Darcy's Match

by Philippa J Rosen

  “Unlocked?” said Jonny.

  “Unlocked,” confirmed Darcy.

  “Splendid.”

  “Or, if you prefer,” continued Darcy, “you may remain here and continue eating.”

  “Splendid,” thought Mrs Bennet. She would have said it aloud, but at that moment her mouth was filled with crumbly pastry.

  The room dispersed and people went their several ways. Uncle Gardiner and his wife went to the card room with Lydia

  Mr Bennet managed to persuade his wife to leave the food for now and dance a few minuets with him. Kitty and Mary went with them. Darcy and Lizzy also went to the ballroom along with Charles and Jane Bingley, William and Tess and also Mr and Mrs Collins.

  “I enjoy a stately minuet, Mrs Collins,” said the good reverend. “However, I am feeling a little daring this evening and I may request…a gavotte.”

  “Goodness,” said his wife.

  Then he regaled her once more with his exploits on the cricket field earlier.

  Jonny Hammond left the dining room alone. Wither he went, nobody knew but all suspected he had retired to the study with its stock of good wines and brandies.

  In the ballroom the rather sparse group of dancers danced. The string quartet were competent enough, in particular the viola player. They launched into a quite difficult minuet by Mr Mozart and the dancers whirled around with enthusiasm and, in some cases, skill.

  After a few dances, Mrs Bennet sat in a chair and fanned herself vigorously. She told Mr Bennet that she would dance no more tonight. He took his opportunity and said he would join Uncle Gardiner and Lydia in the card room. Kitty and Mary were weary and excused themselves. They announced that they wished to retire to bed and left the ballroom together.

  Kitty dreamed that night, dreamed of a handsome young fast bowler from Kent. Mary on the other hand lay awake for some time, thinking about the younger Mr Hammond.

  The dancing continued, albeit more sparsely.

  After a while there was a short break. The remaining dancers, and Mrs Bennet still fanning herself, took refreshments and talked.

  “Why, where are Kitty and Mary?” said Mrs Bennet.

  “They were tired, mother,” said Jane, “and retired to bed.”

  “Have you heard, my dear,” said Mr Collins to his wife in a deafening whisper, “that Miss Bennet has shown interest in Mr Hammond.”

  Lizzy stopped dancing and turned to him aghast.

  “Miss Bennet?” she said. “Which Miss Bennet?”

  “To the best of my knowledge, it is your sister Catherine.”

  “Kitty?” said Lizzy. “Are you sure, Mr Collins?”

  Darcy leaned over to Mr Collins. His manner, while not menacing, made Mr Collins shrink back into his chair.

  “Are you sure about this, Collins?” he said firmly. “You mean the younger Mr Hammond? Jonny?”

  “Well, I heard them talking at dinner this evening.”

  If Mr Collins had been honestly mistaken thus far, he then embellished his account and stated things which were pure speculation.

  “I hear the fellow has a reputation. It would not surprise me if he and the lady ran away together. Without even visiting Gretna Green first. In fact, he went off on his own after dinner. And Miss Bennet retired to her bed chamber. I would not be surprised if she is packing a bag as we speak. And he may have gone direct to the stables to secure a horse and small carriage. Why, they could be planning to make their escape together this very evening.”

  Lizzy slumped.

  “You see,” she said to her husband, “there is something more to your friend Mr Hammond than meets the eye.”

  Lizzy left the room and walked quickly down the corridors of Pemberley. What or whom she sought or what she intended to do, she had no idea. But now, in this moment of crisis, it was necessary for her to take some kind of action.

  Darcy gave Collins a black look.

  “Excuse me,” he said curtly and hurried after Lizzy.

  He caught up with her near the library.

  “Lizzy, where are you going? What are you doing?”

  “I don’t know. All I know is that my first suspicions about your friend were correct.”

  “Lizzy, darling, calm down,” said Darcy quietly.

  “But you heard the man. He intends to run off with Kitty. Perhaps Mary rejected him. Perhaps he’s fickle and chose Kitty over Mary. Perhaps…perhaps he’s even…”

  Lizzy put her hands to her face and began to sob. Darcy stood before her and took her arms in his strong, firm hands so she had no choice but to stand and look up at his face. His look was firm and unwavering but also understanding and sympathetic.

  “Collins may be entirely wrong about this. He may have overheard something and made false conclusions. We shall talk to Jonny and your sister if necessary and try to ascertain the truth. In any event, even if there is truth in Collins’ remarks, I will do all in my power to ensure that your sister’s reputation remains spotless.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to find young Mr Hammond and extract the truth. To begin with.”

  “What should I do?”

  “Nothing. For now. If necessary, we will talk with Mr Collins together.”

  He went through the corridors of Pemberley in search of Mr Hammond. As he strode quickly past old paintings and marble busts, his imagination ran wild. All he could think of was Jonny and Kitty. He had disappeared after the meal. She had left the ballroom in something of a hurry. Perhaps he had gone to ready a horse and carriage while she packed a few meagre things in a bag. Perhaps they would meet at some prearranged place, The Tower maybe? Perhaps they would ride in silence, slowly across the lush fields, exit through the great gates and make their way through the surrounding villages until they came to the road south. Perhaps they would stay at a tavern near Chesterfield and pose as man and wife. Perhaps Hammond would make elaborate lies and flatteries to Kitty. Perhaps he would offer her wine and tell her that he loved her and then…

  Darcy went direct to the study. It was empty and, to his surprise, the cupboard containing the wines and brandies had not been opened. Not a single bottle had been touched as far as he could tell.

  He continued his search. He found William, Tess and Mr Bennet playing cards in the card room while Lydia watched with interest.

  “Ah, Fitzwilliam,” said Mr Hammond. “Did you wish to join us? It may change my luck.”

  “No,” said Darcy hurriedly.

  “Pity. Your father in law is an excellent player. And my wife is pretty good too. Between them they will have bankrupted me by the time the evening is over.”

  “William, have you seen your brother?”

  “Jonny? I think he said he was going to play billiards.”

  “Thank you.”

  “It was strange,” William continued, “he talked about our wife’s sister Mary in the most glowing of terms. Did he not, Mr Bennet?”

  But Darcy didn’t hear him for he had already left for the billiards room. He found Jonny there, playing on his own, knocking the red ball languidly into the middle pocket.

  “Here you are,” said Darcy.

  “Here I am, old man. Why, were you looking for me?”

  “Yes. On a matter of the utmost importance.”

  “Really? That sounds serious. Would you care to play a couple of games first? You’ll probably beat me. You see I’m not in very good form at the moment. My mind seems to be elsewhere.”

  “No, Jonny, I don’t wish to play billiards.”

  “Very well. Do you mind if I practise? Heaven knows I need it.”

  Jonny placed the red ball on the table next to the white ball and played a few simple cannons with the cue ball. Darcy stood helpless for a few moments.

  “So, what’s this all about?” said Jonny, not lifting his eyes from the table.

  “It’s about Miss Bennet. I have heard certain rumours. I don’t wish to believe them, but I need to hear it from your own lips.”


  Jonny played an excellent double into the corner.

  “That’s a pretty good shot, don’t you think?” he said breezily, still with his head down. “Rumours? What kind of rumours.”

  “About you and Miss Bennet.”

  Jonny stopped in the middle of his shot. He put his cue on the table and looked up at Darcy.

  “All true I’m afraid,” he said.

  “It’s true then? What Mr Collins told us is true.”

  “Collins? How would he know anything? What did he say?”

  “That there were feelings between you and Miss Bennet.”

  Jonny gave a deep sigh.

  “Yes, it’s true.”

  Darcy clenched his fists. With difficulty he managed to keep them lowered.

  “Oh, Jonny, I’ve always liked you. It’s difficult not to. And besides, you’re William’s brother. But this is beyond the pale. How could you do it?”

  “I’m human, old man. It happens to the best of us. You of all people should know that.”

  “What do you mean by that?” said Darcy, suddenly aroused.

  “I mean you and Elizabeth. I think she’s quite charming, but from what I’ve heard you and she were hardly on friendly terms for your first few meetings. But you ended up marrying the lady and you’re clearly very happy together.”

  “What has this to do with you and Miss Bennet?”

  “I simply mean that people can fall in love at any time and at any place, even when they neither see nor expect it.”

  Darcy was angry now. Not only because his friend seemed so indifferent to such a serious matter, but also because he had brought up his early difficult days with Lizzy. He became defensive.

  “That has nothing to do with myself and my wife. And anyway, what do you know of love?”

  “Enough I think.”

  “But it’s not love, Jonny. If you run away with her, you’ll discard her and then she’ll be ruined.”

  “Run away?” said Jonny, finally looking Darcy in the face.

  “Yes. She left the ball earlier. It is likely that she is packing her bag in readiness. While you play billiards and wait for her so you can meet in secret.”

  “You think I intend to run away with her?”

  “Well, don’t you? Catherine is probably the most naïve and innocent of my wife’s sisters.”

  “Catherine? You mean Kitty?” said Jonny. “What on earth has she got to do with this?”

  “Well, it’s her you’re running away with. That’s what you just said isn’t it?”

  “No. It’s Mary I’ve fallen in love with. And I don’t intend to run away with her. I intend to marry the lady. I spoke to her father a while ago. He was playing cards with my brother.”

  “Mary? Did you say, fallen in love?”

  “Yes. I wanted to say something when you found me at The Tower. But I still wasn’t sure then. But over the next day, during the match, that’s when I knew for certain.”

  Jonny began to laugh.

  “You thought I intended to run away with Catherine? Oh, Fitzwilliam.”

  “But, Mr Collins said…”

  “Collins wants to make mischief. He thinks I was trying to embarrass him when I told him to put beefsteak in his gauntlets during the match. But that’s what all the wicket keepers used to do. (5) I think it was some South African fellow who started it. And then I think it fell out of favour.”

  “Collins,” said Darcy to himself. “Collins, the damned fool.”

  He took Jonny by the wrist.

  “Come on,” he said.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To find Mr Collins.”

  “But I haven’t finished my game,” protested Mr Hammond.

  “Never mind that now.”

  Chapter 11

  Darcy and Jonny went quickly to find Lizzy, and after explanations were made, thence to the ballroom to find Mr Collins.

  The dancing had ended. The string quartet waited patiently but no further dances were requested. Mr and Mrs Collins, Charles and Jane and Mrs Bennet stood in a little circle and talked. Or rather listened again to Mr Collins.

  “It was never in doubt, really was it? As soon as I arrived at the crease, I knew I would carry us over the line. And did you see my catch earlier? Still, when one has played cricket at the highest level with a team of professional players from Kent…”

  “You still smell of meat a little, Mr Collins,” said Mrs Bennet with a wrinkle of her nose.

  “And apparently, the Kent captain has never heard of you,” said Charles.

  Mr Collins was flustered. He did not know what to say.

  “Ah, the others have returned,” he said in desperation as he saw Lizzy and Darcy enter the ballroom.

  The three of them, Darcy, Jonny and Lizzy, approached him.

  “Mr Collins,” said Darcy, “Could we have a little word in private?”

  “…er…yes…” he faltered.

  Darcy led him to a small room, sparsely furnished.

  “Please sit down, sir,” said Darcy, putting curt emphasis on the last word.

  Collins sat at a rude desk, the chair plain and wooden, while the others stood over him.

  “I understand you have been spreading certain rumours concerning Mr Hammond and Miss Bennet.”

  “I was only repeating what I heard,” said the wretched clergyman.

  “Stating what you chose to hear, you mean,” said Jonny.

  “I heard things from your own lips concerning the lady. And things concerning you from hers.”

  “Together or severally?” said Darcy shortly.

  Collins bowed his head.

  “Well, severally, I suppose.”

  “Then you could have been mistaken?” said Lizzy.

  “Possibly.”

  “Mr Collins,” went on Lizzy, “you were mistaken.”

  “Yes,” said Jonny. “I was not talking of Miss Catherine Bennet but of Miss Mary Bennet. I admire the lady greatly and have, even now, spoken to her father. Who Miss Catherine was discussing, I have no idea.”

  Mr Collins gave a nervous little laugh.

  “Oh. I see. Well it was an honest mistake.”

  “Yes,” said Lizzy. “An honest mistake. Anybody could make such a mistake. After all, Mr Collins may look like a fool and talk like a fool. But don’t let that deceive you. He really is a fool.”

  “You see,” said Mr Hammond, “I doubt if it were an honest mistake. I believe you were seeking an opportunity to make mischief. I believe the opportunity presented itself at dinner. I believe you made no attempt to seek further corroborative information. I believe you spread a rumour purely on what could cause most injury to myself without even considering the impact on Miss Bennet. In short, I believe you were seeking revenge for the incident with the beefsteaks and the gauntlets.”

  “Well, they did smell very bad.”

  Darcy and Jonny exchanged a glance and could not help themselves from grinning.

  “But in truth,” said Darcy, “wicketkeepers did put steak in their gloves. It helps to soften the blows on the hands.”

  Mr Collins said nothing for some time but sat with his head down, staring at the desk in front of him.

  Mr Darcy spoke.

  “I think it would be better if you left Pemberley first thing in the morning.”

  “But I was hoping to deliver a sermon in the chapel tomorrow.”

  “There will be no sermon.”

  “But my wife, she will be disappointed to leave here so early.”

  “I regret that too, Mr Collins,” said Lizzy. “Charlotte is a good friend of mine and I was looking forward to some time with her tomorrow. However, you heard what my husband said.”

  Mr Collins did not reply but gave a faint nod of his head.

  “Perhaps you should begin to pack your trunk before you retire,” said Darcy. “Good evening, sir.”

  Collins got up from his chair. He opened his mouth as if to speak then thought better of it. He left the room in a state
of unutterable misery.

  “Well,” said Jonny, “that’s that little matter dealt with. Now, Darcy old man, how about another drink? Or a game of billiards maybe?”

  “No thank you,” said Darcy. “it’s been a busy day with one thing and another. I really ought to retire to bed.”

  “No stamina, eh? How about you, Mrs Darcy? I’d wager you play a decent game of billiards?”

  “I’m not bad,” said Lizzy with a smile, “or at least that’s what my husband tells me.”

  “At least, I did the last time she beat me,” said Darcy with a look of admiration at his wife, and not only because of her skill at billiards…

  “However, Mr Hammond, I am weary, and I really must retire to bed too. But you’ve had a long day yourself. Aren’t you tired?”

  “No, not at all,” said Jonny breezily. “I think I’ll have a couple of games on my own and then perhaps a couple of glasses of your excellent brandy. After that, who knows, I may take a moonlit tour of the Pemberley gardens or I may sit in the library and read that book of yours on the laws of cricket. It sounds a fascinating volume.”

  Darcy and Lizzy laughed good naturedly.

  “Well, goodnight,” said Darcy, “sleep well.”

  “I always do.”

  Darcy and Lizzy climbed the stairs and walked wearily to their bed chamber.

  Jonny, a spring in his step, returned to the billiards room.

  In the bed chamber of Mr and Mrs Collins, trunks were being packed quickly and quietly.

  “William,” protested his wife, “I really don’t understand why we have to leave so early tomorrow. I was looking forward to spending some time with Lizzy. I haven’t seen her in such a long time.”

  “It can’t be helped, my dear, it can’t be helped,” said Mr Collins without giving her any clue of the reason for their early departure.

  Mr and Mrs Collins left very early in the morning, without ceremony and without breakfast. They stole from their bedchamber just as the sun began to rise and, with an all too brief farewell from Darcy and Lizzy, took a small carriage. The golden summer was coming to an end and there was a faint chill in the air as their coach left Pemberley.