Chapter 7 Reappearance
Rosings Park, Kent
Anne
Miss Anne De Bourgh discreetly cast a fleeting glance towards her cousin while her mother was preoccupied.
My betrothed! Haha, my poor mother. She is in for a rude shock.
Something about Darcy's demeanour struck her as rather peculiar. She had never witnessed him so discomposed. Yet, in this very moment, he appeared deeply troubled.
Why does Mother's mention of Mr. Collins and his new wife cause him such anguish? Is he even acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Collins?
Anne discreetly glanced at Richard, her other cousin, who was also closely watching Darcy. So he doesn’t know the reason either. There is a story here.
Darcy then began to recount his encounter with Mr. Collins in Hertfordshire and inquired about the maiden name of Mrs. Collins.
Upon learning the name, he visibly relaxed.
However, when her mother mentioned the name of Mr. Collins's guest, his torment returned.
Anne shared a knowing smile with Richard, who mirrored her expression.
My“betrothed” is in love, finally.
Darcy
She is here? In Kent? Dear Lord, what am I to do?
The past three months had been a torturous ordeal for Darcy.
Ever since he distanced himself from Miss Elizabeth following the Netherfield ball, not a single moment passed without her occupying his thoughts.
Her presence seemed to linger everywhere.
He tried to engage in various activities, hoping they would divert his mind from her memory, but nothing proved successful.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet persisted as an unrelenting obsession.
Now, I will have to be in her presence again. There is no way I can avoid her here.
Lost in his ruminations over his "obsession," he remained oblivious to the watchful eyes upon him. He also failed to notice the conspiratorial smiles exchanged between his cousins.
Hunsford Parsonage, Kent
Elizabeth
Elizabeth settled into the comfort of her chair, positioned near the window in the secluded back parlour of Hunsford Parsonage. Charlotte affectionately referred to this space as "her parlour," signifying that her husband rarely ventured into this private domain.
Elizabeth had been in Hunsford for approximately two weeks now.
She initially hesitated to accept Charlotte's invitation for a visit.
After all, what lady would willingly visit the residence of a gentleman whose proposal she had declined?
Yet, a powerful yearning to escape her home, or rather her mother, coupled with an even stronger desire to reunite with her dearest friend and witness how she was faring in her married life, compelled her to accept the invitation.
She sat there, engrossed in the letter from Jane, reading it perhaps for the hundredth time. Her eyes traced the words that carried the weight of her sister's profound sadness.
Jane was in despair ever since the Netherfield party left.
Though she tried to maintain an unaffected and serene facade, Elizabeth saw through the charade.
Their mother's ceaseless lamentations about Mr. Bingley and his abrupt departure only deepened Jane's despondency. Elizabeth, who still believed in Mr. Bingley’s love for Jane, persuaded Jane to correspond with Miss Bingley to keep the connection alive.
The letter was dispatched before Christmas.
In response, Miss Bingley's cold words arrived, declaring her brother's contentment in London and their intention to abstain from imminent return.
It was cruel, so cruel that Elizabeth knew Mr. Bingley had no hand in it.
This was the work of Miss Bingley, with the assistance of Mr. Darcy.
When Elizabeth's aunt and uncle Gardiner visited Longbourn for Christmas, she beseeched her aunt to take Jane away with them.
Jane needed a change of environment, a respite from the suffocating presence of their mother.
Aunt Gardiner agreed, recognizing the necessity of granting Jane some time away.
In Jane's latest missive, she recounted her visit to Mr. Bingley's home in the company of Aunt Gardiner. Mr. Bingley was absent, but his sisters were there. Miss Bingley conveyed that her brother was enjoying spending time with Miss Darcy. While Jane anticipated a return visit, adhering to proper social decorum, she no longer harboured expectations beyond that. Elizabeth didn’t think that was the case. She still had belief in Mr. Bingley’s love.
If only Jane could see Mr. Bingley at least once, just to gauge his reaction.
Rosings Park, Kent
Richard
Colonel “Richard” Fitzwilliam warmly embraced his cousin before taking a seat across from her. They had much to discuss.
“Now, Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” he started, displaying his characteristic directness. He preferred a straightforward approach in all matters.
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Anne concurred, smiling.
“Just the name I wanted to hear,” he said, surprising her.
“What? How do you know about Miss Elizabeth Bennet? It seems you know more about this than I originally suspected. That won’t do. You need to tell me everything. After all, Darcy is my betrothed,” Anne executed her best pout.
“It is rather straightforward, Anne. Georgie informed me about the name Elizabeth Bennet. Apparently, it appeared multiple times in his letters from Hertfordshire. Georgiana found it peculiar since it marked the first instance of her brother discussing a lady with her,” he answered.
"Darcy writing about Miss Bennet to his fifteen-year-old sister? Good God, it seems he has indeed fallen in love," she replied, her astonishment evident in her voice.
“Apparently yes. And I am happy for him,” replied Richard.
“Then what could be his problem? Why did he not endeavour to court her? No, even more perplexing, why did he not propose marriage to her? Certainly, no one is going to refuse his suit,” Anne asked.
Richard was about to answer, but Anne preempted him by providing her own insight.
"I believe I have the answer. He believes she lacks sufficient wealth and connections to become the mistress of Pemberley. He is an utter fool if that is the case," Anne declared with a trace of anger in her voice.
For once, Richard held his tongue. He was far from pleased.
Anne
Did I offend him? Oh no!
“Richard, why are you silent? Did I offend you?” Anne asked with concern lacing her voice.
“Anne, don’t think for a moment that Darcy is a mercenary fool,” Richard replied, his tone carrying a hint of edge. Anne couldn't help but sense it.
I must have offended him. I must tread carefully when discussing Darcy with him.
“I am not saying you are entirely mistaken, Anne.
Your assessment holds some truth. Darcy indeed seeks a wife of elevated social status and substantial wealth.
However, his motives go beyond personal gain.
Darcy possesses a rare disregard for his own interests.
He is the most selfless person I know. Each action he takes, every endeavour he undertakes, is dedicated to the betterment of Pemberley.
I dare say he embodies Pemberley in every sense of the word.
Darcy believes it is his solemn duty to enhance not only Pemberley's financial prosperity but also its esteemed reputation.
To achieve this, he seeks a union with a prosperous and esteemed lady of high social standing.
But there's more to it. Darcy also craves love in his marriage.
He desires a union like his parents had.
You are aware of Aunt Anne and Uncle George and their deep affection for each other.
Darcy grew up watching them. If he were purely mercenary, wouldn't he have already sought your hand?
You are of greater worth than many sought-after London ladies.
You are the granddaughter of an Earl. You have Rosings, its value exceeding any substantial dowry another lady might provide.
Yet, he never considered you for matrimony.
He has attended London's social events for nearly five years.
He had already come across numerous alluring ladies with substantial dowries and influential connections, any of whom would seize the opportunity to become Mrs. Darcy.
Yet, none captured his heart. No one, until this country miss from Hertfordshire.
God! I haven't even met Miss Bennet, yet I hold her in such high regard.
She must be an extraordinary woman to penetrate Darcy's resolute defence.
I believe Darcy is going through an internal battle now.
A battle between his attraction, no, not just attraction, his love, and his unyielding sense of duty.
I foresee only one victor in this conflict.
Darcy's love will overpower all other objections.
But he must wage this battle. There is no alternative.
If he ultimately decides to act and propose to Miss Bennet, it must be his choice.
He needs to be fully convinced. For that purpose, Miss Bennet's presence here is advantageous. It will hasten his decision.
There is another matter, Anne. You mentioned the inevitability that no lady would dare decline Darcy's proposal due to his distinguished status. Neither he nor I desire a woman to accept his offer solely based on his association with the illustrious Pemberley. What he seeks, what I want for him, is a woman who will love him for his true self, not merely for his connection to Pemberley.”
Richard held Anne's gaze as he conveyed this.
"So you are saying that we shouldn't talk to him about it? We shouldn't offer any assistance to them in any way?" Anne inquired.
“We shouldn’t influence Darcy in any way. Let him wage his battle. But that doesn't mean we should stay away from Miss Bennet. We need to learn about her and ensure that she loves Darcy for who he truly is,” Richard concluded.
That night, Anne settled into her bed, lost in contemplation about her conversation with Richard. She couldn't help but realize that she had already developed a fondness for Miss Bennet.