Mr Darcy and the Druid: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Jeff Templar

Author:Jeff Templar [Templar, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-09T00:00:00+00:00

Part III – Mastership

April 1812 – Rosings, Kent

The sun was at its height outside the expansive windows of Rosings’ library, casting warm, golden light on the polished shelves and thick leather-bound volumes lining the walls. Colonel Edward Fitzwilliam was comfortably settled in a high-backed armchair, leaning forward with a sense of curiosity.

Across from him, Mr. Darcy, his ever-serious cousin, sat with his usual composed demeanour. However, his expression hinted at something more complex as they discussed the subject of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

“You know, Darcy, I must say,” Colonel Fitzwilliam began, “I find Miss Elizabeth Bennet quite a singular young lady. There is something… refreshing about her manner. She has no airs, and she speaks her mind so freely.”

Darcy gave a slight, contemplative nod. “Indeed, she does. I admit, she is… unlike anyone I have known. There is a liveliness to her, an intelligence that is often hidden behind other young ladies’ politeness.”

“So I have noticed,” Fitzwilliam replied, smiling. “But I cannot help wondering—how did you come to know her? You two seem rather familiar, though neither of you has said much. It is obvious that you have not first met at Hunsford.”

Darcy shifted in his seat, his gaze briefly wandering to the shelves before he looked back at his cousin. “You are right, Edward. We first met in Hertfordshire at an assembly at Meryton, near her family’s estate. Bingley had taken a lease on the nearby estate, Netherfield, and I accompanied him as his guest.”

“Ah, Bingley! I had nearly forgotten that he leased an estate there. So… that was where it began?” Fitzwilliam raised his brow, intrigued.

“Yes,” Darcy answered, his tone thoughtful. “Elizabeth Bennet was in attendance with her family that night. I had never encountered anyone quite like her. At first… I hardly noticed her. Honestly, I found the evening rather tedious and the company there unrefined.”

The Colonel chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “That sounds like you, Darcy. You do have a way of disapproving of gatherings that others find enjoyable. And yet, you must have noticed her eventually.”

Darcy’s lips pressed together in a faint smile. “Indeed. Eventually, she caught my attention. She refused to be intimidated by me, even when others were overly concerned about my thoughts and opinions. I found her impertinent, perhaps even vexing, but undeniably interesting. She had no fear of expressing herself.”

“Now that is interesting,” Fitzwilliam mused, crossing his arms thoughtfully. “And yet you say you have a good impression of her now?”

“Time has a way of revealing true characters,” Darcy said, his voice softening. “I saw more of her over the following months. Bingley developed a strong… attachment to Miss Jane Bennet—Elizabeth’s elder sister.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at Darcy with an expression of mild surprise. “Bingley was attached to Miss Bennet? But… they are not engaged, are they?”

“No,” Darcy replied, his gaze growing distant. “I took measures to prevent it. I did not think it prudent. Miss Jane Bennet’s way of concealing her emotions towards him, her connections that were… uhm, unfortunate, made me believe her attachment to Bingley did not match his feelings for her.

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