The Fencing Lesson

Isabelle dressed quickly and grabbed her cloak from the chair it was resting on. As she was fastening it she heard a knock at her door. She was surprised to find Mr. Darcy himself at her door.

"Hello, Ms. Isabelle," he bowed, "May I come in?"

"Yes of course, Mr. Darcy." She showed him inside and took off her cloak.

"Let me just get to the point, Bella. You will not be going to Paris."

"What! What the hell are you talking about? You said that you would make all the arrangements!" His statement had caught her so off guard that she threw away all courtesy.

"I'm sorry, Bella, but the ship that was to carry you to Paris cast off five weeks ago."

"This can't be…I must get to Paris! My career, my studies…what will I do now?"

"I can arrange another for another ship to bring you to Paris, but it will take many months. This is the busiest season for the docks. I will see what I can do for you."

"Thank you, Fitzwilliam, I shouldn't have been so rude. Forgive me." Darcy inclined his head in approval. The rest of the afternoon went on with Darcy and Isabelle conversing over political matters, Elizabeth and the family's health, and what Isabelle planned to do with her studies. Suddenly an idea came to Darcy.

"Bella, would like to learn how to fence?" They had been discussing some of Isabelle's goals; fencing had been a star subject.

"You can teach me?" Isabelle asked excitedly. She had always wanted to know a bit about swordsmanship; her father would have taught her the year of her fourteenth birthday.

"It would be an honor to teach you." At that Darcy made a bow while Isabelle giggled with delight.

"When can we begin?" she asked eagerly. This new hobby would help her take her mind off getting to Paris so quickly.

"Tomorrow afternoon at one o'clock."

The next day Isabelle arrived at Pemberly manor early for her lesson. She was dressed in a white long sleeved blouse, brown trousers, and black boots ̶ Darcy's suggested attire ̶ as she made sure she was as comfortable as possible. She pulled her hair into a bun as Elizabeth met her at the door. Since Darcy was not present, both women decided to take a stroll through the garden. Linked arm in arm, Isabelle told Elizabeth all that had occurred since her last visit. Elizabeth was astonished when she heard of the dream.

"Who do you think it could be?" she eagerly asked.

"I don't know…I wish I did…"

"Oh come now, Bella! Use your imagination! Who do you think it could be?"

"I really don't know, Lizzy. I'm still too flustered about it to figure out who in the world that man could be."

"Well I for one know who it is."

"Oh really, Elizabeth Darcy! Then, pray tell, who could it be?" Isabelle's eyes were shining with glee.

"Your one true love, Bella. Your one true love." Isabelle was silent for a few moments as she contemplated Lizzy's words. Her One True Love… It was a far-fetched theory that's for sure, but it held so much promise and hope that in her heart that a flame of hope was kindled.

"Do you really think so, Lizzy? My one true love.. It's quite unbelievable. I pick the worst kinds of men…" She paused for a moment thinking about David. At this, she hoped that the man in her dreams was amiable and kind; she did not want to repeat her experience with David. After all he did seem dashing enough even with the mask on. To her astonishment, she was not really concerned with what lay beneath the mask, but was more concerned with what lay in his heart.

Isabelle felt Lizzy stir beside her and turned her attention to her friend. Then she saw Fitzwilliam Darcy walking towards them, epee in hand. She saw Elizabeth blush at the sight of her husband. Isabelle smiled inside; her friend was lucky to have such a caring, kind husband.

"Are ready for your first lesson, Bella?" Darcy asked. He was spinning the sword in his hands.

"Ready as I'll ever be, Mr. Darcy." She said with a wide grin. She gently disengaged herself from Lizzy and walked over to Mr. Darcy. He offered his arm and she took it; he then led her to the fencing wing of the mansion.

Isabelle was surprised when she entered through the giant white doors of the fencing chamber. She looked on in awe at the skilled swordsmanship possessed by each who stood in the room. To one side, there was a competition and Isabelle looked on in astonishment as a young man defeated a much more experienced man with a swift jab to the heart. She continued to quietly observe the competition as four more experienced men were beaten by the young man. She was in admiration of his skill; Mr. Darcy looked on behind her and mentioned the man's name, James Grant.

"James Grant…" whispered Isabelle to herself. Suddenly it was the end of the match and James Grant approached them.

"Good work today, Grant!" praised Darcy.

"Thank you, sir," said James graciously. He made a small bow to Mr. Darcy then turned his attention onto Isabelle. Isabelle became breathless as James's eyes locked with hers. He was quite handsome. He had deep blue eyes, the color of the sea on a beautiful day, that seemed to burn deeply into her heart. He had tousled blond hair that ended just before his broad shoulders. He had strong features that suggested a rough yet gentleman-like personality. His voice was music to her ears as he greeted her.

"Ah! And who is this charming young lady, Darcy?"

"Isabelle, sir, Isabelle de Lon Craie," answered Isabelle as she swallowed her nervousness.

"Well then, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss de Lon Craie," he made her a small bow and took her hand in his, giving it a small kiss. Isabelle muttered a few words of greeting as she began to blush ferociously; James just chuckled.

"Well, Grant, Miss de Lon Craie and I must be off. She has her first lesson today."

"Well then, good luck to you, Miss de Lon Craie, and congratulations; for you are the first woman to ever train in this hallowed hall." He laughed heartily and gave a curt nod to them both before departing. Isabelle stared dreamily after him and kept whispering his name to herself.

"Bella? Bella!"

"Yes? Oh! I'm so sorry, Fitzwilliam…"

"Well, let's get started." At that, Darcy took out his epee and drew Isabelle to the sword rack at the corner of the room. He helped her pick a sword that was just right for her. Then they both walked to the sparing ring and began Isabelle's first lesson.

"Now, Bella, the key to fencing is to be relaxed. When you are attacking, the best way to approach it must be to take great care in your delivery. You never want to get hurt yourself…" Darcy continued into the rules and regulations of the sport. As his lecture came to an end, Isabelle was anxious to begin the actual swordplay. Darcy began to teach her the starting footwork and basic attacks.

"Do as I do, Bella," Darcy then began a series of complicated steps and motions. Isabelle did her best to follow every step and motion, but to no avail. On her first try she slipped and fell, dropping her sword. Darcy helped her up as she blushed from embarrassment.

"Don't worry about it, Bella. It was hard for me at first as well. You will master it soon."

"Thank you, Fitzwilliam. I'm sorry for my clumsiness." She made a bow and smiled gratefully as Darcy gave her a friendly pat on the back.

"I believe we've done enough for today. Come with me and we shall find Elizabeth."

"Alright. Let's go." They returned Isabelle's sword to the rack and left the chamber muttering good-byes all the while to those in the room.

Isabelle and Fitzwilliam found Elizabeth sitting in the parlor talking with someone. They could not see who it was so they entered the room. Isabelle gasped in surprised when she saw who her friend was sitting with, James Grant.