34. Chapter 31: Charm is deceptive

GGP Ch 31: Charm is deceptive*

The morning sun peeked out over the horizon, its first rays licking at the morning dew that lay heavily on the lush grass of Netherfield's countryside. Three young gentlemen galloped their steeds across the horizon, exulting in the thrill of the race.

"That's a fine animal you have there, Colonel!" Bingley cried, pulling his horse to a stop beside Richard.

"I think it is more the horseman than the horse!" Darcy laughed, bringing his steed around beside Bingley. "All those years in the army have certainly improved your seat, Richard."

"Improved my seat? I was always the better horseman of the two of us."

"And how do you come to that conclusion?" Darcy argued good naturedly.

"How do I not? I seem to remember you being thrown several times…"

"Thrown? I have never been thrown… No, wait. It was that demon beast of your father's!" Turning to Charles, Darcy explained, "Twelve years ago, my uncle acquired a breeding stallion that could not be ridden. That beast was completely unbroken. So naturally Fitzwilliam dares me to ride the creature."

"What happened?" Bingley demanded.

"He actually managed to mount the stallion and was promptly thrown. Not to be easily bested, he tried several more times, only to experience the same result." Richard laughed heartily. "You should have seen the look on his face when he was lying on the ground staring at the sky. When my father found him, the only reason he did not thrash him proper…"

"Was the fact I was already thoroughly bruised from landing on the ground," Darcy finished with a scowl. "Do not forget the rest of the tale, Richard."

"What else is there to be told?"

"How easily you forget. After your father hauled me off, I know for a fact that you tried your hand with that stallion and were thrown as well. If I recall correctly, the head groom carried you back to the house, your leg broken."

"That was not from the horse. How many times have I told you that?"

"Yes, yes, I recall you insisting that you had fallen from the fence and injured yourself thus. However the groom told rather a different story. According to him, you, too, were thrown from the stallion. Your father rewarded him quite handsomely for that information." Darcy laughed heartily as his cousin glowered at him.

"Come now, both of you!" Bingley kicked his horse into a quick walk. The others followed, riding in silence for several minutes. Finally Charles asked, "So, Colonel, what say you of your first social event since rejoining the civilian ranks?"

Fitzwilliam laughed readily, pulling his horse alongside Bingley. "I find I liked it quite well, despite the dire warnings of your landlord about what would befall any who danced with the Miss Bennets!"

"He was rather vociferous in his doom-saying, was he not?" Darcy agreed uneasily. "I do wonder what caused him to say such things about them." Sadly gossip often has some fact at its heart.

"For the life of me, I cannot understand it," Bingley remarked, an uncharacteristic harshness in his tone. "I found it most unbecoming for a gentleman to speak so of a family of young ladies."

Richard and Darcy exchanged glances behind Bingley's back, brows raised.

"I do believe that if I ever hear him speak of them again, I will…"

"Easy there, Charles. Do not say things that later you might regret. Illegality aside, dueling is a serious matter," Darcy cautioned.

"Did you not hear how he maligned their reputations? He intimated they were of poor character and not fit company for my sister!" Bingley snapped, kicking his horse. The other two followed, finally catching up with him. "You have seen for yourselves, there has not been the slightest indication…"

"In that you are right," Fitzwilliam quickly agreed. He is far and away more angry than is warranted. He must have feelings for one of the Miss Bennets. But which one? This could become a problem. "I saw nothing unladylike in their deportment or manners. They were perfectly amiable."

"Indeed they were, were they not Darcy?" Bingley looked up at his friend, clearly hoping for approval.

"Yes, they were," Darcy answered slowly. Bascombe's words continue to haunt me. I do not know what to make of them. Miss Elizabeth is by far the handsomest woman of my acquaintance, and yet I cannot seem to disregard the warnings I have heard. "Their manners were certainly as fine as any I have seen in London. There was nothing of the rumored coarseness nor forwardness that your landlord warned of to be seen in any one of them."

"You seem well on your way to high dudgeon, Bingley," Richard calmly observed. "I hate to see an innocent maligned as much as you, but this seems to strike a particular chord with you."

Sighing, some of Charles' ire dissipated. "It has, I am afraid." He allowed his horse to walk on for a few moments, gathering his thoughts. "One afternoon, I overheard Miss Bennet speaking with Louisa, telling of her youngest sister, whose youthful exuberance had attracted some unkind comments in the neighborhood. It seems all the sisters have suffered for it. I understand what it is to be subject to judgment on the basis of what your sibling has said or done." He glanced meaningfully at Darcy. "I am particularly distressed when I see it happen to another family. Neither their lack of dowries nor their sister's behavior is their fault. They should not be condemned for either of those things."

Unexpected relief coursed through Darcy. Of course, I understand! After what Caroline has put him through, no wonder Bingley would be touched by the Bennets' plight. He smiled to himself. It also means that Miss Elizabeth is as she seems.

"In that, I agree with you," Richard said. "I saw it too often in the army, a young man judged by his family alone. Good men from lesser families were passed over and weak ones promoted to positions they had no business having because of their greater connections. It rarely ended well."

"Mr. Bradley told me that he has had a long association with the Bennet family. He corresponds with an aunt of theirs who grew up in his parish. Miss Elizabeth spoke with great delight of having Mr. Bradley to dinner at Longbourn. I believe that speaks more of their character than does Mr. Bascombe's gossip," Darcy pronounced firmly, pleased to have the matter settled in his mind.

"Your preference for Miss Elizabeth was quite clear," Richard teased. "Had you smiled at anyone in London like that, the papers would have reported your engagement the very next day!"Darcy flashed him a dark look. So you are not to be teased about Miss Elizabeth. This is serious indeed.

"She is an excellent dancer," Darcy finally replied, "and she has some very unique thoughts on…"

"Estate management? Please Darcy tell me it is not so! She talked to you of crop rotation? Or was it the husbandry of sheep?" Richard choked out as he laughed heartily.

"Richard…" he growled, eyes narrowed. You may well be able to make light of all this, but I cannot, not today. I need quiet. "Charles, I will join you for luncheon." Darcy kicked his horse into a gallop and left his friend and cousin far behind.

Two men watched his retreat. "He does not take well to teasing, you know," Charles remarked softly.

"He spent far too long as the only child, and his sister is in far too much awe of him to properly tease him," Richard retorted.

Urging his horse to walk on, Charles sighed. "He takes things very personally. Taunting him is a dangerous pastime." I would not have dared try this morning.

"I know. I have known him longer than you, remember. We had some rather spectacular rows as children because he does not like to be teased. But he needs to be reminded not to take himself so very seriously."

"Perhaps it is his wont to be reserved. Yet, to be fair, you must remember you are not the eldest sibling, nor the only brother. There are things you do not understand."

"You sound like Darcy now!" Richard laughed. "I would have thought being the younger brother, you would be more sympathetic."

"I suppose so. But I understand Darcy far too well now. It is not an easy thing to be left in charge of a family, in charge of sisters. You have neither the care of a dependent sibling nor the management of the family legacy upon your shoulders. It is a weight I do not think you understand." Charles sighed, looking over his shoulder in the direction his friend had ridden off. I wish you would not allow your cousin to torment you so. I could use your company and advice right now. I am used to your moods and broodiness, and know they are essentially harmless. But your cousin is a different cut of man altogether, and I find him intimidating.

It appears my cousin's solemn ways have indeed influenced his merry friend. That may make it more difficult to arrive at the intelligence I yet need. "You seem to have enjoyed the Miss Bennets yourself last night. I believed you danced with every one of them, and some of them twice." The colonel glanced at Bingley, wondering.

"Yes, I did. They are delightful young ladies, all." Charles shifted uneasily in his saddle, causing his horse to prick his ears and glance back. "You seemed to enjoy your dances with Miss Bennet quite well indeed. Did you not enjoy refreshments with her as well?"

Ah, a frontal assault. Not an elegant tactic, but one I can understand. "I did indeed. She is as lovely a woman as I have ever seen, and she is quite gracious company, even for a battle scarred old officer like myself."

"She possesses a beauty I have not seen before," Charles agreed, a little wistfully.

"Have you an interest in her?" Richard pulled his horse up short and turned him round so he could look Bingley in the eye.

"That is a very forward question, is it not?" Charles stammered awkwardly.

"The army is not known for breeding subtlety in its officers." Richard glared threateningly. "You have not answered my question."

Frowning, Bingley chewed his lip. "The Miss Bennets are my sister's friends. I am concerned for them all."

"That is not what I asked and you know it. Come now, do not be a coward. If you have an interest, speak your mind," he snapped angrily.

"Why do you wish to know?"

The colonel's hands flexed into fists. You are most certainly a vexing younger brother. I wonder if your sisters ever attempted to pummel you as you most certainly deserved. I surely wish I could do so now. "I would have thought that obvious, sir."

"What are your intentions toward her? I would not have you trifling with any of them. They are gentlemen's daughters and worthy of your respect." Charles tried to glare at Fitzwilliam, but the effect was rather unsuccessful.

"You seem uncommonly concerned over young ladies who are not your own sisters, sir. One might wonder of your own motives. I know you are attempting to become a gentleman, but such chivalry is quite beyond what is expected, even in the highest circles."

"They are my sister's friends."

"It seems you expect that should explain more than it does." Richard crossed his arms over his chest, waiting.

Charles looked away. "It is something I doubt you are in a position to understand."

"I believe I am far more intelligent than you give me credit for being."

"Yours is a titled family. You cannot understand the stigma of new money." He sighed heavily. "My sister's time in London has been difficult. She is of a more quiet and reserved nature, and it is difficult for her to make friends. Our sister Caroline has offended several families of the Ton with her desire for good connections. Louisa has been judged because of it, and because of our connections to trade. Many women pretended to befriend Louisa only to turn vicious in their gossip. Some sought her company as a way to get to me and that hurt her even more. Though I have said I asked her to come and keep house for me, the truth is, she came with me to Meryton to escape London as she waits for her betrothed to return from the continent."

Richard studied his companion's face carefully. He speaks the truth. He is quite transparent. I wonder if he plays cards.

"My sister expected to be very lonely here, but then she met Miss Jane Bennet in one of the shops. Soon thereafter, all four of them brought her into their circle. It was quite clear they were absolutely unconcerned about meeting her unmarried brother. With their own connections in trade, ours were never an issue. For the first time in her life, my sister has found the companionship she has always longed for, and she is happier than I have ever known her to be. I do not wish to see that jeopardized by thoughtless treatment of her friends by our guests, sir." Bingley's blue eyes hardened as they stared at Richard.

"I see," he replied slowly. "You believe that I might be one to toy with a lady's affections then abandon her?"

"I make no such accusations, Colonel."

"Yet you imply them all too freely."

"What interest could you have in the daughters of an insignificant country gentleman? You are the second son of an earl. You have connections. Are you not seeking to marry into fortune and solidify your place in society, as men of your station are expected to do?" I have been in Darcy's company far too much recently. I fear I am sounding far more like him than myself right now. But I do believe I rather like it.

With a sigh, Richard swung himself down from his horse. "I suppose those are the expectations my family has for me." Gathering the reins in his hand, he began to walk. Charles urged his horse to follow. "But I do not share them. Do you know why I am here?"

"I know that Darcy wrote to you, but no more than that."

"His letter to me was very simple. He wrote, 'Come quickly. She has three sisters.'"

"'She has three sisters?' I do not understand."

"Of course you do not," Richard kicked a stone. "Before he left Pemberly, we had a long talk. He told me of the wife he sought to find. I told him if he ever found such a woman, I hoped she would have a sister."

So Darcy is as serious as I thought. Charles unconsciously glanced over his shoulder, but did not see trace of his friend.

"I have made my fortune. I no longer have need to marry one. While it would be nice, I have enough for an estate, smaller than what my father would prefer, but more than enough to live comfortably, and that is all I want anymore."

"And what it is that you want, sir?" Charles stopped, dismounting, to walk beside his companion.

"I have twice been nearly engaged. Few know of it. Darcy is one of those few. Both were beautiful heiresses of the first circles. Both were in their first few London seasons. I had planned to ask their father's permission to court them. The night I'd planned to ask the first lady, I arrived late for a dinner at her home. I told the butler not to announce my arrival and set off in search of her. I saw her in conversation with several other young ladies and decided to surprise her. Ungentlemanly, I know. I have learned my lesson since." Richard glanced at Charles, pleased that the younger man seemed engrossed in his tale. "As I came through another room to join her, I overheard her telling her friends about her plans to seduce me into compromising her so that she would secure me! As if I were some kind of quarry to be hunted! She intended to trap me. Even worse, one of the girls asked her if I were an amiable companion and how it would be to be the wife of an officer."

"Dare I ask what she said?" Charles asked, compassion lacing his voice.

"You can well imagine it was nothing complimentary. Truth be told, I had allowed myself to become quite smitten with her, and hearing her true thoughts toward me was quite a blow. She had no fondness for me, only for my connections." Richard shook his head sharply, snorting in disgust. "I suppose I should not have been surprised. I have been taught that marriage is a business affair, and that love should be of no consideration. I have not honestly worked out how I believe on that point yet. Even so, I would still want a woman who I can respect and depend upon, one whom I could even call a friend if we are to share the same house together till death parts us. I want an amiable companion, a woman of sound judgment and faithfulness, one whose company I might look forward to each day…"

"That is what many would consider a mark of love, Colonel." Bingley smiled. "I think it not unreasonable."

"Perhaps not to you, but it seems that within the circles I once frequented, it is, for the second young lady was even worse than the first. She, I had the pleasure of hearing tell her maid that I was an abhorrent creature, but for the sake of being in an earl's family, she would marry the family dog if necessary. She declared she would tolerate my attentions only as long as it took to produce an heir and a spare, then she would firmly lock the door between us and have as little to do with me as possible. Perhaps I might even be persuaded to retire to a country house while she would stay in town to enjoy the diversions of the Ton." Bitterness dripped from his voice.

"You were quite taken with her as well?"

Richard nodded silently as their boots crunched on the gravel underfoot. "I have been trifled with, Bingley, and I will not stoop to treating another thusly. Much to my mother's dismay, I have abandoned the Ton with its heiresses and socialites. I want a simple existence with a companion who wants more than a decoration on her arm at balls. Perhaps this is a place to find it."

"I see."

"I have answered your question. Now I insist you answer mine. Have you an interest in Miss Jane Bennet?" Richard stopped walking and crossed his arms over his chest.

"What if I do?" Bingley asked cautiously. What possessed me to say such a thing? I am as contrary as Caroline today! Surely this is going to push him to fisticuffs.

"Then I must warn you that you are facing a most determined rival for the young lady's affections. I like you, Bingley, and I even told Darcy I would not mind having you for a brother. I do not want to contend with you over Miss Bennet, but I will if I must."

At least his intentions are honorable. I can assure Louisa of that. She will rest much easier knowing I have heard it from his own lips. "I cannot lie to you, she is the most beautiful of the sisters, and I did enjoy dancing with her, but I fear she is too elegant for the likes of me. Her sister, Miss Kitty has already given me permission to call upon her at Longbourn."

Richard sighed in visible relief as a smile broke out across his face. "Miss Kitty is a lively companion. She is an intelligent young woman, but her humor makes her quite a pleasant partner. She seems to suit you well. I wish you great fortune in coming to know her better."

"I take it, then, you will be calling upon Miss Bennet."

"I have not formally asked her permission yet. I felt I needed to talk to you first. May I join you when you call upon Miss Kitty?"

"Perhaps we can invite Darcy with us as well. We will be quite the merry party!" Bingley laughed, relieved that the difficult conversation had ended without any bruises upon his person.

* PR 31:30