“Mr. Darcy is your cousin?” asked Elizabeth, surprised by the connection.
“He is. Darcy’s mother was sister to my father.”
Eyes wide, Elizabeth said: “May I then assume that your father is Mr. Darcy’s titled relation?”
“One of them,” agreed Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Yes, my father is the Earl of Matlock and Darcy’s closest titled relations, but the Darcys are an old, respected family, possessing ties of some sort to many noble families.”
Elizabeth did not know quite what to say. Though Colonel Fitzwilliam must be a younger son, by society’s estimation, he was higher than Mr. Darcy, who was only a gentleman, albeit a wealthy man. Yet, whereas Mr. Darcy was proud, haughty, and above his company, Colonel Fitzwilliam was everything easy, quick with a jest, and appeared interested to know them all. This apparent reversal was curious, for Elizabeth would have expected the son of an earl to display more superior manners than a gentleman.
“You mentioned you are injured?” asked Elizabeth, grasping for something to say that did not reveal her dislike for his cousin.
The colonel gestured to a cane he held in his hand, and only then did Elizabeth notice he was resting most of his weight on his left leg. “I was recently on the continent in Spain when I was injured during a skirmish with French forces. As a colonel is not much value when he only has the use of one leg, they sent me home to recuperate.”
“Do not inform my youngest sisters of your position,” said Elizabeth with a laugh. “They will pester you for stories and dizzy you with their fluttering lashes if they learn of it.”
The colonel laughed as she intended. “Your youngest sisters love a man in uniform, do they?”
Elizabeth offered an exaggerated glance heavenward. “The local militia company comprises much of their conversation these days. I shudder to imagine what they might do if they learned a colonel of the army was in Meryton.”
Still chuckling, the colonel glanced about the room. “Can I assume they are in that group, giggling with several other young ladies?”
“The tall girl in blue sprigged muslin and the girl next to her in yellow,” replied Elizabeth, following his gesture. Lydia, the taller, is my youngest sister, and Catherine—whom we call Kitty—is the next eldest.”
“They are pretty girls, though I will own that I have seen their like before.”
“That, my dear colonel, is no surprise at all.”
“What of you, Miss Elizabeth?” asked the colonel, turning his frank gaze on her. “Do you, too, love a man in a red coat? Should I send to London for my uniform so that I can bedazzle you all?”
“A man in a red coat is, foremost, just a man,” replied Elizabeth. “Iam more interested in his character than the color of his jacket.”
“Well said, Miss Elizabeth. Well said, indeed.”
Elizabeth stood with the colonel for some time speaking, pleased with his society. The man was open and easy, never searching for topics of conversation, and showed his intelligence by speaking of matters of substance, his opinions well-considered and interesting. Several glances from her mother, who was looking at them, told Elizabeth that her thoughts were already winging to future matrimony; no doubt the trials Elizabeth had endured of late would change into her mother trying to pair her with the colonel whenever possible.
Then Elizabeth learned otherwise, and in truth, she should have noticed it. While they spoke, she saw that he often looked at a point behind her, and though she thought nothing of it, in time it became too pronounced to ignore. Then he spoke and removed all doubt.
“Miss Elizabeth, that lady over there, I believe she is your sister?”
Elizabeth turned to look and saw Jane standing next to Geraldine Goulding, though her eyes strayed to Elizabeth as often as the colonel’s had strayed to her. One who did not know her might think she would be offended by men so often noticing Jane to her detriment, but Elizabeth was so convinced of her sister’s goodness and beauty that she thought nothing was amiss. That did not mean she was above a little teasing.
“Why, Colonel, should I feel offended that my hold on your attention is already waning in favor of my sister?”
The man grinned at her, showing he had not missed her teasing tone. “Not at all, Miss Elizabeth. You are lively and intelligent enough to captivate any man. Yet I cannot but wonder if your sister is of a similar disposition.”
“No, Jane and I are not alike, for all that we are the closest companions. Jane is my eldest sister, and a more beautiful soul you could not find. If you wish, I shall introduce you. Then I shall fade into the company and leave you to form your own opinion.”
“Ifyoucould fade into the company, I should be very surprised,” said the colonel. “I am already of the opinion that anyone who ignores you must be a fool. The force of your brilliance demands attention.”
Though flattered, Elizabeth gestured to Jane, who was now standing alone, and when the colonel agreed, she led him to her sister.
“Jane, Colonel Fitzwilliam has spoken of a desire to know you better,” said Elizabeth as she approached.
“Miss Bennet,” said the colonel, leaning on his cane and executinga simple bow.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam,” replied Jane, dropping into a curtsey. “I hope you are finding our society pleasing.”
“Without a doubt,” said he. “You have all been so welcoming that I am at ease in your company.”
