“I’m sorry I doubted you.” Mr. Collins expression was apologetic. “I heard a little about the mill, but people spoke angrily. I didn’t understand properly until I saw what you’re doing.”
“No one does,” Darcy said with a shrug. He didn’t mind. Anyone important to him understood. At least, he hoped so.
A few days later, Darcy received a note from Mr. Collins saying that a boy from Pemberley had taken refuge in his church. Darcy decided to investigate personally, and was not surprised to find Douglas Kincaid. Douglas had run away from home after being beaten by his father.
A brief investigation found that Douglas’ father had left, taking his few possessions. His cottage contained almost no food, which was surprising, because the harvest was in. A neighbor said the father had sold his crop for drink.
“He doesn’t have any broken bones,” Mr. Collins said after settling the boy in a spare room at the rectory. “I would be happy to take care of him for a week or two until you find something for him.”
“I’ve already replaced him in the mill,” Darcy said, frowning. “Even if he were old enough to run the farm on his own, his father might return. I don’t want his father to find him and claim him.”
“There’s a widow in my parish who could use a boy’s help,” Mr. Collins said.
Darcy went with Mr. Collins to meet the widow, who was surprised by her guests but welcoming. On the way back to the parsonage, they both agreed they could place Douglas with the widow. Mr. Collins said he would see to it.
Riding back to Pemberley, Darcy was again impressed with Mr. Collins. He’d come to Darcy with the issue only because he knew the boy was one of Darcy’s tenants, not because he wanted help or charity. He already had a solid solution prepared. Darcy was beginning to think the man would be an asset to know. Someone who could competently broaden Darcy’s charitable efforts.
Upon returning to Pemberley he found two letters from Rosings. His cousin Anne wrote that she was very happy, because she was going to marry the new rector of the Hunsford parsonage. Lady Catherine, in turn, wrote that she was very unhappy. She was horrified Anne was marrying so beneath her and planning to live at the parsonage with her husband, writing:
At least Anne has enough sense to realize she can’t live like Mrs. Collins did and will use some of the income from her dowry to make her life more comfortable. I cannot imagine why the couple doesn’t want to live with me at Rosings. I asked Anne to help me choose the new rector because Rosings will be hers when I die, and I thought she should pick someone she liked, since she might hear his sermons for many years. I didn’t realize how much she liked him.
I have very mixed emotions. Anne is very happy, which makes me happy, but she could do so much better. When I threatened to refuse permission, she coolly informed me that since she is of age, she doesn’t need permission and even if I find a way to withhold her dowry, she will live on her husband’s income. There is no legal way I can withhold her dowry.
I’ve reluctantly given my blessing. I am proud Anne had the gumption to stand up to me. Once I accepted the marriage, her fiancé agreed to let me help Anne with the marriage contract. He was quite happy to give Anne financial independence. I find I am rather astonished he is genuinely in love with her.
To Darcy’s surprise, under his aunt’s closing salutations, a few more words were scrawled in her forceful hand:
After writing this, maybe I should not be upset at Anne’s marriage.
Darcy wrote back to both of his relatives, wishing Anne every happiness. He meant his good wishes, and was pleased by how reasonably his aunt was reacting. Still, he penned the words with a heavy heart. Darcy didn’t begrudge anyone else their happiness. He very much hoped, however, that he could secure some of his own.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy are good friends.
“Your sister Kitty is running down the drive,” Charlotte said, turning from the window she stood at, rocking William. “Perhaps you should see what’s the matter.”
“I can’t imagine what could be.” Elizabeth set her book aside, going to greet Kitty at the door. “Kitty, is everything well?”
Kitty blinked in surprise. “Yes, of course. He’s coming a day early.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Collins.” Kitty’s eyes were bright with excitement. “I got a letter from him just now. I was really worried at first, because we agreed to only write twice a week to save money, and I received a letter yesterday.”
Elizabeth shook her head, deciding not to mention the worry Kitty’s dash down the drive had caused her. She’d rarely seen her younger sister so happy, especially since Mr. Collins left. Elizabeth stepped backward, into the hall. “Do come in.”
Kitty hurried inside, heading for the front parlor. “Is Charlotte at home?”
“She is,” Elizabeth said, following her sister. They entered the parlor to find Charlotte sitting with her sewing, William no longer with her, likely sleeping in his room.
“Mrs. Collins,” Kitty greeted. “Mr. Collins is coming a day early.”
Charlotte gave Kitty a smile. “How wonderful for you, Kitty. Would you care for tea?”
Kitty shook her head, taking the same seat she’d always sat in, although Charlotte had changed the placement of the furniture. “No thank you.”
“How is it Mr. Collins is arriving early?” Elizabeth asked, retaking her seat.
“Because of Mr. Darcy,” Kitty said.
Elizabeth tried not to show her surprise, or her interest. It was all she could do not to lean forward so as not to miss a word.
“Because of Mr. Darcy?” Charlotte prompted.
“Yes,” Kitty said. “Mr. Bingley is coming to Netherfield Park two days before my wedding.”
Elizabeth nodded. Jane had written as much.
“Mr. Darcy is joining him,” Kitty continued.
Mr. Darcy was returning to Hertfordshire? Elizabeth’s heart leapt. She’d hoped he might visit Mr. Bingley, but hadn’t dared to think it would be so soon. This time, she would not let Mr. Darcy leave without telling him she loved him, even she wasn’t sure of his reaction. She must at least try.
“They’re good friends now. That is, Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy are good friends,” Kitty continued, needing no encouragement to keep speaking. “Mr. Darcy offered to bring Mr. Collins here in his carriage. Isn’t that kind of him? That will save us money, too. He’ll be staying at Netherfield Park. Mr. Collins, that is. Well, Mr. Darcy too, I suppose. The only bad news is he’ll have to spend some of his time there, but I don’t care, at least not much. I’ll be seeing him sooner.” Kitty let out a long sigh, smiling.
“Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy are good friends?” Elizabeth tried to sound merely polite, not interested. She could feel Charlotte’s keen eyes on her.
“Yes. Mr. Collins used to be worried about Mr. Darcy’s mill, but now Mr. Darcy is helping Mr. Collins’ parish. His parishioners thought he was just trying to become friends with a rich man, but Mr. Darcy helped settle a dispute between two farmers to both of their satisfaction,” Kitty babbled. “He also arranged for a widow to get help on her farm and for the innkeeper to build a small addition on his inn, where he’s selling a few things so people don’t have to go three miles to Lambton to buy a few everyday items. The innkeeper has a large family and his children will help in the store. People are saying Mr. Collins is a canny one, but he just likes Mr. Darcy.”
It was on Elizabeth’s tongue to ask why Mr. Collins was no longer worried about Mr. Darcy’s mill, but she closed her mouth over the words. As much as she wished to know, she wanted to trust Mr. Darcy more. She would take solace in knowing Mr. Darcy was a good man, and Mr. Collins was as well. If they both felt Mr. Darcy’s mill was acceptable, so did she. Even if Mr. Collins didn’t, she would. This time, Elizabeth was going to trust Mr. Darcy.
After Kitty’s news, Elizabeth was on edge, waiting for the day Mr. Darcy would return to Hertfordshire. When it finally came, the day a
fter Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley and the Hursts reportedly arrived at Netherfield Park, it was coupled with Jane and the Gardiners coming from London. Charlotte kindly invited Jane, who was slated to stay in Pine Cottage with Mrs. Bennet and Kitty, to visit Longbourn instead. Elizabeth knew it was as a favor to her, but also no imposition. No one disliked having Jane about.
Elizabeth was delighted to spend time with her favorite sister, especially with Jane so happy. Although there were rooms free, they shared theirs, the one Elizabeth was using, as they always had. Much laughter was exchanged in the late-night hours, Jane telling Elizabeth details of her time in London, Mr. Bingley’s courtship, and his sisters’ reluctant acceptance of her.
Still, a part of Elizabeth wished Bingley’s sisters had invited Jane to stay at Netherfield. It wouldn’t really be scandalous, although Jane and Mr. Bingley being engaged, but then Elizabeth would have the excuse of visiting Jane to help her meet Mr. Darcy. Knowing he was so close, yet still beyond her reach, was driving her into distraction. She resolved that, if no reasonable opportunity presented itself, she would simply walk to Netherfield and seek him out. She would be circumspect, not wanting to entrap him, but she must see him.
Fortunately for Elizabeth’s sanity, it was decided there would be a dinner party held at Netherfield Park the evening before Kitty’s and Mr. Collins’ wedding. Elizabeth’s heart ached to speak with Mr. Darcy in a more intimate setting than a large party, that sensation warring with the heady one of knowing she would see him soon. The day of the party, she went up to her room early to ready, unable to focus on anything but thoughts of seeing Mr. Darcy.
Jane joined her in short order, her happy smile testament to how eager she was to go to Netherfield as well. Once they were both dressed, they set about arranging each other’s hair. Elizabeth was brushing out Jane’s, listening to a description of Mr. Bingley taking her for iced sweets in London, when her sister’s expression clouded, visible in the mirror.
“Jane, what is it?” Elizabeth paused in her brushing.
“Mama will be there tonight.”
Elizabeth grimaced. “Yes, but you must be accustomed to her. You’re the eldest. You’ve endured her the longest.”
“It isn’t that.” Jane looked miserable. “Mama wants to move into Netherfield Park. Bingley doesn’t want her there, and I don’t either, if I’m being honest, but neither of us can say no to her. With Kitty leaving, she’ll be so lonely.”
“Mama is within walking distance of the Phillips, the Lucases and several of her other acquaintances. At Netherfield Park, she would need a carriage to visit people. She will spend your money and complain about her poverty.” Elizabeth met her sister’s eyes in the mirror. “She will ruin your happiness. You must say no to her.”
“I’m not sure I can,” Jane said. “I’m not strong like you, Lizzy.”
“Yes, you are.”
Jane shook her head.
Elizabeth pursed her lips, wondering how to save her kind-hearted sister from herself. “If you can’t say no for your own happiness, think of Mr. Bingley’s.”
“He’ll do what I ask.” Jane sighed.
“Then you should only ask what you think is best for him,” Elizabeth said firmly, but realized it was futile to try to harden Jane’s heart.
***
It was an act of will to keep from pacing, but Darcy would not permit his agitation to parade itself before Bingley, Collins, the Hursts and Miss Bingley. As it was, he was so incapable of maintaining reasonable conversation while they awaited the arrival of their guests, they’d taken to talking around him. Even Miss Bingley had given up trying to hold his attention.
When Elizabeth came into the room, she gave Darcy a smile that could only be called radiant. It was every bit as full of affection as the one Miss Bennet had given Bingley at the Gardiners. Darcy couldn’t pull his eyes from her, mumbling his way through the other greetings.
Could Elizabeth care for him now? They saw so little of each other, it hardly seemed possible. He’d never had time to court her. Yet there she was, offering a smile that brought light into his heart. Had she somehow, through some miracle, changed her mind about him?
He was afforded no opportunity beyond a polite greeting, but answered her smile with one of his own. He could feel Hurst’s assessing look, but didn’t mind. Darcy was resolved not to walk away from Hertfordshire again without asking Elizabeth to be his. Let Hurst read it on his face. Darcy wasn’t ashamed of his feelings. The only shame would be in doing nothing about them.
It was fortunate Netherfield boasted a large dining room, for the party included Darcy, Elizabeth, Bingley, Miss Bennet, Collins, Miss Kitty, the Hursts, The Gardiners, Miss Mary, Mr. Mitchel, the Phillips, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Bennet. Miss Bingley was acting as hostess, something she would not be doing for much longer. She somehow maneuvered things so Darcy sat between her and Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth far down the table from them.
Darcy was aware of the logic behind Miss Bingley’s machinations, and annoyed by it. The previous year, Miss Bingley had teased him about the possibility of his marrying Elizabeth and frequently mentioned Mrs. Bennet to discourage his doing so. Obviously, she hoped to remind him how terrible it would be to have Mrs. Bennet as a relation.
To counter that, Darcy decided to be as nice as possible to Mrs. Bennet. “Mrs. Bennet,” he began as dinner got underway. “How is everything at Pine Cottage?”
“It’s a terrible place. I shouldn’t be able to survive living there, if I didn’t know soon I would live here with my Jane and Mr. Bingley.”
Darcy fought to keep his reaction from his face. He couldn’t imagine even that amiable couple agreeing to such a thing, nor would he visit if they did. Darcy put up with Miss Bingley for friendship’s sake, but couldn’t imagine visiting Bingley when Mrs. Bennet was in residence.
“Oh?” he said, unable to muster any other response. He could almost feel triumph radiating from Miss Bingley where she sat on his other side.
“Of course, things here will need to change,” she continued. She eyed him, her look not very friendly. “I suppose you know how it must be, I’ll credit you with that. You have impeccable taste, if not the manners to go with it.”
Darcy was aware of Miss Bingley stifling a laugh in her napkin. He tried to ignore her. “How what must be?”
“Well, this shall all come to an end.” She waved a hand at the extravagant meal before them. “I mean, honestly, serving mutton in Netherfeild? It’s horrendous. There shall be no such base things once I’m helping Jane run things. Nothing but the finest French foods will do.”
“For special occasions,” Darcy said, hopeful that’s what she meant.
“Every day. Bingley can afford it. Jane should be treated like a queen. Better than a queen, my sweet girl.” Mrs. Bennet’s smile was more vindictive than loving. “And there shall be dresses and shoes, hats, gloves, a new carriage for me, my rooms to reappoint. I shall need at least half a wing, done up in that new style, you know the one? I’ve read about it being used in the best London homes.”
An announcement was made at the front of the room, but Darcy missed the words, too caught up in the horror of what Mrs. Bennet described. Bingley’s fortune would be squandered if he and Miss Bennet permitted Mrs. Bennet to have her way.
Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth to continue, but then her jaw went slack. Darcy realized the room was silent. He turned toward the front, belatedly comprehending the servant’s announcement must be significant.
“Lydia,” Mrs. Bennet shrieked in joy at the same moment Darcy’s eyes fell on Mrs. Wickham. “I’m so glad you came.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“There is no need to defend me,”
“Yes there is, since you won’t defend yourself.”
Darcy watched with mild apprehension as Mrs. Wickham strode toward the table, smiling broadly. “I was hoping I would make it in time for this dinner,” she said. “Kitty wrote me about it, and I couldn’t miss it. She didn’t say as much
, but I could tell she wanted me here, which is just the same as being invited. Can you set a place for me? I’m starving.”
Room was hastily made for her and a setting called for, though many worried looks were exchanged. Unlike most of the guests, Miss Bingley appeared smug. Her gleeful eyes went from Mrs. Wickham to Mrs. Bennet, and then to Darcy. She arched an eyebrow at him as if to say, this is what you’d be in for.
“Where is Mr. Wickham?” Mrs. Bennet asked. She leveled a hard glare on Mr. Gardiner. “I suppose he couldn’t leave work. This is what comes of making my poor Lydia and her husband work for their bread.”
“I’m sure he has all the time off he needs,” Mrs. Wickham said with an airy wave. “I have no idea of where he is and I don’t care. As to work, he found the couple he worked for had no intention of willing him any money, so he decided it wasn’t worth staying on.”
“I arranged that so he could earn a living, not inherit money.” Mr. Gardiner sounded angry.
“Well, my dear husband wanted it to be another way. He got very angry when he learned the truth, and again when the tavern started paying me less because the patrons were getting bored with me.”
Darcy winced. He’d kept her chosen occupation from becoming common knowledge.
Mrs. Wickham turned to him, her eyes bright. “He was especially angry with you. He can’t get any money from the annuity you arranged without me, and he can’t sell the rights to future payments, because you put in a condition the money had to go to me or not be paid.” She laughed. “That was very well done of you.”
This set murmuring off all about the table. Darcy did his best to ignore it.
“You did what?” Mrs. Bennet demanded, turning to glare at Darcy. “How could you be so cruel to Mr. Wickham, again?”
“Oh Mama, it was funny, watching Wickham try to find a way around it.” Mrs. Wickham shrugged. “That is, until he left. He took my evening’s pay one night and disappeared. I couldn’t make the rent. I sold half of my clothes and came here. I have no place to live.”
Believing in Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 17
