Chapter Twenty-Seven
T here had been little opportunity that evening for Anne de Bourgh to pursue further conversation with Miss Bennet. Mama, as was her wont, dominated most of the discourse for the evening. Occasionally Miss Bennet was asked for a contribution to the discussion, but, after her shocking suggestion at dinner, was largely left alone .
It was strange for Anne to realise that Elizabeth Bennet appeared to be utterly untroubled by her mother's neglect, and she observed her sitting contentedly beside Mrs. Collins. Occasionally a barely concealed look of amusement passed over her face at the orations that her cousin attempted to please with whenever his patroness paused for breath.
It was not until her cousins arrived two days later that Anne had the opportunity to speak to Elizabeth Bennet. It seemed imperative that she do so, for Miss Bennet's words had taken a great hold over her thoughts, and she had no desire to be released .
The idea of not marrying had never once, in the whole course of her life, entered her head. It was known that young ladies of rank and fortune must marry. Mama's pitying contempt for the old maids of the county was discouraging enough, but the fact that Darcy had mentioned a match to Mama had meant that remaining unattached was not to be thought of .
Anne did not object to her cousin. He was a kind man, rich enough, and he had a good house. Truth be told, Pemberley was a little too far north for her taste — Anne had never liked the cold, after all, but she supposed she would not be obliged to step out of doors much and Darcy could certainly afford coal. She had not, before Mama indicated an engagement was inevitable, given much thought to him as a husband, but Anne accepted future matrimony with the same sort of resignation with which she accepted most of Mama's edicts.
It was Elizabeth Bennet's untroubled demeanour when suggesting that marriage was not a necessity for her that had deeply impressed Anne de Bourgh. It was as though spinsterhood might be a thing to be desired rather than feared. Miss Bennet did not speak like a madwoman, but instead had sensibly and concisely pointed out to Mama, of all people, that to eat as she pleased was preferable to having a husband .
Anne's imagination had taken flight that night and the following day. Mrs. Jenkinson had hemmed and hawed to gain her attention, but the notion of pleasing herself for the rest of her days was not one to be dismissed readily. It was a pity for her cousin, she supposed, but he would soon recover from his disappointment. He might even be good enough to speak to Mama on her behalf if she asked him. If there was any subject that she feared broaching, it was the one in the shape of Mama.
Her cousin was not quite as she remembered him from the year before. There was something about his manner that was a little more restless than she recollected. He civilly greeted them, including Mrs. Jenkinson, which always made her companion grateful, and sat where Mama directed to listen to what little news had happened in Kent that he might be unaware of. It was clear, however, to Anne at least, that his attention was not solely focused upon his aunt. Was it a sign that he meant to offer for her? She hoped not .
The colonel sat beside Anne and attempted to amuse her by murmuring quips in her ear when he thought Mama might not notice him doing so. Anne tolerated Richard's humour usually but was in no mood for it at that moment.
Anne watched her cousin, wondering if he might indeed become cast down by rejection. He was not a man used to being denied — Mama had said it often enough with approval in her tone. Fitzwilliams, she avowed, were so used to authority that all lesser mortals or those with insufficient will simply bowed to the stronger voice .
How pleasant it would be to live alone and to be the strongest will in a household. If she married Darcy, his word would undoubtedly be law, for he was not the sort of man to tolerate any sort of contradiction from a woman under his roof. Georgiana was evidence enough of that. Marriage to her cousin would simply be exchanging Mama's will for his .
Anne's mind wandered then to thoughts of her own establishment, perhaps near a town and built in brick. Mrs. Jenkinson would need to be dismissed, of course, and new servants engaged. She was brought back to the present conversation only when Darcy rose abruptly from his chair. Anne looked to Richard, who enlightened her.
“Your attention wandered, cousin. Darcy and I are to pay a call to the parsonage, Anne — the new Mrs. Collins has a pretty guest who is an acquaintance of ours. It is better to be forward about these things, you know.”
Lady Catherine had continued talking as though her nephew had not stood up. “Miss Bennet mentioned a correspondence with Mrs. Houghton, Darcy — is she boasting idly or is she indeed so well connected as she claims?”
“Mrs. Houghton charged me before I left town that I must enquire as to Miss Elizabeth's health, Aunt Catherine. As did Lady Matlock and my uncle, after I had satisfied myself as to your wellbeing, of course. Miss Elizabeth has many friends in town.”
“Anne is looking well, is she not, Darcy? Come now, you must not be reticent in saying so — but do you mean to go directly to the parsonage? It will look peculiar if you do. You had much better wait another day or so. Miss Bennet can not possibly be offended that you should wait a few days, or is she so very sought after in London as all that?”
“The Bennet sisters were all the rage in town, Lady Catherine,” answered Colonel Fitzwilliam when Darcy did not immediately reply. “Almost everyone was speaking of them. Miss Bennet — the eldest Miss Bennet — is recently engaged, you know. I wish you might have seen her, a veritable beauty, and both of them went about in white silk.”
“Indeed,” replied Her Ladyship coldly. “Well, it seems most irregular to me. I had not thought Mr. Collins's relatives to amount to much but it seems he has led me amiss there. It is very like him to be inaccurate in his accounting. It is likely because he has not been brought up to understand what Quality is. Very well, if you feel you must go, Darcy, I suppose you must. Mrs. Houghton is, after all, a Houghton.”
Anne rose to her feet. “I should like to pay a call also, cousin, if you will escort me.”
Lady Catherine smiled at the genius in her daughter. “Yes, Darcy, do offer Anne your arm. She is always very sensible of the true superiority one needs to consort with one's lessers, are you not, Anne? You need not fear she will condescend too far.”
Mr. Darcy bowed silently, apparently not feeling the need to reply to this. He offered his cousin an arm, upon which she lightly laid a hand, and they departed the room to the sound of her mother berating Mrs. Jenkinson .
“No, Mrs. Jenkinson, you will not be wanted. Miss de Bourgh could be in no safer hands than my nephew's. You had better play the pianoforte, for you would be very much in the way at the parsonage. The parlour there is small, you will recall.”
Anne felt some disappointment that Miss Bennet was not in when they first arrived, but they were welcomed into Mrs. Collins's parlour, with her husband bowing periodically to them all as they sat down.
Darcy, in his usual manner, offered the Collinses his best wishes for their marriage. The lady accepted them without enthusiasm but Mr. Collins seemed to take the civility as an invitation to wax lyrical about the virtues and wonders of marital life .
“My dear Mrs. Collins and I, Mr. Darcy, are of one mind and one heart, sir. The Almighty has clearly fashioned her for me and kept her quite unattached until the time I ventured into Hertfordshire. It is a delightful thought to me, sir, that such was our destiny for wedlock, that there was no possibility of her being married to another man — she was there awaiting my arrival, were you not, my dear?”
Mrs. Collins hesitated a moment, blushing lightly, and responded by asking her husband if he thought she might offer tea to their guests .
“My friend has gone for a walk. I expect she will return soon and be pleased to renew your acquaintance.”
“Ought I go to fetch her, my dear?” offered Mr. Collins, with a glance to Mr. Darcy's disapproving expression. “You must not think I permit my cousin to roam everywhere alone, Mr. Darcy — it is only that Her Ladyship, your aunt, was so good as to offer her the use of the parkland and Cousin Elizabeth was most eager to explore its beauties. I am sure that there are no grounds so large nor so picturesque in all of England. It is hardly a wonder that my cousin should want to see for herself.”
“There can be no call to find Lizzy, Mr. Collins — she has been gone nearly an hour and will likely return soon. The best thing to be done is to have a cup ready for her when she returns.”
Anne, seated beside her Darcy, angled herself so that she would have a better view of the garden path out of the window. She felt a stab of annoyance at her cousin when he rose from the sofa and blocked her view to stare at the path himself. He did not remain there above ten minutes. It was evident that Miss Elizabeth had returned safely to the parsonage when Darcy quit his self-appointed sentry post .
“I gather Miss Bennet has completed her walk, Mr. Collins,” said Anne as they heard the front door open.
Mr. Collins professed himself to be amazed by her excellent hearing. “For you know, Miss de Bourgh, I had barely registered myself that the front door had opened, and I, as master of this humble residence, ought to be keenly aware of its every squeak and groan. Your superior hearing must come from your mother's side, I am sure.”
“Sir Lewis was held to be an excellent hunter, Mr. Collins, on account of his sharp hearing,” Mr. Darcy countered, with a glance in the colonel's direction to assist in the conversation .
“I say, does this house groan and squeak much?” Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. “Matlock is much the same in the east wing — I terrified a maid there once by telling her it was because the house watched its inhabitants and knew if servants were wicked or not. Mama was put out with me, for three good workers left that very afternoon.”
The door opened and in walked Elizabeth Bennet, her bonnet ribbons half untied and her cheeks pink from her walk. She smiled and her eyes were bright .
“I beg your pardon, Mrs. Collins — I am late again. This time I blame it on a charming little brook that meandered its way alongside a wood and beckoned me to follow it. ”
“You have been so far as the elm copse, Miss Bennet?” Anne turned in her seat to look at Darcy. His voice did not sound quite steady to her ears.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy. In truth, I know not where I have been — I had no knowledgeable guide, you see. I am sure I saw elm trees, so perhaps you are right. How do you do, Miss de Bourgh, and Colonel Fitzwilliam, it is pleasant to meet you again.”
“Will you take tea, Eliza? I was certain you would feel the want of a cup when you returned. You were not gone so long as yesterday. I congratulate you — your timekeeping has improved dramatically.”
Sitting down and smiling broadly, Elizabeth Bennet nodded her thanks to her hostess as she examined the contents of her cup. “The perfect colour, thank you, my dear. I cannot be held accountable for the lack of sun yesterday, Mrs. Collins — the cloud made it quite difficult to ascertain the time of day.”
“I declare, Miss Bennet,” cried the colonel gallantly, “that you really ought to have a knowledgeable gentleman on hand to squire you about the park. I also possess a pocket watch that I shall put at your disposal, and if you would accept my escort as suitable, I should engage to return you home to Mrs. Collins to the very minute she requires you.”
Mrs. Collins laughed at this. “Eliza would much rather you left the pocket watch at Rosings by accident, sir.”
“This is quite true, Colonel. The escort I would cheerfully accept, particularly if you will enlighten my ignorance geographically and historically on whatever I may be looking upon at the time. Companionship on a walk is most useful when one is in a new place.”
Anne, from her place beside Darcy, was privileged to watch his hands tighten momentarily .
“I had hoped, Miss Bennet, that I might have the pleasure of a turn about the garden with you,” Anne said. “I understand if you are weary from your walk, however.”
“Permit Miss Bennet to finish her tea, Anne.” Darcy spoke quietly, but it was with no less of a tone of command than her mother used and it strengthened her resolve.
“Naturally, I meant that Miss Bennet should finish her tea first, cousin. ”
Miss Elizabeth looked a little surprised but nodded and stood. “I am not tired, Miss de Bourgh. The garden here is very well tended too. There is a little corner that is quite out of the wind — I daresay the roses there will be charming later in the year. Mrs. Collins, you must write to me, perhaps with a sketch to confirm that I am correct.”
The two ladies made their way outside again, and considerately Miss Bennet slowed her pace to match Anne's.
“I have not had the opportunity to speak to you, Miss Bennet, not properly at any rate, since you arrived.”
“I had no notion that you wished to, Miss de Bourgh, but I am most pleased to have an opportunity now. ”
“Mama likes to speak.”
“I had observed it, Miss de Bourgh.”
“It does make it difficult for an acquaintance to grow as it might. We are equal enough after all.”
“Equal!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “Yes, I suppose we are, in that we are both gentlemen's daughters.”
“We are both possessed of enough funds for independence, Miss Bennet,” clarified Anne .
Again, surprise crossed her companion's features. “I had not thought of it,” she said slowly, “but yes, I suppose there is that. Is the possession of sufficient funds a requirement for acquaintance with you then, Miss de Bourgh?”
“I hardly know. It is only that I meet so few poorer people…but that is not what I wanted to speak to you about.”
“Was it not?” There was the faintest suggestion of laughter in the young lady's voice. “I cannot guess what particular thing you wish to discuss — do assuage my curiosity, I beg you.”
“You said to Mama that you saw no necessity to marry.”
A little guiltily, Elizabeth laughed. “I did. My friend was almost cross with me for that but I do not repine the sentiment even if I perhaps ought not to have stated it so plainly.”
Anne nodded. “I for one am very glad that you did. In one evening, Miss Bennet, you may have altered the course of my life. I am wealthy enough, and of age. I may live as I please — I need not have a husband at all. The thought had not occurred to me before you put it into my head. It has now taken root and blossomed in my mind.”
“I suppose,” Elizabeth said slowly, “that there are many rich men who prefer to remain bachelors and seem to manage well enough alone that…”
“Miss Elizabeth, Anne!” Mr. Darcy crossed the lawn toward them. His greatcoat billowed out behind him. “I was concerned that you might be…”
“Darcy,” Anne called out, seizing her moment, “I do not wish to marry you.”
Silenced, Mr. Darcy stopped still and the greatcoat wilted, moving only slightly in the breeze. He was evidently very much surprised and fixed his gaze on Miss Bennet who seemed to be suffering from similar astonishment.
Feeling the need to explain, Anne spoke again. “It was Miss Bennet's idea really — that she has no need to marry. If Miss Bennet can remain unmarried with her means, then I imagine I might manage with greater ease. There is no reason I may not do as I like with my own fortune, is there, cousin?”
“Miss Bennet's idea?” repeated Mr. Darcy, his eyes still on that young lady.
Elizabeth held out her hands in an upward motion that appeared to disclaim responsibility in some way.
“Yes,” Anne said earnestly, “for it was she who said to Mama that she would rather eat duck than wed a man.”
“Duck?” Mr. Darcy, a man by no means used to thinking his understanding inferior, did not apparently comprehend. He opted to change the subject instead. “Anne, I followed you both out to the garden out of concern that the wind might trouble you. I thought perhaps that your mother would prefer me to see to your wellbeing.”
“But do you not see, cousin? I might live just as I please. I could purchase a house, stay in bed all day if it pleases me, or…or read what I like or go outside when it is windy if I want to. Does it not sound marvellous? Miss Elizabeth can, so I can.”
Clearing her throat, Elizabeth felt the need to speak. “I should like, if I may, to clarify that my position enables me not to feel forced into just accepting any man who cares to ask me to marry him, Miss de Bourgh. That is the value I place upon my independence. It is not that I am averse to marriage but I must be given a good reason to enter into matrimony. Indeed,” she added, “my sister is to be wed and I am sure she will be very happy.”
“Oh,” said Anne, then, “What sort of reason? If not for money, and since Mama seems to think you have enough influential friends, you need not wed for connection. Your father is a gentleman. What other reasons are there to marry?”
Her cheeks pinker now than they were after her walk, Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Darcy quickly before answering. “Love, for example, Miss de Bourgh, compatibility of mind and, perhaps a joy found in someone else's company, in caring for them.”
Disappointed, Anne was silent for a moment before she replied, “Mama says that sort of thing is terribly vulgar.”
Sweetly, Miss Elizabeth smiled. “It is fortunate then that I am in a position where I can be vulgar enough to desire a happy marriage.” She dropped a curtsey. “I ought to leave you now. I should not intrude upon a conversation between you both that would be better private.”
Darcy bowed and found in his pocket a letter which he held out to her. Anne stared between them. Miss Bennet did not reach for it until he spoke. “Your sister requests that I deliver this to you, Miss Elizabeth. I beg you would not make yourself uneasy about that which has been forced upon your hearing — I think perhaps my cousin is not feeling quite herself. I am sure Miss de Bourgh will be the better for a rest at home. ”