Chapter 11 #2
Mrs. Hurst sighed. “She is not even out yet.” She turned another page. “Instead of troubling yourself over Charles, you might better attend to your own concerns. Oh, do look at this dress.”
Caroline sat up at once. “I am attending to my own concerns. That tiresome Miss Eliza appears to have secured far too much of Mr. Darcy’s notice.”
Mrs. Hurst glanced briefly at the illustration before turning the page again. “Caroline, really. If Mr. Darcy intended to propose, he would surely have done so by now.”
Caroline stiffened. “No. I shall not see him thrown away upon such a connection. When he observes how a proper hostess conducts herself, he will come to his senses.”
Mrs. Hurst’s expression suggested doubt. “I believe you place rather more importance upon that than Mr. Darcy does. He can scarcely be persuaded to attend a ball at all.”
Caroline frowned. “That is only because he is forever pursued by the most tiresome women.”
Mrs. Hurst paused, a faint smile touching her lips at the irony, before calmly turning another page.
***
The Bennets, with Mr. Collins in tow, arrived at Lucas Lodge. The room was already fairly crowded with well-wishers from both Meryton and the militia.
Elizabeth looked around the room and then made her way over to Charlotte, who was standing next to Colonel Foster. “Good evening, Charlotte, Colonel Foster. Congratulations to you both.”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr. Collins came up to the group. “Miss Elizabeth, you really should wait for me and not scamper off like that. It is most unseemly.”
“Thank you, Mr. Collins. However, I must inform you that I do not scamper.”
Mr. Collins paused for a moment to catch his breath. When he looked up, Miss Elizabeth had disappeared into the crowd.
***
Darcy entered Lucas Lodge and looked around for Elizabeth.
They had arrived later than he had hoped due to whatever foolishness Miss Bingley was up to.
Due to his height, he was able to see that Miss Elizabeth was walking away from Miss Lucas and Mr. Collins.
He shook his head. I cannot blame her for wanting to avoid that man.
He made his way over to her. “Good evening, Miss Elizabeth. You look especially lovely tonight.”
“Thank you, and good evening to you.”
“Do you think we will be able to sit together at dinner?”
“If we are lucky, perhaps. Although I should warn you, Mr. Collins has been following me around. I have to keep moving.”
“I will do my best to protect you, my lady.” Darcy gave a small bow.
“I am very happy to hear it, sir.”
Supper tables had been arranged in several rooms to accommodate the number of guests Lady Lucas had invited. Darcy guided Elizabeth to a table and assisted her in being seated. Soon after, Bingley and Jane joined them.
“Miss Elizabeth, will you allow me to fix a plate for you?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Thank you.”
Bingley offered to fix a plate for Jane and followed Darcy to the adjoining parlor, where a generous cold supper had been laid out.
Mr. Collins came over to the table. “There you are. I have been looking everywhere for you.” He took a seat next to Miss Elizabeth. “When we are married, you must learn to stay by my side.”
“Sir, you forget yourself. We are not married.”
Darcy returned with two plates. He set one down before Miss Elizabeth.
“I hope that I selected items you like.”
“It all looks very good, thank you.”
Darcy looked at Mr. Collins. “You are sitting in my seat.”
“But I must sit next to Miss Elizabeth.”
“We chose these seats. I would thank you to find another.”
Mr. Collins rose with an annoyed expression and moved to a nearby table.
Elizabeth sighed. “I am very sorry. I am at my wits’ end. He shadows my every move. It is very tiring. I can barely turn around without him being there.”
Darcy’s expression became very hard. “You should not be hounded like that. I will be very happy to explain it to him.”
Elizabeth placed her hand over Mr. Darcy’s. “No, I should not complain. He will not be here much longer, and then the problem will be resolved.”
Darcy’s expression softened at her touch. “Your patience astounds me.”
She smiled. “Come, let us enjoy our dinner, and then perhaps afterward we can steal Charlotte away for a few minutes.”
Darcy nodded. “Of course.”
***
Charlotte entered the back sitting room and noticed the tension in both Elizabeth's and Mr. Darcy's expressions.
"What has happened? You wished to speak with me in private.” Charlotte frowned as she listened to the account of the encounter with Mr. Wickham, the bruise on Elizabeth’s wrist, and the concern that he may be running up debts in Meryton.
Her gaze dropped briefly to Elizabeth’s wrist.
Charlotte nodded thoughtfully. “Colonel Foster will want to know of this at once.” She paused for a moment.
“I cannot believe he presumed to lay hands upon you. You may be sure I will tell Colonel Foster of this behavior. As for the debts, the merchants should be warned about giving credit too freely to any of the officers. He will not be welcome at Longbourn again.”
Elizabeth hugged her. “Thank you, Charlotte. I appreciate your help.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Thank you, Miss Lucas.”
***
Elizabeth was seated at her dressing table, brushing her hair, when Jane knocked and entered. “Come in.”
Jane smiled. “Here, let me take the brush.”
Elizabeth handed it to her, and Jane began to draw it gently through her hair.
“Thank you, Jane. That is very soothing.”
“I am glad, Lizzy. You work too hard. You must take care of yourself as well.”
She continued brushing in steady strokes. “Lizzy, I am so sorry. I know Mr. Collins has been a great nuisance, but you are always so composed that I did not fully consider how tiring it must be for you.”
Elizabeth reached up and laid her hand lightly over Jane’s. “Dear Jane, you are too kind. Pray do not trouble yourself. He will be gone in a few days, and all will be well.”
Jane hesitated. “And Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth glanced at her reflection. “What of him?”
Jane paused in her brushing. "He seems quite protective of you. I was certain he was going to intervene rather forcefully when you said how tired you were of being chased."
Elizabeth laughed. "A picture just flashed through my mind of Mr. Collins being pounded into the ground by Mr. Darcy."
Jane resumed brushing, smiling. “He seemed quite ready. I believe he likes you very much, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth’s smile softened. “Perhaps. But what of you and Mr. Bingley?”
Jane’s expression brightened. “He is everything that is amiable. He has asked me for two sets tomorrow.”
“Two? Which two?”
“The first and the supper sets.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Mr. Darcy has asked me for the supper set as well. Perhaps we shall sit together.”
Jane set the brush aside and leaned down to embrace her. “Get some rest, Lizzy. I shall see you in the morning.”