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

Elizabeth tried to shake the sleep from her thoughts, surprised to look around and see a darkening room. “What time is it?”

“Nearly supper time, ma’am.” Cara curtseyed and left the room.

Jane wrote a letter? Wait! I had another letter on the windowsill in my dressing room. Oh my, that was two or three days ago. Lizzy tore open the new message, dismayed with herself for not having read the earlier one.

Lizzy,

We have arrived safely and are having the most wonderful time. I feel very guilty about enjoying myself so much and Mama gone so recently, but after all that sadness, it is good to be alone with Charles and the baby, and just relax. Charles says we are to spend a second month here, so please do not worry.

Were you as surprised as I at Caroline’s generosity? She has, unfortunately, broken off another engagement, evidently. It happened before mama’s passing but is something of which we have only now learned. She arranged this trip for us shortly after that. You see, there is good in everyone, even Caroline Bingley. Give my love to Papa and William.

Lizzy got up from the bed and went to her dresser, searching for the original letter from Jane, and found it in the back of a drawer.

Dear Lizzy,

I wanted to let you know that Charles and I will be away for at least one month. We are going to Bath for a small vacation as a gift from, of all people, his sister, Caroline. It seems she has been planning this for a few weeks.

Perhaps that is what she and Darcy were discussing at Mama’s funeral luncheon. They seemed to be very secretive; remember, I mentioned it to you? This does seem more something you or Darcy would think of, rather than Caroline. But I am being very ungracious, as this is a most generous gift.

I will write to you upon our arrival there. Have a wonderful time with Father. Give him and Darcy both our love.

Chapter 16

“Caroline?! I didn’t expect to see you here. Where is Charles?” Darcy had handed the butler his coat and hat, and was immediately shown into the formal drawing room at Netherfield Hall. He looked hastily around the very familiar room, immediately feeling the vague apprehension he always experienced when alone with “the Viper,” as he and his cousin sometimes called her. All of these emotions were evident on his face as Caroline beckoned to him, her hands outstretched in welcome.

“Mr. Darcy! How wonderful to see you, handsome as ever I must say! Charles told me to expect your arrival and that I should make you as comfortable as possible. You have only just missed our sister, Louisa, and Mr. Hurst. I believe Charles said he had some urgent matter and then suddenly galloped off. He asked me to have you wait for him, said he would return as soon as possible.”

After giving her a chaste peck on her perfectly rouged cheek, Darcy took a seat across from her. She looked charming in a simple, pale country frock, the neckline of which, though low, was demurely trimmed with delicate ecru lace. Her fiery red hair was loosely tied back with ribbons. It was a puzzle to Darcy how she could continue in looks as she grew older, while her character seemed to diminish.

“Where is Jane?” he asked, nodding at her butler’s offer of tea.

Caroline waved off the butler, announcing she would pour, and then stared blankly at him for a second. “Oh, yes! Jane. Jane has gone to London with the baby. She is seeing her doctors there.”