Page 71 of Elizabeth's Refuge
“Happy, and embracing each other last I saw them.Surrounded by Mrs.Darcy’s family who all arrived in Brighton in time to greet their return from my cousin’s estate.”
Fitz poured two shot glasses full and handed one to General Fitzwilliam.“To Mr.and Mrs.Darcy.”
They clinked the glasses and General Fitzwilliam drank his down.He let the rich alcohol swirl around his tongue for several seconds to savor the taste before swallowing it.Fitz sipped his slowly.
General Fitzwilliam stretched out, and laughed.“I suppose I’ll need to take my turn lying in the bed, before my miraculous recovery happens.”
There was a knock on the door, and the surgeon’s voice called out, “It’s Mr.Holmes.”
Fitz and General Fitzwilliam called out at the same time, “Enter.”
The surgeon bowed his way into the room.“General Fitzwilliam, you look much better, but you really should not stand arounddrinkingso soon.”
“I’m not going to let you bleedme.”General Fitzwilliam laughed.
“Very kind of you, Major Williams, to call on the General as soon as you returned from your trip to Paris.”
Fitz shrugged.“I had business with him.”
All three men laughed.The surgeon came forward and studied the bottle on the counter.“Oh, oh my.That’s a very fine bottle.Very fine.”
“No!”Fitz cried.“Not after how you’ve tortured me the past weeks.”
“I only bled you twice.”
“I’m healthy, entirely healthy.”
General Fitzwilliam laughed and pulled another bottle from his bag.“Mr.Darcy was quite generous with the stores he laid in for himself in Paris; I have enough for you both.”
“Well, in that case.”Fitz laughed and poured a third glass for the surgeon and handed it to him.
Like Fitz, Mr.Holmes savored and sipped the liquid.
“So matters in this mysterious family matter of yours that necessitated this matter…” Mr.Holmes vaguely waved his hand as he spoke.He then held up his hand.“I of course do not want you to tellme.”
“Matters went very well.”
General Fitzwilliam looked at his reflection in the mirror one last time before taking off his clothes to crawl into bed.He looked harsh and wolf like.
Family was important.Perhaps the most important thing.
