Chapter 8

Striding in to the parlor, Michael handed Richard another blanket, before walking over to the tea tray. Pouring them both another cup of the warm liquid, he took a seat across from his commanding officer, and handed him a cup. Watching Richard curl his stiff fingers around the cup, he asked, "What brings you to Hertfordshire Richard?"

Taking a sip, Richard grinned. "I received your letter requesting information on where you will be stationed next and instead of penning you a reply, I decided on a quim to take a leave of absence myself and drop by for a visit. I hope I'm not inconveniencing your family?"

Shaking his head, Michael smiled. "My parents are happy to house friends of mine. As you have seen my mother loves to host and see to your every comfort."

Richard chuckled at the observation since it was true. Lady Lucas had followed him around the first few minutes, asking questions and making sure that the guest room she had assigned him was adequate. He hoped she did not find out he was related to an Earl. He had already seen her cast glances at him and then back at her daughters. Cringing at the thought, an image of a blonde beauty danced before his eyes. "I encountered a Jane Bennet on the road before I reached here. She mentioned that she was riding to Netherfield in a storm. What father allows his daughter to ride out in a storm, Michael?" he asked suddenly changing the subject.

Michael scowled and it only deepened more when Richard kept talking. "Was she hurt?"

"She might have a broken ankle and will likely come down with a cold from laying out in the rain until I came along. I do not know how long she was there before I happened by. Is she your girl?"

Smiling slightly, Michael shook his head. "No, Richard she is not my girl. My Mary is dark haired and a few inches shorter than her elder sister. To answer your previous question, I am not all that surprised that you found Jane out in the rain. Her mother Mrs. Bennet gets fantasies in her head and impulsively decides to act on them. Her thought was that the Bingley sisters would allow her to spend the night since it was raining, instead of riding back home after tea with them."

"Her father does nothing to protect his daughters?"

Michael noticed the worry in his friend's eyes and knew that it was not wise to discuss his neighbors in a bad light, but it seemed Richard also was taking an interest in Jane Bennet. "Mr. Bennet hides most of the time in his book room either taking a nap or reading. He only ventures out for a meal or if something truly demands his attention. I grew up with the Bennet girls and I try to be an older brother to them, but I have not been around much the last few years."

"Since we are discussing your military career, would you like to know where you will be stationed once your leave is over?"

Staring at the bottom of his tea cup, he thought about his plans to ask Mary to marry him soon once he knew where her affections stood. He could plan for a place for them to live if he knew where he would be stationed. "Yes I would like to know. Then I can plan for my future," he replied as he lifted his gaze and Richard saw a boyish grin light up his face.

Leaning back in to the sofa, he pulled the blanket around his shoulder, and set his tea cup on the saucer. "It might not be where you were hoping to be stationed, but you are one of my top Lieutenants and I know that you will do us proud. You are being sent to the Americas. I need my best men over there with me."

"America?" Michael asked as he sucked in a deep breath. It definitely was not where he expected to be stationed, but he was one to always follow his orders. He hoped Mary would not be disappointed when he told her where he was going. He also knew that it would be awhile before he could declare himself.

Richard could tell by Michael's facial expression that he was surprised to be sent to America, but there was nothing he could do to change it. He did not like the idea of leaving his home country, but that is where they wanted him and that is where he would go. His military career came before his own happiness. Laying a hand on the younger man's shoulder, he said, "I will be heading over there with you Michael. We have a few more months before we need to ship out, so you have time to make plans. Now I think it is time I retire and get some much needed rest. Will you be able to show me around the country tomorrow morning? It is beautiful and peaceful here."

Realizing that he had kept Richard too long, Michael stood and gave his commanding officer a grin. "I will gladly show you around Hertfordshire. If we have time I would like to stop in and visit at Loughbourn."

"See you in the morning Lucas."

"Goodnight Fitzwilliam."

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Pushing a loose strand of hair out of her face, Mary sighed. It had been three days since the unknown gentleman had returned Jane to them and Loughbourn was still in an uproar. Mrs. Bennet was wailing about the hedgehows again all because Jane lay in her room fighting a fever. She wailed that her beautiful Jane would most likely succumb to the fever and then her one daughter that was supposed to save them would not be alive to do so.

Mary laughed at the memory of her sister Elizabeth rolling her eyes at their mother and quickly quitting the drawing room. She had silently followed her sister and once they reached the empty corridor, both ladies had dissolved into a fit of giggles. Out of five daughters, their mother thought that only Jane would marry. "What do you think of Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth? Do you think that he will offer for Jane? He showed her marked attention at the assembly." Mary asked as they made their way to Jane's room. She was temporarily staying in Mary's room while Mary moved in to Jane and Elizabeth's room with her sister.

Elizabeth gripped the railing to the stairs and started making her way up. She was not sure what to make of Mr. Bingley. He had only called on them once since Jane had failed to show up for tea with his sisters. Mr. Bingley had requested to know how she was faring and had turned pale when she and Mary told him the story. He had not known that Jane would be at Netherfield, so he did not find out about it until Mr. Darcy and he had returned from their hunting expedition when the rain hit.

Caroline and Louisa had been in the parlor complaining about Jane not showing up even though she had sent a note stating she would be there by two o'clock. Mr. Bingley had thought nothing of it; maybe she had just changed her mind and forgot to relay at note to Netherfield.

"He is a cheerful young man who seems to want to please everyone that he meets. I've noticed that he likes to follow Mr. Darcy around when we were at the assembly and it reminded me of a lost puppy trailing its master. I know that Jane thought him amiable and seemed pleased with his attentions, but he has not been back since he found out about Jane's accident and that does not bode well for his character. I would like to see Jane find someone who matches her personality and loves her, but Mr. Bingley seems too flighty," Elizabeth gave her opinion on Mr. Bingley as they reached Jane's bedroom door.

"I like him, but he is too happy and rambunctious for my taste," Mary stated and wrinkled her nose. Elizabeth chuckled as she walked over to Jane's bed.

Taking a seat on either side of their sister's bed, Mary picked up the book laying on the night stand and opened it to the page they had ended at last night. Reading aloud to her two sisters, Mary glanced up every few minutes to find Elizabeth gently stroking Jane's hair and whispering soothing words to her. She knew that Jane would pull through and she wondered what their family would be like afterward. Papa had not come out of his bookroom since the mysterious gentleman had brought Jane to them and her mother sat in the parlor and wailed. Mary could see Mr. Bingley being Jane's knight in shining armor since they had similar personalities, but both Elizabeth and her had not seen any sign of affection on Jane's part.

A knock at the bedroom door, pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned around to find their sister Kitty hesitantly poking her head in. "Yes, Kitty?"

"Mama wants you and Elizabeth down in the parlor. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are here to visit," Kitty stated and gave them a hesitant smile.

Elizabeth huffed in response, but gave Kitty a slight smile. "I suppose we cannot keep our company waiting even though I would much rather be with Jane. Tell Mama that we will be down shortly Kitty."

Mary gently closed the book and stood to her feet. Glancing down at Jane quickly, she squeezed her sister's hand and said a silent prayer. Looking back up at Elizabeth, she decided to ask a question that had been nagging at her since the gentlemen currently downstairs had taken up residence at Netherfield. "Do you ever wish to marry Elizabeth?"

Smiling at her sister, Elizabeth replied, "I do wish to marry someday Mary, but only for the truest and deepest love. Do you wish to marry dear sister? I have heard Mama always complain that no gentleman would ever be interested in you, but neither Jane nor I think she is correct. You have a lot to recommend yourself Mary. You are a gentle and caring soul. One day a gentleman will see the real you," she lovingly said and pondered quietly as an odd light came in to her sister's eyes.

"Let us go downstairs and not keep Mama waiting any longer," Mary hurriedly said and made her way quickly for the door. Pulling it open, she quietly made her way downstairs and walked in to the parlor. The gentlemen rose as she entered and they quickly exchanged pleasantries. Taking a seat across from Mr. Darcy, she settled her hands in her lap and nervously twisted them. Being among unfamiliar people left her nervous and unsettled. If only Michael was here she thought suddenly as a small smile graced her lips.

"I hope Miss Jane is recovering well," Mr. Darcy asked to her and she looked up startled.

"She is still fighting a fever, but her ankle seems to be healing nicely the doctor says," she quietly replied. "How are you finding Hertfordshire, Mr. Darcy?" she asked with a little bit more confidence.

Mr. Darcy seemed thoughtful as he pondered her question. "It is a beautiful country Miss Mary, but I must say that nothing compares to Derbyshire." He smiled slightly and glanced over to Bingley to find him and Miss Elizabeth talking with Mrs. Bennet. He watched silently for a few minutes and wondered how Bingley could be so jovial when he angel was laying upstairs in bed. Was he really in love with her like he said he was?

Glancing to his partner, Darcy let his eyes rest on Elizabeth Bennet. He was starting to enjoy the way she laughed and how it was not a simple giggle but a full laugh. Her wit seemed to match his own, if only he would be able to show her his true self. He wished he was like Bingley sometimes.

Mary's eyes widened slightly as she watched Mr. Darcy rest his gaze on her sister. She hoped that he would decide to act on his feelings that she saw swimming in his eyes. He would maybe one day make her sister very happy. Was there a gentleman out there that would look at her the way Mr. Darcy looked at her sister. Her heart silently whispered one name: Michael Lucas.

"Ma'am there is a Mr. Lucas and a Colonel Fitzwilliam to see you," Hill announced at the parlor door and stepped aside to let the gentleman in the room.

"Richard!" Darcy exclaimed and leapt to his feet.