A/N: Welcome back, charming readers, to Hertfordshire! I beg leave here to bow in thanks to all who are adding this fic to their lists and offer Mrs. Hastings' comfits to all who review. Truly, I continue to be gratified and humbled by your attention.
Chapter Four
Irritation was the foremost emotion in Darcy's heart as he had to leave Georgiana's side due to the error of someone wholly unconnected with him.
Sir Merwin Hawkins? He had never heard of such a man, but this was Hertfordshire and the local gentry had not perhaps spent time in London. Still, when Sir Merwin had made his error in the game and met Darcy's eye, Darcy had no thought in his mind other than to stand and move immediately.
But then he was irritated as he stepped just in front of Miss Elizabeth on his way to claim Sir Merwin's empty chair with its faded seat cushion. "I'll be fine, Fitzwilliam," Georgiana said with a misbegotten smile in her voice. That was also irritating. She was only sixteen! What did she know of being "fine"? He was still fuming a little when Miss Elizabeth moved and touched his hand.
And his skin seemed to catch fire right there in the provincial country drawing room! He stared—first at her hand, then at his, for they seemed to have been touching for an entire day—and recalled clearly what his valet had told him, more than ten years prior.
"A Soulmark?" Fitzwilliam couldn't have cared less about the species of . . . image . . . that had appeared on his person. He wanted to know its origin. Its purpose.
Hewetson blew out a dignified breath and nodded. "Let us get dressed, Master Fitzwilliam, and I'll tell you what I've heard."
Fitzwilliam remembered nothing of the rest of that morning, save for what Hewetson related to him about the origins of the Soulmark and what would happen if he met his soulmate and what, then, his choices—and responsibilities—would be.
"Merlin had to make the choice clear, for he had to have known," Hewetson said with a smiling drawl, "that we would not be going about with so very much skin exposed to public viewing."
Fitzwilliam had felt a strangely appealing shiver under his skin but ignored it for the time being. "How does he make it clear, then?"
"Heat. Now," Hewetson went on, speaking while helping Fitzwilliam get dressed for the day, "I have not felt it myself, but I have heard that when someone with a Soulmark touches the skin of their soulmate, there is a flash or a flaring of heat."
"Like a fever?"
"More like a fire. As if someone were trying to light a candle through your skin. Or so I heard from Lord Montrose. As valet to one of his sons, of course, I had to be instructed as to the signs of meeting a soulmate."
Fitzwilliam could only nod. "So, like a candle. Heat like that. I can't imagine living with that, though. It would be . . . vastly disagreeable." He wouldn't say painful as that would seem unmanly, but disagreeable would do. "And then what? You mentioned choices?"
"Well, Merlin wanted these soulmates to wed and have children that would bring good breeding into their families, Young Master. So if you were to meet your soulmate, that would be a choice you'd have." Fitzwilliam felt utterly unready for such a thing and was about to say so when Hewetson gripped his shoulder comfortingly. "Not immediately, of course. But it should be a consideration. Of course," he went on, "not everyone chooses to wait for their soulmate. Perhaps you might meet a lovely young lady from a fine family who is not your soulmate. As you are not within ten steps to the throne of England, it would be allowed, of course." He smiled and Fitzwilliam tried to find reassurance in that.
At the age of fourteen, however, it was all rather too much to take in.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet had a Soulmark! He couldn't see it, but that sensation had to mean she did, did it not? Darcy felt dueling compulsions to flee the room and to take her right arm and bare it to his eyes. He stared at her arm, then, and thought he might detect something under the lace insets of her sleeve.
"Miss Elizabeth?" he managed to say in what he hoped was a composed manner. "Was there a question?"
She was staring into his eyes and didn't say a word until Sir Merwin, next to her, coughed shortly. Then, she withdrew her fingertips—finally—and shook her head. "Not at all, Mr. Darcy. Just know that my father will oversee Miss Darcy. You needn't worry for her."
With a short nod, Darcy thanked her and took up his new seat, which happened to be next to Miss Lucas. A sensible woman, Miss Lucas did not do more than smile and watch as the Short Answers game resumed.
Darcy himself paid no heed to the remainder of the game. His mind was entirely absorbed in what he had to do next. The only other person, aside from Georgiana and Bingley, that he knew for certain had a Soulmark was his cousin the colonel. A trip to London was in order, for the colonel was currently performing a service for the Crown, there.
More than once, he thought to pull Miss Elizabeth aside. To ask her if she had felt that flaring of heat. To ask if she would and could discreetly show him her Soulmark. To find out if he himself were insane or if he truly had to make a choice at this time of his life. Was she as disturbed about the possibilities as he was?
Though he studied her carefully during the rest of the evening, he could not have said. Her smiles were not as bright as they usually were, but she was all but pinned to her father's arm. Perhaps her spritely demeanor was tempered on that account.
He had to think! She was a gentleman's daughter, as he was a gentleman, but her family—?
"Well, my Jane is certainly the loveliest girl in all the country," Mrs. Bennet was proclaiming to Sir Merwin Hawkins. "Have you met her? A more demure, thoughtful young woman was never seen, Sir Merwin!"
Darcy winced inwardly and crossed the room to where Georgiana was talking quietly with Miss Mary Bennet, whilst her mother was apparently trying to matchmake there in company. As he reached his sister, he winced at a particularly loud, sharp laugh and involuntarily turned toward the source of that sound: Mrs. Bennet.
But he met the sharp, bright eyes of Sir Merwin instead and felt oddly as if . . . he'd been measured and found wanting.
Shaking that impression away, he smiled down at his sister. "Georgiana? I daresay it's time to return to Netherfield."
"Oh, but Fitzwilliam, Mary and I were just confirming my visit to Longbourn! My music finally arrived!" She tugged at her left glove and Darcy was reminded of her Soulmark. Was she showing it to Miss Mary? Darcy had seen it, of course: something that looked like a miniature stack of hay on the outside edge of her wrist. Surely his sister was not the soulmate of a farmer. Darcy made a note to look into it when they went back to Town in the winter.
The older girl stood, and Georgiana joined her. Miss Mary looked directly at Darcy. "We decided Wednesday would do, and we can send our carriage for her, if yours will be in use, Mr. Darcy."
He shook his head. "Our carriage will suit well, and our footman will accompany her. Bingley and I will be shooting, so shan't require it." He swept the Bennets with what he hoped was a pleasant look, though that look lingered a bit too long on Miss Elizabeth. "Ladies. Mr. Bennet. Good evening."
"Well, it's a good thing we took our own carriage tonight, Brother," Georgiana remarked as the Hastings' servant brought their cloaks. "I'd hate to tear Mr. Bingley from Miss Bennet!"
"Is that serious, do you think?" Darcy asked, just to be saying something as they waited for their carriage.
"I don't know, but he smiles a good deal more with her in the room. And he always seeks her out to converse, whenever and wherever we meet."
Darcy nodded noncommittally, his mind more on his Soulmark and that flashing burn than on his friend's current infatuation. Still, he said, "Miss Bennet seems to be a fine young lady." Which was true enough.
The Darcy carriage was finally brought around and he handed his sister up into it. "I had wondered, Georgiana, how you would feel about taking a sojourn into London."
"No! You cannot have already forgotten that Miss Mary Bennet and I have it settled that we should practice together on Wednesday. She has a true appreciation for the instrument and you agreed I could spend the day with her."
"Yes, but I received some unusual news today." Disguise of every sort was his abhorrence, so he tried to weave truth into his spurious reason to escape from Meryton and Miss Elizabeth Bennet immediately. The news of the Soulmark was truth, was it not? "I have to discuss it with our cousin the colonel. I am afraid I was not paying attention, earlier."
"Well, I could stay here at Netherfield, could I not? Indeed, Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley would, I'm sure, be willing to oblige you by allowing me to stay whilst you dash off to London for a day or two."
This took him by surprise; he had imagined his sister would be unwilling to stay on her own away from the family. "Are you sure?"
He could not see her blush, but she did dip her head and clutch at the skirt of her gown. "I like the country more than I like Town, Fitzwilliam. And truly, the Bennet sisters already feel comfortable, as if we were family. I can't explain it, but it's true."
Darcy blew out a quiet breath and nodded. His Soulmark still felt warm on his arm; something that Hewetson had never mentioned to him. Perhaps his sister felt more at ease among the Bennet family because he himself was the soulmate of one of their number.
That made his stomach clench and his mind whirl. How could it be true?
"Brother?" Georgiana's voice was tentative again and he didn't want that from her. The confidence and wish to socialize was preferred. Even if it were inconvenient for him.
He cleared his throat. "Of course. I will discuss that with Bingley when he returns this evening. And then I will call upon Mr. Bennet tomorrow. If they both agree, you may stay here whilst I deal with the business that has called me to London."
Her smile was bright in the darkness of the carriage. That would have to be enough to make up for his deep unease and confusion.
Once at Netherfield Park, though, his mind would not let him rest until he had taken steps to prepare for his departure. First, he wrote to his cousin. Richard knew all about the Soulmark, for he had one of his own, and there were few secrets between them. They were nearly as close as brothers. Indeed Darcy knew where that Soulmark was, just as he knew where Bingley's was. Alcohol was a remarkable remover of common sense.
Darcy's first missive, then, went to Richard.
Richard,
Pray excuse my intrusion into what is no doubt a calm and untroubled day.
Once, you and I had a discussion about Fate and History, do you recall? I am sure you do. Well, such subjects have been most clearly thrust upon my notice during my visit with my friend Bingley.
I trust you can comprehend my state of mind. Georgiana is unaffected, I believe, but I am uncertain. I will be returning to London hopefully tomorrow. It is late in the evening as I pen this, but I could not rest without doing so.
I will endeavor to send this to you express in the morning, and I hope to follow in the afternoon.
If you are unable to meet with me in either of our Mayfair residences, leave word at Darcy House.
Your cousin,
Fitzwilliam
He left the note to dry on his writing desk before considering divesting himself of his disheveled clothing and washing before bed. Hewetson, knowing his master's preferences, had left a basin of fresh water, two towels, soap, and a nightshirt for Darcy's use that night.
Which was as it should be, but the exceeding unease thrumming through his limbs did not enable Darcy to prepare for bed yet. He wanted to speak to Bingley, to know that Georgiana would be cared for if she were left in Hertfordshire for a few days.
What would my father say?
He had no idea. He had never spoken to his father about the Soulmark.
After a cursory examination of himself in the looking glass, Darcy decided to wash later. He settled for splashing his face with water before taking himself downstairs to wait for Bingley's arrival. Over the course of the last few weeks, there had developed a plan of retiring to the billiard room after an evening's engagement, there to have a drink and play a round. He retrieved one set of billiard balls for the table before chalking a cue and setting up a mace.
"Darcy!" Bingley's enthusiastic voice entered the room before the fellow himself had fully done so. The younger man smilingly surveyed the game on the table before he rubbed his hands together. "Well, I was going to ask if you and Miss Darcy were well, but it appears there is nothing to fear on that account, eh?"
Darcy nodded. "Georgiana is well. It is on her behalf, actually, that I wished to speak with you tonight, Bingley. If you have a moment?"
As his friend was then removing his evening's coat so as to play more comfortably in his shirtsleeves, Darcy imagined that his timing was well considered. "I do indeed, Darcy."
"Thank you. I have to make a quick trip to London regarding a family matter I was just notified about today. I told Georgiana, but she asked if she might remain here in Hertfordshire as she has made arrangements to spend time with the Miss Bennets."
At that last name, Bingley's smile went broad. "Well, of course, Darcy. Caroline is here and is committed to remain until the winter season, so Georgiana will have a female here for her comfort and propriety. I'm sure the Miss Bennets will be pleased to spend time with them."
"Thank you, Bingley. It is my intention to call upon Mr. Bennet to inform him as well, as Georgiana wishes to work on her music with Miss Mary Bennet."
"Excellent! It will be a pleasure, of course."
Relieved on that score, Darcy felt suddenly fatigued. Bingley, cue in hand, regarded him for a moment. "I say, Darcy. Are you quite all right? You did leave rather early."
Darcy hastened to reassure him. "I'm well. I do have that family matter weighing on me, however. I beg your pardon."
Bingley shook his head and waved his free arm. "You should perhaps consider foregoing our usual routine then, my friend. More brandy for me," he jested. Bingley was by no means a heavy drinker.
Still, Darcy appreciated the reprieve. "Well then, I shall. Thank you."
"You'll return soon?"
"Yes, of course. I should be gone no longer than two or three days, Bingley. Again, my thanks. My sister's maid as well as my valet will also be staying on, if that's all right. Georgiana is familiar with Hewetson and that might help if anything unexpected arises."
Bingley chuckled. "Darcy, you think of everything."
"If only that were true, my friend." After replacing his cue and mace, Darcy bid his host goodnight and returned to his room. He had to inform his valet of his plans, but the older man would have turned in for the night.
He beckoned to a footman. "Pardon me, I know it's late," he began, heading toward the main stairs and trusting the servant would follow, "but would you take a note to my valet?"
"Of course, Mr. Darcy."
Darcy glanced over his shoulder as he reached the landing. "Thank you, er . . ."
"Frobisher, sir. Jeremy Frobisher."
Frobisher was a lanky young man with a most determined country sound to his speech, but this was not by any means London, and the servants for Netherfield Park had been hired locally. Darcy nodded at the fair-haired fellow and repeated his name once before striding quickly to his assigned guest room, which was across the hall from his sister's.
"I'll have a note for you in just a moment," he told Frobisher.
"I'll wait right here, sir," the footman stated, turning to stand as if on guard at a palace, staring into the air in front of him.
With a small smile, Darcy ducked into his room returned to his desk to pen another note.
H—
I plan a trip to London on unexpected business. I'll stay at the house there, so no packing is required save to have my traveling ensemble ready by the afternoon. I'll go on horseback. Inform the stable and have Cincinnatus readied.
Please remain here as Miss Darcy will be remaining at her request. I'll feel better knowing there is a trusted pair of eyes here who know her as well as you do.
With my thanks,
—Darcy
He handed the note to the footman who knocked discreetly at the door and was, at last, able to calm himself enough to try to rest.
Though he tried, Miss Elizabeth's Bennet's lively countenance filled his every thought, even as he drifted off to sleep.
E/N: We'll get to Lizzy's reaction in the next chapter!
