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

it was time for Colonel Fitzwilliam to depart.

“Duty calls me back to the training grounds,” the Colonel explained, “for a man must earn a living.”

“When will you return?” Jane asked, despite the forwardness.

“I wish to visit tomorrow as well, and be with your company when my cousin arrives,” he responded, very strongly. “But I must work for the full day tomorrow. I do not desire to. It is merely obligation. Yet, I shall be with you all in two nights’ time. I shall arrive in time for dinner with you all.”

“That would be delightful,” Kitty encouraged. “We look forward to seeing much of your family together.”

“As we enjoy the company of you three,” Colonel Fitzwilliam assured her. “If a plain old Colonel is allowed to give you some advice, then I shall. When my cousin arrives, do not stand on ceremony and only speak of the roads and the weather. Such discussions will not make her comfortable. Be very much yourselves, be merry, and be willing to talk. It shall put her at ease.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam gave one last look at Jane.

“And so, I leave you now. But to return in two days.”

And thus, he was the next departure that we saw ride off.

“Whatever shall we do now?” I asked Mr. Darcy teasingly, with my arched eyebrow. “For we are now forsaken by some company. Can you withstand having only us remain?”

“It is a trial that I gladly take.” He smiled, taking my arm in his as we all reentered the house. “And Miss Kitty, do you need more time sorting out your things in your new room? Or is all well?”

“Well, I must, but I wish to request your advice first,” she admitted. “I have brought up two gowns and I was wondering which would be the best one to wear for the ball? I was hoping, since we are to mingle with the circles that you are most familiar with, you would give me your advice on which to choose.”

“Your gowns!” Mr. Darcy smacked his forehead. His remark was so sharp that we all jumped. “I had quite forgotten that.”

“Is something the matter?” Jane asked.

“Well, yes. The gowns that you all have. Are they the sort of gowns that you wore at the Netherfield Ball?”

“Yes, they are,” I answered.

“If you wish—and I should put it more delicately—would you all mind if we go to a shop that I know of in town? My sister frequents the place. It sells some of the best ready-made gowns in London. And none of their gowns are ever the same.”

“I had not thought of that,” I observed, “for our country gowns might not be fashionable enough for the ton at the ball.”

“It is not that. The gowns that you have already will need to be saved for when we go to the theatre.”

“Oh!” Kitty cried. “And we cannot be seen in the same gown twice in so short a time.”

“Yes. Some who go to the play will also attend Sir Aleck’s ball. The gowns you have now cannot be used for both occasions.”

“We are causing you complications,” I observed.

“No, you are not. As strange as it may sound, I am not averse to shopping for new gowns with women. As a child, my mother often had me sit with her when gowns were made. If you are not offended by my request for us to get you new gowns, then I would be happy to escort you to Madame Duellane’s. You will like her assortment, for there is something for everyone.”

“Madame Duellane’s?” Kitty extoled, overjoyed. “I have read about her shop in the papers about fashionable society.” Then Kitty got a wicked look in her eye, and then she grinned. “And isn’t she part-French?”

“Yes.”

“Are we not at war with France?” I asked as well, with an equal amount of wickedness in my tone.

“Yes,” Darcy replied, amused, “but a war with France is traditional. A war against French fashions, however, is unheard of.”

We all laughed.

“Well, I would love to go,” Kitty confirmed.

“As will I,” I added. “What say you, Jane?”

Jane smiled sweetly.

“You really will not be vexed with us, for getting gowns can be quite a trial for certain gentlemen?” Jane asked Darcy, still insecure.

“It shall not be a trial for me,” Darcy assured her.

“Then yes, I confess, I am always fond of purchasing new gowns!”

“Then new gowns, you shall receive. Would you all be willing to leave in an hour’s time?”

“Yes, that should be sufficient time to be prepared,” I assured him.

“Very well. Let us all meet downstairs on the hour. Also, Miss Elizabeth, might I trouble you for a brief moment? I purchased a bit of music for my sister, and since you are the only one who plays, I wish for you to peruse it for me.”

This was precisely the sort of arrangement that I had hoped for.

“I should be delighted,” I responded.

“Very good. It is in the music room. Ladies, if you will excuse me.”

Together, Darcy and I went to the music room and entered. Once doing so, I turned to him, prepared for the truth.

“So,” I began, “what is the real reason for which you called me in here?”

“You knew that I was lying.”

“I also happen to know that disguise of any kind is your abhorrence. That results in you sometimes being easy to read. So, spit it out. I am prepared.”

“Miss Elizabeth, we have a situation.”

He said this with such gravity, that I was worried.

“Oh, dear god, what has happened?”

“Oh,” he smoothed out his tone, “did I speak in a way that made it sound as if someone had died?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Ah.”

Pause.

“No one has died, have they?” I asked, to be sure.

“No, they have not.”

“Ah.”

“Well, not to my knowledge.”

“Still, ah.”

“Yes.”

“By all means, do not leave me in suspense.”

“Our situation has reached its climax.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter. “Bingley has written to me. He will be in town tomorrow afternoon.”

This news struck me with alarm and a slight pang of terror.