~O~

Chess and other diversions

In the morning, Jane, encouraged by Mrs Taylor, attended lessons again with her youngest sisters. Now that Fanny Bennet's influence had been removed, the family was hopeful that Jane would be willing to learn some accomplishments and integrate into the family.

While the three sisters were busy, Mr Bennet requested the presence of his mother as well as his other daughters meet with him in the library.

When they were all comfortably seated, Bennet asked, 'Mother, you are most familiar with father's cousin Susan Fitzwilliam. What do you know about their connections?' He went on to explain that Darcy had named a Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam as his cousin.

'I know that her daughter Catherine married a baronet, I think his name is de Borne or something similar, and she only has one daughter. Her son Reginald has two sons. Last I heard the younger son was in the cavalry. I vaguely remember her bemoaning the fact that her youngest daughter Anne married an untitled gentleman. But you must remember that was about thirty years ago, and at the time your father had an argument with her husband and our contact after that was sporadic.'

'So, our Mr Darcy could be her grandson?'

'That is quite possible as the Matlock estate is in Derbyshire, the home county of Mr Darcy.'

Bennet turned towards Elizabeth and Mary. 'Since neither of you made any comment about Mr Darcy, I presume your great-aunt did not mention him to you?'

Both daughters shook their heads, but a moment later Mary offered, 'On my visit this year she did mention a Major Fitzwilliam and cussed him for avoiding her… and me… thankfully.' Mary looked quite unperturbed at the potential slight.

Mrs Bennet laughed. 'We did warn you that she was quite a curmudgeonly old lady, but we could hardly refuse her when she offered to sponsor Elizabeth and you for your presentation.'

Bennet shook his head and grinned. 'I wondered if she would try to match you up with any of your cousins during your visit, brief as they were.' Bennet chuckled and asked his elder daughter, 'Was there anyone from the Fitzwilliam clan Aunt Susan had waiting in the wings for you?'

'Remember, when I returned from my visit, that I mentioned that I thought all her grandsons know of her penchant for matchmaking and became exceedingly busy any time she sponsored a protégé to make her curtsy to the queen. I did not meet any of the other relations.' She paused as a thought occurred to her. 'She did mention that it was too bad that Fitzwilliam was too busy with estate business. I assumed that she meant Lord Matlock's younger son, but now I wonder if she was talking about Fitzwilliam Darcy.'

'I suppose the quickest way to find out is to ask the gentleman himself.'

The gentleman under discussion was busily avoiding Miss Bingley by spending time with his friend, giving him advice about the repairs Bingley was overseeing.

'Are you sure you do not want to come along to supervise the work yourself?' Bingley asked when Darcy finished his explanation.

'I think it is better if you take control yourself. Remember, I came along to give advice, not to interfere or take over.'

Bingley sighed. 'I suppose that you are right. But it would be a lot less stressful. What if I should make a mistake?'

'You will earn more from your mistakes than your successes. At least this estate is most in good order and any mistakes will not be too costly.'

'Very well. I shall be the very picture of an estate owner. What will you do while I am busy?'

'I think I will return a book to Mr Bennet.'

Darcy made his way to Longbourn, and he did indeed have a book with him which he was returning to Bennet.

But he knew that this was simply a pretext because he hoped to encounter the fascinating Miss Elizabeth again. During the evening at Lucas Lodge, he had to exercise all his restraint not to request permission to call on the lady. For heaven's sake, Darcy, you have only met her once before. Do not rush into anything, he had chided himself.

Even as he made his way to Longbourn, he was still berating himself, to take things slowly, but he could not resist a chance to converse with Elizabeth again.

'Ah, Mr Darcy. Have you come to give me a game?' Bennet asked pleasantly, indicating the chessboard. 'You mentioned that you were a member of the chess club at Cambridge.'

'Mainly, I came to return this book,' Darcy handed his excuse to the gentleman. 'But I would be pleased to test my skill against yours.'

'Wonderful. I confess your timing is excellent. I have finished all my business for the day but as my ladies are all otherwise engaged at present, I have been trying to choose between reading a book or visiting one of my neighbours. Both choices are enjoyable, but you have presented me with a third, and even better option.'

'In that case I am pleased to help you pass the time.'

Without further ado, Bennet and Darcy took their seats at the small table set up with the chessboard to join battle.

Three games later, both men were satisfied as each of them had won one game, while the last was a draw.

They were just sitting back, relaxing and enjoying a cup of coffee which Hill had recently delivered when there was a knock on the door which was immediately followed by the entrance of Lydia.

'Oh. Pardon me. I did not know you had a visitor, papa.'

'No harm done, my dear. I had not realised how much time had passed as I was pleasantly engaged in a game of chess.'

'In that case, I shall not disturb you.'

'No, my dear. Stay.' Bennet turned to his guest. 'Darcy, I would like to present to you my youngest daughter, Miss Lydia Bennet of Longford. Lydia, this is Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.'

Darcy rose to his feet and bowed to the girl who appeared to be of an age with his sister. 'Good afternoon, Miss Bennet.'

Once Lydia curtsied and returned the greeting, Bennet suggested. 'Lydia, come and join us. Perhaps I can persuade Mr Darcy to give you a game. You might find it interesting to play against a different opponent.'

Lydia responded with a big smile. 'That would be wonderful, papa. Are you sure that Mr Darcy will not mind playing against me?'

Darcy smiled at the eagerness of the young lady. 'I would be delighted to play a game of chess with you. Have you been playing long?'

'Ever since I can remember.'

While they talked, Bennet set up the board again and Darcy brought a third chair. Once Darcy and Lydia as well as Bennet were seated appropriately and the opponents decided on which colour they would use and on who would go first, Bennet reached across the board and removed Lydia's queen.

'What are you doing , Bennet?' protested Darcy.

'Evening the odds and to give you warning.'

Lydia pouted. 'Papa, I was not going to use my queen, but now you have spoilt my fun.'

'Think how much more satisfying it is to win when your opponent is not caught unawares.'

Darcy watched in amazement as the girl pouted even more until Bennet warned her, 'Behave or I will remove a knight as well.'

'Very well, papa. I will be good.' Lydia smiled at Darcy. 'Are you ready, sir?'

Darcy looked dubious but said simply, 'I am.'

The game commenced, yet despite Darcy having been warned of Lydia's prowess and the fact that she did not have a queen, it did not take very long before Lydia announced, 'Checkmate.'

Darcy examined the board in consternation, shaking his head. Looking up at Bennet, he exclaimed, 'I wish you had taken Miss Lydia's knight… as well as her rook and her bishop and maybe a few pawns.'

Lydia beamed at him. 'Mr Darcy, you say the nicest things,' she said, causing both men to laugh.

Darcy looked between father and daughter, asking .'How?'

Bennet shrugged. 'I do not know. She is simply a prodigy when it comes to chess. She is perfectly normal in every other respect, but it has been many years since anyone has been able to beat her even without the queen.'

Darcy looked thoughtful before he started to grin. 'Miss Lydia, how would you like to play against some of my cousins?'

'I would be pleased with fresh meat… I mean new opponents.' Lydia beamed at Darcy.

'Lydia, behave.'

'My apologies, Mr Darcy. I sometimes forget my manners,' Lydia said with apparent contrition.

'Think nothing of it, Miss Lydia. I was not offended and though I should not say so, I expect my cousin will get a good laugh out of your comment… once he recovers from being beaten at his favourite game.'

Lydia smiled and thanked Darcy before she excused herself to join her sisters.

Once they were alone, Bennet said with an indulgent smile, 'I am afraid that since I enjoy a certain amount of impertinence, my daughters sometimes forget that it may be inappropriate in company.'

'I suppose it depends on the company. I wish my sister was not as shy as she is. A little impertinence would be welcome from her. My cousin tries to set such an example, but so far without success.'

'Speaking of cousins, you mentioned Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam yesterday.'

'That is correct. He is the one I would like to surprise with Miss Lydia's expertise.'

'I am sure you will find great amusement in that situation,' teased Bennet. Before he could say anything else, there was a knock on the door and at his invitation, Elizabeth entered, carrying a tray.

'Good afternoon, Mr Darcy. Since Lydia mentioned that you have been playing chess, I thought you could use some refreshments,' she offered, her expression not betraying any amusement of Lydia's gleeful report that she had won.

Both Bennet and Darcy indicated that coffee would be welcome, and Bennet invited Elizabeth to join them. The moved to another table near a window where Elizabeth placed the tray. Once she had served them, Bennet raised the topic which Elizabeth's entry had delayed.

'Darcy, you mentioning the Colonel last night, put me in mind of my Aunt Susan, a delightful curmudgeon. Admittedly, calling her aunt is a courtesy title, as she is my second cousin once removed.'

Bennet's lips twitched at Darcy's confused look at the apparent non sequitur. 'Since Colonel Fitzwilliam is your cousin, I suspect you know her as your grandmother, or Lady Susan Fitzwilliam, the Dowager Countess of Matlock.'

Astonishment was written all over Darcy's features as he exclaimed, 'You are related to my mother's family?'

Elizabeth smiled, having their suspicions confirmed, but she held her peace leaving her father to explain.

'In a roundabout way. Your grandmother's mother was sister to my grandmother.' Bennet paused, letting the information sink in. 'I gather no one in your family mentioned our side of the family.'

'My mother died twelve years ago, and the topic has never arisen when I spent time with her family.' Darcy was stunned to learn about the connection. But on consideration it should not be surprising because the number of families in the upper ten thousand was not that great and they generally married amongst the families.

Darcy frowned as he searched his memory. 'I believe my great-grandmother was a Wentworth.'

'Indeed, but before her marriage she was Miss Sarah Purcell, daughter of Geoffrey Purcell, my great-grandfather.'

'I shall be sure to mention that I met you and your family, the next time I visit my grandmother.'

'Do you visit her often?'

'Probably not as much as I should, but truth be told, I find her rather intimidating. She is a most formidable lady.'

Elizabeth protested, 'The one time I met her, I thought she was everything delightful, very witty and she has a dry sense of humour.

Darcy bowed his head in acknowledgement. 'Perhaps to ladies she appears such. But to my male cousins and me she shows a different countenance.' He did not mention that he and his cousins avoided her because she was an inveterate matchmaker. 'When did you meet her?'

'I met her in the spring two years ago.' Elizabeth grinned as she added, 'I was one of her projects.'

'The term is protégé, Lizzy,' her father objected.

'While that may be the term you might use, but I can assure you Aunt Susan considered me a project.'

Darcy could not resist a chuckle as he asked, 'Was the lady trying to be… ah… helpful?'

The knowing expression on Darcy's face caused Elizabeth to laugh. 'She did indeed, but I consider myself fortunate that the prey she had in mind proved elusive. I came back home as unattached as I left.'

'In my grandmother's defence I have to say that according to reports I have heard, she is surprisingly good at putting people together who are compatible.'

'Be that as it may, due to her failure to introduce me to her preferred acquaintance, I had time to become better acquainted with the lady. I discovered that she has remarkably eclectic taste when it comes to reading material.'

That comment was enough to spark a spirited debate about their preferences in books. When Shakespeare's name was mentioned, Darcy expressed a preference for histories, while Elizabeth firmly believed his comedies were superior.

During this debate Bennet sat back in his chair and listened with pleasure. He could not remember his Lizzy being so relaxed as she passionately debated with Darcy.

Eventually Darcy recalled himself to the time, amazed that he had been speaking to Miss Elizabeth for more than an hour. He was relieved when Bennet said, 'Do not trouble yourself. Once cannot put a time limit on a good debate.'

Nevertheless, Darcy soon took his leave. It was not until he was halfway back to Netherfield when he remembered that in the spring, two years earlier, he had been unable to come to London until much later than usual due to problems with flooding at Pemberley.

He also remembered that his grandmother had been most put out with him. Now he wondered…

~O~

A Most Attentive Father (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2024