| Colonel Fitzwilliam Interferes |
| She could not think of Darcy's leaving Kent without remembering that his cousin was to go with him; but Colonel Fitzwilliam had made it clear that he had no intentions at all, and agreeable as he was, she did not mean to be unhappy about him. While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the sound of the door bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in the evening, and might now come to enquire particularly after her. She was not disappointed, for moments later, in walked the Colonel. He bowed and in an hurried manner he immediately began an enquiry after her health, imputing his visit to a wish of hearing that she were better. She smiled and said that she did feel much improved, and had merely been reading through some old letters. He seemed somewhat agitated, and she was unsure of how to react to him. She invited him to sit down, and set the example by sitting down herself. He paced around the room a bit more, sat down briefly, then rose again. He looked at her from across the room for several seconds, then took a deep breath and approached her. �Miss Bennet, do you recall that this afternoon I said to you that the second son of an earl cannot marry where he likes?� Elizabeth blushed; did he think her headache was caused by disappointment over him? �I do sir,� she replied confusedly. He studied her carefully, then suddenly dropped to his knees in front of her and took her hand. �I have been trying to convince myself of the truth of that statement since I first met you. However, with each passing day, I find it more difficult to justify losing you in order to live a life of luxury in a marriage of convenience. When I am near you, I get a glimpse of what my life could be with you by my side, and the strength of my feelings for you have overcome every objection. I cannot offer you an estate in the country, a townhouse, fine gowns and carriages, but I can offer you a comfortable home and my undying love and devotion. Miss Bennet� Elizabeth, please be my wife.� This was a surprise indeed to Elizabeth, who had already prepared herself to forget him. She looked down at his handsome face, a look of apprehension giving it an irresistible charm. Before opening her mouth to reply, she examined her heart. She did not love him as she had always hoped to be able to love her husband. However, she did feel very warmly towards him; she was certainly quite attracted to him, and they did complement each other well. And then there were more material concerns; as much as she hated to admit it, Mr. Collins was right: she may never receive another proposal. If she married into such a noble line, the chances of her sisters finding husbands were greatly increased, and perhaps Darcy would even allow Bingley to court Jane again. Still, she felt a nagging feeling, like something was missing. The question was, would the benefits of this marriage balance or outweigh that one negative? She considered Fitzwilliam�s good qualities, and decided that in time she could probably learn to love him, for she was pretty much on her way to doing so anyway. She took a deep breath and spoke. �Colonel Fitzwilliam, I thank you for your proposal and would be happy to accept your hand.� He closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. Her long silence had made him nervous, but he had been rewarded by the answer he wished to hear above all things. Smiling, he fervently kissed her hands. �Thank you, Elizabeth! You have made me the happiest of men!� He rose to his feet and lifted her up with him. �I go to London in two days, but when you return to Hertfordshire I will follow you and apply to your father, if that meets your approval.� She consented to the plan, and he gave her the direction for Darcy�s townhouse, where he would be staying, so she could write to inform him of her arrival at Longbourn. For the sake of propriety, he left soon after, but not without first giving her a lingering kiss to seal the engagement. It left her with a light head and a silly grin long after the door had closed behind him. Any concerns momentarily forgotten, she sat down to write a joyful letter to Jane. * * * * * * * * * * * * Fitzwilliam mounted his horse and galloped all the way back to Rosings with a smile stuck on his face. When he reached the stables, he gave the horse over to one of the hands (I say one, for there were several) and whistled his way to the library where he knew he would find Darcy. Sure enough, his cousin was there hiding from his Aunt�s attentions and Mr. Collins� idiocy. Darcy looked up and saw Fitzwilliam looking almost Bingley-like the way he was grinning foolishly. Oh Lord, what has he done this time? he groaned inwardly, thinking of Fitzwilliam�s many practical jokes of the past. �You seem bursting to tell me something Fitzwilliam,� he said dryly. �May I ask what it is?� Fitzwilliam smiled even more widely and slapped Darcy on the shoulder. �I will tell you what you can do, Darce. You can congratulate me; I am engaged to be married!� Darcy nearly choked on his brandy. ENGAGED?! No, this cannot be, please tell me it isn�t so� �And who is the lucky lady?� he asked cautiously, fearful of the response. �Miss Elizabeth Bennet!� Fitzwilliam replied joyfully. Darcy�s heart sank to the pit of his stomach, and he thought sure that he would be ill. Quickly, though, the nausea turned to anger, and then rage, and before he knew what he was doing, his fist connected with Colonel Fitzwilliam�s nose. �What the-? What do you think you�re doing man?� Fitzwilliam yelled. Darcy stared at his own fist with an open mouth. �I�m� I�m sorry. I don�t know what came over me,� he replied in a daze. The anger was gone, and in its place was a look of pain and longing. Suddenly Fitzwilliam had a realization. �You love her don�t you?� he asked quietly. Darcy�s head snapped up. �What?� he snapped. �Excuse me,� and with that, hurriedly left the room. Fitzwilliam shook his head sadly. �You will forgive me Darcy� but this time I will not place others ahead of myself. This time I will act in a manner that will constitute my happiness!� Darcy, meanwhile, was already in his chamber thrashing everything in sight. How DARE he? Elizabeth is MINE, I was to propose to her, WE are to live happily ever after! She is meant to be MY wife! Not his� not his� For the first time since his father�s death, Fitzwilliam Darcy wept. * * * * * * * * * * * The following day brought Colonel Fitzwilliam back to the parsonage to visit Elizabeth, but unlike his usual habit, he did not bring Darcy with him. This was soon explained by the news that his cousin had left suddenly for town, an urgent matter of business having come to his attention. Elizabeth thought it strange, but did not care to dwell on it since Mr. Darcy�s absence was a welcome relief to her. Fitzwilliam seemed somewhat more serious than usual, so Elizabeth proposed a walk to try to discover why he was out of spirits. He accepted, and the two of them headed towards the grove, her hand on his arm. When he placed his other hand atop of hers, she felt a tingle down her spine. �You seem out of spirits today, sir,� she said light-heartedly. �I hope you are not displeased with your company.� He smiled warmly at her. �You know very well that the company is more than pleasing,� he replied. �I just have a few things on my mind, that is all.� He seemed hesitant to speak, so she did not pry more, but soon he broke his silence again. �I do not quite know how to ask this, Elizabeth, but I must� were you expecting a proposal from my cousin?� Elizabeth colored and looked at him confusedly. �Mr. Darcy? Why would you think I expected a proposal from Mr. Darcy?� �He did not seem thrilled when I shared the news of our engagement. I was afraid that perhaps I had breached a previous understanding between you.� Elizabeth laughed at the absurdity of it. �I am sure that his displeasure was of a different sort entirely sir. He does not think highly of my family and position in society, and after having worked so hard to separate his friend Bingley from my sister, it must have been quite distasteful to him to discover that he will soon be related to a lowly Bennet.� An embarrassed blush covered Fitzwilliam�s cheeks. �You mean� yesterday, when I told you of Darcy�s� that was your sister? I am so sorry for having spoken so lightly of it! I see now why it upset you so!� She placed a reassuring hand on his arm. �Do not concern yourself over it, sir. I already had reason enough to think ill of your cousin; this was just another log in the fire. As I told you when we first met, Colonel Fitzwilliam-� �Richard,� he corrected. �Richard,� she blushed, �Mr. Darcy and I are not the best of friends.� He smiled and changed the subject. He was more at ease, for at least he knew that if Darcy did love her, it was unrequited, and he did not feel quite so guilty. She seems to abhor him! It�s not as if I am disrupting one of history�s great love stories! Content, he allowed himself to relax and enjoy the company of his future bride. Next section... |