| Colonel Fitzwilliam Interferes - Chapter 7 |
| Married life was treating Richard and Elizabeth Fitzwilliam rather well. Their tour of the Lakes, which Elizabeth had never seen, was a week of perfect bliss; Elizabeth was pleased to find that the duties of a wife were not at all unpleasant, and her husband was a kind and considerate teacher. All her previous doubts and fears disappeared as she felt a deeper affection for her husband, and she could not wait to begin her new life with him when they reached their new home. Colonel Fitzwilliam, meanwhile, was at the height of joy. In his mind, nothing could be better than spending time with his Elizabeth, his darling, the love of his life. Each morning of their honeymoon he would awake dreading to open his eyes with the fear that it had all been a magnificent dream� and then he would hear a sigh, or feel her soft skin against him, and all would be well. He thought of nothing but her all the while that they traveled. Things changed when they reached their new home. Darcy had given him the direction and the description provided from the solicitor, but what awaited them was not at all what he expected. The house was gorgeous. Both of them had been expecting Hunsford, perhaps Longbourn, but this was almost a mini-Pemberley. Granted, it was only one-tenth the size, and the park was infinitely smaller, but it was marked by a similar design, sense of taste and decorum, and perfect harmony with nature that made Pemberley so delightful. Of course Elizabeth could not make this comparison, having never seen the much talked-of estate, but Fitzwilliam�s mind was immediately assaulted with it, and it made him not a little uncomfortable. �Oh Richard,� Elizabeth sighed, her eyes full of tears, �it�s absolutely wonderful! Could you have imagined that it would be so lovely?� �I�m glad you like it. It is rather remarkable,� he replied, heartened by her approval. So what if it looks like the spawn of Pemberley? It�s not as if Darcy built it� he didn�t even look at it! Then he noticed Elizabeth becoming somewhat uneasy. �Richard� how could you ever afford a place like this? You know I don�t need this much. I hope you have not overextended yourself.� �Lizzy, please� I told you, I am letting it for a most reasonable sum from the owner. Don�t worry yourself over it.� �Who is the owner?� �An old friend� why does it matter?� he asked defensively. She pulled away from him somewhat angrily. To this point he had been open about his affairs, and though she knew he didn�t need to be, she had gotten used to a certain amount of confidence. Now that he wasn�t giving it, she was suspicious. He sighed. �Look, Lizzy� it�s a bit embarrassing for me. Someone attempted to give us this house, as a wedding gift. I refused, it was too much, but he insisted, and I eventually talked him into charging us a very low sum to let it.� She frowned and took his hand again. �Who could be so generous? Was it your parents?� �No, not them,� he replied uneasily, hoping she would stop asking. �Then who Richard? Who on earth would do such an incredible thing?� He sighed heavily. �Darcy.� Elizabeth�s eyes went wide with disbelief and she shook her head rapidly. �Mr. Darcy? Why?� �I asked him to write his solicitor to find us some prospective homes in this region. Next thing I know he hands me a deed. That�s Darce, generous beyond all reason. Just the amount of money he�s given Wickham will show you that. Please, Elizabeth, I wasn�t very comfortable with the whole idea, which is why I didn�t tell you. Now that we�re here, I�m almost tempted to give it back� I feel terribly guilty about it.� Elizabeth kissed his cheek to calm him. �No, Richard, it�s fine. It�s just a surprise, that�s all. It was very kind of him. As long as we are paying for it, I don�t see a problem,� she said with more confidence than she felt. He smiled back, and they entered their new home. The inside proved to be just as lovely as the outside. It was tastefully furnished and very comfortable, and Elizabeth fell in love with it at once. The servants took care of the luggage while they freshened up, and then the housekeeper took them around the house. Mrs. Vernon was a plump, grandmotherly sort who had been at the house with the previous owners, and Fitzwilliam had decided to keep her, and indeed most of the staff, on to help them adjust to their new surroundings. She chattered on cheerily, noting to herself what a handsome young couple the Fitzwilliams seemed to be, and hoped they would be very happy. When the tour was done, a light supper had been prepared for them, which they gratefully took before retiring. Their bedchambers were separated by a small anteroom. Fitzwilliam did not even glance at his own door before following Elizabeth into hers; truth be told, he did not plan to spend much time in his room at all. �Really sir, the servants will talk if you do not at least feign retiring to your own chamber,� Elizabeth teased as he closed the door. �They can talk all they want. I love my wife more than words can say, and wish to have her near me,� he replied between kisses. �I love you too Richard. I think we�ll be very happy here.� �I�m counting on it darling.� * * * * * * * * * * * * The Fitzwilliams left their beloved home only after two months, to attend Jane and Bingley�s wedding at Longbourn. Elizabeth was of course anxious to see her dear sister again, but there was another inducement: it was also the first time they had seen Darcy since their own nuptials, and Elizabeth was eager to express her gratitude for the wonderful home he had given them. Her opportunity came almost immediately upon their arrival at Netherfield; she had gone for a walk to escape the hustle and bustle of the wedding preparations, and with a sense of d�j� vu, she ran into Darcy on the lawn. �Mr. Darcy!� He started, called from his solitary reverie. �How do you do sir?� He could not help but smile widely at seeing the object of that very reverie appear before him. How many times had he wished for that to occur! Oh Lord� she is here! Then he recalled with whom she had come. Why must life be so continuously cruel to me? The thought that his own behavior had been the source of the biggest of his misfortunes renewed his determination to correct her previous judgments of him, and with that in mind he spoke more warmly than perhaps he may have in the past. �Mrs. Fitzwilliam, how lovely to see you. I am well, and yourself?� Mrs. Fitzwilliam! Mrs. Fitzwilliam! Something was seriously askew; a tiny word was missing� Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, that�s what she ought to have been� The knowledge that his dearest, loveliest, maiden Miss Bennet was no more was almost too much to bear. �Glad to be out of the house! I�d forgotten what a terrible hassle wedding planning can be.� He forced a smile. �I confess to the same motivation. Shall we take a turn together, then?� She smiled and took his arm. The walked in silence, he enjoying the feeling of her on his arm, she building her courage to speak. At last she did. �Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of giving relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be wounding yours. I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to Richard and myself. To provide us with our wonderful home is beyond all reasonable generosity. Ever since I have known it, I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it.� Darcy looked at her, startled. �I am sorry, exceedingly sorry,� replied Darcy, in a tone of surprise and emotion, �that you have ever been informed of what may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not think Fitzwilliam was so little to be trusted.� �You must not blame Richard. He did not wish to reveal the truth, but only said that a friend had helped us. Stubborn as I am, I could not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me thank you again and again, for that generous compassion which induced you to take so much trouble. You know not what it has meant to me; I love my home dearly.� Darcy stopped and turned to her, disturbed. �Please Mrs. Fitzwilliam, do not thank me. I did nothing so extraordinary. I sent specifications to my solicitor, he returned with your house, I had him secure the deed. That is all. I beg you, do not mention it again.� �Very well,� she agreed with a frown. From then, their walk continued in silence. * * * * * * * * * * * * Jane and Bingley�s wedding was beautiful; they spent the wedding night at Netherfield, then left for a tour of the northern counties that would include a visit to Pemberley and to Halgian, the name Fitzwilliam had chosen for their home. Elizabeth eagerly anticipated their arrival. They arrived one evening about a week after the Fitzwilliams themselves had returned from Hertfordshire. �Jane! Charles! How wonderful to see you!� Elizabeth cried as she ran out to meet their carriage. The sisters embraced tightly. �Richard should be back soon; he was training new recruits this afternoon. Come, I will show you to your rooms.� After the newlyweds had freshened up, they came back downstairs for supper. Elizabeth begged them to tell her of their travels. They happily obliged her, Jane especially gushing about the grand houses they had seen and the delightful countryside they had driven through. Then she spoke of Pemberley. �Oh Lizzy, it is the most beautiful place; I have never seen a place for which nature has done more, or where natural beauty has been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. It was simply delightful. And Mr. Darcy was all that is kind and hospitable. He was a most generous host.� �Indeed, he always is!� Bingley chimed in. �Though he confessed to me that it was a relief to have me there without Caroline� that relaxed him a great deal as well!� he laughed. �Still, he was a bit out of sorts, I think. He had been, for a while, but I thought he was finally beginning to come out of it. And then he seemed somewhat melancholy again during this visit.� �Why could that be?� Elizabeth asked. Bingley shrugged. �Don�t know. Perhaps it�s seeing all these happily married couples and still being a bachelor himself.� He smiled at his lovely wife, forgetting Elizabeth for a moment until she discreetly coughed. �You know Lizzy, your house bears a certain resemblance to Pemberley,� Jane noticed. �It is almost a miniature. Don�t you think Charles?� �I see what you mean angel. There are many similarities. Did Fitzwilliam have that in mind when he let it?� Elizabeth shook her head. �No, not at all� in fact, we never saw it until the day we arrived. In truth, Mr. Darcy�s solicitor is the one who found it. Perhaps it was his doing.� She smiled, but found the coincidence a bit odd indeed. Just then, the housekeeper entered the parlor. �If you please ma�am, Colonel Fitzwilliam has arrived. Shall I serve supper?� Elizabeth smiled widely. �Yes, thank you Mrs. Vernon. We shall be there directly. Well, let us go eat!� The Bingleys� visit lasted only two days, not nearly enough time for the sisters to satisfy their longing for each other�s company, but at least each had the satisfaction of knowing that they were leaving each other in the good hands of loving husbands. In late August, only a few weeks after the Bingleys had left, Fitzwilliam received a letter that carried the prospect of another visitor. �Elizabeth, what would you say to Georgiana spending a month here with us before she returns to town for the winter? Darcy says she has been asking to visit us for months.� Elizabeth quickly agreed; though she had met Georgiana only briefly at the wedding, she seemed a very sweet girl, and she wished to further their acquaintance. Fitzwilliam replied with the invitation, and by mid-September the Darcy carriage pulled into the drive of Halgian. Darcy had been trying to avoid this visit ever since his sister had mentioned that she wished to go. The last thing he needed was to have a vision of Elizabeth�s domestic bliss to go along with the image already seared in his brain of her wedding. He was concentrating so hard on not thinking about her that he did not realize how far they had come until Georgiana cried out to him. �Oh William, look! It�s lovely!� He looked out the window of the carriage and started at the sight. Good God� I�ve bought them Pemberley �fils��> �How odd� it resembles Pemberley somewhat, doesn�t it?� �Yes� how peculiar,� he replied shortly. �Look, there they are. Now remember, this is not Pemberley; the Fitzwilliams have a much simpler lifestyle than we have at home. Do not be any trouble for them. I will have Richard write to me if you misbehave,� he teased, pinching her cheek. �Oh William,� she rolled her eyes. The carriage stopped and the Darcys stepped out to be greeted warmly by the Fitzwilliams. �Richard! Mrs. Fitzwilliam! I am so happy to see you again! You have a lovely home,� Georgiana gushed. Elizabeth embraced her. �Please, Georgiana, we are cousins. Call me Elizabeth. Hello Mr. Darcy, it�s so nice to see you,� she added with a smile before taking Georgiana inside to refresh herself. �Darcy, it really is good to see you. It was good of you to bring Georgie; I fear the officers� wives become somewhat tedious company for Elizabeth after so long! You will stay with us at least a few days, will you not?� �No, I�m afraid I cannot stay but tonight. The harvest will be starting soon, so I have much to do around the estate before Michaelmas.� And I don�t want to see you with Elizabeth any longer than I have to. Fitzwilliam clapped him on the back. �Well, that�s alright. We can catch up tonight at port� but I must beg you, no talk of politics. The escalating situation on the continent is not a subject that a newlywed soldier wishes to hear much of,� he said with a nervous laugh. That evening was one of the happiest Darcy could remember in a long time. Fortunately, Elizabeth did not wear a cap, so when his cousin was not sitting near her he imagined her as still being Miss Bennet. She and Georgiana played for them; she confessed that her skills had greatly improved now that she had more time to practice, and her performance was evidence of that. Darcy had always thought her playing delightful, but now her natural ease had the added benefit of greater proficiency. He gazed at her, unaware of the admiration glowing on his face. Fitzwilliam, too, watched his wife with undisguised love. Then for a moment, he turned his head and saw Darcy. The look in his eyes was unmistakable. Fitzwilliam�s heart rose to his throat, but he could not be jealous; something inside him had known it all along, really. He could not even be angry, for despite his own feelings for Elizabeth, Darcy had done so much to help them, had even stood up for Fitzwilliam at the wedding. He stared at his cousin until he could stand it no longer. His stomach was tied up in knots; where did Elizabeth�s thoughts lie? With trepidation, he looked back up at her as she finished her song. She immediately looked at him and smiled affectionately. His heart soared as Darcy�s sank, the momentary fantasy dashed. The gentlemen remained downstairs later than the ladies, talking about business, family, and the weather, but to Darcy�s relief, barely a word was said about the Fitzwilliams� marital felicity. Soon they too retired. The next morning, Elizabeth was first at the breakfast table before Darcy�s early departure. �Good morning Mr. Darcy. Richard will be down soon I believe. Are you sure you cannot stay longer?� He smiled at her, sending a small shiver down her spine. �I am certain Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Thank you for your hospitality towards myself and Georgiana. I confess, I am relieved that she will be spending this time with you. I�m sure it has come to your attention that my sister is a very shy creature, but she seems to be livelier in your company. I have great hopes that perhaps your example and guidance will help her overcome her natural timidity. Obviously I am not the best mentor for that,� he joked, and was rewarded by an amused smile that lit up Elizabeth�s fine eyes. �I am therefore grateful for more than your hospitality. I hope we can return the favor at Pemberley.� �Thank you sir. I�m quite certain that having Georgiana here will be more of a pleasure than a burden. She is a lovely girl. I�m sure we will be great friends. I thank you for your offer; I�ve heard so much about Pemberley, I am eager to see it.� �Perhaps you and your husband could join us for Christmas?� he invited impulsively, mentally kicking himself the moment the words were out of his mouth (yet hoped that she would accept the proffered hospitality). �That is, if you are not already engaged.� �Thank you Mr. Darcy. I will speak with Richard about it.� �Speak with Richard about what?� said the man himself as he entered the breakfast room. �We have been invited to spend Christmas at Pemberley my dear. Would you like to go?� Elizabeth asked hopefully, very much wishing to see the famous estate. Fitzwilliam smiled weakly. �Of course, of course. That would be excellent.� An awkward silence settled before Elizabeth spoke again. �Well, I will go wake Georgiana. I�m sure she will want to see you off.� After a slightly teary goodbye from his sister, Darcy was on his way, as much relieved as saddened to be out of Elizabeth�s presence. Georgiana�s visit was a very happy time for the couple. Elizabeth helped Georgiana out of her shell, and for her efforts was rewarded with a close companion and friend. They were both saddened by her departure, but looked forward to meeting again in December at Pemberley. The time until they left for Derbyshire passed relatively mundanely. Fitzwilliam was blissfully happy with his wife, but his career was beginning to worry him. He had been training legions of young soldiers who were subsequently sent to Portugal; because of his birth and newlywed status, he had been spared active duty thus far. He was concerned, however, that soon there would not be enough men to ship over, and he would have to leave. At least he had gotten his commander�s word that for the winter, he was safe. Elizabeth had another concern entirely; she was worried about her ability to conceive. The night was rare that did not see Fitzwilliam in her chamber, but every month showed no change in her condition. She prayed that one day they would be blessed with a child, but her prayer had not been answered by the time they left for Pemberley in mid-December. �I know you will adore Pemberley darling,� Fitzwilliam assured her as they drew near. �There are woods and groves enough to satisfy even your enthusiasm for them,� he teased. She laughed and slapped his arm. �Are you quite sure we shall reach the house before dark then?� He smiled. �Just wait.� He made her cover her eyes, then a few minutes later had the driver stop the coach. �Alright� look.� The sight that greeted her took her breath away. The house was beautiful, and the thin blanket of snow that coated the estate gave it a serene, dreamlike quality. She certainly saw the resemblance to her own home, but Pemberley was by far the grander place. �Oh my,� she breathed, utterly overwhelmed. �It is beautiful. I see why Georgiana is so attached to it.� I could see myself becoming very attached to it myself� the grounds are like a dream, and the house� I have never seen a more desirable situation! �I thought you would like it. Drive on! Just wait until you see inside the place.� Sure enough, the inside showed the same amount of taste and elegance as the outside. Georgiana nearly ran to Elizabeth�s arms, and insisted on giving her a tour of the house the moment she had changed out of her travel clothes, and gushed about how happy she was to see her friend again. They spent nearly as much time chatting as they did seeing different rooms, and Darcy had to come hunt them down for supper. The following day, a surprise arrived: the Bingleys had also been invited to spend the Christmas season. Even more amazing was that it had all been Darcy�s idea, including making it a surprise for both Jane and Elizabeth, who again found herself wondering about the enigma that was Fitzwilliam Darcy. In the fortnight that followed, Elizabeth continued to see a Fitzwilliam Darcy she never knew existed. She knew of his generosity toward her husband and herself, but she had attributed that, at least partially, to their blood ties. Now, as a guest in his house, she witnessed the absolute gentleness and fairness that he showed to his servants and tenants. As a brother, a landlord, a master, she considered how many people's happiness were in his guardianship; how much pleasure or pain it was in his power to bestow; how much good or evil must be done by him. While she felt that her initial judgment of her host's character had been fairly justified by his behavior then, her stay at Pemberley forced her to reflect on his person from a new perspective. His hospitality towards his guests was also amazing; Jane had not been exaggerated in her praise. Every need, every whim, and every desire they had was attended after a word. Elizabeth had noticed the frozen lake and said, �Oh, wouldn�t it be grand to ice-skate?�; the following day, Darcy returned from Lambton with 6 pairs of ice skates. They all spent the day outside in the snow, and upon their return they found a fire, blankets, and plenty of tea and soup to warm them. The entire visit seemed dedicated to the pleasure of the Bingleys and Fitzwilliams. The other thing that really struck Elizabeth was the absolute luxury of her surroundings. Pemberley may have had a superficial resemblance to Halgian, but that is where the similarities ended. It seemed that more servants lived at Pemberley than in the entire village around Halgian, and the sheer magnificence of everything, while at the same time being completely elegant and not at all pretentious, was incredible. In fact, many of the pieces she would have selected herself had she the income for it. In Elizabeth�s opinion, this too spoke volumes of Darcy�s personality. In addition, much to her embarrassment, she could not deny that his �Master of the Manor� bearing held a strong charm, and she guiltily found that her pulse quickened whenever she saw him unexpectedly. She experienced similar reactions when he kissed her hand as he had at Gracechurch Street all those months ago, and this too caused her some chagrin. Fortunately, sharing a bed with her husband each night made her forget her strange feelings, and she was able to explain them away, rationalizing that he was, after all, a very handsome gentleman, and it was normal to feel some attraction to him. It was nothing to worry over, for she loved her husband, and Mr. Darcy certainly had no interest in her beyond that of familial bonds. The Christmas banquet was the culmination of the holiday celebrations. The feast was opulent, wine flowed like water, and cheer permeated everything. Georgiana did an admirable job as hostess; she had confided to Elizabeth that she had been practicing for weeks to make sure she knew how to act. She also expressed her eagerness to pass on the hosting duties of the Darcy household to her future sister-in-law, but worried that her brother seemed to be in no hurry to provide her with a replacement mistress of Pemberley. Elizabeth had assured her that someday her brother would marry, but for some reason the thought somewhat unsettled her; she brushed the feeling off. After dinner, gifts were exchanged. The ladies were inundated with dresses, jewels, and fragrances, and the gentlemen with various accessories for sport and business. Darcy had debated what to give Elizabeth for weeks; it could not be too personal, but he did not wish it to be generic either. At last he chose a very fine pendant-watch, and to add a more intimate touch, had it engraved with, �To EBF, Best Regards, FD�. He had been successful; she had loved it, and replaced her old one with it immediately. In what seemed too short a time for everyone but Darcy (who was beginning to chafe at the constant exposure to an affectionate Colonel and Mrs. Fitzwilliam), the day arrived for the departure of the guests. Elizabeth was warm and honest with her profuse compliments of Darcy hospitality, unable to thank them enough for giving her the best Christmas she could remember. Darcy glowed inwardly with the praise, and offered both couples an open invitation to Pemberley for the summer months. Georgiana, sad to see the company depart, passionately seconded her brother�s statement. She also extracted a promise from her friends to call on her when they were next in town, as she would be returning to her masters soon after the new year. Tearful goodbyes were said, and with an entirely new image of one particular member of the Darcy household, Elizabeth returned home with her husband. Next section... |