“I am glad you are here, Darcy,” said Lady Catherine. “I saw you sitting at the window over there writing a letter to Georgiana this morning. You will tell her to join you here. And you must extend your visit.” There was a meaningful pause. “I am sure Anne would like that.”
“Thank you, Aunt, but I have business in London. As for Georgiana, she is content where she is. She has a new music master and is excelling in her lessons. She would not like to be moved.”
“A young lady should know her duty to her elders…”
Elizabeth heard footsteps behind her. A warmth rushed over her as Darcy appeared at her side. He stood in silence as Elizabeth played. She looked up at him and grinned.
“Here you come yet again. You denied it when I suggested it before, but I am now convinced you come all this way to intimidate me. And I have told you, it will not work. You will find my courage will rise to match your every attempt.”
Darcy’s face softened with a smile. “Come now, you do not believe I came here to frighten you. If the Prince Regent himself came to stand next to you, it would not frighten one of your spirit.”
“No, but I am quite certain I would try to frighten him. I have no love for the man.” She looked up at Darcy and smiled. “Have I shocked you with my disloyalty?”
“No. You have impressed me with your honesty.”
“I have just earned the good opinion of Mr Darcy of Pemberley. A great prize, I am sure.”
“It is not something I bestow lightly.”
“Then I am even more honoured,” said Elizabeth dryly.
Colonel Fitzwilliam watched the exchange with amusement.
“I think you have found your match in Miss Bennet, Darcy. A woman who is not afraid to argue with you is a novelty indeed.”
“Miss Bennet has always given her opinions with spirit. It makes for interesting conversations.”
“But it does not make for interesting pianoforte performances. So if you two gentlemen do not mind, I would like to continue with my music.”
The gentlemen obliged and Elizabeth played on. Darcy walked around to the side of the instrument and picked up some music sheets. In spite of her spirited response to him, she felt a rush of relief when he moved away from her. Something about Darcy made her feel rather jumpy in his presence. When he was close to her, she was always intensely aware of where he was, and she could only put it down to her immense dislike of him.
She glanced up. He still held the music sheets in his hands, but his gaze was fixed on her as it so often was. Perhaps he was counting the number of freckles on her face and adding them to her list of flaws. He likely already disapproved of her rambles through the woods around Rosings, but for her to not protect her skin with a parasol as no doubt, his perfect sister did probably made her even more irredeemable in his eyes.
Elizabeth was almost relieved when Lady Catherine called out to them again and demanded to know what they spoke of. She looked up to catch Darcy rolling his eyes. She smiled and continued playing and did her best to tune out everyone except Colonel Fitzwilliam. When Lady Catherine finally decided her carriage should be summoned to take her guests home, she received the news with enthusiasm she struggled to hide. The evening had been a long one.
Darcy stood at his bedchamber window looking in the direction of Hunsford Lodge. His mind was in turmoil. He had left Hertfordshire last winter in large part because of his attraction to the perplexing and bewitching Elizabeth Bennet. He had been captivated by her lively manner almost from the first day he met her and had been more drawn to her than he liked. His friend, Mr Bingley, had been similarly attracted to Elizabeth’s older sister, Jane. Darcy had feared his friend was about to make an unwise choice by marrying a woman who did not appear to feel any affection for him in return. When Bingley left to attend business in London, Darcy and Bingley’s sisters followed him and persuaded him to remain in London rather than returning as he intended.
And the plan had the added benefit of keeping Darcy away from Elizabeth. The delights of London would lessen his attachment to her and cause him to forget a woman who was not suited to be his wife.
Darcy’s surprise when he arrived at Rosings Park for his annual visit and found Elizabeth there had been enormous, and he was dismayed to discover his attachment to her was as strong as ever. It only took moments of being in her company for all his former feelings to come rushing back. And as Lady Catherine asked the Collinses and their guests to dinner most evenings, his frequent time in her company only increased his regard for her.
All his former objections to her remained. Her family were ridiculous. Her mother, father and three younger sisters showed a total want of propriety. Her relatives were vulgar and Elizabeth herself was far below him socially.
And yet none of those objections were enough to dissuade him. He was a lost man. His feelings for her overpowered him, and he did not think he could master them any longer. He did not believe he could ever be happy unless Elizabeth Bennet relieved his suffering and consented to be his wife.
Darcy knew he would see her the next day. Elizabeth loved exploring in nature, and there was a pretty little glade in the woods around Rosings where she liked to walk. He had encountered her there before. She had taken pains to tell him it was a favourite haunt of hers and this obvious encouragement had lifted his spirits. She wanted him to find her there. She felt as strongly as he did. He would seek her out there tomorrow, and he would ask her to marry him.
Darcy smiled as he pictured the scene. How happy and honoured Elizabeth would be to know she had won the affections of a man such as him. A lady of her standing could never have hoped to win the heart of Mr Darcy of Pemberley. Elizabeth would be overjoyed to discover she had the honour of being his choice in bride.
Darcy’s smile faded as he imagined his aunt’s reaction. Lady Catherine would be furious. She made it plain she expected him to marry Anne, but even if Elizabeth had not been the case, Darcy was certainly not going to honour a promise that had been made on his behalf without his consent. It was not Aunt Catherine’s place to dictate who he should marry. She would just have to find a way to make peace with his choice.
As would he.
Resolved, he turned away from the window to get some sleep.
Chapter 3
“You had a nice time with the Colonel last night, Lizzy,” said Charlotte with a sly smile. “You did not stop speaking all evening. And I would not at all be surprised if he were to pay yet another visit today. My little house has never been so honoured with such prestigious guests.”
“Shocking words, Charlotte Collins,” said Elizabeth in feigned horror. “You know perfectly well, Lady Catherine was condescending enough to visit here when Mr Collins first moved in and arranged everything to her liking. And yet you say the Colonel is the most prestigious guest it has ever known? I am sure the walls themselves would protest if they could.”
Charlotte smiled. “Oh, Lady Catherine is the highest in the land as everyone knows. Royalty could not outrank her. But it is not just she and Colonel Fitzwilliam I am thinking of. Mr Darcy does not allow a day to go by without appearing at our door. Yet he hardly says a word when he is here. It is not like him to put himself out so much, is it?”
“Not at all, and if I did not know what it is like to be in his aunt’s presence, I should wonder at it as much as you do. It is no surprise to me that he should wish to escape her. Having acquaintances within an easy walking distance makes your home an obvious destination.”
“Hmmm…” Charlotte sipped her tea and glanced at Elizabeth over the cup. Elizabeth sighed.
“And what is that knowing sound meant to imply? Come, I know you mean something by it.”
Charlotte put down her cup. “I only mean I wonder if there is more to Mr Darcy’s visits than that?”
“What else could it be?”
Charlotte laughed. “Oh, come, Lizzy. Do not be a simpleton. You know perfectly well what I imply. I suggested it to you before when we were in Hertfordsh
ire. Surely you remember the ball at Netherfield Park when I commented that Mr Darcy looked at you a great deal? And within minutes he asked you to dance.”
“Oh, Charlotte, you are letting your imagination run away with you. I am confident Mr Darcy dislikes me as much as I do him. If I speak to him, it is only to tease him and laugh at him, apart from that one occasion when I wanted to discover if he had seen Jane in London. We both think little of the other. Although my dislike of him if justified by his arrogance, while his dislike of me is nothing more than snobbery.”
Charlotte poured them a second cup of tea. “And yet I still say he likes you.”
“Oh, yes, I am sure he likes me,” said Elizabeth in a scoffing tone. “He does not even sit near me when he comes here. If he cared for me, surely he would sit as close to me as possible?”
“No, he does not sit close to you. Instead, he sits where he can look at you without attracting too much notice. I have often observed it. When he comes here, I note which chair will allow him to look at you easiest and without fail, he always takes it.”
“Aha! And there I have you! Mr Darcy has made his opinion on my looks clear. Do you recall the first time we met him, and Mr Bingley tried to persuade him to ask me to dance?” Elizabeth cleared her throat and affected a male voice, speaking with an exaggerated pompous tone. “She is tolerable. But she is not handsome enough to tempt me. I am in no humour to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.”
Charlotte burst out laughing. “Ah, I had forgotten. Poor Lizzy! To be considered only tolerable.” She sighed. “Well, perhaps I am mistaken. Perhaps he chooses his chair so he need not talk to anyone, and when he happens to look at you, it is nothing more than absence of thought.”
“I am sure it is. You are not cut out for matchmaking, Charlotte,” said Elizabeth with a smile.
“Well, I do not know about that. I am sure the Colonel is drawn to you.”
“Perhaps, but as a younger son, he is required to marry into wealth. I will not make the same mistake I made with Wickham and allow myself to be drawn to a man who cannot marry a woman in my situation. No, Charlotte, I fear I am doomed to end my days as a spinster.” Elizabeth affected a tragic face.
“I would not be so sure about that,” said Charlotte. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must speak with Cook.”
Elizabeth rose from the table. “And I am for my walk.”
As usual, Elizabeth walked towards her favourite glade. She hoped she would not encounter Mr Darcy there yet again. She had been sure to inform him it was a favourite place of hers so he would know to avoid it, so it was irksome that after telling him this, she seemed to encounter him there more than ever. No doubt he resented her staking any claim on his aunt’s estate and wished to mark it as his territory. How irritating he should be at Rosings just as she visited. Of all the times for him to come! Well, surely Mr Darcy would return to London soon. Her only regret when he left was that he would take the Colonel with him.
The glade unfolded before her. Elizabeth picked up her pace, eager to take in its delights. Her smile faded when she saw she was not alone. A man sat with his back against a tree, flinging twigs into the small stream running beside him. Elizabeth had already advanced too far to avoid notice when Mr Darcy turned around and saw her. He rose to his feet at once and bowed. She dropped a brief curtsey and made to walk on as if she’d always intended to pass through, but he was already making his way towards her.
“Miss Bennet.” He hesitated for a moment then bowed again. “I hope you are well?”
“I am sir, yes. And I hope you are likewise.”
Darcy nodded. He looked around the glade. “I can see why this is a favourite place with you,” he observed. “I have rarely seen anywhere so peaceful outside Pemberley.” He gestured towards a small empty cottage standing near the stream. “Whoever built his home here made a wise choice.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “I am sure Mr Darcy would love to live in a tiny cottage in the middle of the woods. Yes, I can see it now. Getting up every morning to fetch your own water before going out to work on someone else’s lands. I can picture it perfectly.”
Darcy hesitated. “I am not unaware of the realities of the lives of tenants, Miss Bennet. Do not suppose me one of those people with a romantic view of those who toil from dawn to dusk. I understand what their lives are like. But you cannot deny it is a charming location.”
Elizabeth glanced to where Darcy gestured. She had admired this little house from the first moment she saw it. It was a simple, one-storey dwelling but its setting in the lush, sun-dappled glade was exquisite. It must have been charming in its former glory before its windows and chimneys had been blocked up when the previous tenant moved away, no doubt under Lady Catherine’s instruction. She sighed. She did not wish to waste time bickering on such a splendid morning.
“Yes, it is pretty. I cannot argue with you there. And that is why it is my favourite place to walk, sir.” She fixed him a steady look, hoping he would take the hint and leave.
Instead, her words seemed to strike him. He looked at her earnestly. For the first time, she noticed he appeared rather agitated. His hat was in his hands, and he turned it around and around between his fingers. His throat was flushed above his cravat. He swallowed.
“Miss Bennet…” he began. He raked his fingers through his hair and sighed.
Elizabeth frowned. What on earth was the matter with him? She had never seen him so ill at ease. She did not realise a man of his arrogance was capable of such sensations.
“What is it, Mr Darcy?” She was beginning to feel impatient. She wished to be about her walk and did not appreciate his interruption.
“Cousin Elizabeth! Cousin Elizabeth!”
Darcy closed his eyes, and his lips moved as the sound of Mr Collins’s heavy footsteps came towards them. He broke into the clearing and doubled over, his breath panting. He looked up just as Mr Darcy moved away from Elizabeth and his eyes widened to see the gentleman. He bowed at once.
“Forgive me, sir. I did not know you were here,” he said quickly as he removed a handkerchief to mop the sweat from his brow. “I came to find Cousin Elizabeth to tell her we have been honoured once again by your most gracious aunt to an invitation to play cards this evening. I cannot express my appreciation for her goodness, sir. Lady Catherine is so benevolent, so charming, so…”
“I wonder you needed to run all this way to tell Miss Bennet,” said Darcy. There was a slight edge to his tone. “It is still early. It is not as though she needs to return to prepare at once.”
“Of course not, sir. I am sure you are correct. I only did not wish to deprive my cousin of learning about the invitation. I know she will feel the honour as keenly as I do.”
“You are all kindness, sir,” said Elizabeth dryly. “To tear through the woods like this to prevent me from having to spend one extra moment without knowing how Lady Catherine is to honour us. I must thank you for it.”
Mr Collins beamed. A thought seemed to strike him and his smile faded. He looked from Darcy to Elizabeth.
“Come with me, Cousin Elizabeth. My dear Charlotte requires your help.”
“Does she?” Elizabeth frowned. “That is curious as I left her only a short time ago and she said nothing about needing my help. She knew I was coming here after all, so I am surprised she did not mention it.”
“Oh, yes.” Mr Collins’s tried to throw her a meaningful look she could not work out the meaning of. “It is something she recalled after you left. Come, I will walk with you.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Very well. Good morning, Mr Darcy.”
Did she imagine it or was there a brief flicker of consternation on Darcy’s face? Almost as if he were disappointed. No, of course not. If anything, he was probably disappointed at the thought of returning to Rosings Park and his tyrant of an aunt. Elizabeth inclined her head and followed her cousin on the path to Hunsford Lodge.
Mr Collins glanced behind him to make sure t
hey were out of earshot. There was no sign of Mr Darcy.
“I hope you can forgive me for the small lie I was obliged to tell, Cousin,” he began.
Elizabeth continued walking, forcing him to keep pace with her. As he was not as accustomed to exercise as she, it took him considerable effort.
“And what lie is that, Mr Collins?”
“I must confess, my dear Charlotte does not need you. I spoke so only to spare you and Mr Darcy from a most uncomfortable situation.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“My dear cousin, you must realise how inappropriate that was? Alone in the woods with any man, but especially a man like Mr Darcy! It places him in the uncomfortable position of possibly having to save your reputation by marrying you if gossip were to fly about.”
Elizabeth slowed her step and frowned. “I hope you are not suggesting there was anything inappropriate between us.”
Mr Collins shiny wet face looked horrified. “Of course not. I would never dream… good heavens! But people talk, and the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh must not be put in such a position. I am sure he would have mentioned it himself if I had not come along when I did.”
“Mr Collins, if I met Mr Darcy, it is by chance. I like to walk in the woods as you know. It is no miraculous thing he should also like to take his exercise here also. If you had not come along, we should have exchanged some polite conversation and then continued on our way.” Elizabeth was scowling now, but Mr Collins’s only response was a patronising smile.
“My dear cousin, you are still young and not as aware of the world as I. I know of what I speak and I only say it to guide you. I had noticed when I stayed with your good parents at Longbourn that your father lacked in some essential…” His voice trailed off at the sight of Elizabeth’s fierce look. He cleared his throat and pulled at his necktie as if it suddenly felt too tight. “Yes… well… as to that, I think it best if we say no more on the subject for now. I am sure you understand me…”
Trapped at Rosings Page 2