It took Elizabeth a little more than the half an hour that Darcy had told Mrs. Reynolds. Darcy waited outside her door and they hurried downstairs, together. They had only been settled in the library a matter of minutes when Mrs Reynolds appeared with the menus. With, what appeared to Darcy, a practised eye Elizabeth went over the menus. She made some minor alterations either to amounts or to some of the items. She acquitted herself well. Thank God that awful job is no longer mine! I hope that she will teach Georgiana how to do the menus with such ease. He noticed with a small raise to his lips that Elizabeth was reducing the amount of food placed on the table. Thereby reducing the amount of leftovers that would be fed to the pigs. As he watched her, Darcy wondered how he had managed without her since he became master of Pemberley. Mrs Reynolds also quietly watched the interaction of Elizabeth and Darcy. She did not miss the reductions Elizabeth made or the pride which was beaming over Darcy's face. Elizabeth had made a loyal servant of Mrs Reynolds. The housekeeper had known for a while that Cook was inflating the amounts put on the table.
Once the menus were completed, Darcy and Elizabeth left the library. They entered the drawing together. Jane and Bingley were deep in conversation. Mr Bennet was sitting with a book and Georgiana was relaxing with a little sewing. The afternoon had fled from them and now, dinner was ready. Darcy escorted Elizabeth through to dinner. Everyone followed them to the dining room. Once more, Elizabeth was given the hostess seat at the end of the table opposite Darcy, and her father sat next to her. Georgiana sat next to her brother, Jane and Bingley sat on the other side.
"So Lizzy, you seem to be settling in very easily,” teased Mr Bennet.
"Why, sir, I hope you're not inferring anything improper." Laughed Lizzy pretending to be shocked.
"Would it be so very bad if there were, Lizzy?" Darcy joined in as they both blushed.
"Why, I could not answer that one,” Elizabeth laughed. "It should not be discussed at the dinner table if there were."
Bingley and Jane then joined in the general banter. Georgiana looked on horrified, not yet understanding sarcastic humour. Georgiana was in an awkwardly unique position. Her brother seemed to relish this show of sarcasm yet he had not allowed her to speak to him in such a manner. She realised that there was much that she still had to learn. The joke came to its natural conclusion and the conversation turned to other things. For the rest of the meal, the conversation centred around the war with France.
Georgiana and Elizabeth were singing duets when they joined the ladies. Almost immediately Bingley and Mr Bennet had sat down to backgammon. Darcy sat down with his book, and that evening finished the last few pages that were remaining. He found the second volume. Elizabeth soon left the pianoforte. She picked up the book Darcy had recently discarded and started reading it. "Now, what was it you told me, Elizabeth, at the ball at Netherfield? We don't read the same things, or with the same feelings?" Darcy said smiling
"Oh, I did, didn't I?! Were you reading this one?" She had not seen him put it down.
"Yes, actually I have been reading it for the last year. It's the one I was reading when Miss Bingley tried to read the second volume."
"Oh yes, poor Miss Bingley. She got bored with her book so quickly."
"You know what I remember most from that night?"
"No, not really. I don't really remember much from those whole four days that was very good!"
"I'm sorry for that. I truly am. Yet, the only thing I remember from that night was not what I was reading though I know I did read that night. I can only remember you and Miss Bingley walking around the room."
"Ah yes, I remember your reply to Miss Bingley's entreaty that you would join us."
"Was it really so very bad?"
"No. Miss Bingley would have called any compliment to a woman other than her, abominable."
"I did mean it as a compliment to you. I also meant it as a leave me alone to Miss Bingley. For the whole of those four days, she was being more annoying than normal. She was trying to tease me about you, while trying to gain my attention. I know she was getting jealous of both you and Jane because you were effortlessly attracting us." Darcy said, turning serious.
"I came to that conclusion a long time ago."
"Ah yes, your character studies, and I almost fear to know what you think of my dear sister.”
"I shall wait to know your sister a little longer before I make any judgements."
"Maybe that would be wise."
Georgiana then walked across the room. She sat on Darcy's other side, and all private conversation between Elizabeth and Darcy was at an end. They concentrated on their books. Frequently, Elizabeth would make a comment about the book she was reading. An intense discussion would follow, sometimes they agreed other times they disagreed. Georgiana wished that she had read that book so that she could join in the discussion. It was a new purchase that had left Georgiana no time to read it before Elizabeth picked it up. Thus the evening passed quickly and quietly for all.
Upon retiring to bed, Darcy struggled with himself. The temptation to head through the connecting door to the mistress’s rooms was strong. More than once did he creep close to the door before he lost his courage and retreated back to bed. No, he would keep himself under good regulation that night, but alas sleep would not come. By morning, Darcy had finished the second volume of his book and had started on the third. Unknown to Darcy, Elizabeth was having the same struggles as he was. She had also resorted to reading to while away the time when sleep refused to close her eyes.
The next morning before breakfast, a tired Darcy gave a tired Elizabeth a full tour of Pemberley. Mrs Reynolds joined them. Although the house was large, it was well maintained. The only need was new curtains in Elizabeth's rooms.
Over breakfast, a letter arrived that altered their plans. Darcy didn't notice the address or date at the top of the letter. He was too eager for the contents.
My dear Cousin,
Thank you for your recent letters. I have not until now responded as I have taken on the duties of Rosings. Mother is not happy with this! She has caused me a lot of problems. She has neglected many repairs. Our cousin, the Viscount, has in fact been very helpful, and so has our cousin, the colonel.
I congratulate you that you won the hand of the fair Miss Elizabeth Bennet! I wish I was with you to see the joy and to celebrate this happy event with you.
My health has improved so much in the last month that now I feel very strong. I am proposing to stay with you, wherever you are for the next two months, I hope this is convenient. I will call at your London house in two days and they should then tell me where you are. Don't worry if you are travelling a lot between town, Pemberley or Hertfordshire. I'm sure I'll catch up with you wherever you are.
Your Affectionate Cousin,
Anne deBourg
Darcy, had no time to advise Elizabeth of the contents. He looked up in shock, just as Anne strode into the breakfast parlour. The letter had lost time in being forwarded from the townhouse. All warning was lost.
Anne, though, looked radiant. He took Darcy moment to recognise that it was his cousin. He had never seen her look this healthy or this stout.
"My dear, Anne, welcome. Have you breakfasted?" Darcy asked rising as Anne entered the room.
"Hello, Fitzwilliam, no I have not breakfasted yet," Anne replied.
"Congratulations, again on winning the fair lady’s hand." Giving her cousin a kiss, she then went to the other end of the table and hugged Elizabeth. "I have to thank you, Elizabeth. My mother was so dreadful to those around her, and the bowing and scraping of your cousin only made her worse. You seem to have given everyone around us the courage to stand up to her. After she visited Fitzwilliam in town, she has been so very angry. The heart of the matter is that she's a broken woman. Her sole strength and pride were in lauding her title and power. Mr Collins is needed to lift her spirits. He is the only one now who still bows and scrapes to her. He seems oblivious to the fact that I am his benefactr
ess. I am now, established as the sole mistress of Rosings Park."
Elizabeth was shocked and didn't know how to respond, but before she could Anne carried on. "Bother, I should have asked to call you Elizabeth, may I?" Anne asked. "I am afraid in my excitement and in pleasure that you will be my cousin I have jumped ahead of myself."
"Of course, however, my elder sister is here. May I introduce her?" Elizabeth laughed. Anne's excitement was contagious. It reminded her of the excited letter Georgiana had written.
"Of course, please do," Anne said. Darcy, meanwhile, had signalled a footman to prepare one more place setting. To Darcy it felt as if Elizabeth had breathed new life into more than just his life and homes. His whole family seemed to be coming alive around her.
"Miss Anne deBourg, my father Mr Thomas Bennet and my elder sister, Miss Jane Bennet." Jane, Mr Bennet and Anne deBourg exchanged courtesies and then Anne sat to eat. Jane expressed a wish to visit Lambton and a general expedition was agreed.
The party after breakfast, they all set off for Lambton. Darcy and Elizabeth shared memories. His were of boyhood frolics with Wickham, before status marred the boy's lives. Hers were secondhand stories that Mrs Gardiner had told her in August.
Not more than five minutes into their walk did the news spread of the Darcy's touring the village. Nearly every resident decided to pay their respects. Elizabeth quickly renewed her acquaintances from August.
The next day was to be the Lambton assembly, and promises were extracted from all that they would attend. Each face told a story as the promise was given. Bingley, Darcy, Jane and Elizabeth all showed much excitement. Georgiana and Anne both became anxious and Mr Bennet, as usual, was ambivalent.
The Ladies now needed to visit the milliners. Ball gowns were not needed but necessary accoutrements to go with them were. The milliner swelled with pride deliver a large order to Pemberley. The Darcy party knew that it would be the talk of the town for months to come.
The errand to the milliners completed, the Darcy party retreated back to Pemberley. A flurry of activity now took place for the rest of the day and the following day. Bonnets were re-trimmed, and shoes were prepared. Gowns were chosen. Everything was ready by mid-afternoon the next day.
The evening of the ball, the gentlemen were ready for a full half an hour before the women. The men were playing casino and positioned themselves in such a way to command full view of the door. Mrs Annesley and Mr Bennet would be the chaperones this evening. Mrs Annesley was the first lady to arrive in the drawing room. Georgiana was next. Darcy was stunned at how mature she looked that night. Anne came next. Last time Darcy had seen her, it had been inconceivable that she would go to a ball. Elizabeth and Jane arrived together. Darcy and Bingley both swore that it was their lady that was the most beautiful.
On their way to the assembly, Elizabeth made Darcy promise that he would dance with other ladies. Ones outside of their party. This he promised, though he would not promise to dance every set. They arrived early to Lambton. It seemed to Darcy that this was a rerun of the Meryton assembly a year ago. Once again, his party was the most fashionable at the ball. The musicians were good. Darcy as a patron of Lambton was requested to open the dancing, which he did with Elizabeth. One look at her face and Darcy knew he was going to once more be laughed at.
They bantered, half serious and half mocking throughout the whole of their set. Before they could sit, Elizabeth and Jane were engaged for the next set. Bingley went and found himself another partner, as well. Darcy sat out that dance, and watched his sister dancing, and booked Anne for the following two dances.
When those two dances ended, Darcy claimed his cousin's hand. Their conversation was as follows: "Fitzwilliam, what made Elizabeth refuse you at first?" Asked Anne, she had him cornered and was determined to gain the information that she desired.
"I acted badly on introduction and added other bad behaviours. Wickham, of course, stirred the…" Darcy coughed. He realised he was about to use one of Colonel Fitzwilliam's expressions in front of a lady. "That is, Wickham, gave her his usual sob-story."
"Was it a misunderstanding then?"
"Despite false premises, she was correct in her assessment of my character. I have endeavoured to correct my faults. I did something that was unforgivable to her sister and should have righted it earlier than I did. As for Wickham, Elizabeth was completely ignorant of his true character. Elizabeth held a mirror up to my character. It showed my whole demeanour towards her, was rude and arrogant. In short, I had become the epitome of everything I loathed. Afterwards, more instances came to my mind which crushed me. I could no longer deny being obnoxious to all around me."
"And so, your being 'indisposed' on that night she had a headache. Was it related?"
"No. It's a slight blur now, but I had slipped out to check she was feeling better, and somehow I made that proposal to her. I had intended to offer my hand, but not that night. It tumbled out of me before I knew what I was about. I insulted her with some of my expressions, and attitudes. Her refusal and reasons gave me such a shock that I walked in the park for nearly four hours afterwards. I was not able to comprehend all that had happened. It was then I realised that I had a headache. Things started to sink in, just as I began to feel extremely unwell, my behaviour made me sick to my stomach. I no longer know whether it was my behaviour or the illness that made me sick, at the time I thought it was my behaviour."
"So, she did have her part to play. Mother had no idea; she convinced herself that you didn't want to leave Rosings.”
"I didn't, but not for the reason she thought,” Darcy grinned ear to ear.
"There was enough evidence. You and Miss Elizabeth had a relationship of some kind. For her manner after that was strikingly altered. She seemed… almost morose. Again, my mother construed it to be about leaving Rosings."
"Did Elizabeth mention me?"
"No, she did not"
"You say the servants overheard my awful proposal?"
"Yes, and what is more your collapse created a definite gossip mill amongst the servants! Mother won't hold her tongue in front of the servants. It was my maid who mentioned it to me worried. It was then that the servants threatened to tell my mother that you had offered your hand to Miss Elizabeth. Two of them had to be paid off and threatened that they would lose their jobs if they said anything. It was settled and we kept it from my mother. I don't know what she would have said or done. Though I understand from our cousin's letters there was many an anxious wait by your bed while you were ill."
"Nobody has told me how bad I actually was.”
"I understand there was one week where they wondered if you would come through it.”
"Oh dear, the strain on Georgiana."
"I understand she sat next to your bed as long as she could.”
"When I wasn't sleeping I was going over the events from last summer through to last spring. I was so unwell that I was unable to let anyone know when I was awake." This was said just as their paths crossed with Elizabeth and her partner. She gave such a look of alarm that Darcy knew he would have to explain it later on, but now he had not the chance. Bother! I didn't want Elizabeth to know about my illness! Oh well. I guess she'd have found out sooner or later anyway.
"Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam told me all. Apparently, you kept calling for Elizabeth. You also called out the names of Miss Bennet and Mr Bingley.”
"Yes, I at first justified my actions there, but eventually I came to see how absurd it was that I had acted in such a way. I have so many regrets... This will not do." I have been such a selfish ignorant bastard!" Anne started and Darcy realised he had again used an inappropriate word in front of a lady. "How could I have hurt so many that I claimed to have cared about?"
Anne recognised that Darcy was spiralling in guilt. This would not do, he should be enjoying himself. "I will now change the subject. Elizabeth's cousin is a scandalmonger! It was he who came to my mother with the tale that you would very soon be engaged to Miss Elizabe
th. Mother was angry. At first she wanted to say that Elizabeth was ill-bred. After you said what you did to her, she could not say that you were ill-bred. She came home and took it out on me. She told me it was my fault. I should have been more accomplished, and that I should have a better conversation. This I could not take and I told her if she had not been such an overbearing woman, I should have been healthier. I am in fact, able to play the pianoforte, and I am more accomplished than anyone knows of. Except for one person."
Darcy looked at Anne. Here it was. A reference to that unknown young man that Georgiana had mentioned. What was happening? His cousins seemed to have changed since Kent. Could it be that he had changed, and now saw them as they truly were, not his own ideas of what they were. "I'm glad to hear it, but why did you not make it known?"
"I could not. Mama insisted on telling everyone how sickly and weak I was. I had to play the part, and the longer I played the part, the weaker I got. Eventually, I knew that I had to do something. I was only looking for the opportunity to do so.”
"So, mine and Elizabeth's frankness with her actually helped you then?"
"Yes, I suppose it did. Mind, my mother is also very frank."
"Yes, indeed. From what Elizabeth has told me, her frankness insulted Elizabeth. When she came to see me well she again was insulting to Elizabeth and then to me, I'm afraid, I was way too frank back to her."
"Yes, it seems to be a family trait that we speak our minds too freely. I hope Elizabeth is not as outspoken as we are!"
"Well, in that my dear cousin you will be disappointed for if anything, she is more than we are. Tell me honestly. Is it true that Mr Collins thought it necessary to tell my aunt and you about Wickham and Lydia?"
"Yes, I'm afraid he did. I personally was affronted. He seemed to be congratulating himself that Elizabeth had refused his offer."
"What ignorant rudeness. Did he not realise that by being related he was tarnishing his own reputation? Especially given that he was spreading the story."
1812 How It All Began- Part 2 Page 23