This is a missing scene from my story "By Every Civility in his Power." The events in it would have happened in the middle of Chapter 12. It takes place in London between Col. Fitzwilliam and Darcy. At that point in the story, Darcy has returned to London to take care of some of his estate business because he has realized that courting Elizabeth's good favor may take a while. He is somewhat optimistic about his chances with her, as right before he left, they had had a fight outside of Longbourn, when he mistakenly assumed that Mrs. Bennet was openly talking with her neighbors about his failed proposal, when she was actually referring to Mr. Collins. At the end of the fight, he asks her if they can be friends in spite of all that has occurred between them. She agrees. He knows he cannot call on Elizabeth until Mr. Bingley and Jane work out their differences because people might still believe that he was interested in Jane. He decides to return to London to meet with his steward and Col. Fitzwilliam so that he can extend his stay in Hertfordshire. Maria

 

Chapter Twelve and One Half

Darcy rose from his desk, stretched, and called for tea. He had been working in his study since early morning. Darcy had spent several hours the previous day with his steward going over some of the more pressing business issues. Once completed, he ordered his steward back to Pemberley so that he could attend to his wife who was expecting their first child.

As he stretched, he looked over the work he had accomplished. It was far from what needed to be done, but it was, at least, a reasonable start. He decided that in any regard he had earned a short respite. Whenever he worked, he gave himself small goals. If he completed all of the papers in one pile, he could stop for tea. Once one-third of the work was finished, he could have lunch. In this way, he motivated himself and continually checked his progress. Such inducements seemed particularly necessary since Elizabeth had invaded his life. He wondered what she would think if she knew how often his mind wandered to her, reviewing what they had said to each other, examining her reactions for clues as to the state of her regard, and, most often, simply fantasizing about her. None of it was conducive to getting anything of substance accomplished in a timely fashion.

As the door opened, he was surprised to see his cousin arrive as the server brought his tea.

He greeted his cousin warmly and stated, "It is good to see you. I hope you are well. You are just in time for some refreshments. Please join me."

Relaxing in a chair, he replied, "Thank you, I think I will. Darcy, when I got your note, I had hoped to visit immediately, but unfortunately I had a matter that I needed to attend to before I could depart."

"Do not concern yourself in that regard. You have come sooner than I expected. I thought you might be tied up completely and unable to come at all. I appreciate the effort."

The two men waited for the server to finish her duties. Once she withdrew, Darcy spoke first. "I was hoping to ask a favor. As you know Georgiana is presently in Bath with her companion."

"Yes, I recently received a letter from her. She seems to be doing quite well."

"Yes, I agree. I think Mrs. Annseley was a good choice. She seems to be excelling in her studies and, by all accounts, she truly enjoyed her visit to Bath. Her letters seem to reflect an improvement in her overall disposition, as well. I am quite hopeful."

"I am glad to hear it. But you said there was something I could do for you?"

"Yes, there is. Georgiana is scheduled to return to London next week. I had planned to be here for her arrival, but suddenly find myself unable. I was wondering if you could greet her and maybe take up residence here while you are in town. I am unsure of when I will return and I think she would appreciate the company."

"Certainly. I always enjoy taking advantage of the fine hospitality your home has to offer. And, as you know, any time I can spend with Georgina is always most pleasurable."

"It would not interfere with your present assignment?"

"No, I do not think so. My regiment is scheduled to remain in town, but I am, of course, at their command if something should change. But, at present, I do not think it should pose a problem."

"Then I will count on you, unless you indicate otherwise. I want you to know how much I appreciate this. Thank you."

"As I said, it will be my pleasure. But, my I inquire, what is keeping you from London?"

"Oh, . . . yes. Did I not mention it? I need to return to Hertfordshire. Bingley has taken up residence there. He has very recently become engaged. And, . . . I told him that I would return shortly."

"Engaged? To whom."

Trying to assume an indifferent, he replied, "Miss Jane Bennet. She is Miss Elizabeth Bennet's older sister. I just received a letter from him informing me of the good news yesterday."

Col. Fitzwilliam gave Darcy an amused look and then ventured, "And is that all the explanation I am to receive?"

"I am afraid I do not understand you. What more do you feel is required?"

"Darcy, you must be joking. Last we spoke, when we were leaving Kent, you told me that you regretted interfering when Bingley took an interest in her and worried that the damage you had caused was irreversible. Then I hear from our Aunt that you are to be engaged to Miss Jane Bennet, yourself. Now, Bingley is engaged to her and you want to return to Hertfordshire to be with them both. I think, at the very least, I am entitled to little more information."

"Well, it is easily explainable. Our Aunt was misinformed. There has never been anything but friendship between Miss Bennet and myself. The entire incident with Aunt Catherine was a horrible mistake that has been twisted out of proportion. It is hardly worth mentioning."

"I would beg to disagree. One part of it seemed quite significant. Our Aunt is furious because she says that you refused to form an alliance with our cousin Anne. Was that a misunderstanding?"

"No, as to that, she is quite correct. Even though the incident that prompted the discussion between us was based on a false premise, the end result is true. I thought I would be remiss if I continued to let her believe that there was any hope that I would marry Anne. She did not take it well."

"So I can well imagine. But, that does not explain the rest of it. What happened with Bingley?"

"Well, as you know. My estimation of Miss Bennet's regard for Bingley was totally incorrect. I went to Hertfordshire to repair the damage. Bingley returned thereafter. After I left, he informed me of his engagement. I am happy for them both. They are very well suited. I am ashamed I did not understand it sooner."

"And?"

"That is it. Luckily, I was wrong in my assumption that the situation was beyond repair. Bingley has been able to win her regard and the issue is now resolved."

"Then why do you need to return to Hertfordshire? I assume Bingley can take it from where he left off, without any help from you. If he cannot, I am not sure he deserves a fiancée."

Looking at his cousin in exasperation, "That hardly deserves a response."

"Fair enough, but it does not answer my underlying question. Why do you need to go to Hertfordshire, when it seems otherwise inconvenient for you."

"I want to congratulate Bingley."

"Can you not do that by letter? But even if you want to go in person, why is the length of your stay unfixed. How long could that take? Could you not return to Hertfordshire for a few days and be back in time to receive Georgina. I assume the wedding is not for some time yet."

Darcy gave his cousin a blank stare and curtly replied, "No, it is not."

The Colonel studied Darcy for several moments and then said, "Darcy, I can see that I am intruding onto territory that you would rather keep private. I will not tempt your good humor with another barrage of questions. But in return, please allow me to ask you one last thing."

Darcy eyed him suspiciously. He knew he should be honest with his cousin, but he simply could bring himself to do it. Maybe it was because he had previously nursed some jealousy over Elizabeth's warm reception of him in Kent. Or maybe he simply wanted to put the humiliation of Kent behind him. He knew he could not tell the Colonel of his present interest in Elizabeth without exciting questions as to their past relationship, and he felt too exposed to do anything of the kind. On the other hand, he knew answering his cousin's inquiry was probably the best way to end the conversation. Hopefully, he would not ask anything too direct. In any regard, there was not really anything specific to tell about his relationship with Elizabeth anyway. He finally offered, "If it will put this subject to rest, by all means?"

"Thank you. I simply wanted to ask if you have ever wondered why your father chose me as the co-guardian for Georgina?"

Surprised by the question, Darcy gave him a puzzled look and then slowly replied, "I assume because my father understood that there needed to be two guardians in case I died before Georgiana was settled."

"That would explain why there are two, but not why I was selected, over for example, my older brother, who as the heir to my father's estate, would be the more likely choice."

Pausing to think on the issue, Darcy then quietly responded, "I assume my father doubted my ability to complete the task with only my own judgment to guide me, and selected you, over your brother, because he, as we both know, is not a man prone to deep reflection."

With a slight laugh, Col. Fitzwilliam replied, "What a politic way of expressing my brothers shortcomings. But, I think that you are wrong again."

"Since you have obviously given this some thought, and have come to some sort of conclusion on the topic, why don't you enlighten me as to your theory."

"I would be more than happy to do so. First, I think -- no, I know that your father had every confidence in your ability to guide Georgiana as you saw fit, without help from anyone else. You should have no doubt in that regard."

Interrupting him, Darcy added, "Then my father was wrong. As we both know, I have already failed her, with almost disastrous results. My judgment was not what it should have been."

"But, Darcy, that was a mistake anyone could have made and you should not reproach yourself for it. There was no way of knowing that Wickham had targeted her. It was not a matter of carelessness on your part, but of evil intent on his." Seeing Darcy shake his head and look away, he knew his words had fallen on deaf ears. "Darcy, it was not your fault. I know you measure yourself in your father's footsteps, but bear in mind that had your father been alive, the results would most likely have been the same or worse. Wickham was very careful to always present his best side to your father. He would never have been suspicious of Wickham before you were. I mean your father no disrespect, you know how much I loved him, but you cannot hold yourself to a standard that he, himself, could not have passed."

As Col. Fitzwilliam let his words sink in, he watch as Darcy stared absently out the window. He waited for Darcy to meet his gaze, and when he eventually did, he continued. "But, this is somewhat besides the point. The material issue is that I believe your father had every confidence in your ability to guide Georgiana, without anyone's help. As such, a second guardian would only be necessary if you were not here to carry out your duties. In that eventuality my brother would be the better candidate. Yet, he chose me instead. I think he did so, because he was more concerned about you, than Georgiana. He knew Georgiana was in good hands. I think he also understood, better than anyone, the heavy burden that would be put upon your shoulders, not just with your sister's guardianship, but also with the management of Pemberley, and all that it entails. I think he chose me because we have always had a close bond. Much closer than I have with my own brother or you have with him. I think he wanted me to aid you by being someone you could confide in. That is how I look at my role, and I hope you will too. I can see that you have not been yourself since we left Kent, and I have some suspicion as to its cause. I hope that you would trust me enough to share it with me." Adding with a smile, "You never know I might actually be of some help."

Darcy looked at his cousin in surprise. This was not what he had expected. His cousin's sincerity had moved him, but he was still so uncomfortable with the topic. "It is not that I do not trust you, it is just that . . . it is private."

"I see. Then whatever the issue, you must have it well in hand. Most people would feel the need to confide in someone, even as to private matters. But, maybe I am wrong, and you are the rare exception that has enough confidence in his own abilities, to go it alone."

Sensing the underlying intent of his words, Darcy shook his head and asked, "Are all my weaknesses so evident? No, do not answer that, I do not want to know. I take it this assault will continue unabated until I capitulate."

"That is a fair assumption. As I said, my regiment is stationed in town. I have a fair amount of time on my hands."

Smiling for the first time, Darcy replied, "It is not such a great secret. I am simply returning to Hertfordshire because there is a person there whose company I enjoy. I wanted to continue the friendship. There is nothing more exciting to discuss."

"Is her sister, by any chance, marrying Bingley?"

"Yes. . . . How long have you known?"

"I actually suspected very little in Kent. Looking back on it now, I should have. It was only after we discussed the disagreement you had with her before we left Kent that I began to suspect something more was involved. I knew you were grieved to have unintentionally hurt Bingley, but your sense of remorse seemed out of proportion. When I heard the news about your supposed engagement to her sister, I knew that you would never do such a thing to Bingley. I suspected that either you were there to fix your prior mistake, which showed how much power her reproof had over you, or the gossips had gotten the name of the sister wrong. In either case, it aroused my suspicion. Your decision today, to return to Hertfordshire indefinitely, confirmed it."

"Well, now you know. I suppose you are feeling quite gratified that your powers of deduction are so astute."

"That was hardly my intent. May I ask, have you asked her to marry you."

Darcy thought carefully how to reply. "At present, I do not think it would be wise. I do not think she would accept."

"Not accept? Why wouldn't she? I truly understand your interest in her. Her appeal is evident to anyone who has met her. But in return, it is a very good match for her, one she could not otherwise expect."

"That may be so, but the lady is not swayed by such considerations, and I do not believe she would look favorably on my proposal. In Kent, she made clear that she had some reservations as to my character."

"Really, what did she say."

Answering more forcefully, than he intended, Darcy said, "Nothing in particular. Nothing that I think I need share."

"Very well."

As the two men lapsed into silence, the Colonel studied Darcy's frowning brow. He knew that patience was his best weapon. After an extended pause, Darcy finally added in a rushed manner, "She thinks I have a tendency to be haughty and indifferent to the concerns of others. Would you agree with her estimation?"

"No, I would not. I think you are quite generous . . . But, . . . you might be more forthcoming socially. I know it does not come easy to you, but I could understand how someone might misinterpret your silence for disapprobation."

"But it is not in my nature to be overly friendly. I cannot gush about as Bingley does. I would look ridiculous."

"Well, I am not suggesting you act out of character. I just think your reserve makes you unduly quiet at times. Maybe you could simply initiate more dialogue. It does not have to be overly complex. People simply like to have their presence noted with some sort of pleasantry. Discuss the weather or their health. Inquire about something that they are interested in. That way, they do most of the speaking but think you a brilliant conversationalist."

"That seems somewhat disingenuous. I am always amazed that society dictates that it is more polite to engage in insincere flattery than for someone to keep an honest distance."

"Darcy, sometimes I think you are beyond hope. The idea is that you actually be interested in what the other person has to say. Do you have this much trouble talking to Miss Bennet, your Miss Bennet, - not Bingley' s."

"No . . . Sometimes. I used to have a great deal of trouble speaking with her, but as of late, we seem to a have achieved a certain familiarity. I am more concerned about her opinion of how I relate to others, than our direct interactions."

"Well, as she once told you, you simply must practice at it."

"So your advice is simply to parrot what I already know. I know you congratulate yourself on having force my hand about this, but I want you to know, you have not really been all that much help."

"Darcy, it is a good thing that I know when to ignore your moods and when to pay attention. Now, I know you have work to do, but maybe you could take a short break and bring me to your club. I have been of enough service to you today. We need to return to our more normal mode of operation where I am the grateful beneficiary of your generosity."

Darcy began to protest but ultimately thought it best to give over to the suggestion. Baring one's emotions was difficult work and he felt he had earn a reward for his effort.