Chapter Twenty-Five

Mr. Darcy had rarely been as angry as he was at that moment. He walked away from the parsonage at a furious pace wanting to put as much distance between himself and Miss Bennet as he could. He knew that he was sometimes awkward of speech, but he could not believe that she had refused his proposal and accused him of being ungentlemanly. She could not have chosen a more insulting word. He was proud of his family, his background and the respect he was held in and he saw no reason why he should be criticised for that. Miss Bennet could not be proud of her own family. They were a constant embarrassment to the eldest Miss Bennet and Elizabeth herself. He shuddered as he recalled Mrs. Bennet screeching that she intended to find rich husbands for all her daughters or the youngest Bennet girls racing around a room giggling loudly, not worrying who they bumped into. Their lack of propriety was evident to all. Surely it was not unreasonable for him to be cautious about being linked through marriage to such a family.

As he neared towards Rosings he slowed down. He'd criticised the Bennets and yet his aunt's behaviour was not something he could ever be proud of. She had been vicious about Miss Bennet and nothing he or Colonel Fitzwilliam had said had made any difference. She was insistent that Miss Bennet would never cross the door of Rosings again. Perhaps both he and Miss Bennet both had relatives that brought shame upon them.

He sighed as he realised the entire incident had brought shame upon him. He was not going to find it easy to forget the disdainful expression on Miss Bennet's face. Never had he seen her look more beautiful and yet the contempt she now regarded him in had been writ clear. How little he understood women. But now he had a greater problem. He had to tell Georgiana that Miss Bennet would no longer be her companion even for the rest of the summer. He suspected his sister would not be pleased.

Elizabeth did not tell Charlotte what had transpired between herself and Mr. Darcy. She was too shocked to do so. She played the visit over and over again in her mind, one moment feeling deep anger and the next great sadness. She had known him to be stubborn, abrupt and sometimes insensitive, but never ever would she have thought that his behaviour towards her would plunge to such depths he would insult her in every manner possible.

She was not immune to the deficiencies of her family. Indeed on many occasions she had wanted to hide as her mother embarrassed them all with her loose tongue and penchant for gossip or her sisters had shown themselves up to be very silly girls by openly flirting with and chasing any eligible young man. But even knowing all that, to have Mr. Darcy lay bare their behaviour in such a cruel manner had been too much to bear. She saw very little in his behaviour to be admired and certainly not in Lady Catherine's. She had seen the shock in his face when she had rejected his proposal and she was glad. He had hurt her, and as unworthy as it was, she was glad to have hurt him a little in return.

Charlotte was surprised when she explained she would be returning to London the following day.

"But why, Lizzy? I know Lady Catherine can be forthright in her views, but I thought Mr. Darcy would be able to calm her down."

"So did I, Charlotte, but we were wrong. I don't believe that Mr. Darcy has quite as much influence with her as we thought."

Charlotte looked troubled. "I do not want you to go, Lizzy. Stay here with us."

"Oh my dear… we must be cautious. If our cousin has behaved in an inappropriate manner we do have to accede to Lady Catherine's opinion. In all matters she is a woman who expresses good judgment and Miss Elizabeth must have done something very grievous indeed for Lady Catherine to behave in such a way."

Elizabeth found it difficult to subdue her annoyance. Really, Mr. Collins was blind to Lady Catherine's general ill manners and bad temper. "Mr. Collins, Miss de Bourgh and Miss Darcy got their feet wet, that is all, and it is a pity that her ladyship could not see that."

Mr. Collins looked at her pityingly. "Her ladyship has to care for her daughter and this is something she has always done diligently. I have heard that Miss de Bourgh has taken to her bed and there she is to stay with strict instructions until it has been ascertained whether she is going to succumb to a bout of pneumonia."

Elizabeth looked at Charlotte and they were both struggling not to laugh at the ridiculous statement. Pneumonia from spending five minutes in water that had not even been icy cold. Elizabeth was certain that Miss de Bourgh would not succumb to anything other than frustration at once again being treated as an invalid. She was rather glad to be returning to London. Her first experience as a companion had turned out to be very disappointing indeed.

Elizabeth returned to the Gardiners the following day. It had been difficult to say goodbye to Charlotte, but she was relieved not to have to put up with Mr. Collins and his silly statements for a moment longer. It still puzzled her that her friend who she had always thought of as a sensible woman could tolerate living with such a man. Truly Charlotte was a saint with infinite patience.

The Gardiners were happy to see her again, if a little surprised by her sudden appearance. There was no opportunity for them to ask what had happened when she first arrived as the children were so happy to see her and were insistent that she spent some time with them as they had so much to tell her.

"Elizabeth needs to rest," Mrs. Gardiner said as they all clamoured to tell her what they had been up to in her absence.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," apologised Mrs. Groves as the children greeted Elizabeth. "Ella was looking out the window and saw Miss Bennet's arrival. I could not stop them from saying hello."

"It does not matter," said Mrs. Gardiner, who was laughing at the excited faces.

"Please come and talk to us," said Ella, hanging onto Elizabeth's arms.

"I will," said Elizabeth. "Let me change from my journey and then I shall join you." The screams of excitement grew louder than ever and Mrs. Groves quickly ushered them all back to the nursery.

Elizabeth turned to her aunt. "It is so good to see them again."

"But Elizabeth, you must be tired… You can see them tomorrow."

"No, my dear aunt. I am only tired of travelling. It will be good for me to spend some time with them. I have missed you all so much." And although Mrs. Gardiner looked doubtful, Elizabeth assured her aunt she was feeling quite well and after dispensing with her outdoor clothing would be happy to join the children. As she walked away she also realised she would have more time to think up a reasonable explanation for her return that would not worry her aunt and uncle.

Mr. Gardiner was as happy as his wife to see Elizabeth, but worried that she had left Mr. Darcy's employ. "You were going to spend the summer with them, Lizzy, so pray tell me what has gone wrong?" he asked as they sat down to dinner.

Elizabeth looked appreciatively at the game pie in front of her. The pastry was thick and golden and as she helped herself to some vegetables she suddenly realised how hungry she was. "Their plans were not as firm as we first thought and I think they have someone sooner than they thought to replace me."

"But Lizzy, that seems so unlike Mr. Darcy," said her aunt, nibbling at some ham. "He always seems so certain in what he wants."

Elizabeth blushed. She did not like lying but she wanted to explain exactly what had happened.

"Lizzy, was it you who was not happy in the position?" asked Mr. Gardiner suspiciously.

Elizabeth cut into the game pie and then suddenly dropped her knife. It was no good. She could not lie to them. "In truth Lady Catherine did not like me and she asked Mr. Darcy to dismiss me."

"Oh Lizzy." Mrs. Gardiner looked quite distraught.

Mr. Gardiner sipped his wine before smiling at his niece. "Then that is their unfortunate loss. And Lizzy, if Mr. Darcy nor his aunt want you as a companion I am sure there will be other families that will."

Elizabeth was grateful for her uncle's support. He was less curious than his wife at her sudden return. Mrs. Gardiner still did not look happy.

"Well Lizzy, I think it is most unfair, especially after what you did for Mr. Darcy and his sister. I am sure Georgiana will feel your loss."

Elizabeth felt herself blushing. "I will miss her too, Aunt, but it gives me the opportunity to spend a few days with you before I return to Longbourn.

The next morning Elizabeth sat down to write two letters. The first was to Georgiana Darcy. Her feelings of guilt were great when she thought of Georgiana and she was sad that she'd not had the opportunity to say goodbye. She and Georgiana had not always been close during their short acquaintance, but she had begun to think that Georgiana was warming to her and confiding just a little. With her gone there would be no one to encourage Georgiana in her drawing or to try and comfort her when she was pining for her lost lover.

She filled the letter with advice that she suspected might be unwanted, but felt she had to give it all the same. She urged Georgiana to continue with her art and one day, if she felt able, talk to Mr. Darcy about it. She also asked her to write if she was inclined to. Elizabeth thought of her at Rosings having to listen to Lady Catherine and she felt truly sorry for her.

Once her letter was completed, she wrote a second far more candid one to Jane telling her what had occurred at Rosings, although not mentioning Mr. Darcy's proposal.

She was concerned for Jane. There still had been no word about the long-awaited engagement between Jane and Mr. Bingley and she was beginning to wonder if Jane was right and Mr. Bingley was never going to propose. She grieved for Jane's unhappiness but there was little she could do at such a distance. She would stay a few more days with her aunt and uncle and then she would return to Longbourn.