The marble steps of Rosings' front entrance were flawlessly polished. Darcy felt a stab of guilt that his muddied boots left tracks upon them, to be cleaned by a servant, no doubt.
A butler opened one of the large doors, his wig slightly askew and the buttons on his jacket improperly fastened. "Mr. Darcy," he bowed slightly.
"Good evening. Do not trouble yourself, I may find my way on my own. Pray, where is my Aunt?"
Directed to Lady Catherine's private study, Mr. Darcy entered the room without ceremony. Lady Catherine looked up from her newspaper, quite surprised.
"Darcy! It is nearly midnight. What brings you here in all this state?"
He bowed slightly. "Forgive me," his boots were muffled by the fine carpets under foot. "I bring news from Hertfordshire."
The woman folded the paper and set it neatly aside. "Of Collins' marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bennet? I know it is to have taken place today."
"Quite the opposite, madam. Miss Bennet has taken ill. She was unable to withstand the ceremony," he rested his hands upon the back of a large chaise. "I have heard Mr. Collins was quite put out by the matter. He was forceful in his demands of an explanation for her leave of the church."
"And why should he not be?" Her voice raised slightly and she gripped the arm rests of her chair. "How abominably inappropriate, for her to behave in such a way," she pursed her lips.
"It is widely known that she is a most headstrong young woman," he said, offhandedly. "However, I am not entirely sure she may be blamed for her illness."
Being corrected threw his Aunt into a huff. "Well of course she can! She should have paid better attention to her health! She should have seen a physician, was she feeling poorly. I have seen her walking all over whilst she visited Rosings. All of that exercise cannot be beneficial, for sure. I encourage Anne to get as little of the outdoors as possible, should she catch her death out there."
"Perhaps you are right," Darcy took in a deep breath, "And as for her attitude, it is my sincerest hope that her strong-willed tendencies do not transfer to her husband once they are married. Mr. Collins would be quite another person altogether."
It was obvious to Darcy that Lady Catherine thought hard about this statement.
He continued, "Miss Caroline Bingley and I considered at one time quitting our connections with the Bennet family altogether." He clasped his hands behind his back and turned toward the fireplace. "She said, 'Who would want to be associated with a penniless widow and her overbearing daughters?'"
"Yes," Lady Catherine's tone was slow and thoughtful, "I now wonder about Collins marrying the girl at all."
"Mr. Collins must, even now, face some shame at having the entail of the estate where they live. He cannot escape the association whilst he owns Longbourne."
The older woman's jaw set determinedly. "Bring me my writing desk, Fitzwilliam. This moment."
"Miss Elizabeth, will you come and play a duet with me?" Georgiana Darcy had been toying with the piano for a while, as Elizabeth read.
The young lady looked up and laughed. "And what makes you so sure I can play, Miss Darcy?"
"My brother says so! He heard you tell my Aunt you played when you were visiting Rosings," the girl grinned, "Please, Miss Elizabeth."
Standing, Lizzy marked her book and moved towards the piano forte. "I believe you must excuse the fact that my playing is hardly at the caliber of yours."
"Then perhaps I shall be able to help you improve," Georgiana made room on the piano bench for Elizabeth.
"If you can improve my techniques, you will be the most excellent teacher I ever saw." She sat as Mr. Bingley entered the room, followed by a servant with a tray for tea.
"A treat!" Bingley clapped his hands together. "A duet by two fine young ladies. I am exceedingly fond of duets." He seated himself.
"We will do our very best to please you, Mr. Bingley," Elizabeth laughed.
The two began playing, keeping the volume soft enough to allow for conversation.
"I suspect Darcy will return this afternoon," Bingley commented. "I am sure the two of you have grown tired of my company. Mr. Darcy is always in good humor these days, and I think you should be ready to have new conversation." His eyes moved to Elizabeth.
She avoided the gaze. "What sort of business did Mr. Darcy conduct last evening, Mr. Bingley? How can Lady Catherine do anything to assist my situation? And why would she?" Lizzy asked.
Miss Darcy corrected one of Elizabeth's fingerings with a gentle tap. "My Aunt is rather dependent upon the curate of her parish."
Mr. Bingley gave an impish sort of smirk, a look Elizabeth had rarely seen on the gentleman. "Darcy's powers of persuasion can be…quite influential, Miss Elizabeth. Even upon his dear Aunt."
"I know that to be so, Mr. Bingley, for I believe that once, you were so persuaded by him as to quit Netherfield for a time," Lizzy eyed him between glances at the sheet music.
A blush rose to Bingley's visage. He cleared his throat, "Upon greater reflection, Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy found his attitude to be inappropriate."
Elizabeth pressed an incorrect key and the ladies laughed together.
"My return to Netherfield is at the urging of my friend, this time."
"Yes," said Georgiana, "For the both of them, I fear, had left their hearts in Hertfordshire."
One side of the duet ceased. Elizabeth looked at Mr. Bingley. "My sister?"
She knew the question to be imprudent, for who was she to question a young man's regard. The color upon Mr. Bingley's cheeks spread across the bridge of his nose and reddened further.
"When you are supposedly healed," he said softly, "I hope it will be within my power to beg for Miss Bennet's forgiveness."
Her heart swelled for Jane, who had been so forlorn since hearing of the party's removal from Netherfield. To have her sister with Mr. Bingley! It would be the greatest joy in the world.
"And my brother," Georgiana sighed as she played, smiling dreamily, "Will hopefully make similar apologies. I do so hope to have my dear sister-in-law by Michaelmas."
It was Elizabeth's turn to flush with embarrassment.
