Chapter 18 Peril and Partnership #3
“If we can isolate her from the fools she prefers to surround herself with, there will be no one to do her bidding.”
“That would require moving her to one of my father’s estates. He will be reluctant to bargain with his sister.”
Darcy halted. “His sister’s rector is in gaol.
Her lackey has fled. Miss Lucas lies near death in the parsonage……
” Darcy swung his clenched fists and took a deep breath before continuing.
“Our aunt is a menace, and I am happy to make it clear to him that he must restrain her, or the ensuing scandal will be uncontrollable.”
His cousin looked out across the garden. “He will accept it better from you than from me. I will stay here at Rosings and speak to Anne while you go to Town.”
Darcy nodded. “Thank you.”
I am thirsty. So thirsty. Slowly, Elizabeth became more aware of her surroundings. Was that the rhythmic clicking of knitting needles she heard? She tried to open her eyes and immediately regretted it. The room was too bright. Why am I sleeping in the middle of the day?
“Are ya finally waking up, deary? Too much sun for ya, eh? Never you mind.”
The light dimmed as she heard curtains being drawn. Blessed relief. She blinked her eyes open. The widow Talbot was coming towards her with a glass of water. The water was cool and soothing.
“Slowly now, dear. That laudanum is nasty stuff.”
Laudanum? Ah, I remember. The chocolate…
“That’s right, I can see you got all kinds of questions. I’ll just let Mr Tomlinson know you are awake.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth’s voice was shakier than she might wish, but after sipping some water, her throat was no longer painful.
A moment later, a blond gentleman about the age of her father entered with brisk efficiency. Her perusal of the gentleman came to a halt as she noticed who followed him. “Uncle!”
“Yes. Did you think I would take kindly to receiving a vague note from Mrs Collins that you needed to end your stay immediately? I knew something was wrong if you were not at liberty to write yourself. I am glad I came. Be patient and allow Mr Tomlinson to examine you, and then I will answer all your questions.”
Elizabeth addressed the apothecary, “You must tell me how Maria and Charlotte fare. Unwittingly, I gave Maria most of my chocolate.”
“Mrs Collins sleeps peacefully and should be well in a day or two. Luckily, Miss Lucas received prompt treatment, so I remain optimistic. We will know more in the morning.” With her immediate anxiety assuaged, Elizabeth listened with rapt attention as her uncle related what he knew.
“I think my cousin must have read too many lurid novels,” Elizabeth said. “To attempt to place me in a compromising situation with Jones as a way to encourage Mr Darcy to marry Anne seems truly nonsensical.”
Mr Gardiner clasped her hands. “I care not what justification he might put forth. Mr Collins is in the hands of the magistrate, where he belongs, and you are well. That is what matters to me. The apothecary wishes you to remain here through the night, but as soon as Mr Tomlinson is satisfied, we are heading for Gracechurch Street.”
Mrs Talbot approached her once more, giving her uncle a look that sent him scurrying out of the room. “If the room has stopped spinnin’, you can try ’nd walk about a bit. If that goes well, I’ll bring you some broth.”
Elizabeth was encouraged by the thought of a walk, yet a few steps to refresh herself left her longing to return to bed. As she drifted off to sleep again, she gave thanks for all who had contributed to her safety and prayed that Maria and Charlotte would be well.
Lady Catherine posed on her throne, attempting to portray an air of nonchalance, but the triumphant smirk gave her away.
Darcy noted her old-fashioned gown, the excessive jewellery she wore, and the wrinkles her powder failed to conceal.
An aged queen bee refuses to relinquish her position to the new queen.
Clarity replaced the fury that had driven him to Rosings.
His aunt seemed eager to confront him. It did not matter that a young gentlewoman lay near death; all she cared about was a chance to bluster and rage at him for not falling in with her plans.
Determination to deny her welled inside Darcy.
Lady Catherine was nothing to him. She only held sway over him if he let her.
He abruptly turned to the colonel and said, “I am not sure there is any point to speaking with this woman.”
“How dare you—” Lady Catherine stood.
“She will simply deny that her lectures were meant to incite such behaviour—”
“Of what are you speaking?” Lady Catherine snapped.
“And frankly, it does not matter whether it was intentional or not,” Darcy said. “This woman is delusional.”
“I will not be ignored!” His aunt thumped her cane on the floor.
“Let us retire to my chambers. I need to see to my packing.” Darcy glanced in the direction of the parsonage.
“You will do no such thing!” Her eyes narrowed
“Darcy, are you sure this is how you wish to proceed?” The colonel rested his hand on Darcy’s shoulder.
“Yes, come.” Darcy inclined his head.
“You ungrateful—”
Lady Catherine’s harangue ceased as Darcy turned his back on her and strode out of the room. With a nod to his stupefied aunt, the colonel followed.
The Jane who came floating down the stairs of 23 Gracechurch Street to meet her was not the same Jane she had left a month ago, or even the same Jane who had written to her last week.
This Jane glowed. In addition, she seemed to exude confidence in a way Elizabeth had never seen before.
The slight furrow on Jane’s brow indicated she had myriad questions, but her smile could not be contained.
Wanting to delay any talk of her recent adventures, Elizabeth started speaking as she exited the carriage. “I shall answer all your questions, but first you must tell me your news. What has brought on this change of spirits?”
As Jane swept her into a fierce embrace, she proclaimed, “ ’Tis too much! By far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh! Why is not everybody as happy?”
“Oh Jane, to see you so happy is all that I could wish for. You must tell me everything, but first, let us go inside.”
Jane laughed. “Oh yes, where are my manners?”
As Elizabeth changed into a fresh gown, she was amazed by the tale Jane told.
“Oh, Lizzy, I can hardly bear such happiness, and to think I owe it all to you and to Mr Darcy.”
“Of what do you speak, Jane?”
“Why the express that Mr Darcy sent to Charles on Monday, letting him know I was in Town and that I was not indifferent to him, as he had previously thought.”
“Charles, is it?” Elizabeth beamed at her sister and tried valiantly to conceal her surprise. She had intended to share those things with Mr Darcy but never had a chance this time. Was it possible that he remembered?
“Of course, I would not have asked you to share the contents of Caroline’s letter, but given Charles’s response, I must say I am not sorry that you did.
I shall not have to live with Caroline, as Charles is going to banish her to an aunt in the North.
He has promised me faithfully that she shall never live with us. ”
“Jane, that is the most unforgiving speech you have ever uttered. I am proud of you. “
Elizabeth’s mind wandered as Jane filled her in on her whirlwind week, which had culminated in a proposal just that morning.
Could it be possible that we are in this predicament together?
How else could he have known the contents of Miss Bingley’s letter?
He might have decided on his own that his interference was officious, but he has never known the contents of the letter without my sharing it with him.
Then again, recalling a memory about magical powers, she considered that anything might be possible.
“Charles is coming to dine with us this evening, and tomorrow we are all going for a ride in the park.”
“Who is this ‘we’ you speak of?”
“Why Charles, Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy, and our aunt Gardiner and cousins…”
Elizabeth could not help but frown as Jane stiffened beside her.
An apologetic Mr Bingley had arrived in his chaise rather than the promised curricle.
The change in vehicle was not as shocking as the presence of Caroline Bingley and her maid.
Mr Bingley had no time to talk to Jane, as Caroline called for her dear friend to join her.
Wearing a brittle smile, Jane allowed Mr Bingley to assist her.
Mr Bingley gave them a jaunty wave and entered the chaise, which then departed directly.
Elizabeth’s concern for her sister gave way to more agreeable thoughts as Mr Darcy made her young cousins and Mrs Gardiner comfortable in his spacious barouche.
With a suspiciously mischievous grin, her aunt had arranged the seating in such a way as to leave the open spot for Mr Darcy next to Elizabeth.
His easy rapport with the children was a side of him she had not seen before.
He listened to their chatter attentively.