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Chapter 2.
Forty-five minutes later, Fitzwilliam sat in his study bored out of his wits trying desperately to drown out the man prattling on in front of him. What he had anticipated being a quarter hour appointment with his solicitor; Mr Ainsworth, had run over by twenty additional minutes with his grovelling partner Harold Mumford instead. Fitzwilliam had met with Mumford once or twice, but always strived to avoid a meeting with the sweaty solicitor. His glasses kept fogging up and slipping down his nose which had him continuously taking them off to clean them or smear them, before putting them back to rest upon the bridge of his crooked nose. What was the nasal sycophant saying now? He was looking at him, waiting expectantly… releasing a heavy sigh, Darcy attempted to answer irritating solicitor, but before he could however, Mumford began waffling once more.
"– and if I may reassure you again that you may trust me with any ofyourinvestment interests and assets as your dear father did before-"Fitzwilliamcut him off,with a raise of his hand and a curt nod. Really there was only so much a man could take!
"That will be satisfactory, thank you for your assistance, hopefully Mr Ainsworth will be recovered in time for our next meeting."said Fitzwilliam,pulling the bell for Mr Hudson to escort him out.
"I-"beganMr Mumford,beforeFitzwilliamspoke over him ended whatever flattery he was about to spew.
"Take care Mr Mumford."he said, towering over him even from his position behind the desk. Mumford held out a hand as if he intended to shake hands with him, but then in his enthusiasm lunged too far across the desk whilst trying to bow at the same time, causing Fitzwilliamto step back lest he touch him in themost inappropriate way.
Instantly realising his error Mr Mumford bowed low, continuously bobbing up and down as he was backing out of the room, where Mr Hudson was waiting to see him out.Never again!thought Fitzwilliam, as he departed.
Mr Hudson looked a little puzzled for a moment when he had seen his master's glacial stare and knew the poor solicitor had made a grave error!Please God, do not let him have tried to touch him in any way!thought Hudson, closing the door to the study and leading the man, now mopping his brow and tugging to loosen his neck cloth nervously, to the entryway to collect his coat and hat. His master did not like to be touched by those he did not trust or know very well, most especially not upon his back after what happened all those years ago.
Once aloneFitzwilliamstood by his window looking out onto the street. He did not need to adjust his will as often as he did, he just needed to make sure that his siblings would always be taken care of in the event of his passing.
He expelled a harsh breath. Ever since his mother had passed and his father's downward spiral from his heartbreak, he had vowed he would try to avoid marriage and most principally marrying for love. He did not need to beget an heir as Hugo could take care of that, and if not, he had worked tirelessly using his influence and wealth, to better his connections to ensure his estates and mainly Pemberly was no longer entailed to only the male line. Perhaps he should just marry his cousin Lady Anne de Bourgh and be done with it. She would be able to live under his protection and at peace away from her mother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, his late mother's sister. He knew he would never demand a traditional marriage from her, as he had a mistress for his baser needs. He did not know if he had it in him to bed a woman he thought of more as a sister and then there was the matter of whether she would survive such an ordeal, she was quite a sickly creature, and he would not forgive himself should she lose her life in pregnancy because of him.
His late father, George Darcyhad been an excellent man and wonderful father, before the death of his mother. Following their abduction George Darcy had become completely consumed with trying to avenge his wife's death to the exclusion of everything else, that he had not grieved as one was supposed to grieve, and he had lost interest in his children and duties. However, when they had found those responsible and it had simply been that he and his mother were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The men had admitted to seeing how fine their carriage was and thought the lady within would be adorned with jewels. Upon finding nothing to steal from her person and noticing the child the greedy, the thieves had thought them important enough to ransom them. Once they had shut them away upstairs in the cottage, a fight had broken out amongst them, which resulted in one of the thieves knocking over a lantern, and setting the place ablaze. Instead of trying to douse the fire, they fled into the night.
Of course, the men had been hung for their crimes, but that had done nothing to make his father feel any less worthless nor did it assuage his guilt, and so over the years in his despair and pain at his perceived failings, he had turned to were occasions where Fitzwilliamhad confronted his father and tried to take the drink from him, which would result in him getting hit and his father saying the most awful things to him;'If you hadn't been tired and insisting that you wanted to leave the Matlock's early, your mother would be ALIVE,'he would yell. Of course, he when he had sobered, he would immediately feel remorse and apologise profusely for his horrible words and actions, trying to convince Fitzwilliam that he had not meant needn't have wasted his breath.
Fitzwilliam knew it was all his fault. he had been so bored as his cousins were not there and he had just wanted to go home. His mother had sensed her husband had wanted to stay longer and as they were neighbours, they would be safe enough to do the thirty-minute carriage ride without him.
At that moment a hackney pulled up in front of Darcy House, pulling his mind away from the unpleasant memories that still haunted his dreams at night.This must be Ella's new friends. He thought watching them alight from the carriage. He craned his neck, unsure why he was so curious to see what the ladies looked like, but could not make out their features as their bonnet's were shielding their faces. Shrugging he turned back to his desk to tend to the letter Hudson had delivered during his visit from Mr Chamberpot – plume!Damn that was going to be a hard one to shake!
Elizabeth Bennet felt suddenly nervous,when their Hackney cab stopped before a large town house. Although, it was most definitely more thanahouse, it looked like four town houses put together! She looked to her sister, Jane and saw that she was just as nervous.
"We shall be fine, Lizzy. You said Ella was ever so friendly. I am sure being in her home will not change her." Jane said reassuringly. They both self-consciously smoothed their skirts and adjusted their bonnets before they alighted from the carriage and started up the stone steps, and were delighted to find the door opening before they had reached it and MissEloise Darcyrushing to greet them.
"I am so happy to see you!" Eloise gushed turning and gesturing to the butler behind her, "Mr Hudson will take your bonnets and things and then we can go to our yellow day room, it's my favourite room in the spring. I am surprised to find that it is so overcast today, but do not fear, I shall have some tea ordered straight away- Sorry I am waffling. My brothers always tell me I do so when I am excited." she said stopping to catch her breath and smiling at them merrily.
"We are very pleased to be here. You have such a lovely home." said Elizabeth smiling with equal enthusiasm.
"Yes, thank you for extending the invitation for me to come to tea with Lizzy." added Jane.
"But of course. It was so much fun meeting Miss Elizabeth yesterday in the book shop and she talked of you with such a high regard that I feel as though I know you already!" Ella said warmly gesturing for them to follow her through the cavernous entryway that led into a grand palatial area full of art with a large staircase at either end. Both sisters were absolute beauties, but in completely different ways. Jane was fair with brown doe eyes and a tall willowy frame whereas, Elizabeth was dark with green eyes and a petite slim, yet curvy figure.I can't wait forFitzwilliamto meet them!Ella thought to herself barely able to conceal her excitement.
"I hope you do not mind, I have invited my brothers to join us shortly, my younger sister has her lessons otherwise you would be able to meet her too." she said chatting easily, as they made their way through the house.
Elizabeth was only half listening and was thankful that she had Jane with her talking with Ella, as she was in complete awe of the wonderful artwork and décor of the house. Most members of society of good standing tended to make sure their homes showed their wealth in an obvious way. Even though the space of the rooms and the hallways were more than generous in size and housed expensive furnishings, the decoration was done sympathetically and in a way that enhanced the beauty of the building itself without overwhelming it.
Sadly, Ella had now stopped and was waiting for them to enter their appointed room for tea, Elizabeth wanted to ask for a tour and for the first time wished that her mother was there. She had no qualms with asking those sorts of questions, but then that was because she sadly chose to ignore social etiquettes. But that was their Mama!
It had been no more than ten minutes after the tea had been served, that Ella looked up to see her brother Hugo entering the room, drawing Elizabeth and Jane's attention to him.
"Hugo!" Ella exclaimed upon seeing him, "Brother allow me to introduce my friends, Miss Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. Jane, Elizabeth - this is my twin brother Hugo Darcy." she introduced as they rose curtsy, and he bowed. Elizabeth had never seen twins where the sex was not the same before and was astounded at how they looked identical, but what was more astounding was that Ella did not look at all masculine andHugo did not carry any femininity. Yetthey were identical!Remarkable! Realising she was staring she blushed and looked away from his very handsome features.
"How do you do, Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth Bennet?" Hugo said affably, with a twinkle in his eye, letting her know he had caught her openly comparing him to his sister. There was one thing in which they were not identical however, as he drew level with his sister, Elizabeth could see a clear difference in height. Hugo was roughly a foot taller than his sister. She wondered was that purely because he was the male and they were meant to be built so? A movement in the corner of her eye pulled her attention once more to look towards the door.
Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat. The most impossibly beautiful man she had ever beheld had just entered the room. There was no other way to describe him other than beautiful, yet hauntingly so… She had seen handsome gentleman before but this specimen before her was in a completely different league to those men. His dark hair curled lazily against his forehead, he had a strong angular jaw and full lips sat beneath a straight roman nose.
He was tall too!Taller than Hugowho had to be over six feet and his hair was a shade darker with streaks of the lighter chocolate colour of Ella and Hugo's hair running through it. His body was lean and well formed, beneath his exquisitely tailored clothing, the way he commanded the room when he entered spoke of a strength and a barely leashed power within. Elizabeth flushed unaccustomed to these foreign feelings. She shivered in awareness of the man coming towards her as she felt her heart skip a beat.
"Ah, there you are Fitzwilliam!"said Ella looking up at him as he stopped before her.
"As you see." he drawled, his deep voice causing another shiver of awareness to coarse through Elizabeth.
"May I introduceyou to,Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
He turned and laid the full force of his assessing gaze upon them. His dark brows and impossibly long lashes framed his eyes, which were such a striking sapphire blue in colour. He paused before bowing his head to them in welcome. She had even felt Jane stiffen beside her, who was known for being at ease in most company.
"We are pleased to have you as our guests." he said graciously, although there was no visible change in his expression nor a softening of his lips by way of a smile to be found.
"Now that you have caused the Miss Bennet's to curtsy one more time than would have been necessary had you arrived together, shall we all sit?" teased Hugo with a small Fitzwilliamturned his head to scowl at his brother, Elizabeth noticed a harsh slash above his right eye. The scar started just above his brow and went in a diagonal line to rest at the top of his cheekbone. It did nothing to detract from his handsomeness.
Did he gain it serving his country? No, it looks to be an old scar, and he was surely not old enough to have served and retired… Perhaps it was an accident from his youth? A fall from a tree or horse?Thought Elizabeth distractedly, a slight frown creasing her brow as she mentally listed off all of the possible ways, he might have obtained such a scar.
Elizabethgasped when Mr Darcyturned suddenly, she blushed furiously as he had most definitely caught her openly gawking at his scar! How she wished the ground would open beneath her and swallow her whole.
"I shall send a servant to let cook know that you are here Hugo, otherwise our guests will not get a chance to taste some shortbread." Ella chuckled warmly as Elizabeth and Jane retook their seats opposite Hugo, who had already happily eaten two pieces. Once Ella re-joined them, they all commenced chatting amiably, well Jane, Hugo and Ella did, Elizabeth was all thumbs and fingers under the intense scrutiny ofMr Darcy's watchful when he was not looking at her, she was sure he was! He was such a severe contrast to his siblings. Ella and Hugo were both so light and amiable, whereas he seemed to be a dark mystery. Even with his family he seemed severe but then they did not appear to be afraid of him…
"Then it is settled!" Elizabeth heard Ella exclaim, drawing her from her musings." Fitzwilliam,are we able to host the Bennet's and their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner for dinner on Thursday evening?"
"We would not wish to impose if you have other plans..." said Jane, looking to Mr Darcy with caution.
"It would be our pleasure. We will have Mr Bingley and his sisters joining us." Mr Darcy answered, with the smallest of smiles, towards Jane.
"That is perfect! We shall have music, dancing and games as there will be plenty of us to keep it interesting and partner with." said Ella, already planning how she would work to get her brother to dance with both Elizabeth and Jane! She was not yet able to tell which he showed a preference for, but it was good sign he had not left as soon as he had introduced himself, as was his usual wont.
"That would be wonderful, I do love to dance." said Elizabeth, noticingMr Darcy's sigh at her declaration. "I take it you do not care for dancing, Mr Darcy?" she challenged.
"That is correct, Miss Elizabeth. I do not." he replied curtly.
"How peculiar," said Elizabeth, unable to resist goading him. She saw Hugo straighten in his seat, mirth shining in his eyes.
"It is not so peculiar." he replied, causing Ella to follow Hugo's example and straighten also.
"In your opinion. I believe dancing is a very enjoyable form of entertainment,Mr Darcy."
"Well then it is good that my dislike of it, does not prevent your enjoying it."
Elizabeth opened her mouth to respond, when Jane intervened to break the tension. Both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy,seemed to have forgotten that the others were still there.
"How many sisters does Mr Bingley have?" Jane asked no one in particular.
"Bingley has two sisters," answered Hugo still watching his brother.
"Yes, Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs Louisa Hurst," added Ella, "Fitzwilliam, what time will Mr Bingley be arriving?"
"I believe MrBingleywill be arriving earlier as he wanted to discuss a new venture with me. Charles is interested in leasing a property, coincidently in Hertfordshire, called Netherfield. Ella mentioned you ladies hail from that part of the country. Do you know of the property?" asked Mr Darcy, briefly looking to his sister before returning his gaze toElizabeth.
"We do indeed, it is not very far from our father's Estate, Longbourn." answered Elizabeth, before Jane could, she found the man before her compelling. Her pulse leapt at every movement he made and word he spoke, she had never reacted to a person in this way before.
"That is good then, I know he will be pleased to discuss the area with you when you meet. Now if you will excuse me, I have business to attend to. I look forward to seeing you again on Thursday." he stood and bowed before turning away and calling for Hugo to follow as he exited the room.
"Oh, forgive me, I forgot I am to accompany my brother to meet with his steward." he said, bowing to the ladies before taking his leave, he fought the urge to look back at Miss Jane one last time before exiting the room. He could not wait for Thursday to come so that he might have the opportunity to dance with her.