Chances Come, Ney Mitch [snow like ashes series TXT] 📗

alone. When we both parted ways, there was equal satisfaction on both sides.

Chapter 5 What Are Cousins For?

When Darcy had left Cheapside, he was elated. Filled with the sort of ecstasy that wraps itself around the individual, he remained in a euphoric state on the full ride home.

It was this unbridled joy that led to him returning to Grosvenor Square without noticing that he was late for a dinner. When he entered, the doorman informed him that Colonel Fitzwilliam had been waiting for him for over an hour.

Darcy closed his eyes, thoroughly embarrassed with himself. His time spent with Elizabeth was such a pleasure, that he was unable to pay attention to the time. This was the one defect about being in love: it made you unaware of anything else that was around you.

He was informed that Colonel Fitzwilliam had been waiting for him in the billiards room. Darcy went in, and there his cousin was, playing a set. His jacket was off, and he was wearing his vest opened, and his shirt sleeves rolled up.

“Ah, the man of the hour,” Richard piped up.

“Richard,” Darcy began, “my apologies for being late.”

“It was very delightful,” Richard responded, “for I had a wonderful time making conversation with an empty chair.”

“I promise that I would not have forgotten that you were coming for dinner if there had not been something to occupy me to such an extent.”

“Truly, Darcy, I am not upset. I enjoyed the comforts of your home, and we are close enough that the servants all made me comfortable. The most that happened was that I was worried about you.”

“Come now.” Darcy smirked, removing his jacket. “We are both like the rocks of Stonehenge; what knocks us down?”

“Well put. So, rock of ages, tell me? What is the cause to you being so abominably late to this informal engagement?”

Darcy opened his mouth and closed it again.

“Sorry?” Richard teased, pressing his finger against his ear. “I did not catch that. You must repeat that.”

“I…”

“Better. Yet I know that you are able of saying full sentences.”

“I… it is complicated.”

“Complicated? In what way?”

“The usual way that things are complicated, I daresay.”

“No, it is not. Nothing is rarely ever complicated. Usually, it is simply our refusal to speak about them that makes them complicated. Am I close to the truth?”

“Richard, you really ought to have no ability at figuring me out so very easily.”

“I have every right. Your awkwardness has been my constant companion for twenty years at least.”

“Am I awkward?”

“In the most charming sense. Now, come,” Richard said, putting his jacket back on and putting the billiards away. “We have made your cooks wait long enough. And we can allow you to talk about these complications over a nice bowl of soup that is followed by some ham and potatoes.”

They both went into the dining room and sat down to a meal.

“So,” Richard said as their courses were being served. “I come with glad tidings. Sir Aleck Granger is holding a Christmas ball, and we both have the good fortune to be invited.”

“I thought your duties would have taken you away for that?”

“My company is stationed in London for four months.”

When hearing this, Mr. Darcy smiled.

“Truly? Richard, that is delightful news.”

“Yes. And I hope that the news shall not be rescinded. To be stationed here, will give me four months of peace before the storm rages on.”

“Do your best to find happiness in that time.”

“As far as a man like me can find happiness.”

“Also, how are your parents and your brothers?”

“Mother and father are still the paragons of society and their health is with them. I am glad of it. Without father, I do not think anyone can control Jeffrey, and without mother… well, life would be decidedly gray. Why do parents have to die?”

“Because we are never allowed to have everything. When they leave us, it is a hard thing.”

“And when my parents pass away, it will be very hard. Who will control that wild brother of mine?”

Darcy secretly despised this conversation. For he had been so elated after leaving Elizabeth, and now, to be reduced to a conversation about the same tedious problems that arise from family squabbles. Yet, he knew not to blame Richard. After all, he had never told Richard, or anyone, about his feelings for Elizabeth Bennet. Therefore, this was not Richard’s fault.

“Indeed,” Darcy replied, sympathetic, for Darcy was always very well aware of Richard’s situation. Being born the second son was always a cruel fate. Not only was Richard to inherit nothing from his father or mother, and therefore, be a man of trade, but he also had the misfortune to be the second oldest to Jeffrey Fitzwilliam, who was the worst sort of son to be the heir of Matlock.

“I know,” Darcy responded. “It is most unfair to you.”

“Most unfair to everyone,” Richard responded, bitter. “Jeffrey cares little to nothing for the estate, he does not know how to economize, and therefore, once our parents pass away, he shall run Matlock into debt. It shall never be fair that an inheritance cannot be dispensed of accordingly, and by the parents choosing what child receives what. No! For that would be too fair, too logical, for this world that prides itself on logic. But is not always so. And whoever he marries, she will have to be a fool to put up with him.”

“Do you think any woman would marry him?”

“It’s marriage; some woman is bound to make a mistake. There is always one who is willing to walk into the alliance, with her eyes wide shut. And he does that, while I might have to spend my life as a bachelor. After all, poverty commands it.”

“Richard, you shall find your heiress,” Mr. Darcy said with a confident smile.

Richard nodded and sighed. “I would rather it be sooner than later. I want to see one child of mine come into this world before I leave it.”

After they were fed their main course, Richard turned to