Chapter 9
"What are you doing here, Richard?" Darcy asked as his cousin and he shook hands. It had been two months since he had last seen his cousin, who was more of a brother to him than his older cousin.
Richard chuckled loudly and slapped Darcy on the back. Turning slightly to address Michael, he stated, "I received a letter from one of my Lieutenants asking for some information and I decided to take a leave myself and join him in Hertfordshire. He never told me that you and Bingley were also in this area." Shooting a glare over in Michael's direction, Michael shrugged his shoulders and grinned. He saw the gleam in his commanding officers eyes and knew he was not really mad at him.
"I thought I would surprise you," Michael replied as he made his way over to where Mary was sitting quietly. Taking a seat next to her, he asked, "How have you been fairing Miss Mary?"
"Good afternoon Mr. Lucas," she said knowing that even though her emotions were scattered when it came to this military officer, she knew that she had to be polite. "It has been a trying couple of days. That is the man who returned Jane to us."
He watched as her gaze traveled over Colonel Fitzwilliam and he wondered what she thought of him. "His name is Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and he is my commanding officer. He told me when he arrived drenched from the storm that he had come across Jane in the road covered in mud and hurt. I am glad that someone like him came along to rescue her and bring her back home safely. He is a good man, Miss Mary."
The lapsed in to comfortable silence between them, both lost in their own thoughts. Mary listened quietly from her corner with Michael to Colonel Fitzwilliam and Darcy discussing how Jane was doing. She narrowed her eyes slightly when she noticed that Mr. Bingley seemed to have lost all interest in talking about Jane and changed the subject to crop rotation. She chuckled quietly when her sister Elizabeth soon joined in the conversation and she and Darcy started a debate on what method worked better.
"Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy seem to disagree with each other a lot," Michael observed with a slight smile. Maybe he and Mary would not have to play matchmaker after all.
"I think they may like each other," she said softly as her eyes dropped to her lap. Picking at a stray strand of thread on her dress, she wished she was better at talking to gentlemen. It used to be so easy when she was around Michael, but lately it had gotten harder to keep a conversation, since she always wondered where her heart lay.
"How is Jane doing?"
"She is still in bed fighting a fever. The doctor hopes it will break in a few days, but she will still have to stay abed for a few weeks to allow her ankle to heal. She is going to be disappointed when she learns that she missed a visit from Mr. Bingley."
Michael looked at her sharply before saying, "Does she hold a tender for your new neighbor?" Mr. Darcy had warned Michael how Bingley was with young ladies and he did not want to see that happen to Jane. She did not deserve to be trifled with.
Turning her gaze to Michael after he had voiced his odd question, she found herself once again loosing herself in his intense gaze. Raising a brow, she voiced her question, "Why would that interest you Mr. Lucas? Jane is not your sister, nor a relative of yours. If she does hold a tender for our new neighbor than that is between them and should not concern us." She was not sure why she felt the need to argue with Michael. Mary knew deep down in her heart that he was the best of men and she had started to develop feeling towards him, but her Mama had always told her she would not find a gentleman who would be willing to select her for his wife, and she wanted to make sure his affections were true before revealing her heart.
Softening his gaze after she had finished talking, he smiled a small smile when he saw her eyes widen slightly. "I hope one day that she might be my sister, Miss Mary." It was not how he wanted her to know what his feeling were, but every time they spoke, he felt her close up on him again and it took hours for her to warm back up. "Would you like to take a turn about the garden with me? We can invite Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy along with Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam to act as chaperones."
It had been getting slightly colder outside as the days got shorter, but the sun was shining and Mary could see that he was itching to stretch his legs. "I would like that."
Standing to his feet, Michael held out his hand and helped her to her feet. Giving her hand a slight squeeze, he smiled when he saw the light blush stain her cheeks. "Would anyone like to join us on a walk outside? Miss Mary and I have a need to stretch our legs and get out of this stuffy parlor," he announced and sheepishly looked away when Mrs. Bennet threw him a glare.
Mr. Bingley jumped to his feet, and bowed to the room. "I would love to go for a walk about the gardens, but I only ventured out today to take my leave of the Bennet's. I need to head to London tomorrow for some urgent business that cannot wait. Are you ready to leave Darcy?"
Darcy looked at the faces expectantly waiting for his answer. Rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, he groaned silently. He had originally planned to journey to London with Bingley and his sisters after they had convinced him to quit the Bennet family and his growing attachment to Jane Bennet. He had also wanted to escape the need to be close to Elizabeth Bennet, but now that Richard was here, he was conflicted. Turning his attention to Bingley, he asked, "May I have a word with you outside, Bingley?"
Furrowing his brow, Bingley replied, "Of course, Darcy."
"We will return shortly," Darcy said as him and Bingley walked outside.
Mary turned to her sister and asked, "What should we tell Jane, Elizabeth?"
Glancing at Colonel Fitzwilliam out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth saw that he was watching Darcy and Bingley out the window. "We will just have to tell Jane the truth when she wakes up. Let us talk about this later, Mary," Elizabeth smiled brightly at her and Michael and stood to her feet. "I am in need of a nice long walk. Shall we venture outside then?" she asked as she watched her mother walk upstairs to check on Jane.
Offering his arm to Mary, Michael saw Richard offer his to Elizabeth. Helping the ladies with their outerwear, the foursome were soon walking outside and breathing in the autumn air. Elizabeth soon found herself leading Colonel Fitzwilliam down a well-worn path to their favorite garden on the estate. "How long are you visiting Hertfordshire, Colonel Fitzwilliam?" she asked him with a smile.
Watching Mary and Michael walk further ahead of them, Richard turned to his companion. He found her eyes sparkling up at him and he knew why he saw his Cousin Darcy constantly staring at her. Elizabeth Bennet was a pretty young lady, but he still found himself attracted to her older sister more. "I will be here until my leave in up in two months. I planned on only visiting Michael, but with my cousin Darcy being here I will be able to catch up with him too instead of traveling to Pemberley. How has my cousin been in company?"
Glancing up at his grinning face, she saw that his eyes were shining with amusement. "In large gatherings I've noticed that he in quiet and aloof, but I have seen him openly laughing with Mr. Bingley and Lieutenant Lucas. They seem to be becoming fast friends. You should see him when he is around Mr. Bingley's younger sister." She chuckled at the memory of him trying to fend her off at the Meryton assembly a few weeks ago.
Colonel Fitzwilliam sucked in a breath and grumbled, "Caroline Bingley is here too?" he questioned and Elizabeth laughed brightly at the scared expression on his face.
"She is playing hostess for Mr. Bingley while he is letting Netherfield," she explained to him as they caught up to Mary and Michael. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were busy talking to them and she furrowed her brow when she saw Mary frown. "Shall we join your cousin?"
Leading his companion over to his cousin, he frowned when he saw Darcy glaring at Bingley. Clapping Darcy on the shoulder, he glanced between his cousin and his friend. "Would you like to join us on a walk about the garden? It is a lovely day and lovely company," he said and glanced at two of the Bennet girls.
"I would love to join you Colonel Fitzwilliam, but I really need to be getting prepared to travel to London for business. I should be back in a few days once it is concluded," Mr. Bingley stated quickly and shook hands with the gentlemen before bowing to the ladies. "I will see you all when I return," he said and shot a quick look at Darcy. Biding the party goodbye, Mr. Bingley headed for the stables to grab his horse.