Page 64 of Obligation and Redemption
Elizabeth laughed, eyes dancing in merriment.
“Yes, Colonel, I wager that Mr. Darcy would not appreciate your coming in here with your tail wagging, risking knocking over one of his priceless vases.” She pictured Mr. Bingley’s excitable nature and Jane’s calm exterior hiding a heart that overflowed with joy, and could not help but smile in satisfaction.
They both laughed at the picture of Bingley’s infectious mien.
“And how is my new cousin? You are another whose charming face diffuses gaiety, positively affecting those nearby.”
“You are too kind, sir. I would not go so far as to agree with you, but it is true, I cannot conceal my humour or my chagrin when I feel them. Do have a seat and I will call for tea.” She stood and rang the bell.
When a footman entered, she requested that tea and biscuits be brought into the room.
The conversation continued on in a light-hearted manner as Fitzwilliam conveyed stories of his life in the military, refraining from the more heinous tales of battle, and Elizabeth added anecdotes of her imaginative youth.
Elizabeth again pondered the apparent incongruity that the colonel and her husband shared the same family.
As Darcy was quiet and taciturn, the colonel was charming and loquacious.
They were enjoying tea and considering whether a game of charades or a formal dinner were more conducive to judging someone’s character when Darcy entered the room.
He was unnoticed at first as he stood staring at his wife blatantly flirting with his cousin.
Elizabeth was laughing and beaming that beguiling smile that he had seen directed to himself on but rare occasion.
Darcy had to admit that she did have a becoming smile at times, when she was not chastising him.
After a few moments of gazing at the two having a pleasant conversation, he gave a light cough to signify his entrance.
“Don’t let me interrupt the two of you, as you seem to be getting along famously without my presence.
” Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth stopped speaking and stared at him, each with his and her own thoughts, the latter wishing he had stayed away if he were going to be tiresome, and the former wondering why his cousin had that daunting visage.
Surely Darcy would be happy that his cousin was making an effort to spend time with his new wife, as he attempted to welcome her into the Fitzwilliam family.
The poor lass had been locked away in Darcy’s home long enough.
Surely she needed some social diversion.
“Darcy, I hope you don’t mind my coming over while your knocker was still removed from the door.
I came to see you and was pleasantly distracted by your beautiful bride.
Won’t you join us for tea?” As Fitzwilliam spoke, he saw that Darcy eyed his wife with a serious look of displeasure.
Elizabeth focused on making tea and refilling cups.
Elizabeth stayed a few moments more, but after feeling the vexation of her husband, she said, “Well, if you are both happily settled, I will leave you to your visit. I am certain that you have more manly subjects to explore than you would be able to with my company. ”
“Mrs. Darcy,” said the colonel, “please don’t leave to gratify my desires. I prefer you stay. Darcy here does not have your penchant for storytelling, so you would be sorely missed.”
“You are too kind, sir, but I am afraid that my stories are not ones becoming the mistress of the house, so I leave you to share similar antics with the greater share of approval.” She curtseyed to the two men as they stood, and she left the room.
Elizabeth had enjoyed her visit with Colonel Fitzwilliam, but knew she could not continue with the same pleasure while her husband was in attendance.
He had been giving her glowering looks since he entered the room, making clear his disapproval of her speaking with his family.
Elizabeth was certain that Mr. Darcy condemned her for her high-spirited conversations.
Both men watched her leave with differing feelings.
Darcy had a sensation that he had not felt in years and was not aware what it was, but the remembrance brought him nothing but perturbation.
What he could not perceive in his innermost being was jealousy, last experienced when his father had paid unrelenting and enraptured attention to Wickham.
Darcy who had none of the easy manners and witticisms of Wickham would look on to a similar scene with the two sharing the bond of camaraderie while he had no part.
Elizabeth’s enticing smiles were all for other men be they Fitzwilliam, Wickham or the countless others whom she charmed with her demeanour and conversation.
If he were to perceive that what he felt was actually jealousy, he would have had a hard time deciding which of the two he coveted more: Elizabeth, for her ease in wrapping his cousin into her web of wiles or Fitzwilliam, for being the one upon whose smiles Elizabeth bestowed.
Fitzwilliam on the other hand was deep in disturbing thoughts concerning the relationship, as he just witnessed it, between his cousin and new bride.
In nary a week, they seem to have gone from a resigned acceptance to outright animosity.
Fitzwilliam could not bear to see his cousin tied to a life of misery like so many others.
Darcy deserves more and frankly, so does his wife.
The colonel was the first to speak. “Darcy, what a charmer you are! You have her eating out of your hand already.” His cousin gave him a stern look then took a sip of tea to hide his vexation.
“I must say, Mrs. Darcy and I were having a pleasant visit until you arrived. Why do you suppose she left so abruptly?”
“How would I know? As much as you seem to think that I dictate her, I do not keep watch over her every move, nor do I seek her motivations.”
“Don’t be so testy, Darcy. I only mean to help.” After a few moments, he continued, “I came by to see if you wanted to go to Angelo’s. I have a mind for some exercise and thought you might not object to my besting you today. Are you up for it?”
A slight smile came across Darcy’s face, “I believe that is exactly what I need. I’ll call the carriage.”
On the way to the fencing academy, they spoke of Fitzwilliam’s plans for the next month.
This would be his final day at Tromwell House until Christmas.
Darcy invited him for dinner that evening, looking forward to his company, especially in light of his and his wife’s recent poor communication.
They worked up a vigorous sweat over the next two hours and after cleaning up climbed in the carriage for the short ride to Darcy House.
On the way home, Fitzwilliam managed to bring the conversation back around to Elizabeth and their marriage.
“Darcy, earlier when I was speaking with Elizabeth everything seemed fine until you walked in. What happened?”
“I suspect she wanted to give us time alone.”
“I am not exactly asking why she left. Why did her mood change so drastically upon your entrance? One moment she was smiling and laughing, and the next she couldn’t get away quickly enough.”
“What do you want from me, Fitzwilliam? What would you have me say?”
“I am just concerned about you. Look, I know that your marriage is in name only. I just hope for more for you, that you might one day find contentment in ways that have nothing to do with your coffers.”
“I know you mean well, but truly, I am content. Of course, I do wish that I could have married someone who was able to bring more to the settlement than Elizabeth has, but overall, I cannot say things are different than most arranged marriages. I suppose there will be a time of transition before she learns to accept her new life. Until then, I will try to be patient in directing her into her role.”
“That’s just it Darcy; a wife should not be a possession. You cannot mould her into the perfect mistress of Pemberley. Try to accept her for who she is and go from there.”
“What do you expect me to do? Invite her family to town for the Season and give her mother free rein over my staff? We could sponsor her sisters, so that they have access to other rich men .”
“I do not think that is what Mrs. Darcy would ask at all. Have you thought to inquire from her what she wants out of a marriage? Do you know what her desires are?”
“Must I remind you that she got what she wanted? She is the author of this entire debacle.”
“Are you certain that she got what she wanted? She does not seem too content to me, and based on what she told me on the night before the wedding, this marriage did not at all fulfil her desires.”
“I’m not certain of anything. I cannot even know if she does not continue to be in consort with Wickham.”
“Surely you cannot believe that Mrs. Darcy is in league with that man. It doesn’t seem within her nature.
” There was silence except for the sound of the horses clopping on the cobblestone pavement outside the window.
“Well, I for one do not believe that she could do anything as duplicitous as Wickham has done, and if she is in any way involved with him, it is likely under pretext of some deceit on his part. And if that is the case, you would do well to disabuse her of his manipulations rather than condemn her.”
“When the time is right, I will speak with her, but for now, I don’t believe she would be open to any revelations I might share. And I most certainly will not tell her anything about that blackguard’s designs on Georgiana.”
“No, of course not. But you might find she is more open than you think if you were to treat her as a respectable spouse.” Darcy shot him a menacing glare. “I don’t mean for that to sound sensational, but there is some validity. Do you treat her the same as you would have Lady Annette?”