Chapter 5 #2
“And what can you tell me about Mrs Collins’s sister and her friend Miss Bennet? Are they handsome? Are they pleasant ladies? Do any of them possess talents that will entertain us?”
Darcy threw him a stern glare. “Of Miss Lucas, I hardly remember. She is quite young; she should not be out yet, but the people of Hertfordshire rarely give proper consideration to such things. As for Miss Bennet, I remember nothing but good things about her. She does play and sing quite lovely; however, I doubt her purpose would be to entertain us. I hope you will not attempt to trifle with her.”
“I am glad to hear such a good report,” the colonel responded with a laugh. “If the good things you remember about her are true, she would not allow me to trifle with her.”
Darcy rolled his eyes. “I am often surprised that you find amusement in everything. You resemble Bingley in that respect.”
“Just as I am often surprised that you find amusement in nothing. Do you never tire of always being serious? I try to imagine the sound of your voice were you to laugh wholeheartedly.”
“Come now, Richard. You have heard me laugh countless times. Do not be so dramatic.”
“Perhaps, but it was so long ago that I have forgotten. Well, the time for laughing has ended anyway. There is Rosings Park.”
Conversation ceased as the carriage turned in at the lane towards the manor.
Darcy’s thoughts galloped faster than the horses.
His face remained unmoved, but his heart was already laughing.
Elizabeth was somewhere around, closer with every passing moment, and he might see her smiling eyes at any moment.
He had not seen her in four months, but her image remained vivid. The sharp ache in his chest reminded him how much he missed her, while the cold thrill that travelled down his spine betrayed his fearful eagerness at allowing her into his life again.
∞∞∞
The following days brought few changes to Hunsford. Sir William returned to Hertfordshire, but not before enjoying the privilege of a most engaging dinner at Rosings, of which he spoke for weeks to everyone in Meryton.
Maria became the shadow of her sister or Elizabeth, too frightened by the notion of encountering Lady Catherine to venture anywhere alone.
In the morning, they would all have breakfast. Then Mr Collins would move either to the library, anticipating a glimpse of Lady Catherine or her daughter, or into the garden with the same purpose. He was rarely in the house except at meal times, and all the ladies were pleased with the arrangement.
Charlotte had indeed turned the house into a pleasant home.
She was busy all day with her duties as mistress of the household and the parish, and Elizabeth enjoyed watching her.
She seemed pleased with her new life and succeeded in making the best of it.
The price of having a pompous, ridiculous fool as a husband seemed worthwhile for the former Miss Lucas, and Elizabeth slowly learned to accept her friend’s choice.
Someone else also captured Elizabeth’s interest. Her short meeting with Miss de Bourgh affected Elizabeth more than she expected.
After noon, she found a few minutes to escape outside alone.
Curiosity and self-blame made her search for Miss de Bourgh again and find her in the same solitary area of wilderness.
To her astonishment, her presence was met with a little smile and an invitation to sit together on the blanket.
For three days in a row, they spent half an hour together. They did not speak much, as Anne had little to say; she had seen and done little in her five and twenty years. She often mentioned her cousins Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam and at times even Miss Darcy—for whom she had nothing but praise.
Elizabeth also spoke little. About Mr Darcy and the colonel, she either had a different opinion or none at all.
Of Miss Darcy, she had only heard from Miss Bingley and Mr Wickham, but neither name could be mentioned to Miss de Bourgh.
So they discussed the gardens, the weather, and a few books they both had read.
By the end of the fourth day, they were both startled by the sound of a carriage approaching. The carriage stopped at the main gate, and two gentlemen stepped out.
Anne’s face coloured in surprise, and she rose to her feet in haste, brushing her hands over her gown and hair.
“Fitzwilliam and Richard have arrived. I should go home.”
Elizabeth followed her, but Anne turned and said with obvious distress, “Miss Bennet, would you mind if I leave you now? My mother is not at home, but she will return shortly. We expected them in the afternoon—my cousins, I mean.”
Elizabeth smiled at such unnecessary turmoil. “Of course you should go and welcome them. Have a good day, Miss de Bourgh.”
“Miss Bennet, I thank you for these lovely meetings. I hope I shall see you again soon.”
“Likewise,” Elizabeth responded; then each walked in her own direction.
However, a calling voice made her turn. Anne had also stopped after a short distance as the two gentlemen hurried towards them. The colonel—whom Elizabeth did not know—was in front while Darcy followed less hurriedly.
She stood, uncertain what to do. Miss de Bourgh had expressed her clear desire of separating, but the gentleman was calling her name again—a rather improper approach for a complete stranger.
The gentlemen approached; the colonel briefly took his cousin’s hands, kissed her cheeks, and then bowed to Elizabeth.
“Miss Bennet, is it not? I am Colonel Fitzwilliam. Forgive me for this improper introduction. Darcy has spoken of you frequently and quite highly, and I was anxious to meet you. It is fortunate that we spotted you here.”
His voice was as easy as his countenance.
His words were supported by the genuine delight on his pleasant face.
Elizabeth responded with a warm smile and a proper curtsy.
“I am happy to meet you, Colonel, even if the introduction was less than proper. Such conduct likely bothers Mr Darcy more than me.” She glanced at the named gentleman over the colonel’s shoulder.
Darcy’s expression was as stern and aloof as ever.
“Miss Bennet. It is a pleasure to see you again,” he said briefly.
“Mr Darcy…”
“I hope your family is in good health?”
“They are, sir. Very well, thank you.”
“I am glad to hear it,” he concluded then turned his attention to Anne.
Shortly, the colonel proved to Elizabeth that arrogance and icy pride did not run in the family—or at least not in the entirety of it.
Mr Darcy resembled Lady Catherine, Elizabeth noticed with amusement.
He was equally handsome, impressive, and intimidating but less ridiculous in praising himself and his property.
The colonel was quite the opposite, and the little time they spent together encouraged Elizabeth that the rest of her stay in Kent would improve.
“I must return now; my friend is surely missing me,” Elizabeth said.
“May I accompany you to the Parsonage?” the colonel offered.
“It is not necessary, but I thank you for your kindness, sir. I hope to meet again soon,” she answered and noticed a trace of relief on Anne’s face.
“I believe Aunt Catherine has returned home,” Darcy informed them, glancing at the main gate.
“We should leave now; good day, Miss Bennet,” Anne said in haste, walking towards the house. Darcy followed her immediately while the colonel seemed reluctant to depart. He bowed to Elizabeth one more time and finally left.
When Elizabeth entered the house, she had to answer both Mr and Mrs Collins’s worried questions.
She explained she took a stroll around the house, but Mr Collins expressed his concern about the notion of her wandering around by herself, without anyone knowing her whereabouts, in case some danger might occur.
“I briefly met Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam; they just arrived.” She quickly changed the subject, and Mr Collins was instantly on the hook.
“Did they? Oh, what lovely news! I am sure Lady Catherine will be happy. But she did not expect them for another day or so. Oh, I wonder if it is proper to arrive a day early. But I am sure Mr Darcy knows what propriety demands. He must be eager to visit Rosings again, just as Lady Catherine said. I hope we shall meet them. I am sure Mr Darcy will remember me from Netherfield.”
“My dear, so much excitement is not good for you. Will you not have a glass of wine and rest a little?” Charlotte tried to tempt him.