Chapter 1.23
Though he did not sleep more than a couple of hours, Darcy woke early, well rested and with such a happy disposition that he began to hum a tune while enjoying his bath.
His valet’s eyebrows rose in astonishment, but he kept his wonder to himself.
His master was not a man to share his feelings and surely not with a servant—even after a decade and a half of service.
Sometime later, Darcy was having his coffee in the library, scanning the newspaper and fully content with the reports he had received about Georgiana’s current state of health. Mrs Hamilton also had informed him that Molly’s condition was more than satisfactory.
“Mrs Hamilton, please do everything necessary for Molly and convey my apologies to her. It is a shame that she was hurt due to the savagery of one of my own family members.”
“I will, sir; I am sure she will be grateful for your concern.”
As Mrs Hamilton returned to her duties, Colonel Fitzwilliam entered, without so much as an announcement or knock, and unceremoniously collapsed into an armchair.
“Good morning, Robert.”
“Yes, good morning. Although how good it might be is questionable. I just returned home an hour ago and had to escape, so let me pour myself a cup of coffee. Then I will have something to eat, because I am starving! And for heaven’s sake, tell me what happened yesterday, because nobody will give me a full report. ”
“Why did you need to escape? Has someone chased you—of all people? And why did you not return until this morning? Where have you been?”
The colonel was utterly surprised by Darcy’s obviously good mood. His father’s house had been an utter disaster, and the few pieces of information he had gleaned prepared him to find Darcy in similarly low spirits.
“I was out, Darcy. Young, unmarried, unattached men are in the habit of going out on occasion. I had been out since yesterday noon, and when I returned, I found Lady Catherine there—an angry Lady Catherine—arguing with an equally angry Lord Matlock. The worst situation possible! Honestly, it was more dangerous than a military battle! Mother and Anne were in their rooms, or so I was told. I tried to have a rational conversation with my father and my aunt, but I only started another quarrel, so I left. Thank heavens we do not keep the pistols and swords in that room!”
“I see…and what were they arguing about?”
“I asked first. Tell me the whole story—only then shall I oblige you.”
“Very well, cousin. You are entitled to know, but I warn you: it is not pleasant breakfast conversation.”
Half an hour later, the colonel had forgotten his hunger and determinedly poured himself a glass of brandy, earning a reproachful look from Darcy.
“Do you not think it a bit early for that?”
“Oh hush, Darcy. Are you sure Georgiana is well now?”
“Yes, the doctor just left. She slept well, and there is nothing to fear. I am utterly grateful to Lady Ellen for her assistance last night. If not for her… Pray tell me, how is my aunt today? Did you speak with her?”
“I did, but only briefly. Apparently, she did not feel well this morning, or perhaps she just wanted to avoid the battlefield, though avoiding confrontation is generally not in her character.”
“Indeed it is not. I hope she is only tired from the previous day’s turmoil.”
“I hope so too, Darcy. I shall return home to check on her.” He swallowed some brandy before continuing.
“Now it is my turn. So…I returned home early and, surprisingly, found Father and Aunt Catherine having breakfast. They were hardly eating, rather speaking to each other harshly. Of course, it was easy to guess the reason for our aunt’s visit to Town, but I feigned ignorance and tried to begin a polite conversation.
What followed was a torrent of interesting opinions about you, Miss Elizabeth, and your engagement.
Then, suddenly, the earl said, ‘Catherine, I cannot help wondering how on earth you can spout off so much nonsense in such a short time. In this, you are truly proficient.’”
Darcy’s mouth opened wide as he stared at his cousin. “The earl said that?”
“Yes, he did. Can you imagine? And Lady Catherine answered as she always does: ‘You have become as impertinent and improper as your wife.’ So Father demanded an apology for speaking in that manner about Lady Ellen or she would be asked to leave the house.”
“Hmm…Lord Matlock surprises me, I grant him that.”
“Why would he surprise you? The earl would never allow anyone to speak an unkind word—not to mention be rude—about Lady Ellen. But of course, Lady Catherine considered she was the injured party, and she sent for Anne and their belongings.”
“Poor Anne. Have they already left? I confess I am disappointed because I intended to assure myself a private meeting with Lady Catherine. I cannot allow her to remain under the impression that she can enter my house and spew such offences at my intended. I never shall permit that, nor shall I ever forget or forgive her for them. I shall not permit anyone to disturb my future wife or my sister ever again.”
“No, they did not leave. Anne felt suddenly unwell, and the doctor was fetched, but I do not think this would be a propitious moment to seek a private meeting with Lady Catherine. It would be wiser for both of you to calm yourselves a day or two. Moreover, I do not think Lady Ellen will tolerate another round of arguments in her house.”
“Have no fear, cousin. I intend to do nothing unreasonable, nor do I intend to barge into your parents’ house uninvited just to quarrel with Lady Catherine. I shall most likely ask for Lady Ellen’s advice and find a proper time and place for that. But, pray tell me, how is Anne? Is she truly ill?”
“I found a moment to speak with my mother and she told me—privately—that Anne was only very tired and did not want to return so soon to Kent. I cannot believe that the whole situation has become so dramatic—quite Shakespearean, I might say.” He paused a moment to swallow some more brandy and then started to laugh. “Much Ado about Nothing.”
“Quite. However, I am not as inclined to be amused as you are. The greatest part of the damage fell on Elizabeth. The offences she had to suffer from Lady Catherine were beyond any limit.”
“Yes, I heard. Miss Bennet cannot have too favourable an opinion of our family. If I were you, I would insist on an elopement, because she might change her mind at any time.”
He spoke in jest, but Darcy’s countenance turned dark. “She might, and I could not blame her, especially after my own preposterous behaviour. I am to blame more than our aunt.”
“You? What on earth did you do?”
“Did Lady Ellen not tell you?”
“No, she did not. Otherwise, why would I ask you to elaborate?”
“Well…” While Darcy, with obvious uneasiness, told him the second part of the story, the colonel became equally serious. The situation was less amusing and more grievous than he might have imagined an hour earlier.
“Darcy, I am surprised to see you so calm and relaxed. Miss Elizabeth has every reason in the world to be displeased with you.”
“I am not relaxed at all, but happily, I spoke to Elizabeth last night, and she generously accepted my apologies.”
“Truly? Well, that is the first good news of the day. You should thank the Lord for your good fortune. The addition of Miss Elizabeth to the family will be a blessing. From now on, Lady Ellen will not be the only wise and charming member of this family.”
Darcy started to laugh. “You are absolutely right. And I dare say in a couple of years, with Elizabeth and Lady Ellen’s guidance, Georgiana may turn out to be very much like them.”
“She will be, Darcy. I am certain of that. She only lacks self-confidence, but she is very intelligent and a quick learner. She will blossom in a couple of years and then, finally, there will be equilibrium in our family; the three ladies’ qualities will compensate for the many faults in the men.”
“Cousin, you are an exceptional observer. I bow to your wise judgment. Now let us have breakfast. It is likely that we shall have only each other’s company.”
∞∞∞
Elizabeth could not believe that she had slept so late. Even before she had time to ring for a servant, Betty knocked tentatively at the door. Elizabeth prepared herself in a short time as she was informed that Mr Darcy and the colonel had already had breakfast and were to be found in the library.
Though she ached with eagerness to see Mr Darcy as soon as possible, she did not dare let her recollections of the night before occupy her mind.
The mere thought of their passionate kisses, her boldness—so close to wantonness—and the intimate moments they shared made her face and neck warm and crimson.
She put her memories aside, waiting for a moment of complete solitude to let them envelope her.
She left the room with the strong feeling of having committed a shameful impropriety. She had spent her first night in Darcy’s room. Well, his former room to be precise…but his embrace, his kisses, and the warmth of his body were so intense that I can still feel them.
She thanked Betty for her assistance and went, not downstairs to meet the gentleman, but to Georgiana’s room to check on her.
The pleasure of seeing each other in such good spirits made the previous day’s events vanish.
As Georgiana was brought breakfast, Elizabeth joined her, and they spent a full hour together.
They were finishing their meal when a knock at the door and a well-known voice announced they had company.
The moment he entered the room, Darcy’s gaze fell on Elizabeth, and as if drawn by a spell, he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.
“Miss Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to see you.”
Elizabeth startled and only then noticed the colonel’s figure behind Mr Darcy. Blushing in deep embarrassment and fighting a lump in her throat, she hardly could articulate a few words.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam! I am delighted to see you too, sir.”