Chapter 10
Meanwhile Elizabeth wrote to Jane immediately after returning to the house, as did Darcy to Bingley.
At afternoon tea time she gave him her letter to Jane and he added it to his pile of express letters to be taken by his personal rider that very day.
“She will have it tonight Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth nodded, “Did you talk to Lady Catherine? I would hate to see my sister arriving here to only be turned away at the door,” she asked, looking at the great lady apprehensively.
“Yes I did. As expected she was not happy about it but she agreed with my request without fighting back... which was unexpected.” He also looked at his aunt feeling a bit uncertain.
“Was it her in the grove? Did you ask her why she was there?”
“Yes I did. She said she went for a walk but turned around when she saw us talking so as to not intrude in our conversation.”
Elizabeth frowned thoughtfully, “This report does not sound like Lady Catherine’s normal behaviour at all. Do you believe her?”
“I do agree with you and I do not know what to believe. But she cannot forbid her guests from talking or walking in the woods, can she?” He smiled at her and Elizabeth again noticed those blasted dimples. She blushed when she realised she was staring at his mouth.
What is wrong with me? I must never forget how awful this man truly is! I have Mr Wickham’s story to fortify me against his charm... Charm... I never thought this word would ever be applied regarding Mr Darcy.
Elizabeth squared her shoulders in firm resolve and walked away from Darcy to the other side of the room, sitting herself by the Colonel, who smiled at her and asked about Charlotte.
“I believe she is feeling a bit better.”
“Yes,” The Colonel said, “I visited her this morning with my cousin Anne. She even sat up to talk to us. She looked healthier than I have ever seen her before.”
Dr Denville who was standing nearby nodded in agreement, “I agree Colonel that she is much better today than she was yesterday, but she is by no means out of danger yet.”
“That is good to hear, Doctor.” The Colonel then turned again to Elizabeth, “Miss Bennet I have not seen her husband Mr Collins visiting the sick lady yet, despite the fact that he is here every single day visiting his patroness. Do you know if he has been to see his wife?”
Elizabeth paled in disgust, “No, I am afraid he has not found time to visit his wife yet.”
The Colonel’s countenance darkened and he appeared ready to seize the unfortunate parson by the collar, had he been there; instead he said angrily, “But she has been here these four days already. Can it be credited that a man should display such indifference toward his own wife, a woman so dangerously indisposed on account of the child he has placed within her?”
Elizabeth started and coloured to the deepest crimson, her eyes falling at once to the carpet, uncertain where she might properly direct her gaze.
“Richard!” Came the stern and measured voice of Mr Darcy, who had approached the party upon observing that Elizabeth had quitted his side.
“I beg your pardon Miss Bennet,” the Colonel said with a contrite inclination of his head, though indignation yet animated his expression. “I cannot but feel exceedingly incensed. The fellow merits nothing less than to be called out.”
Elizabeth shook her head, mastering herself sufficiently to attempt a faint smile. “Indeed Colonel, were you to call him out you would but find yourself hanged for dispatching so pitiable a creature. It would be a most extravagant waste of a perfectly serviceable neck.”
The Colonel’s countenance softened and he smiled back at her. Darcy felt like kicking his cousin; the fangs of jealousy digging its claws on him.
“I doubt Richard would so much as be afforded the opportunity of shooting the wretched man,” said Darcy with dry contrariety.
“I would lay a large wager that the unfortunate simpleton would contrive to discharge the pistol upon himself by some pitiable accident, and Richard would be left to face the gallows for it, without even the grim consolation of having dispatched so thoroughly unfeeling a husband.”
The three men and Elizabeth jumped when Lady Catherine’s strident voice shrieked from across the room as was her wont, “What are you telling those men, Miss Bennet? I must have my part in the conversation.”
Darcy winced but Elizabeth turned serenely to the lady and said, “Nothing special my lady, we are talking about how good a husband Mr Collins is.”
The lady gave an indelicate huff. “Of course he is a good and most exemplary husband. I should hardly have selected him to preside over my flock had he been otherwise. In every particular he must prove superior. The example set before the neighbourhood must be irreproachable for the lower class requires firm and constant guidance.”
Lady Catherine bore herself with all the consequence of a queen at court.
“Naturally he acquires the art of leadership at my feet, as is entirely proper.” Having thus delivered this proof of superior rank, she allowed her gaze to travel the room; well pleased to observe that every eye was dutifully fixed upon her. .. in awe... she was certain.
***
The following afternoon Mr Bingley arrived.
Darcy had never explained why he needed his friend to come immediately to Rosings Park in Kent. He simply said that his presence was urgently required and he must come alone without his sisters and brother-in-law.
Bingley was directed to the library where Darcy was drinking brandy with his cousin and Dr Denville. All three men stood up to greet the new comer. After an inordinate amount of back thumping Bingley sat and smiled at the three gentlemen,
“Darcy, Richard, Dr Denville, what a pleasure meeting you all here. I thought you would all be in London by now. What is keeping you in Kent for so long? Is your aunt hosting a bachelor house party?” He chuckled at his own joke.
After the laughter subsided Darcy replied, “No my friend this is not a bachelor household. We have plenty of ladies residing at Rosings at present and at least one more is coming, hopefully by tomorrow.”
“Very well, but it still does not explain why you had me coming so urgently? What did you have planned for me, more training on how to manage an estate?”
“I thought you had given up on estate management, Bingley. Do you require more training?” Darcy asked feeling his face burning with shame.
“No you are mistaken; I have not given up and plan to learn a lot more and for a lot longer than just the two months we had in Hertfordshire.”
Richard looked pointedly at Darcy, and then said, “I understood you had no desire to return to your estate in Herefordshire. Was Darcy mistaken in that too?”
Darcy grimaced and hid his face behind his glass.
“No I never said I wanted to resign the lease. If I have not done it yet is because I am still holding on to some hope that... I mean... I need to learn one way or another and I think that Netherfield is as good as it will get... it was so beautiful... so...” Bingley said dreamily before he checked himself.
“So what?” Richard asked with laughter in his voice. “If I did not know that you were talking about an estate, I would swear you were talking about a beautiful woman instead.”
Poor Bingley choked on his drink and Darcy glared at his cousin who simply smiled nonchalantly.
Darcy rescued his friend by getting up and leading him out of the library and towards his bedchamber to rest and dress for the upcoming dinner.
***
The company met a little later for the formal dinner and Bingley stood frozen in the middle of the room when Elizabeth entered the parlour. He looked a little panicked at Darcy who stood back and watched his friend flounder.
Elizabeth quickly walked to the young man and offered an elegant curtsy, “Mr Bingley, how good it is to see you again. How are you sir?”
“Miss... Miss, Miss Elizabeth...” Bingley stammered.
She smiled kindly at the man, “Are you well, sir? I hope you are not displeased to meet an old acquaintance unexpectedly.”
Bingley finally recovered, “Miss Elizabeth it is such a joy to see you again. It must be almost five months; nay it is in fact past five months already since we all danced at Netherfield Park on the twenty seventh of November.”
“I believe you are right, sir. How time flies.” Elizabeth exclaimed.
Bingley nervously looked past Elizabeth to the door as if expecting somebody else to walk in after her.
“Please tell me Miss Elizabeth, is your family well and all your sisters? Are they all still at home?”
Elizabeth chuckled to herself; Mr Bingley did not know how to be subtle. “Yes they are all well. Thank you, sir. And no, my sister Jane has left home, for she is in London at the moment.”
At that moment the gong outside the dining room was heard announcing that dinner was served.
Mr Darcy quickly made his move and offered his arm to Elizabeth who winced but recovered quickly.
She had intended to torment Mr Bingley a little before telling him that Jane was on her way to Kent the next day.
But she was unfortunately, perversely thwarted by the punctual and not to be denied dinner bell.
Bingley offered his arm to Mrs Jenkinson, the Colonel to Lady Catherine and Dr Denville to Miss de Bourgh.
The table was too large for such a small party for Lady Catherine insisted in serving every dinner in the formal dining room.
So the eight people were scattered and far from each other while conversation was restrained if not completely impossible.
The only person who appeared at ease was Lady Catherine, who seemed to be able to cast her voice as efficiently as a stage actor on Drury Lane.
After three courses of lavish and extravagant food, Lady Catherine stood in stately fashion and led the ladies out to the drawing room, while the gentlemen stayed back to smoke cigars and drink port.
Once in the drawing room Lady Catherine took over arranging the seating, “Miss Bennet, please sit by Mrs Jenkinson. Anne, please sit alone as Darcy is about to come back and he needs to spend more time with his intended.” She looked pointedly at Elizabeth, “Darcy is a magnificent catch and there are many women of low birth who will try to ingratiate themselves with him. You must be more active regarding your betrothed Anne, to safeguard him against those scheming women.”
Elizabeth looked at Miss de Bourgh and was astonished to see that the woman could grow paler than she already was. The poor lady looked liked a trapped bird; her eyes grew even larger on her thin face and her hand trembled as she tried to adjust her shawl nervously.
However, Lady Catherine did not notice her daughter’s distress or simply ignored it, “You are going to play for us Miss Bennet, please make yourself useful.” Her ladyship demanded.
“Yes my lady, if you wish.”
“I would not tell you to play if I did not wish it.” Lady Catherine retorted angrily, “You are the only player here unfortunately. Be that as it may, you are but an indifferent substitute for my niece, as Georgiana’s execution is of the first style, incomparable, for her taste is beyond reproach even for one so young.
Yet I make no doubt that had I applied myself in earnest to the pianoforte, I should have equalled the best performers of the age; I would have been a true proficient. ”
Elizabeth made no answer to the futile, absurd notion and simply got up from the sofa and removed herself to play the instrument as the men returned to the drawing room.
Seeing Elizabeth at the instrument Bingley went straight there and sat beside her with a smile. Elizabeth smiled back and continued playing the tune she had chosen.
After a few minutes Lady Catherine’s voice was heard above the music, “Now that you are living at Rosings, Miss Bennet, you must practice more. There is a pianoforte in Mrs Jenkinson’s room and you would be in nobody’s way, you know, in that part of the house.”
Darcy looked ashamed of his aunt’s ill breeding and made no answer. He moved closer to the instrument and stopped in front of it while playing with his signature ring.
“You mean to frighten me Mr Darcy by coming in all this state to hear me? But I will not be alarmed, though your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.”
“Miss Bennet I know you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own.” He smirked.
“Ah!” cried Bingley laughing. “In that at least I am quite experienced. I confess that I sometimes miss the pleasure of seeing you both so spiritedly engaged. There was always something remarkably entertaining in it; though I admit I was vastly content not to be the object of your attentions.” He smiled at Elizabeth.
“You do us an injustice Bingley,” replied Darcy, with a smile that belied the gravity of his words. “Miss Bennet and I have never been at war. We have only differed in such a manner as to improve one another’s discernment.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled as she answered, “Indeed, Mr. Darcy I am relieved to hear it. For I should be most distressed to discover I had forfeited your good opinion, since I am given to understand that once lost it is lost forever.”
“On the contrary,” said Darcy, with a warmth that did not escape her notice, “in your case it is secured far more firmly than you suppose.”
Elizabeth frowned and blushed deeper. What does he mean in my case?
Bingley looked from one to the other with open delight. “Well! If this be not quarrelling, I must beg to witness more of it.”
Elizabeth smiled and returned her focus to the instrument while Bingley turned the pages for her.
Lady Catherine, with all the perseverance for which she was so justly celebrated, exerted herself throughout the evening to engage her nephew’s attention in favour of her daughter; yet for once even her determined directives were without effect.
Darcy’s replies, though perfectly respectful, afforded little encouragement, while Miss de Bourgh’s languid attempts at participation were endured rather than appreciated.
.. to the young woman’s own mortification.
Before the party dispersed for the night however, Lady Catherine had formed, with great satisfaction, a decisive plan by which her daughter’s long-anticipated engagement should be secured beyond the hazard of further delay.