Ok, I feel a renewed sense of inspiration, though my Pirates story will suffer for this. Oh well! On with the story!
Chapter 28
The hope that Colonel Fitzwilliam had of not being completely alone with his Aunt had faded away as day after day the residents from the parsonage were not asked to dine over. The days were much too long and Fitzwilliam and Darcy evaded their Aunt and cousin by walking or riding on the rounds. Fitzwilliam preferred a nearby footpath while Darcy chose a riding path further away from the house, where upon he had a chance meeting with Elizabeth.
"Good day, sir." She said a little startled, and bowed.
Darcy nodded his head and asked how Mrs. and Mr. Collins were.
"They are both very well." Elizabeth said rather crisply. "And how is her Ladyship and the others at Rosings?"
"Fine...fine."
"I often go walking along this path, Lady Catherine gave me permission to traverse the grounds upon our first meeting."
Darcy said a farewell, then headed down the lane. He couldn't help but notice the similarities between Elizabeth and Miss Ashbourne, though the more he was in Elizabeth's presence the differences became much more bold. Yes, Darcy had thought of Miss Ashbourne. She was everything he could ever want in a wife. Social standing and good breeding, even if her Mother might have been a maid. Then why could he not get Elizabeth off his mind.
Easter was drawing closer and on the day before, those at Rosings were seated around Lady Catherine in seeming adoration while she dispensed with the wisdom of the ages until Fitzwilliam dared to interrupt when his Aunt took a breath.
"Lady Catherine," He said, almost smiling at the startled expression on her face. "I couldn't help notice the absence of the Collins's and their guests. Would it not be proper to invite Mr. Collins and his company over for supper tomorrow?"
All eyes turned to Lady Catherine. She had just been speaking about good deeds and how it was rarely seen these days. She really had no use for the Collins' when her nephews were here. She especially did not want that Elizabeth creature around to distract the men from her own daughter. But it would look rather unkind to not extend the invitation. So, tomorrow after church, Mr. Collins was asked if he and his guests would come and dine at Rosings, which was excessively accepted by the gentleman.
"I intend to have every bit of fun as I can while I am here." Roger had said to Darcy as they walked down the stairs to the dining room. "That Elizabeth Bennet is a lively creature and I am looking forward to knowing her better."
Darcy frowned at this remark but knew he could not forbid the acquaintance. What reason would he have? None. They were both adults with firm heads on their shoulders and very sensible. What if they both took a fancy to each other? Would Roger Fitzwilliam marry a woman without money? Would Elizabeth marry a man without money? Before he had been worried Mr. Collins had married Elizabeth and now he was worrying about Roger marrying her. Mentally upbraiding himself for his follies, he entered the dining room after Roger.
Chapter 29
After supper the party retired to the sitting room where Roger led Elizabeth to a corner and engaged her attentions.
"Darcy, come sit with Anne." Lady Catherine said, taking his gaze from the couple.
Darcy sat next to his cousin who looked up at him with those sickly eyes and pale lips. He couldn't stand how much he was being pushed to marrying Anne by his Aunt. His Mother had mentioned once or twice that it had been a fantasy of the two ladies that one day their estates would be united by such a marriage, but it seemed Lady Catherine took those fantasies for future realities.
While Lady Catherine talked, with a few agreements coming from Mr. Collins, Darcy's attention was solely on Roger and Elizabeth. They both looked happy with whatever topic they were discussing, both animated in their speeches. How he wished he could bring out that excitement in Elizabeth's features himself. Lady Catherine noticed the lack of attention coming from Darcy and decided to do something about it.
"What is it you two are talking of?" Lady Catherine called, getting Roger's attention.
"We were speaking of music, Aunt." He replied a little upset to be interrupted.
"Ah, music!" Lady Catherine exclaimed. "Let us all speak of the topic for it is one subject that never ceases to delight me. There are very few people who share my love of music as much as I, I must have a stake in this conversation. I would have been a great pianist if I had learnt. As so would Anne, if she had the strength." Lady Catherine looked at Darcy here. "How is Georgianna at the piano forte?"
"She is doing quite well, though just starting to learn." He said, taking a few moments to realize it was him who was addressed.
"You must tell her to practice constantly, as I have told Miss Bennet, whom we have had the pleasure to hear. I have even given her permission to practice on the piano forte in Mrs. Jenkinson's room, for she would not be in the way in that part of the house."
Darcy felt ashamed at his Aunt making such a remark. He could see Elizabeth's eyes dance with amusement. It was then that Roger asked Elizabeth to play at the piano and he led her to the instrument, sitting next to her on the bench, turning the pages while she played. Darcy couldn't take much more of his Aunt's incessant prattle and stood up and walked over to the piano where he stood in plain view.
"Do you mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth looked up during a short pause in the music. "I tell you it will not work for every intimidation only makes me more courageous, though your sister does play so well."
"I shall not say you are mistaken," Darcy said in reply. "Because I know you do not mean it, though you are quite fond of repeating the opinions of others."
Elizabeth looked shocked and turned towards Roger, "Your cousin would teach you not to believe a thing I say. Alas, Mr. Darcy dares to expose my true nature in a part of the world where I expressly wished to pass myself off with some credit. It is very unkind of him to speak of instances that have happened in Hertfordshire, for it would provoke me to speak of those things of you, Mr. Darcy, which might shock your cousin."
"I am not afraid," Darcy smiled, feeling a certain warmth spread throughout his body at having her eyes on him, the smell of roses about him.
"Pray, do tell!" Roger said, laughing. "I am dying to know how he acts amongst strangers."
"You shall know, then, that the first time I ever laid eyes on Mr. Darcy was at a ball where he refused to stand up more than four times, though there were few gentlemen and more than one lady was in want of a partner. You cannot deny that, Mr. Darcy."
"At that time I had not the acquaintance of any young lady there, besides those with whom I stood up with."
"True: I suppose no one can be introduced at a ball." Elizabeth's eyes danced with mischievousness. "Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what shall I play next. My fingers stand at command."
"Perhaps," Darcy said before Roger could make a suggestion. "If I had judged better I would have sought an introduction, but I feel I am ill qualified to recommend myself."
"Shall we ask your cousin," Elizabeth said to Roger, "Why he feels that a man of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is ill qualified?"
"It is because he will not go through the trouble." Roger stated.
"I do not converse easily with others." Darcy said, feeling slightly betrayed by his cousin. "I do not have the talent which requires an appearance of interest, as I have often seen done."
"I myself," Elizabeth said looking straight into Darcy's eyes. "Do not play this instrument as well as I should like, but I always felt it my own fault because I did not take the time to practice. I do not believe my fingers are inferior to any other ladies."
Before Darcy had a chance to come up with a reply Lady Catherine called from where she was sitting that she demanded to know what was being said. Neither Elizabeth, nor Roger, especially not Darcy, gave an answer. Elizabeth began playing a piece that Roger put in front of her and Lady Catherine came to see what was going on between the three of them. At length she spoke to Darcy.
"Miss Elizabeth would play better if she practiced or had a London master, as I keep telling her. Her fingering is good, though her taste is nowhere equal to Anne's, who has exquisite taste."
Darcy retreated to a seat far away from any of the party and sat moodily, staring at Roger and Elizabeth, forced to listen to his Aunt's criticisms and hopes of matrimony between himself and Anne. When the carriage was called for to take the guests home, Darcy headed straight to his room, not waiting for Roger at all.
Chapter 30
Darcy awoke the next morning after having gone over the scene of the night before in his head until he fell asleep. Was it possible that Roger had turned to courting Elizabeth? He had never mentioned the desire for a wife. He always had Amy to take care of him and in whom he took care of. He could not support a wife and family, he well knew, so what was he playing at?
The breakfast room was surprisingly empty. Mrs. Jenkinson alone was seated at the table and informed Darcy that Anne, feeling fatigued from the night before, could not rise this morning and Lady Catherine had gone into town on some business. When asked where Colonel Fitzwilliam was, Mrs. Jenkinson confessed she did not know, but that he left rather early.
Left. Rather early. Dared he to go to the parsonage? To Elizabeth? Forgetting about the hunger gnawing at his insides Darcy prepared himself to leave rather hastily. Not wanting to bother with getting the horse ready for the ride, Darcy went on foot to the Parsonage and rang the bell. He was let in by a maid who said she would inform the ladies of his arrival. Darcy tried calming his breathing before the maid came back and led him to the back of the house and an open door.
He was prepared to greet the household, but was astonished to see Elizabeth alone standing in the room, who looked equally astonished at seeing him there.
"It was my understanding all the ladies were within." Darcy explained.
"Please, sit." Elizabeth said, sitting herself. "And how is her Ladyship?"
"I confess I do not know, for I have not seen her this morning."
Silence permeated the room. Darcy's mission was to come here and discern Roger's intentions towards Elizabeth, but finding Elizabeth and himself alone in a room rendered him speechless. Elizabeth, however, soon found a topic to discuss.
"It was rather sudden, you leaving Netherfield. We had not expected the entire party to follow Mr. Bingley into London. I trust you left him and his sisters well?"
Darcy, not remembering how he left anybody in London, replied, "I suppose...yes—thank you."
There was a short pause before Elizabeth continued.
"I have come to the understanding that Mr. Bingley does not mean to return to Netherfield."
"He has never said so, though I do believe those are his intentions. He is making new friends every day and it is hard to leave London at the time."
"Then if he has no intentions of returning it would be better for the entire neighborhood if he were to sell Netherfield, for then we might get a family to settle there."
"I would not be surprised if he did quit Netherfield."
Darcy was not at all comfortable with this subject, knowing it was his own doing that Bingley would most likely never return to Netherfield. He was waiting for Elizabeth to continue it, but she instead sat in silence, probably waiting for him to come up with a new topic.
"This seems a comfortable house," Darcy said looking around the small sitting room. "I believe Lady Catherine had made many improvements to it when Mr. Collins arrived."
"Yes, I am told as much," Elizabeth smiled. "She could not have bestowed her kindness on a more grateful person."
"Mr. and Mrs. Collins seem very fortunate to have married each other."
"Yes," Elizabeth started, "He has married one of the few sensible women I know, and at first I did not think it a wise decision, but in a prudential light it was very wise indeed."
"She must be very happy with her situation and having settled so close to her family."
"Close!" Elizabeth nearly shouted. "It is nearly fifty miles."
"Yes, fifty miles of good roads, perhaps half a days journey. It is very close."
"At second reckoning I suppose the journey is an advantage."
"I suppose to you anything beyond Longbourn would be too far." Darcy said with a smile.
"A girl could be situated too near her family, I suppose." Elizabeth paused, thinking of Jane and Netherfield. "But to one with little income, a long distance would be an impossible journey, as such is the case with Mrs. Collins."
Darcy thought of the distance between Longbourn and Pemberly. It was longer than fifty miles and though he had considerable means, the journey would not be considered easy. He drew his chair closer to Elizabeth, eager to know the answer to his next question. "You cannot always want to be near Longbourn?" Feeling slightly embarrassed at seeing a light blush come across Elizabeth's cheeks, he drew away, hoping she'd not interpret the question as he intended it.
"Are you pleased with Kent?" He asked, hoping to divert her thoughts.
The conversation from thence onward was of such trivial things that neither one really took time to think about their answers. They talked of the country and the local town and the weather they were enjoying. It wasn't long before Charlotte and Maria arrived home and finding the two alone. Darcy excused himself and left the Parsonage.
"Damn her!" He repeated over and over in his head. Did he not have the intentions of marrying Miss Ashbourne? Was she not the woman to whom he secretly pledged his affections? Why then was he trying to prevent Elizabeth from marrying anyone? Why did he have to ask such personal questions?
He vowed, then and there, to never see Elizabeth again. His vow was unashamedly broken the next time Roger announced he would be visiting with those at the Parsonage. Darcy almost always accompanied his cousin, studied the two of them, never participated in any conversation for fear he would miss one action, one glance that would betray their feelings for each other.
Never quite understanding his cousins intentions he seemed at times a man in love, and at others a man desperately seeking some relief of the boredom that came with visiting Rosings. Even his Aunt sometimes came with them to the Parsonage, perhaps to break up the monotony. Darcy was not at all aware that someone else was studying him. Mrs. Collins often glanced his way and noticed his staring at the couple in question. It wasn't long before she believed him in love, having understood his heart more than he himself did.