Darcy and Fitzwilliam: A Tale of a Gentleman and an Officer

“Well, the married state certainly does agree with you, Elizabeth! You are positively glowing.” It was an emphatic statement of truth from Fitzwilliam. She did look lovelier, more alive than he remembered. “You look gorgeous and nearly as smug as your husband.” Darcy winced, thinking Lizzy would be mortified at the allusion. He was surprised and greatly relieved to see her in good spirits at her new cousin’s words.

“I highly recommend marriage, Colonel.” She took her place in the chair next to his, still holding tightly to his hand. “In fact, I have two unmarried sisters ready and eager for the altar.” She lowered her voice dramatically. “Beware.”

Their discussion was very animated, like two dear old friends meeting again after a long separation. Darcy sat back contentedly to watch, remembering the first time the two had met, several years before. Lizzy was visiting her friend Charlotte and Charlotte’s new husband, the Reverend Collins, vicar on the estate of the formidable Lady Catherine, while Darcy and Fitzwilliam were spending their annual Easter visit with their aunt.

At that visit to Rosings, when Lizzy and Richard would talk and laugh with each other, he remained aloof from them, envying as always his cousin’s easy charm, his way with words and strangers. He had felt unwanted and alone, his only consolation being the certainty that if Richard considered marriage at all, it would need to be an heiress, and Lizzy had been far from that. Fitzwilliam could not and would not encourage any serious tendre within himself for Elizabeth, even though it was obvious he was utterly charmed by her.

Now, assured of the love of his wife, Darcy could watch two of the people he treasured most in the world enjoy each other’s company and not feel excluded from their joy.

***

“Scotland and Wales were absolutely wonderful.” Lizzy’s face was animated. “I had never been beyond my own little garden before, except when lost in a book. What a revelation!”

“I have always thought so, but it’s much more exciting to see it fresh through the eyes of another.” He began reciting a list of his favorite haunts, some having been visited by the Darcys and others not, the surprise and slight disappointment of which showing clearly on her face.

“William, how stupid I am. How could we have missed Hadrian’s Wall?!” she gasped. Darcy winced at the name she had called him.

“William?” Fitzwilliam’s eyebrows rose slowly as he looked at Darcy. Ah, but this was going to be a great source of sport.

Darcy shot an irritated glance off to the side before answering. He could sense his cousin’s internal laughter. “Elizabeth, we did see Hadrian’s Wall, and you were annoyed at the obstruction to your daily walk. If you remember, the evening before we had indulged a little too much in champagne, and we were both suffering the effects of it.”

“William?” Fitzwilliam repeated, nasally this time, nearly licking his lips in delight.

“Yes, Fitz, now let’s get beyond it… Apparently Elizabeth felt having two Fitzwilliams in the family was too confusing.”

Richard beamed with pride at causing any sort of discomfort for his cousin. “Well, as it turns out, you are in grand company, Elizabeth. It also confuses Aunt Catherine, especially when she’s in her cups.” He laughed at Lizzy’s shocked hoot of surprise.

“Fitzwilliam is such a very formal sort of Christian name, isn’t it? It is much easier for me to just say William. Actually, I also was hoping to avoid the confusion I have when you both begin yelling ‘Fitz’ at each other.” Lizzy tried to school her face into a serious expression, but her mouth twitched at the sides.

“I could not agree more, dear Cousin.” Fitzwilliam attempted his own serious demeanor as he puffed on his pipe. “I’ve always felt Fitzwilliam an excellent surname but rather pompous for a first name. However, it could have been worse—much worse.” Fitzwilliam was rewarded with the expected groan from Darcy.

“You see, the gossip in the family is that his father could have married Lady Diana de Carsie. Apparently, at one time, the toddler Uncle George and the infant Lady Diana were quite an item within the nursery set.” He took another puff on his pipe. “And then, of course, our boy here would have been the one and only DeCarsie Darcy.”

Lizzy gave way to her laughter, and even Darcy was finding it difficult to retain his somber, disapproving countenance. He shook his head at his wife. “You only encourage him, Elizabeth, and it takes precious little to do that.”

***