Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my own characters.
"I would so wish to be married," sighed Georgiana Darcy. Amanda watched the teenager drift away from her, walking along by herself as she twirled in a circle before she stopped suddenly and turned.
"Might I ask for your frank advice?" said the teen seriously, though her doe eyes looked so innocent still.
"Ah sure?"
"You seem to be a woman of the world, so surely you must have some ideas and means with which I can make myself more attractive to Mr Wickham?" cried the young girl, grasping Amanda's hand and holding it to her chest.
"What is this I see?" boomed a new voice, and Amanda turned startled to the unknown arrival as Georgiana pulled back. "Still pining after lover boy?"
"Dicky!"
Watching the rather short man hug her taller sister-in-law, Amanda was bemused, her head flying furiously through a mental Pride and Prejudice as she tried to place this character. Maybe it was a new 'un?
She found out soon enough.
"Mrs Darcy, may I introduce you to my cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam?" introduced Miss Darcy formally.
"Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam ma'am," said the man, his eyes sparkling merrily as he bent at the waist and kissed her hand. She actually had to look down at him as her mouth dropped in shock. This was Colonel Fitzwilliam?
"Don't be silly!" Georgiana laughed, slapping her cousin's shoulder and Amanda came back to the present. "You're not a real Colonel. You've never served in the army."
"Ssh, dear cuz," reproached the fake soldier as he released her hand. "Let us not ruin my illusions of grandeur. Darcy!" he sidetracked as the tall man marched over to them. "I really must ask," said the soldier, leaning forward on his cane with a Broadway air. "How on earth did you manage to snag such a delightful wife Darce?"
"I didn't so much snag woman as have the woman pursue me Richard," replied the aristocrat and Amanda was graced with a rare smile from her husband.
"Bet our lovely aunt was thrilled with this match up."
Amanda was prone to a sudden coughing fit as Darcy replied. "We haven't been graced with her Lady's presence since the announcement of our engagement."
"You lucky toff," said Richard gleefully. "How is that dozy cow these days? And is Anne still threatening to wipe out the world with every disease as she so delicately coughs?"
"Dicky!" censored Georgiana, thrilled and mortified in turns.
"How about that odious lap dog of hers? Collins isn't it?" he clarified. "Last I heard he got married."
"Not anymore," said Amanda with a smirk.
"Had a few problems in the marital department did he?" snorted the faux Colonel.
Walking up to the house on her husband's arm shortly after, his thumb brushing over the top of her hand, she pondered that she had expected a mild-mannered army man. Not this playful man throwing protocols and proper behaviour out the window with a flourish. "He is in the wrong time."
She realised she'd said it aloud until Fitz concurred softly. "I've often thought so myself."
Next chapter: Mr Bennet.
