by Nancy Kelley
The parson's face suffused with pride. "Oh, my dear Charlotte could not make me otherwise! She is the wisest and most amiable of females--excepting her ladyship, of course."
"Of course," Richard agreed gravely, and Darcy was confident only those who knew him would see this slight twitch of a smile. "Tell me, sir, what business took you to Hertfordshire? You were quite lucky to find such a paragon in a distant county."
Mr. Collins bowed again of this observation. "You are entirely correct, Colonel Fitzwilliam. It was Providence which led me there--well, Providence and the small matter of an estate I shall one day inherit. Imagine my surprise when I visited my cousins and found in that neighborhood the one lady destined to make my life complete!"
Unwilling to hear more of the Bennets, Darcy opened his mouth to redirect conversation. However, before he could, Mr. Collins continued. "In fact, one of my fair cousins stays with us now, along with my sister Maria. Do you remember my cousin Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy?"
"Yes --" he cleared his throat--"yes, of course. Miss Elizabeth is at Hunsford?"
"Indeed she is. She is quite the intimate friend of my dear Charlotte, if you will recall, and nothing less than a wedding visit could persuade her of her friend's happiness."
Darcy heard the petulant undertone and knew immediately that either Elizabeth had spoken against their engagement, or she herself had refused to marry Collins. The latter thought cheered him greatly, and without thought for the implications he said, "I wonder, sir, if we might accompany you back to the rectory. It has been some months since I visited with my acquaintances from Hertfordshire."
Mr. Collins positively beamed with delight. "Oh yes! That would be very good of you. Of course, it is nothing less than I would expect from someone associated with the noble house of de Bourgh."
Nothing but the thought of seeing Elizabeth that afternoon could have prevented Darcy from commenting that the house of de Bourgh benefited more from the connection with the Darcys and Fitzwilliams than the other way around. However, he nodded slightly, and all three gentlemen left the breakfast room together.
Darcy allowed Mr. Collins to lead them to his home, though it took all his self-control not to speed past him to the Parsonage where Elizabeth waited. Elizabeth! He thought of her rich dark eyes and his heart raced. My Elizabeth, how I have missed you.
The sardonic edge in Richard's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "You must forgive my cousin, Mr. Collins. He has such long legs that he nearly always outstrips whoever walks with him. Why, I sometimes find myself running just to keep up."
Darcy looked behind him and realized he had indeed passed them both. "I do apologize, Mr. Collins," he said, his ears warm. "Colonel Fitzwilliam is correct--I forget at times that I walk faster than most men."
Mr. Collins caught up and smiled. "I assure you, I was not in the least bit offended," he said. "We are almost to the rectory; allow me to go in and inform the ladies of the honor of your visit."
Darcy and Richard let the man precede them into the house, and then Richard turned toward Darcy. "You have a great deal of explaining to do when we return to Rosings, Cousin," he said, and the promise of such teasing was almost enough to send Darcy back down the road without seeing Elizabeth. But Mr. Collins returned with his wife and Elizabeth, and Darcy's chance for escape ended.
Darcy clenched his hands into fists and released them, hoping to stop the shaking. "Mrs. Collins, Miss Elizabeth, I am pleased to see you both. I had not thought to have the pleasure of seeing you again after I left Hertfordshire last winter."
He was vaguely aware of Mrs. Collins accepting his greeting and returning it, but the whole of his vision had narrowed to Elizabeth. Did her mouth always curve in such a deliciously appealing smile?
Elizabeth curtsied, but said not a word. Darcy thought he saw a hint of discomfort in her manner, and his heart soared. He was overcome by the moment, and the thought that Elizabeth was also thrilled to see him.
Richard bowed low to the ladies. "Mrs. Collins, a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. And Miss Bennet, how delightful to meet you. Darcy has told me much about Hertfordshire, but he did not tell me that the prettiest women in the kingdom hid there."
Elizabeth smiled at him, and jealousy glued Darcy's tongue to the roof of his mouth. I do not mind much his ability to make Georgiana and Anne smile, but this is too much.
He sought for a topic of conversation he knew would interest her, but before he could find something to say, Richard spoke again. "I spent many winters in Hertfordshire, encamped in various villages. I remember the countryside as being truly lovely."
"Why thank you, Colonel Fitzwilliam," Miss Elizabeth said. "I am sure I do not know a prettier part of England, though I admit I am biased."
Richard smiled. "We are all inclined to believe our home to be the prettiest, loveliest place in the world, do you not agree, Darcy?"
At a complete loss, Darcy merely nodded while frantically searching for something to say to join in the conversation. "This house is very nice, Mrs. Collins," he finally managed. "I caught sight of a garden out back as well, I believe."
"The garden is Mr. Collins's domain, but I will take your compliment on the house, Mr. Darcy. Thank you."
He nodded again and then fell silent.
After some minutes, he realized one thing he could say to Elizabeth that would not arouse the suspicion of anyone. "How is your family? Are they all in health?"
She nodded and then said, "My eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you never happened to see her there?"
The innocent question blindsided Darcy, and for an instant he knew not how to respond. "No, I am afraid I have not had the pleasure," he said, a split second later.
It was the truth, yet when she accepted it without question he felt all the guilt of his deception. Indeed, he was almost glad when Richard rose a moment later and said, "I fear we have intruded too long, and our aunt will be wondering where we have gone. Good day to you all; it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I trust we will see you often while we are in Kent." Mr. Collins accepted this courtesy with his usual odd mix of self-absorption and obsequious thanks and led them to the door.
Once they were on the road and well out of earshot of the house, Darcy braced himself for his cousin's teasing. He knew his behavior had been unusual enough to draw Richard's attention--Did I not say just yesterday that I hoped to avoid Mr. Collins? Then this morning I practically ran in my eagerness to reach his house.
But Richard was silent. Darcy glanced over at him and saw the crease in his brow, which indicated he was deep in thought. "What could you have found in the Parsonage to put that frown on your face, Cousin?"
"Did Mr. Collins say he is to inherit Mr. Bennet's estate?"
Darcy thought it an odd question, but he answered anyway. "He did."
Richard nodded. "Then Miss Bennet has no brothers?"
"No, only four sisters, one elder and three younger."
"I see."
They walked farther in silence, but when they reached the gate to Rosings Park, Darcy could stand the suspense no longer. "I am curious, Richard; to what exactly do these questions tend?"
"Miss Elizabeth is a lovely, amiable young lady," Richard said, and Darcy nodded noncommittally. "Is all her father's estate entailed away?"
"Yes, I believe so," he answered.
"Hmmm..." Richard said, and Darcy fought the urge to grab him and demand to know what he was thinking.
"It is a shame, then." Richard said finally.
"Excuse me?"
"She is a fine young lady. Still, it is a shame she has no fortune to speak of. It would take a man with his own money to see past the lack of dowry."
Darcy's gut clenched and he swallowed back the bile which rose in his throat. Richard desired to marry Elizabeth.
Chapter Seventeen
A sleepless night gave Darcy some much-needed perspective. Richard was the second son, and even the second son of an earl needed to marry well. He c
ould not possibly consider Elizabeth as a bride.
All those calm soothing thoughts disappeared shortly after breakfast. Lady Catherine made an appearance in the study and, in strident tones, demanded to know what her nephews had planned for the day.
Richard leaned back in his chair--a behavior both men knew their aunt despised. She observed him through narrowed eyes. He said, "Oh, I thought I might walk over to the Parsonage and visit Mrs. Collins and her friend."
Lady Catherine sniffed. "Why would you care to visit them?"
Richard shrugged. "I am sure you need Darcy here for estate business, and I must have something to do."
Darcy glared at his cousin, all his jealousy of the previous afternoon back in full force. How dare he dismiss me like that?
However, Lady Catherine acknowledged that she did indeed have business for Darcy to attend to, and thus he was stuck. Darcy spent the whole of the afternoon going over the account books with her steward, and when Richard came back, he stayed only long enough for tea before he saddled his horse and left Darcy alone to attend his aunt and cousin in the pre-dinner hours.
Darcy swore to himself that evening that he would not be dismissed again, but on Thursday, Richard just as easily foisted Darcy off into the clutches of Lady Catherine. "Have you discussed your plans for Georgiana's Season with Darcy?" he asked their aunt after breakfast.
Richard's innocent smile did not fool Darcy. Yesterday, he had only suspected his cousin of courting Elizabeth; now he was certain. What other company could draw him to the Parsonage?
The realization that his cousin might steal Elizabeth's affections while he sat in the drawing room at Rosings Park robbed Darcy of his composure. Even his patience with Lady Catherine wore thin, and he barely stopped himself from snapping at her that afternoon when she made another of her thinly veiled allusions to his supposed marriage to Anne.
He met Richard at the stables when he returned from his ride. "We need to talk," he said when his cousin had dismounted and handed the reins to a groom.
"Of course. Just let me change..."
"No. Now." Richard raised an eyebrow at the demand, but nodded in agreement.
Darcy led the way toward one of the private paths around the circumference of the park, and once he was sure no one could hear him, he turned to Richard. "What do you mean by abandoning me to our aunt and cousin each afternoon?"
It was a fair question: the agreement between the cousins was that Richard would deflect Lady Catherine's attention and Darcy would keep the Earl and Countess from asking any uncomfortable questions about their son's trips to France.
He did not expect Richard's answer. "You have at your disposal a simple way to rid yourself of their attentions," he snapped. "Tell the truth for once and admit you will not marry our cousin."
Darcy stepped forward, his fists clenched. "As I said, I have never indicated I would. If they choose to believe..."
"Because you have never told them you will not!"
"Do you really think that will improve the situation?" Darcy retorted icily. "Aunt Catherine will only become abusive once she has no reason to curry my favor--that is, if she believes me at all."
"You will never know until you have tried."
Darcy snorted. "You know our aunt as well as I do. If she believed I was not determined to marry Anne, she would be impossibly rude to any woman I courted."
"She will be impossibly rude to your wife," countered Richard. "Consider the engagement period a trial to see if your future bride can handle the family pressure."
Darcy nearly hit Richard. "I will not put any woman through such a trial," he hissed.
Richard shrugged, and some of the tension left his shoulders. "Perhaps it would not be totally fair," he said.
"It would not." Darcy breathed in through his mouth and let the air out through his nose. "I told you on the journey here, once we are engaged, I will explain to Lady Catherine."
Richard grinned. "Have you selected a lady to be your bride then?"
"What? No." Darcy waved him off. "When I have proposed to the woman I love, I mean."
"I see."
Darcy sighed; this conversation was the closest he and Richard had come to arguing in years. "May I count on your help, Richard?"
"You may."
This agreement did not dispel Darcy's notion that Richard courted Elizabeth, and with that uneasy suspicion came a new realization--if he intended to marry the woman he loved, his bride must be none other than Elizabeth Bennet.
Chapter Eighteen
Since the following day was Good Friday, there were no calls paid to the Parsonage by any member of the household. After the service, Richard kept his promise to Darcy and entertained the ladies long enough for Darcy to steal a few minutes to himself.
He walked in the direction of the stables, but stopped halfway there. His fingers tapped the side of his leg in a nervous rhythm, and he knew he had neither the patience nor the control to ride. A walk then, he decided, and turned toward one of his favorite parts of the park.
He strode through a copse of trees into a hidden thicket. A small stream cut its way through the Downs, and the hills here reminded Darcy of Pemberley. His steps slowed as he neared the large oak which stood near the center of the grove. He and Richard had placed a bench here many years ago, and he often came here to think when Lady Catherine's demands became too much.
Today, however, Darcy did not seek a solution to bring his temper into check; rather, he sought clarity regarding the lovely and elusive Elizabeth Bennet. Can I possibly be so lost to reason that I would consider marrying into such a family?
He sat on the bench and pressed his back against the tree trunk. What would such connections do for Georgiana's prospects? How would a sister like Lydia Bennet influence her? Darcy shuddered at the thought, but despite the multitude of arguments against the lady, he could not help but love her.
The crack of a twig alerted Darcy to the presence of another, and he leapt from his seat, his hand going to his hair to hide the evidence of his distress. He turned toward the path and barely concealed his surprise when he came face-to-face with the object of his thoughts.
"Mr. Darcy!"
Her lips were a perfect O of surprise, and he had a sudden wild desire to catch them in a kiss. "Miss Elizabeth," he said when he thought he had regained control of himself. "Forgive me; I had not thought to see anyone here."
Elizabeth smiled, and Darcy's restraint nearly deserted him yet again. "This walk has quickly become my favorite part of Kent. I walk here most days."
The word sounded innocent enough, but their hidden meaning took his breath away. If you wish to see me, they said, this is where you may find me.
As he always did when his emotions threatened to overwhelm him, Darcy fell back on formality. "I will leave you then to enjoy your walk, Miss Elizabeth." He bowed and turned back up the path before he did something he might later regret.
The encounter with Elizabeth convinced Darcy of one thing, however. If Richard means to court Elizabeth Bennet, he will face competition.
Darcy only wished there was a way to invite Elizabeth to Rosings. He knew he did not always show to his best advantage when he was out in public, but at his aunt's house he would be on familiar territory. He could not think of an excuse that would not rouse the curiosity of his relations, but Richard obligingly solved the problem for him that night at dinner.
"Aunt, I have enjoyed the company of Mrs. Collins and Miss Bennet greatly when I have called on them, and I wonder if we could not include them in our party Sunday evening."
"We have no need for further company, now that you and Darcy have come," she argued. "There is no need to fill up a table for quadrille, or gain extra conversation."
"All the same, I think it would be well-done of us to invite them. After all, you are his patron. You would not want him to think you took your duties lightly, would you?"
Richard's deft manner in handling Lady Catherine amazed Darcy, as always. The lady
sighed and said, "Very well. We will ask them to come to dinner when we see them at church."
Darcy carefully concealed his satisfaction with this arrangement. That Richard had only asked so he could see Elizabeth did not matter to Darcy. Elizabeth would see them both.
Saturday dragged by and Sunday's sermon was even less inspired than he had expected of Mr. Collins. After the service, Darcy stood impatiently by while his aunt complimented the parson on his use of the Psalms in an Easter sermon.
"I knew it would be the right passage when I suggested it," she added, and Darcy frowned.
"Your ladyship does me a great service by this manner of advice," Mr. Collins said and bowed.