Fitzwilliam continued.“You love Miss Bennet, do you not?”
Darcy nodded warily.
“How would you like it if she said she enjoyed your company, but your aunt is overbearing, officious and a public embarrassment, and your sister had behaved so badly the previous summer that if it were to become known she would be ruined forever.Therefore, she could not consider an alliance with you.”
Darcy’s hands were clenched and his face was red.
“Well?Tell me, Darcy.Is that something you wish to hear from your lady love?”Fitzwilliam could see Darcy’s nostrils flaring as the vein in his forehead protruded.“Or would you prefer to hear her say she enjoys your company, and that she will be pleased to marry you, and you will avoid your troublesome relations together?Hmm?”
Darcy continued to seethe as his cousin stared at him, his gaze unwavering.“It is hardly the same, Fitz,” he finally bit out.
“You are correct—it is much worse.Lady Catherine has been raised to know better, but she covers her bad behavior with wealth and a title.G as well.She was young and sheltered, but we both know she knew what she was doing was wrong.She has you to thank for rescuing her.It is hardly Miss Bennet’s fault that she has no brother to inherit or that her mother is silly.At least the woman means well.”
Darcy huffed out a breath and paced to the window and back again.He repeated the action several times before coming to stand before his cousin.Colonel Fitzwilliam sat in the winged chair, one foot crossed over his knee, looking for all the world as if nothing of import was happening.
“It is not—”
The colonel looked at him expectantly.
“She is not, they, I—” Darcy groaned and paced off again.
Fitzwilliam was about to pick up a book from the side table when his cousin appeared before him again, his hair bedraggled from running his hands through it.
“Lady Catherine may not behave as she ought, and I am sorry for it, but she is wealthy and titled, and that allows her to be eccentric with less censure.That is the material point.”
“Darcy, you either love the lady or you do not.That is the material point.”
Darcy’s mouth dropped open and he stared at his cousin a full minute before pacing off again.He continued to move about the room, occasionally mumbling to himself or tugging his cravat.His hair was completely disheveled and his cousin had read an entire chapter in his book before Darcy returned to the chair before the fire.
He sat stiffly and looked straight ahead, every ounce of dignity he possessed writ on his face.“I love her,” he said solemnly.
“Wonderful!How do you wish to proceed?”
“I have no idea.”Darcy slumped back in his chair as the colonel laughed and laughed until he was red in the face.
An hour later, the cousins were still debating how best to court a lady such as Miss Bennet.
“Why cannot you acknowledge I am right?”cried the colonel.
“How can you know her better than I?I am the one in love with her, not you.”
“Who has courted more ladies?”
Darcy huffed.
“And who is desired for the pleasure of his company and not the size of his coffers?”
Darcy rolled his eyes.
“Trust me, Cousin.I would not lead you astray.”
Darcy gave him a doubtful look, then sighed and uncrossed his arms.“Very well.I will try it your way.”
“It is not so very hard, truly.Merely think of the things you have wished to say to her, the things you hope to do together.A little affection can help move things along.Look into her eyes, kiss her hand.Stop holding yourself so rigidly!If you wish to take her hand, there is nothing saying you cannot.”
“Only decorum and propriety,” grumbled Darcy.
“That is why you ask to court her.She will know from the very beginning your intentions are honorable.You are not trifling with her.There is no reason to hold back all of your thoughts and wishes.How will the lady ever fall in love with you if you do not let her know you!”
