Chapter 16 #2
“Brother, have you spoken to him? What will you do?” the girl enquired shyly.
“My dear, I promised you I would not take any measures against him, provided he keeps his side of the bargain and does not bother any of us again. I hope you know I always keep my promises.”
“I know… Does anyone know that George… Is Miss Elizabeth aware that…?”
“The people of Meryton know what Wickham told them — that he was our father’s godson and that I was a cruel man and disloyal son and denied him the promised living,” Darcy explained.
“If you ever want to tell Miss Elizabeth anything else, the decision will be yours. But I am confident it has no significance to her in regard to your friendship.”
The young lady nodded, and both men noticed she was on the verge of tears. She remained in their company only for a few more minutes, then apologised and withdrew for the night.
“I would gladly break every bone in Wickham’s body too,” Darcy burst out as soon as Georgiana left. “Or at least throw him into debtors’ prison.”
“I wonder why you do not. You waste your patience on that undeserving rascal.”
“Yes, even Miss Bennet asked me why I was so lenient with him,” Darcy declared.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Have you spoken to her about him?”
“Yes. Wickham spread his falsehoods, and she asked me for my side of the story. I told her the truth.”
“The entire truth?”
“Not quite. It was a rather odd conversation because she remembered Wickham had been a friend to Georgiana when they were young. Naturally, I had to explain that Wickham had deceived and hurt Georgiana. There was no need for more, but I suspect she guessed the nature of Wickham’s deception.”
“She likely did, if she is as clever as you described her.”
“It is somehow ironic that she apparently met Wickham when she visited Pemberley and remembered him taking advantage of Georgiana even then, by asking her to steal small things for him. Georgiana was only five at that time. Miss Lizzy confronted Wickham back then, and I am worried she might confront him again.”
“Well, well. The more I learn about her, the more I am certain Miss Elizabeth is my kind of lady.”
“No, she is not, Richard,” Darcy replied so severely that the colonel stared at him.
“Richard, although I do not question your honour, and I am sure Miss Elizabeth is perfectly capable of protecting herself, I must tell you I shall not allow even the smallest joke or teasing if it shows any sign of impropriety or disrespect. She will be my sister’s guest, under my protection, and I am responsible for her. ”
“Come, Darcy, you are being serious. I should be offended by your assumption. Do you truly doubt my behaviour?”
“I do not doubt you, Richard, but there are times when you are not careful enough with your words. You must admit it.”
The colonel gazed at Darcy intently, and his eyebrow arched in challenge.
“I do admit it. But are you aware that you betray significant and unusual interest in this Miss Elizabeth?” The colonel leant back, amused, sipping from his glass, and Darcy’s reply made him almost fall from his seat.
“I am aware, Richard. However, we shall not mention it again as long as Miss Elizabeth is my sister’s guest. The earlier warning of treating her with caution and consideration was meant not just for you but also for me.”
“So…Darcy, you do admit it? Your interest in Miss Elizabeth, I mean?”
“I do — to you only, and I trust your secrecy. Now let us change the subject.”
“Change the subject? Very well. Let us plan how we can punish Wickham!”
“Richard, I believe we have had enough brandy for one evening. Speaking of brandy, you would like Mr Bennet’s, I am sure. You would certainly like the gentleman himself too. He excels in teasing and mockery, so you would make a good match.”
“Your interest in both Miss Elizabeth and her father frightens me, Darcy. And no, I certainly have not had enough brandy. In fact, I need another drink. When did you say Mr and Miss Bennet will arrive? I must go with you to meet them both.”
Darcy rolled his eyes and filled his cousin’s glass one more time. There was not much to be done with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
***
At Longbourn, the day before Elizabeth’s departure was as agitated as she expected, and the worst that she feared, happened. Immediately after breakfast, Mr Collins insisted on a private meeting with her.
“My dear cousin Elizabeth, as you will leave tomorrow, and I cannot return to Rosings Park without accomplishing my mission, this meeting has become urgent and cannot be postponed.”
In sensing the ridiculous intent on Mr Collins’s part, Elizabeth attempted an immediate refusal, but her mother insisted and almost pushed her inside the drawing room, closing the door behind her.
She remained standing, while he moved around her.
“My dear cousin, as much as your modesty and demureness demands you feign ignorance, I am sure you cannot be unaware of the reason for this meeting.”
“Mr Collins, I assure you I am neither modest nor demure, and I try to refrain from making assumptions. With all due respect, I assure you there is no subject that requires privacy between the two of us.”
“Indeed, you are wrong, Miss Elizabeth. As I disclosed at the beginning of my visit, I came here with more than one purpose. And the one that I should have probably mentioned first was Lady Catherine’s advice on finding a wife.
I believed it only fair to start my search among my cousins, in order to compensate for the pain of losing your home as soon as your father dies. ”
“Mr Collins, I beg you to stop before placing both of us in a horrible and ridiculous situation. Let me state clearly that anything you wish to ask me, my answer will be no, and anything you would like to propose to me will receive a rejection. I have no doubts that, if Lady Catherine knew me, she would disapprove of me enough not to wish to see me often. Whatever she advises you to do, I am certainly not the choice to satisfy her demands!”
Mr Collins looked dumbfounded, confused, slowly becoming panicked, and kept gulping and blinking repeatedly, so Elizabeth had time to continue.
“Sir, let us tell my family that you only wanted to talk to me to wish me a safe journey and pleasant stay in London. And since I shall leave tomorrow and be gone probably for a long while, you have time to extend your search and to wisely select in such a way as to please Lady Catherine.”
“But…but…this is…”
“This is the best way to handle a delicate situation. I shall leave you now, and I pray for a happy resolution to your quest.”
She left in a hurry, and in the hall, she bumped into her mother. Mrs Bennet ran after her, asking what had happened.
“Nothing happened, Mama. Mr Collins and I agreed that I am lacking in many ways, and Lady Catherine would never approve of me.”
“What? How? What are you talking about, Lizzy? Did he propose to you?”
“No, Mama. Now excuse me, I must talk to Papa and then to Jane.”
“Lizzy! Lizzy, come here!” Mrs Bennet continued to scream, while Elizabeth entered the library.
Mr Bennet briefly raised his eyes from his book and peered at her over his glasses.
“Is it done?”
“Yes, Papa.”
“Will Mr Collins come to complain to me?”
“Unlikely. But Mama surely will. Her nerves must be greatly affected.”
“I have grown accustomed to Mrs Bennet’s nerves over the last twenty years, so I know how to manage them. Are your trunks ready?”
“Yes, Papa. Please, please, before we leave, speak to Mama and Lydia and Kitty one more time and warn them about their behaviour around the officers. I have already tried to, but they paid me no attention. I know Jane will be here, but she cannot manage everything by herself.”
“I shall talk to them, Lizzy, but I anticipate little success. Regardless, you know I shall only stay a few days in London. I intend to return just after the ball. I trust no tragedy will occur in a week.”
“I hope not, Papa.”
While they spoke, they expected Mrs Bennet to appear at any moment, but it did not happen. Instead, Lydia came to announce that Mr Bingley and Charlotte Lucas had arrived to take their farewell from Elizabeth and Mr Bennet, so for another hour the family was busy entertaining guests.
Mr Collins was sitting in a corner, angry, resentful, silent, glaring at Elizabeth from time to time.
When the visit ended, Charlotte Lucas embraced Elizabeth, then she addressed Mr Collins with an invitation from Sir William. Mr Collins, as though he had taken a breath of fresh air, immediately accepted, informing the Bennets that he would likely not return for dinner.
Mrs Bennet panicked and was ready to hold him by force, but Mr Bingley declared that he would remain for dinner, if possible.
Obliged to choose between the two gentlemen, Mrs Bennet found enough satisfaction in Mr Bingley’s presence and reluctantly watched Mr Collins leaving with Charlotte, barely repressing her anger.
She assured Elizabeth that they would discuss the matter further as soon as she returned from London, and Elizabeth agreed.
That evening, Mr Collins did not return, his absence contributing to a pleasant dinner and to quite some open sighs of relief.
The next morning, at dawn, Elizabeth and Mr Bennet left Longbourn, on a journey whose conclusion neither of them could anticipate.