Rated: PG-13 for things implied and innuendos.
Chapter two: Lessons and Love part 1
Mr. Darcy was just about to succumb. Yes was on the tips of his tongue. He was ready to go against his very old-fashioned belief that women should not be allowed near weapons. The man should protect the women. (Elizabeth is still in the process of reforming him; he can't help himself, the poor dear) Mary and Kitty looked at him with anticipation. He was going to grant them their wish.
Georgiana rounded the corner.
Mr. Darcy looked at his beloved sister. If he succumbed now, his sister would be able to take advantage of that and ask for whatever she wanted. He would become indulgent. Then everyone would whisper behind his back that he was soft and an easy mark. No, he mustn't allow that to happen. (Sometimes men can get so irrational, j/k)
"I am sorry but I must deny you that request." Mary was quite shocked at this turn of events, however she had perfected the poker face. It was necessary when responding to the absurd requests of her mother without bursting into belly laughs. Peacock feathers and pink boas, indeed!
"Sir. Then I must say I am quite disappointed. You will just have to wonder how the story will end. Will our beloved heroine, Belinda survive her encounter with the wicked Don, will she find true love, and will she find the treasure to rescue her poor papa?" Mary teased.
"Mary, I myself am disappointed that you have read the novel." Kitty said. "Shocked that you would allow yourself to be sullied." Kitty continued teasingly.
Mary laughed, "I did not need to read it. All novels are the same." Turning to the disappointed Mr. Darcy, "Which is why I am quite disappointed in you. You must set an example to the young unformed minds in the village and at home. What does Elizabeth think of this horrid habit?" Elizabeth, who had been eavesdropping at the door, chose this moment to make her entrance.
"I think it is appalling and find myself very disappointed. I must think of a suitable punishment." Her eyes twinkled. Mr. Darcy found himself thinking naughty thoughts. Elizabeth gave him a sly wink that none, but he could see.
"Yes. I am very ashamed. Of course, I would need to be punished. Hehe." He let himself be dragged off by his wife.
Kitty turned to Mary in puzzlement. "Did you hear that? I do believe he giggled. Whatever was the giggle for?" Mary, as the elder by one year, responded as an older sister only can when confronted with something unknown. She patted Kitty's hand.
"I'm sorry. You are too young to know." Kitty made a face.
"I bet you don't know either." Mary responded as only an older sister can respond when found out by the younger sister. She stuck out her tongue. "Go AWAY! I need to practice this piece."
"Hmph. I don't need to take this." Kitty, sticking out her own tongue and pulling an eyelid down making a hideous face at Mary, left in search of Georgiana. She needed a new dress for the ball that they were having next month anyway.
* * *
"My heart." They were lying in bed in a tangle of sheets and limbs.
"Yes." Here motions languorous as she stroked his chest. It was quite a magnificent chest. It must be all that swimming he does, thought Elizabeth.
"Mary wanted to learn how to fence. Kitty wanted to learn how to shoot and ride. I said no. No novel is worth that." Elizabeth smiled. He was sometimes so overly macho. Of course, she loved it when he was so macho. Hmm. Yum.
"Darling, that was definitely the right answer. Can you imagine? Mary has absolutely no grace!" She sent a silent apology to her sister. "I remember when she was but a wee little child. She was reading and she accidentally crashed into a table which lost its footing which…well let's just say, the new rector of our church never came to visit ever again."
"How old was she?" He asked laughingly while pulling her close to him.
"I do believe this occurred a few months before we married." Mr. Darcy lost himself in thought at the mention of their nuptials. It was a perfect day and he had a goddess beside him. He sighed, he carried that memory forever in his heart. The wedding night was remembered and reenacted everyday. "Hehe."
"Darling, whatever was that giggle for?"
"Come here my pretty and let me show you." Elizabeth laughed. Her husband loved her as only a man violently in love could.
* * *
"Georgiana, what a lovely dress. Is this the one you plan on wearing to the ball?" Kitty asked. The dress she held up was a lovely baby blue.
"Yes. Cousin Ian brought it for me when he came to visit."
"Ian? Oh yes, Colonel Fitzwilliam. He looked very dashing in his redcoat." Georgiana smiled at her friend. Her affection for men in red was quite well known. Kitty herself turned a lovely shade of red when she realized that she had been caught daydreaming.
"I think he fancied Mary for a while. He flirted with her for a dreadfully long time."
"Dear Georgiana, did he neglect you? Well, the next time I see him, I'll be assured to remind of his familial duties as a cousin and guardian, even if he is wearing that lovely red coat." Ladylike giggles filled the room at this statement and later were followed by an unladylike snort.
"Georgiana! A lady does not snort! She quietly titters behind a handkerchief, being sure to hide her teeth." Of course, Mr. Bennet was quite up to date on modern hygienic and insisted that their teeth were brushed after every meal so the Bennet girls and of course, the Darcys have lovely white teeth.
"That was not I! Kitty, prevarication is a sin!" Retorted a red Georgiana.
"No it isn't. It is only frowned upon. Besides, I do not snort. I am much to ladylike." This was answered with a disbelieving snort, which set off another round of giggles.
* * *
Mary was walking about Pemberley looking for a spot to read. The house was lovely, but it was much too loud to concentrate. She kept hearing odd noises coming from upstairs and Kitty and Georgiana were having hysterics in the drawing room. She had even gone in to lecture them.
"Georgiana and Kitty, I am very surprised at you. Laughing hysterically is for one thing, not very healthy, and two, very unladylike." For some reason, this set them off again and Mary, annoyed slammed the door shut and grabbed the first book in the library. She stormed off.
"Ahh, what a lovely spot." It was a beautiful spot overlooking the pond. There were lovely primroses everywhere and the great big willow shaded her from the worst of the Sun's rays. She reached spread the large book in her lap.
"iSpanish for Dummies/i." Mary shrieked in rage. The birds squawked their distress at the sound and took flight. "Is everyone out to mock me?!?" She settled down after a long scream. Screaming was always helpful for her to relieve her stress. Living with Mrs. Bennet was very stressing and she often took long walks into the woods to release tension. Mary would never admit it, but she was quite the outdoorsy type.
One of the barn cats landed on Mary. Bereft of prey, it had decided to take a consolation prize. Mary studying quite studiously unconsciously rubbed the cat. Deep purrs resounded.
"What a pretty kitty you are. What is your name little one?" Purrs answered her.
"I will just have to name you myself! Do you like Fitzwilliam?" Noting the cat's complete lack of interest, Mary chuckled.
"I don't really care for the name too much either. Such a mouthful! Of course, Mr. Darcy is a wonderful brother-in-law," Mary looked around making sure no one had caught her praising him. She wouldn't want others to think she had gone soft. "But really Fitzwilliam! I think when they have a son they should decide not to torture the poor boy."
"I will just have to tell Mr. Darcy you said that." A man suddenly appeared from behind the tree.
"Sir, I demand to know who you are." Mary said in shock at the tall gentleman standing in front of her. He was quite handsome, and he knew it too, Mary thought cynically. Most of Mary's thoughts were cynical, however, and must be taken with a grain of optimism.
Giving a deep bow worthy of royalty, "Earl Wesley of Weston, Lord …" Mary interrupted him, not caring that she was being rude. Besides, he was rude first!
"Yada, yada, yada. Well my Lord," she said sarcastically, "Perhaps you do not know, but eavesdropping on one's private conservation is considered rude by polite society." Liam Harcourt tried to cover his surprise. Most women would have swooned at hearing that he was an Earl. Most women would have swooned knowing he was a iLord/i. Most women would swoon at seeing the sight of a strange man albeit one very handsome. This one did not. She intrigued him, and her lovely flashing eyes only served as incentive.
"My dear, a conversation implies two or more participants such as what you and I are doing now." Glares met his attempt to lighten the mood.
"I was talking to the cat." He tried not to laugh. A cat took precedence over him. How his grandfather would roll in the grave.
"I am offended that you think a cat is a much wittier conversationalist than I. My teachers at Oxford would not be pleased at what you think of my repartee." Mary was seeing red. Georgiana and Kitty had laughed at her, well not really she knew, but she was much too angry to care. The book had laughed at her. She could not roll her R's. And this idandy/i called a Lord was attempting to make her the fool!
"ARGH! I can see that you are very well pleased at your witticisms. So I leave you to them. Good day, sir." Mary gave a quick curtsy and again stormed away in search of peace and quiet. The cat got up and followed.
* * *
"Liam. There you are, old bean." Colonel Fitzwilliam rounded the corner. "Where have you been off too?"
"I just met the most delightful young lady. I came here to look at the primroses and heard this young lady chatting about what a horrid name 'Fitzwilliam' is." He glanced at his friend, and said laughing, "No offense."
"None taken." The Colonel was fascinated. It was not often any young lady, or any young man for that matter, could catch the gaze of the Earl. He was notoriously known for his gambling and womanizing. None of the more extraordinary things true of course, but Weston always did like to fan the rumours and have his bit of fun. He did enjoy (and prefer) the company of women and there were plenty. Matchmaking mamas, every Season, threw their daughters at him hoping one might snag the handsome and wealthy man, a self- confirmed bachelor at the age of 26.
"So who is this young lady?" The Colonel asked wondering about the young lady who had captured his friend's sight.
"Alas, I do not know. She did not give me her name and would not let me finish mine." He looked forlorn at the thought. "I shall never see the little pixie again." He sighed again. "She was really quite lovely. Dark expressive eyes, dark brown hair, and her chest heaves magnificently when she is angry. She was talking to a cat, right there." Looking to the spot beneath the willow where Mary had been, the Colonel saw something on the ground. It was a book and he opened the front cover. "Property of Fitzwilliam Darcy, master of Pemberley."
"Well, whoever this lady might be, she must be a guest at Darcy's. Let's head there now, maybe we'll catch a look at this firebrand of yours." Weston laughed at the nomenclature.
"Hopefully."
* * *
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lord Weston had just been announced.
Mr. Darcy had just come down the stairs to greet his cousin and friend.
"Weston! I haven't seen you in months. You never came to my wedding!" he said accusingly.
"Darcy, I'm sorry old chap! I was stuck tending the old homestead. It's nearly decrepit as Pemberley." Darcy laughed. Pemberley was his pride and joy and not a sense of decrepitness could be seen. White Hall was a magnificent estate, only slightly more magnificent than Pemberley, which Darcy would have been hard pressed to admit.
"Well, apology accepted. Come meet my lovely wife. She is coming down soon. Brandy?"
"No thank you, too early for brandy, how about some port though?"
"Coming right up." Slight footfalls were heard coming down the stairs. Weston turned to see the woman who had made the implacable ice statue known as Mr. Darcy, melt.
She was turned away from him a moment and he saw the outline of her back. It was the same back that had walked away from him minutes before! Disappointed rang sharply through him. So the lovely firebrand belonged to Darcy. He never had a chance. She turned and he gasped.
Darcy frowned at Weston. He just gasped at his wife. Oh no. His friend had just fallen in love with his wife. He knew it wasn't Elizabeth's fault that she was so breathtakingly beautiful that other men wanted her. But they couldn't, hehe, they would never enjoy Elizabeth as he did. She was his. Mine, he fiercely thought. He reached out and hugged her to him. In every action he took, it was clear that Darcy was marking his territory.
Weston wanted to laugh. So this was the lovely creature that captivated Darcy. She was very lovely, but not as lovely as that enticing creature by the willow. He increasingly believed that she was nothing more than a dryad haunting the shades of Pemberley.
"Nice meeting you Mrs. Darcy." He took her hand and kissed it charmingly. Darcy frowned disapprovingly. Elizabeth smiled. The male posturing had not gone unnoticed and she was very amused by it all.
She had lovely eyes as well. Amusement clear in her expressive eyes, eyes quite similar to the ones who had captured his heart. His heart? Weston laughed. He was still so foolish. His heart? After meeting and talking to a young lady for no more than five minutes. Impossible.
The door swung open. Kitty and Georgiana entered and dropped two very neat curtsies. There hysterical laughing had subsided much earlier and the discussion went to dancing and even the iwaltz/i!
"Girls!"
"Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"Cousin."
"I want you to meet a good friend of mine. This is Earl Wesley of Weston, Lord Liam Harcourt."
"Pleased to meet you sir." Weston looked at Kitty. This must be Mrs. Darcy's sister. They have the same features.
Once more the door opened. In strode Mary, pulling off her gloves and wrap. It was she! It was his wood nymph!
Mary saw Mr. Darcy and the Colonel, but did not see Weston. He was minutely hidden behind the tall glasses of port.
"Colonel Fitzwilliam, how nice to see you again. Have you read that book I recommended to you on your previous visit?" The Colonel spluttered in an attempt to quickly answer.
"Miss Bennet, I'm very sorry to say that I have not had the time to look at the literature you so igenerously/i recommended."
"Well, see that you do find the time." Mary said in a voice that would do any military man proud. She noticed the book in his hand.
"You found my book!" The Colonel looked at the heavy book in his hand, forgotten in his fear of Mary's possible castigation of him.
"This is yours?"
"Not mine, obviously." She said it as if the Colonel were very slow. "It is from Mr. Darcy's library, if you bothered to open it. I was borrowing it in hopes that I would learn something new." The Colonel was shocked. This was the 'firebrand?' Well she certainly was something.
Weston chose this moment to announce his presence. He stood up from his seat. Too bad for him that Mary had chosen that moment to leave.
Chapter two: Lessons and Love part 1
Mr. Darcy was just about to succumb. Yes was on the tips of his tongue. He was ready to go against his very old-fashioned belief that women should not be allowed near weapons. The man should protect the women. (Elizabeth is still in the process of reforming him; he can't help himself, the poor dear) Mary and Kitty looked at him with anticipation. He was going to grant them their wish.
Georgiana rounded the corner.
Mr. Darcy looked at his beloved sister. If he succumbed now, his sister would be able to take advantage of that and ask for whatever she wanted. He would become indulgent. Then everyone would whisper behind his back that he was soft and an easy mark. No, he mustn't allow that to happen. (Sometimes men can get so irrational, j/k)
"I am sorry but I must deny you that request." Mary was quite shocked at this turn of events, however she had perfected the poker face. It was necessary when responding to the absurd requests of her mother without bursting into belly laughs. Peacock feathers and pink boas, indeed!
"Sir. Then I must say I am quite disappointed. You will just have to wonder how the story will end. Will our beloved heroine, Belinda survive her encounter with the wicked Don, will she find true love, and will she find the treasure to rescue her poor papa?" Mary teased.
"Mary, I myself am disappointed that you have read the novel." Kitty said. "Shocked that you would allow yourself to be sullied." Kitty continued teasingly.
Mary laughed, "I did not need to read it. All novels are the same." Turning to the disappointed Mr. Darcy, "Which is why I am quite disappointed in you. You must set an example to the young unformed minds in the village and at home. What does Elizabeth think of this horrid habit?" Elizabeth, who had been eavesdropping at the door, chose this moment to make her entrance.
"I think it is appalling and find myself very disappointed. I must think of a suitable punishment." Her eyes twinkled. Mr. Darcy found himself thinking naughty thoughts. Elizabeth gave him a sly wink that none, but he could see.
"Yes. I am very ashamed. Of course, I would need to be punished. Hehe." He let himself be dragged off by his wife.
Kitty turned to Mary in puzzlement. "Did you hear that? I do believe he giggled. Whatever was the giggle for?" Mary, as the elder by one year, responded as an older sister only can when confronted with something unknown. She patted Kitty's hand.
"I'm sorry. You are too young to know." Kitty made a face.
"I bet you don't know either." Mary responded as only an older sister can respond when found out by the younger sister. She stuck out her tongue. "Go AWAY! I need to practice this piece."
"Hmph. I don't need to take this." Kitty, sticking out her own tongue and pulling an eyelid down making a hideous face at Mary, left in search of Georgiana. She needed a new dress for the ball that they were having next month anyway.
* * *
"My heart." They were lying in bed in a tangle of sheets and limbs.
"Yes." Here motions languorous as she stroked his chest. It was quite a magnificent chest. It must be all that swimming he does, thought Elizabeth.
"Mary wanted to learn how to fence. Kitty wanted to learn how to shoot and ride. I said no. No novel is worth that." Elizabeth smiled. He was sometimes so overly macho. Of course, she loved it when he was so macho. Hmm. Yum.
"Darling, that was definitely the right answer. Can you imagine? Mary has absolutely no grace!" She sent a silent apology to her sister. "I remember when she was but a wee little child. She was reading and she accidentally crashed into a table which lost its footing which…well let's just say, the new rector of our church never came to visit ever again."
"How old was she?" He asked laughingly while pulling her close to him.
"I do believe this occurred a few months before we married." Mr. Darcy lost himself in thought at the mention of their nuptials. It was a perfect day and he had a goddess beside him. He sighed, he carried that memory forever in his heart. The wedding night was remembered and reenacted everyday. "Hehe."
"Darling, whatever was that giggle for?"
"Come here my pretty and let me show you." Elizabeth laughed. Her husband loved her as only a man violently in love could.
* * *
"Georgiana, what a lovely dress. Is this the one you plan on wearing to the ball?" Kitty asked. The dress she held up was a lovely baby blue.
"Yes. Cousin Ian brought it for me when he came to visit."
"Ian? Oh yes, Colonel Fitzwilliam. He looked very dashing in his redcoat." Georgiana smiled at her friend. Her affection for men in red was quite well known. Kitty herself turned a lovely shade of red when she realized that she had been caught daydreaming.
"I think he fancied Mary for a while. He flirted with her for a dreadfully long time."
"Dear Georgiana, did he neglect you? Well, the next time I see him, I'll be assured to remind of his familial duties as a cousin and guardian, even if he is wearing that lovely red coat." Ladylike giggles filled the room at this statement and later were followed by an unladylike snort.
"Georgiana! A lady does not snort! She quietly titters behind a handkerchief, being sure to hide her teeth." Of course, Mr. Bennet was quite up to date on modern hygienic and insisted that their teeth were brushed after every meal so the Bennet girls and of course, the Darcys have lovely white teeth.
"That was not I! Kitty, prevarication is a sin!" Retorted a red Georgiana.
"No it isn't. It is only frowned upon. Besides, I do not snort. I am much to ladylike." This was answered with a disbelieving snort, which set off another round of giggles.
* * *
Mary was walking about Pemberley looking for a spot to read. The house was lovely, but it was much too loud to concentrate. She kept hearing odd noises coming from upstairs and Kitty and Georgiana were having hysterics in the drawing room. She had even gone in to lecture them.
"Georgiana and Kitty, I am very surprised at you. Laughing hysterically is for one thing, not very healthy, and two, very unladylike." For some reason, this set them off again and Mary, annoyed slammed the door shut and grabbed the first book in the library. She stormed off.
"Ahh, what a lovely spot." It was a beautiful spot overlooking the pond. There were lovely primroses everywhere and the great big willow shaded her from the worst of the Sun's rays. She reached spread the large book in her lap.
"iSpanish for Dummies/i." Mary shrieked in rage. The birds squawked their distress at the sound and took flight. "Is everyone out to mock me?!?" She settled down after a long scream. Screaming was always helpful for her to relieve her stress. Living with Mrs. Bennet was very stressing and she often took long walks into the woods to release tension. Mary would never admit it, but she was quite the outdoorsy type.
One of the barn cats landed on Mary. Bereft of prey, it had decided to take a consolation prize. Mary studying quite studiously unconsciously rubbed the cat. Deep purrs resounded.
"What a pretty kitty you are. What is your name little one?" Purrs answered her.
"I will just have to name you myself! Do you like Fitzwilliam?" Noting the cat's complete lack of interest, Mary chuckled.
"I don't really care for the name too much either. Such a mouthful! Of course, Mr. Darcy is a wonderful brother-in-law," Mary looked around making sure no one had caught her praising him. She wouldn't want others to think she had gone soft. "But really Fitzwilliam! I think when they have a son they should decide not to torture the poor boy."
"I will just have to tell Mr. Darcy you said that." A man suddenly appeared from behind the tree.
"Sir, I demand to know who you are." Mary said in shock at the tall gentleman standing in front of her. He was quite handsome, and he knew it too, Mary thought cynically. Most of Mary's thoughts were cynical, however, and must be taken with a grain of optimism.
Giving a deep bow worthy of royalty, "Earl Wesley of Weston, Lord …" Mary interrupted him, not caring that she was being rude. Besides, he was rude first!
"Yada, yada, yada. Well my Lord," she said sarcastically, "Perhaps you do not know, but eavesdropping on one's private conservation is considered rude by polite society." Liam Harcourt tried to cover his surprise. Most women would have swooned at hearing that he was an Earl. Most women would have swooned knowing he was a iLord/i. Most women would swoon at seeing the sight of a strange man albeit one very handsome. This one did not. She intrigued him, and her lovely flashing eyes only served as incentive.
"My dear, a conversation implies two or more participants such as what you and I are doing now." Glares met his attempt to lighten the mood.
"I was talking to the cat." He tried not to laugh. A cat took precedence over him. How his grandfather would roll in the grave.
"I am offended that you think a cat is a much wittier conversationalist than I. My teachers at Oxford would not be pleased at what you think of my repartee." Mary was seeing red. Georgiana and Kitty had laughed at her, well not really she knew, but she was much too angry to care. The book had laughed at her. She could not roll her R's. And this idandy/i called a Lord was attempting to make her the fool!
"ARGH! I can see that you are very well pleased at your witticisms. So I leave you to them. Good day, sir." Mary gave a quick curtsy and again stormed away in search of peace and quiet. The cat got up and followed.
* * *
"Liam. There you are, old bean." Colonel Fitzwilliam rounded the corner. "Where have you been off too?"
"I just met the most delightful young lady. I came here to look at the primroses and heard this young lady chatting about what a horrid name 'Fitzwilliam' is." He glanced at his friend, and said laughing, "No offense."
"None taken." The Colonel was fascinated. It was not often any young lady, or any young man for that matter, could catch the gaze of the Earl. He was notoriously known for his gambling and womanizing. None of the more extraordinary things true of course, but Weston always did like to fan the rumours and have his bit of fun. He did enjoy (and prefer) the company of women and there were plenty. Matchmaking mamas, every Season, threw their daughters at him hoping one might snag the handsome and wealthy man, a self- confirmed bachelor at the age of 26.
"So who is this young lady?" The Colonel asked wondering about the young lady who had captured his friend's sight.
"Alas, I do not know. She did not give me her name and would not let me finish mine." He looked forlorn at the thought. "I shall never see the little pixie again." He sighed again. "She was really quite lovely. Dark expressive eyes, dark brown hair, and her chest heaves magnificently when she is angry. She was talking to a cat, right there." Looking to the spot beneath the willow where Mary had been, the Colonel saw something on the ground. It was a book and he opened the front cover. "Property of Fitzwilliam Darcy, master of Pemberley."
"Well, whoever this lady might be, she must be a guest at Darcy's. Let's head there now, maybe we'll catch a look at this firebrand of yours." Weston laughed at the nomenclature.
"Hopefully."
* * *
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lord Weston had just been announced.
Mr. Darcy had just come down the stairs to greet his cousin and friend.
"Weston! I haven't seen you in months. You never came to my wedding!" he said accusingly.
"Darcy, I'm sorry old chap! I was stuck tending the old homestead. It's nearly decrepit as Pemberley." Darcy laughed. Pemberley was his pride and joy and not a sense of decrepitness could be seen. White Hall was a magnificent estate, only slightly more magnificent than Pemberley, which Darcy would have been hard pressed to admit.
"Well, apology accepted. Come meet my lovely wife. She is coming down soon. Brandy?"
"No thank you, too early for brandy, how about some port though?"
"Coming right up." Slight footfalls were heard coming down the stairs. Weston turned to see the woman who had made the implacable ice statue known as Mr. Darcy, melt.
She was turned away from him a moment and he saw the outline of her back. It was the same back that had walked away from him minutes before! Disappointed rang sharply through him. So the lovely firebrand belonged to Darcy. He never had a chance. She turned and he gasped.
Darcy frowned at Weston. He just gasped at his wife. Oh no. His friend had just fallen in love with his wife. He knew it wasn't Elizabeth's fault that she was so breathtakingly beautiful that other men wanted her. But they couldn't, hehe, they would never enjoy Elizabeth as he did. She was his. Mine, he fiercely thought. He reached out and hugged her to him. In every action he took, it was clear that Darcy was marking his territory.
Weston wanted to laugh. So this was the lovely creature that captivated Darcy. She was very lovely, but not as lovely as that enticing creature by the willow. He increasingly believed that she was nothing more than a dryad haunting the shades of Pemberley.
"Nice meeting you Mrs. Darcy." He took her hand and kissed it charmingly. Darcy frowned disapprovingly. Elizabeth smiled. The male posturing had not gone unnoticed and she was very amused by it all.
She had lovely eyes as well. Amusement clear in her expressive eyes, eyes quite similar to the ones who had captured his heart. His heart? Weston laughed. He was still so foolish. His heart? After meeting and talking to a young lady for no more than five minutes. Impossible.
The door swung open. Kitty and Georgiana entered and dropped two very neat curtsies. There hysterical laughing had subsided much earlier and the discussion went to dancing and even the iwaltz/i!
"Girls!"
"Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"Cousin."
"I want you to meet a good friend of mine. This is Earl Wesley of Weston, Lord Liam Harcourt."
"Pleased to meet you sir." Weston looked at Kitty. This must be Mrs. Darcy's sister. They have the same features.
Once more the door opened. In strode Mary, pulling off her gloves and wrap. It was she! It was his wood nymph!
Mary saw Mr. Darcy and the Colonel, but did not see Weston. He was minutely hidden behind the tall glasses of port.
"Colonel Fitzwilliam, how nice to see you again. Have you read that book I recommended to you on your previous visit?" The Colonel spluttered in an attempt to quickly answer.
"Miss Bennet, I'm very sorry to say that I have not had the time to look at the literature you so igenerously/i recommended."
"Well, see that you do find the time." Mary said in a voice that would do any military man proud. She noticed the book in his hand.
"You found my book!" The Colonel looked at the heavy book in his hand, forgotten in his fear of Mary's possible castigation of him.
"This is yours?"
"Not mine, obviously." She said it as if the Colonel were very slow. "It is from Mr. Darcy's library, if you bothered to open it. I was borrowing it in hopes that I would learn something new." The Colonel was shocked. This was the 'firebrand?' Well she certainly was something.
Weston chose this moment to announce his presence. He stood up from his seat. Too bad for him that Mary had chosen that moment to leave.