Page 32 of Saving Jane
“Just today! The Earl and Countess are away, and I thought to bed down here for a week,” the king’s officer replied. “But please, do not let me interrupt your conversation with the young lady.”
“Be nice!” Darcy growled at the man and Elizabeth blushed once again. But Darcy turned back to Elizabeth and made the introduction.
“Miss Bennet, please allow me to introduce my cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam of His Majesty’s Battalion.” The colonel bowed and Elizabeth curtseyed as Darcy completed the introduction, “Cousin, allow me to introduce Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire, Georgiana’s dear friend and partner on the pianoforte this fall.”
“Miss Bennet, I am pleased to meet you. I shall look forward to becoming acquainted this week if you return. I can tell scandalous tales of my cousins that will curl your hair.”
“Thank you, Colonel Fitzwilliam but my hair curls to excess already. Perhaps we can discuss Byron or Shakespeare?”
“Enough!” Darcy said. “Miss Bennet’s uncle insists that we keep a strict schedule with her visits, so her aunt does not worry for her safety.”
“Does your family have problems with vagrants or pickpockets, Miss Bennet?” asked the colonel.
Glancing at Mr Darcy, Elizabeth teased, “It is not my family colonel, but we are concerned that the Darcy acquaintances and connections are largely contentious. Are the Darcy relations a problem also?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam stared speechless at the girl as Darcy grinned and helped her with her pelisse before he escorted her to the carriage and assisted her inside. Richard smiled as his dour cousin remained on the street until the carriage was out of sight before he returned to the house.
“Well, it appears that life in Darcy House has been interesting this fall. Can you tell me any tales?”
“There are many tales to tell but you must promise to remain the perfect gentleman with Georgiana’s guest before we go further into the house,” Darcy said.
“Georgiana’s guest?” Richard asked sarcastically before noticing the seriousness of his cousin’s gaze. “Very well, I shall remain the perfect guest and entertain Miss Bennet with only appropriate stories of your youth.”
Snorting at the outrageousness of Fitzwilliam’s straight face, Darcy smiled. “Come along, I shall take you to Georgie and then allow you to refresh after you are made welcome.”
“How is she?” Richard asked. “I have not had a letter from her in two months.”
“Come and see,” Darcy said, leading his cousin to the music room.
~~}{~~
“…and Elizabeth has taught me how to look for the author’s meanings in a book and then pose questions that my brother enjoys discussing for an hour or more at a time.”
During supper, the colonel had watched in fascination as his cousins had detailed Miss Bennet’s goodness and intelligence, her wit and interest in the affairs of business, war with the French, and current government politics. Afterwards, the three cousins retreated to the music room where Georgiana played two difficult pieces with more feeling than Richard remembered hearing in the past.
At the end of the evening, when Georgiana said good night and departed above stairs, Richard had no doubt that Miss Bennet was an accomplished lady; she was bringing Georgiana out of her shell as well as making his dour, brooding cousin smile and laugh. The young woman was a marvel.
~~}{~~
With Georgiana safely above stairs, Richard joined Darcy in his study for a taste of his best whiskey.
“Not too much,” Richard said when Darcy poured. “I need my head about me tonight to conduct my inquisition and tomorrow morning for my interview at the war office.”
“What inquisition will you conduct tonight?”
“The real discussion of Miss Bennet,” Richard replied. “I know you cousin. I have never seen you so affected by a young lady.”
Darcy smiled and answered. “She is truly different; unafraid of George Wickham, unafraid of Caroline Bingley and unafraid of me.”
“What has George Wickham to do with Miss Bennet?” Richard asked sitting up with some alarm.
“There was some plot by George with Mrs Young to importune Georgiana last summer. Now that I have had time to think on it, Mrs Young continued to suggest that I allow her to take Georgie to the seaside at Ramsgate for the summer. I imagine that they intended for George to approach her there.”
“Oh, good lord! What happened?Where is Wickham now?”
Darcy paused; his face becoming the stoic mask of business. “He was arrested for the murder of his wife.”
“Murder of his wife? Who married George Wickham?”
