Page 5

CALL ME FITZWILLIAM

MICHAELMAS, LONGBOURN, HERTFORDSHIRE

T he Bennet ladies exited the Longbourn Church, their stomachs growling. The village green was already a riot of colours and awash with both servant and master alike. Every year Longbourn would sponsor the village harvest festival and this year was no different. Although there had been whispers that the Netherfield tenants and servants would be joining the Longbourn ones.

Mrs Bennet caught sight of her husband across the small church courtyard, talking with some of the local gentlemen. “Stay here, girls. I must speak with your father.” With that, she hurried across to speak with him.

“Why we cannot just walk across to the village green and mingle, I do not know!” Lydia grumbled as they stood waiting for their mother.

Mary rolled her eyes, but could not say anything before Mrs Bennet’s loud voice drifted over to them.

“I insist on you visiting him, Mr Bennet,” the Bennet matriarch almost screamed.

“Mama is desperate to marry us off,” Jane observed. “Though it is her actions, that always seem to drive off the suitors we have.” Jane looked around before drawing out a notepad. “Bets on how long it will take this time?”

The girls huddled together and placed small bets from two days to two months.

Giggling, Jane placed the book and bet money in her reticule. “I wonder…” she said. “I think it’s time to see how far mama’s favouritism will go. Our behaviour can hardly matter when mama drives away any young men we might be interested in.” She glared at her youngest sisters. “We need not take it so far that reputations will be affected. Just a little harmless excess will do.”

Elizabeth chewed her lip. This could have some serious consequences. “What are you suggesting, Jane?” Lydia’s high spirits already had the possibility to bring ruin to the family. It seemed incredible to Elizabeth that Jane would encourage that.

“I’m saying we can exaggerate our characters a little,” Jane suggested.

“MR BENNET!” Mrs Bennet screamed.

“What did papa do this time?” Mary asked, rolling her eyes.

“Most likely nothing,” Jane shrugged. “Anyway, Lizzy and Lydia are the closest in character.” This earned a glare from both sisters. “However, Lizzy is more erudite in pursuits, while Lydia is more knowledgeable in fashion and gossip. So exaggerating your characters means Lydia needs to flatter more while Lizzy needs to argue more. Mary, Kitty, and myself are quieter. We observe much and say little. Now, for myself, that’s not a problem as mama will push me into the notice of everyone! However, mama does tend to overlook Mary and Kitty.”

Lydia giggled. “Kitty could do with being a little more like me. While Mary could do with being more like Lizzy.”

Catherine looked horrified at the idea and Mary was appalled.

Elizabeth gave a sly grin. “That’s not a bad idea, Lydia! I’m sorry, Kitty. You’ll need to give Mary more time on the pianoforte. Mary, I want you to try and sing the same songs that I do. Without transposing them down.”

“You know they do not suit my voice that way,” Mary complained. “You will make me look ridiculous.”

“That is the point,” Jane said quietly. “Now no one must know! That includes mama and anyone else. Whatever you do, do not disgrace our family name. We can be ridiculous, but not scandalous.”

The girls nodded, but had no time to plot further. Two strange gentlemen were heading in their direction with their parents. Catherine and Lydia began giggling quietly while the rest of the Bennet girls eyed them suspiciously.

“Oh girls, what an honour,” Mrs Bennet began. “Our new neighbours have already arrived and chose to visit our little celebration today.”

Mr Bennet then proceeded to introduce the two young men as Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley.

“Please call me, Fitzwilliam,” Darcy asked.

“Such informality is unusual, sir,” Mrs Bennet objected.

Darcy shrugged his shoulders. “I am aware, madam. However, it is my request that you should use my Christian and not my family name to address me.”

Mrs Bennet said no more. It was the young gentleman’s request and she would not gainsay it. The small group made their way across to the green, Bingley quickly falling into step beside Jane. Elizabeth glared at Darcy and deliberately created a small huddle with Mary and Catherine, while Lydia decided to attempt to flirt with Darcy. However, Elizabeth noticed that Darcy became very uncomfortable so she gave Lydia a sign to leave him alone.

The fair was noisy, but the food was excellent. The Michaelmas Feast had been planned for two in the afternoon and did not disappoint. A meal shared with the whole community was the highlight of the day for many of the servants and for the poor would be the best meal they would have for many months. The newcomers to the neighbourhood made themselves at home, that was until the time came around for some dancing.

* * *

D arcy disliked dancing at the best of times and right now worried about his sister the thought of dancing with a young lady he did not know appalled him. The ridiculousness of the Bennet family seemed to knock him over the edge.

“Come, Fitz, choose a partner and join in the fun,” Bingley shouted as he left the dance floor seeking a glass of refreshment. “It’ll help take your mind off everything.”

Darcy rolled his eyes and stubbornly stayed in his chair. He glanced at Elizabeth Bennet, wishing that he dared to attempt to talk to her. She was the only one who seemed to have anything worth talking about. His courage failed him and his anger at Bingley’s indiscretion loosened his tongue a little more than he liked. “Why do you take such pleasure in such displays and such ridiculous people? And how dare you tell the world my problems?” He snapped.

Bingley laughed, uncomfortably as everyone in attendance looked at the young strangers in their company. “I love meeting people, Fitz. I also love dancing,” Bingley muttered as he sat down next to his friend. “It is you who is being rude to people who have been nothing, but polite and welcoming.”

Darcy shrugged. “And…?”

Bingley looked astonished. This was not his friend’s usual behaviour. Comprehension dawned suddenly and Bingley’s face lit up. “Out with it, who is she?”

Darcy said nothing, but his eyes followed the movements of Elizabeth as she moved through the line of the dance. He could not seem to tear his eyes away.

Bingley chuckled. “Confess it, Fitz. Who is scaring you?”

“Why should anyone be scaring me?” Darcy defensively demanded.

Bingley laughed. “For someone so smart and assured in his life you can be full of ridiculous twaddle sometimes!”

Darcy blinked and briefly looked wounded. “And you can be blind and loose-lipped at times. We both have our faults. Just let me be! And allow me to keep my secrets.”

“Very well.” Bingley stood up. “Fitzwilliam Darcy wants to hide and be rude, I shall leave you to yourself. You know that I will get the truth from you eventually. I pity you, my friend. Whoever she is that’s scared you has just been insulted by you. That will be your punishment.” Bingley grinned as he left his friend.

Darcy shook his head. His friend was wrong. He would prove Bingley wrong. Elizabeth was nothing, but a pleasant distraction in an uncivilised area of England. Lydia’s excessive flirting reminded him only of his sister, while Elizabeth’s arguments would get tiresome after a while. The rest of the local society had been so bland and tiresome that they had already passed out of his thoughts. He leant back in his chair and closed his eyes. He had made a mistake, but he had spoken the truth as he had seen it. Elizabeth’s presence was not necessary for him to enjoy his time in Hertfordshire. He had no intention of pursuing any of the girls here. So what did his behaviour matter?

Denial was something he was good at. Denial had been his friend throughout the past five years and it had helped when his father had died and then with the recent situation with Georgiana and it was denial that would bring him through this ordeal in Hertfordshire, he was sure of that. He had been interested in young women before and lost interest in them just as quickly. Elizabeth would be no different. Of that, he had no doubt. Therefore, he would not do anything about this. Why should he? He would not be here more than two months at the most. Therefore it made no difference if he had insulted the area. He would not apologise. He did not need to. Even though they were offended, they would still admit him into their company. There were enough who would invite him to participate in society, simply because of who he was.

* * *

E lizabeth had been close enough to observe Darcy’s behaviour, but not close enough to hear the exchange between Darcy and Bingley. She became anxious. Jane’s instructions to exaggerate their characters sat like a stone with her. Elizabeth liked a good debate, but Darcy was different. The dance came to an end and Elizabeth decided that she wanted to speak privately to Jane.

“I can’t do it, Jane,” she urgently stated. “I cannot continue to argue with Fitzwilliam for no reason.”

Jane looked at her sister. “You will lose your bet, Lizzy.”

“Forget the bet, Jane. Look at him. He needs a friend, not an antagonist,” Elizabeth murmured.

“You have known him five minutes,” Jane laughed. “Are you so taken with him?”

Elizabeth blushed. “I….” She looked down. “It’s just you did not observe his exchange with Mr Bingley just now. Keep things as they are with Mary and the others. I’m not going to take part anymore. Someone will get hurt if I do.”

“Very well, Lizzy. You’ve lost your bet, but I see this means a lot to you,” Jane agreed. “Your bet on how long it will take mama to drive them away still stands, but you’ve lost on the rest.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I don’t care about the bet anymore!” She huffed. “There’s something more important at stake here.”

Just then the two older girls’ attentions were drawn by their youngest two sisters. Lydia had taken to exaggerating her character without any sign of discomfort and was now flirting outrageously with the militia officers who had just arrived. Most of the officers seemed to ignore Lydia’s antics and humoured her. However, one seemed to encourage her antics and relished in the brazen display. Elizabeth shook her head and left her sister to it. Lydia wouldn’t disgrace the family too much. It was then that she turned her attention to Darcy. To that end, she found herself a quiet corner where she could hide and observe.

“Lizzy,” Charlotte greeted Elizabeth, making her way through the crowd. “What are you about? You’ve positively fled each time someone has approached you for the past two dances.”

“I’m not about anything, Charlotte!” Elizabeth laughed. “I simply do not wish to dance at the moment.”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes and examined her friend. “I am aghast! Elizabeth Bennet not wishing to dance! I never thought I would see the day.” Charlotte followed the direction of Elizabeth’s eyes. “That young man is not worth your attention!”

Elizabeth looked at Charlotte shocked. “Why would you say that?”

Charlotte hesitated. “Did you observe his interaction with Mr Bingley?”

“I was dancing, but I saw he looked upset. It seemed the interaction didn’t go well,” Elizabeth confessed.

“Fitzwilliam is troubled by something. He accused Mr Bingley of trying to use his problems, which as you know, Mr Bingley hasn’t done. Lizzy, be careful. He called us all ridiculous people,” Charlotte warned her friend.

“And so we are! You have to confess how ridiculous it is that my mother throws us in the way of as many rich young men as she can. Our whole neighbourhood has its eccentricities,” Elizabeth laughed. “Fitzwilliam seems to have seen them earlier than most do.”

“That may not be good for any of us,” Charlotte observed. “I do not know what is going on.”

“Then leave it there, Charlotte. I am going to go and talk to him,” Elizabeth announced.

“Be careful, Lizzy! We do not know why he asked us to use his Christian name. Nor do we know anything about him,” Charlotte continued to caution her.

“I know enough to be able to say that he is in desperate need of a friend. He is troubled by something and I intend to be that friend that he needs,” Elizabeth argued.

Charlotte shook her head. “It’s a dangerous game. You’ll lose your heart before you find out the measure of the man.”

Elizabeth shrugged. “Charlotte, have you known me to give my heart away that easily?”

“I think you might already have done so,” Charlotte replied.

Elizabeth hurried away and went to find the subject of their discussion.

Darcy sat in a corner glowering at the crowd, which led Elizabeth to hesitate to approach him. Taking a deep breath she made her choice. “Mr Bingley appears to be having fun,” she pleasantly began, slipping into the seat beside him.

“I hadn’t noticed,” Darcy grumbled.

Elizabeth glanced over and made an observation of someone’s lack of grace for a moment.

This brought a slight smile to Darcy’s face, but it quickly disappeared. “I‘m sorry, Miss Bennet,” he began. “I know that you mean well. However, I am not in the mood to argue. I have concerns that are rather pressing at present. Observing your youngest sister, I am afraid my concerns are greater now than they were before.”

“My youngest sister?” Elizabeth asked confused, before she could help it. “I did not come to argue with you, sir. I came because I saw you could do with a friend.” She frowned and turned embarrassed as her mother loudly drew the attention of the crowd towards Elizabeth sitting next to Darcy. “I am sorry. My mother is embarrassing. I forgot what a fuss she would make by my sitting down next to you. I will leave you to yourself. However, I would like to make it clear that despite appearances earlier I am not argumentative. I do like a good debate, it is true, but I was exaggerating that earlier. I will explain at another time.” She stood up to leave, but Darcy laid his hand on her wrist stopping her egress.

“Please do not go. I….” He let go of her arm embarrassed. “I would appreciate your company.”

She sat down again. “You might not say that once you know my family a little better,” she told him.

“You have not met mine, yet,” Darcy chuckled.

Elizabeth sighed and glanced over to her mother who was loudly congratulating herself for the interest both gentlemen were showing in her girls. “May I ask why my younger sister is of interest to you, sir?”

Darcy sighed. “How old are your younger sisters? I do not wish to be impertinent, however, my sister is rather a lot younger than I am and also the ward of myself and my cousin.”

“Mary is nineteen, Kitty is seventeen and Lydia is fifteen,” Elizabeth outlined.

Darcy took a deep breath. “And is that your sister’s usual way of behaving?”

Elizabeth sucked in a breath. “Your questions are unusual, Fitzwilliam. I must ask why you would ask such a thing before I give you my answer.”

Darcy looked abashed, before his face closed off. “I am trying to understand something. However, I have offended you. Please forgive me, I’m not sure that it is that important.”

“I was not offended, until that speech! I love my family and what I was going to tell you is something I would not wish for you to tell anyone else. I was merely trying to make sure that you wanted to know for the right reason before telling what my family, especially my sisters, would not wish me to tell,” Elizabeth huffed. “It sounded for a moment as though you were despising my family.”

“I would not dare!” He took a deep breath. “My sister is between your youngest two sisters in age. I recently became aware of certain behaviour, which I am not sure is typical of all girls her age or not. You see I do not know much about ladies’ education or what is expected of them, beyond basic good manners.” He lowered his voice. “Miss Bennet, my sister has behaved in a way that could potentially ruin her reputation. I am trying to ascertain whether or not it truly will do so.”

Elizabeth sucked in her breath. “I did not mean to pry. To answer your question. What you will see with my sisters is not what they truly are.” She glanced around making sure she was not being overheard. “When we heard mama say that Mr Bingley had taken Netherfield, we began to take bets as to how long it would be before mama would drive you both from Netherfield. We are aware that mama makes a poor impression and drives away potential suitors. It is with that in mind we made a second resolution between us. We would each exaggerate our characters.” Elizabeth blushed slightly. “I like to tease and to debate, so it was agreed that I would become rather more argumentative than respectfully debating, Jane is quiet and so she is going to become more retiring. Mary is studious, but she is going to be rather pedantic, Kitty is like Jane quieter and more retiring, so we wanted her to become more of a follower of Lydia who is naturally outgoing, like myself. Lydia is the youngest and the wildest of us. I wish we had not decided to do this. I fear Lydia will take this as encouragement for her wild behaviour. She already flirted more than she should have done, watching her I fear that she will take things too far.”

Darcy’s face fell into a frown with worry.

Elizabeth laid her hand on his arm. “Not every girl is like that at Lydia’s age. Also at that age, most of us are somewhat wild. For the most part, we quickly come right.”

Hope sparked in Darcy’s eyes. “Do you think that it is possible?”

Elizabeth nodded. “Most likely it is simply a case of finding where the boundaries lie.”

“Thank you. I hope that you are correct,” he gravely stated.

Elizabeth was not sure what else to say.

“I am inordinately proud of my girls!” Mrs Bennet loudly told her friends. “Why look, Lydia will attract a man with no problem whatsoever. I wish all of my girls were like her. She is so lively and attractive. Who would not wish to be connected to her?!”

Elizabeth heard Darcy groan and grinned. “I warned you about my mother,” she murmured.

Darcy grinned. “Who had the shortest bet?” He asked suddenly.

“Look at Jane, why she is so handsome! I am sure that she has no comparison! Why Mr Bingley quite dotes on her already,” Mrs Bennet boasted.

“I’d have to ask Jane,” Elizabeth prevaricated. “However, one of us suggested two days.”

Darcy chuckled. “If you had not come over to talk to me, I think at least on my part, they would have won.”

Elizabeth looked at her hands. “But I did come and talk to you.”

* * *

C onfidence requires confidence and Darcy was determined to win Elizabeth’s bet for her. He was confident that it had been her who had decided on two days. “Miss Bennet, I have an idea. I am going to win your bet for you. As I have business in London that is going to take me away for a few days. My cousin Colonel Christopher Fitzwilliam, of the 95 th regiment, may bring my sister down during that time to visit. We look almost identical and we will both answer to Fitzwilliam. Bingley won’t check for the differences as he simply can’t be bothered. We’ve all known each other for far too long.” Darcy took off his glove from his right hand and showed Elizabeth the small, but noticeable mole. “My cousin has a scar on his left earlobe, which I do not. Please fix these differences in your mind. We like to switch places with the other as being close in age and looks, most mistake us for twins. However, I… I would like you to know that we may switch places at a moment’s notice. I do not wish for you to get hurt when my cousin arrives and makes me look like I am a brash and crude man. I am not, but army life made him such a man. He has, however, recently retired from the army. He tends to speak before he thinks, whereas I am more measured in what I say and do.”

“Are there any other differences between you?” Elizabeth asked.

Darcy flushed a deep red. “There are, but unless we strip off our shirts and breeches you would never see them.”

Elizabeth giggled. “Why are you telling me about these differences? Should I tell my parents or my sisters?”

“I would appreciate it if you did not,” Darcy answered. “We enjoy the fun and confusion that takes place when we make friends and they do not realise that we are not the same person. If my cousin should come down, it is likely that we won’t be seen together for some time as my sister is going to need some serious oversight. At present, we are keeping her in London away from potential bad influences, which includes Bingley’s youngest sister.”

“You neatly avoided why you chose to tell me. However, you may keep that secret,” Elizabeth teased him. “I’m sure that it will become clear.”

They turned and watched the dancing progress. The night was beginning to get chilly and the fair was coming to an end. Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet,” he smirked. “How good an actress are you?”

“I don’t understand.” Elizabeth’s confusion left her forehead slightly wrinkled.

“I know Bingley has a meeting in Town that he postponed to take possession of Netherfield, which means he must go back to Town by the beginning of December – at the latest. How would you like to win your bet with your sisters and still get to know Bingley and myself?” Darcy asked.

“I do not see how I could,” she honestly answered.

“As I said earlier I genuinely have business in Town that I wish could be delayed, part of which is checking in on my sister,” he began. “If you had not come and shown me some kindness and explained what was going on, I might well have refused to come back given the way your family is behaving. I confess to not liking it. However, I will come back – that is a promise! What I am suggesting is that when I go, I will ask Bingley to come with me to complete his business. Afterwards, we could return within a couple of weeks without business interfering for a while.”

“There is a ball in a week. I think many will be hoping that you will both attend,” Elizabeth told him.

“And you… would you wish us to attend?” Darcy asked. “I can attempt to be back by then, but I can give no guarantees.”

Elizabeth swallowed and gave a slight nod.

Darcy chuckled. “Private or public ball?”

“Public. It is at the Meryton Assembly Rooms,” she informed him.

“Even better. Save your first and last dance for me if you would. However, tell no one it’s me. I’m sure what I said to Bingley earlier was overheard and will make its way to your ears, so please play it up. Act offended. Tell your family that I have continued to be rude to you this evening. I know I offended you earlier when asking about your sister. Play it up and make sure that you tell them that I intend to convince Bingley not to come back,” Darcy told her.

Elizabeth’s eyes went wide as she looked over at her other sisters, who were now in a huddle. “They are taking bets on us. I am sorry.”

Darcy leant over and whispered in her ear, “All the more reason to execute my plan. I promise I will come back. Tell your sisters that I saw their antics and rather than being amused, which I am, tell them that I’m affronted. Elizabeth, I want to get to know you better. I do not know why. I told you the difference between my cousin and myself because I do not want you to be upset if he should not seek you out as I will.”

Elizabeth blushed. “I….”

“Yes, I’m admitting to an interest in you,” he confessed.

“Then the fun will begin. I will do my best. I’m sure it is not too far a stretch to say my family has offended you,” Elizabeth whispered back.

“I would be a wretched man and unworthy of you were I to admit to such a thing,” Darcy answered.

“Well, Lady Lucas,” Mrs Bennet’s loud voice carried over the still night air. “I would call that a successful day’s work for my Jane and Lizzy. You need only look at them to see that they have captured the attention of the Netherfield gentlemen.”

“Very well, may I confess to a slight amount of offense at that remark?” Darcy groaned.

“And she’ll only get worse,” Elizabeth warned him. “If you choose to stay in London I will not blame you. I’m sure that any interest in me is not worth the humiliation of my mother.”

“I did not mean to infer any such thing! Nor did I even think that,” Darcy told her. A wicked glint came into his eye. “We are going to teach your mother a lesson.”

“Howww….” Elizabeth wondered.

“Kiss me, Elizabeth,” Darcy asked suddenly.

Elizabeth blinked. “W.why?”

Darcy grinned. “You may say no. However, if your mother is going to declare our interest for us, simply by Bingley dancing a few dances and my conversing with you, then I think a quick kiss is not going to be amiss. You can use it as an excuse to be even more upset with me. For them it will be I led you on, got your hopes up and then left you. What do you say?”

Elizabeth’s curiosity needed an answer. “I want to know one thing, is it a goodbye kiss?”

“It’s an until we meet again one. I mean it when I say I want to get to know you better. It is a promise. Will you quarrel loudly with me afterwards to make the impression complete?” Darcy asked.

“You know I’m going to have to make it look as though you….” Elizabeth didn’t get to finish her sentence as Darcy knew she was agreeing and surprised her by swiftly claiming his kiss. Elizabeth played her part perfectly as her surprise being genuine meant that she could push him away swiftly. “How dare you?” She loudly protested. “Get away from me!”

“Perfect!” Darcy whispered before sitting back and letting her go. “I’m sorry, Miss Bennet. I don’t know what came over me.”

“I think you had better go, Mr Darcy! You despise my family and friends so much and then dishonour me by being so free with your attention,” Elizabeth loudly protested. She dropped her voice to a whisper. “I will see you next week. Do not let me down.”

“I will do my best. Until next week,” Darcy whispered back. Loudly he replied, “Miss Bennet, I do not confer my attentions as freely as you suppose. I take my leave of you and of this place.” He stood up and was about to stride away before leaning down and making a show of being angry. “If I cannot get away, I’ll have my sister write to let you know. I have to leave now though or else they’ll suspect us.” With that, he strode away with what appeared to be an angry clip. In truth, the only anger he felt was that his sister and his investments were pulling him away from Hertfordshire at that moment. The kiss had been bittersweet. Elizabeth had played her part perfectly and while he knew that she was a willing participant in that, he felt as though he had taken advantage of her. He was not playing fair. He sighed. His aunt would not be pleased with his choice to court Elizabeth. However, after that kiss, he knew that he was destined to marry her.