{"id":2392,"date":"2018-03-29T21:05:52","date_gmt":"2018-03-30T01:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=2392"},"modified":"2021-12-17T13:09:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T18:09:36","slug":"chapter-26-28-if-mr-darcy-dared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wip\/chapter-26-28-if-mr-darcy-dared\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 26-28 If Mr. Darcy Dared"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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I just always love writing Colonel Fitzwilliam… probably because I married a military man \ud83d\ude09 Chapter 28 is HOTTER than Chapter 16 \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/h2>

XOXOX Elizabeth Ann West<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Chapter 26- If Mr. Darcy Dared<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the parlor, Colonel Fitzwilliam stood before the fireplace and was in the middle of relating a reeling tale of moving an entire regiment of horses and troops across a river in Spain, mimicking the local guide’s astonishment that so many beasts could move in such a uniform manner.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOnly Captain Brendan or Brandon, blast, I cannot recall his name, but he ordered the horses too close to the boats with the infantry, flat, shallow-bottom skiffs practically. A fish or something in the water scared one horse, causing another to buck, and the movement swamped the boat! Twenty men fell into the water, one screaming he cannot swim!\u201d Colonel Fitzwilliam regaled as Lydia and Kitty both gasped.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOh dear! However did you save him?\u201d Kitty asked breathlessly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Colonel Fitzwilliam looked past Kitty to Miss Darcy and Miss Mary sitting in the far corner whispering. \u201cGeorgie! How did I save him?\u201d he called, trying to attract his ward’s attention back to him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Without even breaking her gaze from Mary, Georgiana answered the punchline of a story she had heard many a time, as it was one of the few her cousin possessed fit for polite company.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou told him to stand up,\u201d Miss Darcy said, flatly, allowing silence to fall in the room.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Mr. Bingley repeated Miss Darcy, unclear as to the meaning. Then, the absurdity was clear and he began to laugh. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOho, I see, I see, the horses were fording the river. You told him to stand up! Stand up!\u201d Mr. Bingley laughed deeply, soon joined by all in the room save the newest three members to the gathering. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

As Mr. Bennet maneuvered to enter the room and take a chair by the fire, likely one recently occupied by the Colonel himself, Mr. Darcy made a proper introduction between his betrothed and his favorite cousin.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMiss Elizabeth, I cannot tell you how happy I am to meet you. Any lady that can humble this proud and privileged cousin of mine is a heroine of the first order in my book.\u201d Richard Fitzwilliam bowed low and Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cAre you always so quick to admonish poor Mr. Darcy in the company of strangers? I say, no wonder the gentleman is so cross all the time.\u201d Elizabeth scolded Richard in the same breath that she absolved Fitzwilliam of his deficiencies.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMadam, you are a severe critic! Perhaps I ought to campaign against you and spare my cousin your tongue,\u201d Richard said, testing Elizabeth’s mettle.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI’d invite you to attempt, but I’m not in the habit of encouraging a friend in the ways of failure,\u201d Elizabeth retorted. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply as she felt Fitzwilliam’s presence directly behind her likely looking at her at his cousin or down at her in ire. She hoped for the first but worried perhaps Mr. Darcy’s cousin would not know she was making sport of him for fun, not with intent to harm.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

But, soon, Elizabeth’s concern was proven baseless. Her eyes flew open as Richard spoke again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI must say, this paints a very pretty picture, Darcy. You stand there behind your lady as she defends you to a fault. There won’t be a drawing room in London safe from the formidable Mrs. Darcy.\u201d Richard crossed his arms and leaned against the mantle. \u201cYou are certainly a sight to behold, Miss Elizabeth. A sight, indeed.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cRichard.\u201d With one word the icy tone of Fitzwilliam Darcy corrected his wayward relative.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cAll in good fun, Miss Elizabeth. All in good fun,\u201d Richard responded, as Elizabeth overcame the embarrassment of his compliment and nodded.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cIndeed, Colonel. If Mr. Darcy has taught me anything at all, it’s that a first impression is not always the best representation of a new friend. I look forward to a time where we can speak more agreeably and you are not testing my regard for your cousin,\u201d Elizabeth said lightly, but the content of her words plainly spoke that she held no interest in being weighed and measured by a complete stranger. However, in her heart, she felt relief. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

So much of what Mr. Darcy had shared in private about his family and the loss of his parents had made her sad for his loneliness. But in this cousin, at least, Mr. Darcy had a champion looking out for his interests, even if he did not wish such a relative to embarrass him in front of the Bennets.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMy word, would you look at the hour Mrs. Bennet?\u201d Mr. Bennet said, interrupting a conversation between his wife and Mr. Bingley.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat’s that, Mr. Bennet? You wish to know the time?\u201d Mrs. Bennet pretended not to understand his meaning.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cFear not,; it has grown late, and I have three guests to install in my home! Where are my manners?\u201d Mr. Bingley said, rising from the sofa where he had spent most of the evening happily engaged in conversation with Miss Bennet.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

With so many people rising and moving around in the parlor, Mr. Darcy took the opportunity of such chaos to lean close to Elizabeth’s ear.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOakham Mount, tomorrow,\u201d he whispered and she gave a single nod to acknowledge she heard him as she glided away to share her farewells with Miss Darcy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped to his male cousin and offered his apologies. \u201cYou can’t blame me too much, Darcy. She’ll be Mrs. Darcy in two day’s time and then it will be too late,\u201d he laughed as Mr. Darcy did not. When his cousin’s dramatically drab mood registered to Richard, he ceased laughing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cHe denied my request,\u201d Mr. Darcy said quietly, staring directly across the room at Mr. Bennet who watched the chaos with an amused expression. Richard followed his cousin’s gaze to take stock of the man standing between his cousin and the thing he wanted most in all of the world, dumbstruck such obstinance existed in such a backwater county of England.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou all must dine here tomorrow, since you can’t properly host us, Mr. Bingley. Not yet, of course,\u201d Mrs. Bennet declared so all in the room could hear, beaming at her daughter Jane who shyly looked down at her slippers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Georgiana Darcy leaned over and whispered in Mary Bennet’s ear who began to nod enthusiastically. Elizabeth grew curious, but before she could ask, Mary found her lungs.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMiss Darcy has a wonderful idea!\u201d Mary pronounced and the room froze at such a pronouncement. Red faced, Georgiana stepped forward, urged on by Mary.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cForgive me, but if Mr. Bingley would like, I would be happy to help plan a dinner tomorrow at Netherfield Park. If Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth will help me, that is,\u201d Georgiana looked to the two elder Bennet sisters and as Mr. Bennet began to protest, Mrs. Bennet enthusiastically agreed on Mr. Bingley’s behalf.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat a wonderful idea, indeed, Miss Darcy! You are such a clever girl, and I will be present to supervise, of course. Yes,\u201d Mrs. Bennet began to mutter to herself as though she were counting, \u201cI have some preparations here for the wedding breakfast, but if you could send a carriage tomorrow afternoon, I can come with the girls and Mr. Bennet and the younger girls can come later.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMama, may I go as well?\u201d Mary asked.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cThere will be precious little room in the carriage, Mary,\u201d Mrs. Bennet explained, but before Mary could accept her fate, Elizabeth spoke up.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOh, let her come, Mama. She can learn as well and Miss Darcy I’m sure wouldn’t mind the extra help.\u201d Elizabeth looked to Miss Darcy, following in her mother’s footsteps of arranging an entire social event at Netherfield Park without consulting the leasing master of the property.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, and Miss Mary and I can prepare some musical selections for the after-dinner entertainment!\u201d Miss Darcy exclaimed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

As Mr. Bingley began to agree with all of the plans made for his home without his input, Richard turned around so he might speak to Mr. Darcy circumspectly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cIs she always this formidable?\u201d he asked as Darcy’s eyes glistened watching Elizabeth laugh with Georgiana.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou have no idea,\u201d Mr. Darcy said proudly, still keeping his eyes on Elizabeth. Richard turned around to see where Darcy stared and chuckled.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cNot her, her mother,\u201d Richard said, quietly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOh?\u201d Mr. Darcy broke his gaze to follow Richard’s attention to the trio of Mrs. Bennet with Jane and Mr. Bingley. \u201cOh.\u201d Mr. Darcy thought of the brash way Mrs. Bennet often acted in his presence and shrugged. \u201cI believe if they allowed women to lead men into battle, Mrs. Bennet would have Napoleon surrendering by the third course.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cThat bad, eh?\u201d Richard chuckled more as Mr. Bennet slunk over to the two men standing by the fireplace.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI suspect your cousin has shared his disappointing news. I do hope you are still able to take leave in the spring, Colonel,\u201d Mr. Bennet interjected. Both men of the Fitzwilliam lineage stood taller at the presence of an outsider.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI won’t pretend to not know what you are speaking of, Mr. Bennet. I only wonder if you deny my cousin\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cRichard, do not make matters worse,\u201d Mr. Darcy warned.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cAs I was saying, Mr. Bennet, I believe that a father’s prerogative is a worthy convention.\u201d Richard smiled as the gathering was finally breaking up for the evening.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

With plans set for the following evening, there was nothing more to do than to take up Bingley’s generous hospitality and test the sleeping accommodations of Netherfield Park.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

As the Bennet household became smaller by comparison to the large party of Mr. Bingley and the unexpected guests, Elizabeth lamented the lack of ability to give Mr. Darcy a private farewell to her sister Jane as they both prepared for bed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI did not get much time with Mr. Bingley, either; Mama was there almost the entire visit,\u201d Jane commiserated as Elizabeth helped her find an errant pin in Jane’s long, blonde tresses. The two girls giggled as Elizabeth held up the offending pin in judgment before casting it into the small bowl on Jane’s bureau.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cWell, perhaps tomorrow we will both find a way to see our gentlemen . . . alone,\u201d Elizabeth said as she and Jane snuggled under the cool covers of their shared bed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOh, Lizzy, we sound so wanton,\u201d Jane said, cringing. But her sister snuggled closer to her.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo, we are not,\u201d she insisted. The two girls settled and Elizabeth stared up at the ceiling of their bedroom, wondering if she would ever see it again after she left for London after Jane’s wedding. \u201cWe are in love, and that makes anything permissible.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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