Update ch 3

The birds' singing woke Elizabeth at her usual hour. Looking around, it took her a moment to recall she slept in a guest chamber at Rosings. The bed had been comfy, but she would never have chosen the design for the headboard or curtains. She rolled her eyes at the ornate carpet as she walked over to the window. Sitting against the frame, she watched as the sun's rays scattered over the cold, dew-kissed grass. The birds were only just beginning to stir, and she assumed the servants in the kitchen would be about as well.

Breathing deeply, she sighed contentedly. While she could not be happy to be at Rosings, she was happy for her friend to have a place to stay and to be able to comfort her friend through the process. Hopefully, the parsonage would be rebuilt soon. Movement on the lawn distracted her, and she shifted to watch Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam ride out. They must have risen early to be already riding. Her heart began to race as they picked up their pace and disappeared around a corner into the forest. She had never liked horses ever since she had been thrown years ago. Sending a quick prayer for the gentlemen to have a safe ride, she moved to dress for the day, sifting through a few of Miss de Bourgh's dresses brought by a maid.

The breakfast parlor was blessedly empty when she arrived. The coffee was hot; the rolls beckoned her with their soft buttery tops. The cook at Hunsford was adequate, however, Rosings clearly could afford more talent. Selecting a couple of rolls and some eggs, she claimed a seat where she could see out the large windows overlooking the lawn. There were birds flitting over the orchard trees across the lawn, and she enjoyed watching their antics.

She briefly wondered when the others would join her, but she knew most of the house rose later in the day. Lady Catherine had insisted that everyone rest to recover their spirits. Therefore, she knew Mr. and Mrs. Collins would be unlikely to rise before noon. Poor Charlotte! Maria rarely woke before noon except on Sundays when Mr. Collins' protestations prevented any rest. While she had not known Lady Catherine or Miss de Bourgh for long, she doubted either would rise early.

Voices in the hall interrupted her thoughts, and she turned in time to see Mr. Darcy enter with his cousin right behind him. They must have kept their ride short. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth exchanged the usual pleasantries while Mr. Darcy silently filled his plate and took a seat opposite Elizabeth. Elizabeth contemplated attempting conversation with the dour man across from her but chose instead to speak with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Within minutes, he was regaling her with a story of his soldiers in training which had her clutching her sides from laughter.

As she attempted to recover her breath, she glanced at Mr. Darcy to find a half-smile upon his face which made her insides melt slightly. She had to admit he was very handsome, especially when he looked so comfortable and at ease. "Mr. Darcy, would you say your cousin was correct to insist his men follow him through the brush when a perfectly good path lay less than fifty feet away? Is absolute obedience better than common sense?"

"Now! Now! Miss Bennet, you misrepresent me!" The colonel shouted. "Remember, I knew the movements of the enemy. I knew how close to enemy territory we were. As the commanding officer with the most information, it was their duty to follow me."

Elizabeth chuckled. "And was the fifty feet really so much closer to the enemy?"

"I doubt it can have made much difference." Mr. Darcy supplied. "After all, I know the end of the story, and it took more than half a day for you to find and neutralize the enemy."

Elizabeth nodded at Mr. Darcy before turning to the colonel in triumph. "Half a day! Surely you could have been there in half the time should you have taken the trail."

The colonel blushed at the memory. "Well, perhaps, but they could have had spies watching us on the road. We might have been easy pickings. My men could not have known and should have trusted me over their comfort."

Elizabeth made a slight remark on the value of a leader who listens to the opinions around him to make the best-informed decisions in a reasonable time.

The colonel muttered about his superior officer making the same remark. Elizabeth returned his story with one of her own. She began, "As a child, I would play pirates with my neighbors."

Mr. Darcy leaned forward and listened with rapt attention. When she finished her story, both her listeners were laughing so heartily Colonel Fitzwilliam was hitting his hand over his thigh while Mr. Darcy had to use a handkerchief to dab his eyes.

"Remind me never to get lost with you!" The colonel stated when he calmed down.

Elizabeth's eyes were shining with mirth, and Mr. Darcy had to take a few deep breaths to remember he could not lean over the table and take her hands in his. Even worse was the deep need to taste her lips.

Relief came in the appearance of Lady Catherine demanding her nephews attend her. As the talk moved to how the Collinses would rebuild their home, despite the Collinses not being in attendance, Elizabeth politely excused herself to walk through the gardens. Mr. Darcy was less than pleased to lose her attention and watched her slip through the door with something akin to despair before turning to his aunt and ensuring she was as little pleased with the situation as himself.

AN: Thanks for reading!