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CHAPTER THREE

Hugo waited until he and Fitzwilliam were no longer within earshot of the ladies before speaking.

"You know Ella has her heart set on finding you a wife this year brother." He spoke into the silence making Fitzwilliam stop in his tracks. He noticed the tension immediately creep into the set of his shoulders. His brother's first reaction to most things would be to tense as if under attack, he probably wasn't even cognisant that he was doing so.

"She does?" he said incredulously already relaxing his posture.

"She sure does!" Hugo biting back a chuckle at his expression.

"You jest!"

"I would not joke about this Fitz. We're twins, we always know what the other is thinking." At that Darcy arched his brow at his younger brother. "Alright fine! Ella told me before they Bennet sisters arrived."

"That sounds more like it."

"I would not dismiss it so quickly if I were you," He said taking longer strides to catch up to Fitzwilliam who had resumed walking.

"Is that so?" Replied Darcy becoming bored with this conversation.

"Yes, I can guarantee that if Ella has decided it is time you marry then Lady Matlock will not be far behind…" Warned Hugo.

"Ella has discussed this with Aunt Ellen?!" he said with a huff, stopping before the stairs and looking at Hugo with annoyance.

"No, but you know how she is, you'll be receiving an invitation from her to attend a weeklong party in the country with all of the 'darlings' of this season and then Lady Catherine will undoubtedly come to visit so that she can push your marriage to Anne with gusto!"

"Shoot me first! Anne, I have no wish to marry, although I have sometimes thought it might be easier just to marry her and be done with the whole thing!" he groaned.

"The only solution is for you choose your own bride and soon old man."

"You are as bad as Ella!" he said as he began to climb the stairs to the next floor and to the sanctuary of his study. He had half a mind to tell Hugo to forget learning how to manage the household accounts he could join him next month instead.

He paused at the top of the staircase and turned to Hugo, "Is this the reason for the girls visit and the dinner party later this week?"

"Ha! You think that we would be that scheming, that calculating? I am hurt, no I am-"

"Hugo." He said with a warning in his voice.

"No, not at first." He said deciding to come clean at his brother's obvious testiness, "But you have to admit they are uncommonly pretty girls Fitz."

Darcy stood for a moment and thought back to Miss Elizabeth and Miss Jane Bennet. Miss Jane was everything society told him was beautiful from her pale skin and golden blonde hair to her large brown eyes and Miss Elizabeth was also quite pleasant looking, with thick dark hair and emerald green eyes. Her skin carried a slightly sun kissed colour that hinted at a fondness of being outdoors, her lips were plump and pink, and she held herself with an air of confidence and curiosity which he had at first mistaken for a timidity and shyness. He could not help finding her attractive, she was indeed a beauty in his eyes, but society would always favour the blonde and paler sort. When he had caught her studying his scar, he for once he did not see an initial reaction of fear or pity, he swore he could almost hear her cataloguing all the ways in which he might have injured himself to leave such a mark more with wonder.

"Hmm?" Darcy realised Hugo had asked him something and was awaiting his answer.

"What did you make of the ladies? I have to say I think they are both lovely and I am enjoying dancing with them both on Thursday at dinner." He said standing taller and pulling at his jacket to straighten it.

"I think," He said expelling a heavy breath, "That you are right it is time I do take a bride."

"WHAT?!" he said stumbling backwards in an exaggeration of his shock.

"Grow up Hugo!" Darcy growled placing a hand upon the banister.

At that precise moment Elizabeth who had become distracted by the artwork on the walls on her way back from the retirement room and heard voices and the mention of her name coming from somewhere overhead. She nibbled on her bottom lip a fraction of a second before her curiosity got the better of her and she crept to beneath the staircase. Well if someone mentions your name then you have every right to eavesdrop! That was the rules in the Bennet household anyway. Elizabeth told herself as she poked her head slightly to see Mr Darcy and Hugo teasing each other.

"Well?" asked Hugo.

"Well what Hugo?"

"Do not be so obtuse Fitz, which lady is your preference to become Mrs Darcy?"

"I believe out of the two ladies my preference would lie with Miss Jane Bennet." After the initial hurt of being overlooked, Elizabeth felt a happiness for her sister. She was as kind as she was beautiful, any man would be fortunate to have her for his wife. She had been about to turn back when she heard Hugo mention her name once more and couldn't resist her inquisitiveness.

"She would be a fine choice, although I thought you would have chosen Miss Elizabeth." He said, in truth he did not see his brother show any interest in Miss Jane Bennet earlier, in fact he had barely looked in her direction. Hugo did not mind his choosing Miss Jane, sure he found her attractive, but he was in no way ready to marry yet! He would have enjoyed a little flirtation and few dances with the Lady before he grew bored as he always did.

"No, I would not consider Miss Elizabeth a suitable option. Her sister seems as though she is a much gentler creature, she would not cause much fuss and does not seem to me as the demanding or talkative sort. I desire a nice quiet serine wife that will leave me to get on with my life, after being outnumbered by you hellions for so long!" He said in such a cool offhand way. Elizabeth pressed herself back against the wall as their voice became quieter, the must have moved away farther into the house.

Elizabeth was furious, no furious was not enough to describe the seething rage coursing through her! He thinks he can just have Jane, does he? Well, not if she has anything to do with it. She was not a suitable option; HE was the one who not a suitable option! That arrogant, self-absorbed, egotistical ba-"

"Lizzy I am glad we found you we were worried you might have got lost!" said Ella startling her.

"Forgive me, I got distracted by the beautiful artwork and couldn't resist taking a closer look." She said thinking quickly and hoping they would not notice her distress.

"On Thursday when you come, we can give you a proper tour, we have a finer gallery upstairs I am sure you would adore, there are plenty of sculptures and portraits as well as artwork we have cultivated over the years. I would offer to take you now, but I do not want you to feel rushed." Said Ella generously with a warm smile as she assessed Elizabeth's countenance.

"That would be wonderful! The only other thing Elizabeth enjoys more than art are her books and the outdoors." Said Jane enthusiastically.

"Oh goodness me then we shall be sure to include the library too. My brother Fitzwilliam loves his books too and always has one or two books on the go!" Ella said looking at Elizabeth a little strangely when her lips thinned at the mention of her elder brother. Interesting…

"Is everything alright Lizzy?" Said Jane full of concern and placing her hand gently upon Elizabeth's arm.

"I am fine, it is only a slight headache, I promise. I feel the thrill of visiting London and the excitement in introducing you to Jane, Ella has quite worn me out." She said reassuringly.

"Yes, she has spoken of nothing else since she and our Aunt Gardiner made your acquaintance at the fabric shop." Said Jane.

"We would not have met had you not had the excellent taste in fabric! We had both reached for the last of the maroon material when she graciously allowed me to have it."

"Yes, and then we both went for the same bonnet! But you politely allowed me to have it, I feel a little remorse as upon further inspection I think you would have suited it much better than I," said Elizabeth happy to be distracted.

"Nonsense!"

"You do look a little pale Lizzy; would it be terribly rude of us to take our leave a little earlier than planned?" said Jane on her sister's behalf.

"But of course!" She said catching the attention of a passing footman and asking him to tell Mr Hudson to ready their carriage to take Jane and Lizzy home. "Do not worry Lizzy I feel I need to rest after all the excitement of today too, although I know I shall be a little too eager to plan the menu's for Thursday." Said Ella as she began to walk them back through the house to the door. Once more Jane and Ella continued to talk easily while Elizabeth followed slightly behind preoccupied with her thoughts. She wanted to tell Jane, but she also did not wish to upset her with Mr Darcy's unflattering description of her. Then she looked at Miss Ella and wondered if she had planned this all along and were, we simply here for his amusement? No Ella was kind a person and very genuine she might have thought of one of them for her brother but as she had spent this afternoon talking of her favourite romance novels and wanting to fall madly in love, she knew she would not want her brother to marry unless it was for love. It is a shame then that her brother was so unkind and unfeeling! Elizabeth would not tell her sister of what he said unless she must, and she most certainly would not allow him to win her sisters affection only to trap her into a sad and loveless marriage.