Author's Note: Half Chapter 15

September 1812

Darcy was looking at the note Mrs. Reynolds had given him minutes ago with a frown. A month ago, his cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam, had returned from the continent, and for his bravery in battle, he had been promoted to General and given a knighthood.To celebrate such an important occasion, the Matlocks were going to throw a 5-day party at their estate and a grand ball.

Unfortunately, he could not refuse to attend, Richard besides being his cousin, was his best friend. He would have to postpone his trip to Rosings and Sandstone for almost a week, and he was very irritable.

For the last few months, he had devoted his heart and soul to working with Pemberley's steward and the tenants to finish planning Pemberley's harvest as soon as possible, so he could be reunited with his Elizabeth. The Gardiners visited Pemberley for just one day in August, and they told him that Elizabeth was already settled at Sandstone.

He thought about her all the time and missed her even more than years ago. He realized that, before he simply loved her, but now in addition to loving her with devotion, he respected her and there was nothing and no one in the world more important than her. He wasn't going to be such a fool and let her go again, he was going to fight for her, and his happiness to the last consequence.

A few days ago, he bought a beautiful engagement ring that he had designed for her. He did not want Elizabeth to wear the same ring that had belonged to his mother and later to his cousin Anne. His marriage to Elizabeth, he was sure, was going to be very different from his parents and his own; it was going to be a love marriage and not one of convenience. Reluctantly, he answered his uncle's invitation, and three days later he departed to Matlock. From there he would go directly to Rosings and then to Sandstone.

At Matlock, there were about 20 people invited for the 5 days of festivities and about 50 for the grand ball. Lord Matlock was very proud of his youngest son and all that he had achieved on his merit; Richard was 37-year-old and it was time for him to get married and never risk his life on the Continent again. Unfortunately, most women of the Ton wanted to marry rich men or heirs, as they were used to going shopping and spending a lot of money. Richard only had £10,000 to his name, which wasn't even enough for him to support his lifestyle.

Darcy was the last to arrive, and he was also the most anticipated guest of his cousin Richard, the Matlocks, and Lady Victoria and her family.

In the months since Darcy had been seen at the theater with Elizabeth, several ladies of the Ton had seen him more than once in Hyde Park in the company of the same woman and a little girl. But since there was not an announcement in the paper, they assumed he was still single.

Although Lady Victoria no longer had an interest in Darcy, she was still annoyed by the teasing of some of her friends and acquaintances when the gentleman suddenly transferred his attention to an unknown lady. Even at the last ball, Darcy attended, even though her father chatted with him, he didn't ask her for a set and left before dinner. Since there was no other gentleman as handsome and rich at the party, in these five days, she planned to flirt with him, only to reject him when he asked permission to court her. It was a pity that General Sir Richard Fitzwilliam who seemed to like her, did not have enough money...

On the first night of the party, Richard had a chance to talk to Darcy about his experiences in the battle where he was wounded and about his plan to resign his commission.

"…I am so tired of the war, I have already seen so many horrible things and suffering that when I close my eyes every night, it's too hard to fall asleep. I also have recurring nightmares where I hear the screams of my compatriots and even enemies asking for help during and after a battle. I was lucky that in the last battle I survived, but several friends died, and I was only left with a slight limp and a few scars. Since I joined the army, I have killed more than thirty men simply because they were 'enemies', and I often wonder what is the point of killing someone you do not know just because it is your duty to your country." He paused and continued, "Due to my injuries, I won't be able to return to the continent, and that makes me happy in a way. I do not want you to think that I am not a patriot or that I am a coward, I love my country and I will defend it to the death, but I have already seen too much suffering and I just want peace.

Darcy nodded, he was the only one Richard told of his sorrows, fears, and the horrors he had witnessed in the war. He also knew that Richard had nightmares and pangs of conscience and depression.

"I have money saved, I know it's not enough, but if your offer still stands, I would like to partner with you to start breeding horses in Rosings or Pemberley for sale. I have decided that I am going to completely retire from the army."

"I am very happy to hear that you have made that decision. The offer continues, as usual, I already lost Georgiana, and I don't want to lose you in battle. Even if you want, you can move to Rosings Park and live there. After your party is over, I guess you'll have to go to London to resign your commission. I am going to be in Rosings indefinitely, so you are welcome to go there whenever you want."

"Thank you very much, Darcy, is there a problem at Rosings?"

Darcy smiled, he knew that Richard was going to find out or maybe he already knew about Mrs. Harrison, so he told him, "If you call 'PROBLEM' that very close to Rosings lives a lady with whom I am deeply in love, and I fervently want to marry her. So YES, there is a big problem… that I want to fix as soon as possible."

Richard looked at him curiously, he didn't know that Darcy was in love with a lady, and genuinely asked, "A lady, forgive me Darcy, but who is she?"

"Her name is Elizabeth Harrison, but you knew her as Elizabeth Bennet."

When he heard that name, Richard was visibly shocked. He remembered that his cousin had been in love with Elizabeth Bennet many years ago, but he did not know she had reappeared in Darcy's life, nor that his cousin still had feelings for her. He also remembered she was a very pretty, intelligent, and pleasant girl, and there was a scandal associated with the Bennets that prevented his cousin from marrying her. He knew that his father Lord Matlock would oppose the marriage and would try to persuade Darcy to do his 'duty' and marry an heiress. For his part, he was going to support Darcy in any way he could, his cousin was rich, and he didn't need more money or connections, besides he had already suffered too much and it was time for him to be happy. After recovering from his surprise, with a smile, he filled two glasses of brandy, gave one to his cousin, and with a slight smile replied: "That is a serious 'PROBLEM'. Here's to the health of Elizabeth Harrison, and I hope she will soon be Elizabeth Darcy. You have my unconditional support cousin."

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Setiembre 1812

Darcy miraba la nota que minutos atrás le había dado la Sra. Reynolds con el ceño fruncido. Un mes atrás, su primo Richard Fitzwilliam, había vuelto del continente, y por su valor en batalla lo habían nombrado General y le había otorgado el título de Sir. Los Matlock para festejar tan importante ocasión iban a hacer una fiesta de 5 días en su hacienda que culminaba con un gran baile.

Lamentablemente no podía negarse a asistir, Richard además de ser su primo, era su mejor amigo. Tendría que posponer por casi una semana su viaje a Rosings, y ver a Elizabeth… y eso lo tenía muy malhumorado.

Los últimos meses se había dedicado en cuerpo y alma a trabajar en todos los detalles asociados a la cosecha de Pemberley, para poder volver a ver cuanto antes a su Elizabeth. Los Gardiner habían estado solo un día de visita y por ellos supo que Elizabeth estaba ya instalada en Sandstone.

Todo el tiempo pensaba en ella y la extrañaba incluso más que años atrás. Se daba cuenta que, si bien antes la amaba, ahora además de amarla con devoción, la respetaba y no había nada ni nadie en el mundo más importante que ella. No iba a ser tan tonto y dejarla ir de nuevo, iba a luchar por ella, y por su felicidad hasta las últimas consecuencias.

Días atrás había mandado hacer un hermoso anillo de compromiso que el mismo había diseñado. No quería que su Elizabeth usará el mismo anillo que había pertenecido a su madre y posteriormente a su prima Anne. Su matrimonio, estaba seguro, que iba a ser muy distinta al de sus padres y al suyo, iba a ser un matrimonio por amor y no por conveniencia. Con pesar, contestó afirmativamente la invitación de su tío, y tres días más tarde salió rumbo a Matlock. Desde ahí se iría directamente a Rosings y posteriormente a Sandstone.

En Matlock, unas 20 personas habían sido invitadas para los 5 días festivos, y unas 50 para el gran baile. El conde Matlock estaba muy orgulloso de su hijo menor, y quería que a sus 37 años se casara y no volviera a arriesgar su vida en el continente. Lamentablemente la mayoría de las jóvenes de la alta sociedad querían casarse con hombres ricos o herederos, ya que estaban acostumbrados a ir de compras y gastar. Richard solo tenía a su nombre £10.000, que ni siquiera eran suficientes para que el pudiera mantener ese estilo de vida.

Darcy fue el último en llegar, y además era el más esperado tanto por su primo Richard, como por los Matlock y la familia del conde XXXX.

En los meses que había pasado desde que lo habían visto en el teatro con Elizabeth, varias damas de la alta sociedad, lo habían visto más de una vez en Hyde Park en compañía de la misma mujer y una niña. Pero como no había aún ningún aviso en el diario, asumían que aún era soltero.

Lady Victoria, si bien había perdido interés en Darcy, aún estaba muy molesta por las burlas de algunas de sus amigas y conocidas cuando el caballero dejó de un día para otro de prestarle atención. Incluso en el único baile que se habían visto, y aunque su padre estuvo conversando con él, Darcy evitó bailar con ella y se fue antes de la cena. En estos cinco días, a falta de otro caballero de mejor prospecto, pensaba coquetear con él, solo para rechazarlo cuando pidiera permiso para cortejarla. Era una pena que el General Fitzwilliam - o mejor dicho Sir Richard - que parecía apreciarla, no tuviera suficiente dinero…

En la primera noche de la fiesta, Richard tuvo oportunidad de hablar con Darcy sobre sus experiencias en la última campaña y hablar de su plan para poder renunciar a su comisión.

"Darcy, estoy muy cansado, ya he visto tantas cosas espantosas que cuando cierro los ojos todas las noches, me cuesta demasiado dormir. Además de las recurrentes pesadillas de los gritos de mis compatriotas e incluso de los enemigos pidiendo auxilio durante y después de un combate. Tuve suerte que, en la última batalla, logré sobrevivir y solo quedé con una leve cojera y unas cuantas cicatrices. La guerra es horrible, desde que entre en el ejército, he matado más de treinta personas, y muchas veces me pregunto qué sentido tiene matar a alguien que no conoces simplemente porque es tu deber." Hizo una pausa y continuo, "Debido a mis heridas, no voy a poder volver al continente, y eso en cierta forma me alegra. No quiero que pienses que no soy patriota o que soy un cobarde, amo mi país y lo voy a defender hasta la muerte, pero ya he visto demasiado sufrimiento para varias vidas."

Darcy asintió con la cabeza, era el único al que Richard le contaba sus penas, temores y los horrores que había presenciado en la guerra. También sabía que Richard tenía pesadillas y cargos de consciencia.

"Tengo dinero ahorrado, sé que no es suficiente, pero si aún sigue en pie tu oferta, me gustaría asociarme contigo para empezar a criar caballos para la venta. Voy a retirarme por completo del ejército."

"Estoy muy contento de escuchar que has tomado esa decisión. Ya he perdido a Georgiana, y no quiero perderte a ti en batalla. La oferta sigue como siempre. Incluso si deseas, puedes mudarte a Rosings Park y vivir allá. Después que termine tu fiesta, supongo que tendrás que ir a Londres a renunciar a tu comisión. Yo voy a estar en Rosings por tiempo indeterminado, así que, eres bienvenido a ir para allá cuando desees."

"Muchas gracias Darcy, ¿hay algún problema en Rosings?"

Darcy sonrió, sabía que Richard se iba a enterar o quizás ya sabía sobre la Sra. Harrison, así que le contó, "Si llamas 'problema' que muy cerca de Rosings vive una dama de la cual estoy profundamente enamorado, y deseo fervientemente desde hace años casarme con ella, entonces si hay un gran problema… Que deseo solucionar cuanto antes."

Richard lo miró curioso, no recordaba que Darcy le hubiese hablado de una dama en los últimos años, y genuinamente le preguntó, "Una dama, perdóname Darcy, pero ¿quién es ella?"

"Se llama Elizabeth Harrison, pero tú la conociste como Elizabeth Bennet."

Al escuchar ese nombre, Richard visiblemente se sorprendió. Se acordaba que su primo había estado enamorado de esa joven muchos años atrás, pero no sabía que había vuelto a aparecer en su vida, ni que su primo aún tenía sentimientos por ella. También recordaba que era una muchacha muy linda, inteligente y agradable, y que hubo un escándalo asociado a los Bennet que impidió que su primo se casara con ella. Sabía que su padre Lord Matlock se iba a oponer a ese matrimonio, e iba a tratar de persuadir a Darcy para que cumpliera con su 'deber' y se casara con una heredera. Por su parte, iba a apoyar a Darcy en todo lo que pudiera, su primo era rico, no precisaba dinero ni conexiones, además ya había sufrido demasiado y era hora de que sea feliz. Después que se recuperó de su sorpresa, con una sonrisa, llenó dos vasos de brandy, le dio uno a su primo y con una leve sonrisa le contestó, "Ese si es un grave 'problema', brindo por la salud de Elizabeth Harrison y espero que en poco tiempo sea Elizabeth Darcy. Tienes mi apoyo incondicional primo."