“I agree. Someday, I hope to have a large family of my own, and settle down close to Pemberley, if possible. I have missed much while I have been in the army, but I hope to reforge the close family ties that I enjoyed before I left.” He looked at her with sudden intensity. Elizabeth found herself blushing atthe depth of feeling in his gaze. If she was not mistaken, he had even lingered for a moment on her lips before looking away with gentlemanly restraint. “Do you have plans for marriage, Miss Bennet?”
She cleared her throat, suddenly feeling over warm, as though she could not breathe. “I do hope to marry one day, of course. But I am not sure I have any plans past that, at the moment.”
“Well, the man who wins your heart will be very lucky indeed.” Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled meaningfully, then turned the conversation to more casual subjects.
The change in topic was a great relief. Elizabeth could not deny that butterflies were swirling in her stomach.
Yet she was very much afraid that they had not been caused by the colonel, but by Mr Darcy.
Chapter 20
The next morning found a rather loud and emphatic knock resounding through Darcy’s townhouse, as though Fitzwilliam was taking out his disgust at the early hour on the poor doorknocker. Darcy smiled into his cup of tea, picturing his cousin’s disgruntled expression. It was not long necessary to imagine it, for Fitzwilliam lost no time in striding into the dining room and dropping into the chair opposite him.
“Remind me, Darcy, why was it we agreed to meet at this hour? The sun is scarcely up.” His cousin accepted a cup of tea with a nod of thanks.
Darcy raised an eyebrow, rather enjoying the opportunity to tease his cousin, rather than the other way around. “The sun is long since up, Fitzwilliam. Did they not cure you of being a slugabed in the army?”
“Quite the contrary. I have learned to get my sleep when I can.”
“Then it is all the kinder of you to wake early and accompany us. Georgiana has informed me she will need a considerable time at the modiste.”
Fitzwilliam put on a look of mock consternation. “Where is she, by the by? If I have woken early for her errands, she might at least do the same.”
“She did so, and has already breakfasted. Now we wait for the final adjustments to her appearance. I am told that a young lady cannot arrive at the modiste looking anything less than her best. Be patient, Fitzwilliam. I am sure Georgiana will be grateful.”
Though Fitzwilliam sighed, he was smiling. “Ah well, anything for Georgie. And I shall enjoy spending time with the both of you.” He drained his cup to the dregs. “And at least the sun is shining.”
“I shall drink to that,” Darcy said, and did. The pleasant weather and the company were both welcome, for Darcy felt himself badly in need of help to chase away his disturbing thoughts. He had not been able to get Elizabeth out of his mind. Even though they had differing tastes in art, they had a love of the arts in common. He would be eager to discuss art with her again. Or really, any subject, he suspected. He simply enjoyed talking with her.
Unfortunately, he had not had the opportunity to apologise to her. But perhaps during their next meeting, wherever it might be, he would have a chance to clear the air. While their conversation had been good the previous day, there had still been some hesitation on her part.
It was not long before Georgiana came down. When she had been suitably admired by both her guardians, they took the carriage to the modiste. Upon the modiste repeating Georgiana’s warning that the appointment would be a long one, the cousins quickly agreed to leave the shop, with its clutter of finery and abundance of young women waiting for their appointments, infavour of a walk in the park across the cobbled street. After the close atmosphere and many glances of the young ladies in the shop, the cool air and relative solitude of the park were a great relief.
Fitzwilliam sighed contentedly, looking up at the sun peeking through the trees. “What do you think Mother thought of Miss Elizabeth Bennet yesterday? I confess, I am utterly at a loss.”
“I think Miss Bennet made a favourable impression,” Darcy replied after a brief hesitation. “Why did you not ask her what she thought?”
“I am afraid of what she might say about Miss Bennet’s connections. She is a splendid young woman. I do not think anyone can argue with me about that. But my mother — and especially Aunt Catherine — have very particular ideas about these things.”
Darcy was not sure he wanted to hear any more, but had to ask. “What things are we speaking of?”
“Marriage, of course,” Fitzwilliam smiled. He only beamed more when he saw the shock on Darcy’s face. “Yes, I said it. I know no one believed I would ever be ready for marriage. But why should I not be taken with Miss Bennet? She is witty and sensible, with a great deal of conversation and a charming figure. And she is even an heiress!”
Darcy could take it no more. “You cannot marry her, Fitzwilliam.”
His cousin halted on the path, looking utterly flabbergasted. “What? Why ever not?” he asked. He frowned with concern. “Tell me why I cannot marry her. Is there something I should know about her or her family?”
“There is nothing wrong with her in the slightest. Nor her family.” Darcy was not about to make the same mistake with Fitzwilliam that he had made with Bingley. Where would he be now if he had only been honest with his friend, instead of trying to make up excuses?
“Well? What is it then?” Fitzwilliam asked. Now, rather than looking confused, he only looked offended. “Do not tell me you are on the side of Mother and Aunt Catherine.”
“That is not what I am saying.” Darcy gave a frustrated sigh.
“I had intended to ask you about your strange behaviour whenever we are around Miss Bennet. Are you sure you do not disapprove of her? The Bennets are not on our level of social consequence, to be sure, but what of that? I shall provide the consequence, while she provides the fortune, thanks to that inheritance.” Fitzwilliam frowned deeper as they continued to walk. “Whatever it is you have against her, you shall have to get over it if we do wed. Why should I not be as happy with her as with any other heiress?”
Darcy stopped, raking his hand through his hair. It was something he had not done since he was a boy, since his father had scolded him out of the habit. Fitzwilliam looked at him as if he had sprouted horns. “What is it, Darcy?” he asked.“We have always been honest with each other. I hope that will not change now.”
Darcy looked at his cousin reluctantly. It was something he had never thought he would be forced to do, but here he was, about to lay his heart bare. “I love her, Fitz,” he finally admitted, reverting to their childhood nicknames. Realisation dawned in Fitzwilliam’s eyes, and he let out a breath. “I fell in love with in Hertfordshire, while I was visiting Bingley. I did not mean for itto happen, but it did. She would not have been my first choice, believe me. And that is why I left so suddenly, to return to Pemberley and try to forget her. But I cannot.”
