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

you speak, you clearly have set your cap at a woman who would not be regarded as the best catch in the world.”

“She is the best sort of woman for me. Yet, the world would not care about that.”

“And nor would our Aunt, Lady Catherine.”

Darcy closed his eyes when her name was mentioned.

“Yes,” Darcy whispered, “yes.”

Feeling immediate regret for mentioning their aunt, the Colonel changed his tone.

“Never mind about our aunt,” he stressed. “In fact, let us forget about her now and her plans for you. You are in love with a woman.”

“Yes.”

“Is she a gentleman’s daughter at least?”

“Yes, she is. But her mother’s side is questionable, to say the least. And the family itself is entirely unsuitable. But I love her nevertheless.”

“And are you prepared to tell me her name?”

Mr. Darcy rubbed his lips and then he tapped his fork against his plate.

“And, by that reaction,” Richard responded, “I gather the impression that I may be acquainted with her.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Talking about it will unburden your soul.”

“I am terribly in love with her.”

“Then what are you afraid of?”

“The fact that you shall tell me how she is not suited for our family.”

“You said she was a gentleman’s daughter. And even if she were not, I would not care very much at all.”

“You would not?” Darcy asked, his spirits lifted. This optimistic nature of his cousin’s gave him courage.

“No, I would not. After all, you have the ability to marry for love. I have only the path of being a fortune hunter.”

“Very well. It is Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

When hearing the name, Richard’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”

“Yes. What do you say to that?”

Richard broke out into a smile.

“Marry the woman as soon as you can.”

This declaration warmed Darcy immediately.

“You think so? You encourage it?”

“Do you need my encouragement?”

“No, but I would like it all the same.”

“Then you have it, you dolt. After all, I clearly already told you to marry her.”

“Yes, and I am glad about it. Thank you, Richard. I was worried that you would not approve of my choice.”

“How could I not? She is perfect for you.”

“You noticed as well?”

“Oh yes. Her spirit would complement your own very well. She has liveliness about her that I believe will kindle your own. Also, there is something pleasing about her mouth when she speaks. If that makes any sense.”

“That makes all the sense in the world, as long as you are admiring her objectively, but not admiring her with any other designs.”

“Ah, so now you are reaching the stage of jealousy?”

“I’ve been jealous over her quite often. When you spoke with her at Rosings, I was already apprehensive.”

Richard laughed. “I was giving you pain, and all the while, I was not aware of it.”

“I was giving myself pain by not going about my affection for her in the right way. I have been too afraid to say anything.”

“Because, by you choosing her, you are going against the express wishes of our dear aunt and others in the family.”

“Precisely.”

“Yes, Aunt Catherine. She is not going to be overjoyed when she hears this news.”

“She will despise Elizabeth.”

“Yes, she shall. But never fear, time can heal any wound. Another rich man will fall into their lives and marry Anne, whether there is much affection in the case or not. Worry not over that, at this time. Think only of the present and—wait, now that we are speaking, I recall when Elizabeth sought me out, concerning the truth about Mr. Wickham.”

“Yes. As is his way, he imposed himself upon her for months, lying about how I robbed him of his inheritance.”

“He did that?”

“Yes, he did.”

“That man is murder and ought to be ripped out of the world.”

“I wish he would, for he has made my life so terribly complicated. A few days ago, I came upon him when he was proposing to Elizabeth.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. Fortunately for my own happiness, she had already rejected him, but he was in an effort to convince her otherwise, he laid violent hands upon her.”

“Did you keep her safe?”

“I did. He is gone, and Elizabeth is safe now. I have seen to it.”

“But I am worried. Men like Wickham never fully seem to dissolve. Their intentions have a way of returning. He is out of your life at present, but I still feel his presence out there in the world.”

Darcy said, “He will not come near her again. I swear it.”

“Well, you would know better than I. Well, when shall you propose to Elizabeth?”

He glanced away and frowned. “I do not know.”

“With a woman such as herself, you do not have all the time in the world. She may not be wealthy, but there will always be another man out there in the world who is willing to overlook it.”

“It is not that I am taking my time out of carelessness, but from a prudential light. I am not certain that she loves me. At all. Over time, her feelings towards me have changed and improved, but there was a time that she did not favor me at all. I have recently just learned that there was a time that she held me in contempt, slightly. I need time to develop a relationship with her, to help develop a bond between us. I want her to come to me, prepared to fall in love with me, in her way.”

Richard leaned back in his chair, marveling at his cousin.

“Well, Darcy, my dear boy, you amaze me. I always knew you to be a steady, loyal sort of person, but not with this sort of patience.”

“Yes, I have always been the sort of man who, when I desire something, I try to obtain it. I do want her, but I want to do things properly. I do not want her to come to me because I protected her from Wickham. I want her to come to me because she loves me. If she does not love me, then what is the point?”

“Now, while I do believe that she can come to