Hello again!

You guys are wonderful!

Today, another Darcy chapter. I'm afraid he is such a serious chap, his scenes all tend to the contemplative and serious. Sorry for another not-so-fun chapter.

Also, we are nearing the end of our story and the next chapter will need a few days, since I realised that one important scene was missing. So I will not be updating tomorrow.

With a flourish he pulled out a smaller book, and in dramatic voice he announced "The new scandalous sensation in the literary world! The Mysteries of Udolpho!"

At Darcy House in London, the master of the house sat in his favourite armchair in front of the library's fireplace, swirling brandy in his glass and watching the liquid in the flame's light.

A knock on the door had Darcy look up. When his favourite cousin stuck his head through the doorway, he smiled. "Richard. Thank you for coming."

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam grinned broadly and strolled into the room. "Good evening, cousin! What is it that the great master of Pemberley cannot decide on his own?"

Darcy first gave him a flat stare, but could not suppress his grin for long, for the colonel's good mood was infectious. Thus, he quipped "Whatever do you think it could be? There is exactly one thing that you know more about than I, Richard, and that is women."

"Oooooh!" Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned forward, waggling his eyebrows and accepting a glass of Brandy from his cousin. Darcy in turn leaned back and, with a more serious mien, came straight to the point "I met a woman in Hertfordshire whom I found admirable. I had a lot of misgivings, for her family's manners, connections and monetary wealth is not what I'm expected to ally myself with."

Richard watched with avid interest as Mr Darcy fidgeted with his glass. When his cousin did not continue, the colonel asked „But…? There seems to be a ‚but' coming?"

Growing increasingly agitated, Darcy replied tersely. „What they do have in abundance is love and loyalty for each other, Richard - no matter how silly or stupid they may act." He paused and collected himself briefly „I find myself appreciating their artlessness rather than resenting it as crudeness as I first did."

Darcy leaned forwards again restlessly. He buried his face in his hands. "I cannot help myself Richard, I want some of that familial devotion for myself and for Georgiana!"

At that, Darcy could not stay seated anymore. He jumped up, paced briefly and ended up leaning against the mantle of the fireplace, staring into the flames.

"I want to return to Hertfordshire, to apologize to Miss Elizabeth and her family and to try to gain their friendship. But I cannot trust myself to regard this rationally. It does not help that my mind focuses on Ms Elizabeth's loveliness entirely too much and I am unsure if I want to pursue more than friendship just yet!" Darcy stopped and caught his cousin's eye. "Thus, I would like to gain your impartial opinion."

Richard was silent for a moment. Recognising his cousin's agitated state of mind, he refrained from making a joke. Slowly, contemplating his next words carefully, he said "Well. That is quite the tale, and unusual for you too. Why in God's name do you even need to gain some good opinions after all the time you spent there? What happened in Hertfordshire?"

Darcy let himself drop back down in his seat and eyed Richard. "Well…"

An hour later, the brandy glasses refilled twice, Richard howled with laughter, his feet kicking in the air. Darcy was scowling at him, trying very hard to keep the corners of his mouth from twitching. „I am glad I could entertain you with my plight."

After a while, Richard got his bearings with great difficulty. „Oh, what absolute treasures! I have half a mind to accompany you to Hertfordshire just to meet these ladies!"

Darcy finally grinned. „Well, why not? If you can take additional leave? What an excellent idea!" Then, more seriously, he added „Still, please tell me. Am I an absolute nincompoop for wanting to gain their friendship and possibly Miss Elizabeth's hand, considering their lack of manners and consequence?"

Richard, who was reclining in his chair cradling his glass, mirrored his cousin and became more serious. „Well. Gaining genuine friendships is almost always favourable, I think, no matter the rank. I have no concerns there, as long as you do not tell aunt Cathy I said that. It may even do you good to practice." Richard grinned at his cousin cheekily, which took the sting out of his words.

Darcy was suddenly struck by the similarity of his cousin's and Ms Elizabeth's teasing manner of conversation. However, he did not have time to ponder the matter, when Richard continued.

„Now, Miss Elizabeth herself…. You are in a lucky position where you are able to marry without having to consider money. Provided, of course, you decide to pursue that connection in earnest and convince her to consider you.

„With regards to connections: My father would certainly appreciate having some additional ones. However, I do not believe he would form a grudge if you did not marry according to his political ambitions. My mother would probably prefer a prominent catch as a niece in law to crow about, but I can just as easily see her rejoicing in the challenge of presenting somebody entirely unknown, as long as the lady is worthy."

At that Richard paused and regarded his cousin carefully before he continued. „That being said, the most important consideration should, of course, be Georgiana's welfare and that of your estate. If you have doubts in that regard, you should consider those carefully.

„Based on your tale so far, I would think it is not so bad. I imagine Georgiana would fare better with somebody kind and warm who has practise caring for three younger sisters than with some hoity-toity society lady. She could use a bit of confidence-building and a trusted female confidant near her age. And your estate would probably fare better with a country lady than with a London one who is used to all sorts of entertainment and frippery."

Richard paused and sat up. „That being said, I would say go for it, if you really want to. If you and this Miss Elizabeth are willing to brave society's scrutiny and aunt Cathy's rage and you think that this is what would make you happy, why not? You should, however, make sure that those sisters of hers are taken in hand and do not cause a scandal. From your tales, they sound like a handful and I would not want Georgi to be harmed by the connection after all."

During the colonel's musings, Darcy's smile had grown steadily. When it was clear his cousin was finished, Darcy laughed, jumped from his seat, clapped his Richard on the shoulder and made his way to his desk. „Well then, I'll write to Bingley that he should expect me back by the end of the week and to ask for an invitation to you!"

Richard raised his glass to Darcy's back sardonically. „You are welcome old chap."

A few days later, the cousins were sitting in a carriage bound for Hertfordshire, both excited for what lay ahead.