by Kate Speck
Elizabeth laughed, “My mother is the worst gossip but having a grandfather, who was Meryton’s parson for many years, she did learn a few things from her childhood. I am very happy to be here, Charlotte. I will rest now. I would like to write a few letters after I finish unpacking.”
“I will see you for tea, Eliza.” Charlotte nodded and closed the door behind her.
Elizabeth stood at the window to look out at the pretty meadow and smiled. She then completed her unpacking and wrote to Jane and to Georgiana of her arrival in Kent and jotted down a few lines in her diary of her experience in arriving in a new county. Travelling was always adventurous for her and recalling that Mr. Darcy and Georgiana were related to Lady Catherine of Rosings Park, she pondered if the grand lady would be more like Mr. Darcy or Miss Darcy, having her answer already from Charlotte’s description that the lady must be imposing and unyielding, just the way Mr. Darcy had been at every interaction.
She smiled to herself that she was thinking of that gentleman once again and after a short prayer for his health, Elizabeth joined the party downstairs for refreshments and to plan for the rest of the week.
Chapter 17
Rosings Park was stunning and Elizabeth was in awe of the mansion as they approached it on foot for dinner four days later. She had thought Netherfield to be one of the grandest of mansions, not including the King’s palaces or other incredible places with unknown owners, and had been greatly impressed with Darcy House and the Matlock townhouse, but Rosings Park was more than twice the size of Netherfield and she gasped when Mr. Collins explained that the original glazing on the sixty-four windows of the building cost nearly £1,000 alone. The gardens were immaculately manicured, with no plant growing a quarter inch away from its intended trimming, and she could see many of the thirty-two gardeners and under-gardeners hard at work to ensure that not one branch was out of place.
Mr. Collins continued to emphasise the grandiosity of the estate but paused to look at Elizabeth to assess her appearance for a moment. “I had thought to comfort you that you should not concern yourself with your mode of dress to Lady Catherine, but I can see that your apparel is of good quality and you will not be ashamed to stand before her ladyship.”
Elizabeth could see Charlotte on his other side to pinch his arm again. “Thank you, Mr. Collins. I have it on good authority that my clothes are of the latest fashion and I should not wish to bring shame onto your name in the least.”
“Oh, Eliza!” Charlotte proclaimed from her husband’s side, “You look very well and are dressed like a countess.” She winked at her friend, already knowing the history of Lady Matlock’s generosity. “Lady Catherine will not judge you on your dress alone. She will assess you by your station, rank, and wealth, and we are all the same in her opinion, as her daughter has £30,000 and is the best of us all in her eyes.”
Mr. Collins nodded, “I know that all of God’s children are equally loved but her ladyship is of firm belief that some are certainly more deserving of their blessings than others. My dear Charlotte has been helping me to share God’s message that God loves us all and to not defer to her ladyship’s personal beliefs into my sermons. I know not what I would do without my wife.” He looked at her fondly and rubbed her hand.
Elizabeth was reassured to hear that Mr. Collins was indeed steadily improving, and braced herself to meet the formidable lady, reminding herself to be as cordial as humanly possible, if only for Georgiana’s sake of being related to the harridan.
~*~
The group stepped into the imperial mansion and Elizabeth immediately discerned the taste of the mistress who governed this home. Where the outside had been stately and impressive, the inside was entirely ostentatious, with multiple shiny objects decorating every wall and surface, and expensive decorative pieces that served little to no purpose other than to show off their high cost. Elizabeth saw the distinctive difference between Rosings in comparison to Darcy House, and wondered if the Fitzwilliam sisters were similar in character or as varied as night and day, as apparent from one residence to the other.
She followed after Sir William with his daughter on his arm and then Mr. and Mrs. Collins, being the last to enter the opulent drawing room where the lady of the manor had been awaiting them. She noted the gigantic tapestry on the wall and the highest quality of furnishings and sighed, hoping that Lady Catherine would be civil and that her character assessment, based on Charlotte’s report would be proven wrong, but she was correct in every assumption when the lady began to speak loudly in an arrogant tone.
“So, you are Elizabeth Bennet,” she began. “I have heard of your refusal to marry Mr. Collins and that you were an impertinent sort of young lady, and I had rejoiced that he had brought Mrs. Collins to Rosings Park after his wedding and I have found her to be... acceptable enough. A poor girl with a £1,000 dowry at her mother’s passing should not be so choosy but I suppose with your elder sister’s upcoming marriage to a wealthy man, even if to a son of a tradesman, it will give you some comfort in the future and your mother must be reassured that she will not be left destitute, as long as the elder Miss Bennet does not forget her place and keeps her husband content.”
She inspected Elizabeth from head to toe and continued, “You dress very well for one so poor, but perhaps if you were to economise better and not concern yourself with new fashion as such, your funds would go a long way and might last further. I have told this to Mrs. Collins but she is set to learn her own way but I suppose young people will stubbornly make their own mistakes until time comes when truth in the wisdom of their elders are acknowledged.” She pointed to the seats so they could take their place. “My daughter has been ill all of her life but she was born for greatness and will soon take her rightful place by her husband’s side. My dear Anne would have achieved the highest of accomplishments, if her health had allowed it, but she will be free from worry, as I plan to personally oversee her duties after her marriage and she will be sure to heed to my wisdom.”
Lady Catherine paused and tapped her walking stick on the floor loudly as the doors opened for additional guests. “You are late! Come and greet Mr. Collins’ family.”
Elizabeth turned around and nearly fainted after exclaiming, “Mr. Darcy!”
Elizabeth could not take her eyes off of the man who walked in with a cane, slowly limping towards her without any expression on his face. She could tell that his eyes were softer when he looked at her and barely noticed the officer behind Mr. Darcy until Colonel Fitzwilliam cheered, “Miss Bennet! How good it is to see you again. Mr. Collins, Mrs. Collins, a pleasure.” He also greeted Sir William and Maria Lucas after Mr. Collins introduced them.
Mr. Darcy only nodded to the guests and sat down next to Elizabeth without a word.
Elizabeth was stunned to see Mr. Darcy after all these months, and it was apparent that he had been severely unwell, as his skin was pale and his cheeks were sunken in from prolonged illness and he had lost at least a stone, although his expression remained just as austere and his hands appeared strong. She could not speak, but felt comfort in her heart that he was before her and that she was able to see him once again.
“How do you know each other, Fitzwilliam?!” Lady Catherine demanded. “Darcy, you should be sitting next to Anne!”
Darcy took a steady breath and took his time answering his aunt, “I would rather not move again, if you please. Richard has met Miss Bennet several times in London and has, in fact, called on her a few times last January. She is a favourite of Lady Matlock and Lord Matlock was quite impressed with Miss Bennet’s wit and humour.” He answered on his cousin’s behalf. “Although Richard has no intention to marry in the near future, I would not be surprised if Miss Bennet is quite swept off her feet with a worthy suitor soon.” Everyone remained quiet after Mr. Darcy’s declaration.
Elizabeth blushed with the room’s attention focused on her so she turned to Anne de Bourgh instead and gently asked, “Have you had many chances to visit town? I travel so little and
every place is exciting to me, but there is certainly no other place like London.”
Anne only shyly turned her eyes and shook her head without speaking out. Elizabeth wondered if she might be a mute when her mother answered for her, “Anne never goes to town, as it is filthy and is no place for her constitution. She will be removing to Derbyshire soon instead, where the air is infinitely better than the city.”
“Oh, yes, congratulations on your... betrothal?” Elizabeth probed. She knew Mr. Darcy had denied it before but Mr. Collins had insisted that a proposal was imminent and she thought perhaps Mr. Darcy was present now to make the engagement formal, jealousy growing in her heart that he would marry this woman.
Anne softly answered, “I am not engaged.”
“Of course, you are not engaged, yet,” Lady Catherine chimed in, “but it is just a formality and is soon forthcoming.”
Mr. Darcy declared with a louder voice now, “I think not, madam. Anne will stay by her mother’s side where she is meant to be and will reside in Rosings all of her days. Now, Sir William, how is Meryton? Has the militia left the area for Brighton? It has been weeks since I last corresponded with Colonel Forster.”
Sir William pleasantly shared about Hertfordshire’s happenings and conversed with Lady Catherine, who wheedled him for details on the number of families and their income and if the butcher cheated the purchasers with poor cuts of meat. While they were busily discussing the news of that area in comparison to Lady Catherine’s domain, Mr. Darcy leaned slightly towards Elizabeth.
He whispered quietly as to be unheard by the others, “I have missed you, Elizabeth. It does my soul good to set my eyes on you again.”
Elizabeth could not breathe after his profession, wishing she could cry in his arms, as she had truly missed him also and desired to do all within her power to make him well again. She looked at him quickly to whisper in return, “Me, too,” then turned her face away so that he could not see her eyes.
Soon, it was announced that dinner was ready and the party began to stand to walk to the dining room.
“You must walk in with Anne, Darcy.” Lady Catherine loudly proclaimed, but the colonel was quick and proffered his arm to her daughter.
“I would be happy to undertake the duty, Aunt.” He cheerfully offered. “Darcy’s leg is bothering him so he will take his time to join us.” The colonel pulled away, with Lady Catherine walking in with Sir William and Mr. Collins offering his arms to both his wife and Maria, and Mrs. Jenkinson quietly followed behind them.
Elizabeth stood next to Mr. Darcy, waiting to see if he required assistance while he slowly straightened his body, and seeing him sway slightly, she reached out to hold his arm.
“Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy breathed out after seeing that they were left alone in the drawing room, “I fear I have a lifetime of debt to repay and it will still not be enough.” He lifted up one hand to caress her cheek, “Meet me tomorrow morning by the pond next to the parsonage at sunrise and I will explain all. I cannot thank you enough for the note you sent me. You truly saved my life.”
“I thought... I did not know you were so ill, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth replied in concern. “What can I do to help you? You look terrible.”
Mr. Darcy smiled the broadest she had seen him yet, making him appear younger and infinitely more handsome, “You have already done what no one else could have done for me and although you insult my appearance, I love to hear your honesty from your lips, Elizabeth. Let us go to the dining room before we are missed. I do not fear Lady Catherine but also do not wish to make your time tonight unpleasant, should she discover how much I care for you.”
Elizabeth’s heart fluttered at his remark and smiled as she nodded. “She was quite coarse before your arrival but my courage arises when I am challenged so you need not worry for me.”
“I always worry for you. I will worry for you until my last breath.” Mr. Darcy declared as they entered the dining room together. He walked her to a seat and took his place next to her, as Colonel Fitzwilliam had taken his usual chair next to Lady Catherine and Elizabeth caught the officer winking at Mr. Darcy.
“I took the liberty of placing myself here, Darce,” the colonel confirmed as they sat down, “since your leg is still healing and you might wish to stretch it during the meal.” He turned to Lady Catherine, who was scowling, and asked her about the chimneypiece that had been recently replaced.
Elizabeth sat still to listen to the conversations around her, as Mr. Darcy was sitting next to her but not speaking, when she felt his hand graze hers under the table between courses and tenderly rub the top of it. Without notice to the other diners, she turned her hand to meet his palm and held his hand for as long as possible during the meal, her heart beating wildly with his touch and eagerly anticipating the next morning when they would be able to speak freely. She did not know what to expect from the gentleman but it felt right to be next to him; to hold his hand and be connected to him somehow.
~*~
After the numerous courses of dinner then a brief separation of the sexes, followed by more enquiries by her ladyship of Elizabeth’s family situation and her age and the lack of a governess, the party finally stood to take their leave.
Mr. Collins had explained during the stroll to Rosings Park that her ladyship always called for the carriage for them for their return home, and Elizabeth was curious if it was her own presence to monopolise both single gentlemen’s attentions that made Lady Catherine react rudely to expect them to walk back to the parsonage. But Mr. Darcy, noting that his aunt was speaking to her guests about returning on foot, ordered for his own carriage to deliver the Hunsford party home.
Now blatantly ignoring Lady Catherine’s disapprobation, Mr. Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s hand in full view of everyone and Colonel Fitzwilliam did the same. Mr. Darcy breathed in her ear, “See you tomorrow morning,” and remained in the drawing room while Colonel Fitzwilliam walked out with the group to the Darcy carriage and smiled broadly at Elizabeth.
“I hope you have found your visit to Rosings to your liking. I suspect Darcy will be having a word or two with our aunt but all will be well. As imposing as Lady Catherine might appear to you, trust me when I tell you that Darcy is a hundred times more fearsome, although he is a big, soft-hearted chap when it comes to a certain young lady,” he leaned closer and whispered, “and I do not speak of his sister, Miss Elizabeth.” With a wide grin, he wished everyone a good night and hurried back up the stairs to return to his cousin’s side.
After arriving at the cottage, Elizabeth declined to answer Charlotte’s questions about Mr. Darcy’s change in affability and then quickly turned in for the night to write in her diary. After months of silence, her journal finally communicated with her again.
You will say ‘yes’ but the danger is not over yet. Georgiana will be found next week if you do not stop it. Take her to Longbourn to keep her safe and do not say a word about me.
Elizabeth’s hand shook as she read the words. She surmised that Mr. Darcy might ask for courtship the next morning but Georgiana’s safety was paramount and she was completely bewildered on how she could explain that she was aware of the future. He would think her a witch or insane and she knew not if he would listen to her.
She slept fretfully in anticipation of the morning to come, and awoke before sunrise to prepare, sending a quiet prayer for Georgiana’s safety and for Mr Darcy to believe her.
Chapter 18
Elizabeth walked briskly to the pond and waited for Mr. Darcy’s arrival, but after half an hour of pacing next to the bench that had been built there, she became distressed that she might be at the wrong location or that he was not coming. She looked up when she heard horse’s hooves to see Colonel Fitzwilliam on Pegasus instead and exclaimed, “Where is Mr. Darcy? What has happened?”
The colonel quickly dismounted and smiled broadly. She petted the stallion’s nose while waiting for the officer to respond, “All is well, Miss Elizabeth, but Darcy was overly optimistic about b
eing able to join you out here this morning and could not venture further than a quarter of a mile down the road. He is waiting for you on Rosings grounds and had me awaken out of my slumber to come find you.” He proffered his arm, “I will take you to him. He is at the end of the gardens and will be restless until he sees you.” He lifted a brow to tease, “Shall we take the long way about? Perhaps break our fast and leisurely arrive in time for luncheon?”
Elizabeth relaxed as she tapped his arm, “Do not cause him more grief than necessary, Colonel! He has gone through enough and he appears so weak still. Can you tell me what happened to him?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded, “I will tell you a little, as Darcy will explain it all, but he was shot in his leg.” Elizabeth gasped loudly as he continued. “It was a little before Christmas and we were tasked with... an assignment... and were following some villains when we were found out and attacked. Darcy fought off three men but while I was capturing two others, one of the criminals was able to draw a pistol and shot Darcy in the leg. Darcy was very ill at first and infection set in to place him near death, but even after he began to improve from the injury, his mood remained very low and until he received your note, we thought he would perish due to his despondency. I know not what you wrote but it saved him and he had been determined to walk again, and I owe you my personal thanks, as Darcy is my dearest cousin and best friend in the world. There is nothing I would not do for him.”
Elizabeth wiped her eyes several times while the colonel explained Mr. Darcy’s injury. “I do not understand why a gentleman would be on assignment or chasing after criminals, but I was relieved to see him improved when he walked into the drawing room last night; I could not have been more comforted to see him with my own eyes.”