin of his most recent dealings with Wickham, as soon as this current mess was cleared up.

Dacy put his head in his hands, attempting to take it all in. The relief was overwhelming, to know that she would not be bound to such a man. He would never have to see her suffering through life as Collins' wife. "Though I am relieved to hear it, I can't believe it improves my chances with her."

"Darcy, I daresay you could not have hurt her so deeply if she felt nothing for you. Bingley is working to ensure she hears of your attempt to correct the matter from her sister and sends his deepest regrets. He urged me to tell you he meant you no harm but was merely attempting to assuage own doubts and find relief."

"I cannot blame him for a situation of my own making. I have no one to blame but my own foolish doings."

"Darcy the situation is hardly unsalvageable, you must go to her, explain yourself, and apologize."

"I hardly think she wishes to hear from me after the wrong I've done to her sister."

"Regardless of what you can accomplish for your own aims, you know well you owe her an apology." Said Richard, striking where he knew he would be most effective. Darcy would not fail to pay any debt, let alone one of apology to that young lady. "Though I think you'll find in your recollection that she is quite forgiving once she's received a sincere attempt at amends. Do explain yourself well. This is hardly the time to make matters worse by sticking your foot in your mouth. Under no circumstance insult anyone in her family, not even her mother."

Could it be so? Could his Elizabeth forgive him? Was there still a chance? Was she truly still unattached? Was it possible this could all be made right? Oh, to know he wouldn't see her waste away at Huntsford, for that at least he could be grateful, regardless of Elizabeth's opinion of him. Yet if there was some chance of making amends with her, he must take it. Glady would he make a fool of himself for a chance with her.

"I understand she will be in town with her sister, helping to see to the shopping for her trousseau. Perhaps you should call on her after you speak with her uncle, in case she isn't inclined to see you."

"Whatever would I say to him?" he said, completely disinclined to spill all of his dealings to a tradesman, whomever his relations.

"Whatever would you say to her in a room full of strangers Darcy? Do you want the two of you to have all the awkwardness of sitting together in company while there is a misunderstanding between the two of you? Do you mean to explain yourself to a whole room? I suggest you speak to Mr. Gardiner and let him know you only wish to clear up a misunderstanding with his niece, ask that he would allow you a relatively private conversation to do so."

Darcy nodded, deep in thought. Wondering if he would be able to gain an audience with Miss Elizabeth? Would she willingly consent to speak with him, even if her Uncle would allow it? He must try, even if the odds were against it.

He was decidedly uneasy about reaching out to the man without any chance to sketch his character in first. It must be done, though he desired to betray as little as possible, prior to taking the man's measure.

Gathering the address from his cousin, he dispatched an immediate letter to Mr. Gardner, seeing the wisdom, though begrudgingly, in the suggestion to meet the man before Elizabeth came to town.

Mr. Gardiner,

I pray that you would call on me at Darcy house at your earliest convenience. I apologize for the intrusion.

Sincerely,

Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, Darbyshire

Darcy couldn't help but continue to be bothered that he knew not what to expect from the brother of Mrs. Bennet. He prayed he would not be equally inclined to force Elizabeth into marriage, nor be equally as mercenary or ridiculous. Darcy further decided that before he settled on how much to share with the man, he should wait and determine his temperament. It didn't sit well with Darcy to be so unprepared for what may be a very important meeting, one that could have the power to dictate his future. But he truly did not wish that Elizabeth should suffer any further family pressure if he revealed a desire to rectify this situation, thus he determined he was right to say as little as possible in the note, hoping it would be enough to induce Mr. Gardiner to come. Though Darcy eventually realized, after some considerable worry, that a man of his station was unlikely to ignore a note from such a prominent gentleman.

"Well, It seems all that is left is for me to beg a room for the night," the Colonel said after seeing the letter dispatched.

"You know that I wouldn't deny you shelter Richard, I would imagine your room is ready. My staff would have seen to it, so soon as they were aware of your presence," replied Darcy, mostly lost in his thoughts.

"Very well, I'll go refresh myself, it wouldn't do to stink of horse over dinner," replied Richard. "I do wish I could stay and meet Mr. Gardiner though, Miss Elizabeth spoke rather well of her aunt and uncle. She credited them with the advantages her and her eldest sister's display."

Darcy perked up, he would have to get more out of Richard. As much as he hated the idea of "winkling" confidences out of someone like a busybody old woman would, he wished to go into this meeting prepared. The last thing he wished to do was lose Elizabeth to yet another misunderstanding. Perhaps going into the meeting distrusting her Uncle was the wrong approach.

"Darcy," Richard said, turning around as he was exiting, "A daresay that a woman like that deserves to be courted properly. What were you about, proposing to her, and in public, without giving her any indication of your feelings first."

Darcy sighed, "I was so overcome with the thought she could marry someone else, I'm ashamed to admit, I thought little of her feelings on the matter. You know well that I was attempting not to raise expectations prior to losing all reason."

"Well, in that you were successful, I would say," chuckled Richard at the irony of his cousin's self-imposed predicament.

Darcy grimaced, he well knew it, so he could but sigh. "Yet you still believe there is hope for a future with Elizabeth?" he questioned, rather desperately.

"If you court her properly and do not rely on being the master of Pemberley, I should say so." Richard bowed and left Darcy to his thoughts. He did not wish his cousin to despair, but it would be a disservice to not give him time to reflect on his failings now that he knew there was hope. It would not do to have Darcy act without thinking again.

There seems to be a distinct desire to be on team Darcy or team Elizabeth in the comments. The first time I read pride & prejudice, much like Elizabeth, I hated Darcy until almost the end. However, after the second read and through the years, I think that they both needed to change before they agreed to a marriage. They both needed to grow up a bit in order to be happy with each other. I don't think they could have ended up happy if she said yes at Huntsfort, they both needed to experience the pain of almost losing the other. What are your thoughts? Are they both sympathetic enough in this story? I certainly don't intend to make her a shrew and him irredeemable.