Posted on Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Colonel Fitzwilliam opened Darcy’s missive and read it with growing surprise mingled with some amusement.

There was no greeting; the direction itself was written remarkably ill, and he could hardly recognize his cousin’s normally precise hand.

The tone of the letter, too, was such as to almost make the Colonel wonder who could have written it if the hand hadn’t still been too distinctive.

He shook his head slightly, a small smile quirking his lips. Oh Darcy was in quite a state; he could only wish that he were in London to witness it. To see his normally calm and restrained cousin in such a fever of excitement as to make his letter almost incoherent—it was a sight the Colonel would have paid to see.

Unfortunately, his duty precluded him—this letter would have to be amusement enough.

And so it was.

He smiled at how Darcy had given up the attempt at propriety in referring to Miss Bennet as such after the first two slips.

Give it up, Darcy. It’s a hopeless case to try to convince me you think of Miss Bennet as anything other than Elizabeth, he thought with amusement.

Still smiling, he folded up the piece of vellum.

Darcy must be in Hertfordshire now—he could only wonder when Darcy’s next missive would arrive and what news it might contain.

Good luck, Darcy.

September 9, 18—

Colonel Fitzwilliam
________ Encampment, ______ shire

I am off to Hertfordshire a day early, in case you should need me about that investment business. I shall leave at first light. I cannot write all that has just occurred—indeed I can scarcely believe the truth of it myself as yet. But the General’s word is unimpeachable—in this respect, at least.

Fitzwilliam, would you believe—no, I am sure you would—it is my own naivete which can be astonished at her effrontery. I know I am making very little sense. But what has occurred is that just now, Lady Catherine called. She is in London on her way back to Rosings and in such a temper as I believe we have never seen. She went to Hertfordshire and called upon Elizabeth, that is, Miss Bennet. Lady Catherine called on her! And from what Lady Catherine said of their meeting, her words must have been more than usually cold and rude. She called to expressly refuse her consent to a marriage between me and Elizabeth Miss Bennet, for her usual reason and then proceeded, I do not doubt, to detail all her reasons for opposing the idea of a marriage between us. But here is where the part which I cannot quite believe happened. Lady Catherine demanded Elizabeth promise never to consent to an engagement—and, Fitz, Elizabeth refused! Lady Catherine had many things to say on that subject—until I could not take it anymore and told her what I thought of her opinions, which I will admit is something I should probably have done years ago. But think—Elizabeth refused!

I do not know—does this truly mean she would accept my proposal now? It could merely be that Elizabeth’s character is such that she is not one to give such a ludicrous promise to someone who has no right to ask it—and yet, I cannot help but hope. Hope, tremulously and hesitantly—but hope, which is something I have never before allowed myself to do.

This letter will have taxed your patience and amused you to no end, I have no doubt, Fitz. I can only say that I never knew I could be thrown into such a tumult of mind and heart over Lady Catherine’s words.

I will leave at first light—and from there, my fate will be in her hands.

Darcy

---

From Hertfordshire

September 13, 18—

Colonel Fitzwilliam
_________ Encampment, _________ shire

Fitz, I am the happiest, most fortunate, man in the world. She has accepted! She is mine, Fitz; she loves me!

I am, of course, settled at Netherfield for the foreseeable future. I cannot leave my Elizabeth now. She is as delightful as ever. I do not believe I have ever felt so much contentment and joy as I have in these past two days.

We will be wed in two months time, as well as Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet.

Elizabeth sends her regards and joins me in hoping you will attend.

Darcy

---

My dear Georgiana,
I hope you will be as happy as I am when I tell you that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is soon to be your sister. She has accepted my proposal and we are engaged.

It is my hope, my dear, that you and she will become as close and as dear as any sisters could be; it is the only thing remaining I could wish for, that the two dearest persons in the world to me would also be fond of each other.

Elizabeth sends her warm regards and looks forward to getting to know you better.

Bingley has already informed me that you are welcome to stay at Netherfield for as long as you like before the wedding. Do come, my dear.

Elizabeth and I will be wed in 2 months time, at the same time as Mr. Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet.

I am, as always,

Your loving brother,
Fitzwilliam Darcy

---

Lady Catherine,

I write to inform you that Miss Elizabeth Bennet has done me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage and is soon to be my wife.

I do not ask for your blessing as I am well aware it would not be given, nor is it necessary. However, I do insist upon your showing Miss Bennet, in future, every respect and courtesy which is due her, both because of her character and because of her position as my future wife and the future Mrs. Darcy. I will not countenance any more disrespect for Miss Bennet such as you showed in our last interview.

Give my regards to Anne. I hope she is well.

Fitzwilliam Darcy

---

Matlock House
London

Sir,
I write to inform you that I am engaged to be married. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, of Hertfordshire, has done me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage.

I hope, sir, I may count upon your and Lady Matlock’s blessing. I assure you that Miss Bennet is a most amiable and estimable young lady, who will be a fitting Mistress of Pemberley in every way.

We are to wed in two months time, here in Hertfordshire at her family’s parish.

I hope this letter finds you and Lady Matlock well.

I remain,

Yours &c,
Fitzwilliam Darcy

---

Darcy,

Congratulations! I could not be happier for you and for Miss Bennet.

I will speak to my commander immediately about a leave to attend the wedding, and promise to attend, barring only a national emergency such as Bonaparte himself landing on the shores of Dover.

Give my regards to Miss Bennet. I look forward to renewing my acquaintance with your charming fiancée.

Ignore what I am sure will be Lady Catherine’s response—and as for my father, he may be somewhat stiff but I have no doubt that meeting your Miss Bennet will do away with any of his reservations.

Fitzwilliam

Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned at the exuberant tone of Darcy’s hastily-written note, after he had written and sent his own response.

And this was his staid, calm, composed cousin Darcy?

He thought of Darcy’s despair and weeks of moroseness after Hertfordshire, the odd behavior that had worried Georgiana and finally driven him to confront Darcy with what was wrong, eliciting, with the assistance of a goodly amount of brandy, the whole story of what had happened with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

It had been hard to believe that Darcy, of all people, could be brought to such a state by a young woman—Darcy, whose feelings were strong as the Colonel knew but who also had too reserved a temperament to show them.

And now…

He smiled again.

The happiness of Darcy and his Miss Bennet was well-deserved, if any happiness ever was.

The End