The Heir and Spare (Jane Austen Adaptations)

11. Fitzwilliam Darcy

Chapter 11

Fitzwilliam Darcy

N etherfield had become insufferable. Bingley could do nothing but mope about, and his sister Caroline’s gloat was nearly as loathsome. He had at last convinced the whole party to depart but they were now insisting to travel home with him instead of to their own places of abode. “Pemberley has the only cure for what ails us all.”

He’d agreed to wait and depart with them all together, but he’d insisted that he himself was not traveling home to Pemberley just yet, so there was no need for anyone else to go.

If Fitz went to Pemberley this time of year, Arthur was certain to task him with all the responsibilities that were his.

Fitz knew they were his.

But Arthur did them so abominably well and Fitz hated them, so why should he concern himself just yet? There would be plenty of time to settle down and run the estate when he married.

And since Arthur seemed as yet in no hurry to marry or move to his own properties, Fitz was content to let his brother continue the lion share of estate running. The servants liked him better. Their steward liked him better, and Fitz suspected that even their father had liked him better. But who could blame the world? Arthur came packaged as a responsible, likable, diligent and boring person.

Fitz smirked. The people of Meryton might have thought him the same. But he couldn’t possibly have danced with any of them, the lovely Elizabeth Bennet included. Her tongue and her temper sat wrong with him. She’d likely call him out for this behavior or that. She had a way of looking at a man and demanding more of him. And he, Fitz, was not ready to give more.

She’d obviously somehow heard his handsome enough comment. He could tell by her reaction to him. It was a shame. He had no intentions of insulting people. But he’d grown tired of Bingley fussing at him. If his friend wished to enter in the good graces of the Bennet family, then so be it. Fitz would not be following suit.

And then that family turned out to be altogether too difficult in every way. Bingley had been blind to it, but they were all so irreparably socially damaging that he’d had to step in. And when Miss Jane herself didn’t look enamored, he felt duty bound to warn him off of a disastrous situation.

Who would want a mother-in-law boisterously caterwauling all day about his wealth, his children, his business, to anyone who would listen? And then discover that one’s wife was not in love after all. Fitz had shaken his head and then gone about convincing Bingley that Miss Jane did not love him.

Any possible guilt was sufficiently assuaged with the ease of the convincing. No man truly besotted could possibly be dissuaded so easily. He would move on to the next pretty face and Fitz would at last be free of the place.

Theoretically.

But alas, they were not yet free. They were waiting on Caroline and some tiff with her maid.

Darcy checked his pocket watch again. It was hard to believe Caroline and Charles Bingley were related. He was all smiles and goodness, and she? Darcy shuddered a moment. Her smiles were either tight and hinted of disapproval or leery and opportunistic. Hearing her shrill voice shriek instructions to the maid forced Darcy out of doors. His trunk was already atop the carriage. He wandered to the end of the lane at the entrance to Netherfield. It really was a lovely location; wonderful property, well situated. And the house was perfect for Charles. It was an excellent first estate for him. If not for Jane and the Bennets, Charles could have been very happy there.

Horse hooves sounded from down the lane. Fitz wasn’t really looking forward to seeing anyone, particularly not anyone local, but there was nothing for it. He could not very well escape except by running to the carriage and diving inside.

But it looked to be a man, riding his horse at breakneck speed. But as he drew closer to Netherfield gates, he eased back on the pace and came to a stop in front of Fitz.

“I’m looking for Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

Fitz recovered from the surprise enough to reach out a hand with some coin for the express rider. “I am Mr. Darcy. Thank you.” He untied the scroll. “Do you wait for a response?”

He nodded. “Aye, sir.”

Fitz made a quick work of his brother’s short missive. “I’m in London, looking for that creton, Wickham. He’s done more damage than we should have allowed, now absconded with a local girl from outside of Meryton. Please do your best to pick up any trail he may have left in the area and also discover his debts, as I’m certain he has them.”

Fitz frowned.

“And then off to our aunt’s, please. I am entangled in this mess until its conclusion, and our aunt is requiring attention. Please send the rider back with your response.”

He eyed the man waiting on the horse. “Can you remember a short answer?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tell my brother I will do as he asks, and I await his company at Rosings Park.”

The man nodded.

But Fitz held up a hand. “Please repeat it back to me.”

When he did with admirable accuracy, Fitz sent him back on his way with coin.

No movement from the house told Darcy he had some time before they would depart so he waved a servant over. “Please bring me a saddled horse. I have some business in town before we leave. And alert the others as to our delayed departure.”

“Very good.” The servant bowed and hurried off.

Even though Fitz grumbled to himself at being ordered about by his twin, he was rattled with news of more treachery from George Wickham. The man had almost destroyed their sister Georgiana. He had been a menace to the town of Derbyshire all growing up, and he had somehow cultivated their father’s special attention.

He’d been given an appointment to the church which he gave up, instead favoring the military. But his hunger for more had obviously not been sated as gambling debts and unmet expenses followed him everywhere he went. But what he could hope for from a local woman of little means was a mystery. The families seemed respectable, though. He was hard pressed to imagine a scandal of any kind coming from Meryton. And yet, George seemed to bring about havoc in the best people’s lives. Georgiana had truly thought him in love with her. Only when they’d shown proof of his visits to another woman on the very night they were to elope, did she give up her loyalty to the snake. But the immediate crumbling of her confidence right in front of their eyes had been heartbreaking for both brothers.

He clenched his fists. Oh, he’d find him all right. He’d find every last problem Wickham caused in that small town first. He’d expose him for what he was.

Sounds of another horse approached.

The servant walked up the main drive with his horse. Fitz waved him over. “Hurry, man. I must make haste.”

The servant jumping to a run was gratifying to Fitz. And it helped alleviate his angst to begin. He was done waiting.

When at last the horse’s reins were in his hand, he leapt onto its back and was about to gallop swiftly in the direction of town when a voice carried to him. “Wait.” A woman on a horse called out again. “Please. Wait.”

He shifted his weight and turned his horse to see something he might remember forever.

Miss Jane sat astride a horse, her hair free and flowing out behind her in great golden waves. She rode at speeds he’d only seen men attempt and when she was almost upon him, pulled to a stop so quickly, he was afraid she might unseat herself. But she brushed the hair from her face and breathlessly asked, “Did I miss him?”

Fitz’s heart thumped two extra times and he was filled with misgivings about their departure. Here was a woman who definitely cared.

“Um…no. You will find him up at the house, sort of despondently puttering about.”

Her wavering mouth lifted at the corner. “I cannot allow him to leave without first speaking. I…cannot.” Her eyes welled and he waved her on.

“Say no more. Please. Go find him at once.”

She nodded and then took off again at breakneck speed down the front drive to Netherfield.

Fitz shook his head. He’d never been so wrong about a couple. He’d give a lot to see how that conversation changed things. But he had other work to do, and with any luck, he’d have some answers.