Page 50 of The Fee Entail

I stopped abruptly. I was not going to bring Wickham up at that point.

He nodded and said the oddest thing. “I was amusing myself before you came, planning a symposium on stupidity. Darcy and Bingley were to be my prime exhibits, though I am uncertain if I shall join the list in third place or first.”

That actually brought a chuckle to my mouth before I even realised it, but I was serious again in an instant.

“So, Jane is there… but what do you mean, six sisters?”

“I fear I keep confusing matters. Of course, all Elizabeth’s sisters are here: Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. I believe they are much altered since you saw them last. Darcy treats them like sisters, and they afford me the same privilege. Then my cousin, Georgiana Darcy, and my other cousin, Anne de Bourgh, have attached themselves to them in the same way. Everyone is very agreeable about the whole affair.”

It sounded like I had misdirected myself to Bedlam. “And why are they not at the parsonage?”

“They recently moved to the estate. You seem to be made of stern stuff, so you might argue my aunt out of it, but you will have to have more fortitude than Darcy or I. Lady Catherine wants the lot at Rosings, so at Rosings they are. She considers them under her protection.”

Stranger and stranger.

The colonel looked, what was it… nervous? To be honest, he looked like a schoolboy either preparing to ask for his first dance or staring at his father waiting for a thrashing.

At length, he said, “May I… that is… do I presume too much… that is—”

He was trying my patience. “Out with it, Colonel. I will not bite your head off… again.”

He spoke somewhat sheepishly. “I know we started badly, but I would like to be of service. If you agree, it would be my privilege to escort you to Rosings. I can engage a maid from the inn for propriety’s sake. If that is not to your liking, would you consider waiting at the inn for perhaps an hour? I will go fetch Jane or Lydia, or even Darcy if you like. I am at your disposal, and it is no trouble as I am returning to my sisters even now. Any friend of the Bennets will be welcomed with open arms, and your charge as well.”

I had to admit, much as I hated to do so, that the offer was very gentlemanly, though I could still not abide riding in a coach with him.

He noted my indecision. “It is but a mile. Would you be satisfied if I rode on top with the coachman, or on the pony cart with young Simon while you and your young charge take the coach? It is Darcy’s coach, so you are not importuning me in the least, and my offer to go fetch Jane or Lydia, or all the sisters for that matter, still stands.”

I looked at my own boots for a few moments, while he awaited my decision patiently, though I could see his leg would be bothering him. I finally thought I might broach my last objection, though my own inclinations were to win regardless.

“Colonel, I saw the way you looked at me, and you are correct in your surmise. I am with child but without husband. I shall not be attending Rosings, today or ever. However, I would appreciate it if you could send Jane or one of the other Bennets to tell me the story before I leave.”

He looked alarmed. “Leave! No!”

I had no idea why that idea distressed him.

“Yes, I was on my way to relatives in Scotland, but hoped that Lizzy could help me with… certain matters. If I cannot see Lizzy, then Betsy and I will be on our way, but I would like to get the full story from Jane before we leave.”

His hat had not the slightest chance of ever fitting his head again, because he was even more nervous. “Miss Lucas… I apologise; we have not actually been introduced.”

I realised we had been talking for a half-hour while Betsy was standing open-mouthed, so I remembered my civility. I even managed to curtsey without grimacing—just barely. “Miss Charlotte Lucas. Miss Betsy Clymer. Please do not bow, Colonel. I am not in the mood to pick you up again.”

He looked like he found amusement in that, but wisely desisted from laughing or smiling. “Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Your servant, madam!”

I knew the name from Father’s endless prattling about the peerage. “Second son, I see.”

He looked surprised, so I continued, mostly to annoy him. “Earl of Matlock. I know more about the peerage than I care to. Your brother has a… reputation… but I only know your name. My father is forever dwelling on that sort of thing.”

“Old habits die hard, Miss Lucas, but perhaps we could… that is… could you call me Mister instead of Colonel? I promise you this uniform will be burnt and never seen again before the sun sets. I know I started badly, but I would ever so much like to earn your friendship.”

That was a surprisingly gentlemanly offer, and perhaps I relented a bit, as long as I kept my eyes off his red coat. “Very well, Mister Fitzwilliam.”

I blew out a deep breath. “If your offer still stands, Col… Mr Fitzwilliam, Betsy and I will take a room in the inn and wait for Jane. We cannot leave before morning anyway.”

Looking more nervous than the occasion warranted, the man said something strange. “Do you know what I fear more than battle with the French?”

That seemed an odd question, but I decided to just humour him to get the conversation over with. I was distressed by the whole impossible situation, and just wanted to lie down to sleep, and then get on with my life.

“I have no idea, Col… Er.”