Chapter 11
“My dear Mr Darcy, there is an extraordinary favour that I dare beg you grant me!”
“What is it, Mr Collins?”
“It is a delicate matter that I would never dare to bring to you if it did not have Lady Catherine’s support.”
“If it is delicate, it should probably remain private,” Darcy said, eager to be left alone.
“It would usually of course, but your opinion is too important to me, and I cannot miss this opportunity since God has placed you in my path.”
“Mr Collins, please be more specific. I have a slight headache, and it is difficult for me to follow you.”
“I deeply apologise, sir. The favour I am asking you is in regard to my cousin, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
The pain in Darcy’s head and chest grew. “What favour can I possibly provide regarding Miss Bennet?”
“You see, Lady Catherine has advised me to marry, and she suggested I choose one of my cousins. After much discussion with Mrs Bennet, I understand the eldest cousin is no longer available, therefore I have shifted my interest to the second one. I believe Miss Elizabeth will be the perfect wife, with her enchanting presence, lovely smiles, and her delightful liveliness. I intend to propose tomorrow.”
“I see,” Darcy said, surprised by how cold his own voice sounded. “And how may I help you in this endeavour? I am rather uncomfortable speaking about a young lady who is not even my relative. I cannot see why my involvement is desired.”
“I would very much desire your opinion, Mr Darcy. I have seen you talking to Miss Elizabeth, and I know you are somewhat familiar with the Bennet family. Do you think she is a proper choice for me? Would Lady Catherine be pleased?” Mr Collins enquired pleadingly.
Darcy breathed deeply, careful to select the appropriate words.
He knew he could easily be honest and simply say no!
Lady Catherine would loathe Elizabeth’s wit and her stubbornness that he admired so much.
And he was already confident that Elizabeth would reject Collins’s proposal in any case, so the entire conversation was useless and tiresome.
“Mr Collins, I can easily admit that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most remarkable women I have met. And, if your affection for her is strong enough and if you are certain that she shares the same feelings, you should not worry about Lady Catherine or anybody else’s approval.”
Mr Collins stared at him with his eyes wide open in disbelief. “I beg your pardon, sir, what do you mean? There is nothing more important to me than her ladyship’s appreciation, and I could never make a decision that would not meet with her approval.”
“Then it appears an unhappy alternative is before you, Mr Collins. And I am puzzled as to how I can solve this dilemma,” Darcy responded severely.
“But…what do you mean, sir? Would Lady Catherine not approve of Miss Elizabeth?”
“I do not know Miss Elizabeth well enough to make a sound judgment, but I do know Lady Catherine. She does not like stubborn, obstinate people and does not tolerate any opposition. So if you believe Miss Elizabeth is a modest, obedient, docile person, one who would always accept Lady Catherine’s suggestions and never contradict her, then you have nothing to worry about. ”
“Oh…” Mr Collins mumbled, glancing back to the ballroom and spotting Elizabeth talking and laughing with the officers. “I see…so…do you think I should…”
“Mr Collins, I am in no disposition and have no desire to continue this conversation. I am sure you are able to decide what is best for you. Now, you must excuse me,” Darcy said and departed hastily, leaving Collins to stare across the crowded room.
Once in the library, Darcy slumped down on the sofa, closing his eyes. To himself, he could not deny he was ill. He needed a doctor, but he had no time for that. He only had to bear it for one more day. By tomorrow evening he would be in London, after he had talked to Elizabeth.
He rang and asked for tea and for his valet, waiting with his eyes closed. He was still warm, so he opened the window. The air was cold but refreshing, and he could breathe more easily.
As he rested, he heard the music from the ballroom and wondered which set it was. Elizabeth was probably dancing with that scoundrel.
He would have to dance a couple of other sets too, or at least one with Caroline Bingley. Otherwise, he would never hear the end of it. Besides, dancing only one set with Elizabeth would be rather impolite and strange enough to raise all sorts of rumours while he was away.
His valet arrived with his tea.
“Mr Darcy, are you well?” Stevens asked with concern. “I have been worried about your state for days now. Sir, forgive my boldness, but we should delay our return for a day or two and talk to the apothecary. You cannot travel in such a condition, and certainly not alone!”
Darcy dismissed him with a small gesture.
“I thank you for your care, but I will be fine. I have some significant business to finish tomorrow morning, and I cannot delay it. But I have not lost my mind, I know I cannot ride to London in this weather. Here is the plan–I have already informed Bingley about it.”
“Very well, sir,” Stevens replied, surprised and attentive.
“You will leave with the others but stop at the first inn–I do not recall its name.”
“The Red Horse Inn, sir.”
“Yes, yes. Stop there, take two rooms and wait for me. Hire a carriage to take us to London. Bingley will inform Georgiana that we will arrive later, maybe even the day after tomorrow. I will only have to ride for less than an hour.”
“Oh, I see. That is a relief, sir. Mr Bingley sent for some medicine from the apothecary earlier today. May I bring you a herbal drink now?” Stevens tried prudently. Darcy was too tired to oppose him.
“Yes, go and fetch it. But quickly, as I am engaged for a set soon,” he said to his dumbfounded valet. In his many years in Darcy’s service, he had never known his master preoccupied with having to dance a set.
Stevens returned minutes later, and Darcy drank the medicine in one gulp, then dismissed the valet. He took a few moments to rest before summoning the courage to return to the noisy ballroom.
His peace was shattered as voices sounded through the window.
“I am telling you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most fascinating women I have met. And I meet plenty.”
Wickham’s voice and laughter startled Darcy and he rose immediately, approaching the window. A group of officers was gathered outside, enjoying their cigars and amusing themselves.
“She is too sharp for my taste,” someone replied. “I much prefer the sweet, docile type.”
“So do I, but I am always intrigued by a challenge, and Miss Elizabeth is surely one,” Wickham said sarcastically. “I have never met a woman who could resist my charms, and I cannot allow it to happen now.”
“What sort of challenge? You cannot consider pursuing her; I heard they have a very small dowry, if any,” another voice said. “Why waste your time?”
“Conquering a beautiful woman is never a waste of time,” Wickham laughed. “And I am considering pursuing her, just not marrying her.”
“You should not play with fire if you do not wish to burn your fingers. Miss Elizabeth does not seem the kind of woman to trifle with.”
“And speaking of fire, I heard you didn’t excel in starting one,” another man mocked Wickham, and more laughter flew around.
“Yes, yes, very amusing,” Wickham responded. “Why would I have bothered with such a task? Even more so, when I could watch Darcy acting like a servant, kneeling at the fireplace? It was too beautiful a picture to miss, one that I will vividly remember for a long while!”
“Dear Lord, do not start talking about Darcy again,” someone demanded. “You may say whatever you want, but I heard he jumped on a running horse that you could not handle.”
“Shut your mouth, Davidson. You still owe me some money from the last card game,” Wickham ended the conversation sharply.
“Come, let us go back; the next set is about to start!” Darcy heard, then the sound of footsteps indicating the last suggestion was quickly followed, and then silence fell outside again, as the music started.
Darcy’s discomfort was now mixed with profound anger and a trace of panic. That crook appeared to have taken many liberties in speaking to his companions. That Wickham sullied Darcy’s name was no surprise, but did he dare mention something about Georgiana?
Darcy needed only a moment to decide to talk to Colonel Forster the following day, before his departure.
He was not sure what and how much he would disclose to the colonel, but a fair warning about Wickham, including his inclination for drinking, incurring gaming debts, and seducing innocent young women was necessary.
Darcy reluctantly returned to the ballroom. His headache had diminished, but his stomach was hurting now–and he was increasingly warm. The light and the noise hit him, and he paused in the doorway.
It was the fourth set and Elizabeth–as well as her sisters–was still dancing. Mr Bennet was talking to Sir William, while Mrs Bennet remained with the same company she had been in earlier.
Mr Collins was now dancing with Charlotte Lucas and both seemed to be enjoying their time.
Darcy had come to consider Miss Lucas a sensible young lady, but he knew nothing much of her.
Seeing her standing face to face with Mr Collins, he wondered if she would willingly trade her sense and sensibility for a safe and comfortable future.
Bingley and his sisters were also on the dance floor, while Colonel Forster spoke animatedly with a group of ladies.
Wickham joined them, much to the ladies’ enjoyment.
That man was not to be trusted anywhere around respectable young women, Darcy mused, pleased with his decision to talk to the colonel.