Chapter 31. Jane’s Surprise at Tea
The following morning was quiet with a few housekeeping tasks, gardening and playing with the Gardiner children to occupy the time for Elizabeth and Jane.
“Lizzy, do you feel differently today?”
“How do you mean?” inquired Elizabeth. “I do not understand your meaning.”
“You are engaged now and have a strong regard for Mr Darcy. Does it make you feel different to be engaged to him?”
Elizabeth was reluctant to reply but when she saw Jane’s face, she had to explain. “Yes, I feel differently. I miss William’s face and voice. I want to walk beside him in the gardens.”
“I am glad for you,” Jane said. “It is a great gift you have received.”
“How can I make things better for you?” Elizabeth asked her sister sincerely. “I would not see you unhappy.”
Jane smiled as she replied, “My life will not be sad. I shall find good works to fill my days.”
“You shall come visit me every year!” Elizabeth insisted.
Jane reached over to hug her sister tightly but then returned to her work with the linens. When teatime arrived, the ladies in the parsonage exchanged remarks that there remained no sign of Mr Collins returning to the parsonage.
Mrs Gardiner commented while watching young Edward and Emily playing in the garden. “Did Mr Collins indicate his plans to return to the parsonage?”
“I expected him to return the morning after Miss Bingley’s departure,” Jane replied. “But with Elizabeth and Mr Darcy’s announcement, I forgot about his return. And last evening was too nice to worry about his return.”
“Perhaps Mr Collins and my cousin are continuing their religious study,” Georgiana suggested meekly though she refused to meet anyone’s eyes.
Glancing once at Georgiana with surprise, Elizabeth stood and announced, “I propose an excursion–let us walk to Rosings and seek Mr Collins through the halls and in the gardens. Miss de Bourgh will enjoy the diversion.”
“I shall allow the excursion but remain here with my children,” Mrs Gardiner announced. “Jane and Elizabeth will walk with Miss Darcy to Rosings and determine when Mr Collins will return to his domicile.”
The spring afternoon was glorious! The trees were brilliantly green with fresh leaves and brilliant yellow buttercups bloomed in the ditches along the road, their fragrance filling the air.
When they stepped onto the gravel path in the gardens of Rosings Park, a bed of two hundred red tulips dominated the centre of the garden and the gardener was pleased to receive the commendations of all three ladies.
Birds sang in the shrubberies as they built nests and flew around the garden.
In this beautiful garden, Jane thought she would find some contentment as Mrs Collins with an environment such as this.
However, any contentment they felt vanished when they reached the house and found it deserted–the door stood open with the footmen and butler nowhere to the found.
Jane and Georgiana were both disturbed by the absence of the staff but fearlessly Elizabeth led the way into the depths of the manor house, searching for maids, footmen, Mr Collins and Miss de Bourgh.
When they reached the stairs leading down to the kitchens, Elizabeth went ahead with her sister and future sister-in-law following behind.
Once they reached the kitchens, the three ladies found the maids, cook and housekeeper.
“Where is Miss de Bourgh?” Elizabeth asked. “Where is Mr Collins?”
“Ladies, it isn’t proper for you to be here,” the cook told them.
“Cook, we came looking for Mr Collins but cannot find anyone above stairs,” explained Georgiana.
“Is Mr Collins missing as well? Has he been kidnapped by thieves and murderers like Miss de Bourgh?” the cook asked.
“What are you...what has happened?” Elizabeth demanded to know though Georgiana and Jane were both shocked into silence.
“Miss de Bourgh is missing! She has been kidnapped!” exclaimed the housekeeper. “Mr Livingston is directing the footmen in a search of the grounds for clues.”
“Tell us what happened,” Elizabeth directed the housekeeper.
“I only know when the maids went above stairs this morning to light the fires, the front door stood open and everyone up there were missing! Miss de Bourgh and Mrs Jenkins and the lady’s maid what serves the young mistress are all gone.”
“Did anyone hear anything last night?”
“No miss. After supper last night, Miss de Bourgh gave us all champagne and beer–we slept so deep that robbers broke in and made off with the ladies–they must have taken Mr Collins too!”
“Send one of the maids into the gardens and ask Mr Livingston to return immediately,” Elizabeth suggested, and the housekeeper did not hesitate to follow the young woman’s direction. While they waited, Georgiana and Jane went among the maids and reassured them that all would be well.
“When Mr Darcy returns, he will put the house to rights and discover the whereabouts of Miss de Bourgh,” Jane told several of the maids.
As Georgiana repeated the same refrain, the maids grew calmer.
The cook finally rose from her seat and set her maids to work once again–they would need luncheon since no one had broken their fast.
When Mr Livingston entered the kitchens, he was so relieved to see the three gentle ladies that he forgot to be scandalized that they were in the kitchens.
“Tell us exactly what you found this morning,” Elizabeth insisted.
“I was called when the maids were hysterical upon finding the empty rooms. The beds had not been slept in. I sent a footman to the stables, and he reported that the de Bourgh carriage, horses and coachman were all missing.”
As Elizabeth paused to consider the butler’s words, Livingston asked, “Do you think the coachman kidnapped Miss de Bourgh?”
“I do not know where Miss de Bourgh has gone but with the absence of her maid and lady’s companion as well, I do not think there are nefarious forces at work here.”
“Be assured Livingston, all will be well,” Georgiana assured the butler. “Now, go to the kitchen and ask that tea be brought to the front parlour and make certain you take refreshment also.”
The young lady repeated her assurance for everyone, “My brother will know what to do when he returns to Rosings.”
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It was teatime before the Darcy carriage was seen approaching Rosings Park. Elizabeth, Jane and Georgiana gathered outside the front door though Livingston was nervously hiding inside the house.
Darcy descended from the carriage without waiting for the footman and as he handed his aunt out of the carriage, he noticed the quiet faces of the three ladies.
“What is this welcoming party?” Lady Catherine asked. “Where is Livingston? I have fools for solicitors in London–I am penniless until late summer because of fools!”
Darcy urged his aunt forward and she pushed away from him, leaving him behind as she went into the house, demanding to know where her servants were. “Why am I unattended? Livingston! Livingston!”
Darcy stepped close to Elizabeth and Georgiana, “My dears, what is afoot?”
Before they can explain anything, there is a scream from inside the house and Darcy hurried inside to find his aunt collapsed into a chair.
“Mr Darcy, you must take charge!” Livingston begged. “Miss de Bourgh has vanished!”
“She’s been kidnapped! I know it!” Lady Catherine screeched from her chair. Darcy noticed his aunt refused the attentions of her butler and the maids standing behind the chair.
“Tell me what has transpired,” he demanded of the butler.
As Livingston relayed the morning’s events to Mr Darcy with Lady Catherine’s moans interrupting them regularly, Elizabeth, Jane and Georgiana came inside the house as well.
“The door was standing open this morning?”
“You are dismissed from service, Livingston!” Lady Catherine declared. “You were negligent and did not secure Rosings before retiring last night! No doubt you enjoyed a bottle of my wine in my absence!”
“Your Ladyship, I would...”
“Aunt, you must remain calm while I discover what I can regarding Anne’s disappearance.”
“This is your fault, Darcy!” Lady Catherine next declared. “If you had married Anne last year, she would be safe today!”
Darcy caught Elizabeth’s eye for just a moment, and she stepped forward to support him, but he waved her back. “Aunt, shall I send for an apothecary to dose you with laudanum? Or will you remain calm and hear facts?”
Lady Catherine frowned but Darcy held her gaze until she nodded once in agreement.
“Georgiana, what do you know?”
“I spent the night at the parsonage, William,” his sister explained. “Anne suggested that I return with Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth after supper last evening. We had a very pleasant evening, but nothing appeared to be amiss when we left Rosings.”
“Anne wanted you to stay at the parsonage?”
“Yes,” Georgiana replied.
Darcy hurried above stairs and Elizabeth suggested that everyone retire to the parlour.
“No!” Lady Catherine declared. “I shall not move from this spot until I hear from my daughter!”
“Livingston, send for tea to restore Lady Catherine,” Jane suggested but again Lady Catherine objected.
“I am mistress here! Cease giving my servants orders!” the older woman commanded but then she did accept a cup when the tea was brought.
It was only a few moments before Mr Darcy returned to the entry hall with a sheet of paper in his hand. “I found this note in Anne’s room.”
“Is it a ransom?” Lady Catherine demanded to know.
“It is not a ransom note,” he explained carefully.
“It is from Anne, and she has...” Darcy paused before continuing, “Anne has eloped with Mr Collins.”
Lady Catherine was shocked and silent for a long moment as Mr Darcy finished explaining the information from his cousin’s note, “Anne obtained a common license from the bishop through her solicitor and the couple went to Canterbury to marry.”
Upon hearing the final piece of news, Lady Catherine fainted and once the maid retrieved her mistress’ smelling salts, Darcy used the bottle to revive his aunt. Sputtering loudly, she sat up and declared, “I shall have him defrocked and beheaded! He seduced my daughter!”
Then she turned on Darcy again. “This is your fault!”
“Aunt you will cease this useless noise immediately!” Darcy ordered the woman who was not nearly as hysterical as her behaviour indicated. She fell silent and continued to frown. Finally, she sighed and nodded her head.
“Escort Lady Catherine to her room,” Darcy told the butler and footman. “Summon the apothecary and have him leave doses of laudanum for her ladyship should she become hysterical.”
The company waited until the butler and a footman supported Lady Catherine as she left the room.
Then Darcy turned to Georgiana, Elizabeth and Jane. “Shall we step outside the doors?”
Once they were away from the house and servants, Darcy turned to the ladies and sighed, “This is not the return I had planned.”
He reached out a hand and drew Elizabeth to his side.
“Your father was only mildly surprised at my petition for your hand, and he granted his permission for us to marry in late summer. Your mother was very surprised and pleased. I only remained long enough for tea before returning to London, but your mother promised to write you at length in the next few days.”
He pulled out a letter from one pocket that he handed to Elizabeth, “Your father sent you a note.”
Then he took her left hand and slipped a ring on her finger, “And I have this ring as an engagement gift to tell the world that you are now mine.”
“I do not require gifts, William!” Elizabeth insisted.
“Nonetheless, it is my prerogative to bestow gifts, and I shall not be denied.”
“Surrender Elizabeth,” Georgiana urged. “My brother is relentless and cannot be denied.”
“Very well,” she agreed. “Thank you, William!”
“I want you all to return to the parsonage. Georgiana, remain with Elizabeth and Miss Bennet another night.”
Darcy sent a footman to bring his horse to the house and he ordered his valet to follow later in another carriage.
“Shall we give them a moment?” Jane suggested to Georgiana as she led the younger girl away from the front of the house.
Finding themselves alone, Elizabeth allowed herself to be drawn into Mr Darcy’s arms where he kissed her.
“I am sorry my dear,” he whispered. “I returned this afternoon expecting to celebrate our engagement, but I must venture to Canterbury in search of my cousin and her parson-husband.”
“Hurry then! I do not wish to remain parted from you for long!”
As soon as Darcy’s horse was brought to the house, he mounted and rode toward Canterbury, the seat of the archbishop. Elizabeth stood and watched until the figure of horse and rider vanished before turning to Jane and Georgiana.
“Let us return to Aunt Gardiner,” Elizabeth said. “We have much to share with her.”
The late afternoon was cool and the three walked purposefully though about halfway back, Jane faltered and began to cry. Elizabeth quickly took her sister in her arms to comfort her.
“Oh dear, are you much affected, Miss Bennet?” Georgiana asked when suddenly Jane began to laugh.
“I shall be free!” Jane exclaimed. “I do not have to marry Mr Collins!”
Elizabeth shook her head as she said, “Poor Miss de Bourgh.”
Now Georgiana laughed. “Do not feel sorry for my cousin. She loves Mr Collins–she has for several months and lost heart when she met Miss Bennet. But your aunt’s encouragement gave her hope, and she decided to make her own future.”
“Does she love Mr Collins?” asked Elizabeth, disbelieving Georgiana’s words.
“He is kind to her and listens to her. He speaks frequently and Anne enjoys his praises.”
“I am happy for them,” Jane insisted. “And I have the opportunity to find happiness as well.”
To say the conversation at the parsonage that evening was animated was an understatement. Mrs Gardiner insisted that they prepare letters to send to Mr Gardiner and to Longbourn in the morning by express.
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