Elizabeth laughed openly as Colonel Fitzwilliam offered to teach her billiards. Even Charlotte chuckled under her breath. The colonel and Mr. Darcy simply looked confused. Mr. Darcy repeated the offer, unsure what could have overcome them. They had been sitting in the library, and a couple of hours remained until dinner would be served. It seemed the perfect pastime.
Attempting to calm, Elizabeth replied, "Yes, we can play billiards, if you like. Though it is a man's sport, there should be no danger if Mrs. Collins attends with me."
"We would not wish you to be uncomfortable," Mr. Darcy seemed torn between not wishing to make her uncomfortable and joy at the thought of teaching her to play. His indecision was plainly written on his face.
"I have no fear on that score, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth paused to ensure Mrs. Collins approved the scheme. "You may show us the billiard room and attempt to teach me to play." Elizabeth stood and turned towards the door to hide her enthusiasm. While she enjoyed reading, this would be a much more pleasant occupation.
Entering the billiard room, Colonel Fitzwilliam pulled the three ivory balls out of storage while Mr. Darcy pulled out a mace and cue to show Elizabeth. "Traditionally, mace sticks are used, however, using the cue end as it is more precise has made cue sticks more desirable. Which do you think you would prefer?"
Pursing her lips to appear in thought, Elizabeth noted the slight challenge in Mr. Darcy's eyes. "I have no use for tradition in such matters. I shall use a cue stick, if you don't mind."
Mr. Darcy nodded and handed her a cue while Colonel Fitzwilliam placed the ivory balls on the table. They took turns explaining the game in a very haphazard manner as though each wished to take credit for having taught Elizabeth. Mrs. Collins could not help laughing quietly as she sat in a corner and pretended to read her book. She was very pleased Elizabeth had caught the attention of two very worthy gentlemen. Only time would tell which one would succeed at gaining Elizabeth's heart. She wished both equal success, for while Mr. Darcy was far richer, Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed more pleasant.
At the colonel's suggestion that he and Mr. Darcy play a few rounds to show how the game progressed, Elizabeth declared that she hated watching others play when she could not, so Mr. Darcy agreed to play first so that she could watch his form and imitate it on her turn. He made quite the display of leaning over the table and demonstrating proper form. Elizabeth watched with rapt attention, and even Mrs. Collins blushed as she approved of Mr. Darcy's appearance. There was never any doubt as to how handsome Mr. Darcy was, and how muscular and fit his current posture showed off his person.
After a quarter hour, Mr. Darcy finally took his first shot and explained where his ball traveled and why he scored two points with his hazard, as he called it.
"So, you get more points for sinking a ball than just hitting it," Elizabeth stated cautiously, laughter pouring through her eyes.
"With practice you can get quite good," Mr. Darcy declared as he leaned against his cue.
Colonel Fitzwilliam harumphed, annoyed that he could not play this round. "It is your turn now, Miss Bennet. Your best chance is from this angle." He demonstrated with his hands what he thought she should do then moved away so she could take her position. While she focused on the ball, she barely listened to the colonel's reminders of how to hold the cue.
When her cue stick struck her cue ball, it flew to Mr. Darcy's ball, hitting it into a corner pocket while speeding off towards the red object ball, hitting it into another pocket. Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam stood there with their jaws hanging open. Elizabeth's eyes danced merrily as she asked if that could be beginner's luck.
Mr. Darcy recovered first. "You did not say you knew how to play."
"You did not ask," Elizabeth stated as she pulled the balls back into play. "My father regretted never having a son. He was a champion at Oxford in his time. Stuck at home with only females, his options were to lose his skill or train me, as I was the only daughter willing to learn such a masculine game. It is your turn Mr. Darcy. I believe I have five points now."
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed; glad he no longer risked being beaten thoroughly by Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy took his next shot, missing the ball in his pique, but by the time it was his turn to play again, he was ready. He had been a champion at Cambridge, and he had practiced diligently ever since. Even though he was behind by ten, he rescued his score, and he pulled off a tie when a messenger came to inform them that Lady Catherine was waiting for them in the parlor, promptly ending the game. The colonel announced that was the most challenging game he had ever witnessed, while Mrs. Collins only laughed and explained that such a challenge was common at Longbourn whenever she would visit in the winter.
AN: Thanks for reading!