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I have been asked in the comments how I imagine Darcy... for me its always a mix of a few. I love love LOVE Colin Firth but with eyes like Matthew Mcfadyen... into that mix throw in bit of David Gandy *swoon* (wish I could use emoji's here).
The reader who commented and mentioned Timothee Chalamet (well done *clapping emoji*) I think he is so handsome but agree if he were taller would make a perfect Darcy!! I think in this fic I would imagine hugo to have mostly Timothee's features.
Elizabeth in my mind always looks a cross between Jennifer Ehle, Gemma Arterton, and a young Catharine Zeta Jones. I've always imagined her as a girl next door, full blown type of beauty.
Enjoy the next instalment !
As always, please leave a review and let me know what you think and also let me know how you picture this Darcy and Elizabeth...!
Chapter 3
Hugo waited until he and Fitzwilliam were no longer within earshot of the ladies before speaking.
"You know, Ella has her heart set on finding you a wife this year brother." he spoke into the silence making Fitzwilliam stop in his tracks. He noticed the tension immediately creep into the set of his shoulders. His brother's first reaction to most things would be to tense as if under attack, he probably wasn't even cognisant that he was doing so.
"She does?" he asked,incredulously already relaxing his posture.
"She sure does!"said Hugo,biting back a chuckle at his expression.
"You jest!"
"I would not joke about this Fitz. We're twins, we always know what the other is thinking." at thatFitzwilliam arched his brow at his younger brother."All right, fine! Ella told me before the Bennet sisters arrived." Hugo reluctantly admitted.
"That sounds more like it."
"I would not dismiss it so quickly if I were you," Hugo said taking longer strides to catch up toFitzwilliamwho had resumed walking.
"Is that so?" repliedFitzwilliam,becoming bored with this conversation.
"Yes, I can guarantee that if Ella has decided it is time you marry, then Lady Matlock will not be far behind…" warned his younger brother.
"Ella has discussed this with AuntViolet?!"he said with a huff, stopping before the stairs and looking at Hugo once more with annoyance.
"No, but you know how she is, you'll be receiving an invitation from her to attend a weeklong party in the country with all of the 'darlings' of this season and then LadyCatherinewill undoubtedly come to visit so that she can push your marriage to Anne with gusto!"
"Shoot me first! Anne and I have no wish to marry, although I have thought on it at times. Sometimes, I feel as though it might be easier just to marry her and be done with the whole thing!" he grumbled.
"The only solution is for you choose your own bride and soon, old man."
"You are as bad as Ella!" he muttered, as he began to climb the stairs to the next floor and to the sanctuary of his study. He had half a mind to tell Hugo to forget learning how to manage the household accounts to be rid of this conversation.
He paused at the top of the staircase and turned to Hugo, "Is this the reason for the girls visit and the dinner party later this week?"
"Ha! You think that we would be that scheming, that calculating? I am hurt, no I am-"
"Hugo."he said,with a warning in his voice.
"No… well not at first."he said, deciding to come clean at his brother's obvious testiness, "But, you have to admit they are uncommonly pretty girls, Fitz. The eldest Miss Bennet could easily be this season's diamond were she a member of the ton!"
Fitzwilliam stood for a moment and thought back to MissElizabethand Miss Jane Bennet. Miss Jane was everything society told him was beautiful, from her pale skin and golden blonde hair to her large brown eyes and MissElizabethwas indeed very handsome too, with thick dark hair and emerald, green eyes. Her skin carried a slightly sun kissed colour that hinted at a fondness of being outdoors, her lips were plump and pink, and she held herself with an air of confidence and curiosity which he had at first mistaken for a timidity and shyness. He could not help finding her attractive, she was indeed a beauty in his eyes, but his brother was correct, society would always favour the blonde and paler sort. When he had caught her studying his scar, for once he did not see an initial reaction of fear or pity, but instead a look of wonder and curiosity. He swore he could almost hear her cataloguing all the ways in which he might have injured himself.
"Hmm?" Fitzwilliam mumbled, realising Hugo had asked him something.
"What did you make of the ladies? I have to say I think they are both lovely and I am looking forward to dancing with them both on Thursday." he said, standing taller and pulling at his jacket to straighten it.
"I think,"he said,expelling a heavy breath, "That you are right, and it is time that I do take a bride."
"WHAT?!"he said,stumbling backwards in an exaggeration of his shock.
"Grow up Hugo!" growledFitzwilliam, placing a hand upon the banister.
Unbeknownst to them, Elizabeth who had become distracted by the artwork on the walls on her way back from the retirement room, heard the brothers voices speaking of her and Jane above her. She nibbled on her bottom lip a fraction of a second before her curiosity got the better of her and she crept to beneath the staircase.Well, if someone mentions your name, then you have every right to eavesdrop! That was the rules in the Bennet household anyway.Elizabeth told herself as she poked her head slightly to seeMr Darcy and Hugospeaking with each other.
"Well?" asked Hugo.
"Well what Hugo?"
"Do not be so obtuse Fitz, which lady is your preference to become your Mistress of Pemberly?"
"I believe out of the two ladies my preference would lie with Miss Jane Bennet." he said.
After the initial hurt of being overlooked, Elizabeth felt a happiness for her sister. She was as kind as she was beautiful, any man would be fortunate to have her for she was turning to go back, Hugo mentioned her name once more and couldn't resist her inquisitiveness.
"She would be a fine choice, although I thought you would have chosen Miss Elizabeth." Said Hugo, in truth he did not see his brother show any interest in Miss Jane earlier, in fact he had barely looked in her direction. Hugo did not mind his choosing Miss Jane, sure he found her attractive, but he was in no way ready to marry yet! He would have enjoyed a little flirtation and few dances with her, before he grew bored as he always did.
"No, I wouldnotconsider Miss Elizabeth a suitable option. Her sister seems as though she is a much gentler creature, she would not cause much fuss and does not seem to me as the demanding or talkative sort. I desire a nice quiet, submissive wife that will leave me to get on with my life. Miss Bennet is a country miss who shall be grateful for the elevation our name would provide her and will be content to run our homes without extravagance. I do not need an opinionated, headstrong, demanding wife that will cause my head to ache daily. I need some peace, after being outnumbered by you hellions for so long!" he said in a cool offhand way. Elizabeth pressed herself back against the wall as their voices became quieter moving farther into the house.
"Let us hope you will attempt to at least be charming and woo Miss Bennet Fitz!" Elizabeth heard Hugo say before their voices disappeared.
Elizabeth was furious, - no furious was not enough to describe the seething rage coursing through her!He thinks he can just have Jane, does he?Well, not if she has anything to do with it.I was not a suitable option; HE was the one who was not a suitable option! That arrogant, self-absorbed, egotistical ba-"
"Lizzy, I am glad we found you, we were worried you might have become lost!" said Ella startling her.
"Forgive me, I was distracted by the beautiful artwork and couldn't resist taking a closer look."she said,thinking quickly and hoping they would not notice her distress.
"On Thursday, when you come, we can give you a proper tour, we have a finer gallery upstairs I am sure you would adore, there are plenty of sculptures and portraits as well as artwork we have cultivated over the years. I would offer to take you now, but I do not want you to feel rushed." said Ella, generously with a warm smile as she assessedElizabeth'scountenance.
"That would be wonderful! The only other thing Elizabeth enjoys more than art are her books and the outdoors." said Jane enthusiastically.
"Oh goodness me, then we shall be sure to include the library brother Fitzwilliamloves his books too and always has one or more books on the go!" Ella said looking at Elizabeth a little strangely when her lips thinned at the mention of her elder brother.Interesting…
"Is everything all right, Lizzy?" said Jane, full of concern, placing her hand gently upon Elizabeth's arm.
"I am fine, it is only a slight headache, I promise. I feel the thrill of visiting London and the excitement of the past few days has quite worn me out." Elizabeth said reassuringly.
"Yes, she has spoken of nothing else since she and our Aunt Gardiner made your acquaintance at the fabric shop." laughed Jane.
"We would not have met had you not had the excellent taste in fabrics! We had both reached for the last of the maroon material when Lizzy graciously allowed me to have it."
"Yes, and then we both went for the same bonnet too! But you politely allowed me to have it, I feel a little remorse, as upon further inspection I think you would have suited it much better than I," said Elizabeth happy to be distracted.
"Nonsense!"
"You do look a little pale Lizzy; would it be terribly rude of us to take our leave a little earlier than planned?" said Jane on her sister's behalf.
"But of course!" she said catching the attention of a passing footman and asking him to tell Mr Hudson to ready their carriage to take Elizabeth and Jane home. "Do not worry Lizzy, I feel I need to rest after all the excitement of today too, although I know I shall be a little too eager to plan the menus for Thursday." said Ella, as she began to walk them back through the house. Once more Jane and Ella continued to talk easily, while Elizabeth followed slightly behind preoccupied with her thoughts. She wanted to tell Jane, but she also did not wish to upset her withMr Darcy's unflattering description of her. Then she looked at Miss Ella and wondered if she had planned this all along and were they simply here for his amusement? No Ella was kind a person and very genuine, she might have thought of one of them for her brother, but as a great love match. It is a shame then that her brother was so unkind and unfeeling! Elizabeth would not tell her sister of what he said unless she must, and she most certainly would not allow him to win her sisters affection only to trap her into a sad and loveless marriage.