“She would only say that Anne made it perfectly clear that she was opposed to the match.”

  “No surprises there—Anne is her mother’s daughter.”

  “Frankly, I’m surprised. Never once did I suppose that Anne took any of her mother’s foolishness to heart.”

  “Then you intend to speak with Anne as well?”

  “I’m obliged to do just that, especially as she has made it clear to Elizabeth that she intends to do everything in her power to poison the family against her—specifically mentioning Georgiana.”

  “Did Elizabeth tell you all this?”

  “She did; granted, she didn’t want to, for fear of causing a rift between Anne and me, but I could see how upset she was as a consequence of her visit with Anne, and I insisted she tell me all.”

  “Perhaps, she simply didn’t want you to fight her battles. I wager she is more than capable of standing up to anyone.”

  “But why should she have to is my point. I don’t intend to allow anyone to abuse my future wife.”

  Richard took another sip and after a moment, he said, “Then you may want to speak with Lady Catherine as well.”

  “Does your advice have to do with her purposes in detaining you last evening?”

  “Let me just say she made it perfectly clear that she will exercise extraordinary measures to see an end to your engagement.”

  “I trust you put her in her place.”

  “I tried to, but you know our aunt. She is not one to tolerate disappointment.”

  Darcy pulled out his watch. “I had hoped to call on Elizabeth as soon as it was a respectable hour, but I suppose that if she and I are to enjoy our remaining time here in Kent, I had better resolve these brewing tempests with Lady Catherine and Anne first.”

  “I had planned to accompany you to the Parsonage House when you called on Miss Elizabeth this morning. If you do not object to my going ahead, I shall tell her that you have been detained.”

  “I should like that very much. Pray this business will be resolved shortly.”

  ~*~

  Once Charlotte was gone, Elizabeth finished writing the letter to her father. She even wrote a letter to Jane, for what would have been the purpose in denying her sister’s share of her joy now? After strictly instructing the Collinses’ servant to post the letters that day, Elizabeth grabbed her bonnet, headed outside, and set off for one of her favorite lanes. If she were lucky, she might meet Mr. Darcy and rather than the two of them returning to the Parsonage, they might enjoy each other’s sole company for the best part of the day. Surely Charlotte wouldn’t mind. She had not walked very far when instead of being pleasantly surprised by Mr. Darcy, she saw on looking up that Colonel Fitzwilliam was meeting her.

  Forcing a smile to mask her disappointment, she said, “I didn’t know that you ever walked this way.”

  “I’ve been making a tour of the park,” he replied, “and I intended to close it with a call at the Parsonage. Would you mind if I walked with you?”

  “No, I should enjoy your company.”

  Falling in step beside her, the colonel said, “Our meeting was not by chance. Darcy told me how much you enjoy this particular path. I was hoping to see you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Indeed. Darcy, you see, is detained at Rosings this morning. He asked me to tell you to expect him later this afternoon.”

  “That was very generous of you to go out of your way in service to your cousin. You are a most loyal friend.”

  “No more loyal than Darcy himself, but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that. May I be the first in my family to wish you proper felicitations?”

  “Then you don’t object to what your aunt Lady Catherine and your cousin Anne deem the travesty of a lifetime?”

  “On the contrary.”

  His assertion was met with pleasure, and soon Elizabeth’s spirits rose to playfulness. “I can well imagine many of Mr. Darcy’s closest acquaintances who will be equally as abhorred as her ladyship.”

  “Do you speak of his acquaintances in general or have you a specific person in mind?”

  “I was thinking of a Miss Caroline Bingley. If you know her, then you will know exactly of that which I speak.”

  “I’m aware of who she is, having met her a time or two in town. Her brother is a pleasant gentlemanlike man—he is a great friend of Darcy’s.”

  “Oh! Yes. Mr. Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr. Bingley, and he takes a prodigious deal of care of him.”

  “Care of him! Yes, I really believe Darcy does take care of him in those points where he most wants care. From something that he told me during our journey to Kent, I have reason to think Bingley very much indebted to him. However, I ought to beg his pardon, for I have no right to suppose that Bingley was the person whom Darcy meant. I’m merely speculating.”

  “What is it you mean?”

  “Perhaps I have said too much, for it’s a circumstance which Darcy would not wish to be generally known. If it were to get back to the lady’s family, it would be an unpleasant thing.”

  “You may depend upon my not mentioning it.”

  “And remember that I have not much reason for supposing it to be Bingley.” The colonel’s voice took on a furtive tone. “Darcy congratulated himself on having saved a friend from the inconveniences of an imprudent marriage. He made no mention of names or any other particulars. I only suspected it to be Bingley because he is the kind of man who is likely to find himself in that sort of scrape, and I know they were together the whole of last summer.”

  Barely able to affect an air of indifference, Elizabeth sought to know more. When she asked if Mr. Darcy had given a reason for his interference, the colonel went on to confide in Elizabeth all that Darcy had confided in him.

  Her heart swelling with indignation, Elizabeth couldn’t wait to escape the colonel’s presence in order that she might dwell on those things he had said that would surely cause her pain. Soon enough she was once again in her room pacing the floor. How could he do it? Was it vanity that misled him? Was his abominable pride the cause of Jane’s sufferings?

  What were the colonel’s exact words? I recall his saying there were some very strong objections against the lady. How can that possibly be? To Jane herself there could be no possibility of objection. She is all loveliness and goodness, her understanding excellent, her mind improved, and her manners captivating.

  Elizabeth’s thoughts flew to her own situation. As he has offered his hand in marriage to me, neither can there be any objections to my family.

  When she thought of her mother and her three younger sisters, her confidence gave way a little. If he indeed suffers objections to my family then what can be his design in marrying me? Surely he knows how much my family means to me or does he mean to separate me from the people to whom I am most strongly attached?

  How excited she had been to share the news of her engagement with Jane. How wretched she now felt that the man who had been the means of causing her so much joy just yesterday was the same man who had been the means of destroying Jane’s happiness, perhaps forever.

  The agitation and tears that the subject occasioned threatened to bring on a headache. This is no time for such recriminations. Mr. Darcy might be here any minute. She hurried to the window and looked outside. What am I to say to him that will not subject both of us to pain and misery of the acutest kind?

  Chapter 4 ~ Understand His Character

  By now, Elizabeth was reading her most recently received letter from Jane again, looking for further confirmation of Jane’s low spirits and wearing a deeper path into the carpet as well as decrying aloud what a terrible mistake she had made in accepting Darcy’s hand. How could I have been so blind to his character? Do I even know this man?

  Charlotte tapped on her door and entered the room. “My dear Eliza, I thought I heard someone moving about in here. I didn’t expect to see you so soon. I supposed you and Mr. Darcy would be off doing what young lovers do on such a fine morning as this.”

  “Oh, Charlotte. I fear I have made a grave mistake.”

  Charlotte rushed to Elizabeth’s side. She placed her hand on her friend’s shoulder and squeezed. “Have you been crying? Did you and Mr. Darcy argue?”

  Albeit too late now, seeking to hide her distress, Elizabeth dabbed her eyes. “I never saw him. In fact, after what I have just learned, I’m not certain I ever wish to see him again.”

  Her tone hesitant, Charlotte said, “When we spoke this morning, you were the happiest woman alive. What on earth has happened since then?”

  “While walking along what had been one of our—Mr. Darcy’s and my favorite lanes, foolishly hoping to see him, I came across the colonel instead.”

  “What did he do?”

  “It’s not so much what he did, but what he said and the manner in which he said it.”

  “Oh, dear. I didn’t think him so unfeeling as to share his aunt Lady Catherine’s and his cousin, Miss de Bourgh’s, outrage over your engagement.”

  “No—on the contrary, he congratulated me. In seeking to sing Mr. Darcy’s praises, the colonel inadvertently gave me insights into his cousin’s character, which had I known before, I would never have accepted his proposal of marriage.”

  Here Charlotte looked away, no doubt concerned about her friend’s propensity to reject marriage proposals that any other woman would jump at. Charlotte’s nature would never allow her to say it, but Elizabeth was sure it was the direction in which her friend’s thoughts tended.

  Charlotte placed her hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “Tell me what the colonel said—if you will.”

  “He said Mr. Darcy boasted aloud that he had done everything in his power to separate Jane and Mr. Bingley.”

  Charlotte’s eyes opened wide, and her mouth gaped. “Even if such a thing were true, why would he come right out and say it to you of all people—Jane’s own sister? He must have known it would cause trouble.”

  “That’s the thing—he didn’t mention Jane’s name specifically, nor did he mention Bingley’s. Rather he said that his suppositions were based entirely upon the fact that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were together last summer. You and I know enough about the particulars to know he was speaking of his friend and my sister.”

  “Did he give a reason for Mr. Darcy’s interference?”

  “Yes—he said there were strong objections to the woman’s family. Mr. Darcy objects to my family. Yet, he offered his hand in marriage to me. What can be his purposes?”

  “Perhaps he has had time to reconsider his opinion. What else can it be?”

  “A man like that does not change his mind so easily—not without sufficient encouragement. I’m persuaded he means to separate me from my family—the people who mean most to me. I shall not abide it, which is why I have no wish to see him.”

  “Eliza, you and he are engaged to be married. You must see him.”

  “Married? Now that I know the truth, do you truly believe I will be tempted to marry the man who has been the means of ruining the happiness of a most beloved sister?”

  Charlotte embraced Elizabeth. “I’m sorry you feel this way.”

  Elizabeth’s need to express her outrage over what Mr. Darcy had done was greater than her desire to be consoled. She stole away from the embrace.

  “Had I not been so blinded by his manner of flattering my ego, I might have detected his fierce disapprobation of my family. I recall now how clearly disgusted he was when Mama boasted to Lady Lucas (your mother) that there was to be a wedding at Netherfield even though Bingley had made no such offer to Jane. He likely mistook my mother’s misspoken words as a reflection of Jane’s character and that is what led to the precipitous departure of the entire Netherfield party within days of the ball.” Elizabeth hastened to her closet and retrieved her trunk.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Charlotte, I must beg of you to send for a carriage. I must be away from Hunsford—far away from Mr. Darcy as soon as can be.”

  “You mustn’t run away—not before you speak with Mr. Darcy. Her ladyship is very clever. What if this is all a vicious ruse?”

  “No—deep in my heart, I know it’s the truth. I want to see my sister. I want to be with Jane.”

  “If you insist upon leaving then I cannot stop you; however, I urge you to think better of what you’re doing.”

  “Mr. Darcy’s callousness injured my sister! What else is there to think about?”

  Resigned, Charlotte said, “I suppose you have a point.”

  “I knew you would understand. I have but one other favor to ask, and it has to do with the fare.”

  Charlotte held up her hand. “Say no more. As fate would have it Mr. Collins is planning to go to town—some urgent business on her ladyship’s behalf. He is preparing as we speak. However, I expect the carriage will be here any moment by the speed in which he is gathering his things.”

  Even the prospect of traveling twenty miles with her odious cousin was insufficient inducement for Elizabeth to change her mind and remain in proximity to Mr. Darcy. She tossed as many of her belongings into a single bag as she could. Fastening it shut, she said, “I shall be in that carriage as well.”

  ~*~

  Now that word of his engagement was out, he saw nothing at all untoward about arriving at the parsonage with a bouquet of fresh flowers he had gathered himself by hand. Even though he had every intention of showering his intended with jewels, he knew enough to suspect she would be just as pleased with this gesture.

  Darcy had been sitting in the parlor for quite a while, and he began to grow impatient. A casual observation of the mantel clock informed him it had not been five minutes. It seemed like a lifetime. He couldn’t wait to see Elizabeth. His thoughts tended towards his earlier conversations with Lady Catherine and Anne. What a waste of time that had been with one parroting the other—both speaking of destiny and favorite wishes and other such nonsense. The worst part of it all was that they all were not even in the same room, for he had given Anne the courtesy of a private audience. How sorry he felt for his cousin that she had persuaded herself to believe her mother’s nonsense all those years and as a result was on the verge of spinsterhood.

  Satisfied that he had made her understand that he would tolerate no interference from her in his future marital felicity, he supposed he would have an equal measure of success with his aunt. He didn’t. At least he had extracted from her a promise that she would not badger the Collinses into reneging on Elizabeth’s invitation to stay at the Parsonage. Sooner or later, he and Elizabeth would be in Hertfordshire with that awful family of hers. He would much rather it were later, in keeping with their original scheme. How he might endure such connections, he had not a clue, but he was certain he would find a way for his dearest Elizabeth’s sake. He glanced at the clock again. Why is it taking so long for her to come?

  No sooner did he finish his silent enquiry than the door opened. Darcy’s face fell.

  Charlotte said, “Mr. Darcy, by your expression you were not expecting to see me. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

  “No—forgive me. It’s just that I thought you might be Miss Elizabeth. I’ve been waiting—”

  Here Charlotte interrupted him. “Sir, I fear I’m the bearer of bad news.”

  His heart slammed against his chest. “Is Miss Elizabeth ill?”

  Charlotte’s eyes filled with unspoken apology. “Eliza is not here.”

  He inwardly exhaled. “Do you mean to say she is out for a walk in the park?”

  “No—she is on her way to London.”

  “London? Has something happened to her family?”

  “No.”

  “Whatever reason would compel her to leave without first speaking to me of her plans other than a family crisis?” Darcy pursed his lips. “Is this my aunt’s doing?”

  “Sir, although I’m loath to break my friend’s confidence, I feel her reason for leaving is something you ought to know.”

  “Tell me at once!”

  “I will only say that Eliza and the colonel were together this morning. They talked, and it was soon afterwards that Eliza decided to go away. If you wish to know more, you’ll have to speak with him.”

  Darcy quickly took his leave of the Parsonage House. The tumult in his mind was great. How does one go from thinking himself the luckiest man in the world to the most ill-fated in the blink of an eye? He did not know which of the two to be angrier with—his intended or his cousin. What could Fitzwilliam possibly have said to upset her? More importantly, why did she leave without informing me of her plans? She had to know how unsettling I would find her rashness. Her impetuousness and her lively spirits were but two of the things that he was drawn to, but such behavior as this was not something to be easily overlooked. Having accepted his proposal, she was as close to being his wife—his responsibility—as conceivable.

  Not long thereafter, Darcy stormed into the room. Looking up from his book, Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “I didn’t think we would have the pleasure of your company for hours. How did you leave Miss Elizabeth?”

  “She was not there.” Darcy threw his cousin a hard stare. “What on earth did you say to her?”

  “What do you mean she was not there? She and I enjoyed a pleasant stroll just this morning.”

  “Exactly, and whatever you discussed was enough to compel her to take her leave of Hunsford without allowing me the courtesy of a single word in explanation. Again, I ask you—what did the two of you discuss?”

  “Nothing out of the ordinary, I assure you.”

  “Think man!”

  “Well, I wished her congratulations, of course. I recall singing your praises with an accounting of how you were a most loyal friend as evidenced by your good stewardship of Charles Bingley last summer.”

  “Bingley?”

  “Yes, you will recall informing me of how you had saved him from a most unfortunate alliance when you were together.”

  “You told Elizabeth that! What on earth were you thinking?”

  “She spoke of an acquaintance with his sisters. I had no reason to suppose any harm would come from her knowing how you helped save him from the appalling family you spoke of.”

 

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