April 20, 1812 #3
In five minutes, the house was cleared of the matriarch, and Charlotte was barking orders at her servants while Lizzy sat staring out the sitting room window with the sound of Lady Catherine’s retreating carriage rolling into the distance. She was unsurprised to note that her tea was still warm.
Thirty minutes later, Elizabeth’s trunk was packed and her traveling clothes donned. She had assured herself nothing had been left behind, most notably Mr. Darcy’s letter which she clutched in her reticule as she stood on the steps of the parsonage.
“Lizzy, this is a most unusual occurrence. I hope you will not allow the telling of this part of your stay to color the enjoyment you had at Hunsford.”
“Of course not, Charlotte. Your husband has a very powerful patroness. One must accept the eccentricities of the very rich.”
Hearing another carriage pull up in front of the parsonage, behind the carriage being loaded for London, she picked up her copy of Shakespeare. “My only regret is that I could not take my leave of Miss Darcy and Miss de Bourgh.”
“And no one else?” The tease in Charlotte’s voice made Elizabeth blush. “No, of course not.”
They proceeded toward the London bound carriage, only to be met by Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss de Bourgh.
“Miss Bennet, we were to understand Mrs. Collins is departing for London and you will remain here alone until her return.”
“No, sir. I am to travel with Mrs. Collins, and then directly to Longbourn as my relatives are traveling and not in London. I regret, I must beg your forgiveness for not coming to you to take my leave.”
The colonel glanced from Miss de Burgh to Elizabeth. “Can we entreat you to alter your travel plans and return with us to Rosings?”
Her brows rose at their request, and she glanced at Charlotte before responding.
“Our travel plans have only been directed in the last hour. Yet, I am certain Lady Catherine would frown on any alterations.” Elizabeth heard a small gasp from inside the carriage and knew that Elise would have much to tell Lady Catherine when the carriage arrived in London.
“Miss Bennet.” Miss de Bourgh stepped forward with a quick look at the colonel.
“I assure you we have all had ‘plans made for us’ by those imagining they had the right to…dictate our lives, as my cousin Darcy could attest. Yet,” she said, smiling, “you do not appear to be the type of young woman who would sit idly by and allow that to occur.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “You have guessed correctly. In such cases as these, I have no alternative but to do as I am bid. Mrs. Collins would agree, I am certain, and this carriage has already been loaded with my trunk.”
Charlotte interjected in the conversation. “I do not believe your presence is required in London, Lizzy. And, by the time we were to arrive, it would be too late for you to travel on to Longbourn. No, I think the colonel has the right of it.”
“Daniels,” Colonel Fitzwilliam called to the footman, “remove Miss Bennet’s trunks!”
Elizabeth looked on in shock as the young man nimbly climbed up to the top of the carriage and hoisted down her trunk in seconds.
“Now,” the colonel said, “it appears there is no impediment in making the decision which most pleases you.”
Elizabeth laughed. “But Colonel. Once again, I have no alternative but to travel to London.”
“Oh, right. You have not asked her, Anne.”
“Asked me?” Elizabeth asked. “Ask me what?”
Anne de Bourgh turned to Elizabeth and said, “Miss Bennet, as both my cousin and I hope to become better acquainted with you, we would be most grateful if you would be our guest at Rosings for the final weeks of your planned stay at Hunsford.”
“I would be pleased to accept but fear any reprisal against my friend and cousin from Lady Catherine. What will her reaction be when she learns I did not travel with Mrs. Collins and the maid? I do not wish to seem ungrateful, as I would dearly love to be your guest, but…”
Colonel Fitzwilliam clicked his tongue. “You are a sharp one, Miss Bennet. No matter the length of my aunt’s stay in London, you are a welcome guest. Please do not fear reprisal for you or your friend.”
“Yes.” Anne de Bourgh rested her hand on Elizabeth’s arm.
“When you are with one who knows how to tame her, Lady Catherine is not the fearsome creature she appears.” The colonel winked at his cousin, then turned to the ladies.
“Mrs. Collins, I will send a note with you stating we will deliver Miss Bennet to her father’s estate and Lady Catherine need not concern herself. ”
“A fine idea, Colonel. Miss de Bourgh, I believe I must be off, as I am not one who knows how to tame Lady Catherine. Lizzy, take care, and enjoy the hospitality of Rosings.” Charlotte squeezed her arm and gave a knowing look before alighting the carriage and driving away.
“So you see, Miss Bennet. All is well, and as I said, my cousins and I were hoping to become better acquainted with you.”
Her heart felt lighter and hope bubbled in her breast as to which cousin Miss de Bourgh referred. “I would be delighted.”
The late afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting a golden haze across the floral papered walls and spilling throughout the expansive room.
This was to be her room for the remainder of her stay in Kent; the room was more extensive than Longbourn’s dining room and contained more crystal and candles than Elizabeth had seen in all her twenty years.
She languidly sat in the chair overlooking the boxwood garden with the promise of good company and conversation awaiting her in an hour’s time, when the maid came from the dressing room.
“Is there anything else, miss?”
“No, Adele. I will dress in thirty minutes.”
“Very well.” The young girl bobbed a curtsey and retreated through the servant’s door.
Elizabeth waited for her to depart before collecting her reticule.
She retrieved the letter inside, and her heart skipped when she recognized the broad even strokes of his penmanship, her name emblazoned across the front.
Oh, Miss Bingley, how correct you were when you flattered Mr. Darcy’s hand all those months ago.
Caressing her own name on the front of the parchment, a wave of uncertainty shot through her. She remembered the contents with mixed emotions: first contempt, then shock, and finally shame.
It had been a tempestuous moment. To be told, I was ardently loved, but that my family lacked in all that was refined.
Even Mr. Collins’ sorry excuse for a proposal had been kinder than Mr. Darcy’s.
Yet… The words she had thrown at him in a fit of anger stung her, too.
“Had your father never had a son, Mr. Wickham would have fulfilled the job more admirably.” She shook her head with disgrace, now owning there had been much to the man she had not understood.
You must face the consequences of your narrow-mindedness and prepare to be chastised once again. Of what you have discovered from his cousins, sister, and even Mr. Darcy himself this week alone, he should be absolved from most, if not all, the blame you heaped at his door.
“And, besides, your dreams have been most enlightening,” she whispered. Is it true that in dreams we often see truth where in reality, resentment clouds our judgment? She burrowed back down in the well-cushioned chair, took a deep breath, and began the epistle.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet,
Be not alarmed, my love, that this letter contains any sentiments that last night were so worrisome to you…
Elizabeth stopped reading, squinting at the strange words on the page.
Be not alarmed, my love? What is this? That is most assuredly not how the letter began!
Her mind raced at the unknown text, as she spoke to the empty room.
“He talked of his words being disgusting to me. I particularly remember the word ‘disgusting.’ What joke could this be?” Her heart began to race, and she read on.
In the mist of the morning, I will face my lifelong foe, the man who has brought nothing but pain and heartbreak to my world.
However, I have been blessed with the second chance of your love, and I will not throw it away.
I know you are concerned with the outcome of tomorrow’s duel, but know this: God would not bring us together solely to have me perish…
A strange feeling began to crawl up Elizabeth’s neck.
I have loved you from the first moment of our acquaintance, although we may have different recollections as to the particular event.
Your kindness to me during my illness, as well as to your sister, does you credit.
Mrs. Collins truly values your support in her marriage.
Without your presence at the parsonage, your sister may not have found any joy.
That is what you have done for me, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.
You have brought me joy in every moment of my life that I have known you.
Know that our marriage will not be something in which we have to rely upon others to find our happiness. We will find it from our mutual respect and consideration. Having reclaimed my heritage and the Darcy name, our children will grow rich in our love and the knowledge of their ancestors.
Yes, my love. Children. A house full of them.
I anticipate the day when I wake with you in my arms to the sound of squeals and giggles from our numerous children––sons with my sense of honor and duty, and daughters with your wit, charm, and expressive eyes.
I anticipate with longing the moment when you will become mine.
I am all anticipation for an end to this disaster with Wickham so we can begin our life together. You have enchanted me, Elizabeth Bennet, and I am yours to command, heart and soul.
I choose you!
William Darcy (nee’ Fitzroy)
Her breath caught, and the only other sound was the fluttering of the pages as they fell to the floor.