Chapter Eleven #2
“Yes. That is why our arrival was somewhat abrupt and unplanned.” His attention refocused on her, those dark eyes sending warmth through Elizabeth.
“My s—that is, Georgiana, suffered a broken heart last year, and we have been unable to draw her from her misery. I decided a spur of the moment trip might shock her from her sorrow.”
Sympathy welled in Elizabeth. “Oh, your poor cousin. May I ask how old she is?” she added, reordering her assumptions about a child-like Miss Darcy sleeping in the carriage.
“She is sixteen now.”
“A difficult age for heartbreak,” Elizabeth allowed. “She was quite taken with the gentleman, then?”
“She sincerely believed they had a future together.” Cold anger made Colonel Fitzwilliam’s words brittle. “He deliberately caused her to believe they did.”
“How dastardly.” True feeling colored Elizabeth’s tone, for she knew how furious she would be if anyone treated one of her sisters thusly. “What sort of gentleman would lead a woman to believe they have a future and then turn from her?”
“No sort at all.” Colonel Fitzwilliam grimaced. “But let us not speak of him. Would that I never have to see, speak to, or even think on the villain again.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Well, you will find the society here quite lively, Mr.… that is, Fitzwilliam.” Heat filled her cheeks.
Even though he’d bid her to address him as such, doing so felt quite brazen.
“I am certain that we can distract Miss Darcy from her sorrow. I will make it my personal mission to do so.”
He smiled, and though a small smile, it was the first full one she’d seen from him. Her pulse took up a quicker throb, a strange weakness seeping into her legs, as if she might sway forward.
“I would take that very kindly, Miss Elizabeth,” he rumbled, causing that weakness to spread. “I have been doing my best to comfort her, but it is not my forte.”
Mute, Elizabeth nodded, her mind flailing for more words. “Is her mother of no help?” As someone with a mother who would only make such heartbreak worse, Elizabeth could sympathize.
“Georgiana lost her mother when she was quite young, and her father is gone now as well.” He spoke quietly, the words weighed down with sorrow. “Her brother is the only immediate relation she retains.”
“That is terrible.” For all the aggravation her relations caused her, Elizabeth couldn’t imagine being without them. “I cannot picture life with any brother, let alone with only a brother. One might think he would take greater interest in her.”
“You do not believe Mr. Darcy cares for his sister?” Sharpness replaced sorrow, giving his words an angry clip.
Whatever was wrong with her, blurting out such thoughts to a man who obviously put great stock in family?
Normally a witty conversationalist, Elizabeth flushed.
“I am sorry. I spoke out of turn, and falsely. I did not consider the threat Mr. Darcy is under. My only excuse is that I did not know of the matter until yesterday.”
“Did you?” His gaze narrowed, assessing her. “And for you, that excuses his neglect?”
“Yes, I did learn of the threat to Mr. Darcy yesterday. Miss Bingley informed me, and Miss Lucas.” Elizabeth sought about for a way to mend the breach she’d rent between them.
“And now that I consider Mr. Darcy’s behavior more fully, I can only assume that Miss Darcy is with you rather than her brother in order to keep her safe from the danger of abduction surrounding him. ”
“The danger of abduction.” Colonel Fitzwilliam grimaced.
Elizabeth nodded. Had she now put Miss Bingley in his bad graces as well, for revealing that secret? That had not been her intention.
Still studying her, the colonel asked, “If that were the case, why, then, would I bring Georgiana here?”
“Because you were not aware of Mr. Darcy’s presence.”
“I was not?” He smiled slightly, but there was no humor in the expression. “More evidence of your study of such things, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Yes, though no true insight was required.” Why did he seem angry with her? Was he always so brooding, as in her dreams? “It was quite obvious when you arrived that because you know of the danger to Mr. Darcy, finding him in Meryton with Mr. Bingley both surprised and dismayed you.”
“I cannot deny that finding Mr. Darcy here with Bingley was, indeed, an unpleasant surprise,” he concurred grimly.
Tightness gripped her chest. She had managed to ruin all conviviality between them. “Will you depart soon, then?” Had he come charging into her life, suffused her thoughts, suffered the anger she’d inadvertently evoked, and would now depart, leaving her no chance to make amends?
He shook his head, the motion easing the band that squeezed her heart.
“No. It is not in my nature to leave my cousin, Bingley, and his relations in danger while I am tucked away safe. Moreover, Georgiana wishes to remain. It is the first wish she has expressed in months. So remain we shall, and we will see how this debacle concerning Mr. Darcy plays out.”
Elizabeth smiled, giddy relief filling the void that had opened in the pit of her stomach.
“Well, then, the least we can do is to offer you our hospitality. We would be delighted if you and Miss Darcy would call on Longbourn this afternoon. My mother and sisters will be pleased to meet you both.” Elizabeth clamped her lips closed.
Yes, they would be…especially Jane? Would one look at the tall, commanding gentleman who stood before Elizabeth make Jane forget about Mr. Bingley?
“Thank you. I would tender our acceptance of your invitation now, but that will depend in large part on Georgiana.” He paused, his expression uncertain, then added, “If you would inform your relations of her heartbreak, perhaps they will treat her with extra care?”
Elizabeth considered that for a moment, then shook her head. “I think best not.”
His eyebrows rose. “No?”
She fought against a smile. So, the tall, striking colonel was not accustomed to being denied?
She imagined not. “Your self-proclaimed goal is for Miss Darcy to be jolted from her sorrow. While I have no knowledge of what may or may not have been done up to this point, I have the strong suspicion that all those about Miss Darcy will have catered to her misery. Treated her with the utmost care.”
He nodded stiffly. “Certainly we have.”
“And well you should have,” Elizabeth said quickly, to mitigate any offence. “Now, however, it may be time for her to be with people who do not know of her sorrow. Who expect her to behave with normalcy. Perhaps that, rather than extra care, is the next step in her recovery?”
He blinked several times. The bay, whose reins Colonel Fitzwilliam held loosely, shifted, shaking his mane again. “You may be correct,” the colonel said slowly. “We will make the attempt.”
Elizabeth smiled, pleased he would listen to her.
The expression slow with obvious disuse, he smiled back.
Her heart, apparently wanting to reach him, made the attempt to climb her throat, preventing any notion of speech as she stared up at him, and he down at her, the clear blue sky a bright backdrop to his dark looks.
The bay pawed at the soft earth, restive and obviously unimpressed with his enforced immobility.
Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped back. “Ah, yes, well, I will be missed at breakfast soon. I meant only for a quick ride to clear my head.”
Elizabeth looked about, focusing on finding the height of the sun rather than on the blush that threatened. It was not like her to go all calf-eyed, staring at a gentleman. “I will be missed as well.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed. “Thank you for your invitation to Longbourn, Miss Elizabeth. It is my hope that Georgiana and I may call on you soon.”
Elizabeth dipped. “That is my hope as well, Fitzwilliam.”
Something flashed in his eyes at that, there and gone too quickly for her to read. He nodded. “Until then.”
With grace and strength to equal the stallion he rode, Colonel Fitzwilliam retook his saddle. Looking down, he studied her for a moment, appearing almost confused, then turned his mount and rode away. Elizabeth watched him go, her thoughts ranging over their conversation.
“Fitzwilliam,” she said softly, trying out the word again with a thrill of delight.
But how odd he should ask her to call him that, as if she were a comrade, not a young miss. Was that how he wished to see her? She did not care for that notion, when it came down to it. She did not want to be his comrade. At least, not only that.
She shook her head, watching him crest a low hill, then disappear down the far side.
She was being silly. Foolish even. Her thoughts were no better than ones Lydia might have.
Elizabeth had only just met this colonel.
Encountered him but twice. Having a strong jaw, a fine straight nose, those dark, thickly lashed eyes…
none of that meant he was a good match for her. Not even that he was a good person.
And yet he seemed good. Honest. Upright. All that a gentleman, and an officer, ought to be.
Still, she must learn why he flinched at his own rank. Something was amiss there. Something she should unravel before letting her too-eager heart become engaged. She did not, after all, want to end up like Colonel Fitzwilliam’s cousin, Miss Georgiana Darcy. Heartbroken.
Thus resolved, Elizabeth turned and set her steps for Longbourn, vowing to think no more about Colonel Fitzwilliam that day.
Well, at least not until after breakfast.
Or maybe for a bit before.
Fervently, she hoped he would call.