A/N: Thank you all for your reviews! They are much appreciated. I know I have been giving a lot of you heart failure with my angst-filled chapters so I hope this one will mellow you all out a bit. I also hope I'm not spoiling you all too much with my speedy updates, but the truth of the matter is that my leave is almost over and I shall shortly have to return to work; when that happens I don't know how much time I shall have for writing. So, as they say, I am 'making hay while the sun shines.'
Enjoy!
P.S. Please review! I really don't want to waste either of our time by writing something that no-one enjoys.
Chapter 10:
Elizabeth had been staring out of the window lost in a myriad of images that seemed to swim through her mind, ebbing and flowing with the gentle rocking of the carriage. The past few days had seemed to pass in a blur. So many things seemed to have occurred in such a short space of time that Elizabeth was still trying to come to grips with it all. Across from her in the carriage sat Miss Darcy and her companion Mrs. Annesley. Darcy had brought them down from London for their aunt's funeral as well as companions for Elizabeth on her journey to Town. Alongside the carriage rode a large black stallion, sleek and muscular; Elizabeth tried not to stare too hard at the horse lest her eyes betray her, as they so wanted to do, by straying onto the lithe figure mounted atop him. Mr Darcy had insisted on riding alongside the procession as it made its ponderous way towards London.
Following behind in Lady Catherine's Barouche box was Mr Collins' inert form, laid as comfortable as possible and being attended to by a footman from Rosings. He had still not stirred a muscle since his first seizure, and Dr Ford did not feel that his services were necessary for Mr Collin's recuperation or comfort, as he did not think that a journey of over fifty miles was likely to do Mr Collins any harm, (or any good either, had that good mans opinion been asked.) Dr Ford didn't hold with expensive London physicians, believing that all the extra benefit that may be derived from them would be undone by the toxic London air soon after.
But despite Dr. Ford's misgivings, thither they were bound, in search of medical advice from some of London's most prominent doctors. Darcy had promised to assist Elizabeth and her husband by taking them to stay at his townhouse in London and ensuring Mr Collins receive the best treatment available. Elizabeth had been so eager for any opportunity that would mean she didn't have to return to Hertfordshire, (or if she were being entirely honest with herself – that would mean she did not have to quit Mr Darcy's company,) that she accepted Mr Darcy's proposal and pleaded that they set off as soon as may be. Whatever his assumptions may have been about her motives he agreed that it would be best if they set out for London directly after the funeral. He had been overjoyed by her acceptance of his offer, and though cautious he hoped that it meant she no longer thought so very ill of him as she once had.
Elizabeth leaned back against the soft velvet cushions inside the carriage trying to puzzle out why the man who, a week ago, she had hated with her very soul, she now sought out his company and was eager to please and comfort him. She had not missed the warm glow of joy that had eclipsed his features after she had accepted his invitation, and it made her feel better to know that though she was not allowed to love him she could at least bring him some kind of happiness.
Soft snores were emanating from the far corner where Mrs Annesley's head had gently lolled against the carriage door. Miss Darcy had also been sleeping but as Elizabeth's tired gaze drifted to her she noticed her clear hazel eyes examining her face.
"I hope I did not wake you?" whispered Elizabeth.
"Not at all. The road appears to be a bit uneven after the rain of last night, and though my brother's carriage is wonderfully sprung I still find it a little jarring. I do hope the rest of the journey will not be as bad. I fear my head is beginning to ache." Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at the young girl, who despite her mature stature reminded Elizabeth so much of her childish younger sisters.
Mr Darcy had brought his sister around to Hunsford parsonage, to make Elizabeth's acquaintance, as soon as he had returned to Kent after fetching her from London.
"May I introduce my sister to your Mrs Collins?" he had asked, as he stepped forward into her little morning parlour and bowed in greeting. She had been surprised when the maid had announced his name and the delicate flush that had reddened her cheeks had still not faded entirely when they entered.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Darcy." Elizabeth curtsied and extended her hand to welcome the young lady into the room, "I'm sorry it is under such sad circumstances."
"The honour is mine Mrs Collins." Miss Darcy curtsied in reply. " My brother has often spoken fondly of you; I am glad to finally have the honour of making your acquaintance," replied Miss Darcy shyly, barley raising her eyes to meet Elizabeth's before hurriedly averting her gaze to stare at her rather crushed travelling frock. Elizabeth had been surprised that Darcy hadn't even allowed his sister the chance to freshen up before setting off with her to Hunsford.
"If you'll excuse me Mrs Collins, I believe from your maid that Dr Ford is currently with your husband. I wish to speak with him regarding the preparations that need to be made for that gentleman's removal to town." With this speech he excused himself, closing the door gently behind him.
The two women were left standing somewhat awkwardly in the weak afternoon sunshine that was streaming in through the windows. Elizabeth could tell at a glance that like her brother, Miss Darcy was painfully shy, but where as he had had several years experience trying to converse with strangers, his sister had not. She had obviously led a fairly sheltered existence, and judging by the deep crimson flush that suffused her normally delicate ivory cheeks she had not had much experience in being left to converse with a stranger all by herself.
Elizabeth wanted to make her feel more at ease and after offering her a seat and some tea, tried to entice her into conversation by mentioning various common places, such as the weather and the state of the roads. To each of these topics she received polite replies but no attempts on Miss Darcy's side to further the conversation. Eventually Elizabeth, struggling for another subject, introduced one which she felt Miss Darcy would be sure to respond to.
"I have been told by your brother and by your friend, Miss Bingley, that you are fond of music and play exceedingly well."
"I am fond of music and do practice a great deal in the hopes of improving. But my brother has told me that he has really heard anything as beautiful as your playing Mrs Collins."
"Well," she began, blushing slightly in spite of herself, "I shall be sure to thank your brother for his kind flattery but I am sorry to say that he has grossly overestimated my talents Miss Darcy. I believe in fact that on the particular occasion of your brother being unfortunate enough to have to endure my playing, your Aunt Catherine remarked something about my lack of taste and proficiency; and though I would normally hate to admit it, I'm afraid in this instance she was entirely accurate and honest in her censure."
"Aunt Catherine was always fond of finding fault with those whom she secretly envied." This was said so artlessly that for a moment Elizabeth had not been sure she had heard correctly. Could the shy timid girl before really have uttered such a sassy retort? But then Georgiana's face exploded in a riot of scarlet blushes and she hastily stammered out an apology.
"I am not at all offended Miss Darcy. Though I know it would not be considered polite in genteel circles to speak ill of the dead, I find it rather ridiculous to pretend to have a regard for someone one cared very little for, either alive or dead." This little speech caused Georgiana's eyes to bulge until she saw the look of mirth that Elizabeth had thrown her and realised she was being teased. As she took in Elizabeth's softened expression she couldn't help but speak her mind again, as Elizabeth's smiling eyes entirely disarmed her.
"I sometimes wish I had sister. It would be such a comfort to have someone that could understand what you were thinking before you even spoke your thoughts. Would you be dreadfully upset with me if I called you Elizabeth?"
"Of course you should call me Elizabeth! And if you will permit me, may I call you Georgiana?"
"Oh yes please," replied the young girl, her hazel eyes sparkling with delight. Her whole face seemed to soften and her body relax as she instantly opened herself to Elizabeth's banter.
They had been chatting cosily together several minutes when Darcy eventually returned. Before he had opened the door he had heard their soft voices and the trill of their light laughter. He also noted with a small curve of his usually austere lips, that they were calling each other by their Christian names. He envied his sister her intimacy with Elizabeth, and though he had often spoken her name, he had yet to hear how his name sounded on her lips. Hurriedly rearranging his features, he pushed open the door and entered at last.
"Mrs Collins, thank you for entertaining my sister. I fear my cousins are only planning on returning to Rosings later this evening and I would not have liked my sister to be left alone there while I made preparations for our journey. My sisters companion, Mrs Annesley, retired to bed as soon as we arrived; she was feeling rather pulled after our journey." He said, smiling kindly at her.
"Of course Mr Darcy, I had forgotten that Rosings was deserted at present. It just so happens that I have found in Georgiana a kindred spirit. I trust your arrangements with Dr Ford were satisfactory?" she said as she raised her delicate eyebrows, begging him to understand the hidden meaning in her words.
He seemed to comprehend as he replied; "He does not feel there to be any danger in transporting your Husband to London. As such he has decided not to accompany us on the journey. I'm afraid he does not hold out much hope of a London doctor being able to offer your husband any better care than he could do here in Kent."
"Yes, he did seem a bit put out when I mentioned it to him earlier. Do you really feel that is worth all the trouble of trying sir? I am putting everyone to such great bother and expense; I do not how I shall ever repay you and your sister for your kindness." Her eyes were warm as they seemed to embrace him. He felt a small stab of jealousy as her eyes eventually left his face and she directed her smile at his sister, to indicate that she shared her gratitude; he selfishly wanted all of Elizabeth's smiles for himself, even if they were only offered in friendship.
Later that same evening, after they had arrived back in Kent, after his sister and his cousin Anne had retired after supper, Darcy and the Colonel ensconced themselves in the study over a bottle of port. Darcy had been rather formal and distant to his cousins since their return. Anne at least had the conscience to look guiltily into her plate while dinner passed in relative silence, but Richard had defiantly stared straight at Darcy during the whole of the charade. He had been waiting to have some time alone to talk to his cousin.
"Darcy, I make no apologies for what I did. I was a man in love and I had had to stand idly by for the last several years watching how our Aunt bullied Anne and constantly dragged her before your notice. I never in my wildest dreams believed you would entertain her fantasies and capitulate! I had to act, and so I did. I admit it was brash and perhaps ill judged of me, but I'm glad that I did it. Anne is mine by law and no one can now prevent us being together." After this impassioned speech he downed his port in one gulp and then coyly seated himself beside the fire, nervously eyeing Darcy all the while.
"Well say something, dammit Darce!" roared the Colonel, after his speech was followed by nothing but complete silence from his cousin.
"What would you have me say Richard? Congratulations? Well done on making me into a laughing stock?"
"Come on Darce, that's doing it rather too brown! The announcement hadn't even been sent to the papers yet, and after all it's not as though you even asked Anne. If you had, she might have spared you this embarrassment and explained the matter fully. But you applied to Catherine before even asking her wishes; she believed you and the old lady to be in cahoots. Little wonder she feared to confide in you!"
"That explains Anne's secrecy, but what of you? You are like my brother Richard. The one decent person, other than Georgiana, that I can call a relation, and yet you have such little faith in me! Six years? Did I not at least deserve some measure of trust from you?"
"I know I behaved reprehensibly, and I have no excuse to make other than that love makes you do stupid things; things, which if you were thinking clearly you would probably never do. I was afraid that you and your damned sense of propriety would try and talk me out of it; that you may even possibly side with my father and brother. I love her from the very pit of my soul Darce. In truth I have loved her for more than six years; it just took me a while to convince her that she shared my feelings." He finished with a mischievous glint in his dark eyes and a smirk around his lips. "You'll understand one day if you're lucky enough to find someone who bewitches you as Anne does me." He had stood up and faced Darcy, who was leaning stonily against the marble mantelpiece. He gripped his shoulder before extending his right hand in an expression of truce.
Darcy hesitated for a few seconds before grasping the proffered hand and receiving a resounding clap on the shoulder as thanks.
"Now what's all this I hear from Georgie of you taking it upon yourself to transport Mrs Collins and her husband to London to visit one of your high priced physicians?" he asked, pouring himself another port and sitting down again beside the fire.
"Dr Ford does not know if he will ever improve but if there was something that could be done for him my Doctor shall know what it is."
"Well by all means, bring the fellow here Darce. What on earth would you want to go traipsing halfway across England for?"
Darcy didn't reply but merely swirled the contents of his glass around, making the fluid glow like blood in the reflected light of the fire. Comprehension seemed to dawn on Richards face as he continued to examine Darcy. "Oh, so that's the way wind blows, does it?" he eventually asked.
Darcy still maintained his stony silence, his only reply to clench his jaw in aggravation.
"You might have said something."
"Keeping secrets must be a family trait," spat Darcy.
Richard let out a loud guffaw and slapped his knee in mirthful appreciation. "Touché cousin! Touché!"
As his merriment died away his brow seemed to wrinkle in confusion. "But if that's the case then why on earth would you try and help the husband at all?"
"Richard!"
"Well it's not as if you caused this to happen. No one would blame you if the parson were to perish."
"Technically you could say that I did."
"Oh Nonsense! I was growing tired of Aunt Catherine's refusals in any case. If she hadn't given her permission soon I would probably have run off with Anne anyway – that would have given the old lady a heart attack, make no mistake."
"Richard. She needs my help and support. If all I can be is a friend to her then that shall have to suffice. Why do you think I offered for Anne in the first place? So that I could remain here in Kent, to be close to Eliz...Mrs Collins." Responded Darcy wearily. "But now, as the new master of Rosings, you shall shortly have to set about finding a new rector to take Mr Collins's place, and as such, Mrs Collins would have to find other lodgings in any case. This way, at least, it is one less thing for her to fret over."
"Well Darcy, I hope you aren't going to be the one to suffer for your kindness."
"I suffer every day I see her Richard; at least I may now know that my presence in her world is at least doing her some good even if it does nothing to ease my suffering. After all, who should suffer but myself."
"Darcy, you take too much on yourself. I don't profess to know Mrs Collins as well as you do, but she is a strong lively woman who, I'm sure, knew exactly what she was getting herself into when she married that fool."
Darcy slammed his glass down on the mantle with a resounding crash. "You do not know of what you speak!" he yelled. "It is my fault that she had to marry him at all; the least I can do is ensure that that aberration is all she has to suffer!" With these words he stormed from the room slamming the door behind him so violently that it nearly ripped from its hinges.
Colonel Fitzwilliam merely relaxed back into his chair by the fire and examined his glass of port in much the same manner Darcy had done earlier. "The poor man is lost," he said whilst gently shaking his head. After a few moments he downed his second glass of wine and smiling impishly continued; "It's about time."