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

“I haven’t slept very well.” Not sterling conversation, but it was a beginning. “You also look tired…” His sentence ended on a somewhat hopeful note, then he berated himself for being so shallow. Seeing the dark circles under her eyes and her pale lips, he decided to speak with Catherine about ensuring that she ate enough and rested.

“Lady Catherine says she has developed a plan to regain custody of Harry. She seems very convinced this will work.”

“Well, she averages five delusional days a week, so I wouldn’t put much stock in it.” He was attempting to add a comical tone to his voice but made sure to remain distant and polite. “Is he is still with you, then? They haven’t taken him?”

“Yes, praise God. Lady Catherine has been calling in all of her favors for us. Evidently, she really is related to Lord Liverpool. Your family never ceases to amaze. It has given us more time to fight this.”

“Capital, excellent.” He handled his hat nervously. “If anyone can command favors, it is certainly Catherine.” Part of the hat braiding came off in his hand. “By the way, ’manda, about the other day,” he looked around and then stuffed the braiding into his pocket. “I don’t want you to think I would actually take our child from you. I was angry and lost control of my emotions, very unlike me, really. I know you have little reason to trust me now, but I vow I will support you and whatever decision you make about the baby.”

“I, too, am sorry for what I said, Richard.” She seemed to struggle with the right words to say. “It seems I deliberately went out of my way to say what would hurt you. Forgive me. I would never, ever consider our time together to have been a mistake. Our child is precious to me. And you will make a most wonderful father.”

The grim lines by his mouth softened, but they had said so many things to each other. It perhaps was too soon to forget, even if they could forgive.

“We do seem to have some pretty powerful arguments, do we not?”

Unable to answer, she stared intently at her clutched hands as if fascinated by them. He watched as her emotions effected changes across her beautiful face. “Yes. We both seem to possess rather overly passionate natures.”

My God, look at her. A man would swim an ocean for a just moment with her. And he knew instinctively that he would never leave her, would never love another. He would willingly wait a lifetime for her.

“Darcy believes our problems stem chiefly from the simple fact we are both legally insane and that we will most likely blow each other’s brains out within the year.” His heart was pumping wildly, and all he could think of was the smell of her hair and her soft skin and her tenderness when she made love to him.

She agreed sadly and shrugged, then looked down again to her hands.

“He also declares that there are no two people in the world better suited for each other.”

Quickly, she looked up, joy flooding her face with color. “Did he? Did he really?” She sounded so reassured. “Oh, well, I must say that was very sweet of him.”

“I am not quite sure he meant that as a compliment, Amanda.”

***

At that moment, Catherine glided into the room. “Ah, the lovebirds! How wonderful to see you both speaking so civilly to each other. So much better than all that screeching incoherently at the top of your lungs, don’t you think?” She smiled beatifically at the stiff, awkward, and miserably unhappy duo.

“Well, that’s enough of that. I hate to break up this heartwarming scene, but I believe our carriage is arriving outside, Richard. Amanda, you will wait for us here. If we are successful, which I believe we will be, we may finally settle this custody issue in your favor. Are you ready, Nephew?”

“Yes, I am ready, Aunt Catherine.” He placed a hand on his hip and stood facing her. “But for what exactly am I ready? What is this plan you have devised? And believe me, I await in stark terror for your reply. You have no idea how it chills me to the very marrow of my bones to go along with one of your schemes, unknowing of what to expect.”

I shall call the decorator and have this entire hallway redone in a Persian motif. Yes, that would be very good, since I do look so very well in blue silk. I draw the line, however, at wearing turbans. Too fanatical a fashion statement, if anyone was to ask me… Catherine was walking serenely past him when his words finally took root in her brain. Aghast and insulted, she snatched first her reticule and then her gloves from Jamison, after which he was forced to follow her at a respectable distance, holding up her cloak as she angrily paced back and forth. “Whenever have I ever done anything to cause you or anyone else any concern?!”