His parents, his brother, his Darcy aunt and uncle, and even Anna had tried to convince Richard to select a differentpath for his profession. None had argued longer and harder than William.
Eventually, William recognised Richard had made his choice. From that point on, as much as he hated the idea of Richard being in harm’s way, William supported his brother of the heart completely.
The stubborn horse's arse which was his cousin had refused to accept any commission purchased by his father above second lieutenant. He was adamant he would earn his promotions from that point on. It had not taken Richard long to attain the rank of lieutenant. He was well suited for the army and William had to admit Richard was not built to make sermons or be a fiery orator as a barrister.
On the eighteenth day of May 1803, all of William’s and the family’s fears for Richard’s wellbeing had become much more real when war had been declared on France, led by the little Corsican, who became the self-anointed emperor in May 1804.
So far Richard, who had become Captain Fitzwilliam in 1805, had been in the peninsula with his company once, for six months.
Much to William’s and all of the family’s relief, Richard had returned to England sans any wounds of which to speak of. All he and the rest of the family could pray for was for the same to continue and for Richard to be protected from any serious harm, or worse.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Over the years as daughter after daughter had been born, Fanny Bennet had been plagued by what she called her nerves. Not a day went by she did not bemoan the entail and curse the Bennet who had instituted it.
Her opinions on the unfairness of entailing an estate away from its rightful owners was something on which she harped almost as much. In her mind, the heir presumptive was nothing more than a thief. The name Collins was considered an expletive in the house.
Bennet had no face-to-face contact with the Collins family for many years, who by now were very distant cousins. The current patriarch, one Clem Collins, who was illiterate, had a letter written for him some years past in which he had gleefully announced the birth of a son, named Clem William Collins.
Each time news had spread about another daughter for the Bennets, said illiterate man had someone write a letter ofcongratulations. Bennet hated the name Collins almost as much as his wife did.
On this particular day, the Friday after Easter, Bennet was especially thankful for the thick oak door which separated his sanctuary, which was his study, from the rest of the house. His wife was screeching at Jane and Lizzy about the gowns they would wear to the spring assembly that very evening.
Two hours since his wife had invaded his peace, he imagined he could still hear her voice reverberating around his study regardless of how much he would have liked to forget it.
The study door had been flung open without so much as a knock. If Bennet thought it would have made a difference he may have taken the time to voice his objections to his wife bursting into his study in such a rude manner.
From past experience Bennet knew it would only lead to even more screeching, so he said nothing in order to keep the frail peace.
“Mr. Bennet, how well it is for our Jane,” Fanny had exclaimed at high volume.
“Mrs. Bennet, of what do you speak?” Bennet had enquired. “I am not aware of what you are referring to. What has whatever you are on about to do with Jane?”
“How you like to vex me. My sister was here not an hour ago and told me that a man of exceptional wealth, and possibly a peer of the realm has taken all of the rooms at the Red Lion Inn for his exclusive use,” Fanny blabbered.
“Mayhap I am a simpleton, but I still fail to see what that news has to do with us.”
“Hattie heard from Lady Lucas, who heard from Mrs. Goulding, who heard from Mrs. Browning…”
“Who is Mrs. Browning?”
“The landlady of the Red Lion Inn! Why do you not pay attention when I tell you important news from the neighbourhood?”
Bennet knew the only way he would have his study for himself again was to allow his wife to relate her fantastically important piece of gossip. “Go ahead Mrs. Bennet, I am all ears and in great anticipation of this wonderous news.”
As always, sarcasm went right over his silly wife’s head.
“According to what Hattie was told, the man is single and more importantly his heir is no longer alive so he has to marry to beget an heir.”
“Just like you gave me,” Bennet riposted insotto voce.
“What was that?” Fanny demanded.
“Nothing Mrs. Bennet, I was clearing my throat. Please continue this earth-shaking news so I may return to my work.”
“He prefers a lady from the country rather than some stuck up woman from so called polite society! Do you not see what this means for Jane?”
Bennet was aware at eighteen Jane was an unrivalled beauty, except for Lizzy that was. He could not voice his opinion about Lizzy rivalling or possibly exceeding Jane’s beauty, which when you took her vivacity and intelligence into account made her a far better catch than her older sister. If he voiced his opinions on the matter he would never hear the end of it from his wife who told one and all, whether they wanted to know or not, Lizzy was nothing in looks to Jane. Anyone with eyes in the neighbourhood knew his wife was wrong, but over the years they had learnt to keep from saying anything contradictory to the Bennet matron.
