Chapter 34 Manipulations #2
"Years of thought," Anne confirmed. "So, let us find more productive things to talk about. I would love to hear about Georgiana and her studies along with any other news you have of Pemberley."
Smiling, Darcy launched into an update on all the latest news of his sister and their home. The conversation kept them occupied for quite some time. The day was well-advanced when Richard finally rejoined them.
"The message has gone off safely and should be in Mr. Bennet's hands this afternoon," he said.
"They also actually did find a little damage that could have resulted in a broken axle later on if they had not dealt with it.
They were able to strengthen the area with metal sheathing until you have the time to have the damaged parts fully replaced. "
"I am glad you had them check. I would hate to be delayed on our way to Meryton."
With a nod of agreement, Richard continued, "I also took a ride and did some quiet checking in the village.
Not only did your mother have them remove old Mr. Gerard's effects from the parsonage, there are rumors that Mr. Collins will be moving in with a wife.
One of the housemaids was dismissed in anticipation of Mrs. Collins doing any extra work needed. "
"None of our information says that he is married," Anne told them. "Sir Phillip has been keeping a close eye on him at Uncle Peter's request. Between his information and what our uncle's investigator found out, we would have known if he was married."
Richard nodded. "Father would not have missed something like that.
Knowing what we do of Collins' character, he would not marry without Aunt Catherine's consent.
That means she has decided who is to be his wife and the marriage is planned for some time very soon.
I do not see how his marriage could affect any of the people we are trying to protect, yet at the same time, I have a very bad feeling about this. "
"Will we be seeing Sir Phillip at the wedding tomorrow?" Darcy asked Anne.
"As my father's only remaining male relative, he was planning to be at the wedding and give me away, while his mother stood witness.
I know we spoke earlier about one of you giving me away, and I expect he would step aside since you are both more closely related.
Given that I have been unable to communicate with him since Mother confined me to the house, we should probably stop at the dower house on our way to the church, so he knows the wedding is still on. "
"Sir Phillip has been here and helping you. He deserves to take precedence. If he is to give you away, Richard and I should be witnesses. That way there is no question that your family approved of the match even if your Mother tries to make trouble later," Darcy said.
"I wish I had thought to call on Sir Phillip while I was out riding," Richard added.
"I could have confirmed with him and he could have passed the word on to Martin so there is no chance of confusion.
I held off, knowing it would probably be reported back to Aunt Catherine and might make her suspicious, but I should have taken the chance. "
"I told Martin that I would be there no matter what my mother did to stop me," Anne said, "even if I had to sneak out of here in the middle of the night and walk all the way to Boxwell alone."
"Have no fear, Anne. We will get you there," Darcy promised.
~o~
"What do you mean, driving? I see no reason for you to do anything of the sort," Lady Catherine insisted when the subject of Darcy taking a morning drive with Anne was broached at dinner.
On Anne's advice, Darcy had waited to mention the drive until after the first remove.
They all hoped Lady Catherine would have talked herself into a more relaxed mood by then.
She had spent the entirety of the first course regaling them with the minute details of her recent "improvements" to the estate.
Unfortunately, that did not produce anything resembling a more tolerant or reasonable mood when the new subject came up.
"I see no reason for Anne to leave the house," she continued. "Her health will not permit unnecessary comings and goings. A drive around the neighborhood is simply out of the question."
Anne, true to her usual practice, remained silent, her expression bland and her eyes fixed on her plate. Instead, Richard jumped into the conversation, asking almost coyly, "Oh, is Anne so very ill then? I thought her health must have improved if you considered her well enough to marry."
Darcy spotted the annoyed look Anne gave Richard, although with her head still down, it was hidden from her mother. Richard pretended not to notice, although Darcy was certain he had also seen the look.
"Of course, she is well enough to marry," Lady Catherine snapped, gripping her fork more tightly as she stabbed at a small chunk of beef on her plate. "I simply see no reason for her to endanger her well-being gallivanting around the countryside for no reason."
"Ah, but I do have a reason for us to take a drive together," Darcy said. "I have a particular topic to discuss with her, and I want the setting to be more special and private than one can find inside the house. A spring drive in an open carriage is considered most romantic."
"Hmph. Romance!" Lady Catherine grumbled. "Useless drivel. I would have thought you had already said anything of that sort that was necessary. After all, you spent practically the entire day with her."
"That was more of a cousinly discussion," Darcy said placatingly. "I told her of recent events and things she might want to know for the future. It was not at all the sort of conversation to bring a man to declare himself to his future wife."
"Recent events, hmm," Lady Catherine said, her eyes glinting sharply. "Did you tell her about your search for Miss Rose?"
Darcy bowed his head in mock humility. "I did mention the mistakes I made in that regard and assured her that I have learned many lessons from the experience."
"What other sorts of things did you tell her about? What kind of things did you think she needed to know about the future?"
"We spoke of Georgiana and, of course, Anne would need to hear about my tenants and events on the estate.
As you know, my mother was very involved in all the charitable efforts at Pemberley and in the neighboring villages of Lambton and Kympton.
The rector at Kympton just recently brought to my attention the case of one of his parishioners who died leaving two young children and no instructions as to their support.
" Darcy hoped he could draw his aunt to a topic she would find more satisfying. As expected, she took the bait.
"If he died without making provision for his children then they deserve no special consideration.
My sister was far too lenient and generous in such cases.
You should have placed them out with one of your tenants to be raised up as servants...
" she continued on, giving copious and sometimes contradictory advice until the second remove was complete.
The dish of game hen placed before her must have reminded her of the original topic of the drive in the country.
"Must you go driving to gain this romantic setting you insist upon?" she asked, looking at Darcy sharply.
"I so rarely have the opportunity to go for a relaxing drive in an open carriage," he replied. "It would make the day special for me, and I assure you, the drive will change Anne's life completely."
"Hmph," she snorted, looking back and forth between them. Anne kept her eyes downcast. Darcy did his best to gaze steadily back at his suspicious aunt.
"Oh, very well," she relented at last. "But there will be no more such claptrap from you in the future. You may drive out unless the weather is damp. No mood or setting is worth the chance that Anne suffers a cold."
"Thank you, Aunt Catherine," Darcy said, being careful to avoid anything that would constitute actual agreement with condition.
He also had to studiously avoid looking closely at either Richard or Anne for fear one of them might betray their relief at the agreement.
Putting on his best expressionless mask, he dedicated his attention to the food and his aunt's continued instructions for the best ways to handle charitable cases at Pemberley.
Inside, though, he was praying for a clear morning without any hint of moisture.
He expected Anne and Richard were doing the same.