A/N - Thank you for the well wishes and apologies for the hiatus!
Now back to our previously scheduled story ;) xxx
"Fitzwilliam, you will accompany me to dinner."
Lady Catherine's command - for it was a command, not a request, that Darcy might consider refusing - was given in such clear, formal tones that it could not fail to be heard by everybody present.
"Certainly, Aunt," he said, standing. "And what of the other ladies?"
"You might see Anne in, as well," she allowed. "Richard will escort Miss Mary, of course, and Mr Collins can, I am quite sure, manage to escort Miss Elizabeth to dinner."
Darcy's heart sank, first at the thought of Elizabeth joining the meal on Mr Colin's arm: indeed, on any man's arm that was not his, then turned over when he thought how trying she would find the evening. He shared a glance with his cousin that communicated their feelings without the need of discussion: we must strive to offer Elizabeth conversation so that she is not abandoned entirely to the mercy of Mr Collins. Surely the man would not be foolish enough to embarrass Elizabeth further or attempt to propose again, but Darcy did not think him well practised in etiquette. Surely nothing was beyond possibility for such a man.
Once seated, Darcy recognised the difficulty of the task, for he found himself caught between Lady Catherine and his cousin, and at as great a distance from Elizabeth as could be managed.
"Anne, tell Fitzwilliam what you were speaking to me of this morning at breakfast," Lady Catherine began, as the meal was served and everyone fell to dining.
"This morning?" Anne was startled by the request, that much was plain even to Darcy. "I hardly think William has any interest in my consideration of the weather and its impact on my plans to call upon my friend." She smiled wearily at Darcy, who resisted the urge to laugh. "As you can see, my considerations were unnecessary, and the visit managed."
"I merely meant that your cousin would surely be touched to hear of your concern for your friend. And, of course, that your friend is none other than the young Lady Dalrymple. How well acquainted you have become since her arrival in Kent. We must invite them to dine while you are here, Fitzwilliam. I am sure you would be pleased to make the acquaintance of such a fine, upstanding couple."
"If you wish it, Aunt." Darcy was hardly paying any heed to Lady Catherine's words. His attention had been thoroughly secured by the conversation taking place at the other end of the table, where Mr Collins' whispers towards Elizabeth were ably intercepted by Colonel Fitzwilliam, who proceeded to quiz the man on all matters regarding his church and the plans they were already making for the wedding. Mary, too, sought to engage her sister in conversation, so that he let out a breath he had not quite realised he was holding.
"I did not realise you found our conversation so stifling, Fitzwilliam," Lady Catherine said, in an irritable enough tone that it forced Darcy to attention.
"Not at all!" he said, turning back to her. "Forgive me. I find I am rather fatigued from travelling. Anne, you are looking well. I do hope you were not unduly disturbed by Miss Bennet and I this afternoon?"
"Disturbed? By Miss Bennet?" Lady Catherine's eyes narrowed. "And what, pray, was the reason for this?"
"Oh, it was nothing, Mama," Anne said, with a laugh that sounded somewhat artificial even to Darcy's unpractised ears. "They were taking a tour of Rosings, and happened upon me in the sitting room."
"I rather fear we interrupted your correspondence," Darcy said, apologetically. He noticed, too late, the flash of white that crossed Anne's features, the tiniest shake of the head she deployed in his direction. "Then again," he continued, before Lady Catherine could take hold of the topic. "I might just as easily have been mistaken. I believe it was a book you were engaged in, not writing. I hope we did not spoil your enjoyment too much."
"No." Anne smiled gratefully at him. "Not at all. I was much better served by retiring for an hour to rest."
"Yes, you must rest, Anne," Lady Catherine said. "My poor daughter is so excited to have her cousins with her once more that she is prone to overlook her own needs."
Darcy did not respond to this. He had long fancied that Anne's ill-health, whilst serious, might be far more easily recovered from without Lady Catherine's overbearing efforts to control her.
"Miss Elizabeth is very fond of walking, cousin," he observed, after a few moments. "I am sure she would be very grateful if you would accompany her in touring the grounds. Perhaps tomorrow, should the weather hold?"
"A walk?" Lady Catherine asked, suspiciously. "Why, it is far too cold -"
"I would be delighted," Anne broke in. "You needn't worry, Mama, we shall ensure we are well protected against the wind. There is a lovely folly at the edge of the grounds -"
"I know it well!" Darcy said. "Recall, it was where Richard and I built our fort, and ably saw off the Martin children."
"They are all married now," Anne said, recalling the tenant children that they had played with as children. "Or almost all. George is not, but he -"
"He ran off to the war, foolish boy," Lady Catherine volunteered, stabbing at her meat as if it were the guilty party himself and not a particularly elegantly roast duck.
"He abandoned his family responsibilities to do so! Of course, he was injured, and came home with no fortune, no prospects, and is now a burden to the family he once thought himself too good for."
"That is not kind, Mama," Anne protested. "Captain Martin was very brave, and you recall, William, he wanted to go to sea even when we were children."
"That's true." Darcy nodded. "I am pleased he managed it, though sorry to hear of his misfortune." He glanced towards Colonel Fitzwilliam, wondering how different his life might look now, had he suffered a worse injury in the war. As it was, Darcy heard him wheezing and coughing in the early hours of the morning and deduced that despite his good spirits, his health was still not yet entirely recovered. "I wonder if we might visit Captain Martin, while we are here?"
"You visit him?" Lady Catherine gasped. "And what, pray, would you wish to do that for? What could you possibly have in common with a sailor?"
"We were once friends, Aunt. And his family have been tenants of Rosings for many years. It would not be at all improper to call on his house. I am sure the ladies would like to take a basket, once they hear of his misfortunate."
"Whose misfortune?" Richard asked, noting these last words.
Darcy prompted Anne, and she haltingly told the tale she had so recently recounted to Darcy.
"Poor fellow!" Richard said. "Let us call on him soon. I am sure he will be cheered to see us." His eyes met Mary's. "You do not mind?"
She shook her head, fervently, and Darcy felt his esteem for Richard's bride rise as she spoke.
"No, indeed! We must see if they need anything. Lizzy, do you think his sisters might care for some new hair-ribbons or some nations we might pool from our own belongings?"
"There is a book that, I have it on good authority, might be interesting enough to gentlemen as it is to ladies," Elizabeth volunteered, meeting Darcy's glance with a tentative smile. "Perhaps your friend would like to read it? I know that confinement can be trying for a man, particularly for one so previously accustomed to exercise."
"You are very kind, Miss Elizabeth."
They shared a single moment of silence where it seemed to Darcy as if a great swathe of words they could never manage to say to one another was communicated. The moment was brought to an abrupt end by Lady Catherine's loud, pointed cough.
"I would have invited you sooner, Fitzwilliam, had I the notion that you intended on bringing charity to all the poor families that live in the vicinity of Rosings. Mr Collins," she began, determined to change the subject swiftly and completely. "How do you fare at Hunsford? I trust not much has changed since your return?"
The conversation moved on, and when Darcy looked again at Elizabeth, her attention was on her plate, as she ably avoided Mr Collins' attempts to draw her into his conversation with Lady Catherine.