Swords clashed and rang out through the room as Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, sparred. Mr. Darcy’s house did not have a formal fencing room, but the two gentlemen were content to make do with the large drawing room. Initially starting with wood practice swords, the two gentlemen had worked up a sweat and now faced each other, bare-chested and with more conventional weaponry.
“This is foolish, Fitzy,” the colonel said with a smile as the two men circled each other.
“You know well enough I do not like that name any more than you do,” replied Darcy as he brought his sword down upon the colonel.
A loud clang was heard and Colonel Fitzwilliam dropped to one knee to better support the force of the downward strike and forward attack. Kneeling there, with Darcy still full force upon him, he laughed and cocked his head.
“Sharing the same name may be an annoyance for us, but I imagine my good nature allows me to tolerate the teasing more than your dour nature does.” Drawing in close, and putting more weight on the sword, Darcy searched for an advantage.
“Your good nature is why I tolerate you, however, your sense of attire leaves something to be desired; perhaps a better sense of attire.”
The colonel laughed loudly.
“Fitzy, was that a joke? Dear me, you do need work; I should offer my assistance, but at the moment your closeness concerns me. I cannot determine if you mean to kill me or to kiss me.”
“You are not handsome enough for me to kiss you.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam then performed a maneuver which Darcy had expected and prepared. The close proximity had allowed Darcy to shift his feet and position his grip. When the colonel intentionally buckled, Darcy allowed his weight to carry him forward. Tucking his weapon, and rolling across his shoulders, he was repositioned and back on his feet to the surprise of his cousin.
The two were now to far apart to provide a killing blow, but the colonel was still on the ground as his maneuver took longer for him to recover from. It was a valid and skillful move. Many a swordsman would have been off balance from the sudden buckling, thus allowing the lower man time and positioning to kill his attacker as he sprawled to the ground. Darcy took two rapid steps and did not raise his sword. It was not necessary as the colonel knew he was beat.
With Darcy lording over him, the colonel laughed and propped himself up on one elbow. Tossing his sword to the ground he continued to laugh.
“Well that was certainly entertaining. I should imagine you would have made quite the knight if circumstances were different; although the armor might clash with your pedigreed sense of style.”
Darcy grabbed their shirts and tossed one over to his cousin.
“Please get off my rug. You may sweat on it and then I shall have to have it cleaned. A more difficult task than cleaning you I should imagine, although I would not care to take odds.”
“Oh, leave me here to sweat on the rug. Perhaps the Bingleys will return with Georgiana while I rest. Caroline might get a look at a man lying on the floor, bare-chested, and freshly defeated in battle; perhaps she will take pity and turn her attentions from you to me.”
“If that were to be, then I will let you keep the rug and do as you please; but I fear Miss Bingley to be not so easily tempted.”
Darcy stretched his muscles and rubbed them where they ached. Looking down he examined a small scar just below his left ribs. The wound was a year old and stupidly occurred during training. It was vanishing nicely and blending in with his otherwise smooth skin. Content, he pulled his shirt on, and then assisted the colonel to his feet.
The two gentlemen then repaired to the dining room and supped upon cheeses and breads. Sitting across from each other Mr. Darcy proceeded to inform the colonel of many recent events but leaving out those of a personal nature. The two men shared an affinity for one another, and with this in mind, Colonel Fitzwilliam did not inquire into matters which Mr. Darcy obviously omitted. If the situations were reversed, and the colonel was unable to disclose sensitive military information, then Mr. Darcy would reciprocate by not asking what should not be asked.
“I see the crux of the issue, my dear cousin, and I fear for Georgiana as well. I have lodgings in London I will be using. Now that I am here, I might as well make myself useful to you with your problems regarding Colonel Ackerby. If Charles were to be unavailable for some reason, then I will come straight away and lodge within the house.”
“I appreciate the help in this matter, but as regards Ackerby, I am afraid you cannot and will not be of any help.”
“Oh, do you question my courage now, or perhaps my abilities?” The colonel did seem to enjoy teasing his cousin.
“You know full well why you are not allowed to help. Now leave me to it. If you wish to be of assistance you could help with any information you may have on Colonel Ackerby. Did you ever encounter him?”
“Not to my knowledge, but the army has grown so large and so rapidly these last years it would be hard to meet even a small percentage of the officers. I believe we shall need the large numbers if the trouble in Europe continues. Perhaps even your role will be changed, should the French ideas of monarchy and nobility cross the channel.”
“My role exists, as do many others, to insure the nobility do not allow the situation to arise which precipitated the revolution in France. If the French had held their nobility in check and maintained their sense of Nobless Oblige, then they might not have lost their heads.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded at this comment and then attempted to look out the window; he was unsuccessful as it had been covered for privacy. Nodding to the window as if addressing it he commented.
“I wonder how much of the nobility and gentry know of your existence and the role you play.”
Darcy followed his gaze.
“Very few, truth be told. We are a myth and a legend. Hidden behind tales of secret societies and attributed to fanciful whims of the English monarchy. Typically we work independently from each other. Solicitors working on their projects, emissaries on theirs, and we only meet when a challenge is brought to our attention. It is then that it is decided by someone higher than me, who should deal with it.”
“I should imagine you have a range of spies about, keeping you constantly informed.” joked the colonel. The joke fell flat as Darcy eyed his cousin.
“I should imagine you deal with spies in your career much more than I with mine. We are the guardians, and we are the gentry. I am here to deal with serious transgressions of nobility, not to ferret out minor idiosyncrasies of the aristocracy.”
The two gentlemen continued their meal and turned the conversation to more general matters. The rest of the afternoon was spent in witty banter and light conversation. The colonel teased Darcy about marriage and potential prospects, hinting at the possibility of Caroline Bingley. Darcy, not to be outdone by his cousin, suggested the personality of Miss Bingley would be better suited to the colonel.