Chapter 14
When Elizabeth finally arrived back at the manor house there was utter mayhem.
Apparently Mr Collins had been found dead by Lady Catherine’s maid in the lady’s own private sitting room, with his mouth stuffed with cake.
Colonel Fitzwilliam as an officer of His Majesty’s Army had the authority to immediately seal the room and start an investigation. He soon called the local magistrate and together they started an inquiry which rapidly produced results, so that before nightfall the following actions had been taken.
After interviewing the staff they arrived at the conclusion that the colonel's aunt had planned the murder of Elizabeth Bennet while they all had been in the drawing room the night before. Lady Catherine apparently intended to do the deed when the young lady came to tea that afternoon.
Lady Catherine herself refused to offer any explanation or excuses on how her parson had been found in such a monstrous condition. She was therefore locked up in her bedchamber... under shrieks of protests, threats, and much anger.
Lady Catherine’s brother the Earl of Matlock was sent for immediately as was the bishop of Kent and the coroner.
That night there was no formal dinner and all the occupants of the house were understandably quiet and subdued.
Elizabeth most of all, as she understood that Peter Holler and Ted, his mongrel dog, had saved her life; for it quickly became obvious that Elizabeth had been the target of Lady Catherine’s murderous design.
Elizabeth and Jane ate their dinner together in Jane’s room,
“Oh, Lizzy, why would Lady Catherine wish to kill you?”
“There is no explanation for madness Jane; for I am convinced the lady is totally unhinged. What could I possibly have done to her ladyship to warrant killing me?”
“Do you think she might have believed that something existed between you and Mr Darcy? Therefore hindering the proposed union of Mr Darcy and his cousin?”
Elizabeth frowned, “that would only prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the lady is indeed mad, since Mr Darcy and I cannot stand each other.”
“I think you cannot stand him. As for him disliking you I am not convinced.”
“What do you mean Jane? Mr Darcy hates me just as much as I hate him. He is the most arrogant, insufferable and selfish man I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.”
“If so, there must be a faulty level of understanding with Mr Bingley himself as I cannot fathom how such an amiable man such as he could befriend a man of so faulty a character as Mr Darcy, if indeed he were so bad.”
“Well...”
“Yes?”
“Maybe Mr Darcy is not as bad as I believe, but he is certainly insufferable and selfish.”
Jane chuckled, “I think Mr Darcy is no worse than your average rich man who is accustomed to getting his own way in all he does.”
“Exactly,” Elizabeth agreed with a smile. “Talking about Mr Bingley, how was your day today before this awful tragedy took place? You two disappeared in your walk through the woods and I never had a chance of asking you how that turned out.”
“Oh Lizzy he never knew I was in town. His sisters hid that from him. He said he missed me for all those months.”
“I see. And why may I ask did he not return to Netherfield?”
“I do not know.” Jane said thoughtfully.
“I must say Jane, Mr Bingley could do with a bit more of a backbone.”
“Yes I suppose he must grow up a little and stand on his own two feet. I understand he simply followed the advice of his family and friends, who thought I did not care for him as he cared for me.” Jane said attempting to minimise the young man’s fault in the affair.
“It is nobody’s fault... just a misunderstanding. ”
As usual, Elizabeth noticed, Jane would try to clear everybody of any wrongdoing, forgiving all their part in separating the two of them.
But Elizabeth was not as nearly as forgiving, “Mr Bingley is his own man and I must say I am a little disappointed in knowing that he loved you but did nothing to seek you out, instead allowing others to dictate how to feel and how to act.”
“Yes...” Jane agreed sadly.
Elizabeth perceived with a pang of self-reproach that the brightness from moments before had gone from Jane’s countenance.
And she could not but condemn herself for having spoken her thoughts about Mr Bingley so unfeelingly.
If Jane were content to bestow her affections upon a gentleman, a man somewhat naive and not always steadfast in his resolutions, by what right had she to object?
For herself she owned she wished for a different temper and character. She desired a man who understood his own heart; who when difficulties presented themselves would act with firmness and decision, who would not remain suspended in doubt when his own happiness was at stake.
Yet most perversely Mr Darcy’s countenance intruded upon her reflections. She shook her head at the absurdity of it. What claim had he upon her thoughts when she was but endeavouring to define her idea of the perfect husband?
They finished their meal in silence and soon after separated to their own rooms to think through all the events of the awful day.
***
In another part of the house, Anne de Bourgh felt, perhaps, for the first time in her life the necessity of taking charge of her life, while all remained in turmoil.
She understood that her mother might be in serious trouble and even more incredibly, that no one was going to replace her mother in terrorising her. The time for action was upon her and she determined that she would no longer be under the thumb of a tyrant, be it her mother or a husband.
So filled with uncharacteristic resolve and bravery she marched to the library and knocked firmly.
She could hear Darcy and Richard inside making plans for the following day, the day when all would become solidified; when other officials including Lord Matlock would arrive to take charge of the situation and nothing might be altered.
She opened the door and entered, “I beg your pardon if I am intruding, but Richard, could I please have a few moments with Darcy?”
Richard got up and left the library without a moment’s hesitation.
Anne wasted no time but quickly and resolutely plunged into what she needed to say, “Darcy I know why my mother attempted to kill Miss Elizabeth. Poor Mr Collins was a fool and simply walked into the trap my mother had set up for the young lady.”
“What do you mean Anne?” Darcy asked alarmed.
“I know... we both know how my mother was always harping on about our marriage.”
“Yes she was but Anne...”
“Do not worry about it Darcy, for I came to realise a long time ago that my mother was deluded regarding a possible alliance between us.”
“You did?”
Anne rolled her eyes, “I am not blind, cousin, nor a simpleton however sickly I may be.”
“I never thought you were.”
“You love her.”
“Lady Catherine?” Darcy frowned, “as much as a nephew can love an aunt, but no more.”
“Miss Elizabeth!”
Darcy gasped in surprise and looked at Anne with a new sense of admiration, “How do you know that?” He finally sighed in resignation.
“As I said I am not a simpleton. But in your case all one needs is eyes to see how you look at the lady.”
“I see.” Darcy said, frustrated that everybody could recognise his love for Elizabeth but Elizabeth herself.
“I realised you never looked at me like that and to be perfectly honest I never looked at you like that either. In fact I do not believe I know the feeling.”
“Maybe one day... you...”
“Oh stop it; I am not here so you can pity me and fill me with false hopes. I am here simply to get my life back. I will no longer allow anybody to dictate how I should live. I am the rightful owner of this estate since I turned five and twenty. I am now eight and twenty and my mother has been a usurper long enough.”
Darcy was surprised and amazed to see so much strength in his docile and frequently drugged cousin.
“Whether my mother will hang for her crime I do not know. But one thing I do know is that she will no longer be in charge of Rosings. I cannot trust a madwoman who plans the murder of another human being to be the caretaker of what rightfully belongs to me.”
“I heartily agree Anne and as I supported your mother I shall support you.”
Anne smiled, “that is all I require from you Darcy. From this day forward please feel completely released from any imaginary engagement. You are a free man but I thank you for any support you can offer me as I take over my rightful place at Rosings.”
Darcy got up and hugged his cousin gently, “I am so pleased to see you in your right mind with clear thoughts and directions as to where you want to go from here.”
“Like you I yearn for freedom and I can already taste it. I like it Darcy; my mother, by being a complete mad woman has handed me the keys to my future once and for all.”
“Do you intend to marry?”
“No, I am not healthy enough to contemplate marriage and as I said before, I will no longer allow another person to dictate my life.”
“A husband may not be a tyrant as your mother was Anne.”
“I know but I have no wish to marry.”
“What about the future of Rosings? You will require an heir.”
Anne smiled, “Do not worry about that, for I have my own plans and in time you will hear about them.”
Darcy smiled back and nodded, “Very well Anne, you know you can count on me.”
“I do. Now for Miss Elizabeth, do not let her get away, cousin. The lady is simply too stubborn for her own good.”
Darcy nodded sadly, “That is one thing that I am not at all confidante that I can achieve.”
“You can, I believe you can achieve anything once you put your mind to it.”
“I have more than just my mind in this Anne, I have my heart.”
“Go to it then.”
Darcy smiled, “Do I have your blessing?”
“Do you need my blessing?”
“No but I would like to know I have it all the same.”
“In that case you most certainly do, God bless you cousin.”
He kissed her forehead, “God bless you too, Anne.”