After their last drink, the Colonel left his cousin and returned to his room. He had thought about his visit to the Collins the next day and had chosen to not talk to Darcy about it, not tonight at least. He had hesitated to take advantage of Darcy's mild drunkenness earlier to ask him to accompany him to the rectory, but Darcy was never drunk enough to let someone take advantage of him. And even if he was, he would not hesitate to go back on his promise once he was sober. He would not take kindly that his own cousin tried to take advantage of him and a visit to the Collins wasn't worth to receive Darcy's ire. Thus, he had decided to ask him the next morning, before breakfast, even before going downstairs.
Therefore, the Colonel was waiting in front of his cousin's room the next morning. It was rare for him to get up early when he was not working and, even then, Darcy was often out before him. But the Colonel knew that the Collins did not follow the Town's hours and that they were probably already up, maybe they even had finished their breakfast already. Finally, Darcy came out of his room, surprised to see his cousin waiting for him.
"What is Richard? Is it Georgiana?" Darcy asked, suddenly worried, it was rare for Richard to get up before him, especially when they were at Rosings.
"No, no," the Colonel immediately reassured, blaming himself for frightening his cousin, it wasn't a good start.
"There is no reason to worry, I just thought it would be better to wait for you, we could go downstairs together"
At this answer Darcy stopped short and turned a sceptical look towards his cousin.
"You lie, there are only two possibilities for you to wait for me like a dog would wait for his master. Either you don't want to be alone with our aunt, or you have an idea in mind and wish my participation or my approval. But if that was the first reason you would just stay in your room waiting or you would have asked for food to be send. So, the only reason is that you want to get something out of me. "
The Colonel could not restrain a laugh, he knew Darcy wouldn't be easy to fool but he had hoped that he schemed would last a little bit longer.
"Apparently, it's impossible to surprise you, so yes, I admit I'd like to submit an idea, but have no fear I want nothing more than your company", as Darcy still had to a sceptical look on his face the Colonel continued.
"You see I had the idea that after our breakfast we could go outside, enjoy the weather for a bit"
"It's a brilliant idea, I must admit that I particularly like to spend Monday outside after a Sunday spent inside. Do you have a destination in mind? Of course, we cannot be away for too long.
", I thought we could stay in the area and afterwards we could even call to the Parsonage, give our greetings to the Collins"
"Do you mean the Parson and his wife? " asked Darcy incredulously.
The Colonel could not hold back a sigh, sometimes his cousin despaired him, he was almost as snob as his brother John, the earl's heir.
"Yes, it's them and yesterday thanks to them and Miss Bennet I spent one of the most enjoyable evenings I had at Rosings. I think now that we have been introduced it would be nice to call, especially since we are leaving in less than a week.
"And I am supposed to believe that you want to go only because you find their company agreeable and not because Mrs. Collins' sister had caught your fancy? "
"She did not catch my fancy!" protested the Colonel a little too violently, "But I readily admit that Miss Bennet is charming, and you would be of my opinion if you had deigned to address more than two sentences to her yesterday."
Darcy snorted, "I'm glad to let you play the role of amusing the sister of our aunt's rector"
"Thank you, my dear cousin, it is a role I find far superior to keeping our aunt and cousin company." He had been drier than he wanted to, but sometimes Darcy knew how to annoy him.
During their conversation they walked down the stairs and just when they were in front of the breakfast's parlour the Colonel turned to his cousin, "I intend to go to the Parsonage after breakfast, you are free to accompany me but if it's only to see you for half an hour with a scowl on your face you can remain with Lady Catherine and Anne", after that the Colonel entered the room without paying more attention to his cousin, his annoyance with Darcy clearly palpable.
Inside, Lady Catherine was already seated, spreading jam on her rolls, and as they each settled next to her, she deplored, as every morning, that they keep Town's hours even when visiting Kent. The meal was quite embarrassing for both cousins, although Lady Catherine did not seem to be aware of anything, she kept talking during the entire course of the meal, only asking questions from time to time to Darcy. The Colonel, after having greeted his aunt, didn't not say another word, spending his meal drinking his tea and staring at the piece of bread on his plate.
"Why Richard was reacting so violently?" wondered Darcy, "After all it was not as if he had insulted one of his close friends". He had only been surprised by Richard's interest in people so different, whom he would probably never see again after their departure. Perhaps his tone had been a little scorned, but Richard had to understand why, after all the Collins were hardly from the same sphere as them.
When the Colonel had drunk the last drop of his tea he took his leave, without a look at his cousin. Darcy wanted to catch him, but he could not leave like that, his aunt would ask him to stay or why he wanted to leave without finishing his meal. He stayed, eating quickly his toasts and gulping his tea. When he finally left the breakfast room he saw Richard in the hall, putting his gloves on, clearly, he was about to go out.
"Richard! Hold on!" Darcy exclaimed. He didn't know what he want to say but he couldn't let Richard go angry.
"I think I'll go with you, I need to get some fresh air and it'll be a nice walk after all." It wasn't what he wanted to say but it was what came out of his mouth. He was a bit embarrassed to have agreed to come after his comment on the Collins and he almost took back his statement when he saw the smug expression of Richard.
Being in Kent didn't change Elizabeth's morning habits, every day she got up early, wrote a few letters, most often to Jane or her aunt Gardiner, sometimes to Charlotte, after that she joined Mary downstairs and together they went out for a walk. They returned in to time to take their breakfast with Mr. Collins, who after the meal left the two sisters to work in his study. Alone, Mary and Elizabeth were reading, talking or working, sometimes they received a few visits, often it was only Miss de Bourg who had finally took the habit of coming to the Parsonage for some refreshments when she was passing in her phaeton.
That Monday morning Elizabeth went for a walk alone, when she went downstairs Mary was still settling details with her maid. This solitary ride did not bother her, she liked being able to be a little alone with her thoughts. The night before had been very pleasant and had made her think, or rather the hosts had made her think. This morning she amused herself by comparing the different members of the family, she was really surprised that the Colonel was from the same family, the gentleman was so amusing and unassuming. On the contrary, she was not surprised that Mr. Darcy was Lady Catherine's nephew, not that there was a physical resemblance, but she had perceived a similarity in their countenance and deportment. Proudness was probably something running in the blood of their family.
Her mind turned to Mr. Darcy, even after meeting the gentleman he kept a bit of mystery, he hardly spoke to them and she had learned almost nothing new about him, except that he had a sister who played the pianoforte. In short Elizabeth had little reason to think of Mr. Darcy's goodness, and if she was in Longbourn she would have probably laughed about his character and manners, but the Colonel seemed very close to his cousin and seemed to admire him greatly. Their relationship was almost fraternal and if the Colonel thought so much of his cousin then he had to have certain qualities.
Returning to the parsonage, she joined Mary and her husband at the breakfast table, ready to start the meal. The conversation turned to Elizabeth's walk and the weather, and soon the young woman quickly forgot about the inhabitants of Rosings.
After breakfast Mr. Collins left them to work while the two sisters were still discussing their family and plans for Kitty and Lydia. Jane and their aunt Gardiner wrote regularly, giving them details about their two younger sisters. Apparently, both were making progress, Mrs. Gardiner assured them that Lydia was finally growing and leaving being her puerility. Jane was trying to Kitty away from their mother and her influence, sometimes Kitty was still a bit frivolous, but she really tried to emulate Jane's calm behaviour.
Elizabeth was reading to Mary the last letter from their aunt when suddenly Mr. Collins entered the room, his excitation evident. He had just seen Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam outside, from his study's window, and they were about to call. The two women had barely time to record the information that the two gentlemen of Rosings were in front of them. The Colonel was the first to come in, his mood seemed particularly good this morning, while his cousin stood slightly behind him, with his usual air of haughty reserve.
The gentlemen did not stay much more than fifteen minutes, Mr. Darcy reminding his cousin of an appointment with their aunt's steward, but the Colonel seemed in no hurry to go. Elizabeth could not blame him, the poor man probably had to find Rosings quite austere and the company missing. But the seriousness of Mr. Darcy was admirable, after all he was here to help and be with his aunt. Of courses, to them his company was less pleasant than his cousin, but Lady Catherine was to be glad to have such a conscientious nephew.
During their call Mr. Darcy did not speak much after the necessary politeness but after a few moments Mr. Collins turned to him to talk about his business the previous week. Elizabeth was sitting next to her cousin and although her face was turned toward Mary and the Colonel, on her right, her attention was drawn to the conversation of the other two men. Apparently with Lady Day Mr. Darcy had been busy and he still had some details to sort out before their departure. From the answer to her cousin's questions Elizabeth learned that Mr. Darcy's visit was a yearly business, he came during one the "cross quarter days", most often during Lady Day or Michaelmas, to help his aunt. Elizabeth was surprised that Lady Catherine had asked anyone for help, but she remembered how fond of her nephew the lady was, and from what she said he was to be his future son-in-law and thus should know how to care for Rosings.
Slowly Mr. Darcy seemed to be more at ease, but when Mr. Collins asked a question about his estate in Derbyshire and the importance of the estate, the gentleman answered with a short and tense answer. Immediately after that Mr. Darcy reminded his cousin about their business with Mr. Allen. The Colonel looked unhappy for a moment, glancing at him coldly, but regained his good humour almost instantly and said goodbye to the Collins and Elizabeth warmly.
After this visit Mr. Collins returned to his work while the two sisters returned to their conversation, of course their first subject was about the Rosings' gentlemen and Mary could not resist teasing her sister.
"I do not think the Colonel would have been so eager to call on us if you were not here, Lizzie"
Elizabeth was surprised, and a slight blush coloured her cheeks, but she was able to respond quickly.
"I'm afraid you overestimate my charms, I'm not Jane after all. I sincerely believe that the Colonel only wishes to escape from Rosings and that we are his only salvation. Not that we have reason to complain, the Colonel is one of the most charming gentlemen of my acquaintance. "
Mary smiled and, with a slightly embarrassed look, replied hesitantly.
"Yes, he is very charming, a pity that he is the second son ... Lady Catherine has mentioned several times his need to find a wife who can provide for his way of living"
Elizabeth watched Mary carefully, "Is it for me?" She thought. At that idea she blushed again but wanted to reassure her sister immediately.
"I would feel sorry for the Colonel, but I am sure he will be able to find a wife who fulfils both his personal and pecuniary criteria."
Mary seemed glad to hear her answer and soon the conversation changed again, returning on Lydia et Kitty.
If Elizabeth had not given up her morning habits, Mary and she had also taken on a new routine: going to Rosings every Monday and Thursday to practice pianoforte. Elizabeth was not particularly eager to go but she knew that Lady Catherine's invitation meant a lot to Mary. This Monday, however, the two sisters hesitated, would it be to abuse hospitality to go there?
Finally, they chose to go anyway, after all they would not disturb anyone in this part of the house. However, when they arrived the room was already occupied, Miss de Bourg was even sitting on the pianoforte's stool, strumming lightly on the keys while Mrs. Jenkinson sat on one of the armchairs next to the instrument.
"Oh, sorry, we do not want to impose ourselves, we thought it was possible to use the pianoforte as every week" exclaimed Mary immediately.
"It looks like we cannot spend a Monday without playing" Elizabeth quipped.
"No, no, it's just you that we were waiting for, I feel in a musical mood today, I think the musical night yesterday influenced me" replied Miss de Bourg. Surprisingly she looked healthier today, her complexion pinker, her voice louder, Elizabeth wondered if her cousin's presence was the reason for her improvement.
Mary and Elizabeth were surprised and embarrassed by the attention, Miss de Bourg had already attended their pianoforte sessions a few times, but she usually arrived late and never stayed very long. But now the two sisters were struggling to be comfortable, they felt like intruders and their embarrassment seemed to be transmitted to Anne, who suddenly became paler and tired. Elizabeth's stomach ached for the young woman, she looked so happy a few moments ago. And Mary did not seem more comfortable, staring at the pianoforte with her hands worrying on her thighs. As always Elizabeth began to put everyone at ease. She had always been more assured than her sisters, except maybe Lydia. She had always love company and meeting new people, she knew how to interact with strangers and amuse them. It only took about ten minutes for everyone in the room to be finally at ease. She had let Mary start playing as she settled near Anne, slowly talking with her about Mary's talent and the pleasure of music. Quickly the room was filled with a joyful animation and a gentle hubbub.
While Mary was in the middle of one of her favourite songs the door opened, revealing Mr. Darcy and the Colonel. The gentlemen seemed surprised to see everybody in Mrs. Jenkinson's room, but soon the Colonel returned to his senses, expressing his joy.
"Anne, your mother asked us to come and see what you were doing and keep you company, but I see you don't need us to entertain you"
He greeted again the two sisters expressing his pleasure to see them again so quickly. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy seemed embarrass, greeting all the ladies then standing on the back of the room, along the wall. He could see Mary, playing, but the others were turning their backs on him. The Colonel had chosen the place next to Elizabeth, not that he had any choice, there wasn't any other chair. Elizabeth conversed with him happily but after a few minutes she started to notice that Mr. Darcy seemed interested in their discussion. He had come closer to them, she could see him in her periphery and seemed to be listening to them and not to Mary's song. Elizabeth did not know why he was doing this, if he wanted to join their conversation he had to talk and not watch them. Did he disapprove of the Colonel's behaviour towards them? Did he think they were too inferior for their cousin to befriend them? Even Miss Bourg, though so reserved initially, had ended up being less distant. Maybe he thought as Mary, that the Colonel couldn't marry her and thus they shouldn't be so friendly. She didn't wish to dwell on these ideas and tried her best to ignore Mr. Darcy.
The gentlemen did not stay long, Mr. Darcy wishing to deal with some business since Anne did not need them. When they took their leave, Elizabeth looked closely at Miss de Bourg and her fiancé but did not detect any trace of inclination on either side. After they left, Anne asked Mary and Elizabeth to play a duet and the rest of their visit was spend agreeably, without any more interruption.