He contemplated Darcy silently for a few minutes.
“What?” said Darcy. “Why are looking at me that way?”
“Darcy, do not tell me you have gone and fallen in love with her?”
“Of course not. I can admire the logical mind of a young lady without being smitten.”
“You admire her logical mind!” The colonel let out a loud laugh. “Did you hear that, Georgiana? How many times have you heard a man sing the praises of a lady’s logical mind? Does she have any other good qualities?”
“Of course she has good qualities.” Darcy thought of her wit, her directness, her sensible approach to rescuing her cousin, her warmth, the laughter in her eyes, the sheen of her hair, the delicate elegance of her neck, the allure of her pleasing form when he carried her. He could think of many other qualities he admired.
“Name them,” said his cousin.
Darcy’s ears began to burn, embarrassed at the direction of his thoughts. He cast a quick look towards Georgiana and cleared this throat. “She is charming. And quick minded. And pleasing to look at. And kind.” He gestured to Georgiana. “Ask Georgiana. She is better at these things than I am.”
The colonel leaned back, locked his hands behind his head and grinned.
“Well then, Cousin Georgiana. Tell me why this young lady has your brother’s ears turning bright red. In your female opinion, would you call her handsome?”
“They are not—” said Darcy, hotly.
“Look in the mirror.”
“I have no need to look in the mirror,” he said, holding onto every shred of dignity he could.
“I suppose I would call her handsome,” said Georgiana, with a little smile.
“Yousuppose?” objected Darcy. “She is one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. “Well, that certainly clarifies some things. Help me out, Georgiana, does she have anything else to redeem her?”
“Well, I will tell you, Cousin,” said Georgiana, speaking earnestly this time. “Sheisvery pretty. And she is very likeable. And she does not have a mercenary bone in her body. I think anyone would be lucky to have her as a wife.”
“Excellent. That is very good news. Now that she has turned you down, Darcy, we can move on to our second plan of action.”
“Did we have a second plan of action?” asked Darcy.
“Yes. We talked about finding her a husband, remember? I have a number of young officers that would fit the bill, with an adequate dowry.”
Georgiana made a choked sound. The two gentlemen turned to look at her.
“I wish you would not make plans to dispose of Miss Bennet like that. I like her, and I know you mean well, but I do not think you have the right to manage her life.”
Both Darcy and the colonel regarded Georgiana in astonishment.
“I did not know you felt that way,” said Darcy. He felt oddly pleased that she had come to Miss Bennet’s defense.
“I feel obliged to defend her, because clearly both of you think you can make her do whatever you wish. But as you already know, Brother, you cannot make her doanything. She refused to marry you. What makes you think she will agree to marry a soldier my cousin picks out for her?” She turned to look at her cousin defiantly. “How do you know they will suit, Cousin, when you do not even know her?”
“Well, well,” said the Colonel. “She must be a very special person if she inspires such strong reactions from both of you. You are right, Georgiana. I really must meet this paragon of virtue.”
“Unfortunately,” said Darcy, “that is impossible. She made it abundantly clear that she did not wish to see me again.”
The colonel regarded his cousin.
“I do not think you capable of thinking in a rational manner tonight,” said the Colonel. “We shall talk about it further tomorrow, shall we? Meanwhile, Georgiana, could you ring for one of the maids to put some of these excellent confectionaries in a bundle for me to take. I would hate to see them go to waste.” He shook his head, laughing. “Strawberries in the middle of winter! What is the world coming to?”
As soon as the colonel left, Darcy excused himself and went up to his bedchamber. He felt exhausted. He had not yet recovered fully from the effects of his fever, and he needed to rest.
