A Pair of Sparkling Eyes: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Jo Abbott

Author:Jo Abbott
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Published: 2023-07-20T04:00:00+00:00

The reunion with Colonel Fitzwilliam was a happy event, as always. Aside from his affection, loyalty, and care for both Darcys, the colonel was a man with amiable manners and an easy nature that made him a favourite among his acquaintances as well as those who had just met him.

He listened to Darcy’s narration about his time in Hertfordshire and asked some questions about the Bennets, especially Elizabeth.

While he answered diligently, Darcy was surprised to feel a warmth growing inside him and a smile that kept twisting his lips.

Even just talking about Elizabeth had a stronger effect on him than most of the other ladies he was acquainted with, and that notion was equally thrilling and frightening.

“Mr Bennet’s cousin is Lady Catherine’s clergyman? That is so amusing!” the colonel said.

“Less amusing than you assume. The man has something to say about Lady Catherine every other minute,” Darcy replied.

The colonel laughed. “Lady Catherine certainly loves that. And, from everything you have said about Miss Elizabeth’s wit and boldness and manners, Lady Catherine would surely despise her.”

“I cannot argue with that,” Darcy admitted.

“I am sure Lady Catherine will not despise Miss Elizabeth!” Georgiana intervened. “Why would she? Miss Elizabeth sounds charming!”

“That is precisely why, my dear.” The colonel laughed again. “I look forward to meeting this person who has made such an impression on you all.”

The evening progressed in a pleasant way, and then Mrs Annesley retired for the night. Darcy struggled for a little while with the confession he still needed to make to his sister and his cousin, wondering whether he should do it separately or to both, and whether he should delay it in order to not distress Georgiana more or reveal it right away.

“What is troubling you, Darcy? You barely heard what I said,” the colonel asked.

“In fact, there is something that occupies me,” he admitted after another moment of hesitation. “Perhaps I should have waited for a better moment, but I owe you both the consideration of the truth.”

“What is it, Brother?” Georgiana whispered.

“This sounds rather ominous, Darcy. Do I need another brandy?”

“You probably do, Cousin. I discovered that George Wickham has joined the militia,” he said, heartbroken as he saw Georgiana turning pale and clasping her hands together.

“Has he? Well, that is precisely what the militia needs,” the colonel said sarcastically.

“There is more to tell, unfortunately. He has joined precisely the regiment that is encamped in Meryton. Near Bingley and the Bennet family.”

“Now that is a terrible coincidence. The scoundrel seems to stick to you like a disease,” the colonel said, then turned to Georgiana. “Forgive me, my dear, I do not want to pain you more. I know your father loved him, my own parents thought highly of him, even I was friends with him for a while. He deceived us all. Now I would gladly break every bone in his body—”

“Richard, let us speak calmly and mind our words,” Darcy interrupted him. “It was merely information that I wished to provide you with. It does not affect any of us.

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