Free The Three Colonels by Jack Caldwell

It was well, because Richard could not contain himself much longer.
    â€œFitzwilliam Curse? Oh, that is rich!” he sputtered, trying to contain his laugh.
    â€œHappy to have been of service, Colonel,” said Elizabeth, an eyebrow arched. “I hope we did not offend.”
    â€œOh, I am deeply mortified, madam,” he chuckled, “that I did not conceive it first!” Richard eyed his cousin. “I am fully aware of Mrs. Darcy’s talents, but I did not know you had it in you , sir.”
    â€œIndeed,” said Mary. “It seems my sister has had an effect on you, Brother.”
    Darcy lifted his wife’s hand to his lips. “All for the better, I can assure you.” Elizabeth blushed at the gesture. “What are your plans, Richard?” he asked.
    â€œYou mean besides attending weddings? Must not neglect Miss Bennet’s, you know. Thank goodness, it is the last one. I am sure Mrs. Bennet is in high spirits.”
    Both Bennet sisters laughed, and both of their husbands gave each other a look. “You can very well say she is beside herself, Cousin!” cried Lizzy. “It is a day to which she has long looked forward.”
    â€œâ€˜Five daughters married! Oh, Mr. Bennet, I shall go distracted!’” Mary recited in a fair approximation of her mother’s voice, which sparked renewed laughter around the table.
    â€œWill the earl and countess attend?” asked Darcy when he was able.
    â€œAye, if it is warmer. The old goat does not take much to traveling in the cold these days, and Hertfordshire is a bit closer to Matlock than London,” said his son with fondness. “Then, after I report to headquarters, it is off to Rosings.”
    â€œIn February? ’Tis very early,” replied Darcy.
    Since Mr. Darcy’s marriage, it had fallen to Colonel Fitzwilliam to make the pilgrimage to Rosings to both pay court to Lady Catherine and to receive the annual report from the steward, as her ladyship was still not reconciled to Darcy’s choice of wife.
    â€œAll is well, I take it?” Darcy continued with a trace of concern in his voice.
    With only the slightest of pauses, Richard answered, “Oh yes, nothing to worry about.” But the look in his eye, which his cousin did not fail to mark, gave the lie to his statement.
    At that moment, there was a shuffling at the main table, and Mr. Bingley rose to give the farewell toast to the newlyweds.
    ***
    â€œSir John, what are you about? Put me down, sir!” cried Caroline.
    The only answer she got was her husband’s laugh as he carried his bride over the threshold of Buford House. The servants, accustomed to the occasionally strange behavior of their employer, gave every appearance of being made of stone.
    â€œLady Buford, welcome home. At least for the next five days.”
    â€œThe servants! Sir John, please.”
    He gave her his most disarming smile. “A kiss first, lass.”
    â€œWhat? In front of the servants? Have you lost your senses?”
    Sir John’s face was very close. “No,” he whispered, “just my heart.”
    She looked into his deep blue eyes, and the fluttering started up again. “Close the door at least. All of London can see.”
    He drew even closer. Just before he claimed her lips with his own, Colonel Sir John Buford said, “I care not.”
    Caroline stopped thinking for a while.
    ***
    Buford lay quietly awake in his wedding bed, his wife sleeping sweetly, curled next to him. Usually after a night of love, he wished for nothing but to fall fast asleep and only sometimes in the same bed as his lover. This time was different; Buford was overwhelmed by a feeling he had never experienced before. Contentment.
    In his previous encounters, no matter how jolly or pleasurable his partner, Buford would become disenchanted in the end. Most times, he would want nothing more than to leave as soon as could be, fleeing back to his