My Idea of Good Company.
Volume Two.
Colonel Fitzwilliam spent most the next day pondering upon his last thought above, as he reviewed all that he was about, concerning Georgiana.
He really could not account for the change of emotions and feelings concerning her that had passed through his head these past nine months. He had gone from regarding her as his cousin, sister of sorts and friend to a possible partner in life all in the space of one evening.
How such a notion had rapidly become to be an all consuming thought he had no idea. Yet he could no longer deny to himself that such was not the case.
That evening, the night of her debutante ball, still possessed a vivid memory in his mind. She had truly looked beautiful that night. Indeed, he was fast becoming to realise that she was beautiful most nights, most days as well in fact.
Nonetheless, that had been the first time he had ever regarded her as other than his cousin. Was this, he wondered, what it was like to be in love? Had Darce thought the same when he had first admitted to himself that he liked Elizabeth Bennet?
But he could not seek out his cousin and ask. Not without confessing all that he felt in the first place. It was not that he feared his cousin, but they were well matched, to the extent that Richard would recommend him as a valuable officer to any in the army, if he had not been heir to the Darcy fortunes. But Georgiana was his sister, and had been, until recently, under the guardianship of them both.
And that, was the main crux of the matter, upon which everything else depended. From the death of his Uncle George, Georgiana had been under his and Darce's care, until the day of her eighteenth birthday. Meanwhile, he was nearly three and thirty. He was also the younger son of an Earl, and a Colonel's salary, while better than most serving ranks, was paltry compared to her dowry of thirty thousand pounds.
Not that he cared about the money. But they must have something to live on, and she deserved equal, if not superior to Pemberley. However, Richard knew perfectly well that Pemberley's equivalent was beyond his abilities to provide, unless another war occurred, and he acquired the same success as Wellington.
In conclusion therefore, he really must give up on this. If he really loved her as deeply as he supposed himself to do so, her happiness must be paramount to his own. She deserved the best, and as her cousin and late guardian, he must ensure that she would get it.
As the day turned to evening, and another dinner passed in her company, Richard found himself frequently discarding those noble notions, whenever he was rewarded with as little as a smile, or a look, or a word. Very rarely did he ever dare to entertain the idea that she might possess some of the same emotion for him that he felt for her. Yet as the evening progressed, and she spent more and more of it in close proximity, he was increasingly unable to resist such a temptation.
He sat next to her at the pianoforte, watching her as her fingers flew about the notes, and her eyes read and then carried the message through her mind as to the next keys to press. Occasionally laughing and talking with her, in between page turning and piece changing. Every now and again he would blink, convinced he had imagined the blushes that appeared on her cheeks, then later marvel at how even more beautiful she appeared with them.
Time seemed to be forever fixed at his command, as he forgot all his selfless notions and just enjoyed the pleasure of being in her company. But the clocks ticked on, and the hours passed, and his time with her ended, as she rose to retire for the night.
For many a minute did he remain at the piano after she had left, his face pensive as he thought of all that had passed. Most sternly did his conscience begin to rebuke him for being selfish, and forgetting that her happiness was before his own. Perhaps it had been a bad idea for him to come to Bath.
Just then a hand applied pressure to his shoulder, bringing him out of his thoughts and back into the reality at hand. He looked up from the white keys to face his cousin and best friend. "Sorry, Darce. Were you talking to me?"
"Only just about to do so," Darcy replied. "Elizabeth and I are retiring."
"Oh. I might stay here awhile, if you don't mind."
"I thought you might." Darcy's expression was untranslatable. "You do realise that sooner or later you will have to talk to me about this, do you not?"
"That is too dependent on other things," Richard replied gloomily.
"Such a notion is not entirely unlikely, Fitzwilliam," Darcy remarked consolingly, following with a friendly pat on his shoulder, before leaving him to solitude. "Make sure John has locked up the place before you retire."
"I will." Richard watched his cousin silently, as he and Elizabeth left the room, wishing not for the first time that he might soon be in the same happy state.
1. Pay was roughly about 120 shillings and upwards. Source is The Sharpe Companion, by Mark Adkin.
The next day her cousin was required to see a General in town, and Georgiana walked with him to the house where he lived. After turning back, she had not been long alone before she encountered Anne. Instantly did she enquire as to whether anything had happened since their last encounter regarding her friend and Captain Wentworth.
"Nothing," Anne replied sadly, "I haven't seen him since the night of the concert. My family have forced me to have other engagements. My sister Mary and the Musgroves have arrived in town to prepare for the weddings of Louisa and Henrietta. They are to spend the evening of the 28th with us, along with Lady Dalrymple, Mr Elliot and Miss Carteret."
"From your expression I deduce that you think it will be a rather gloomy evening."
"By the sound of that guest list, can you doubt otherwise?" Anne replied with a small smile. "Actually, it is fortuitous that I ran into you. Will you come back with me and see if we can arrange for your family to come as well?"
Georgiana's features brightened instantly. "Yes, that would be wonderful. As far as I know I do not believe we have any fixed engagements for that night."
The two set off on their task and arrived promptly at Camden Place, where to their luck they found Miss Elliot and Sir Walter still at home. Georgiana found them to be exactly as her friend had described; for almost as soon as her name had been mentioned, and its connection to the illustrious Darcys of Derbyshire, did they begin to fawn over her every word and apply for her every need. Georgiana, being a guest, found it very taxing to keep her manners in check, but for the sake of her friend, she made her best to succeed.
All in all, the call lasted the rest of the morning, and Georgiana parted from her friend in the best of spirits, returning to the Crescent. At once, Sir Walter and Miss Elliot began talking of her.
"A sweet charming girl," Sir Walter pronounced her, "not at all in need of Gowland. She and her family have been staying since February? No wonder I did not see her during my rambles, out of the five and thirty ugly ones."
"What exactly is her family?" Elizabeth Elliot asked.
Anne briefly detailed their circumstances. When she had mentioned the income of Pemberley and their connection to the Matlocks, the decision was taken away from her and made Sir Walter's own.
"Oh we must pay call on them," cried he, "I do not think why we have not before."
"But Lady Dalrymple," Miss Elliot interjected, "Surely we should call upon her first and inform her that we will not be able to spend the afternoon with her?"
"Oh there is no need to do that," Sir Walter replied, "the call was not fixed."
Much to her relief, Anne thought to herself.
But an hour after luncheon did the Elliots arrive at the Royal Crescent, and Georgiana had the pleasure of spending time with her friend Anne. The two managed to separate themselves quite well from the main circle, where Sir Walter was trying to recollect- in vain -some vague but distant connection with her brother's ancestors.
Georgiana glanced at Richard, who had returned from the General, and his expression was such that she instantly commented, "You do not like Sir Walter?"
"What do you think?" He replied to her, coming to sit by her and her companion. "No slight to you, Miss Elliot, but......."
"It is a great pity that one cannot choose one relatives, is it not?" Anne guessed.
"Exactly. Though my own sometimes are hardly a comparison."
"Too true," Georgiana agreed, thinking of the Miramaxwells, and Lady Catherine. And Mr Collins.
The Elliots stayed till tea, and then parted. Darcy breathed a sigh of relief, and then apologised to his sister.
"Miss Anne is excellent," he remarked, "it is just the rest..."
"I know," Georgiana replied. "Have we been invited to the 28th?"
"Yes, was that your desire?"
"It is, else poor Anne might have to suffer it alone."
"Possibly," Richard mused, a significant look upon his face. "But it is a while to the actual date itself. And many things can happen."
The next day arrived at the Royal Crescent, and the Darcys realised that a return call upon the Elliots needed, out of the bounds of propriety, to be paid. Thus, after a leisurely breakfast, the quartet departed for Camden Place.
Georgiana was happy to see her friend so soon, and the two ensconced themselves within a window seat, involved in conversation.
Richard watched them from afar. After that evening at the piano, he had thought many times on whether or not he could consult his cousin, and be assured of success. However, each time he had got himself within speaking distance of the matter, his courage had failed him. It was surely a most disparaging note upon a man whom the military held within high regard, to be frightened of speaking to his own cousin about Georgiana.
Yet, sooner or later, it would need to be done, especially if he was serious about his intentions. Indeed, as he glanced at Georgie, Richard realised that he could not be otherwise. His attachment had grown since her debutante ball, and such a degree that he did not believe himself capable of living the rest of his life with her by his side. He knew the feeling to be a selfish one, but he could no longer deny its existence inside his mind.
"Your cousin has been staring at you ever since you arrived," Anne now remarked with a smile to her friend within the window seat.
Georgiana discreetly glanced in his direction, and, having received confirmation, turned back to her friend with a blush.
"See," Anne commented, "is that not a reason to hope?"
"It is. I hope that you are right," Georgiana replied. "Have you seen Captain Wentworth since?"
"No, but I hope to see him soon. And that will not make me change the subject, my friend."
Georgiana shook her head. "I do not see what can be gained by further speculation upon it. Only definite action can help now."
"And what stands in his way?" Anne questioned. "Your brother?"
"William would not mind, I do not think," Georgiana answered thoughtfully. "He and Richard have been friends for so long. His only objections, or rather, queries, would be on the state of our income and such, but that would not matter, as long as I was as happy as he had been and still is on entering the married state."
"I envy you," Anne uttered wistfully. "To have such understanding relatives."
"If I did not, I would follow my heart anyway," Georgiana replied. "But I am very grateful that I have."
"What do you think of the union, my love?"
It was late evening, and the Darcys were back at their Bath residence. Now Elizabeth, who was taking the pins out of her hair, turned to her husband with a reply. "Do you think it certain then, Fitzwilliam?"
Darcy came to stand beside her, leaning against the edge of the dressing table. "If the looks that Richard has been displaying of late are anything to go by, then yes."
"And what of Georgiana?"
"She has always adored him in some form. I remember when she was young, being shocked to discover her learning how to fence from him with wooden swords."
Elizabeth smiled. "I remember doing that with my father."
Darcy looked at her with astonishment for a moment, then shook his head. "I should not be surprised by that. It is indicative of your nature." Seeing that she was finished with her hair, he came to stand behind her, his hands caressing her smooth skin and curls. "I hope our daughters are equally tomboyish, and grow to be exactly like you."
"Daughters? You plan on more than one then?"
"Well, they shall be the same trouble as sons when they come to be of age, so how many we have will be of little consequence." He kissed her hair. "Though I admire your father for coping with five."
"Fitzwilliam! I hope that was not an implication."
"Only that you are the best of the five, my darling."
"Well, whatever happens," Elizabeth replied, as she gazed into his eyes through the reflection of the mirror before her, "we shall have at least one I believe."
Darcy stilled. "Do you mean?"
"Yes."
He laughed joyfully in response and helped her out of the chair. Kneeling before her, he pressed gentle soft kisses to where the nightgown covered her abdomen. Then he gazed up at her once more. "I thank everyday I am lucky enough to spend with you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth."
When Georgiana arrived at Camden Place for the evening, she found her friend in much better spirits. And it was not difficult to determine why. For as she made her way over to where Anne was standing, she saw her friend's companion, and the particular way in which he was holding her hand.
"Georgie!" Anne cried out when she came to stand in front of them. "I have the most wonderful news."
"Congratulations!" Georgiana replied instantly, knowing all at once. Anne seemed to smile even more at that and Captain Wentworth looked similarly pleased. The latter then glanced at the two of them, and realising their need for a talk, parted reluctantly from them, with a final kiss to Anne.
When he had gone Georgiana instantly inquired as to how it had all come about. Anne was only too happy to tell her. She began with the visit to the Musgroves, and how he had been writing a letter or two the whole time. Then her conversation with Captain Harville, on how women tend to love the longest, even when all hope is gone, and how he had, unbeknownst to her at the time, heard it all while he was writing. Then his exit and sudden return, with the placing of a letter before her.
Georgiana marvelled over it all, sighing at the contents of the letter, and grinning as Anne related her meeting with Frederick afterwards, and what had occurred during their long walk back to Camden Place. "And now you are to be married," she remarked after all had been told to her. "I cannot describe how happy I am for you, Anne. Every word would be an understatement."
"I certainly could not be more happier," Anne acknowledged. "Actually, yes I could. When you are happy, then I shall be content. Frederick was much helped by your cousin."
"I knew it!" Georgiana exclaimed. "I knew Richard had done something the moment he mentioned a slight reference to it the day you came to my house. But I asked and asked and he would not tell me." She smiled at her friend. Then she recollected her own news. "Oh, I almost forgot. We shall be staying in Bath for quite awhile, longer than we originally planned."
"How come?"
"Elizabeth is expecting, and William, being the brother and husband that he is, insists that they will not move until it is safe to do so."
"That's wonderful news."
"I know, I am so excited to be an Aunt again."
Their conversation continued, as, unbeknownst to Miss Darcy, it was watched by Captain Wentworth and Colonel Fitzwilliam. The former now briefly took his eyes off his future bride, and turned to observe his friend. The direction in which Richard's gaze was set, was not hard to descry. Nor was the nature of the look that he was displaying.
"When are you going to ask her, Fitzwilliam?" Wentworth quietly remarked.
Richard was startled and immediately reverted his glance to his friend. "Ask who, what, Wentworth?"
Frederick sighed. "You may be adept on the battlefield, my friend, but you are a complete novice on the war of love. Deny all you want, I know where your heart lies."
Richard hesitated and then relented. "Do you really think I have a chance?"
"I'll give you the same advice you gave to me. You never know until you try." He glanced at his future once more, a smile forming over his features. "And believe me, the reward is worth the risk."
"Tell me," Georgiana paused, coming to a halt. "Is he going to propose?"
"I have no idea," Confessed Richard honestly. "That is to say he has not told me he will, but I do not see why not. They are easy in each others company and he did complain when I told him of our forthcoming departure." He vacillated, looking at her. "Georgie, what's wrong?"
"I want him to be happy, Richard. So much has happened........ he should be happy. He deserves to be happy."
"Oh, Georgie," he began, taking her hands. "I thought you had stopped thinking of him."
"I try to," she replied, her voice becoming shaky. "But I cannot always avoid it. He deserves it Richard. William has been so good to me."
"He's your brother, Georgie. You might as well ask for time to stop. And to reassure you. I have no mind to predict the future, but I think that it will happen. And I also think that you deserve it as well. There will be someone, Georgie. There always is for everyone."
Richard sat up with gasp. All thought of sleep gone, he rose from the bed and walked to the window, where he surveyed the gradual arrival of the dawn. Silently he contemplated the memory that had just been brought to his mind. It was a conversation years ago, that he had had with her, concerning the hoped for marriage of William and Elizabeth, when he had come from London to remind them about the wedding of his brother Henry to Lady Adelaide Fairchilde.
He knew not why that particular memory had come so suddenly to his mind. His dreams never seemed to have a double meaning for him, unlike others that he knew. Yet this one out of them all seemed tonight, to strike with particular reverence. Was it simply because he was thinking so much about marrying himself? Was it a sign that he and Georgiana had always been formed for each other? Or was it just due to sleep, when a mind is likely to think of the most unlikeliest things?
He had doubts that any of those were the answer. One thing however, was for certain. That it was no longer time to simply think about doing it. He had to act.
The news that every one was talking of next morning, as Georgiana discovered when she arrived down to breakfast, was not Anne and Frederick's engagement. Instead it was something quite different, and much more unwholesome to her appetite. Napoleon Bonaparte had escaped from Elba, and had raised an army, which was marching its way to France at this very moment.
Georgiana knew only too well what this meant for her. It would mean Richard going away again. She knew where his beliefs and loyalties lay regarding military matters, and if Wellington was to go up against Bonaparte, then Richard would want to be there. For the first time she feared the consequences.
Before when he had been fighting abroad, she had always assumed, perhaps rather naively, that he would come through whatever scrap he happened to find himself in, unscathed. But that had been when she had worshipped his tales of heroism with childlike wonder. Now she was in love, and with such feelings came an incessant worry of the very real possibility that he might not come back. And if, God forbid, that should happen, all her hopes and dreams would be lost forever.
So she was very quiet and subdued when she entered the dining room, taking care that when she selected her morning repast her hands did not shake as she listened to Richard's talk of his plans.
"As soon as possible I shall report to Horseguards I think," he remarked, "and then to my barracks. The Duke will want all the men he can get. This will be the most remembered thing of the age!"
Georgiana stilled as she heard his plans. She no longer knew how she was to survive in this state of unknowing if whether he felt anything for her. Not if he was to go away and never come back. She took a deep breath and turned to the table. "Anne has requested that I visit her this morning. I was hoping I could stay for afternoon tea."
"Of course you can, Georgie," her brother replied as she sat down in the seat on his left, opposite Elizabeth.
"I'll escort you," Richard volunteered.
"Really, there's no need," Georgiana tried to protest. She needed to be on her own today; to talk to Anne, seek her advice.
"Nonsense, it will be my pleasure. Besides, I believe Wentworth will be there and I wanted to talk to him about this."
Georgiana made only a murmur of agreement in reply, and returned to her meal.
"You seem distracted this morning, Georgie. Is there anything wrong?"
"No, nothing."
Richard halted, and turned to her. "Dearest, what is wrong? We used to tell each other everything."
She could not hide her tears. Not when he had called her dearest in that tone. She put her gloved fingers to her the skin below her eyes, turning away from him.
Richard stilled her, catching her arm gently with one hand, his other going to her face, where he tenderly pulled away her own. "Is it because of what you heard this morning? About me going away?" She made no answer, only looking up at him, imploring him with her eyes to pursue no further. He took hold of her hands in his own, putting their gloved fingers to his lips.
"Georgiana," he began, uttering her name as though it were the most precious thing on earth, "I would never go away until I had ascertained if you loved me as dearly and unswervingly as I love you."
She stilled and gasped. Eyes slowly brightening with faint hope, she stared solemnly into his own. "You love me?"
"Yes." He chuckled softly. "Yes, I love you. And if you will have me, I would ask you for your hand."
She smiled. "Ask away."
He was smiling now too. "Georgiana," he began, still holding her hands, "would you do me the great honour of allowing me to be your husband?"
"Yes."
Richard grinned and pulled her into his arms. "I had hoped, but I never believed it possible, until now."
"Why ever not?" She asked him in joyful tones.
They resumed their walking, though with less of an enthusiasm now to arrive at their destination. "I thought that a man of only a Colonel's half pay did not deserve a young woman of eighteen with thirty thousand pounds to her name."
"That has never mattered to me," Georgiana replied earnestly. "I do not need much to live on. Only a pianoforte and some music sheets."
"I think I can afford that," Richard replied laughingly. "Seriously, your brother and I always wanted you to have the best."
"You also wanted me to be happy and loved I hope."
"Of course."
"Well then, why should it matter that our situations in life are different?" She smiled up at him. "Ultimately, William wanted someone for me that he could trust with my life, and I know that there is no better man that he trusts like that than you."
"Thank you." He placed her hand on his arm. "You can come with me you know. To wherever I fight."
"If you want me to."
"I do."
"Then I will." She leant into him, feeling safe in his arms. "You can teach me how to fence with real swords."
He laughed aloud.
Things after that seemed to come and go smoothly. When they returned to Royal Crescent, Richard parted from her to find her brother and ask his consent. Darcy was happy to give it. He cared not about the difference in circumstances, nor the disparity in their ages, only that his cousin would make her happy.
They married in March, and Georgiana did join him abroad when the time came. She waited with baited breath while he fought on the fields of Waterloo, and was there to greet him when he returned; weary, but without a single scratch.
They returned to England in time to welcome their new niece, Heloise Darcy, and then settled down in the village of Kympton, at the Manor House that Darcy had passed to his sister as a wedding present. They lived happily ever after.
The End.
© Danielle Atkinson 2003-2020. All rights reserved.
