Chapter 14:
Elizabeth's first week in Hunsford passed on splendidly. She learned her favorite parts of the park and was assured by Lady Catherine that she had permission to walk on her gardens, after exclaiming that it would not do good for her complexion to spend too much time in the sun. By the time Sir Lucas and Maria had arrived, Elizabeth had fallen into an easy routine. They had already dined twice by Lady Catherine, who seemed intrigued by Mrs. Collin's pretty and intelligent guest.
Much to Mr. Collin's dismay, who was looking forward to boasting to his father in law, they were not invited to dine by Lady Catherine until a week after, where a messenger came from Rosings requesting their presence for supper for that very evening. Elizabeth found it quite rude how Lady Catherine would dispense invitations as demands, as if they were eagerly waiting in their drawing rooms, and if she were honest, Mr. Collins probably was.
Lizzie got dressed in the nicest dress she had brought, though Mr. Collins graciously assured her it would still rightfully maintain social standing, and they set out, on foot, to Rosings.
As they approached the drawing room, they could hear voices talking. It was usually only Lady Catherine, her sickly daughter, and her companion. And they sounded like men…
The doors opened and the men stood up, one in utter shock.
"Miss Elizabeth" he spluttered, regaining his composure. He looked white as a ghost and then colored, a slight blush on his cheeks. His cousin, who had likewise stood up and had an easy countenance, smirked when he noticed Darcy's behavior.
"Mr. Darcy" said Miss Elizabeth, curtsying, "It is nice to see you again"
"The pleasure is all mine" he said, walking closer and bowing his head in greeting.
"You know my nephew?" asked Lady Catherine in her demanding voice, she was still sitting and was now craning her neck to look at this peculiar encounter.
"We became acquainted in Hertfordshire this past Autumn" responded Elizabeth, sitting down, once Lady Catherine motioned for her to. The men likewise sat and introductions were made. They were now a large party, in comparison to the previous week, for Sir Lucas, Maria, Mr. Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam were now in addition.
Colonel Fitzwilliam thought Miss Bennet to be very pretty and loved watching his cousin do his best to avoid looking at her. Oh how fun he could have! Before his fun could begin, supper was announced and Mr. Darcy did not lose a moment before offering his hand to Miss Bennet, who looked up in surprised but pleasure. She did not know why a becoming blush spread on her cheeks, but she did know that Lady Catherine was eying them suspiciously.
After the soup course, Lady Catherine began with her usual interrogations, suggestions, and demands. She was to be a part of every conversation and know every detail that was being conversed. Lizzie was aware of this and simply ate her soup in silence, unaware that there were a pair of eyes watching her with a mixture of pain and pleasure.
"Miss Elizabeth" said Lady Catherine, demanding her attention. Lizzie reluctantly put down her spoon, for she knew her chance at finishing her soup hot was now over. "Do you play the piano?"
"Not well" said Lizzie impishly.
"Do any of your sisters?"
"One" she answered.
"I am sure you are not that bad, your father has a good enough income that you could have had some masters" she exclaimed, Mr. Collin's nodding alongside. "I would like you to play for us when return to the drawing room."
"If it pleases her Ladyship" she said Elizabeth, taking every stride with humor, for she knew that although she was ostentatious, Lady Catherine was harmless.
"You may come practice here whenever you'd like Miss Elizabeth, during your stay, there is a piano in the back of the house that you may use-you will not be in anyone's way in that part of the house" she said, returning to her soup. Lizzie thought she saw Mr. Darcy color, as if embarrassed by his relations.
The rest of the meal passed on in similar fashion, but Lizzie was allowed to eat in silence and was merely entertained by the conversation. Sir Lucas and Maria were too scared to say anything, Mr. Darcy brooded in silence, and Colonel Fitzwilliam engaged them in all in pleasant conversation, when his aunt was not domineering.
When the men joined the ladies in the drawing room, Lady Catherine insisted Miss Elizabeth play the piano for them and Mr. Darcy volunteered to turn her pages for her. Lizzie raised an eyebrow in shock, but felt a butterfly in her stomach at the excitement of having him close by.
"Do you mean to intimidate me?" whispered Lizzie, sitting down on the piano and touching the keys softly with her hands.
"Is my presence intimidating?" whispered Mr. Darcy, sending a shiver down her spine.
"I am not easily intimidated Mr. Darcy" said Elizabeth, she took a deep breath, "Are you ready?" He smiled, turned the page and she began playing. She could feel his warmth close to her and though she tried concentrating on the song in front of her, she could not help but take glances at him, who was intently looking at her. It was only the footsteps of Colonel Fitzwilliam that interrupted their silent conversation.
"Miss Bennet, you play beautifully" said Colonel Fitzwilliam, noticing his cousin's angry glare for interrupting.
"I thank you, Colonel, though I am sure you are exaggerating" answered Lizzie, thankful for the interruption for having Mr. Darcy too close was a sensation she could not place. Her head had begun to feel lightheaded and her heart was fluttering too much.
"Pray, tell me your impression of my cousin, I do not have the pleasure of seeing how he does among strangers" teased the Colonel. Lizzie played a chord beautifully and then answered.
"He was the perfect gentleman" she answered truthfully, "Though perhaps a bit shy, he did dance when me when he was coerced to by Mr. Bingley." She saw Mr. Darcy smile and his gaze bore through her.
"I see" said the Colonel, thankful for Lady Catherine's loud rebuke.
"What are you speaking of?" she bellowed, nervous and likewise intrigued by the obvious regard her cousin had for Mrs. Collin's pretty friend. Lady Catherine was aware of Mr. Darcy's atrocious engagement and though she knew that he was not interested in marrying her Anne, she would not allow him to ruin the Darcy bloodline by marrying someone in trade!
"I was complimenting Miss Elizabeth's playing—it is very soothing" said the Colonel, turning towards his aunt.
"Yes, it is not as bad as you made it seem, Miss Elizabeth, you really should practice more" said Lady Catherine, begrudgingly complimenting her, for she loathed to compliment anyone other than herself.
"Thank you, Lady Catherine" said Elizabeth with a smirk on her face. Mr. Darcy looked at her and they both smiled, and then quietly returned to the piano.
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Jane walked into Mr. Weston's unassuming house, admiring its beauty. It was the same size as the Gardiner residence. It was nicely decorated, with neutral tones and hues. As Jane turned to look at the entrance room, she could feel Mr Weston's striking green eyes watching her, she could imagine what he was thinking. If only he were not so handsome and striking, she could have concentrated better but she found she forgot to breath when he looked at her so intently.
"Welcome Miss Bennet, and pray what do you think of my humble abode?" he asked, a smirk on his face. He could not understanding his fascination with Miss Bennet but he knew that there was more to her than met the eye.
Jane smiled.
"I was sizing you up Mr. Weston, the house seems charming, though you do not need to try so hard to seem uninterested in money, the propriety alone gives you away" she answered, in a sweet but teasing voice. She surprised herself by how easy it was so be so straightforward with him and he was likewise pleased.
"I appreciate the honesty" he said, taking her hand and bowing his head. "Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, welcome, my mother will be down shortly, she was delayed with Emily."
"But of course" said Mrs. Gardiner, "We are very thankful for your invitation"
"The pleasure is all mine, please do sit down" he said, motioning to the couches in the drawing room. Mrs. Weston walked in shortly after.
"Miss Jane Bennet" she said, after being properly introduced, "Welcome, I have heard a lot about you" she said, looking at her son with a twinkle in her eye. "It seems you have a way with our dearest baby girl."
Jane blushed becomingly.
"It was but a few minutes" said Miss Bennet, "Though I did find her very adorable"
"That, she is" said Mrs. Weston approvingly, she could see her son shift uncomfortably and Miss Bennet's nervous encounter. So this was the girl who had caught her son's interest. It was with that thought that she invited them all into the dining room.
"I hope you do not mind, we will be dining in the small dining room, it is more intimate" said Mr. Weston, offering his hand to Miss Bennet to take her into the dining room.
For someone who is not interested in acting like a gentleman, you do act like one, thought Jane, smiling.
"And pray, what has brought that smile on your face?" he asked.
"I wonder why you are trying so hard to not be seen as a gentleman when the meaning can have many forms, it is not only men who own estates that can be gentleman, it is a way of carrying themselves" said Jane, looking at him. Their arms were still linked and neither could ignore the feeling that it brought.
"I have seen many so called gentlemen act in ways that were immoral and disgraceful, I do not want to be associated with the ton that pretends to be one thing and is truly the other" he said.
"Just because there are those that act incorrectly, it does not mean that there are those worthy of such a title or that act becomingly. I think you are doing them and yourself an injustice, Mr. Weston" said Jane thoughtfully. She loved that he encouraged her to think and welcomed her thoughts.
"I like you" he said, blurting it out before he could think it through. "I will not pretend to be something that I am not and I am interested in knowing you better, all of you" he said, the last words causing a blush to spread becomingly on her cheeks. Before she could answer, Mrs. Weston called their attention and showed them each where they were to be seated.
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I am SO excited with this story that I cannot stop writing! I love love love giving Jane another chance, someone better, but I haven't ruled out Mr. Bingley making an entrance. I think closure is important and they will have to meet...even if eventually. So now we are at rosings...we need caroline to get there and let the fun begin!