Chapter 3
Chapter Three
While Elizabeth was in her room, considering all that happened, Darcy and the Colonel rode towards London.
Darcy was anxious to read Elizabeth’s note, slightly surprised at her daring.
When they arrived in Bromley, Darcy dismounted and ensured the Colonel was occupied before taking the note out of his pocket and breaking its seal.
It was short, only a few lines, but Darcy was delighted by what it contained.
I neglected to thank you, sir, for the honour you have bestowed on me in making your request for a courtship.
I am looking forward to getting to know you better and meeting your sister.
I will be returning to London on Thursday next and am already anxious to see you again.
If my father and uncle agree to the change in plans, please request that Jane write to let me know discreetly.
Remember to inform her and my uncle that C may be reading my correspondence.
Gratefully, EB
Darcy smiled and wished he could send a few lines in return.
He was surprised by the audacity of her cousin to read Elizabeth’s mail.
Still, knowing those his aunt typically hired, he considered it likely due to his feeling of superiority—the same sense of superiority that would lead to his failure to understand how a woman could refuse his proposal.
He secreted the missive in a pocket and took out the other letters Elizabeth handed him, quickly memorising the address on top as he wondered how he could send Elizabeth a message without her cousin knowing.
After allowing their horses a rest and taking a few minutes to refresh themselves, the gentlemen resumed their journey to London. Upon reaching the city, they separated—Darcy to the Gardiners and the Colonel to see what he could discover about Wickham before travelling to Hertfordshire.
At the parsonage, Charlotte checked on Elizabeth, and the two spoke privately for several minutes.
Since Darcy asked her to keep their understanding a secret, she downplayed the relationship, telling her of the conversation regarding Mr Wickham and her appreciation of his offer to take letters to her family on his return to London.
After Charlotte left her, Elizabeth stayed up late into the night, pondering how her relationship with Mr Darcy changed so suddenly and completely and debating what these warm feelings he evoked in her might mean.
After meeting with Mr Collins the next morning, Lady Catherine invited the residents of the parsonage to take tea at Rosings at one in the afternoon.
Mr Collins brought the news of the invitation and watched his cousin frequently that morning with a smug expression as he recalled the conversation with his patroness.
“Mr Collins, tell me more about Miss Bennet,” the lady commanded as soon as he entered her favourite room. “She is the one who refused your first proposal of marriage, is she not? Were you aware of her impudent nature? She was in my nephew’s company there, was she not?”
“She was,” the toad agreed. “She was most forceful in her refusal after I singled her out as the companion of my future life. I promised to overlook her small dowry and assured her no one else would ever offer for me. Her mother approved the match, but her father would not support me in my endeavour and insist she accept my offer.” He was puffed up and full of importance, utterly oblivious to the lady’s growing ire.
“I thought with my direction, and of course with your condescension and assistance, she would make a good wife, but I am most pleased with the woman I selected as she is infinitely superior. I encouraged her to invite my cousin here to see all she missed out on by not agreeing to be my wife when it was offered.”
“You were the fool who asked her to come here knowing she tempted my nephew? He has stated he will not do his duty to my Anne and refuses to marry her, and your cousin is to blame. What will you do about her?” Lady Catherine demanded.
“Wha … what do you mean, madam?” he stuttered.
“We must do something about your cousin so my nephew stops thinking of her and marries my daughter,” Lady Catherine repeated. “What steps are you willing to take?”
“I … am uncertain, madam,” he stammered out. “What will you have me do?”
She smiled in satisfaction and explained her plan.
When Lady Catherine ordered the upstart away from Rosings, Mr Collins was to ensure she had nowhere to go and no way to get there.
As they were scheming, neither was aware that the servant Darcy spoke with before he left was listening in the hallway and, as soon as Collins departed, began putting into motion the plans Darcy and the Colonel made the previous day.
That afternoon, the Collinses, Elizabeth, and Miss Lucas made their way to the great estate. From the moment they entered the grand lady’s public rooms, Elizabeth was the target of her fury.
“Tell me, Miss Bennet,” she demanded shortly after they all were seated. “What did you do to my nephews to make them leave so abruptly?”
“Excuse me, Lady Catherine, I do not believe I understand you,” Elizabeth said, taken aback at the sudden attack.
“I did nothing to cause them to leave. I understood they left of their own volition.” She did not reveal that the gentleman called at the parsonage and explained their reasons for their departure, hoping that Lady Catherine would be unaware since Mr Collins had not been present.
“No, they left immediately after my nephew refused to announce his engagement to my daughter,” Lady Catherine said. “He is lost to all duty and honour; it is entirely your fault!”
“Why would you believe I had anything to do with that, madam? I have no say in who Mr Darcy or the Colonel marries,” Elizabeth replied, not allowing the great lady to intimidate her.
“You have been flirting with my nephews since you arrived, using your arts and allurements to draw my nephews in! I have seen you speaking with them, enticing them to you as you played the piano, and I know they visited you at the parsonage far more than they should have done. I did not stop it because I knew Darcy to be a gentleman who would honour his commitments, but you have drawn him in and made him forget what he owes to me and my family. I know Darcy is refusing to marry Anne because of you,” she insisted.
“Had you never come to Kent, he would have done his duty to his family. Obstinate, headstrong girl! I am ashamed of you! Is this your gratitude for my attentions to you? I have not been in the habit of brooking disappointment.”
“I have not flirted with either of your nephews, and I do not have any arts or allurements, Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth protested.
Mr Collins, however, nodded his head in agreement with his patroness. “You have, Cousin Elizabeth,” Mr Collins stated. “I have spoken to you about your manner several times.”
“My daughter and my nephew are formed for each other. They are descended, on the maternal side, from the same noble line; and, on the father’s, from respectable, honourable, and ancient—though untitled—families.
Their fortune on both sides is splendid.
They are destined for each other by the voice of every member of their respective houses; and what is to divide them?
The upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or fortune.
Is this to be endured! iYou will leave Kent this very day, Miss Bennet,” Lady Catherine yelled.
“You are no longer welcome in the parsonage or anywhere in my presence.”
“I cannot depart so quickly, Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I will gladly leave in the morning once arrangements can be made, but you cannot expect me to leave this afternoon. How would I get to London?”
Lady Catherine assured her she did indeed mean for her to depart as soon as she could pack, although packing was less critical than leaving.
The grand lady cared not if Elizabeth had transportation to town or a place to stay once there, but she was determined Elizabeth would not remain in the parsonage another hour and certainly not one more night.
Mr Collins agreed with Lady Catherine’s every word and herded his family towards the door so he could begin having Elizabeth’s trunks packed and send her on her way.
He, however, remained at Rosings to speak further with Lady Catherine.
Upon hearing this, the footman Darcy had spoken to the day before immediately hurried to the stables. His task was to send word to the carriage driver, instructing him to make his way to the parsonage as swiftly as possible to transport Miss Bennet to London.
This was the first time Lady Catherine had accused a specific lady of being the reason for Darcy’s refusal to marry Anne, despite his previous visits.
Darcy was determined to ensure his aunt could not harm Elizabeth’s reputation or well-being.
As they left Rosings the day before and discussed the plans Darcy had set in motion, Richard had suggested they have a carriage available for Miss Bennet, just in case it was needed.
At the first town past Hunsford, Darcy hired a small but comfortable carriage with a coachman, making sure it was ready in case of an emergency.
He sent word back to the footman, informing him of this addition to the plan.