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Chapter 13
"Oh, what are you doing home?! No, no, no! The rain should've kept you there overnight. Must I do everything myself!" Complained Mrs Bennet disapprovingly watching her two eldest daughters trudge up the stairs with clenched fists.
"Mama, that is hardly proper," sighed Jane in response.
"Oh, hang proper!" flapped Mrs Bennet barging into Mr Bennet's study and shutting the door behind her.
"Poor Papa!" Laughed Elizabeth to Jane as they made it to their room.
"Indeed... though, I do wish we had had more time at Netherfield. Equally I will admit to Mr Darcy's Relatives being rather intimidating."
"Yes, I am quite uncertain of his aunt. Georgiana is a sweet, but a little timid."
"Well, you had better learn to understand his aunt quickly, I fear her opinion of you will matter to Mr Darcy." warned Jane undoing the back of Elizabeth's gown.
"Yes, I realized the same thing over the concern Mr Darcy expressed before we were introduced. He seemed a little nervous and apologetic at the same time, while still impressing upon me the fact that it was of great importance to him." She replied with a sigh and turning to attend Jane's gown.
"Even the way his cousin's behaviours changed around the lady was impressive! I thought Lord James' wife was very good to come all this way in her condition." Said Jane sweetly stepping out of her gown and moving towards the looking glass to pull the pins from her hair.
"Really? I am quite undecided on her too. The impression of her was quite fleeting. To come all this way and then not dine with us..." shrugged Elizabeth moving behind Jane to loosen her hair too.
"Do not be so quick in your assessment, Lizzy. I noticed that she did seem a little pale. Remember Mama's sickness during her pregnancy with both Lydia and Kitty?"
"Yes, which then evolved into her nerves and flutterings - Ha!" Elizabeth cried triumphantly grabbing the hairbrush before her sister could. "Sit." She instructed.
Complying Jane said, "Well I did notice that she spoke not a word to her husband before excusing herself and he looked even more uncomfortable than usual."
"What a gossip you can be Jane!"
"Oh hush, Lizzy!"
They continued teasing and giggling until sleep finally overcame them. Little did they know that harsh rain and accompanied by another bout of dense fog would keep them tucked away at Longbourn along with the rest of the residents of their town for the following two days.
Early in the morning on the day before the ball, Elizabeth stood in quiet contemplation as she listened to the leaves fluttering in the slight breeze surrounding her. She always loved the smell of the earth the day following a heavy rainfall. Moving again she chose her steps carefully to avoid slipping. She had not expected it to be quite so wet underfoot, but she had never done well cooped up indoors.
A rider appeared ahead of her near the opening of the shallow woods before the start of Oakham Mount's incline. She almost instantly knew the rider's identity from the horse's stature alone and hadn't noticed that she had quickened her pace to greet him.
Drawing closer a sudden bout of nerves had Elizabeth cautioning her progress. Mr Darcy sat proudly atop his horse with his back to her, when Domino became alerted to her presence. Quickly dismounting and bowing to her, Mr Darcy closed the distance between them.
"Forgive me, Mr Darcy. When you drew to a stop in front of me, I decided to join you. I hope we have not disturbed you," she said looking at him, while he offered her a slight nod, offering his arm, and turning them back in the direction of the mount.
"Not at all I was in excited anticipation of meeting you here at some point." He said maintaining his gaze on the distance.
"I shall not even respond to that; as I am not sure I can even picture you in a state of excitement!"
"No, I admit I am not sure I would even know what an outward expression of that on myself would be!" He laughed gently looking down to her.
"Come to think of it - I am not sure of what that would like on anyone above a child age!" She laughed feeling inordinately pleased at having made him laugh.
They fell into companionable silence as they continued at a steady pace up the incline of Oakham Mount. A sense of nervous energy made her uncomfortable and a glance up at her companion turned her apprehension into a sudden irritation that he looked so calm and unaffected.
"I hope my company is tolerable enough." She winced after she the words left her mouth and felt him tense slightly beside her. "Forgive me I do not know why I said that..."
"Do not worry I understand why you feel awkward in my company..." he trailed off at a loss for what to say. "You see - we share the same plight!"
"I cannot imagine you ever not being in control of a situation, Mr Darcy."
"Really? Why is that?" He asked looking down at her.
"You seem composed all of the time. There is always a calm demeanour around you." she said looking away and gesturing with her free hand.
"Appearances can be deceiving. I envy your ease at which you are able to converse with others."
"I believe you could do the same if you wished to!"
"And what makes you think I do not wish to?"
Elizabeth paused her steps and of struggling with her skirts as the wind picked up. Elizabeth tried but she could not fight the laughter from bubbling up and escaping her.
Mr Darcy turned his head to meet her eyes with a boyish grin, when a gust of wind blew rather strongly in her face, and she struggled to keep her eyes open. Suddenly it was gone, and she opened her eyes to the broad expanse of Mr Darcy's chest. Her gaze travelled up past his immaculately starched and tied cravat, strong jaw, and straight nose into his molten gaze.
She momentarily forgot to breathe as the gentle look in his eyes changed to that unknown look, she has seen on him before. The look which produced and stirred her deep inside, as she became intoxicated by his scent.
When he threw his head back and laughed moving to grab his top hat before it was carried away and placing under one arm as he looked back to her with his hair now charmingly mussed. She blushed but daringly held his gaze.
"I wanted to apologise if my aunt has caused any offense yesterday evening and to see what you made of her upon first acquaintance." Said Mr Darcy searching her face.
"I should be asking you of the impression I made on your aunt, sir." She replied.
Elizabeth found herself forgetting to breathe once again when he places his free hand under her chin and tilted her face up to his.
"I despise bonnets," he revealed. "They shield you face and hide eyes. I would not fear my aunt. Her bark is worse than her bite, I assure you there is no malice in her... just brutal honesty!" He chuckled. "And I can say that she approves of you very much."
"I did feel as though she was testing me in order to expose and examine any boundaries."
"Yes, she is not fond of ladies without the conviction to stand behind their views and opinions."
"I understand that she desires what she thinks is best for you…" she replied as he seemed lean further into her.
"What is this I spy? A clandestine meeting!" Came the unmistakable tones of Sir Percy causing Elizabeth to startle in embarrassment at being caught alone with and Mr Darcy.
But she soon found herself biting her cheeks to fight from laughing at Mr Darcy's look of irritation and tick at his jaw as he stepped back from her.
"Forgive our interruption, Miss Elizabeth." Said Colonel Fitzwilliam from behind them.
"Good morning," Elizabeth said to the three Fitzwilliam brothers walking towards them, their mounts trailing behind them. "Mr Bingley has not accompanied you this morning? Or has he gone straight for Longbourn?"
"No, Charles is assisting his sisters with something for the ball." Provided Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"What good fortune that we came across you on our ride. We can accompany you back to Longbourn." Said Sir Percy merrily.
"Stop it, Percy." Came Lord James' terse reply.
"We are maintaining appearances brother. We must think of Miss Elizabeth." Sir Percy teased.
"They are already betrothed, you dolt!" laughed Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Shall we?" said Mr Darcy in bored tones and offering his arm once more to Elizabeth, and they all proceeded together on foot back to Longbourn.
They had not long arrived back at Bennet household before the guests were startled by the sudden entrance of a gasping gentleman in an ill-fitting suit and sweating profusely. Upon seeing Mr Darcy and his cousin's he bent low at the waist into an exaggerated bow liberally apologising for the weather keeping him at the Lucas'.
Both Kitty and Lydia who had been the only two of the sisters not present, froze in the doorway with dread apparent in their features, upon seeing Mr Collins turned and fled. Sir Percy caught Mary's eye, and both looked down to avoid a fit of the giggles.
"Ah, Mr Collins," said Mr Bennet standing to make the introductions. "Mr Darcy do you recall -
"Mr. Darcy," Mr Collins boldly began cutting off Mr Bennet's introduction, "May I introduce myself-"
"Mr Collins." He cut in irritably with smallest incline of his head.
"If I may say so, I have made a remarkable discovery! I have just made the astonishing deduction that you are the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park!" gushed the clergyman puffing his chest out proudly.
The room fell silent in astonishment as the Bennet's all looked from Mr Darcy to Mr Collins in bewildered shock.
"Yes, well done. you are correct." Said Mr Darcy uncomfortably, intending to move to his usual position at the window.
Well done? Mouthed Richard teasingly. Darcy shrugged. Why should he care what this insipid man was droning on about!
"As the Parson of Huntsford college, I can confirm that her Ladyship was in good health when last I saw her. Less than a week ago." He said clasping his hands and bobbing three consecutive bows. His hair flipping over his brow.
"Thank you, for… conveying that to me." Said Darcy barely concealing his ire.
"Oh, what a lucky coincidence this is, Lizzy! Once you are married to Mr Darcy you will have the opportunity to visit Rosings Park and see it for yourself!" cooed Mrs Bennet.
"Wha- you are engaged t-t-to Cousin Elizabeth?!" Gaped Collins.
"Lizzy, did you know?" demanded Mrs Bennet ignoring Mr Collins. "But you never said a word, Mr Darcy. Such illustrious relations!"
Darcy breathed in deeply through his nose just suppressing the to roll his eyes and hoped that put his participation in this conversation at its end - when the parson gripped his jacket sleeve preventing his move to the other side of the room.
"That cannot be?!" He said aghast gaining the attention of the room.
"What?!" snapped Darcy, giving Collins's hand a pointed glare. A shudder of fear visibly ran through the Parson as he snatched his hand back though, clearing his throat he showed that he would not be frightened into silence when speaking on behalf of his esteemed patroness.
"B,b,but you are betrothed to another! You sir, must break this engagement!" The more he spoke the more his survival instincts dimmed, and he failed to notice the menacing aura coming from the other gentlemen. Mr Bennet was the only person who seemed to be quite enjoyably diverted by this interaction, "I have to say it as her Ladyship has often impressed upon me; that a gentleman you're standing in society, with an exalted Aunt de Bourgh, need not lower himself to marry someone whose situation in life is decidedly below his own. Nay, as a man anointed by God, I release you from your engagement."
Engaged to another? Elizabeth for the first time found herself completely struck dumb and mute by her cousins' outburst. That must mean that the cousin Mr Wickham had mentioned was still alive… and if he had been in earnest of that particular, then it would stand to reason the rest of his confidence must be true too… Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face, and rage made her hands tremble.
"I beg your pardon?" Said Sir Percy standing, his voice becoming menacingly low as Lord James and the Colonel moved to stand either side of him.
"Mr Collins, is it? You are gentleman, whom I have not previously been acquainted with have the audacity to claim to know my personal affairs better than I? Your arrogance does you know favours sir. You think that my aunt will take kindly to your addressing me without an introduction and so forward in your views."
"Well, in my humble opinion, it would be more suitable should Elizabeth and I wed… I am not sure that you are aware, but I am to one day command this residence being the sole heir to Longbourn -"
Elizabeth gasped moving to stand beside Jane, mortification consuming her every fibre.
"It is Miss Elizabeth and I do not remember asking you for your opinion." Said Mr Darcy, straightening to his impressive height
"Y-yes Sir. It is just that her Ladyship assured me that you are engaged to marry her daughter - "
Elizabeth stood shocked at the discussion so openly about her. And repulsed at the thought of being married to Mr Collins.
"I bet she did," muttered James.
"It would be wrong for me to allow such an unsanctioned union to take place!" Collin's said once more trying to hold the authority.
"Enough! This conversation is at its end." cried Mrs Bennet coming to.
"My dear Mrs Bennet, if I may –"
"You may not," cut in Sir Percy with such weight that Mary could not take her eyes off him.
"I would take care not to provoke me, Mr Collins. I am barely tolerating you as it is. You have my betrothed and her family to thank for that." Said Mr Darcy forebodingly drawing all eyes to him worryingly.
Suddenly Elizabeth forgot her despair and suddenly feared for idiot cousins' safety. This was, however, completely forgotten when her cousin blindly continued to speak in a forward and heavy-handed manner.
"B-But Mr Darcy, sir, you cannot deny the understanding between the de Bourgh and Darcy households. As I have been uniformly informed that this peculiar understanding has been discussed since your infancy! It the greatest wish of your dear mother." Said the Collin's taking a step back.
"And why pray, do you think yourself of such consequence that I should need to explain myself to you?"
A wave of nausea engulfed Elizabeth, and she felt Jane grip her hand reassuringly.
"Do you know of whom you speak to?" demanded Lord James loudly, causing Mr Collin's to yelp involuntary and stumble back a step onto Mrs Bennet's foot, making even Mr Bennet forget his idleness and move to intervene.
"Get. Out!" Hissed Mrs Bennet through gritted teeth. "You will remove yourself at once. Though the entail of this property goes to you Mr Collins, it is not under your ownership yet. You will leave for the nearest inn at once!" She demanded. "Go on, shoo! Mr Bennet!" She cried.
"I have to agree with my wife, sir. You have behaved abominably ill, and I rescind your invitation to stay here on this occasion." Agreed Mr Bennet, walking him from the room with Mrs Bennet following closely behind.
"Oh lord!" muttered Darcy pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Bloody hell!" swore Percy under his breath.
"James was that really necessary?" asked Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Be thankful for my interference. I could see we were going to be locked in that for a God-Awful length of time, and Darcy would not have raised his voice…"
"No, but he would have hit him." Said Percy, "Christ, that Parson does not know when to stop!"
"Percy." Warned Darcy before turning to address the ladies in the room. "I am sorry for this unpleasant scene."
"That man genuinely has no self preservation instincts whatsoever!" continued Percy.
"And so many words to say the same thing?" said Mary and immediately clapping her hand over her mouth in shock as Percy looked at her approvingly.
"Forgive our candour in discussing your cousin Mr Collins in such an unflattering manner, ladies. I think it best we take our leave at present." Said Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Please go on ahead, I should be grateful if Miss Elizabeth would accompany me for a stroll in the garden?" he asked looking a little uncertain towards Elizabeth, who do nothing to hide her mortification over the incident. Truthfully, she did not know if she could manage being in his company any longer and desired more than anything to flee.
"Why don't we invite the Miss Bennet's to have tea with us at Netherfield? I am sure Bingley will not mind, and I feel we must not leave things in such dour spirits!" suggested Percy.
"What a great idea. Why don't we all go ahead and Darcy you can wait here for the carriage we shall send from Netherfield once we arrive." said Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"There, now that we have covered all basis, let us inform Mr and Mrs Bennet of our plans and see if the younger Miss Bennet's would like to join us." Said Lord James, looking pointedly at Miss Bennet and Miss Mary to lead the way.
In no time the Longbourn carriage had been readied and was pulling away with all of her sisters within, and the brothers riding alongside it. Elizabeth's heart began to pound in her ears as she was left alone with Mr Darcy, though, her Mama and Papa has assure them that they must keep to the main lawn so as not to go out of sight of the house - as if that would make the impending conversation any easier!