Fitzwilliam & Darcy Discuss Their Upcoming Visit to Rosings
March 23rd, 1812
COLONEL THE HONORABLE RICHARD FITZWILLIAM of the ___rd Light Dragoons was trying to make himself as comfortable as possible in the rocking carriage—a mighty task, for the fineness of the Darcy coach could not make up for the ruts in the road through Kent. The other gentleman in the carriage had more success.
The colonel was just thirty years of age. Other than that, he was most unlike his companion. Fitzwilliam was of moderate height with a ruddy complexion and sandy-reddish hair. His lean body sported broad shoulders due to his profession. He was not particularly handsome, but his character was friendly and open. He liked people very much. Usually easy-going, his patience was stretched to its limits that day.
“Blast!” Colonel Fitzwilliam cried as he cracked his head against the side of the carriage. “I knew I should have ridden my horse! I knew it!”
His cousin and great friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, rapped on the roof with his walking stick. “A more moderate speed, if you please, Edwards,” he said. He did not shout, but his forceful tone carried over the noise of the road. There was a muffled affirmative answer and the vehicle slowed. Now it simply rolled alarmingly from side to side.
“Oh, that is so much better! Thank you, Cuz.”
“No need to be sarcastic, Fitz. The winter was beastly. It is no wonder the roads are in such a condition.”
“The weather was just as bad in Derby, but you will not find the roads to be like this; my father would not stand for it.”
“My uncle takes a prodigious interest in his roads.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. “All because the old man likes his feet warm and bum comfortable!”
Darcy glanced at him, trying to hide a smile. “I have missed you, Fitz. I am happy you are back from Spain.”
The colonel stretched. “For a time. Wellington does not need much in the way of cavalry to lay siege. After our coup de main at Ciudad Rodrigo in January*, I am allowed a few months leave in the loving bosom of my family.” Darcy frowned, and Fitzwilliam noticed. “Do not glare at me, Darcy! You know of what I speak!”
Darcy’s chin rose. “It is our duty to visit Lady Catherine at Easter.”
“It is your duty to review Lady Catherine’s accounts and meet with the steward at Easter,” Fitzwilliam returned. “It falls to me to play court jester for the amusement of my aunt and cousin. By the way, could you condescend to spend some time with Anne this year? The way you ignore her is disgraceful.”
Darcy looked away, his face flushed. “You know why I cannot.”
Fitzwilliam grew a little angry. “You choose not! That poor girl suffers and not just from her ailments. Cooped up at that overdone mausoleum of a house with only Aunt Catherine and her companion to keep her company, no wonder she is ill! I know well our aunt’s wishes. Lord, the whole family does! No one supports her in this. If you and Anne choose not to marry, the family would stand by you.”
Darcy was unfazed. “I must act as I see best, Fitz. Anne understands.”
Fitzwilliam grimaced at his friend. Oh, Cuz—one day that famous Darcy pride will get you in trouble! He changed the subject. “How is Georgiana getting on—truly?”
Pain flashed over Darcy’s features. “Not as well as I had hoped. She has not yet recovered from Ramsgate.”
Fitzwilliam cursed. “If only I had been there instead of in Spain! There would be one less rascal in the world, I can assure you!”
“Then it is well you were not, for there would then be one less reckless colonel serving the king,” Darcy shot back. “You would do Georgiana no good being hung for the murder of George Wickham.”
Fitzwilliam crossed his arms. “It is better to pay him off?”
“I only covered his debts—he got nothing more from me.”
“This time.”
Darcy shook his head. “There will not be a next time. Wickham has shot his bolt. He cannot talk of Georgiana, for he still thinks to make his way in the world by marrying into society. Should word of Ramsgate get abroad, he would be shunned.”
“It would not do Georgiana any good, either.”
“Do you not think I know that?” Darcy shouted.
Fitzwilliam grew alarmed. Darcy never lost his temper. “Of course, of course. Easy, old man—”
Darcy’s face fell into his hands. “You have no idea, Fitz! No idea at all how this whole affair haunts me! I failed her—I failed the person I love best in the world.”
Fitzwilliam placed a hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “Come now, none of that. You did nothing wrong. The blame must be borne by those responsible: Wickham and that Younge woman—”
“I should have investigated her references more thoroughly.”
You are crying over spilled milk, old friend, Fitzwilliam thought. Aloud he said, “You did the best you could. I am sure her references were of the highest quality. They usually are. Deceitful people are expert at obtaining such things.”
“I should have done better.”
Fitzwilliam shook his head. What will bring you low first, Darcy—your pride or your habit of taking too much upon yourself? You cannot yet deal with the whole truth—that Georgiana bears some of the responsibility for this near-debacle. He had to change the subject again.
“Tell me of Town. I understand our friend, Bingley, is moving up in the world.”
Darcy looked up. “Yes. I spent the bulk of last summer with him, after… well, after that. He leased a place in Herefordshire and wanted my opinion of the place. I think he will give it up when the lease runs out.”
“Something wrong with it?”
“No. Netherfield is a fair prospect, and with improvement should prove to be profitable.”
“Then, why? Gentleman farming not up to snuff for Bingley? Or should I say Miss Bingley?”
“It is Hertfordshire and the folk who reside there that Miss Bingley finds lacking.” Darcy paused. “I was relieved to return to London before December.” He looked out the window.
“Missed Georgiana, I dare say. Did you enjoy the Season?”
Darcy turned and gave his cousin a look. “Have I ever enjoyed the Season?”
Fitzwilliam laughed at Darcy’s incredulous expression. “I see—just the same! Still fighting off mercenary mamas and their insipid daughters.”
“Not me this time, but I had to help an acquaintance of ours.”
“Really? Who was it? Knightley? I have never understood why he has not married by now.”
“Fitz—”
“Or maybe Bingley? He falls in love at the drop of a hat.”
Darcy held up his hands. “I shall not reveal names. But I must congratulate myself for saving a friend from a most imprudent marriage.”
“When was this? You said you have not been in Town long this year.”
“Oh, it was last year. There were very strong objections to the lady, particularly her family.”
“It must have been bad.”
“Bad enough. But pray keep this to yourself. It would be unpleasant indeed if this became known to the family involved.”
Fitzwilliam raised his hands in protest. “I shall be discretion itself.”
“That would be the first time.”
“Darcy, you wound me! Am I likely to meet with this unnamed family in any case?”
An unreadable look came over Darcy’s face. “No—it is not likely at all.”
Fitzwilliam had no time to contemplate Darcy’s countenance. “Ah! Rosings! We are here!”
* – See the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (Jan. 7-20, 1812) – http://www.peninsularwar.org/ciudadrodrigo.htm
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3 comments
Oh Darcy! You should have kept your so called achievement to yourself! (Although you would still have to contend with Wickham’s lies! 😱)
Great dialogue between the cousins, Jack! You really made me feel like they were indeed great friends, not just blood relations. Thanks!
Nice!!!! Thanks Jack!