A/N: Elizabeth, Charlotte and Maria Lucas and her father, Sir William have just arrived at Rosings Park.
"Oh, Lady Catherine has all the servants waiting for us!" Maria Lucas whispered as the coach slowed in the drive in front of the neat line of uniformed staff. "How dreadful!"
"Lady Catherine hails from a more formal generation. Be polite, dear. We are her guests," her father, Sir William said. As the coach crunched to a stop on the drive, the wide front entrance doors opened and a mature man with a proud expression in a fine dark suit made his way down the steps.
"Oh," Maria said, clearly awed as she stepped down from the steps of the carriage.
"Sir William," the man nodded and bowed. "I am Mr. Sinclair, Lady Catherine's butler. She is resting but will join you all for dinner tonight. She asked me to show you to your rooms."
They followed Sinclair into the vast entrance of Rosings, and Maria gaped at the great arching ceiling splashed with colorful Biblical scenes across it.
Rosings was a proud, ancient home with superior rooms that were carefully and expensively constructed, and Elizabeth could appreciate the original columns and lines of the house. But the interior was overstuffed with every bit of flourish that might be added to the room. Everywhere a pleasing line and well-built corner existed was ruined by the rich gildings of gold paint or flocks of peacock feathers, statues of golden birds, or stuffed wild animals in frozen various states of attack. It gave one a queasy, busy feeling, Elizabeth noticed as she was shown to her room. Gold upon gold! It looked as though a miser cursed with the golden touch lived there and had accidentally turned half the room's contents into glinting yellow.
Thankfully the vast bed chamber Charlotte, Maria and Elizabeth would share was less overwrought, although the corners of the room were covered in gilt painted lines. The same was true of the sitting room they were asked to gather in before dinner. The ceilings were very high and painted with Biblical scenes of floating angels on the walls and ceiling.
Maria gasped as they entered. The frowning classical seraphim on the walls and dozen flickering candles made the room dark and foreboding. In the center, an older woman in a jewel-colored gown waited for them, her grey hair swept up in a high style. This must be Lady Catherine. She studied them as they walked in. Mr. Collins was already there and he stepped forward. "Allow me to introduce Lady Catherine de Bourgh."
Sir William bowed deeply to her.
"My daughters Miss Charlotte and Miss Maria Lucas."
"Charlotte Lucas. You are a tall girl," Lady Catherine said. Charlotte smiled gamely but seemed to shrink down an inch at this.
Finally, Collins introduced Elizabeth.
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet, you are the one Mr. Collins goes on about." She nodded. "Yes, a pretty sort of girl," she said, studying Elizabeth's face and then her figure. "But very slight. Country girls are usually healthier."
Elizabeth felt herself color. Of course, Mr. Collins had been discussing her with Lady Catherine. That should not be a surprise. And somehow, already, she had been found lacking. She dreaded the conversation with Mr. Collins she had ahead of her.
"Lady Catherine, it is a pleasure to meet you," Elizabeth said automatically. Mr. Collins simpered proudly as though she were his pet.
"Mr. Collins has told me your father is ailing."
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, Ma'am."
"You must have your physician apply leeches. It makes all the difference for Anne's health, does it not, my dear?" Lady Catherine turned her head in the direction of a slight, dark-haired girl to her left. Elizabeth hid her surprise at the girl's red-rimmed eyes and sallow complexion. If leeches were responsible for her health, Elizabeth would have no part of it.
"Thank you, Ma'am, but my mother is not fond of leaching. She refuses to have it in her house."
Lady Catherine's mouth tightened with displeasure. "It is not for her, but rather the patient."
Elizabeth smiled cheerfully. "She is quite stubborn and will brook no argument on the matter."
"That is preposterous. I so dislike it when people have made up their minds on topics before they are properly informed."
Near her, Mr. Collin's smile deflated. He looked worried. "Cousin, perhaps you should make her take your father's health more seriously."
Elizabeth recalled how Mr. Collins squirmed with discomfort when leaches were mentioned when her father first took ill, but did not say so.
"I will pass on your advice, Ma'am," Elizabeth simply said.
"Yes. Good," the great lady said and Collins nodded vigorously. Elizabeth swallowed. She feared the visit would be more difficult than she had anticipated.
A uniformed footman entered the door behind them and stood at attention. "Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam," he announced.
"Ah, finally, they have arrived," Lady Catherine said, turning to the group before her. "You shall meet my nephews."
Elizabeth stood, shocked at the mention of his name. Mr. Darcy? What might he be doing here?
The door opened further and the two gentlemen entered, a Colonel in military uniform first, and then Mr. Darcy, taller, with a straighter back, and darker hair. Elizabeth wished she might melt into the ground and disappear. Each planted a respectful kiss on their aunt's cheek, and then Mr. Darcy glanced at their group. His eyes widened when he saw Elizabeth, although he seemed to school his expression quickly.
"You have taken your time," Lady Catherine said. "I expected you yesterday."
The Colonel smiled at his aunt. "It couldn't be helped. The road was washed out near the inn where we stayed. We are lucky we arrived when we did."
"Harumph," Lady Catherine said. "But you have arrived in time to meet my guests."
Darcy fell back behind his aunt and his cousin and looked glumly at them all. Elizabeth briefly wondered if he'd been sucking lemons.
Lady Catherine started to introduce them until Mr. Collins nearly reverberated in enthusiasm. "Oh, but we have been acquainted! Mr. Darcy joined friends in Hertfordshire last fall when I visited the Bennets," Mr. Collins nearly fell over himself to say.
Lady Catherine blinked and raised an eyebrow at her nephew. "Is that so? Darcy, you have said nothing of the Bennets or your trip to Hertfordshire."
Darcy's brows furrowed more. "It was an uneventful visit months ago and hardly worth noting." His gaze touched Elizabeth's for a moment before he looked down.
Uneventful? Elizabeth sniffed at this, keeping her eyes on the floor.
Mr. Collins, clearly, did not feel the same compunction. "Ah, not to contradict you, Mr. Darcy, but I daresay there were several events which occurred. There was a ball at Netherfield Park, where you'll recall, you and I first met, and your friend Mr. Bingley danced frequently with Miss Bennet's sister. After which Miss Bennet's father, Mr. Bennet fell ill." Mr. Collins caught himself. "Although, of course, that was not a happy occurrence."
Mr. Darcy glared at Collins and he finally stopped babbling. "No, generally not." Mr. Darcy now looked at Elizabeth. "How does your father's health fare?"
"He has made small improvements. Thank you for asking."
Darcy bowed his head.
"Well, that sounds as though there were several notable moments, nephew," Lady Catherine said, watching Darcy closely before turning to the Colonel
"Colonel, have you had such an eventful fall?"
"Not at all. I have been a guest at no Parks nor attended any balls." The colonel said, amusement crossing his face.
"Very good," Lady Catherine said although she sounded as though she meant the opposite.
"Do tell me more of your father's condition, Miss Bennet," Lady Catherine said to Elizabeth once they were seated at the dinner table and the soup served. "I have extensive experience with physicians in years caring for Anne, and I must tell you some are convincing charlatans."
Elizabeth swallowed uncomfortably and explained her father seemed to suffer apoplexy after the ball and his condition since then.
Despite her reassurances that she was familiar with the sickroom, Lady Catherine's face recoiled in an expression of disgust. "How ghastly," she declared and said nothing more about Mr. Bennet. "I am fortunate that my health is superb." She smiled satisfactorily and sipped her soup. "But then I have always supremely disciplined. I pity those for whom good health is not a natural condition. Except you, Anne. We know you cannot help your deficiencies."
Mr. Darcy set his fork down. "I'm sure you do not wish to imply that ill health is simply a lack of discipline."
Elizabeth peered at him.
"One's health is a reflection of one's spirit," Lady Catherine said. "Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Collins?"
Mr. Collin's eyes lit up at being referred to, though his mouth was full. He nodded enthusiastically. "Mmmm." Lady Catherine's eyes shut at Collin's table manners.
"Please do not talk with your mouth full!"
For once, Elizabeth was in agreement with Lady Catherine.
"But your father's condition has improved since the physician from town has begun treating him, is that not so, Cousin?" Mr. Collins said, having finally swallowed his mouthful of food.
Lady Catherine's mouth pursed. "A physician from town? Who might that be?"
"Dr. Hudson, Ma'am," Elizabeth answered.
"I know of Dr. Hudson. A decent physician. He sees to family when they are in town." She paused. "How did you find him?"
Elizabeth paused, wondering how to explain that a mysterious person who didn't want to be named had hired him. Lady Catherine would not approve of that. It was very awkward indeed.
"Hut-ho!" Collins laughed to himself. "An anonymous benefactor hired him, but will not reveal himself." Mr. Collins said. "Quite an intrigue!"
"Mr. Collins!" Elizabeth said, quieting him. "I do not think that is our business to reveal."
"Is that so?" Lady Catherine said, her face brightening. "Who might have done that?"
"We suspect it is my mother's brother, Mr. Gardiner. He wouldn't want us to feel obliged," Elizabeth said reluctantly.
She looked up and saw Darcy's bright eyes on her now.
"How interesting." She looked meaningfully at Collins. "Who might have the means for such an expense?"
"That is why we suspect my uncle," Elizabeth said. "It is very generous."
"Mr. Collins, you truly have no idea?" Lady Catherine prodded. "I would almost suspect you, but physician bills would be beyond your means."
Collins smiled cheerfully, unaware of his patroness's meaning. "Yes, way behind a humble clergyman's means whatsoever," he said and stuck a forkful of meat into his mouth. "I am completely at a loss."
"What an intrigue," Lady Catherine said finally.
Did Lady Catherine suspect Collins? That could hardly be so. He barely had enough income to purchase a new coat, not to mention hiring a physician Lady Catherine would know. Bingley. It could only be Bingley.
She looked towards Darcy again, finding his eyes again on her.
Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled. "Sounds like a very generous man. You have sisters, do you not? Does one have a wealthy admirer?"
Elizabeth reddened. "Not at all. But, of course, we are eager to uncover the identity so that we may thank him. Or her."
Apparently, Lady Catherine had endured enough of the topic. "Darcy and Fitzwilliam, you remember my terrier, Princess?"
"Remember? I shudder to think of the number of times she bit me as a child," the Colonel said. "Darcy, too."
Lady Catherine looked unamused. "That is because you teased her. Her offspring, Duchess, is having a litter. I had her bred with a neighbor's terrier."
"I did not tease her. I was only trying to keep my fingers," Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
"Regardless, I encourage you or Darcy to pick out one from the litter. Both dogs have excellent bloodlines."
"I'll choose to keep my fingers attached," the Colonel said, chuckling.
"There are four whelps, and I will keep one," Lady Catherine continued. "I thought the last maybe a present to the future Mrs. Collins for the wedding. It will be important that all dogs here at the Park will get along with mine."
"Wedding?" Darcy repeated, looking up.
"Yes, Darcy," his aunt said impatiently. "That is why we have Mr. Collins here. To celebrate his engagement to Miss Bennet."
Wedding?
Darcy's head, which hurt from traveling and sleeping fitfully in a lumpy bed last night, had become a full-on throbbing headache. Upon finding Miss Elizabeth Bennet in his aunt's home as a guest, the pain increased several degrees. At this information, he thought he himself might be the one to suffer apoplexy. Mr. Bennet, be damned.
"Wedding?" Darcy said again, unable to help himself. His tone was sharp enough that it caused his cousin to look at him.
The Colonel recovered, smiling kindly to the ladies before offering congratulations.
Miss Bennet, however, was not the picture of pre-wedding bliss. Her face paled then became scarlet and she frowned furiously.
"On the contrary," Elizabeth's clear voice rose, her brow knit in frustration. "No firm understanding exists between myself and Mr. Collins," Elizabeth said, before sending a scathing look to the her cousin.
Darcy exhaled. He knew it couldn't be true. The toad clergyman couldn't possibly marry her.
Mr. Collins sent an oily, confident grin at Miss Bennet. "It was discussed."
"Months ago! It was not settled," Elizabeth said, the timbre of her voice frightening herself.
She then abruptly stood and excused herself, nearly running away from the table.
"My word," Lady Catherine said. "What is she about?" She eyed Mr. Collins. "You said you had an understanding."
Collins, for his part, had begun to perspire excessively. Shiny droplets broke out across his forehead and upper lip.
"We did...we do, er, um," Collins said and cleared his throat. "I cannot think what has affected her so."
"Perhaps it is pre-wedding jitters?" the Colonel said pleasantly as he cut into a piece of mutton. "I'm sure you can iron things out, Collins."
"Proverbial cold feet?" Sir William added.
Darcy sat frozen in his seat. He wanted nothing more than to chase after Miss Bennet and resolve whatever was causing her obvious discomfort. But that would be ridiculous. It was not his place. Darcy shot a furious look at Collins, who was biting into a large buttered biscuit. Perspiration clung to his top lip like a glazed mustache, causing a biscuit crumb to hang on the side of his lip as he chewed. Darcy looked away, disgusted. He had to fight the urge to haul him up and slap him.
"Shouldn't someone go after Miss Bennet?" Darcy finally said. Charlotte Lucas stood. Thankfully.
"I will."
Darcy exhaled in relief, thankful Charlotte was a practical, decent kind of girl. At least Elizabeth had that.
"Mr. Collins," Lady Catherine's voice rang through the dining room, quieting all, "perhaps you should be less concerned with finishing your meal and more concerned for your fiance's reaction. I was led to believe this matter was all sewn up. I do not like loose ends in matters related to me or my home."
Collins finally finished chewing and swallowed, crumb still intact. "Ma'am, there is no deception. This spring Miss Bennet agreed-if matters align-to be my wife, though it was decided not to make it known."
Darcy looked at Collins. "Then perhaps you shouldn't have said so."
Mr. Collins smiled tentatively, shrugged and half-heartedly coughed into his hand. "I will go to her now." He bowed and meandered to the exit Miss Bennet had gone through.
"Not in a hurry, is he?" the Colonel said lowly to Darcy.
Lady Catherine sipped from her goblet. "Perhaps you men should all go shooting. Excellent guinea hen hunting here this month."
Mr. Collins stopped walking, placed a hand over his lips and smiled. "Alas, I am no hunter. I have no skill for bloodsports."
"Perhaps the Colonel and Darcy will take you out and show you how." Lady Catherine looked at her nephews, making it clear it was an order. "It's a wise skill for a married man to have and an apt wedding present among men. Do you know how to shoot, Collins?"
Collins wiped his mouth and finally dislodging the crumb. "No, ma'am. I've never fired a gun."
Lady Catherine smiled imperiously. "Then it is settled. You three should do so tomorrow."
To be set outdoors with the fool Collins and a gun may be more temptation than Darcy could handle. He picked up his wine glass and promptly drained it.