The door to the master's bath slowly groaned shut as Mr. Darcy glared towards his seated cousin, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind.
"Well, well Darcy! Bingley is downstairs, I am in here, and I do begin to wonder when the jester will appear?" A huge smile appeared on the Colonel's face.
"Fitzwilliam, I want to know what our Aunt has told you in her letter!"
Darcy moved closer towards Fitzwilliam, the letter still tucked safely inside the Colonel's jacket.
"Oh yes! The letter! How I have forgotten the reason for my rude intrusion on your bath." Fitzwilliam playfully retrieved the letter and unfolded it loudly in his hands.
"She says, our aunt that is, that you plan to marry!" Fitzwilliam forced a look of shock upon his face. "When I read her letter dear cousin I must confess I was in a state of total astonishment."
"Did she say to whom I will be wed?"
"I did not need to read her letter to know the answer to that question Darcy." Fitzwilliam stood and placed the letter back in its hiding spot underneath his jacket. "Of course I could sense your esteem for her while I was at Rosings Park, Miss Bennet is a charming lady. My astonishment came not from your exposed amour but from our Aunt's depiction of your latest visit."
Fitzwilliam came to stand in front of Darcy.
"I do say the only objection I have to this entire situation is that I was absent from the dining room to see our Aunt's face when you told her of your plan to wed Miss Bennet!"
Fitzwilliam began to laugh and playfully pat Darcy on the shoulder.
"So you are not displeased with my choice in companion?"
"Would it matter to you if I was Darcy?"
"No, I daresay it would not!"
"Then bravo Darcy! Finally I may see you settled down, and with such a lovely girl."
The two cousins left the sanctuary of the bath and entered the master's bedroom.
Darcy's valet began to pull out evening clothes and lay then on top of the bed.
"I do wonder why Bingley has come to call. I thought he and Jane would be well on their honeymoon tour by now." Darcy looked towards Fitzwilliam who was gazing out of the large bedroom window.
"Yes, I was wondering the same thing Darcy, London is a not a quick detour from Hertfordshire. Bingley must have a good reason to delay his travels with his bride."
Darcy pulled on his jacket as his valet straitened his lapel, the colour in his face beginning to drain out.
"Fitzwilliam, you do not think Bingley is here to deliver bad news? Do you?"
"Bad news Darcy? What could Bingley possibly have to share with you and tonight? I am sure…"
Before Fitzwilliam had a chance to finish his reply he was interrupted by a frantic Darcy.
"Good god! Something might be amiss! Elizabeth!"
Darcy turned and fled the room, leaving his cousin and his manservant standing in total amazement, as he descended the grand staircase down to his study and the waiting Charles Bingley.
For a moment Darcy's cousin and servant were together equals in this world; both looking at each other trying to recollect the last time they saw the great man flustered, let alone run.
Darcy made it to the study door in record time, his mind racing with images of a distressed Elizabeth calling out his name.
He flung open the door to see Bingley sitting on the sofa leisurely sipping a glass of cognac.
"Bingley what is it! What has happened?"
Charles Bingley was so flabbergasted to his friend in such a state and to be greeted in such a manner that he almost spilled the contents of his drink on himself.
Standing now Bingley set his glass down on the nearest table, while Darcy closed the door and walked further into his study.
"Darcy I have come to discuss an urgent matter, a matter that could not wait another night!"
"Yes Bingley, but first I beg you to share any news that might be of an alarming matter!"
"An alarming matter Darcy? Well I must say that the last two days have been very disturbing indeed!" Bingley's checks began to flush and his seldom used temper began to present itself.
Fitzwilliam entered the room, and shut the door behind him to block out the ears of the curious staff.
"Bingley how good it is to see you! May I offer you my congratulations on your wedding, and where is the delightful Mrs. Bingley."
"Good Evening Fitzwilliam. Thank you for the felicitations but I must say that the last two days have been plagued by woe. As for my dear wife, she is at our London home, waiting my return."
Fitzwilliam nodded to Bingley refusing to answer the distressed man and instead strode closer to Darcy's desk where the butler had left the decanter of cognac. He poured himself a glass and sat down in nearest chair.
Darcy and Bingley stood close to one another in the room, both frustrated with the other's response.
"Bingley you must tell me what is troubling you, but first please tell me is the new Mrs. Bingley well and her family?"
"Well Darcy I am here to make sure that everything is well! I am here to make sure that you set things right!" Bingley became redder as his frustration shown on his face.
"Set things right? What are you talking about Charles?"
Fitzwilliam sat all the while drinking his cognac.
"You must come with me right now Darcy and marry Elizabeth! Her reputation is on the line, and I will not allow my wife's sister to be distraught a moment longer. After you left the wedding breakfast I found her. She had fled the house after you Darcy! She would not tell me any specifics but then after I confronted her she fainted in my arms!" Bingley advanced towards his friend. "I will not stand for it Darcy!" You must rectify the situation, her father knows all, and he has found the necklace!"
Darcy's mind was at ease. Elizabeth was well, aside from the fainting spell, and she had come after him as he left the wedding breakfast. That was proof enough for him that she loved him! A smile began to creep across Darcy's face as he looked at his fuming friend.
"Well Bingley and what do you plan to do if I refuse to acquiesce to your demands?"
Hesitantly Bingley responded. "Well then Darcy I will be forced to challenge you to a duel to preserve the honour of Miss Elizabeth. I will run you through if I must!"
Fitzwilliam stood to refill his glass.
"Well friend that will not be necessary. Return to Jane and tell her that her sister will be made a bride in a fortnight if she agrees to marry me!" Darcy smiled larger and grasped Charles by the shoulders to embrace him.
Charles Bingley was definitely confused but he still could not believe his luck! He would not have to kill his dearest friend after all. A feeling of relief spread over him as he took a drink from the glass Fitzwilliam had just placed in his hand.
Darcy went and sat behind his grand desk, pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill.
Bingley and Fitzwilliam sat down upon the sofa, Bingley still in a state of disbelief.
"I cannot believe it Darcy! Why did you not tell me of your affection for Elizabeth? I swear I barely know you, you are a mystery to me." Bingley finished his drink as he looked towards his friend.
"Bingley do not think I lied to you, it has taken me some time to realize my own feelings. I am however adamant to make her Mrs. Darcy."
"Cousin, when do you plan to travel to Hertfordshire to win your bride?"
Darcy looked up from his letter.
"I plan to leave the moment Roberts returns with the merchant I called for."
"What merchant Darcy?" Fitzwilliam questioned.
"Well the jeweller of course! Elizabeth must have a ring."
He returned to his letter as his two closest friends sat transfixed by the new Darcy.