16. Chapter 16 (1/2)

as always, thank you for your kind words, constructive criticisms, and even your disgust. i have caused emotions. i am a little sorry about that. believe it or not, it has been good for me. i am a people pleaser by nature, an i used to have a hard time accepting rejection, and even changed a couple of things in my 'new life for catherine bennet' story, but i deeply regretted it. this story shall continue on as it is. once more, i completely respect someones decision to read, never read, or no longer read my story. i just had to stop reading a story i followed for months because i couldn't deal with what was happening. it happens.

i am happy that the last chapter was so well received. i dreaded jane and lizzy staying at odds and was happy when it came out as it did. being chapters ahead makes it hard to keep things to myself sometimes. i hope this chapter will not be a disappointment. it does give a hint to what lies ahead.

richard had finally convinced his cousin and bingley to leave darcy's house. the past week had been horrific for the colonel. with the exception of one evening, he had spent his time in his cousin's house. he was almost looking forward to going back to his regiment in a few weeks. after the second evening, he had had the staff hide any liquor. the worst part of that was he had to remain sober as well, and he could have used a drink or two on occasion. both men moped and bingley would often rage at darcy, only to apologize, prompting the other man to apologize as well. on a number of occasions he had to confiscate letters, and once he had to stop bingley from going to find andrews to challenge the man to a duel, which was illegal! richard hated to think what they would have done with alcohol as an influencer.

now, both men sat before him, clean and shaven, if a bit grumpy. after about twenty minutes they had relaxed some and were even beginning to enjoy themselves. just as richard was about to begin eating his meal, something near the front of the restaurant caught his attention.

"you have got to be joking," he mumbled to himself. "i am being punished!"

"are you alright, richard?" asked darcy.

"you look a bit peaky," added bingley.

"i'm fine!" he practically squeaked. taking a drink of his wine, his voiced returned to its normal tim

e. "i am fine. this roast is fantastic!"

"you haven't eaten any of it," darcy reminded him.

"but it is one of my favorite entrees. i am anticipating the flavor." he was thanking god above that the two men had their backs to the front, and that the party that just entered were heading towards the other side of the establishment. he was thinking of an exit strategy when his tablemates noticed others looking behind them. in that moment, he gave up and accepted fate.

"i would suggest neither of you turn around and we continue with our meals. once we finish, we can make a swift retreat."

they glared at him before turning around. making their way through the other side of room was oliver andrews and a large party. the two men recognized the young women. miss jane bennet, miss elizabeth bennet, miss kitty bennet, and miss maria lucas. they both guessed that the older couple was the gardiner's. darcy recognized the last person as mrs. diana andrews, as she had attended functions hosted by richard's parents. they turned back to the colonel and glared at him once more.

"'let's go out,' he says. 'an evening out will do you both good.' i'm not feeling so good right now, richard," growled bingley.

"i told you not to look! and how was i supposed to know this would happen? i only wanted to get you out of that forsaken house! i have spent the last nine days keeping an eye on you both. you barely ate, you slept most of the time, and when you were awake, you were acting like toddlers!" whispered harshly. he sat back and looked to make sure no one was paying them any mind. it didn't look as though anyone was, but looks could be deceiving.

"look, i say we finish our meal and head to white's. we should have went there to begin with."

the men agreed. bingley looked considerably more upset than before, but he kept his eyes from wandering across the room. they soon finished and prepared to leave. as they walked to the front, richard remembered something.

"darcy, you and bingley should go ahead. i'll hire a cab. i must see someone about some business for father."

darcy arched his

ow, knowing exactly where he was going. "we'll wait."

richard rolled his eyes and

oke off from the other two and headed towards his target. oliver spotted him first and smiled, rising to greet his friend.

"richard!"

"hello, oliver."

"colonel fitzwilliam!" cried miss elizabeth.

"it is a pleasure to see you again miss elizabeth. i was sorry i was unable to stay to give you my farewell in person."

"it was not your fault, colonel. you could not have known i would extend my walk the morning you left."

"miss lucas, you look lovely this evening," he said, causing the young woman to blush.

"you have met my intended's sister and friend?" asked oliver.

"yes, several weeks ago, in kent. they were visiting miss lucas's sister near my aunt's estate, and dined there with us a few times."

"ah. as you know miss elizabeth, miss lucas, and my mother, i shall introduce you to the rest of our party. next to miss elizabeth is her younger sister, miss catherine bennet, followed by my good friends, mr. and mrs. edward gardiner. and here, by my side, is my intended, miss jane bennet."

"it is a pleasure to meet you all. i am assuming miss catherine is the sister you call kitty?" he asked miss elizabeth.

"she is."

"how many sisters do you have again, miss elizabeth?"

"four," she smirked.

"hmm. well, when i go in search for a wife, i shall head in the direction of hertfordshire. it appears the loveliest ladies in the realm dwell there."

everyone laughed at his flattery.

"i offer you both my heartiest congratulations."

"thank you, sir," replied jane.

"was there another matter you wished to discuss?" asked oliver.