{"id":2757,"date":"2019-09-06T07:29:14","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T11:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=2757"},"modified":"2021-12-17T12:50:14","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T17:50:14","slug":"chapter-5-an-autumn-accord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapter-5-an-autumn-accord\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 5 An Autumn Accord"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Show of hands, who is the responsible one in their family? ::raises hand:: I cannot imagine navigating a family so large as the Bennets\/Darcys\/Fitzwilliams!\u00a0<\/p>

XOXOXO<\/p>

Elizabeth Ann West<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Chapter 5 - An Autumn Accord, a Pride and Prejudice Variation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A\u00a0number\u00a0of days after the argument with his aunt, Lady Matlock, Darcy\u2019s heels had more than cooled when his cousin abruptly interrupted his afternoon. Darcy felt slightly amused at Richard\u2019s serendipitous arrival while the ladies were out shopping. Heartily aware of his cousin\u2019s life of military tactics, the master of the house would not be surprised to learn a spy or some other indication had informed Richard of a safe time to\u00a0visit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

The butler opened the study door and announced the Colonel formally, yet Darcy did not hesitate to set aside his affairs for a moment and warmly greet his favorite family member. The two men shook hands and Darcy offered Richard a\u00a0drink.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI expected to see you much sooner after our return. Has His Majesty\u2019s Army so occupied your time you could not even acknowledge the dinner invitation sent two evenings\u00a0ago?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Richard Fitzwilliam opened his mouth in an odd\u00a0manner to show his displeasure at his cousin\u2019s immediate verbal assault. Snatching the drink from the tray before Darcy could offer it to him by hand, Richard calmly took a deep draft and gazed\u00a0out the window to the rust and copper colored leaves outside. \u201cI would not aim to bring unpleasant business to your home so swiftly after your long\u00a0travels.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cUnpleasant business? This does sound ominous. Pray, enlighten me with the new challenge I am to solve for my family members. I am all\u00a0ears.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Richard turned and watched as Darcy resumed the master\u2019s position behind the desk. He calmly unbuttoned the top three brass fasteners of his coat and allowed himself to take a relaxed seat in his favorite chair by the fire. \u201cThat bastard\u2019s seed truly took such a young girl?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Darcy nodded solemnly, not adding further explanation than his letters from last summer sent to both Richard and Mary. There were very few in the family who knew the truth of Lydia\u2019s\u00a0situation,\u00a0and even fewer that she was already\u00a0dead.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cUnfortunate circumstances, the poor girl was silly, but she didn\u2019t deserve such a fate.\u201d The Colonel raised his glass in an expression of acknowledging Lydia Bennet\u2019s memory and took a\u00a0sip.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cThe child is hardy. Jane remained behind to raise the lad, with the support and assistance of Graham\u00a0Hamilton.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOld MacFarmer has a lady at last,\u00a0eh?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI would not jump to those conclusions, as of yet. You are worse than the mamas of the ton with your leap from acquaintance to ideas of matrimony. There are, \u2013 hesitations \u2013 on the part of Miss Bennet as I\u2019m sure you can appreciate. By the by, how badly did you hurt Torrington?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

The Colonel choked on his drink as he smirked. \u201cThe beatings and bruisings could not be seen when he was properly attired. I don\u2019t believe the man sat for more than a\u00a0week.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cAre you mad! And if he demands\u00a0satisfaction?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

The Colonel held up his hand to stay his cousin\u2019s admonishment. \u201cI made it quite clear I would just as soon shoot him dead and find a way to put the law on my side should he seek retribution. The man\u2019s a coward. And if you had been there, you would\u2019ve realized Miss Bennet was quite proficient\u00a0at\u00a0protecting herself before James and I\u00a0arrived.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

A stormy, dark expression clouded Darcy\u2019s face. The very idea of one of his sisters, even a sister by marriage, left to fend for herself against such a notorious rake as the Viscount renewed his anger towards his aunt and uncle for their pathetic attempts at\u00a0protection.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

The Colonel resumed their conversation, taking the opportunity to brook the subject of the family spat. \u201cI understand you and Mrs. Darcy being quite cross with my mother and father, but the affection my parents offer is true. Even I am guilty of placing Miss Mary in grave danger, from the folly of a lack of experience.\u201d Richard\u2019s face fell grim as both men reflected on the events of the past\u00a0summer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Darcy relaxed his weight against the back of his chair and considered Richard\u2019s mea culpa. He knew too well the difficulties that came with performing the duties of guardianship over a young lady. He and Richard\u2019s own blunders nearly cost Georgiana her reputation when they allowed her to visit Ramsgate with only a\u00a0companion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cWe are to Hertfordshire in the morning. I will make an attempt to bring my wife\u2019s sentiments around to reconciliation if you will agree to approach your\u00a0mother?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cAgreed.\u201d The Colonel relaxed further into his chair and began to ask Darcy innocuous questions about the trip to Scotland. Darcy answered a few, choosing to ignore his cousins pointed barbs about his private life with Elizabeth, then resumed the offensive position in their battle of\u00a0understanding.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI do not relish telling another man how little patience I hold\u00a0for suitors who\u00a0dally\u00a0with ladies of my family.\u201d Darcy allowed his words in the master\u2019s tone to hang heavily in the air for a moment before continuing. \u201cThe fact you are a cousin, and not merely a friend, grants you more time to arrive at a mutually satisfactory position. But my sister Mary carries her misery more prominent than she shows. Even if you are not ready to disclose your plans, I should like to know\u00a0how you intend to form a life with a woman I earnestly agree to be a good match for your future\u00a0happiness.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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To Stay In Touch Would be Divine . . .<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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I promise to be a faithful correspondent if you join my newsletter or follow me on any of my social media accounts. Do follow and leave your calling card . . . – Elizabeth Ann West<\/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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Chapter 5(cont'd) - An Autumn Accord, a Pride and Prejudice Variation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u201cI won\u2019t take your money, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re aiming to\u00a0achieve.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Darcy leaned forward on his desk and clasped his hands together in front of him. He narrowed his eyes at Richard. \u201cDon\u2019t mistake me for your bombastic father. I care not if you go back to the Continent and seek to get\u00a0yourself shot full of holes. I would prefer you choose a different path, but I respect your position as your own man and do not confuse my regard for you as license to control. There are\u00a0no misunderstandings between us that should you require\u00a0funds, they\u00a0are readily available to you. Are you in love with Mary\u00a0Bennet?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo, I am\u00a0not.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

A log on the fire crackled and audibly popped, emphatically punctuating the silence between them. The claim was bold. A bold faced lie by both of their\u00a0estimations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cShe\u2019s too good for a wretched soldier like myself and all evidence indicates I would not provide a suitable future for her\u00a0happiness.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cWell, if that is how you feel, there is no further discussion to be held.\u201d Darcy resumed his attentions to the letter he was penning before Richard\u2019s arrival. Between the two men who had grown up together, shared many a scrape or two, there was no need for raisedvoices.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Richard Fitzwilliam rose to pour himself another drink. The cousins mutually wondered why the other would concede so easily, but decades of brotherhood made them both aware this matter was far from over. A temporary accord of surrender may have been settled, but it was a moment\u2019s peace and nothing\u00a0more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Richard remained standing by the scotch, sipping away at his second pour, calculating how long he knew his cousin\u2019s patience to be. Fitzwilliam Darcy\u2019s greatest asset was neither his bank account nor the long list of properties on his balance sheet. It was the man\u2019s fortitude to wear down his adversaries with nary a sign of discomfort. The best solution for Richard was to find a way to remove himself from Darcy\u2019s family and the company of the beguiling Mary Bennet for as long as he may\u00a0muster.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI have not spoken to mother and father, but the offering of\u00a0an assignment in Newcastle arises and I intend to accept. I am to leave next week and will not be free until spring, in order to assist with Georgiana\u2019s\u00a0presentation.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Darcy\u2019s quill continued to scribble and he remained quiet for a moment. Another might wonder if Darcy even heard the words the Colonel spoke, but Richard knew better. He finished his drink, and restored his gallant red coat to proper uniform\u00a0regulations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI am sorry our family reunion at Pemberley this winter shall be short a member, but I would never begrudge your duty to His Majesty. Will you stay this evening to\u00a0dine?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Richard walked with an involuntary military precision to the front of the study and shook his head. Offering his hand once more to his cousin, who rose from his desk to properly farewell the man, Richard declined. \u201cI am obligated to take my meal this evening at Matlock House. I shall work on mother and father and write to you my results.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cSend them by way of Netherfield. Charles has been kind enough to open his home for our\u00a0trip.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

The Colonel cocked his head to one side and looked to Darcy with a puzzled expression. \u201cYou have kept your friendship with\u00a0Bingley?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Darcy shrugged. \u201cIt perhaps may be slightly awkward with the dissolution of his courtship with her sister Jane, but we are not the first friends to tackle such delicacies. Besides, there are strategic concerns for why I wish Mrs. Darcy and I to visit the quite vocal Miss Bingley during the time when we should be in Scotland awaiting the babe.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Richard wished his cousin safe travels and repeated his promise for correspondence. As he walked out of Darcy house with the intention to return to the barracks before his audience with his parents, he gave Darcy a great deal of credit for his ability to withstand the insults the Bingley family had hurled at his family. With a half-smile on his lips, he enjoyed the thought that come next year, London society would not be ready when the power couple,\u00a0Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, came for\u00a0retribution.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

<\/p>

Light\u00a0in the shared sitting room between the master and mistress suites of Darcy House quivered from the flickering candle on a desk sharing the same wall as the fireplace. Elizabeth Darcy furiously scribbled a heartwarming invitation to her Aunt Gardiner for them to winter together at\u00a0Pemberley.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Since the departure of Lady Matlock, Mrs. Darcy had taken the reins of household management and set the younger girls on reading literature and practicing French conversation to help them improve their minds. There was little she could do to make up for lost time, but an ally at Pemberley would certainly\u00a0help.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

As she reached the place in her thoughts imagining the grand family reunion on an estate she had not yet actually seen, the question of Mary\u2019s peculiar situation with Richard Fitzwilliam paused her writing endeavors. Brushing the quill along her jaw line, Elizabeth wondered how to tactfully request for her aunt\u2019s knowledge concerning Mary\u2019s romantic interests, so she might best help her sister, without asking Madeleine Gardiner to betray any confidences. Two large hands clasping her shoulders startled Elizabeth Darcy and she suddenly jumped in her seat. She dropped the quill on her letter, scattering inkblots across the carefully written\u00a0lines.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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WHAT A DEAL!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A kiss at the Netherfield Ball . . .<\/b><\/span><\/p>

Three Dates with Mr. Darcy<\/em> is a bundle of: An exclusive story, <\/span>Much to Conceal<\/em>, a novella that imagines what if Elizabeth confessed to Jane in London that Mr. Darcy proposed in Kent? <\/span>
<\/p>\n

A Winter Wrong,<\/em> the first novella in the Seasons of Serendipity series that imagines what if Mr. Bennet died at the very beginning of Pride and Prejudice?<\/p>\n

By Consequence of Marriage,<\/em> the first novel in the Moralities of Marriage series that wonders what if Mr. Darcy never saved his sister Georgiana from Wickham\u2019s clutches?<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Ann West\u2019s Pride and Prejudice variations have enthralled more than 100,000 readers in over 90 countries! A proud member of the Jane Austen Fan Fiction community since the mid-2000s, she hopes you will join her in being happily Darcy addicted!<\/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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