Thanks for reading! This was a fun chapter for me to write, lots of fun personalities to play with and literally heating things up. :) If you like JAFF (who doesnt?) you should totally check out my sister's new book called "A Test of Fire" - she is soooo talented and amazing and you should read it. The#JaneSide on facebook is an awesome place to check out for more JAFF if you are in the market! 3 Christine
The anxiety of seeing Mr. Darcy again so soon after she had turned down his hand in marriage threatened to keep her from going to dinner altogether. It was not until she saw the imposing house dominating the mid-afternoon skyline that she pushed her anxiety away. 'I have nothing to be nervous about, I shall be gone from here tomorrow. He will ignore me before he would risk showing he is affected by me.' She thought they walked down the driveway of Rosing's Park. Breathing through her nose, she planted a smile on her face ready to enjoy the cold silence from Darcy.
The party of four, Mr. and Mrs. Collins, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and Miss Maria Lucas were seen promptly to the parlor. There were greeted by Mr. Darcy and Col Fitzwilliam who stood up from their place nearest their aunt as they entered the room. A smile slipped from Elizabeth as she spied the round card table in the corner and glanced at Col. Fitzwilliam. She tried to catch his eye and share a small inside joke by leading his gaze to the corner, but that was not to be.
Dinner found Elizabeth sitting between Miss Anne and Maria. Lady Catherine had her nephews nearest her on the opposite side, and Mr. Collins somehow managed to sit on the other side of her. Miss. Anne's health made it important she sat closest to the fireplace which was always lit. The afternoon sun just beginning its descent, a roaring fire, and hot well-seasoned dishes in front of her caused a bit of perspiration for Elizabeth. Maria was having a harder time of it being a larger girl. 'I suppose it is a good thing the Col. Is a but far, I would not want the fetor of our overheating bodies to catch him,' She considered. At least be thankful she was not next to Mr. Darcy, though it was hard to avoid catching him in her peripheral when speaking to the lady of the house.
Lady Catherine lead the conversation asking Mr. Collins what he thought about a recent marriage that occurred within their parsonage. Elizabeth and the rest of the room feigned interest, Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam having a harder time of it as Lady Catherine engaged them whenever possible. During a particularly long speech by Mr. Collins, Elizabeth heard a soft voice next to her
"I am very happy you accepted the dinner invitation," Anne said, giving Elizabeth a nervous, sideline smile. "We do not get many visitors here, especially not someone who is my age." If Elizabeth were to believe what Lady Catherine says about the families they dine with, they were in comparison with the society of London in quality. Anne was closer to Jane's age than Elizabeth, being 21 years old.
"A dinner with friends is one of my favorite distractions. I suppose it could get a bit lonely here with it being just you and Lady De Bourgh. With four sisters at home, I do not think I have had a quiet moment, well, ever." Elizabeth said warmly to Anne. It was not lost on her how the nervous smile on Lady Anne brightened at the word 'friends'
"A home that is always bustling about, sounds exciting. To have someone always around to share a story with or a laugh, I hope one day to experience something like that." Anne said longingly.
"Well If you are ever in Hertfordshire, please do visit and you can enjoy first hand how loud younger sisters can be when the only quiet time you have is at night but even then they snore!" Elizabeth said with a grin.
Anne brought her hand to her mouth attempting to stifle a laugh. Lady Catherine, her keen ancient eyes catching the sharp movement by Anne, asked what was so funny.
"I am happy to share your ladyship. I was just telling Miss Anne how lively my house is, I have doubted my leaving is even noticed," Elizabeth said.
"Ah yes, you did say you have four sisters all out in society but none married as of yet. No prospects either?" She said briskly. Everyone at the table exchanged sideways glances at such a probing question, all except Elizabeth who kept her eyes on Lad Catherine and voice light. She could see Mr. Darcy out of the corner of her eyes, it seemed he was looking at her with a strange look, was that sympathy?
"Well, madam I hope you will forgive a lady for keeping some of her secrets to herself. I will say that there have been some serious inquiries but they were not to be for one reason or another." She said embracing her indignation to keep embarrassment away.
"Well I hope for your parents' sake, someone will come and remedy the situation for your sisters, or even you Miss Bennet. I can tell you will make someone very happy, despite not having been raised by a governess or having talent in most of the feminine arts." Lady Catherine said between sips of soup. "I can tell you have a well-formed mind - important for running a household."
Elizabeth felt the room got a bit warmer as the conversation had turned towards her. The embarrassment she had been keeping at bay crept in her heart with two men in attendance having been refused by her. She glanced to see Charlotte very interested in her soup and Mr. Collins wholly in support of Lady Catherine's line of speaking, a smug look on his face. Her eyes drifted over to her most recent victim. She was surprised to see him looking at her with an apologetic look. 'Of course,' she thought, 'he feels sorry that I have missed my chance to be so well settled when my household is so burdened with daughters.'
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you for the words of praise." Elizabeth said hoping her feelings were not showing at Lady Caroline's backhanded compliment. "Well with all of us out I am sure it will be soon. My eldest sister is in London right now visiting family." Elizabeth said, looking up to meet Darcy's gaze. "I expect she has been enjoying London society very well. Renewing old acquaintances and making new ones," she said flatly, shooting a look of disdain to Mr. Darcy, the source of her sister's pain.
Richard coughed loudly breaking the intensity of the room. "AH! What a coincidence, Darcy and I shall be going to London soon. Darcy, aren't you acquainted with the elder Miss. Bennet? Maybe we can call upon her while there, if she is anything like you Miss Bennet, I think it will be a good acquaintance to make." Richard said, oblivious to Anne's look of admiration across the table. Darcy said nothing, he seemed surprised. Elizabeth continued, slowly shifting her attention to the Colonel.
"I am afraid to disappoint you sir, but my sister Jane is nothing like me. She is all kind and light. You would find her a wonderful acquaintance if you consider me a tolerable one." She said smiling. "I am not sure if we will be in town at the same time. I expect I will be joining her at my aunts soon before going back to Longbourne." She said, genuinely pleased by his interest in meeting Jane.
"Cousin," Anne said sweetly looking at Darcy, "Aren't you planning on throwing a ball in London? I have never been to a ball but I hear they are fun. Miss Elizabeth, have you ever been to a ball?" She asked, not waiting for Darcy to react.
"Yes, as often as I can. Whenever the regiment is in town they throw a ball and we have about two a year in Merryton. The first time I had the pleasure to meet your tall cousin over there was at a ball. He and his friend Mr. Bingley were the talks of the town having recently moved to the neighborhood." She said smiling brightly.
"And were all 5 of you at the ball?" Lady Catherine asked. Her piercing, disapproving gaze probed the fixed smile on Elizabeth.
"Yes, ma'am, all five of us."
"And does that not cause awkwardness where two sisters might fancy the same man?" Catherine said coldly.
"Well I suppose that could happen, but all of us are so very different that I do not think we are in danger of falling in love with the same person. I know for myself I go to balls intending to have a pleasant evening with my dear friends. I do not go with the sole intent to find a great romance, though dancing does tend to lead that way." Elizabeth replied, reaching for some water.
"Yes, if you enjoy rooms full of people and noise, balls would be pleasant. Anne and I prefer a more temperate but distinguished society. We do not like to host just anyone. Time is a resource you know, I feel that the youth often forget this fact, it is why so much of their time is wasted on frivolous activities." Lady Catherine said with a smug smile. Then, catching Darcy's soft gaze on Elizabeth, she continued. "It may seem like there are a lot of different men out there but there are only two for a woman such as yourself. There are the men who are marriageable like my dear nephew here and then there are men who are not, like Col. Fitzwilliam. He is a military man, not a settling sort. The life of a soldier's wife is not an easy one to be sure. The sooner your sisters understand and accept this truth the better off your family will be."
Elizabeth could feel Lady Anne shrinking next to her. Elizabeth knew what it's like to have a mother who has a talent for letting her thoughts run on without concern of the audience. Though Lady Catherine is a great lady, she could have cared about how her words will make her family feel. At least at Longbourn, Elizabeth found comfort in her father and Jane. Her heart sank for Anne.
"Aunt," Darcy said, cutting in while leaning forward, "I think you are being a bit too restrictive in your prescription of marriage. I have seen firsthand the affection the Bennets have for each other. Miss Elizabeth, out of concern for her sister who had taken ill, walked by my estimation half a day to nurse her. The Bennet's have a reputation that proceeds them within their community. Regardless of a future husband's station, I am sure they will have an easy life being so adaptable and affectionate." He said, avoiding Elizabeth's face. His eyes came to rest on Lady Anne whose shoulders has slumped. Lady Catherine seemed ready to speak again but Darcy continued.
"If I may be so bold, I would also like to request the honor of accompanying cousin Anne to her first ball. Georgiana is going to be in London for the season, she will not be attending any balls yet, she is not quite ready, but I know she would love to see Anne again. She could stay with us and maybe go to a few select social events with me."
Lady Catherine looked from Darcy to Anne, and then back at Darcy.
"Darcy, I think you overestimate this child's constitution. Would you not like to extend your stay here instead? Send for Georgiana, It would be a blessing to have both of you here." She said.
"Ah, but I have promised Georgiana a stay in London and I do have business matters that require my attention. I sincerely hope you will consider it, she could keep Georgiana company when I take meetings. I promise to take the strictest care of her being as beloved to me as my sister." He said in his most authoritative tone.
Lady Catherine looked visibly ill. She put down her spoon, looking at Anne. Her breathing looked almost ragged as her face contorted with an internal struggle the rest of the table could only guess about. "Anne, do you want to go to Towne with Fitzwilliam? I know you have never been away from Rosings but you are a De Bourgh, your name carries prestige no matter your location."
"Oh." Wide-eyed, Anne looked from Darcy to her mother. She let out a slow breath she was holding as soon as Darcy asked to bring her with him. She swallowed before answering, choosing her words carefully. "well, it is true I have never been away but I have found myself more reliant on my cousins. I think as long as the social events are selective it will be alright. Just so long as I can write to you, dear Mother." she said, voice shaky with excitement.
"Hmm, well, if it is for the sake of deepening bonds, I think it is permissible, provided you bring enough tonics with you in case you have a weak spell and need bed rest. You must pay special attention to Anne, she wilts like a delicate flower in the sun. We will have to find a good doctor, perhaps Mr. Byron can accompany you. I know he recently took in an assistant so he may see to the needs of us while his master is away. We will have to talk more, but I am very pleased to hear how close you two have become. You do know it has been the dearest wish of mine and your late mother, Fitzwilliam, to have you both close." Lady Catherine said warmly.
Giving a little cough Mr. Collins joined in the conversation, "If I may, Lady Catherine, I think allowing your daughter to travel with your upstanding nephew is a wise choice. Your daughter is the most excellent sort of person, naturally what you would expect having such you as her mother. She has such refined instincts that I know she will do you proud. Family, next to our Lord, is the most precious thing we have and in strengthening family bonds we are doing the Lord's work surely. I hope you know that Mrs. Collins and I are always at your disposal should you require company while Lady Anne is away." He said looking at his wife Charlotte for support.
"Oh yes," said Charlotte "with Elizabeth and Maria leaving soon I will surely be in need of company. We would be honored to be thought of for dinner, as always." She said smiling at Lady Catherine.
So the rest of the meal went with more plans for the venture to London. Lady Catherine continued to recommend various places in town that she had frequented as a youth. She even went so far as to recommend that Elizabeth and her sister visit with Georgiana and Anne, that the acquaintance would be beneficial to Jane in the future, knowing two such high ranking ladies.
On the way home Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Maria discussed how unexpected it was of Mr. Darcy to invite his cousin to London. Charlotte wondered if Lady Anne will continue to live in Rosing's after she marries Mr. Darcy or if he would take her away to Pemberly and what would that mean should Lady Catherine die? Would the parsonage dry up? Mr. Collins was oddly quiet while they chatted. Charlotte did tease Elizabeth that if Mr. Byron goes with them to London, perhaps fate is on her side. Elizabeth hushed her friend after that and Maria pleaded that Elizabeth tell her all tomorrow when they are in heading to London together.