Fitzwilliam Darcy the Man Himself Read online

  Fitzwilliam Darcy

  The Man Himself

  By Elizabeth Hopkins

  Copyright 2019 Elizabeth Hopkins

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  All characters depicted in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  As Fitzwilliam Darcy’s carriage turned into the drive of his friend Sir Edwin Rose’s estate Rosewood, he leaned forward to peer out the window and observed the park lands before the manor house came into view. Darcy was impressed with what he saw.

  The grounds were well kept and the three story manor house was well situated and maintained. Sir Edwin was a school friend from Cambridge who invited Darcy every year to his estate for hunting and fishing.

  Darcy always declined the invitation and only accepted this year due to his sister Georgiana’s insistence. Or rather, it was her ultimatum that forced him to accept.

  Georgiana Darcy informed her brother, in no uncertain terms, that she would not have her coming out until her brother joined in society. The previous four years found Darcy living a secluded life that branded him a recluse.

  Her words still echoed in his ears. I will not have my coming out until such time that you rejoin society. I am not asking you to find a wife but to make the effort to accept invitations and socialize. If you do not, I refuse to debut in society. I will never have the opportunity to find a husband and I will devote my spinsterhood to you brother. For I could never seek my own happiness at your expense!

  Never had Darcy felt so ashamed and guilty that his dearest sister would sacrifice herself so for his well being in such a manner. It is such that he found himself on the drive leading to Sir Edwin’s estate.

  Sir Edwin was waiting to greet his friend most exuberantly as he alighted from the carriage.

  “Darcy! How good it is to see you again! Welcome to Rosewood my friend. I was so pleased that you accepted my invitation to hunt and fish. And as promised, there are no balls or dances where you would be expected to perform. I remember well how you dislike the exercise.”

  Sir Edwin was a happy, amiably man who was well liked wherever he went. The complete opposite to Darcy’s more reticent personality. It was that exuberance that drew Darcy to the man.

  “Thank you, Sir Edwin,” Darcy replied as the men shook hands. “I was happy to accept you invitation and look forward to our time together.”

  “Come into the house and I will show you to your room. My footman will retrieve your trunk and show your valet where to go.”

  Sir Edwin escorted Darcy to his rooms and said “Join me in my study after you have refreshed yourself and I will pour you a glass of my finest smuggled brandy before I introduce you to my wife and the others who are here.”

  Both men laughed and Sir Edwin took his leave.

  As Darcy’s valet was laying out his master’s change of clothes, there was a knock on the door. Darcy looked up from what he was doing as his valet answered the door. It was a maid with an armful of fresh towels.

  “If you master requires a bath, please advise the housekeeper and it shall be brought up directly.”

  The valet looked at Darcy who replied “If it could be arranged, I would like a bath before dinner.”

  The maid curtseyed and replied “Yes sir,” and took her leave.

  Darcy stopped removing his cravat as something was niggling and his memory.

  That maid seemed familiar. Her voice has me searching my memory of where I have seen her before. Oh well, perhaps she reminds me of another servant. He shook his head and continued removing his cravat.

  A short time later, Darcy was dressed in a fresh suit of clothes and was preparing to make his way to Sir Edwin’s study when he came upon the footman bringing his trunk to his room. He was started for the moment that the man looked familiar.

  Good Lord man! Get ahold of yourself! You return to society after nearly four years and believed every servant is someone you know!

  Chapter 2

  Charlotte practically ran to her room in the servant’s quarters that she shared with Elizabeth Bennet. She found her friend Lizzie tying on her apron. “Lizzie, Lizzie!” Charlotte panted.

  “Charlotte, calm down you are out of breath. Have you been running? Sit down and tell me what has you so distressed!”

  Charlotte sat on the edge of the bed and when she could regulate her breathing, looked up at her friend and blurted “Mr. Darcy is here!”

  “What?!” exclaimed Lizzie. “What is he doing here?”

  “He is a guest of Sir Edwin. Oh and Lizzie I am afraid he has recognized me!”

  “Did he say as such?”

  “No, he did not. But he looked at me so oddly as if he were trying to recall where he knew me from. What are we going to do now?”

  Lizzie paced their small room and said “Please calm down Charlotte. I need to think.”

  Just then, John Lucas, Charlotte’s brother entered the room wearing his footman’s uniform.

  “Yes, John!” Lizzie exclaimed. “I know Mr. Darcy is here. Did he recognize you?”

  “I believe he did as he was so started when he saw me.”

  Charlotte was silently crying when she asked Lizzie again “What are we going to do now? Our plans are ruined.”

  Lizzie faced the siblings and spoke in a firm voice “Our plans are not ruined! We will accomplish what we came here for, although we might have to alter our plans slightly. For now, Charlotte, John, return to your duties. I am expected to serve tea in the gold parlor. We will meet tonight in the folly at midnight after all have gone to bed and discuss our options. Do try to avoid Mr. Darcy whenever possible. He is an intelligent man and it will not take him long to deduce who we are. Now off you both go.”

  Before Lizzie wheeled in the tea trolley, she peeked into the gold parlor to see who was present. She spied Mr. Darcy with Sir Edwin conversing by the mantle.

  She stepped back into the hallway to ensure that all her curly locks were secured under her maids cap and then pulled the cap as far down over her face as still allowed her to see but hoping it would obscure her identity.

  Drat! Drat! Drat! What rotten luck! Please do not recognize me!

  She then entered the parlor and set out the tea things for Lady Livinia to serve to her guest. When that was accomplished, she curtseyed and beat a hasty retreat from the room.

  Chapter 3

  Darcy glanced at the maid laying out the tea. He was so startled he nearly dropped his drink.

  “Darcy, old man” Sir Edwin asked, “Are you quite alright?”

  “Forgive me Sir Edwin. I feel a migraine coming on. I think it best if I retire to my rooms and have my dinner on a tray. I am afraid the journey was quite tedious and the fatigue has caught up with me. Will you make my apologies to Lady Livinia?”

  “Of course I will, if there is anything you require please have your valet inform the housekeeper.”

  “Thank you, Sir Edwin.”

  Darcy made his way to his rooms and asked his valet to assist him in removing his coat, vest, and boots and then requested a cold cloth for his throbbing head.

  What is happening to me? First the maid and the footman we
re familiar to me, and now I could have sworn that the maid serving tea in the parlor was Elizabeth Bennet. Am I going mad?

  As he lay on the bed with the cool cloth covering his eyes, he recalled the events at Hunsford four years ago when Elizabeth Bennet refused his offer of marriage.

  He had not thought of his disastrous proposal in a very long time, but he never forgot the words she spoke when she refused him.

  If you had behaved in a more gentleman like manner…..

  The memory of her refusal did not crush his soul as it once did but it still hurt. Elizabeth Bennet was the only woman he would ever love. He could never forget her.

  As he placed the cool cloth on his brow, he recalled that very dark time in his life.

  He returned from Hunsford and sequestered himself in his study at Darcy House with an unending supply of brandy. He was hoping he could drink the memories and pain away. He locked the door and did not venture out of his study for almost a month. He refused all offers of food and ordered that he was not to be disturbed.

  His butler and housekeeper were so distraught that they sent word to his cousin, Major General Fitzwilliam to come to Darcy House at his earliest convenience.

  The Major General came immediately and the butler and housekeeper apprised him of Darcy’s condition.

  “I must send an express immediately and then I will meet with my cousin. Do you have the key to the study Mrs. Barnes?” he asked the housekeeper.

  “Yes sir, I do,” she replied.

  Within the hour, the gentleman Fitzwilliam had sent for arrived.

  “Dr. Hastings, thank you so much for coming so quickly.” Fitzwilliam said as he shook his hand. He was acquainted with Dr. Hastings through the militia and knew the doctor could help his cousin. He apprised him fully of the situation.

  “I will require several items before we enter the study.”

  “Whatever you need doctor will be supplied.”

  “A large supply of clean cloths, several empty buckets and a bucket of cold water. Your cousin’s valet should prepare a bath of tepid water. Also, please send for my assistant; I will give you his direction. I will also need the assistance of his valet, the butler and two footmen as well as yourself sir.”

  Fitzwilliam readily agreed and he doctor requested that the door be unlocked.

  The doctor was unperturbed at the scene before them, but Fitzwilliam was shocked beyond his sensibilities. The drapes were drawn and the room was dark as no candles were lit. The entire room permeated of liquor, urine and excrement. Papers were strewn everywhere, as well as empty brandy bottles, and chairs were overturned and broken.

  And lying in his own filth on the couch was his cousin. His hair was long and matted and he sported a full beard.

  “Sir, please have the drapes drawn back and the windows opened. Please gently nudge your cousin and see if he will awake.”

  Fitzwilliam did what the doctor requested. He gently shook his cousin’s shoulder.

  “Darcy, Darcy. It is I Richard. Can you awaken yourself?”

  Darcy opened one bloodshot eye and with his speech slurred asked “Coushin, is dat you?”

  He attempted to sit up but immediately fell over again.

  Fitzwilliam instructed the butler to have the chamber pots and brandy bottles removed as well as all papers gathered and placed on his cousin’s desk.

  The assistant had arrived with a large satchel that he gave to the doctor. The doctor was removing aprons that he handed to Fitzwilliam.

  “Please have the men remove their coats and don these aprons. I apologize in advance sir, as the state of this room will only become worse before we are done.”

  “What do you intend to do?” asked Fitzwilliam.

  “I am going to purge your cousin as to remove as much of the brandy that he has imbibed. Yourself and my assistant will sit him up and hold his shoulders. His valet will assist with the buckets. I will also need the butler and a footman to assist in holding him still while I administer the medication that will commence the purging. Are we ready gentlemen?”

  All took their places as instructed and the doctor force fed the liquid to Darcy.

  “Have those buckets at the ready, and keep a firm grasp on your cousin. He is going to need a steady hand once he starts retching” ordered the doctor.

  No sooner were the words spoken, when Darcy began to expel the contents of his stomach. He was sweating profusely and the doctor ordered his brow and face washed with the cool water. He cursed and tried to break free of the men holding him, but to no avail as they had a tight grip on him.

  After a few minutes, he clamed down and appeared to have dozed off.

  “The worst is over. Let us get him upstairs into the bath. He needs to be thoroughly scrubbed, shaved, and his hair cut.”

  “Yes doctor,” replied his valet, “I will see to it at once.”

  As the footman lifted Darcy and carried him out of the room, Fitzwilliam said “I will be along shortly after I speak with Barnes.”

  He then addressed the butler, asking him to remove all the broken furniture as well as the soiled rug and sofa.

  “Please give the room a thorough cleaning and have it put to rights.”

  “Right away sir,” replied the butler.

  “Thank you Barnes for your assistance.”

  “Master Darcy is a good employer sir. All of us here want him returned to good health and would be willing to do anything that is necessary. We are also very loyal to the Master and not a word of what happened will leave this house. Rest assured sir, you have my word.”

  “Thank you Barnes. My cousin is very fortunate to have such good and loyal servants.”

  Chapter 4

  Fitzwilliam left the study and made his way upstairs. He entered his cousin’s room and was pleased to see Darcy in a clean night shirt and placed in his bed. His hair and bread had been trimmed but he was still unconscious.

  “Put pillows behind him and prop him up,” ordered the doctor. “I need to administer this dose of medicine.”

  “What are you giving him?” asked Fitzwilliam.

  “It is a calming solution of my own making that I have found to be most effective in cases such as this. It contains no opiates but will allow him to sleep while his body heals.”

  After he administered the dose, he asked Fitzwilliam to join him in the sitting room that adjoined Darcy’s bedroom.

  Both men sat and the doctor preceded to outline his plan of treatment.

  “My assistant and his valet will sit with him for now. There most always be two men with him at all times. Please arrange to have footmen sit with him as well.”

  “Will my cousin recover?”

  “If we follow my plan of treatment, I believe he will. Physically, he is in good health, notwithstanding the overindulgence of spirits. It is his emotional state that we must now contend with. I have ordered a good hearty beef broth which will be spoon-fed to him every hour in order to build up his stamina. I need your help in restoring his equanimity. He will sleep for the majority of the next two days as his body heals with the help of the medicine. You will have a conversation with him when he is fully awake. Do not coddle him; I want you to rant and rave and berate him for his actions. Shame him if you must. If he is as honorable as you say he is, this plan should work. Are we in agreement?”

  “Yes we are,” replied Fitzwilliam. “I will do anything to help my cousin recover himself.”

  “Very good sir. And now I will check on my patient. Can rooms be made available for myself and my assistant? I expect we will be here for a few days.”

  “I will see to it at once doctor, you have my deepest gratitude.”

  Chapter 5

  As the doctor predicted, Darcy awoke after two days. He slowly opened his eyes and was initially disconcerted as to where he was. He finally recognized that he was in his own bed. He looked at the strange man sitting by his bed side reading a book. He had the most foul taste in his mouth and rasped out the word water.
/>   “Ah, Mr. Darcy, you have returned to us at last. I am Dr. Hastings and this other gentleman is my assistant, Mr. Brown. We are here at you cousin’s behest. We are going to help you sit up so you can have a glass of water.”

  Darcy greedily drank the entire glass and then lay back down on the pillows.

  “Fitzwilliam?” he asked.

  The doctor replied, “The Major General is downstairs, but first I am going to have your valet prepare a bath for you and then your cousin will come to you.”

  Fitzwilliam entered Darcy’s sitting room an hour later. He was pleased to see him dressed in a fresh suit of clothes and clean shaven. He had lost some weight and his face appeared somewhat gaunt. Darcy was sipping a cup of coffee but the breakfast tray remained untouched. The two men stared at one another and Fitzwilliam began to pace the room.

  He finally rounded on Darcy and yelled “You selfish, inconsiderate bastard! How dare you? Did you give any consideration to Georgiana? Our girl is still fragile after that debacle in Ramsgate. And if you had succeeded in drinking yourself to death, she would never have recovered! She would blame herself for your death. Aunt Catherine would have swooped in, as the vulture that she is and taken over her life at Pemberley. Is that what you really want for her?” demanded Fitzwilliam.

  Darcy looked surprised and Fitzwilliam continued. “I see you gave no thought to anyone but yourself.”

  Darcy hung his head and looked truly contrite.

  Fitzwilliam continued “You have a second chance Darcy to put matters to right, but if you ever resort to such despicable behavior again, I will not come to your rescue. I want to know what led you to behave as you did.”

  The Major General seated himself and waited for his cousin to speak.

  “She refused me Richard.”

  “Who refused you?”

  “Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I proposed to her at Hunsford and she most emphatically refused me. She said I did not behave as a gentleman ought and I was the last man in the world she would ever marry. She hates me. I could not live in this world knowing the woman I love thinks so ill of me.”