He smiled and bent to kiss her hands, looked up and would speak again but she leaned forward and kissed his lips, surprising and silencing him.
“Yes, William! I shall marry you for I love you!”
Moving to sit beside Elizabeth on the bench, Mr. Darcy drew her into his arms for another kiss before standing and offering her his arm again. “Let us return to the parsonage and tell you aunt and sister our news. I shall travel to Longbourn this week to obtain your father’s approval to formalize our engagement.”
Once again, at the gate to the rose garden, the couple saw Mr. Collins and Miss de Bourgh walking among the fragrant blooms.
“I imagine Anne has asked Mr. Collins to quote the verses from the Song of Solomon. It is her favourite passage from the Psalms.” Darcy said.
“Her companion is present as chaperone so there’s no impropriety,” Elizabeth said.
“My cousin is like her mother and needs a mouse of man for a husband.”
“We are engaged only a few minutes sir, but you must know I would do anything to save my sister from marriage to that man.”
“I shall speak of it to your father but I know of little that can be done, my dear,” Darcy said. “I do not look forward to having Mr. Collins as a brother.”
“Nor do I William.” Elizabeth watched the other couple. “What would it mean if he were your cousin rather than your brother?”
“If Mr. Collins breaks the engagement, Jane could sue Mr. Collins. He would lose his rights to the entailment and your sister would be the heiress of the estate.”
While they continued back to the parsonage, Elizabeth slowed their walk twice. “I do not want this morning to end! William – I like the sound of your name – I admit that I have prayed for your addresses every night since before Christmas.”
“I have been lost to you for many months as well and I could not wait any longer!”
When the parsonage came into view, Elizabeth asked, “Does Mr. Bingley intend to return to Rosings while you are here?”
“I imagine not. It will take several days to reach Bath and then he must settle his sister in some establishment or with reputable friends.”
“He has a challenge then.”
“He will arrange a marriage for his sister this spring,” Darcy explained. “And I apologize for imposing Miss Bingley upon your family.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “We attempted to offer company but Miss Bingley only offered insult.”
Mr. Darcy looked concern for a moment but Elizabeth squeezed his arm before continuing, “My aunt threatened to box her ears and Miss Bingley retreated in her room, took each meal above stairs and waited for Mr. Bingley’s carriage to carry her away from the country ruffians she had fallen among. Tell me, is she truly like the other ladies in town who pursue you?”
“Indeed, Elizabeth. Have you noticed that I travel with two valets where most gentlemen travel with a single servant?”
“I have noticed and thought it eccentric,” she admitted. “But it was not worth commenting.”
“When I travel, even to my aunt’s home, one of my valets is in my rooms at all times. I did not want any woman to force an incident or compromising situation upon me.”
“Can it be that bad?” she asked.
He sighed and explained, “Last summer, I invited Mr. Bingley to Pemberley for the harvest. The third day, we returned to the house to find that Miss Bingley had arrived with her sister and brother-in-law. Charles was embarrassed but was cajoled by his sisters into soliciting a request that they be allowed to stay.”
“Georgiana told me the tale. She said that after two or three nights, Mr. Bingley left with his family.”
“My sister does not know the whole of the story,” Mr. Darcy explained. “The second night, Miss Bingley attempted to enter my bedroom in the dark. When discovered, she claimed to be lost.”
“She attempted to...” Elizabeth asked the shock obvious in her voice.
“Mrs. Hurst was up and about as well, most likely to act as the witness to a compromising situation Miss Bingley hoped to arrange in my bedchamber. My valets were both present and very quickly Mr. Bingley and Mr. Hurst were summoned to escort the ladies back to their rooms.”
“Oh Mr. Darcy, I do not know if I should laugh or be appalled. I am sorry that any woman should attempt to compromise you in such a manner.”
“Bingley left with his sisters and brother-in-law the next morning. Charles and I have met regularly at our club but we do not socialize in public any longer because I could not avoid Miss Bingley in such circumstances.”
“And still she persists,” Elizabeth teased. “Such determination is to be admired in a feeble woman, is it not?”
“My dear, there is nothing feeble about the fair gender!” Darcy insisted.
++**++
Chapter 30.
Lady Catherine’s Trip into Town
Mrs. Gardiner celebrated Elizabeth’s news and much to Mr. Darcy’s surprise, he was embraced by both Jane and her aunt.
“Bring Georgiana to tea this afternoon,” Elizabeth said. “We can begin to make plans then.”
There was no word from Mr. Collins regarding his return to the parsonage but the maids scurried to make the future mistress happy. With the clean sheets on the beds and the house set to rights, Jane and Aunt Gardiner sat with Elizabeth in her bedroom as she dressed for tea with her future husband and his sister.
At tea time, the Darcy carriage arrived and Mr. Darcy escorted his sister inside where there were more smiles and hugs amid a few tears of happiness.
“Elizabeth! You will be my sister! Jane, will you be my sister as well? I should so like to have all these wonderful sisters!” Georgiana said as Mrs. Gardiner smiled indulgently in the background.
During tea, Mr. Darcy told Elizabeth, “I shall go to town tomorrow morning and then travel to Longbourn in the afternoon to see your father. Lady Catherine announced this morning that she must go into town to consult with her solicitors and she insisted that I accompany her.”
Georgiana leaned over and explained, “Aunt Catherine is being sued by the artisans who created the stain-glass windows in the church. She ordered three extra windows and refused to pay the price but she signed the papers and they will take her into the courts if she does not remit the amount due.”
“My aunt hoped that I would provide her with the monies but I refuse to rescue her from her spending.”
“Then I... we shall not have your company tomorrow,” Elizabeth said. “I do not...”
Darcy smiled and asked, “Will you miss me?”
Lifting her chin defiantly, Elizabeth said, “Not in the least. Georgiana can come to visit; we shall read Shakespeare and not notice your absence.”
Leaning closer and making the other ladies giggle, Mr. Darcy whispered just a little too loud to be private, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will you not miss me; even just for a moment? Perhaps if I escort you through the gardens again and propose a second time, you will miss me for a moment or two?”
Darcy and Georgiana stayed until it was time to return to Rosings to dress for dinner. Mr. Collins continued to be absent from their table at the parsonage so Mrs. Gardiner and her nieces had Edward and Emily sit with them for dinner and they made a happy party.
++**++
In the morning, Elizabeth met Mr. Darcy in the gardens and gave him a letter to take to her father. Their discussions and moments were private that morning and Elizabeth planned to write several more letters to pass the time until Mr. Darcy returned.
Once Lady Catherine and Mr. Darcy departed for London, Georgiana walked to Hunsford to spend the day at the parsonage and she brought an invitation for supper from Miss de Bourgh. When Mrs. Gardiner inquired, Georgiana denied any knowledge of Mr. Collins and his plans to return to Hunsford. Late in the afternoon, the de Bourgh carriage arrived at the parsonage to carry the ladies to the house.
While they waited for Georgiana to change for supper, Miss de Bourgh and Mr. Collins enterta
ined the visitors with a discussion of the meaning of the Sermon on the Mount – the topic for the coming Sunday’s sermon. Jane remained relaxed and seemed content to allow Mr. Collins to pay all of his attentions to Miss de Bourgh. No one made mention of Elizabeth’s engagement to Mr. Darcy.
When the evening came to an end, Anne turned to her cousin. “Georgiana, I think you should return to the parsonage for the evening. I see that you are enjoying the company of your friend and I believe you should spend the night with the Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth at the parsonage. But Mr. Collins will remain here at Rosings. He has to meet Mr. Livingston this evening and with my steward early in the morning.”
Suddenly Mrs. Gardiner endorsed the suggestion. “You are indeed thoughtful Miss de Bourgh. Miss Darcy can spend the evening with my nieces and Mr. Collins will be safe here at Rosings – it would not do for Mr. Collins to trip and fall in the darkness.”
++**++
Chapter 31.
Jane’s Surprise at Tea Time
The following morning was quiet with a few housekeeping tasks, gardening and playing with the Gardiner children to occupy the time for Elizabeth and Jane.
“Lizzy, do you feel differently today?”
“How do you mean?”
“You are engaged now and have a strong regard for Mr. Darcy. Does it make you feel different to be engaged to him?”
Elizabeth was reluctant to reply but when she saw Jane’s face, she had to explain. “Yes, I do feel differently. I miss William’s face and voice. I want to walk beside him in the gardens.”
“I am glad for you,” Jane said. “It is a great gift you have received.”
“How can I make things better for you?” Elizabeth asked her sister sincerely. “I would not see you unhappy.”
Jane smiled as she replied, “My life will not be sad. I shall find good works to fill my days.”
“You shall come visit me every year!” Elizabeth insisted.
Jane reached over to hug her sister tightly but then returned to her work with the linens. When tea time arrived, the ladies in the parsonage exchanged remarks that there remained no sign of Mr. Collins returning to the parsonage.
Mrs. Gardiner commented while watching young Edward and Emily playing in the garden. “Did Mr. Collins indicate his plans to return to the parsonage?”
“I expected him to return the morning after Miss Bingley’s departure,” Jane replied. “But with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s announcement, I forgot about his return. And last evening... well the evening was too nice to worry about his return.”
“Perhaps Mr. Collins and my cousin are continuing their religious study,” Georgiana suggested meekly though she refused to meet anyone’s eyes.
Glancing once at Georgiana with surprise, Elizabeth stood and announced, “I propose an excursion –shall we walk to Rosings and seek Mr. Collins through the halls and in the gardens? Miss de Burgh will enjoy the diversion.”
“I shall allow the excursion but remain here with my children,” Mrs. Gardiner announced. “Jane and Elizabeth walk with Miss Darcy to Rosings and determine when Mr. Collins will return to his domicile.”
The spring afternoon was glorious! The trees were brilliantly green with fresh leaves and brilliant yellow buttercups bloomed in the ditches along the road, their fragrance filling the air. When they stepped onto the gravel path in the gardens of Rosings Park, a bed of two hundred red tulips dominated the centre of the garden and the gardener was pleased to receive the commendations of all three ladies. Birds sang in the shrubberies as they built nests and flew around the garden. In this beautiful garden, Jane thought she would find some contentment with her life as Mrs. Collins in such an environment as this.
However, any contentment they felt vanished when they reached the house and found it deserted – the door stood open with the footmen and butler were nowhere to the found.
Jane and Georgiana were both disturbed by the absence of the staff but fearlessly Elizabeth led the way into the depths of the manor house, searching for maids, footmen, Mr. Collins and Miss de Bourgh. When they reached the stairs leading down to the kitchens, Elizabeth went ahead with her sister and future sister-in-law following behind. Once they reached the kitchens, the three ladies found the maids, cook and housekeeper.
“Where is Miss de Bourgh?” Elizabeth asked. “Where is Mr. Collins?”
“Ladies, it isn’t proper for you to be here,” the cook told them.
“Cook, we came looking for Mr. Collins but cannot find anyone above stairs,” explained Georgiana.
“Is Mr. Collins missing as well? Has he been kidnapped by thieves and murderers like Miss de Burgh?” the cook asked.
“What are you...what has happened?” Elizabeth demanded to know though Georgiana and Jane were both shocked into silence.
“Miss de Bourgh is missing! She has been kidnapped!” exclaimed the housekeeper. “Mr. Livingston is directing the footmen in a search of the grounds for clues.”
“Tell us what happened,” Elizabeth directed the housekeeper.
“I only know when the maids went above stairs this morning to light the fires, the front door stood open and everyone up there were missing! Miss de Bourgh and Mrs. Jenkins and the lady’s maid what serves the young mistress are all gone.”
“Did anyone hear anything last night?”
“No miss. After supper last night, Miss de Bourgh gave us all champagne and beer – we slept so deep that robbers broke in and made off with the ladies – they must have taken the Mr. Collins too!”
“Send one of the maids into the gardens and ask Mr. Livingston to return immediately,” Elizabeth suggested and the housekeeper did not hesitate to follow the young woman’s direction. While they waited, Georgiana and Jane went among the maids and reassured them that all would be well.
“When Mr. Darcy returns, he will put the house to rights and discover the whereabouts of Miss de Bourgh,” Jane told several of the maids. As Georgiana repeated the same refrain, the maids grew calmer. The cook finally rose from her seat and set her maids to work once again – they would need luncheon since no one had broken their fast.
When Mr. Livingston entered the kitchens, he was so relieved to see the three gentle ladies that he forgot to be scandalized that they were in the kitchens.
“Tell us exactly what you found this morning,” Elizabeth insisted.
“I was called when the maids were hysterical upon finding the empty rooms. The beds had not been slept in. I sent a footman to the stables and he reported that the de Bourgh carriage, horses and coachman were all missing.”
As Elizabeth paused to consider the butler’s words, Livingston asked, “Do you think the coachman kidnapped Miss de Bourgh?”
“I do not know where Miss de Bourgh has gone but with the absence of her maid and lady’s companion as well, I do not think there are nefarious forces at work here.”
“Be assured Livingston, all will be well,” Georgiana assured the butler. “Now, go to the kitchen and ask that tea be brought to the front parlour and make certain you take refreshment also.”
The young lady repeated her assurance for everyone, “My brother will know what to do when he returns to Rosings.”
++**++
It was tea time before the Darcy carriage was seen approaching Rosings Park. Elizabeth, Jane and Georgiana gathered outside the front door though Livingston was nervously hiding inside the house.
Darcy descended from the carriage without waiting for the footman and as he handed his aunt out of the carriage, he noticed the quiet faces of the three ladies.
“What is this welcoming party?” Lady Catherine asked. “Where is Livingston? I have fools for solicitors in London – I am penniless until late summer because of fools!”
Darcy urged his aunt forward and she pushed away from him, leaving him behind as she went into the house, demanding to know where her servants were. “Why am I unattended? Livingston! Livingston!”
Darcy stepped close to Elizabeth and Georgiana, �
��My dears, what is afoot?”
Before they can explain anything, there is a scream from inside the house and Darcy hurried inside to find his aunt collapsed into a chair.
“Mr. Darcy sir, you must take charge!” Livingston begged. “Miss de Bourgh has vanished!”
“She’s been kidnapped! I know it!” Lady Catherine screeched from her chair. Darcy noticed his aunt refused the attentions of her butler and the maids standing behind the chair.
“Tell me what has transpired,” he demanded of the butler.
As Livingston relayed the morning’s events to Mr. Darcy with Lady Catherine’s moans interrupting them regularly, Elizabeth, Jane and Georgiana came inside the house as well.
“The door was standing open this morning?”
“You are dismissed, Livingston!” Lady Catherine declared. “You were negligent and did not secure Rosings before retiring last night! No doubt you enjoyed a bottle of my wine in my absence!”
“Your Ladyship, I would...”
“Aunt, you must remain calm while I discover what I can regarding Anne’s disappearance.”
“This is your fault Darcy!” Lady Catherine next declared. “If you had married Anne last year, she would be safe today!”
Darcy caught Elizabeth’s eye for just a moment and she stepped forward to support him but he waved her back. “Aunt, shall I send for an apothecary to dose you with laudanum? Or will you remain calm and hear facts?”
Lady Catherine frowned but Darcy held her gaze until she nodded once in agreement.
“Georgiana, what do you know?”
“I spent the night at the parsonage, William,” his sister explained. “Anne suggested that I return with Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth after supper last evening. We had a very pleasant evening but nothing appeared to be amiss when we left Rosings.”
“Anne wanted you to stay at the parsonage?”
“Yes,” Georgiana replied.
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