Ahhhhhh. So sorry, messed up chapters, deleted by accident. Eeeeek. Mean to delete from my document manager. Whoops. Sorry I've had to go through and reload all of the chapters, you'll of all had loads of notifications but hey are just the same chapters. I'm so sorry!
its been a long tiring weekend and had some bad family news so been really lax. Was gonna sort a few minor issues out then post another chapter, read reviews etc.. And I end up mucking it all up! Oops. So sorry.
thanks for the reviews. So many over the weekend. Love them. Some people unhappy that Georgiana has got off so lightly. I think Darcy would have done what he could to protect her, and this seemed the best way from his point of view. I appreciate that's just my take. But Lydia got similar treatment from him, and she wasn't even his sister (yet)
anyway, happy to watch the debate on the reviews or feel free to pm if you wanna discuss my choices more.
here's another chapter to make up for my stupidity! ;)
Chapter 11
Elizabeth and Jane left the following day, she was recovered and they did not wish to impose longer and so they requested, and were granted, the use of the Bingley carriage. Mrs Bennet was none too please to see them, having planned they should stay longer, but there was nothing to be done.
Mr Darcy was pleased by the removal, he was beginning to think he was paying Elizabeth too much attention. He found her delightful, fun, witty and kind hearted. Not qualities he had previously thought to look for in a wife. However now he was thinking about marriage, prompted by his concern over the potential succession of Pemberley. He did not want Wickham children inheriting his father's house, and so he thought more about what type of person he wished to spend his life with rather than the usual accomplishments and fortune that were required of a gentleman of his standing.
He liked Elizabeth and found her conversation stimulating and her face and figure were exceedingly pleasing. Did he love her? He contemplated the thought for most of that evening and the following week found him thinking of her as he woke in the morning and all sorts of inconvenient times of the day.
He certainly liked her a good deal, but that was all he was willing to admit for now.
.
The next day Mr Bennet announced the arrival of Mr Collins. He read aloud a letter from the gentleman and Elizabeth was much diverted by the comments within. None of the ladies, excepting Mary, felt that this new addition to the household was likely to bring much of interest.
He arrived and their fears were confirmed. He was neither sensible nor handsome. The younger girls decided within half an hour that he was not worth listening to. The older girls were polite enough not to show such poor manners. Only Mary retained any actual interest. It was to be a long few weeks.
.
"Cousin Elizabeth"
Elizabeth turned, drawn out of her conversation with Jane about the uncommonly warm weather and if it might mean neighbours could visit when they had previously been kept at home. Code for Jane asking if Elizabeth felt Mr Bingley might call.
She looked across the lawn, Mr Collins was hurrying to where she was stood, his face was red and his breath was short, even though he had only moved from the house, where he had been conversing with her mother. Elizabeth frowned slightly at the smug look on her mother's face, what had they been discussing? A cold feeling settled in her at her cousins next words.
"Would you do me the honour of walking with me in to town?"
It turned out that all the Bennet ladies, barring their mother and Mary were to walk. Elizabeth was Mr collins' conversational partner, although she did not find there was much burden of conversation on her. It gave her time to think and unfortunately she came to the conclusion that Mr Collins had singled her out as his choice of bride. She desperately thought of ways to discourage him but could not think of any that were not abominably rude. She signed and nodded at another mention of Lady Catherine and quickened her pace.
"Denny!"
"Lydia" Elizabeth hissed "lower your voice, you are not a fishwife"
Lydia only laughed and stepped towards the officers
"What a good joke, how was town?"
"Not terribly amusing" Denny answered with a bow and a smile.
"Shall you come to our Aunt Phillips this evening?"
"Indeed I shall"
"Look Jane" Kitty interrupted "it is Mr Bingley "
Jane and Elizabeth turned and saw the two magnificent horses approaching. Jane's face lit up in a smile and Elizabeth could not decide where to look, should she look at Mr Darcy? The gentlemen dismounted and offered to walk with the ladies. Jane, of course fell in to step with Mr Bingley and Darcy placed himself by Elizabeth but was unhappy to note that the short clergyman seemed to step closer to her other side. An awkward conversation ensued until they had left the edges of town, on their way back home again.
"Did you not have a purpose for the trip to town?" Elizabeth turned to Mr Darcy after a few moments of silence
"I believe my friend has adequately fulfilled his purpose"
Elizabeth grinned "I see, and you are the biddable companion?"
Mr Darcy quirked an eyebrow, but Elizabeth could see he was amused "indeed"
"Mr Darcy" Mr Collins suddenly exclaimed, even though they had been introduced ten minutes prior.
Darcy looked confused and did not deign to answer.
"Of Pemberley"
"That is my estate sir"
Mr Collins turned to Elizabeth, his countenance betraying something between excitement and anxiousness.
"My dear Miss Elizabeth, we must walk with your sister. This gentleman is involved in a scandal of the worst kind. Terrible as it has brought scandal on the noble house of de Bourgh. My patroness will not be pleased to hear that I am walking with such a man, you must come away. Tis not right for a gentlewoman to walk with such a man"
Elizabeth could have laughed at the absurdity. Either Mr Collins had no idea of the nature of the scandal, after all he was speaking as if Mr Darcy was some kind of libertine, or he was too blinded by the idea of a scandal touching his beloved patroness that he did not care the manner of it.
Elizabeth could see Mr Darcy was angry, but already was retreating inside his shell.
"Mr Collins. Mr Darcy is a good friend of our excellent new neighbour Mr Bingley. You will not insult him so. If you wish to walk elsewhere that is your choice however you have no command over myself nor am I likely to acquiesce to such a request."
With that she increased her pace, Darcy easily keeping stride, and Mr Collins was left panting and blustering.
"Mr Darcy, I apologise for my cousins rude words." She would of gone on but Darcy held up a hand to stop her.
"My thanks for your spirited defence Miss Elizabeth, you have no need to apologise"
They reached the house moments after and waited on the rest of the party.
Mr Collins was first around the corner, sweaty and red faced again.
"Cousin Elizabeth" his voice was somewhere between stern and pleading "your maidenly sensibilities are not aware of the danger posed by scandal. I will talk to your father about your behaviour and he will correct it I am sure"
Mr Darcy did look angry now.
"Actually Mr Collins, I am going to see Mr Bennet myself. Your ... " he paused, searching for the correct word and injecting just the right amount of disdain in his voice "entreaty, can wait for a half hour"
Darcy turned and strode in to the house, Elizabeth only hesitated a minute before following. In the hall she turned as if to move the other way when Darcy called her and invited her to join him.
"I would not like to impose" Elizabeth said, whilst burning with curiosity.
Darcy merely held his arm, indicating she should pre-creed him down the passage to Mr Bennet's book room.
.
"What can I do for you sir?" Mr Bennet's tone was laconic but Elizabeth could see the spark of interest.
"I am to understand that you have a Mr Collins staying with you"
"Ah" Mr Bennet chuckled "the dreaded heir, yes he is staying, and providing infinite amusement I must say"
"He is not happy with our associating with Mr Darcy" Elizabeth interjected
"How so? What can he have to say on the matter?"
"Lady Catherine is my aunt," Darcy took up the narrative "she was unhappy with my choices over the summer and has let as many people as possible know of her displeasure. Your cousin, her parson, likely has received many a lecture on the subject of my family's disgrace and was quite vocal about not consorting with me."
"I see"
"I thought to explain the situation to yourself"
Mr Bennet looked at Mr Darcy closely "there is no need for that sir, I assure you we give as much credence to Mr Collins' words as the next person, anyone can see he is a fool."
"Still, if you will permit me I should like to explain"
Mr Bennet made a gesture and Darcy began his story.
...
"So she is now living on an old estate to the west, the place is respectable and may earn well if tended correctly and given time and attention. It is hard work and they are both adjusting but doing remarkably well. Lady Catherine insisted I drop the connection but I cannot do that to my only sister. She was very vocal about her belief in my actions being too generous, she believed they needed to be taught more of a lesson for their behaviour. I believe that the hard work and responsibility may improve Mr Wichkam, although at this stage it may be more of a hope than belief. My sister finds herself somewhat overwhelmed by her new position and is well aware of the gravity of her actions, but is determined to do the best with it."
He paused, gazing in to the middle distance for a moment before focussing back on Mr Bennet and continuing.
"My position in the ton is in question, although likely given enough time I shall be restored. My wealth is enough to buy my way back in to good favour. However many will still shun me, my sister is unlikely to be allowed back in society, she sees that as no great loss. I have to admit that my position is not all that important as I have no children, in twenty years I am confident things will have changed."
Elizabeth was staring at her hands. Her heart gone out to the fifteen year old now having to be mistress of her home, likely cut by her friends, and the brother that will stand by her regardless. She felt her heart slip a little further away, towards the gentleman beside her. She sighed, realising that she had likely lost it completely.
Mr Bennet shot her a curious look after her sigh but turned to Mr Darcy.
"Well that is quite a story sir, almost disappointing in its lack of scandal. Your sister is married and they are respectable land owners, I am certain there will be more interesting news by the end of the season. If you should chose to re-enter society. Why anyone would is beyond me, eh Lizzie?"
He chuckled and Lizzie smiled.
"I can assure you sir that the society hereabouts are unlikely to be concerned with such a story, I am surprised the details have been kept out. The hint of the story is far worse than the story itself"
Darcy looked a little shocked at such a pronouncement, the ton would not agree, but country standards were different to that of town.
"Is there anything you would like for me to do with this information?"
"No sir, I just felt you should know given Mr Collins, who will likely tell his side of the story. Well Lady Catherine's side"
Mr Bennet chuckled again "I look forward to correcting him, with your permission of course"
Darcy nodded, rising, and the gentlemen shook hands. Elizabeth curtseyed and Darcy left to retrieve Mr Bingley and ride back to Netherfield.