by K C Kahler
“Why do you presume you know what is best for John, or for Jane? What if she had decided to marry Mr Collins? Would you have accepted her choice?”
“You cannot possibly think I have done wrong intervening there. Jane should not have to make that sacrifice, and I am perfectly content with my role in ensuring she did not.”
“Many people marry for security. It is as valid a reason to wed as is love, and I daresay it is a more common reason.”
“Marrying for security may be common, but Mr Collins is a very uncommon sort of man! It is much better Jane was spared making that choice.”
“I trust Jane to know her own mind and make her own decisions. She is as rational as you are.” Charlotte gave Elizabeth a pointed look. “I also trust John to know his own mind and make his own decisions. He did so, and from all indications, he chose well for himself. He has obtained experience and maturity, not to mention great financial success, yet you still cling to your old opinion on the matter.”
“Perhaps his decision to serve on a merchant ship was not wrong. I suppose I shall have the chance to see when he arrives. But he will always wonder what might have been, had he chosen differently.”
“No, his decision was absolutely correct, and he does not wonder at all about what might have been. Only you are unwilling to accept it. You are quick to form opinions yet slow to reconsider them. It is high time to let go of this particular bone.”
Elizabeth did not like how close this discussion had come to an argument. She could tell that Charlotte was in earnest. “I shall accede this much: I shall bury this particular bone for now. But if I do not see some of this great ‘maturity’ you speak of when John arrives, I shall dig it right back up!”
Charlotte smiled. “I suppose that is a great concession coming from you, Lizzy, and I shall take it.”
They were quiet for a moment. Elizabeth thought she heard footsteps approaching, but before she could confirm it, Charlotte spoke again, “I brought with me what I suspect will be the last letter we receive from John before he returns to us. He answered the riddle you sent in my previous letter.”
“Oh, do let me see this letter. I must examine the mature handwriting and marvel at John’s riddle-solving acumen!”
Elizabeth stretched her hand out for the letter, but Charlotte was no longer seated. She was curtseying. Elizabeth looked up in confusion to see Mr Darcy, with a book in his hand, bowing stiffly.
“Good day, Miss Lucas, Miss Elizabeth. Forgive me, I did not know Miss Lucas was… That is, I did not know this bench was occupied.”
“Mr Darcy, I fear you must regret showing me your favourite spot in the garden. I have quite taken it over and allow no one else to enjoy it.”
“Nonsense, I am happy to share it with someone who appreciates it. I shall leave you to your visit and find myself another bench.”
He turned to leave, and before Elizabeth could consider her words, she called out, “Wait! Mr Darcy, do not go yet, please.”
He turned to look at her with a guarded expression, and Charlotte regarded her quizzically. “I have been catching Miss Lucas up on all that has happened since I last spoke to her. I…I have no secrets from Charlotte.”
Charlotte’s head bowed as she examined the gravel path. Mr Darcy met Elizabeth’s eyes for a long moment before his cheeks turned a pinkish hue, and he, too, looked at the ground. Elizabeth was astonished—she had made him blush!
“Forgive me. I know this is awkward and quite improper; I just do not know whether I shall ever have another chance to ask you what I must. I rely on Charlotte’s perception and trust her completely, Mr Darcy. She will not reveal anything that is told to her in confidence.”
Elizabeth’s companions raised their heads to consider each other for a moment. Mr Darcy’s posture relaxed slightly. “It is I who is sworn to secrecy, not you, Miss Elizabeth. I shall trust in your judgment. What did you wish to ask me?”
“Thank you.” She let out the breath she had been holding. “I am a selfish creature, and I simply must know what you discussed with Mr Collins on our walk, just before my misstep. Charlotte and I are convinced that whatever you told him changed his intentions towards Jane.”
“If you must know, then I suppose I must tell you. Please be seated, Miss Lucas, and I shall explain.” He paused, waiting for his audience to settle themselves, and then he began pacing. “I simply informed Mr Collins of some news regarding a family he is acquainted with in Kent, the Grantlys.”
When Darcy finished his explanation, two incredulous ladies gaped at him. He had not expected to be spending his afternoon thus. From his window, he had seen Miss Bennet and Mr Bingley walking in front of the house, which meant that Miss Elizabeth was most likely alone in the garden. He had planned to sequester himself away, but the temptation was too great. Like the lovesick whelp that he was, Darcy had grabbed a book and made his way to the spot where he thought she would be, hoping for a few minutes alone with her. Instead, he found Miss Lucas on a visit, and somehow, he had found himself talking openly about his manipulation of Mr Collins.
Miss Lucas recovered first. “Extraordinary!”
“I told you he is the cleverest man I know.” Miss Elizabeth’s words combined with the hint of pride in her voice made Darcy feel ridiculously pleased. “Only the cleverest of men could turn Jane’s beauty into a disadvantage for her marriage prospects!”
Miss Lucas asked, “But is it true? Does Lady Catherine truly disapprove of ‘excessive’ beauty?”
“Let us say that Lady Catherine holds many similar opinions, so it is not out of the realm of possibilities.”
Miss Elizabeth laughed with her friend. “Oh, Mr Darcy, I pity anyone who is unfortunate enough to be the victim of your wicked intellect.”
“But what of your own wit, Miss Elizabeth? A few of the comments you directed at Mr Collins yesterday made it difficult to keep one’s countenance.”
Darcy savoured her unaffected laughter again.
“I was quite impatient with my poor cousin yesterday. He has an uncanny talent for taking all fun out of a conversation. Whenever Mr Bingley and I tried to tease you, the dauntless Mr Collins came to your rescue.”
Darcy considered Miss Elizabeth’s teasing a sweet torture, much like his assumed role as her stairway transport. The mischievous tilt of her mouth now told him that he would again be the object of her teasing.
“But I find it difficult to accept that you, of all people, could not keep your countenance,” she continued. “You are not easily amused. You smile so rarely that every little smirk is like some hard-won prize.”
This was reassuring to hear, for Darcy had thought he grinned at her like a fool far too often.
He was, in fact, trying not to grin like a fool when Miss Lucas cleared her throat. He soon felt some of that shrewd perception. Her knowing gaze observed him—there was no challenge or jealousy in it, merely frank assessment.
“Not all people are as lively as you in company, Lizzy. But I do wonder; how will Mr Collins act when he returns to Hertfordshire?”
“Returns?” Miss Elizabeth asked.
“Yes,” Miss Lucas continued, “he repeatedly referred to the next time he would see us. I assume your mother would gladly invite him to visit again.”
“Oh yes, any eligible bachelor will be given free access to Longbourn’s guest room. I would not be surprised if Mr Collins visits us again. But if he is resolved not to have Jane, and Jane is resolved not to have him, there can be only tedium in his company.”
“But Mr Collins is clearly on the hunt for a wife, and there is still the matter of the entail. You may find him ridiculous, but his intention to marry one of you displaced Bennets is, at its heart, a decent one. I think he may set his sights on you, Lizzy.” Miss Lucas looked at Darcy rather than her friend when she made this prediction. He had never thought the foolish parson would dare aspire to such a superior woman, but now Darcy could see the logic in Miss Lucas’s prediction.
“Oh yes,” Mis
s Elizabeth replied, “I have it on good authority that I am only tolerable. Lady Catherine can hardly be offended by me!”
Darcy winced. He attempted another apology, but she waved it away and was already speaking again. “If Mr Collins does indeed transfer his steadfast affection to me, he will be quite surprised at how very impractical I can be.”
“Your mother will be absolutely horrible if you reject him, Lizzy. You will never hear the end of it.”
“I am already a constant disappointment to my mother. It hardly signifies.”
“I wish there were some way for you to avoid all that unpleasantness.”
“Unfortunately, a young lady has no control over who proposes to her. But this is all hypothetical, is it not? My cousin’s second visit may never come. I shall not trouble myself over it. For now, Mr Darcy and I should indulge in some much-deserved boasting for one proposal successfully averted.” She smiled brightly at him, and he was powerless to stop his answering grin.
Darcy, aware that the exchange was being observed with keen eyes, attempted to redirect the praise. “I believe Miss Lucas offered her assistance before I ever stumbled into the situation.”
“I was the only person to stumble in all of this! I think you rather lurked your way into the situation.” Miss Elizabeth feigned reproach. Sweet torture! Then she turned her warm smile towards her friend. “But indeed, Charlotte’s patient interference was invaluable. I suspect she knows more about your aunt than you do by now, Mr Darcy.”
Miss Lucas nodded solemnly. “I am particularly knowledgeable about the chimney piece at Rosings.”
Darcy found the freedom of open conversation with these two ladies rather refreshing. He could tease too. “I believe all three of us are very well informed about the shelves in the parsonage’s closet.” Darcy referenced Miss Elizabeth’s cruel punishment on the night of the assembly with his own air of reproach.
She giggled. He hoped no one could hear his heart pounding in his chest.
Over the rush of blood in his ears, he just caught the last part of what Miss Lucas was saying. “I can hardly believe all the trouble so many people have gone through to prevent a proposal. Most young ladies do all they can to encourage one.”
“What a silly generalisation, Charlotte. Some single ladies are quite content with their situations. You, for example, have three kind and dutiful brothers. You can be assured of security in the future whether you marry or not. You could live your whole life perfectly contented at Lucas Lodge.”
“I believe the future Mrs John Lucas will have something to say about that.”
“Ha! You need not worry about objections from her.”
Darcy wondered what that meant. Did John Lucas have an understanding with some young lady? Why was it not spoken of, and why did Mrs Bennet consider him an eligible bachelor? Perhaps it was some secret attachment known only to Miss Lucas and Miss Elizabeth. Darcy felt all the air rush out of his lungs. Could John Lucas and Miss Elizabeth already have an understanding between them? He did not take the time to consider his words or his somewhat frantic tone. “Who is the future—?”
Bingley’s voice interrupted. “We found the lads, Miss Lucas. Oh, Darcy, I thought you had business to occupy you.”
The little area with the bench was becoming rather crowded with the return of Miss Bennet and Bingley. Glad of the interruption now that he had control of himself, Darcy bowed to the lady in greeting before answering. “I decided to take a short respite from my pursuits.” He did not need to explain his presence further, for the sounds of an approaching uproar distracted everyone.
“Mr Bingley, you really should have left my brothers where you found them,” Miss Lucas said with some dread in her voice. “I fear for the safety of your finely manicured garden.”
“But you would not keep your brothers from me, would you?” Elizabeth complained. “You know how I enjoy their company.”
“You only like Peter because he compliments you constantly.”
She laughed. “Peter is one of the few people who prefers my charms to Jane’s. How can a young lady not be moved by such blind devotion?”
The lads in question now ran headlong into Bingley’s back with a muffled “Oof.” Luckily, Bingley was solid enough to withstand the onslaught. He only laughed.
“Walter! Peter! You can forget about receiving any treat in Meryton to reward such coarse behaviour!” Miss Lucas sounded very much like a cross older sister.
“Now, there’s no reason for that, Miss Lucas,” said Bingley. “I was standing in a most inconvenient spot.”
While the elder of the two lads hung back next to Bingley, the younger boldly stepped just in front of the bench. He bowed in a most gentlemanlike manner towards Miss Elizabeth, though the muddy spatters all over him detracted from the effect somewhat. “Good day, Miss Elizabeth.”
She replied formally, “Good day, Master Peter. I cannot thank you and Walter enough for escorting dear Charlotte to visit me. I have been most eager for her company.”
Peter looked her over. “Charlotte said you were injured. Did Miss Lydia hit a cricket ball at your head?”
Everyone laughed, even Darcy, before Miss Elizabeth replied, “No. Although that would have been a much more exciting way to injure myself, I merely turned my ankle during a walk.”
Peter seemed to have no response to this disappointing answer. He turned towards Bingley. “The weather is fine today. Might we play cricket now, Mr Bingley? You and Mr Darcy can be captains again.”
Walter Lucas spoke for the first time. “You dolt. There aren’t nearly enough people to play.”
“Mr Bingley’s two sisters and that Mr Hurst fellow could play with us,” replied Peter defensively. “And I bet we can catch Tommy before he returns to Longbourn.”
Miss Lucas decided to intervene. “Peter, we haven’t the time for a cricket match. And poor Lizzy could not play, she could only watch.”
This last piece of knowledge seemed to make an impression. “I am sorry, Miss Lizzy. I forgot how much you would hate not being able to play.”
“You are quite forgiven, Peter. I do not blame you for trying.” She looked towards her sister then. “But what’s this about Tommy being nearby? Did he come to see Becky? I should have liked to say hello.”
Miss Bennet held up a piece of paper in her hand. “He did see his sister briefly, yes, but his purpose was to deliver a note to us. Mama has declined our request.”
Miss Elizabeth set her mouth grimly and held her hand out for the note. “Yes, I am sure she cannot spare the carriage at all. But she can spare us easily enough, it seems.”
After a brief perusal of Mrs Bennet’s reply, she looked up. “Mr Bingley, might we trouble you for the use of your carriage today? I am quite healed enough to ride home now and need not impose on you any longer.” Darcy did not know whether he felt relief or disappointment at the thought of Miss Elizabeth leaving, but he again hoped no one could hear his pounding heart.
“Today?” Bingley seemed rather alarmed by the prospect. “No, no. You know it is no imposition at all. I…we enjoy having you as guests. You must stay longer, please. Tonight’s dinner was planned with the assumption of your presence, in any case.”
The two Miss Bennets shared a long look before the elder spoke. “It would be rude for us to leave so abruptly. But tomorrow, we must return home. There is no justification for prolonging our burden on you and Miss Bingley.”
“Nonsense. My sisters greatly enjoy having female company apart from each other. We shall be bereft without you.” Bingley looked to Darcy for some assistance, but Darcy thought it best not to speak for fear of what he might say.
Miss Elizabeth was kind but firm in her reply. “Come now, Mr Bingley. It is a mere three miles to Longbourn, and you know my mother counts you in her debt for a dinner. You are welcome to call on us at any time as neighbours and now, we hope, as friends.” She swept Darcy in her gaze as she spoke the last. “Just ask Walter and Peter how very often the Lucases and
the Bennets visit each other, invited or not.”
“Miss Catherine seems to be visiting Maria every day,” said Walter, with a hint of impatience in his voice. “Charlotte, mustn’t we leave soon to ensure we reach the shops in Meryton before closing?”
“You think you will still receive a treat, do you?”
“You promised!”
“Miss Lucas, what say I loan you the use of my carriage for your trip home, so long as Masters Walter and Peter get their treats?”
“I would never dream of sullying your fine carriage with these muddy ruffians.”
Peter swiped his finger over one of his muddy knees and held it up for all to see. “It is quite dried on now.”
“There, you see. My carriage will be absolutely unsullied. I insist, Miss Lucas.”
She acquiesced, and Bingley, with cheerful enthusiasm, excused himself to call for the carriage. Peter spoke in a low voice to his sister and Miss Elizabeth, who smirked at Darcy over the boy’s shoulder.
“Ask him yourself, Peter. He is not so very dour as he appears, I promise,” she said.
The youngest Lucas turned to him. “Do you have a pack of foxhounds, Mr Darcy?”
Darcy was taken aback by the odd question. “No. We breed and train land spaniels at Pemberley.”
Peter considered this and then nodded in approval. “And do you drink very much wine?”
Miss Elizabeth brought a hand up to cover her mouth as Peter and Walter waited expectantly for an answer. Thankfully, Miss Lucas put an end to it. “I think it is time we went round the house to the carriage, brothers.”
“I believe even I can make it all that way if I can lean on strong Lucas arms,” added Miss Elizabeth, standing. The boys obliged, Peter quite happily, and Walter with slightly less zeal.
Darcy offered one arm each to Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas. The two threesomes began walking towards the front of the house. Darcy did not speak, but rather listened to the group ahead of him.
“Peter, you are growing far too quickly.”
“But I am nearly thirteen, Miss Lizzy.”
