Chapter 18 - Growing Closer
The next week passed in moderate leisure at the Hunsford parsonage. Mr. Collins lamented the loss of Lady Catherine not at all. His attentions seemed fixated on Mrs. Fitzwilliam and how he could best oblige his new patroness. For three days she ignored his notes for an audience. Charlotte did her best to calm her agitated husband, begging him to desist from harassing the newlyweds. Often, Mrs. Collins needed to remind the pastor they had not lost the living with the change in management, which was impossible in any case as it had been granted on the basis of Mr. Collins continued good health. It appeased him but did not stop his verbosity. The knocker removed from the door the day Mr. Collins finally called on his patroness caused the pastor to return home mute allowing the women in his household a sigh of relief.
Each morning Elizabeth walked and, somehow, managed to run into Mr. Darcy. Some days he would simply escort her for a short distance before begging off and returning to his duties. On others, they would speak as though long parted friends.
"I believe your sister is recently arrived?" Lizzy opened the dialog on their second morning, unable to account for Mr. Darcy's company yet again. The day before he had strolled beside her for ten minutes without a word, then bowed and left. "All the servants at Rosing's are talking of it, and therefore the entire county."
"Yes," Darcy replied, looking to the sky.
"This is one of my favourite rambles," Lizzy remarked.
By telling Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth intended him to know she would wander here on the morrow. That way they wouldn't happen upon each other unless he wished her company. The rest of the walk occurred in silence. The next day, determined to find solitude, Mr. Darcy joined her unexpectedly near the end of her outing causing Miss Bennet's impertinence to show itself in quantity. Unwilling to spend a third morning under a heavy cloud of muteness, Elizabeth continued from their conversation the day before.
"I am sure your sister had a pleasant journey," Lizzy offered in the hope they would say more to each other. Her mind still reeling from his discussion the day of Colonel Fitzwilliam's wedding, Elizabeth had not the first clue how to react around this particular man, especially as he seemed determined to join her morning rambles.
"Yes, I believe so," Darcy said. After his confessions two days previously, he did not know quite how to approach Miss Elizabeth. Yet he longed to be here, at her side while they walked. After all, his mind considered, is that not why Miss Bennet told me where she would be today? Am I to believe she wishes my company as I seek hers?
"Did your sister visit with Mr. Bingley and his sisters while in town," Lizzy rolled her eyes. Truly this is like pulling teeth,she remarked silently. What else am I to talk about with such a taciturn man?
"Georgiana reported the family is in good health," Darcy answered.
"Is Mr. Bingley thinking of returning to Hertfordshire for the summer?" she asked more to keep conversation flowing then any real interest. Their last discussion had given Elizabeth much to think upon. She could not believe Mr. Bingley as bad as Mr. Darcy made out. Then again, she had been incorrect in her assumptions on Mr. Wickham. While he might brood, Mr. Darcy appeared to be a loyal friend and an honest man.
"It is likely my friend may spend very little time at Netherfield in the future," Darcy grimaced.
Somewhat shocked, Elizabeth stated, "if he means to be there but little, it would be better for the neighbourhood that he should give the place up entirely."
"I should not be surprised," Darcy frowned, "if he were to give it up." Pausing in both word and action, he suddenly demanded, "have you written to your sister, Miss Bennet?" Anxiety radiated off him.
"Yes," Lizzy sighed. "I do not expect a letter in return as I shall soon be in London." They remained silent for some time, both staring off into the yonder. "Charlotte, that is Mrs. Collins," Elizabeth found the only topic she felt able to discuss with Mr. Darcy, "requested I return to visit next year. I have fallen almost as much in love with these woods and paths as those surrounding Longbourn."
"I would hope your attachment to Rosings grows. No matter what your situation in the years to come, I wish you have every opportunity to explore this country," Darcy's suddenly piercing orbs struck Lizzy blindsided. Her heart hammered in her chest as she desperately tried to fathom his meaning. "Richard and Anne would always welcome you."
"Thank you," Lizzy couldn't find anything else to say.
"Mr. Collins," Darcy started hesitantly, unsure if the woman at his side took his meaning, "appears extremely fortunate in his choice of wife."
"Yes, indeed, he is," Lizzy managed to glance up at Mr. Darcy and smiled. At least they were talking. "Though, seen in a prudential light, it is a good match for her as well."
"It must be very agreeable for her to be settled within so easy a distance of her family," he commented. Watching Elizabeth's countenance eagerly, Darcy waited for her reaction to his somewhat vailed solicitation of her opinions on marriage. After all, the distance from Pemberley to Longbourn was over one hundred and twenty miles
"E-easy distance," she stuttered, "do you call it? It's nearly fifty miles."
"What is fifty miles of good road?" he asked eagerly. "Yes, I call it a very easy distance."
"Near and far are relative terms. I-it is possible for a woman to be settled to near her family," Lizzy thought of Charlotte and the conditions which she toiled under until the marriage of Mr. Darcy's cousins. Perhaps now it would not be so lonely for her dear friend with a less condescending Mistress of Rosing's.
"You would not wish to be always near Longbourn, I think," Darcy hesitated only a moment before furthering his suit. He had to know Miss Bennet's thoughts on living so far away from her parents and sisters.
Confused and stunned by the conversation, Elizabeth took a deep breath. Attempting to find Mr. Darcy's implications, she could not. At least that is what her mind told her. In her heart, Lizzy wondered if the gentleman were testing her readiness for the marriage state.
"I would wish to always be near my dearest sister," Lizzy didn't quite know what made her make the rash statement.
"As would I," Darcy smiled, feeling they had settled this much at least. Miss Bennet and Georgiana would be good company for each other, giving him time to lavish his attentions on his wife.
"Jane," Lizzy bit her lip, unsure if she betrayed a confidence. As they had spoken of Mr. Bingley only minutes ago, she decided to lay her cards on the table. "Jane is indeed more heartbroken than I have let on. It is good that Mr. Bingley considers quitting Netherfield. My sister believes she will end an old maid, Mr. Darcy. So, you see, any man willing to offer his hand would have to accept the responsibility for my dearest Jane as well."
"We both have heartbroken sisters, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy couldn't help use her Christian name. "The disillusionment suffered by one so young has made Georgiana wary of attachments. Indeed, my sister has come to see the world in a much less prudential light."
"I think we all have," Elizabeth commented very quietly. Her thoughts tended back to Mrs. Woodward and her history. They also tended to her advice on love and marriage.
Not sure what she alluded to, Darcy found he had to ask, "do you think a woman would accept the hand of a man with a spinster sister?"
"I have not met your sister," Lizzy felt embarrassed by the question. Not sure if Mr. Darcy referred to her in particular or any woman, she could only answer in the general. "I fear she may be of a similar disposition to Jane, in which case it would be a pleasure to host her for the remainder of one's life."
"My cousins are still recovering from their very impromptu wedding," Darcy remarked, no longer interested in Miss Bennet's reactions to his very forward words. In his mind, Darcy had the answer he wanted. "In a few days, I believe they will invite Mr. Collins and his family to dine. I hope very much that you will take my sisters likeness at that time."
"I would be delighted," Lizzy blushed.
They walked on for another quarter of an hour in silence before Mr. Darcy begged forgiveness but estate business drew him back to his cousin. Elizabeth stood and watched him walk the avenue. A quarter mile in the distance stood the great house. She continued to stand and stare long after the vista of Mr. Darcy disappeared inside the east wing.
What can he mean, she wondered, by this conversation?
Miss Elizabeth Bennet had an entire day to think upon it. The following day they discussed books, music took up the one after that. On the sixth day after the Fitzwilliam wedding, Mr. Darcy did not appear. Somewhat relieved and somewhat disappointed, Lizzy used the time to think on all that had occurred since Mr. Darcy came to Rosings. As she approached the parsonage, Lizzy noticed a black horse in the distance with a familiar gentleman atop. Beside him rode a very elegant young woman. A mischievous smile covered her face as she curtseyed, not sure he would see the gesture at this distance. Darcy touched his hand to his hat before crossing the lane toward the stables.
"Lizzy," Maria couldn't help but shout the good news when the intrepid wanderer entered the parlour, "we are invited to dine at Rosing's tomorrow night. Oh, how I shall enjoy it without Lady Catherine."
"This does not seem such a surprise to you, Eliza," Charlotte chided.
"It is not," Lizzy tried for a smile which only came out slightly confused. "Mr. Darcy led me to expect such an invitation. Colonel and Mrs. Fitzwilliam wished a week's privacy before entertaining."
"How often have you seen Mr. Darcy, Lizzy?" asked Maria, a little shocked that they had been allowed to walk unchaperoned.
"Almost every day," she answered with a frown. "I confess I cannot account for it."
"Can you not?" requested Charlotte. Once again, she determined the invitation to Rosings had been issued not for the Collins benefit, but for the pleasure of Miss Bennet's company. Indeed, Mrs. Collins believed a proposal would not be long in coming.
"No, Charlotte," Lizzy scolded, "you are mistaken. We have spoken of general topics and our common acquaintances."
"Time, my friend," Charlotte looked serene and exultant, "will tell."
~~ooOOoo~~
"Darcy," Richard scolded his cousin as they waited for their guests, "for goodness sake, stop fidgeting. You are acting in the same manner as our journey to Rosings."
Glaring at his cousin across the billiard table, Darcy glanced to the clock. Even with Mr. Collins punctuality and need to ingratiate himself with the new Master of Rosings, the party would not arrive for another quarter of an hour. Sighing heavily, he took the shot and remembered another night. At Netherfield, Miss Bennet had found her way into a similar room. At the time, she had removed hurriedly, her dislike obvious. His mind wondered if she would react in the same manor if she came upon him tonight.
Later that same evening at Netherfield, they had argued about the qualities of a truly accomplished woman. Even then, Darcy had been attempting to gain Elizabeth's good opinion. She allowed her disinclination toward him and impertinence to rule her words. They'd ended in an argument. Clearly, Darcy had not taken the trouble to know her character until she stayed under the same roof for four nights. Only after Miss Elizabeth Bennet left and he felt beret of her company did he truly understand the depth of his feeling for her. Of course, he'd riled against her lack of social standing and connection, believing the possibility of an attachment between them all but impossible. Richard had shown him the error of his ways in the weeks before coming to Rosings. Darcy would not allow another opportunity to pass him by.
"I have only five days, Richard," Darcy hissed as he smashed the white ball into a red and pocketed the latter. "I very much wish for my sister to become acquainted with Miss Bennet."
"She will be your wife," the Colonel reminded with a chuckle, "if you can tempt her to accept you. In a year or two, Georgiana will be out in society and most likely well on the way to being married. I can see no impediment, so why must they become fast friends."
"Do you not wish for marital harmony?" Darcy asked with a scowl. "Is that not why we removed Lady Catherine? I will not live in the same house as two women who avoid each other."
"Well Darcy," Richard smirked, "I believe you are placing the cart before the horse. You have not yet proposed to Miss Bennet and she has not accepted you."
Darcy growled, "black in the left top pocket." He missed the shot by an inch.
"I hope," teased his cousin in a stage whisper, "that you chose you aim more carefully when you ask Miss Bennet for her hand. I would not like you to come so close to winning the game only to lose at the last moment."
Richard Fitzwilliam had little idea how prophetic those words would become.