Chapter 8 #2
“Very much so, thank you.” He was comfortable indeed, as on his right side was Elizabeth.
He could not say if it was a lucky happenstance or whether there had been some planning to keep him between the only two people who were reasonably at ease in his presence.
He imagined how terrified the other Miss Bennets would be to sit near him.
But no matter the reason behind it, the arrangements pleased Darcy and increased his enjoyment of the evening right from the beginning.
“My dear Mrs. Bennet, this beef steak is truly admirable,” Mr. Collins declared. “Although I am accustomed to having dinner at Rosings several times a week, I am still impressed by how tasty the dishes here are!”
“Thank you, sir,” Mrs. Bennet replied.
“I beg you to tell me, to which of my fair cousins do we owe the excellence of the cookery?”
“Mr. Collins! I assure you that we are very well capable of keeping a good cook! My daughters have nothing to do in the kitchen!”
The asperity in Mrs. Bennet’s voice panicked Mr. Collins.
“My dear madam, I assure you that it was not my intention to displease you or to offend my cousins!”
“Do not worry sir, we were not offended,” Mrs. Bennet said in a softened tone. But Mr. Collins continued to apologise for a quarter of an hour, until Darcy was sure he could not handle it anymore.
“Mr. Collins, how was the road from Kent?” Darcy enquired, in an attempt to stop the lament. Mr. Collins’s eyes widened and he leaned over Elizabeth, providing a long and detailed description of the roads and the journey.
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh, in her generosity, warned me that the weather might turn for the worse, but I was determined to keep to my plans, which her ladyship considered to be praiseworthy. Therefore, the difficulty of travelling meant little compared to my willingness to accomplish my goal.”
“A gentleman’s decidedness is always commendable,” Mr. Bennet offered. “And I might say, you have been very fortunate in having a patroness who worries about your safety. Lady Catherine must be a very kind and caring lady,” Mr. Bennet continued.
“Lady Catherine is always willing to offer her opinion and her assistance,” Darcy responded. His indifferent voice left Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet uncertain of his feelings regarding his aunt. However, Mr. Collins readily continued, very eloquently, in praising her ladyship.
"I have never in my life witnessed such behaviour in a person of rank–such affability and condescension as I have experienced from Lady Catherine. She has been graciously pleased to approve two of my discourses and she has asked me to dine at Rosings twice.”
“Rosings must be a beautiful property,” Elizabeth interjected.
“Oh, very beautiful indeed, my dear cousin! I doubt there is another by far so fine-looking! The windows, the stairs, the park! I can hardly describe it! But I hope you will have the chance of seeing it for yourself soon and also to meet her ladyship in person!” Mr. Collins uttered.
Mr. Bennet startled and glanced at his wife with displeasure, silently enquiring where that statement came from.
Elizabeth flushed and glared at Mr. Collins with puzzlement. “I cannot see how this might occur in the near future,” she responded, although she grew angry guessing his meaning. Surely the man had lost his mind.
Mr. Collins bent towards her and Elizabeth leaned to her left, towards Darcy, unconsciously searching for support.
“Is Rosings as beautiful as Pemberley, of which I have heard so many praises, Mr. Darcy?” she asked.
He looked at her and they were now facing each other only inches apart; the recollection of their time in the library, by the fire, invaded them both.
“I am partial to my home,” Darcy answered. “For me, there is no place more beautiful than Pemberley.”
“To that, I can testify,” Bingley declared. “I have seen Rosings and many other properties in England, but Pemberley is the most handsome. Simply exquisite.”
Mr. Collins attempted to argue, but Darcy continued, smiling at Elizabeth. “If you plan to travel and visit Rosings, perhaps you may extend your journey to include the north, and you can visit Pemberley too.”
He must have guessed Mr. Collins’s implication but he misinterpreted it, to Elizabeth’s comfort.
She understood his intention and so did Mr. Bennet.
Mr. Collins, however, was as disconcerted as the others, as nobody was aware of any travel plans.
Only Mrs. Bennet took it as a subtle invitation to show his approval for Jane marrying Mr. Bingley.
“Is your home far from Rosings?” Mr. Bennet continued the conversation.
“No, not at all. Very close, indeed. Lady Catherine visited my humble abode and completely approved all the alterations I had made, and even vouchsafed to suggest some herself–some shelves in the closets upstairs.”
“Really? This is surprising indeed,” Mr. Bennet admitted, then sipped some more wine.
"That is all very proper and civil, I am sure," said Mrs. Bennet, "and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman.”
"More than agreeable. And her daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh, is very much the same. I cannot praise her kindness and gentleness enough.”
“My cousin Anne is completely different from my aunt,” Darcy interjected severely. “But I do agree that she deserves much praise.”
Elizabeth was surprised again. It was the first time she had heard him speak of his cousin.
"How lovely!” cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head. “She must be very handsome too. Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies at court."
It was still Mr. Collins who responded, moving so much on his seat that his arm brushed over Elizabeth’s. Again, she moved another inch towards Darcy.
"She is a most charming young lady indeed.
Lady Catherine herself says that, in point of true beauty, Miss de Bourgh is far superior to the handsomest of her sex.
She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has prevented her making that progress in many accomplishments, which she could not otherwise have failed at, as I am informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who still resides with them.
But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies. "
“Mr. Collins, I believe a short description would be easier to follow by the others, who are not so well acquainted with the subject of our discussion,” Darcy intervened so severely that all eyes turned to him.
“My cousin Anne’s health does not permit her to be in town often, or to attend large gatherings.
But that surely does not diminish her worthiness. ”
For a few moments it was silent, then Mr. Collins tried to clear his throat.
“I am sure my cousins are all curious to hear as much as possible of both Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh,” Mr. Collins attempted a defence, but Darcy would not have it.
“I believe they have been generous enough to listen to everything that has been said so far. There is not much left that can be shared at a dinner party, in the absence of those very two persons,” he ended the argument with a low and severe tone.
Another pause, as well as increasing amusement on Mr. Bennet’s face and slight distress on the others’ followed. Bingley‘s joyful voice broke the awkward moment.
“Mr. Collins, do you plan to stay long in Hertfordshire?”
“I am not sure yet, sir. It depends on my success. I shall not conceal the second, but no less important, purpose of my visit: to find a wife and life partner that would please both myself and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I thought it was my duty to first look in the very property that will one day be mine!”
His blunt statement astounded all his companions. Lydia and Kitty glanced around appalled, Jane blushed with embarrassment, while Elizabeth paled with mortification. How on earth did that man presume she would be the rightful choice for his ridiculous ambition?
"You judge very properly," said Mrs. Bennet. “A young man who possesses enough means to support a family must be in want of a wife.”
Mr. Bennet frowned at her, while Darcy’s patience slowly evaded him. Surely that ridiculous man and the improper Mrs. Bennet did not intend for him to marry Elizabeth?
“Hertfordshire is a large county, but Meryton and Longbourn not so much. Perhaps it would be wise for you to broaden your search before making a decision that would satisfy Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” Mr. Bennet declared.
Darcy nodded in approval and looked at Mr. Collins.
“Indeed. I am sure my aunt would approve of nothing less than a well-educated young lady, but also one who is respectful and obedient, wise but not opinionated, willing to accept and to follow her ladyship’s suggestions without ever contradicting her.
You must be careful with your choice. Marriage is never an easy matter. ”
“Oh, I am sure you are right, Mr. Darcy. But I am sure her ladyship would accept a choice that pleases me, as I am sure any young woman would be happy with the life I am ready to offer her,” Mr. Collins said with unexpected self-confidence.
“My dear cousin Elizabeth, would you like some port? I would be happy to serve you,” he offered with a large smile.
Elizabeth moved one more time, trying to increase the distance between them. She was so preoccupied with escaping Mr. Collins’s nearness, that she was oblivious to her left side touching Darcy’s right one.
When she realised the striking closeness, a wave of warmth burned her inside and she frowned. She did not move and barely dared to breathe.
She felt Darcy’s leg moving slightly, brushing over hers for an instant, then remained still. She knew she should distance her chair; she knew what she should do, but she remained still. And so did he.
On the small spot where they were touching, a little fire arose and the flame spread inside their bodies.
Each felt the other’s tension and knew the sensations were mutually strong.
Just as they both knew they should withdraw their feet – but refused to obey propriety.
Not a single glance was exchanged, but each was aware of the other’s distress.
“Miss Bennet, are you comfortable?” Mr. Collins asked, leaning toward her.
“Yes, thank you,” she answered, adjusting her chair. Darcy was still close enough on her left and their legs were now inches away, but the burning spot of their brief touch remained vivid inside them. Every move, every gesture, every breath brought them closer together.
Time passed, the courses were served, and Mr. Collins spoke further.
Darcy divided his attention between Elizabeth and her father.
At times, their arms or sides still brushed against each other and the small gesture became less awkward and more meaningful every time.
There was nothing improper driving the other’s attention, but they were both disturbingly aware of their shared nearness.
Darcy spoke little compared with the rest of the party, but more than Elizabeth had heard him before.
He even engaged himself in a brief discussion with Mrs. Bennet and joined in a small dispute between Lydia and Kitty regarding the beginning of the season in town.
The ladies were so astonished by his amiable interventions that they glanced at him repeatedly, incredulous at his sudden change.
To Elizabeth, he did not address a single word, but somehow, she felt their newly found friendship growing stronger through nothing other than sitting together at the table.
After dinner, the gentlemen remained in the ladies’ company and Mr. Collins again tried to engage Elizabeth in conversation.
She hardly knew how to diminish his strange interest in her, aroused after only hours of acquaintance.
Trying to remain polite, she responded briefly and coldly, but Mr. Collins’ stubbornness was hardly dissuaded.
Her salvation came from the man with whom she had barely exchanged a few glances after they left the table.
“Mr. Collins, for how long have you been at Hunsford? Did my aunt recommend you for that parish?” Darcy enquired and Mr. Collins immediately moved towards him.
“No indeed, sir. But I was blessed with her ladyship’s protection and approval almost immediately.”
The discussion continued in the same manner, and Elizabeth could finally breathe peacefully.
She dared to reward Darcy with a grateful look and a genuine, friendly smile.
Distracting Mr. Collins’s attention from her and taking it upon himself was a gesture of great bravery indeed and she was ready to take it as a compliment to herself.