Early July 1812 – Darcy House, London

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was the second son of the Earl of Matlock. Since his elder brother and wife had two very healthy sons, the likelihood of his assuming the title was scant. This did not trouble Fitzwilliam unduly since he had a good familial relationship with his elder brother. Nevertheless, he looked on Darcy more as a brother than cousin and was possibly closer to him than his own brother. Fitzwilliam's income and prospects were such as to provide him with a comfortable life but insufficient to afford a wife. He was not a handsome man but had quickly learned to be amiable and pleasing in most company. Despite his amiability, he was a professional soldier with a proven history in battle. His amiability masked a strong intelligence combined with a prudent leadership. He bought a Lieutenant's commission and, only when he felt ready, did he allow his father to purchase a Captain's commission. Subsequent promotions to Major and then Colonel were won on the field of battle. He was not a 'hell-for-leather' leader. Plans and actions were thought about and preparations were usually extensive before troops were led to battle; but lead them he did, enduring the same risks as his men. This was the man who sat down with Georgiana and Darcy.

Dinner was quietly pleasant. Fitzwilliam was his usual amiable self with his ready fund of stories, gossip and teasings. Both Georgiana and Darcy were quiet but were engaged in the conversation and only someone truly familiar with Darcy would have noticed his extra effort to appear engaged in the conversation. Under Fitzwilliam's gentle teasing, Georgiana's animation gradually increased and her low laughter became more frequent as the meal progressed. At last, Fitzwilliam pushed himself away from the table and stood.

"My compliments to Cook, Darcy. She has created a superb meal once again. After consuming barrack food all week, it's a delight to eat something that doesn't insult the stomach." Looking at Georgiana, he asked. "Georgiana, could you indulge us with some music?

"Of course, Richard. Do you wish for anything in particular?" Georgiana asked as she led the way to the music room.

Richard looked at her and said "Yes, I think I do. Darcy, could we have a glass of port?"

As Darcy filled two glasses from the sideboard, Fitzwilliam moved across the room to the pianoforte and looked through the sheet music placed beside the instrument. He selected a couple of pieces and quietly asked Georgiana if she knew them. After her assent, he asked her to play them interspersed with other quiet pieces.

Georgiana gave him a rather quizzical look and asked "Certainly, but why?"

"I will tell you tomorrow, if I can."

Fitzwilliam moved away from the instrument and settled into the comfortable armchair behind Georgiana forcing Darcy to sit on the settee where Fitzwilliam could observe him somewhat unobtrusively. Both men sipped their port and listened as Georgiana began to play. As the music flowed from Georgiana's fingers, Fitzwilliam could see Darcy relax and, when those pieces he had requested were played, saw Darcy's face gradually become more introspective. Georgiana played for an hour and only stopped when Fitzwilliam stood and walked over to the pianoforte.

"Thank you Georgiana. That was delightful as always. As our Aunt Catherine would say, you have become a true proficient. … now Darcy, how about a billiard game or two?"

Darcy stood, stretched and replied with a snort. "Certainly, as long as you are prepared to lose another guinea or two… Georgiana, my thanks and appreciation as well. Off to bed with you and I'll see you in the morning. I believe we are going to the Art Exhibit in the afternoon, are we not?"

"Thank you both and yes brother, we are and I am very much looking forward to it." With which Georgiana left the two men who then moved towards the billiard room. As they walked, Darcy first checked to make certain that Georgiana was out of hearing and then asked Fitzwilliam if he had received orders to take his regiment to Spain. Upon receiving a negative reply, Darcy noticeably relaxed but now really began to wonder as to the reason for Fitzwilliam's visit.

After entering the billiard room, they both availed themselves of the brandy decanter and racked up the balls for the first game. Discussion for the next hour was sparse with most comments restricted to calling the shots. Jibes and teasing comments were tossed back and forth - as between two men intimately comfortable each with the other - and another glass of brandy was consumed in relative harmony. Finally Fitzwilliam felt the time was right.

While getting them both another brandy, Fitzwilliam looked over at Darcy and said. "William, your game is really off tonight. I cannot remember the last time I won a couple of guineas from you at billiards."

Darcy shrugged and gave a dismissive wave of his hand and settled down in one of the comfortable chairs by the fireplace. Fitzwilliam took the opposite chair facing Darcy and continued. "As I am sure you realize by now, my visit tonight was for a purpose. My parents and Georgiana have all become increasingly concerned about your recent discomposure and moodiness. Mother was going to speak to you but I asked to do so instead. I did not say as much to Mother but I thought I might have more background knowledge and also that you might be more comfortable talking to me than to her. Am I not right?"

Darcy seemed to sink a little deeper in his chair and simply responded. "I am not prepared to discuss this, with you or my aunt, at this time, Richard. Please desist."

Fitzwilliam quietly considered Darcy for a few minutes and then stated. "William, you know you will talk to me at some point. You always do. However, this time I am going to do most of the talking at first. All that I ask, is that you listen to me without interruption." He paused to organize his thoughts and began.

"While I had noticed some discomposure in your manner prior to our visit to our Aunt Catherine, I really became concerned when we returned to London. It was obvious that something was amiss with you then. Fortunately perhaps, I was too involved with the training program and exercises for my regiment to be able to devote much attention to it. I say fortunately because I think the lapse in time allowed me to get some perspective on the matter. In any event, I talked to Georgie on several occasions during this period and she provided some information, both interesting and revealing."

"The first sign of a change in your behaviour was following your return from visiting Bingley in Hertfordshire. According to Georgie, you actually returned to London several weeks earlier than originally planned. As well you were abstracted and somewhat melancholy over Christmas and afterwards."

"Then we come to our visit to Aunt Catherine. The first oddity was the decision to call on the Parsonage. I put that down to the presence of Miss Bennet and the fact that you had also been introduced to Mr. And Mrs. Collins in Hertfordshire. However, your inclination to make additional calls as our visit progressed was odd since you normally avoid such contacts whenever possible."

"The next oddity, if that is the appropriate word to describe your behaviour, was your manner when in Miss Bennet's company. For someone deliberately seeking company, you were even more reticent than normal. I noticed as well that you watched Miss Bennet constantly, but, when Miss Bennet looked at you, your face seemed to freeze and almost became more withdrawn than normal, only softening when her eyes were focused elsewhere."

"Next to come to my notice was the manner in which Miss Bennet responded to you those evenings when she was visiting our Aunt Catherine. From my observation, Miss Bennet was not well pleased with you but since Miss Bennet is basically very civil, I could be wrong but it seemed to me that her impertinence was sharper or more biting when directed at you."

"I will not comment on our trip back to London other than to note an almost complete lack of conversation. After we returned to London, I recollected your rather conspicuous absences in the mornings during the last se'enday of our visit. You seemed to take morning walks quite frequently. The fact that Miss Bennet was also inclined to take long walks in the morning, and the coincidence of timing, only occurred to me later. Fortunately, our Aunt did not notice anything untoward. I believe or suspect that you were walking with Mis Bennet."

"One thing I should mention is that, during my last walk with Miss Bennet a day or two before we left, I mentioned your recent effort to protect Bingley from what you considered a most imprudent match. Since Bingley was in Hertfordshire from Michaelmas last year, I am not too hesitant now to assume that the lady concerned lived in Hertfordshire and was known to Miss Bennet. Certainly she was extremely unhappy and displeased with your efforts."

"Finally there was the evening when the Collins and guests were invited to dine at Rosings just prior to our departure. Miss Bennet was not of the party and you quickly disappeared leaving me to make excuses to our aunt. I did not see you again until the next day. You looked absolutely dreadful - as though you had not slept the night before. Your request that I apprise Miss Bennet of all the particulars concerning Wickham, including the Ramsgate incident, shocked me completely. I could not understand your purpose at that time. I would have complied with your request but Miss Bennet was, as I later informed you, not present during my visit to the parsonage later that day."

Darcy roused himself and looked like he was about to comment. Fitzwilliam quickly held up his hand and said "Please, William, let me finish."

At Darcy's reluctant nod, Fitzwilliam continued. "That, for the most part, represents the facts that I had to work from. I would now like to tell you what I have concluded."

"First, I believe you have developed a strong attachment to Miss Elizabeth Bennet which began in Hertfordshire. Second, I seriously question whether your attachment is reciprocated. I rather suspect the reverse. Third, I believe you and Miss Bennet had a serious argument on the evening you disappeared from Rosings. The objects of your disagreement I can only guess at, but I strongly suspect that Wickham was one of them. Finally, I am convinced that your attachment to Miss Bennet is unabated, hence your behaviour since returning from Rosings. Are these valid conclusions?"

Fitzwilliam paused to allow Darcy to respond but he seemed lost in thought. At last Fitzwilliam spoke softly once more. "Cousin, I should tell you this in all honesty. This may be the only time I envy your freedom to choose or regret that I am a second son. If I had had the means to support a wife, I would have followed Miss Bennet to Hertfordshire to court and win her hand in marriage. If you have any feelings for her, you must act on them. She is worth the winning."

Darcy sighed and spoke so softly that Fitzwilliam could barely hear the words. "I did ….and she refused my offer."

Fitzwilliam jerked upright in surprise. "What, she refused you? Why? How?"

When Darcy did not respond, Fitzwilliam spoke again more calmly. "William, you must tell me what happened and what was said. I suspect that for some time now you having been reliving the event over and over in your mind endlessly. You have my deepest sympathy. I can see that her refusal has pained you deeply but I think you need to talk to someone and I am here, willing to listen and not likely to kick you too hard when you are done."

Fitzwilliam spoke more quietly still. "Come cousin, talk to me."

Gradually Darcy began to talk and as the words began to flow, his anguish, anger and humiliation flowed with them. The story was incoherent at first but with a few quiet questions, Fitzwilliam began to grasp the essentials. He leaned back and regarded his cousin carefully, considering how best to approach the next step. Another brandy was definitely in order and he refilled their glasses and gave himself more time to think. Darcy seemed to sink even deeper into despondency.

"William, I am trying to grasp what happened." Fitzwilliam spoke slowly. "I admit to a considerable degree of shock at first and it is quite possible that I have not understood everything. Perhaps if I summarize my understanding of your offer and the response of Miss Bennet, it would help both of us to see things more clearly."

Fitzwilliam attempted to control his voice to eliminate any sense of censure as he began his summary. "First you told her you loved her against your character and will. Then you described how unworthy she was to be your wife – I believe the word degradation was used, was it not? - and then you asked her to marry you. Am I correct so far?"

Darcy grunted.

Fitzwilliam snorted. "I will take that as a Yes! At that point she accused you of ruining the hopes of her elder and favourite sister – the one she walked three miles through muddy roads to nurse – by separating her from Bingley whom she loved. I won't comment on your response to this accusation. Then she accused you of depriving Wickham of a valuable living. And then, basically she called you arrogant, conceited and possessed of a selfish distain for the feelings of others. Is this a reasonable summary?"

Darcy growled. "You left out that I am the last man she would ever marry."

"William, you obviously believed Miss Bennet to be expecting that you would make an offer but it is equally obvious that she did not. That suggests you did not make your intentions clearly known beforehand because I am pretty confident that, if Miss Bennet had had any inclination of such an interest, she would have very clearly dissuaded you. It also seems to me that you really do not know the lady very well."

Darcy looked at Fitzwilliam oddly. " I fear you are correct, Richard. In the past I have been careful to avoid any efforts by match-making mothers to attach my interest to their daughters. I never had to learn to court or be amiable to any lady of consequence. In Miss Bennet's case, early in our acquaintance, I made every effort to hide my interest in order to avoid raising her expectations. Obviously I was very successful in that at least. I was always at war with myself. I was becoming attached to her and fighting it at the same time. Her poor connections, lack of social status and the truly awful impropriety of her mother and younger sisters seemed to be insurmountable hurdles."

Fitzwilliam took a sip of his drink and said. "Well, I am glad you wrote her a letter explain the dealings with Wickham. Telling her the reasons for acting as you did with Bingley may help as well. I admit I am not altogether pleased with your role there simply because I don't think you were well qualified to know the heart of the lady concerned. How often were you actually in close company with her and Bingley? However, what truly upsets me were your actions – or rather, your lack of action – in regard to Wickham. I think Miss Bennet's reference to selfish distain for the feelings of others was very much in evidence there, even if Miss Bennet was not aware of it."

Darcy's head snapped up at Fitzwilliam's blunt statement. "I was trying to protect Georgiana."

"Nonsense, you could have exposed Wickham as a liar, a cheat, a gambler and a seducer without involving Georgiana at all. You essentially cared so little for the residents of Meryton and Longbourn that you could not make any effort to protect them against him. You are an intelligent man. How hard would it be to quietly let a few people know the details of his propensity to accumulate debts that are never paid, to leave behind debts of honour and his success at seducing the daughters of tradesmen? You could have spoken to his commanding officer at the very least. You left a woman you professed to care about, completely unprotected. People in the area invited you into their homes, dined with you and treated you with civility and this was how you repaid them. This was badly done cousin, very badly done!"

Fitzwilliam shook his head. "Well, it is too late now, the damage appears to have been done." He paused for several seconds and then looked at Darcy quizzically. "You know I rather suspected that Miss Bennet held you in low esteem before I mentioned to her anything about Bingley and her sister. Just as a matter of curiosity, when and how did you first meet her?"

"I have been going over that in my mind for the last few months." replied Darcy. "I can remember all of my contacts with Miss Elizabeth. It was at a local assembly held a day or two after we arrived in Netherfield. Bingley wanted to attend and dragged the rest of us along with him. I definitely did not want to be there. I am afraid I made my displeasure obvious to everyone."

"Ah, the famous Darcy glower designed to curdle milk and scare match-making mamas into the next room."

"Yes, well…... Bingley and I were introduced to Miss Elizabeth's mother. Bingley immediately solicited the next dance with the eldest daughter and Mrs. Bennet then tried to get me to dance with one of the remaining four. I was rather offended at her presumption but simply bowed and walked away. Later on Bingley annoyed me further by trying to get me to dance. He pointed to Miss Elizabeth who wasn't dancing at the time and sitting nearby. I made some stupid comment – designed solely to get Bingley to leave me alone. I had not thought it was heard by anyone else but I suspect now I was wrong."

"What did you say?"

"I don't remember exactly but I think I called her tolerable but not tempting enough to dance with. I believe I complimented the eldest Miss Bennet by saying she was the only beautiful woman in the room."

"Ahhhhh … well at your first meeting you managed to insult Miss Elizabeth twice and possibly a third time. That was certainly not a comment to be made in a public setting. No wonder she had a low opinion of your gentlemanly qualities. It's also no wonder Wickham's words fell on fertile soil."

Darcy ran his fingers through his hair, stood, stretched and began to pace. Fitzwilliam could see the old Darcy starting to emerge. He decided to wait until Darcy revealed his thoughts. Finally Darcy spoke.

"Richard, I appreciate this talk. My thoughts have been so confused that I hardly knew where to start. There is so much justice in Miss Elizabeth's charges against me. And while I am sure she has absolved me of blame regarding Wickham, the other charges are all too correct. I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principal. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principals, but taught to follow them in pride and conceit. I was spoiled by my parents, who though good themselves (my father particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing, to care for none beyond my own family circle, to think meanly of all the rest of the world, to wish at least to to think meanly of their sense and worth compared to my own."

"I cannot say you are too hard on yourself, William. But chastising yourself is less important than correcting these faults. What do you intend to do about it?"

"I know that, as hard as it will be, I must attempt to remedy my mistake with Bingley. I may well lose his friendship over this but my honour demands that I tell him about Miss Bennet and my participation in those activities which separated her from him."

"When do you propose to do so?"

"Bingley is in the country at the moment, up north somewhere I believe. I have invited him and his sisters to Pemberley in August. That seems like the most appropriate time. I want to talk to him and explain my thoughts. A letter, in such a case, may spare my feelings but at his expense."

"I agree, though if he were in town now I would suggest acting immediately. How do you plan to address the major issue – your attitude towards and treatment of those outside your small circle?"

"I do not know. I expect that I will simply have to deliberately make the effort to converse and maintain a more amiable countenance. It will not be easy to undo the habits learned over the course of twenty years."

"There appears to me to be two more things to consider. First, you must tell Georgie a little bit of what has happened. Not everything obviously but enough to satisfy her concerns. This is your story and you must be the one to tell her something. She is old enough now to understand much of what happened. Second, and more important, what do you intend to do about Miss Elizabeth? You obviously still hold her in strong affection. I know that she was angry with you but you may have, or be able to, address two of the major complaints she charged you with. If you can show her that you have also changed, her opinion could also change. She is worth the winning, is she not?"

"I will try and talk to Georgie tomorrow. It won't be easy. As to the other, I am hopeful that if Bingley resumes his attachment to Miss Jane Bennet, I will be able to meet Miss Elizabeth frequently enough to show her, and possibly tell her, that her words were taken to heart."

Fitzwilliam nodded his head, looked at his watch and asked Darcy to put him up for the night since it was too late to return to his rooms in the barracks. Both gentlemen retired for the evening, satisfied with their evening's discussion.