by APRIL FLOYD
Before he might seat himself and enjoy the peace of his wife’s absence, Elizabeth crossed the threshold of his study. Though he was always pleased to pass the time with his favorite daughter, this morning he wished to ponder the happenings of the night before and figure how it was that his Lizzy had come to care for Mr. Darcy.
“Father, I hoped we might speak privately. Mother warned me you were in a mood as we passed in the hallway.”
Mr. Bennet crossed the room to close the door behind her. “Your mother accusing anyone else of being in a mood is quite comical as she is well acquainted with frayed nerves.”
Elizabeth gave a small laugh and turned to eye the bookshelves. She often perused their contents when discussing delicate matters with her father. It allowed her the time to order her thoughts without the need for small talk. Not that she and her father engaged in such chatter but the topic at hand leant itself to such banalities before the fight was joined.
Mr. Bennet seated himself at his desk and took the volume that lay open before him into his lap to thumb the pages while he awaited his daughter’s opening words. There was no use in rushing Lizzy when she moved along the shelves for her mind was busy making her argument before her lips delivered the opening lines.
A tense silence reigned and the rustle of skirts and the scrape of slippers were the only indication that his Lizzy still remained in his study. Mr. Bennet was about to begin the conversation when she turned and placed her hands on her hips.
“Father, Mr. Collins had no right to do what he did last evening and neither did Lydia, for that matter. What is done is done and Mary is suffering. I cannot stand it, truly I cannot. When I think that I might be left alone and bereft of Mr. Darcy’s affections…”
Elizabeth stopped as her father’s expression changed and her own mind registered her words about Mr. Darcy. She had meant only to come to him about Mary and Mr. Collins but realized too late he would not leave the topic of her feelings for Mr. Darcy for another day.
Taking a deep breath and placing his book on top of his desk, Mr. Bennet crossed his arms and stared at Elizabeth for a long moment. The urge to flee his study took her but before she might follow that impulse, her father stood and came around his desk to take her into his arms.
“Oh Lizzy, you have come to champion your sister’s broken heart and have exposed your own fears. When did you know that you had fallen in love with Mr. Darcy and he with you?”
Elizabeth had not expected her father to understand so clearly the emotions swirling in her heart and mind. For a moment she was speechless before him. He led her to her favorite window that looked out upon the lane. The last shriveled leaves drifted from the tree that shaded the window and Elizabeth watched their dizzying descent as she regained her composure.
“Father, I cannot say. At the assembly, when he spoke his insult, I was amused by it and not truly offended. I found him insufferable at best and still I was able to laugh and jest over it that same night. At Lucas Lodge, he wished to dance and Charlotte encouraged me to be kinder to him and Jane, the dear that she is, spoke highly of him and warned me not to judge him harshly. When Jane went to Netherfield in the rain and became sick, I did not think of him as I dashed outside and took to the fields between Longbourn and Netherfield, I only wanted to tend my sister. But in that fortnight, he allowed me to know him better. He gave an apology for the insult and defended me against the barbs of the Bingley sisters on several occasions. Somewhere in all that time, I came to think he was not so terrible after all.”
Mr. Bennet had listened patiently and now his eyes twinkled merrily. “When you spoke of him just now, your face lit up Lizzy. It was like the sun moved from behind a cloud and kissed your cheeks. Let there be no doubt that you are indeed in love with the man. What shall you do?”
Elizabeth's face grew hot at her father’s words and she wondered what he meant. “What might I do father? His aunt lies gravely ill at Netherfield because of the actions of my sister and my cousin.”
Though she tried to hide the shaking of her voice and the tears that burned her eyes, Mr. Bennet pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. “Dear Lizzy, you must not think Mr. Darcy believes you to be unworthy of his love because of the actions of your family. Do you feel any less adoration for him after meeting his aunt and enduring her anger?”
Elizabeth knew she did not. Mr. Darcy was not responsible for the behavior of his family any more than she was for hers. Hugging her father fiercely, Elizabeth breathed deeply and turned the conversation back to Mary’s plight much to her father’s chagrin.
Chapter 20
Mr. Collins’s head nodded to the side as he slumped on his seat across from Miss Anne de Bourgh. The parson had traveled nonstop to Kent and had not the time to remove the dust from the road before Miss de Bourgh ordered him back inside the carriage after reading the letter he brought from her cousin, Mr. Darcy.
Lady Catherine’s daughter was angry her mother had left her at Rosings to begin with and news of her collapse had sent the young mistress into her own screaming fit up and down the stairs of her stately home in Kent.
Mr. Collins snored loud and long waking himself and drawing censure from his travel companion. “I shall be certain to tell mother of your inability to remain awake, Mr. Collins. She will not be pleased. I would think you have done quite enough already to lose your living at Hunsford but my mother is known for her generosity where the lower circles are concerned.”
Miserable at this reminder, the parson did not know whether to attempt to soothe the young lady or remain quiet and hope she would forget his weakness once she was reunited with her mother at Netherfield. Silence won out as his eyes drifted closed once more.
It seemed only moments had passed when the carriage stopped and the driver called out that they had arrived to Netherfield. Mr. Collins jolted up from his seat shocked that so many miles had passed without his knowledge. He did feel quite refreshed but the shame of sleeping in the presence of the young mistress colored his cheeks as she pinned him with a withering gaze. “Thank heavens we have made the journey unmolested. I could not have relied on you were we set upon by highwaymen.”
Anne de Bourgh moved swiftly to quit the conveyance as Mr. Darcy appeared at the door of Netherfield to greet her. Mr. Collins hoped Lady Catherine’s health had improved in the days since he had left for Kent for he wanted more than anything to speak with her and find a way to make amends for the actions of his family on that terrible night.
Mr. Darcy welcomed his cousin, his heart pierced by her tears and the worry over her mother written plainly in her distressed countenance.
“Fitzwilliam, what has happened? How could you allow Mother to fall ill when you know she is all I have in this world? You must care for us both so far from home. What shall become of us here?”
Her eyes wandered to the home before them. Mr. Darcy could see the reflection of her mother’s character mar the beauty of his young cousin and winced from the distaste in her expression. How his Aunt Catherine could imagine him married to the younger, frailer version of herself mystified the man. Once he had thought to bring Anne to Pemberley to give Georgiana company and have the girls raised together but his aunt would not hear of it.
More was the pity he had not rescued Anne when he might have for she was set in her ways now and would never make a suitable wife for any man of character. He thought if anything she would only draw the interest of a man like Wickham, a fortune hunter incapable of constancy or dedication.
The thought sent a chill down his spine and before his cousin might continue her critical review of the grounds of Netherfield, he ushered her inside after nodding to Mr. Collins to join them.
He was not eager to entertain the parson but his aunt had made progress since the man left for Kent and had asked for him. She seemed happy to know he had gone to fetch her daughter though Mr. Darcy was wary of having the man sit with his aunt so soon after her collapse. He did not wish to risk a setback in her recovery as he wished to
have his family returned to their home in Kent as soon as they were able to travel.
Anne would not stop and have tea with him in the parlor and Mr. Collins encouraged the young Miss in her aim to seek her mother's rooms immediately. Mr. Darcy found he did not relish the weeks ahead where three people with the ability to drastically reduce his patience were the only company he might have.
Instead of fighting their wishes, he merely followed the unlikely pair upstairs so that he might at least keep Collins from barging in with Miss Anne. When they reached his aunt's door, Mr. Darcy stepped before the travelers from Kent and held up a hand. “Anne shall enter now, Mr. Collins, as my aunt’s greatest wish is to have her company. Later, you may sit with her for a brief time as she has asked after you in the days you have been gone.”
The parson’s face lit up as a child given a treat and Mr. Darcy swallowed the noise that would betray his disgust with the man. He offered his arm to his cousin instead and escorted her inside her mother's rooms.
Mr. Collins nearly danced a happy jig in the hallway at the thought of Lady Catherine desiring his company. He gave a skip as he turned away from her door and the dust from his well-worn suit rose in a cloud around him. He coughed and with haste hurried down the hall to the room Mr. Darcy had given him and called for a footman. He would have a nice, hot bath and then a meal before seeing Lady Catherine. There was much to discuss after he made his profuse apologies and he wished to be presentable.
In Lady Catherine's rooms, the physician stood as Mr. Darcy entered with Miss Anne. Lady Catherine made a heartrending moan when she spied her daughter and Miss Anne fairly ran to her side and fell upon the bed. “Oh Mother!” she exclaimed as tears burst forth.
Mr. Darcy wondered at the highly emotional reunion thinking perhaps it was too soon for such histrionics. “Doctor,” he said as he approached the man, “surely this display is more than my aunt might stand?”
The physician watched the mother and daughter and soothed his client’s concern. Mr. Darcy was quite protective of the women in his family, the true mark of a gentleman. “Sir, I would agree but your aunt is a strong lady. Having her daughter’s love and care is a tonic, I assure you, that is much greater than any I might give. My estimation is that your aunt may be recovered enough to return home in a month’s time barring any further upset, that is.”
Mr. Darcy was glad to hear it for he knew his aunt to be stronger than she appeared. He must see that she was not to have a relapse if he hoped to have her removed from Netherfield before the Bingleys returned. Charles would not refuse lodging to any of Mr. Darcy’s family but it was not his intention to saddle the newlyweds with such a disagreeable trio of guests as his aunt, cousin, and the parson.
Following the physician from the room, he glanced to the ladies now whispering as they watched him go. He knew their plotting had begun and that later over dinner, Miss Anne would begin her campaign to force his hand where marriage was concerned. While he was sorry for the condition of her mother, he would not humor her delusions.
His mind turned to Elizabeth Bennet and he thought now that Anne had come he might begin to pay calls to Longbourn again and speak with her father about his feelings for the young lady.
At Longbourn, Elizabeth sat in the garden with her mood as bleak as the gray clouds that blotted out the weak December sun. The wind whipped her skirts as it gusted fitfully, whipping leaves down the lane as a shepherd drives his flock. The only bright spot in her day had been a letter from Jane and even that brought her spirits lower as she missed the comfort of her dearest sister’s confidence.
The atmosphere at Longbourn had been unusually subdued with her mother and father at odds over Mary and her predicament. Even Lydia had taken pity on their sister in her torment. Pulling Jane’s letter from her skirt pocket once more, Elizabeth pressed the paper against her lap to keep the wind from stealing it away. She was truly happy for her sister and found comfort in the joyous descriptions of her wedding trip.
Looking up and towards the field that separated her home from Netherfield, Elizabeth thought of a wedding trip with Mr. Darcy. Her heart melted as she dreamed of being held tightly in his arms as his lips explored her face. She'd blushed furiously when Mr. Bingley kissed Jane at their wedding and then held her face in his hands before kissing each of her eyelids and moving back to her lips. He had not cared that all of Hertfordshire watched even as the display caused quite the stir. Elizabeth hoped Mr. Darcy might follow his friend’s lead but first there was the matter of a proposal.
At this thought, her heart twisted. Mr. Darcy had been ready to propose before his aunt arrived and had said to her father he wished to seek her hand. Those words had sent his aunt into a fit of rage that scattered her family from Netherfield. She had not seen or heard from Mr. Darcy since that terrible evening and his absence, though understandable, left her hollow and bereft.
Elizabeth folded Jane's letter and stood from the stone bench. The cold from her garden seat leached away any heat her body might produce and she shivered before casting a final glance toward Netherfield. Mr. Darcy would come and ask her to marry him. She prayed the words would be made true as she brushed away a leaf that took refuge in the folds of her skirts.
Chapter 21
It was a week later before Lady Catherine decided to set a plan in motion to ruin Elizabeth Bennet’s dearest hopes. She sat with her daughter and the parson an hour before dinner one evening and listened as Mr. Collins made his pitiful excuses and apologies for the hundredth time since he had returned from Kent with her daughter. Her strength was waning after having sat up for more hours than she ought and her temper grew short.
“Mr. Collins, your words mean nothing. Actions are needed to rectify this terrible turn of events. You must successfully compromise Miss Elizabeth to retain your living at Hunsford.”
An excited giggle escaped Miss Anne and Mr. Collins felt his heart leap into his throat. The very last thing he wished was to destroy what little chance he had left to marry his true love.
“Your Ladyship, now that Miss Anne has come to Netherfield I had thought you would force your nephew’s hand. A wedding can be performed here as soon as a special license is arranged. I could perform the ceremony if it pleases you.”
Lady Catherine closed her eyes and breathed deeply to maintain her composure. She had not much strength to waste on the odious man before her.
“I will not see my daughter married in such a place whilst I lay ill unable to see that the grandest wedding is arranged. No, you shall compromise your cousin and Anne shall draw her here to meet you in the gardens.”
Mr. Collins hid his displeasure while his heart broke into pieces. He scarce heard the conversation and plotting of his patroness and her daughter as he rose to ready himself for dinner.
If he failed once more, he would be without his flock and without any hope of ever wedding Miss Mary Bennet. If he succeeded, he would keep his living but lead a life with a woman who could never love him. No matter the outcome, William Collins was faced with a most unhappy future.
A thought occurred to him as he lumbered slowly to his room. He could compromise his cousin and pretend he would marry her but disappear before they made their vows. Surely his patroness would not mind if he abandoned his cousin at the altar as long as her nephew left Hertfordshire a single man?
If he was to be miserable, at least he might do it without the added burden of Elizabeth Bennet’s scorn casting a pall in his humble cottage.
Later at dinner, Miss Anne was all that was charming to Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy. She spoke of the kindness of the Bingley family to lend her family shelter and spoke of extending an important invitation to Rosings in the coming summer.
“Fitzwilliam, we must have them at our wedding as a show of gratitude, don't you agree?”
Mr. Collins busied himself with his plate but felt a thrill at seeing the man who had participated in his own downfall made to squirm. His delight was tempered only moments later as Mr. Darcy did
not hesitate to correct Miss Anne’s assumptions.
“My dear cousin, you are right to consider a wedding invitation for the Bingleys but I shall never be the groom. For many years, I have told you and your mother I have no intention to take your hand in marriage.”
Anne de Bourgh would not let the matter rest where her cousin left it. “Do not be cruel, Fitzwilliam. Mother lies upstairs unable to travel home and you would speak so carelessly before her parson? I must meet this Miss Bennet who has made you consider betraying your family. I shall ask her to tea on the morrow.”
Mr. Darcy pushed away from the table and threw his napkin upon his plate. “You shall do no such thing! You are a guest in this home and cannot simply behave as though you are mistress. Miss Elizabeth is not your concern and I forbid you from seeking her company for any reason. I shall instruct the cook and butler to advise the staff not to entertain your orders.”
Mr. Collins watched in horror as Mr. Darcy quit the room. Miss Anne turned to him and gave in to her anger. “This is all your fault! Mother would not be ill and I would not be stranded in this home and treated as a child by the man meant to marry me if you had only been capable of the simplest compromise. I shall send an invitation to Longbourn and you shall carry it. Tell Miss Bennet I wish to meet her in the gardens of Netherfield near some statuary you deem suitable. When she comes, you shall be there to compromise her and end this madness. Do you understand?”
Mr. Collins could not refuse. He nodded to the young mistress of Rosings and stood to quit the dining room.
“Mr. Collins, do not fail me. Your future happiness matters very little I assure you. The fact remains that should you succeed, and you must, I shall suffer the presence of Miss Bennet in my home after you have wed. Pray that I am able to be kind and not have mother set you out into the hedgerows for such a burden you have visited upon me.”