Page 29 of Until My Last Breath

After a long and tiring journey, Mr Bennet and Jane arrived at the parsonage later that afternoon. The servants informed them that Mr and Mrs Collins were at the manor house. The great lady had taken the news of her nephew’s abduction far worse than expected, and Charlotte was helping with her care.

As soon as Richard was informed of their arrival, he did not waste any time and made haste to meet Elizabeth’s father and try to appease the old man. Once he entered the room, Mr Bennet, who was standing by the window beside Jane, turned to him with a painful expression.

There was no one to perform the introductions, so Richard stepped forward. “Mr Bennet, my name is Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. I am Mr Darcy’s cousin. I came as soon as I heard you had arrived.”

Mr Bennet approached him, stretching out his hand. “Colonel Fitzwilliam, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am just sorry that our acquaintance is taking place under such sad circumstances.”

Jane, who was dabbing her red eyes with her handkerchief, turned from the window and forced a weak smile. Richard was immediately struck by her uncommon beauty. The sad contrast between her deep green eyes and the red circles around them did not diminish her allurement in the slightest.

Mr Bennet did not miss the colonel’s small lapse. “Colonel, pleaseallow me to introduce my eldest daughter, Miss Jane Bennet.”

“Miss Bennet…” Richard hesitated, lost in the beauty of her eyes, “it is a… pleasure to meet you. Unfortunately, as your father mentioned, in such sad circumstances.” He cleared his throat and turned again to Mr Bennet, blinking a couple of times.

Had Mr Bennet not been so distressed by their current circumstances, he would be amused. Jane often had that effect on some men.

“I am at your service, Mr Bennet,” Richard finally said. “If you have anything you would like to ask, please do so. I asked Mrs Collins to write to you, but I am not aware of how much was said.”

“Would you mind sitting down, Colonel? Indeed, I have some questions, as she did not say much. If you could tell me more, I would be most obliged. But, please, do not let me keep you from your obligations. I am aware that, so far, you have taken it upon yourself to investigate what has happened.”

“There is not much I can do for now, so I think it is better if I tell you all the facts from the beginning.”

Within a few minutes, the whole story was told.

“We have the local constable conducting the investigation, but my father has also hired a private detective from the Bow Street Runners to help us. He arrived about an hour before you. They are currently making enquiries in the village, but I do not think I will have any further information before night-time.”

“May I enquire… I mean, one of Charlotte’s maids said you were not sure whose blood was on the handkerchiefs you found.” Mr Bennet stopped and cleared his throat. “I am sorry, Colonel, but Lizzy is very close to me and Jane, and I confess I am at a loss as to what to do or think. I never felt so desperate in my life… my poor child.” He stood up and walked to the window, leaning his head forward.

Another sniff came from Jane. Richard turned to her and saw her silently dabbing her eyes again.

“Miss Bennet,” Richard said gently. “I am very sorry for not being able to give you both better news. My aunt and I, we are devastated by this.All we can do for now is wait for news and support each other while I try to assist the investigators. I cannot imagine how my parents will break the news to Georgiana, Darcy’s younger sister.”

Richard felt tired. The pang in his chest at the thought that Darcy could be dead by now was much worse than anything he had experienced during the months spent on the battlefields of Spain. He looked down to his entwined fingers. “Darcy is not just my cousin, Mr Bennet, he is my best friend. His generous heart and care make him one of the best men I know. He did not deserve this.”

This last statement took both Bennets by surprise. Obviously, the good colonel would praise his missing cousin, but something in his voice caused Mr Bennet to wonder how such a generous man could disgrace a boyhood acquaintance. “It is good to hear Mr Darcy is appreciated by his family. That he can be seen as a good man.”

Richard did not miss the strange hint in Mr Bennet’s remark and remembered his disturbing interaction with Elizabeth the day before. “Mr Bennet, I am sorry, but do you have any complaint against my cousin? I hope he has not offended you or your family in any way.” He could not abide someone thinking ill of his cousin in a moment like that. It was now a matter of honour to clarify whatever had happened on Darcy’s behalf.

“I am very sorry, Colonel, I spoke out of turn,” Mr Bennet replied with regret. “But as I have already incited your concern, I will just say that Mr Darcy did not make a good impression by the end of his short stay in Hertfordshire. He was never impolite — well, maybe once or twice — but, in general, his manners did not impress our local villagers. But again, I am sorry to bring this up; it was unnecessary, and I apologise.”

“Mr Bennet, I do not have much more to do until the investigators come back to report any news. So, if you do not mind, we could take this opportunity to elucidate any misunderstandings about my cousin’s behaviour. I believe I owe him this much, as he is not here to defend himself.”

Mr Bennet cursed himself for raising such an insensitive subject. On the other hand, Colonel Fitzwilliam was right, for now the only thing theycould do was wait.

Resigned, Mr Bennet related to the colonel about Mr Darcy’s general behaviour, pointing out his and his friend’s discontentment with the neighbourhood, finishing with his poor behaviour towards an old friend without mentioning Wickham’s name.

As Mr Bennet continued with his story, Richard’s eyes widened. Something did not fit. When Mr Bennet finished, Richard was silent for a moment.

“When did Darcy first arrive in Hertfordshire?”

Jane answered the question. “It was the beginning of October, when we were having our local assembly. I was dancing with Mr Bingley and when the dance ended, he approached Mr Darcy and suggested he should dance with Lizzy. As you heard, he was rude to her. Mr Darcy did not dance or talk to anybody else, apart from Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst.”

Miss Bennet’s story not only gave Richard a full understanding of his cousin’s behaviour; it also explained why the Bennet family had good reasons to dislike him. Richard knew Bingley was no more than a fickle man, but what happened to Darcy?

“Our interaction was somehow… disappointing. There were other inconvenient things to consider,”Darcy had said.

Richard turned and observed Miss Bennet’s dejected countenance. Perhaps it was the sad tale about his cousin’s lack of manners, or perhaps the disgust against Bingley’s attitude before leaving the area, or even the thought of what a fool Bingley had been to leave someone like Miss Bennet behind. It did not matter. Her sniffs and tears stirred something inside him that he had not felt for quite some time. A strong urge to take her hand and offer her some comfort surprised him, and he coughed to alleviate the sensation.

“I am sorry for their lack of manners and consideration,” Richard said at last. “Indeed, this is not what one would expect from new friends. But Mr Bennet, you also mentioned that my cousin had mistreated an old friend. Who is this person?”

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