Update ch 10
"I will never understand why you take so long to find a move. I simply play what comes to mind." Colonel Fitzwilliam shifted in his seat as he pretended to be extremely bored.
Mr. Darcy chuckled, replying with, "That explains why you generally lose. Chess is a game meant for strategy." He paused to glance at Elizabeth who was studiously staring at a book. He had not seen her turn a page for some time, so he assumed she was actually watching the game. With a small smile, he added, "I play to win and must therefore plan my attack with precision."
"My military strategy requires quick thought." The colonel defended, "My plans are changeable to fit with the current circumstances."
Elizabeth smiled, "Then, if your cousin is to be believed, I hope your military strategies end up better than your chess matches."
The colonel laughed, while Mr. Darcy responded, "He has yet to see actual battle, so we do not need to know."
"Darcy! You are not supposed to reveal that! How can I flirt if everyone knows my history?" The colonel looked offended, but his eyes still shone in mirth.
Mr. Darcy rolled his eyes playfully. Studying the board one last time, he moved his rook into position to take the knight Colonel Fitzwilliam had placed near Darcy's king. "Perhaps if you studied battles as often as you flirt, your strategy on the field and at the chess board would improve."
Three moves later, the colonel surrendered his king. He stood up and made a sweeping bow to his victorious cousin. "I have had enough. I need to see to some paperwork. The summons from my superior officer must be ready should Lady Catherine see fit to require me to do some awful task, like escort her to a ball. Miss Bennet, ensure you never go to a ball with my aunt. She ensures everyone has a dreadful time." With another flourish, he disappeared.
Mr. Darcy watched his cousin disappear and, realizing he was alone with Elizabeth, moved to her side with a book of his own. Pleased with her response as he noticed her breathing hitch slightly, he opened his book to pretend to read while he observed her.
Her fingers were tapping out the rhythm of her book on the cushion. Wishing to touch her, but not daring enough, he set his hand on the cushion between them, within a few inches of her hand, and stared at his book as though his life depended on it. He itched to move his hand closer, but she lifted her hand to turn the page. When finished, she set her hand in her lap without a care in the world. His chance was gone. He sighed in frustration.
"Is something bothering you, Mr. Darcy?" She asked sweetly. He turned to notice her inquiring gaze. He had not meant to make a sound. "Is your book not to your liking? Perhaps I should return some of the books you lent me so that you may have better choices."
"No, no! My book is… enjoyable." He paused to look at his book to see that it was about the peerage. Blast! He ought to have looked at it before picking it up. He closed it sheepishly.
Elizabeth's laughter brought him out of his reverie. "You must have important thoughts keeping you busy."
He looked at her earnestly, turning so he could see more of her. Her dress fit snuggly around her bosom. The color accentuated her fair skin. Her hair was fully constrained except for a few rambunctious curls that escaped around her forehead and neck. Her lips were plump and dark. Her eyes were still laughing in merriment as she watched him. No, his thoughts were not keeping him busy. His willpower to not seduce her was preventing him from forming any coherent thought. Realizing she was expecting a response, he mumbled, "Perhaps you are right." This would never do! Surely, he ought to be able to think properly in her presence.
A noise at the door startled them both, and Mr. Darcy moved to the window as Mrs. Collins and Miss Lucas entered. Maria seemed not to notice the tension and immediately claimed a seat, afraid to speak with Mr. Darcy in the room. She had spent half an hour listening to Mr. Collins enunciate the man's virtues. As a result, she was nervous to be in a room with such a marvelous gentleman.
Mrs. Collins looked from Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth a few times before sitting with Elizabeth and speaking as though she did not know they had been beside each other. Mr. Darcy resolutely stared out the window after greeting the ladies, willing them to depart, though he knew Mrs. Collins was prepared to be a chaperone and was unlikely to leave. She took her duties as mistress of the parsonage to heart, even at Rosings.
After a quarter hour of listening to Mrs. Collins chatting with Elizabeth, he felt master enough of himself to bid the ladies farewell. Intending to go for a ride, he shut the door behind him only after a long last gaze at Elizabeth. How was he to master himself enough to propose? At this rate, they might be married in a decade. He had easily spoken to her before!
Elizabeth's thoughts were on the same topic, though of a different bent. She could only remember how pained he looked when he had stared at her. Worried they were outstaying their welcome, Elizabeth once again thought that she should leave for London early.
Almost as soon as the door shut, Mrs. Collins suggested that Mr. Darcy looked at Elizabeth with pleasure. "How can you deny it, Eliza?" She took Elizabeth's hand in hers. "You are the only person he looks at in any room in the house, and the only one he escorts home. I saw you walk with him this morning."
Wishing to unburden her thoughts to her friend, she squeezed Charlotte's hand in support. She opened her mouth to speak, but she choked on the words. If he did admire her, then she would need to check her behavior to ensure he realized she held no affection for him. No, it would be better that he did not admire her. "He is bored, that is all. If you walked more, he might meet you in the park and bring you back to Rosings, such is his nature. I have seen no sign of affection, and I ought to sense it the most if you are correct that he admires me."
"Elizabeth Bennet!" Mrs. Collins appeared almost cross with her friend. "How can you be so obtuse? He is a reserved gentleman to be sure, but -"
Elizabeth's voice rose to match Charlotte's as she interrupted, "So we should let him be. If what you say is true, his honor as a gentleman will require him to propose before showing his emotions. We are not on even footing in society, so even if he admires me, it might come to nothing. I bring nothing to a marriage, as I have no fortune to tempt him to consider forming an alliance with my poor relations."
The room fell quiet at Elizabeth's speech. Maria watched her with wonder. Charlotte considered her friend carefully. Eventually, she broke the silence by stating, "You are beginning to admire him." Wishing to console her friend, she took Elizabeth's hand.
Elizabeth snatched her hand away and moved to the window Mr. Darcy had vacated. She found him on his horse, riding very quickly towards the forested paths north of Rosings. "I do not admire him. He is a reasonable conversant, and he does listen to my responses in the way my father does, but he is altogether too aloof and uncaring. His pride is insurmountable, and he insults people, myself included, regularly." She turned to see Charlotte wished to refute her assertions. "No Charlotte, if we marry, I would have to hide my relations. I would need to build a completely new wardrobe. Just today he stated that my old gowns were not of good quality." Hesitantly, she smoothed her gown and attempted not to admire the fine fabric she wore. "If I were to accept him, he would grow to resent me in time. Admiration can fade, if it even exists, which I am not at all convinced it does. I shall not risk my future happiness on such a vague inclination."
"Elizabeth," Charlotte began after a time. She waited until Elizabeth turned around to begin again, "There are rumors."
Elizabeth scoffed, "Yes, I heard the field hands today on my walk. They did not see me as they passed." She paused, unsure what to say. Finally, she reclaimed her seat and turned to her friend. "Is there any truth to them?"
Charlotte once again claimed Elizabeth's hand to reassure her. "I do not know what you heard, but when Mr. Darcy saw you on the ground, he lifted your head into his lap and called you Elizabeth. He then did everything in his power to ensure your comfort and safety before helping the other men salvage what they could of my home. I have heard from Sally and a few others. The rumors are growing to indicate that you must have been intimately acquainted." She paused as Elizabeth looked away with her eyebrows pinched together. When Elizabeth turned back around, she continued. "If the rumors spread to Hertfordshire, you could be ruined, and your family with you."
"How could the rumors travel to Hertfordshire?" Elizabeth asked with a trace of fear lining her words.
"Sally's sister traveled with my father to take a position in my mother's house."
"Would anyone in Meryton believe Mr. Darcy could actually like me enough to ruin me?" Elizabeth pondered.
"Mr. Darcy is an unmarried man, and you are a very attractive lady, not to mention your wit and vivacity. Many would believe you could turn even his exacting standards your direction."
"Charlotte," Elizabeth spoke more fearfully. "I do not wish to marry him. I really do not wish for him to be forced to marry me, for it would destroy any affection you seem to think he might harbor for me. Please, let this go." Elizabeth had not pleaded with Charlotte since they were children playing with dolls.
After a few breaths, Charlotte acquiesced. "Very well, I shall speak with Sally and see if I can convince her to avoid mentioning you in her letters. She likes you, as you are always so kind with the servants. But if rumors do spread, I shall speak to Mr. Darcy and encourage him to be a gentleman. He will know it was not your fault, indeed was his errors that brought this about."
Elizabeth sighed in relief. However, her friend was not finished. "You must attempt to get to know him, Eliza. Try to learn more about him. If you are to marry him, you should find a way to admire him. He is not ungenerous. Your lively conversation would be reward enough for him and prevent him from resenting you for your relations. If it comes to nothing as you hope, then the worst would be that you spent your time unfruitfully." Seeing that her friend was exhausted, she decided it was time to give Elizabeth time to think. Rising, she asked her sister to accompany her to the village to check on her displaced servants.
AN: I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for reading!
