Chapter Fifteen

 

 

…he caught a glimpse of a white bird…

 

Fitzwilliam frowned as he looked out over the garden from his bedroom window, unable to see a thing, as a dense fog covered the ground. It was the Winter Solstice, four days before Christmas, and he hadn’t yet had the opportunity to visit Garrard’s. Meetings with Pemberley’s executive group, a meeting of the board, and many excruciating hours spent with his father poring over spreadsheets and financial reports had precluded any time for shopping, but today he had no engagements.

He sighed. The fog wouldn’t be burnt off for another two hours, but there was a bright side to things. After ten minutes spent with his solicitor, he’d discovered that he was now worth £22 million, as opposed to fifteen. With this unexpected revelation, he could afford to splurge on what he planned to buy for Elizabeth. With a smile, he jerked the curtains shut and turned to leave in search of his brother.

Finding David in his sitting room, he approached him and clapped his shoulder. “David, let’s go to White’s for lunch. The fog should be lifted by then,” he said, moving to the window and looking out again. “We’ll be meeting Bingley there. I also want to stop by Garrard’s and look at rings for Elizabeth,” he glanced back at David and smiled. “I want to find the perfect ring. Roger will drive us.”

“Sounds good to me.” David shrugged. “However, have you already spoken with Singleton? I thought he was busy this morning.”

“He is,” Fitzwilliam grinned, “with us.”

“Ah, you have me on that one. Just give me fifteen minutes, and I’ll be ready. I need to ring Cybil. I’m going out tonight.”

“You go ahead. I’ll meet you downstairs for coffee, but we won’t leave for another two hours.” With that, Fitzwilliam left his brother and hurried down the stairs.

 

~*~

 

For the first several minutes of the short drive, the brothers sat in silence before David finally asked, “I don’t suppose you want to go out tonight, do you? We’re going to the Embassy. You could come along for dinner, but you’d have to find a way home after that. I’m spending the night with Cybil.”

“No, David,” Fitzwilliam chuckled, “I don’t. I’ve got things to do at home, and then I want to ring Elizabeth. I don’t suppose you and Cybil could come by the house for a few minutes—no, don’t answer that.” Fitzwilliam held up his hand. “I was only joking. But seriously, why don’t you consider dating someone you could bring home?”

“Because if I did that, not only would Father get ideas, but the press would never leave me alone until I had a ring on my finger.” David shifted in his seat, his lips curving into a mischievous grin. “And you know they will find out where we’re going today.”

“Yes, I know. Let them speculate all they want. It doesn’t matter to me. I suppose we could pay the sales clerk to deny everything.” A wide grin spread across his features. “But then, that would never work. I’ll take my chances.”

“I’ll cover for you so you can have the privacy you deserve. I can only imagine what it might be like otherwise. Well, here we are,” David said as Singleton pulled in front of the store.

Getting out of the car, Fitzwilliam gave instructions. “Roger, pick us up in one hour, and then we’re going to White’s.”

“As you wish, sir.”

Strolling through the door of Garrard’s, the Darcy brothers were recognized immediately. “Gentlemen, what a pleasure it is to see you today!” The manager extended his hand, greeting both brothers. “What might I assist you in?”

“I’d like to see your selection of platinum engagement rings …and,” Fitzwilliam whispered, “if you will, please keep it confidential.”

“Mr. Darcy, you can be assured of that. We serve the most exclusive clientele in Britain,” he smiled, “and we are discreet.” He directed them to a sales associate in a small private viewing room with instructions to provide whatever the gentlemen wanted and to keep it quiet.

Even though Garrard’s possessed one of the largest selections of rings available anywhere, Fitzwilliam found nothing suitable. “None of these are what I have in mind.” He shook his head. “She’s a very traditional lady whom, I believe, would prefer a solitaire, about one to two carats in size, and I want a blue diamond. Her taste runs along the lines of the mystical. Tolkien and Lewis are among two of her favorite authors.”

The associate nodded. “Ah, I have just the ring, Mr. Darcy. It’s the most expensive ring we carry, and of the highest quality. It’s a round, two-and-a-quarter carat eternal cut solitaire—and it is a blue diamond.”

“Fabulous!” Fitzwilliam beamed, “I would like to see it. It sounds like what I have in mind.”

The associate gathered the cases and took them to the back, returning with the most beautiful ring Fitzwilliam had ever seen. He reverently lifted it from its case, sending shards of pale blue color dancing through the room as he held it up to the light, turning it ever-so-slightly in his fingers. It was an ocean-blue solitaire on a delicate band etched with vines and leaves interspersed with tiny channel-set white diamonds. The set was complete with a matching wedding band. It looked as he had always pictured the Silmaril from the world of Middle Earth would look, and it reminded him specifically of Lothlorien.

“I’ll take it!” he eagerly declared. “She’ll love it, and I’ll take a matching band for her and one for me, along with a plain one for her. I want them engraved with the inscription Elizabeth & Fitzwilliam. They are to be resized to a size five for her and a size eleven for me.”

The sales clerk hastily scribbled all of Fitzwilliam’s instructions. When she had finished writing, she glanced up with a pleasant smile. “We can have those ready to be picked up by Wednesday of next week, if that suits you. Will there be anything else, Mr. Darcy?”

“Yes, I’ll take these as well.” Fitzwilliam pointed to an emerald pendant he wanted for a wedding gift and a beautiful pair of ebony bone hair sticks adorned with rubies for Christmas. “That’ll be all.” He gave the clerk a satisfied smile along with his credit card.

Once in the car, David eyed his brother closely, reflecting on the particular attention he’d displayed when selecting his purchases. He could see his brother was completely besotted and violently in love. David rolled his eyes. …I hope I never act like that over a woman. But I’ll do whatever it takes to help him. He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him, and he deserves it. I wonder what she…? Darcy, you’ve got to shake this… He released a heavy sigh. …This is getting damned irritating. When I least expect it, she invades my thoughts, be it day or night…But not tonight… Tonight I’m going out …Cybil has a way of making me forget everything… including you, Cecilia…

Finally arriving at White’s, they exited the car with special instructions for Singleton to pick them up within ninety minutes. Meandering through the crowd to their usual table, they found Charles waiting. “Bingley, how very good to see you,” David said as he grabbed Bingley’s hand. “Tell me, are you as taken with your Miss Bennett as my brother is with his?”

“Oh, indeed I am. I miss Jane terribly.”

“Well then,” David laughed as he took his seat, “I have to hear about this Miss Bennett, too. You’re both acting like complete love-struck fools.” Directing his gaze at his friend, he asked, “Charles, have you ordered yet?”

“Yes, I ordered what we usually have. Fitzwilliam told me he didn’t have much time. I hope that’s all right with you,” Bingley said as the waiter approached with their order.

“That’s fine. I’m in a bit of a hurry myself. I have to pick Cybil up at five.”

“Still seeing Cybil, I see,” Bingley chuckled as the waiter set his sandwich, soup, and salad in front of him.

“Yes, when I’m in town, and she’s not working.”

After dismissing the server, Bingley leaned forward and asked, “David, why don’t you date a nice girl? Surely you know more than show girls from strip clubs.”

David laughed aloud, flashing a wide grin as he picked up his salad fork. “You already know the answer to that, so let’s not talk about me. I want to hear about you and what you’re doing. Tell me about this Jane Bennett.”

As they began to eat, Charles related his story in full, explaining how he and Jane had met and how their relationship developed. Concluding, he stated, “David, I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed life more. The school is small enough to form a personal relationship with other faculty members, as well as the more serious students, and yet, it’s large enough to experience the full academic life.”

“Bingley, it looks like you and Fitzwilliam have found your calling. It sounds laid- back, sort of like your personality, and the people seem friendly enough, according to my brother.”

“Oh, they are,” Bingley replied while stirring his soup. “I enjoy the society very much, but I don’t think you would. The night life is rather dull, unless you’re interested in whatever is taking place on campus.”

“Well, if catching a husband is the current rage, you’re right, I wouldn’t be interested.” David lifted his sandwich.

“Oh, I wouldn’t say catching a husband is the rage.” Bingley laughed. “But they are people like you’ll find anywhere else. You will come to the wedding, won’t you, and bring Georgiana?”

“I wouldn’t miss it, and neither would Georgiana, but getting around Father will be the sticking point. He’s not going to approve, and you know it,” David said, casting a cautious glance at his brother.

Fitzwilliam nervously picked at his salad. “I know, David, believe me I know, especially after our last talk—or rather his last talk at us, but I’m going to persist in speaking with him. He may surprise me.”

“I highly doubt it, but we’ll see,” David said, raising his glass to his lips.

“Darcy, you mean you haven’t told your father?” Bingley frowned. “I guess that’s the advantage I have over you. My money is in trust, the business is run independent of me, and my father is dead. But I honestly don’t think he would have been as narrow-minded as your father. I do feel for you.”

“Well, I’ll find out soon enough,” Fitzwilliam said calmly, “but it doesn’t matter. I’m over thirty, and I will do as I damn well please.” Picking up his spoon to taste his soup, Fitzwilliam added, “Now let’s find something else to talk about.”

All agreed. They sat and talked for over an hour until Bingley finally looked at his watch. “We’d better finish up. I have to be at my solicitor’s office in one hour. Belington needs to go over my personal finances with me before we return next week. I don’t suppose I will see you again until we go back on the 30th?”

“No, I don’t think so, unless you call ‘round. With Pemberley complex officially closed for the Christmas holidays, I’m taking a trip to Hertfordshire tomorrow, and then to Pemberley. Ring me up after Christmas so that we can make plans for the return flight.”

“Will do,” Bingley said, getting up to collect his things. “I’ll see the two of you later.”