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

certain that all is well. That is me simply doing my parental duty, in place of their absent parent.”

“I would prefer it no other way,” Darcy observed.

“Also,” Colonel Fitzwilliam asserted, “my cousin and I have been offered an invitation to a Christmas ball of a good friend of ours, Sir Aleck Granger. It will take place on the Twelfth Night. If we write to him, he would be more than willing to extend the invitation to you and your nieces.”

“Oh, now we very much do not wish to put you out of your way that far,” Aunt Gardiner disallowed.

“You are not, believe us. Sir Aleck Granger is the most congenial and openhearted man in the world. He has a way of not allowing any cruelty at his parties, does not begrudge men of trade or different classes, and is willing to meet new people. He never disregards me just because I was born as the second son.”

“It will be a delight for your nieces,” Darcy added, “and since Miss Kitty is coming to London, being invited to a ball is sure to lift her spirits. She will feel the compliment of it.”

These were so many kindnesses offered at once, that my aunt and uncle were flabbergasted. Yet, eventually, all fears of feeling like they were in this great man’s debt washed away when they realized that saying no would be something that was neither kind nor prudent.

Therefore, eventually, they agreed.

After the dinner, we could not separate where the men went into the billiard room and we women sought refuge in a parlor because there were no other women of the household who were present. As such, to leave the three of us women to sit in a room and debate about things while they went off and smoked cigars seemed pointless. Therefore, Darcy offered to have us sit together in the parlor and if anyone wished to have games, then they need only ask.

Colonel Fitzwilliam offered to play a game of backgammon with Jane, who accepted, while admitting to never being good at the game to begin with.

Mr. Darcy took his place near me by the fire, and our aunt and uncle were so good as to find a desire to stare out of the window, amazed by the prospect and view.

“You really meant that invitation?” I asked, rhetorically.

“Yes, I did,” he whispered in return, “and you really were happy with it?”

“Of course, I was,” I answered, feeling a bit shy. “I love that you want us to stay with you. And I would like to meet your sister. I confess to being a little nervous about it, but I shall find my courage again when we meet her. Thank you for this all. I was hoping that Jane would stay in London, after all.”

“And so was I. I have a hidden scheme on my hands.”

“You are not about to fall in love with my sister, are you?” I asked, direct.

“Not at all,” he remarked, surprised by the suggestion. “Not at all.”

“Good. Then continue.”

“Well, at Sir Aleck’s ball, Mr. Bingley is coming.”

I raised my eyebrows and smiled.

“He is?”

“Yes.”

“This was precisely what I would have hoped for! That was what I had wished to talk to you about before. When I came to London, I was hoping that you would be amenable to the idea of me convincing you to help me reunite them. If Mr. Bingley is no longer in love with her, then so be it. But I chose to believe in hope.”

“And I chose to believe that you were right. I had interfered when it was not my place.”

“You were acting in the service of a friend,” I allowed, “and that is the one explanation that makes your actions noble. I am proud of you, actually.”

I turned to look at him.

“You are?”

“Yes,” I stressed. “Once, you would have never explained yourself to me, and if you had not, then we would have never been able to communicate with each other again. What you did took courage. I respect that.”

Next, I arched my brow and decided to tease him. “However, if you and I ever end up as enemies again, both on opposite sides of a conflict, I will still hold my ground and fight for my domain, good sir. You have been warned.”

“And I get the feeling that you and I will be doing this forever,” he responded, his eyes dancing.

“Fight on two different sides of things and then only come together to parley? I could think of nothing more fun. For we each are of a contrary disposition. Sometimes we need a good disagreement to help us remember that we are still alive. I suppose that it makes our moments of peace more cherished on both our parts. For those peaceful moments are not to last.”

“I do not know, for we have been nothing but harmonious since seeing each other here in London.”

“Does the city make us more agreeable to each other? Because it would be nice to know if our peace depends on location and settings.”

“I hope it does not. I would think that you and I can get on charmingly in the country.”

“Imagine if we had first met by the seaside. Now, I wonder what would have happened then.”

“Miss Elizabeth?”

“Yes.”

“I am glad that you like the idea of staying in Grosvenor Street.”

I felt a glow inside.

“I am glad that you read my expression and pursued the matter.”

And there it was. Another moment of peace.

Our dinner party had come to an end, our carriage was called for, and both cousins stood on the front steps as we got into the carriage. Yet, we had assistance.

While our uncle helped our aunt inside, Mr. Darcy took my hand and helped me within. Yet, Colonel Fitzwilliam had offered Jane his hand into the carriage and smiled at her.

Our carriage took off, with Jane and me looking through the glass at both men as we drove away.

Chapter 7 The Shocking Turn

Darcy was so overjoyed, yet