Chapter Nine
The next few months passed rapidly. Shortly after Netherfield was left empty, Jane was sent to London to stay with their aunt and uncle in hopes of seeing Mr. Bingley. But a few days before she left, they celebrated the marriage of Lizzie and Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was anxious to return to his estate and both had not wanted to wait on their wedding. It was a small affair, just the Bennet's, the Colonel, and the priest.
At the same time as Lizzie's wedding, Charlotte accepted a marriage offer from Mr. Collins and was married after Lizzie left for her new life. It had come as a shock to everyone when Charlotte agreed to marry Mr. Collins, but Eden was the one with the most compassion. Charlotte deserved the world and whilst Mr. Collins would not be able to provide her with such a thing, he could provide her with a warm home and a roof over her head.
The Collins' married in January and in April, Eden was invited to visit Hunsford Parsonage. Lizzie and her Colonel would be nearby as Colonel Fitzwilliam's aunt was none other than Lady Catherine de Bourg.
No more could Eden stand being at Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet still regarded her as an outcast while Lydia and Kitty mourned the loss of the militia. Eden jumped at the chance to escape if only for a short time.
Mr. Collins bowed when she arrived at their home.
"Welcome to our humble abode," he greeted. He took her luggage from her, carrying it into the narrow hall as Charlotte wrapped an arm around Eden.
"My dear, I think our guest is tired after her journey," Charlotte told her husband. Mr. Collins looked to Eden.
"My wife encourages me to spend as much time in the garden as possible, for the sake of my health. I plan many improvements, of course. I intend to throw out a bow and plant a lime walk."
"How wonderful," Eden murmured.
"Oh yes, I flatter myself that many a young lady would be happy to the mistress of such a house."
Charlotte was quick to usher Eden into her private parlor.
"We shall not be disturbed here," Charlotte promised. "This parlor is for my own particular use… Oh Eden, it is such a pleasure to run my own home!"
"I am happy for you, Charlotte."
Their few moments of peace were shattered when Mr. Collins started shouting for his wife. She jumped and rushed to the window.
"What's happened?" Eden asked.
"Has the pig escaped again?" Charlotte called out the window.
Her eyes caught on a beautiful carriage that was rolling away.
"Oh! It's Lady Catherine. Come and see, Eden." Eden moved to join her friend at the window as Mr. Collins ran to them.
"Great news! Great news! We have an invitation to visit Rosings this evening from Lady Catherine de Bourg."
"How wonderful," Charlotte said. Eden frowned, trying to think if she had packed any outfits suited for such an invitation.
"Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel," Mr. Collins told her. "Lady Catherine has never been averse to the truly humble."
That evening, wearing a dress of dark green, Eden followed her cousin and Charlotte across the grounds of Rosings. Mr. Collins told her all about the building that loomed in front of them. Grand and painted a dreary grey. She tried to ignore the cool draft that seemed to be all around when they entered a room, bowing before Lady Catherine.
Lady Catherine high and mighty while her daughter, Anne, looked like a sickly-irritable creature.
"So, you are Eden Bennet," Lady Catherine said.
"I am, your ladyship."
"Hmmm."
"It was very kind of you to ask us to dine, Lady Catherine," Charlotte said eagerly. She was ignored as Lady Catherine kept a sharp gaze on Eden.
A voice called for Eden, and she turned, smiling in relief when she saw Lizzie and Colonel Fitzwilliam walking towards them. They were joined by Mr. Darcy, who seemed to freeze when he saw Eden.
"My darling sister," Lizzie said. "I did not think I would see you this soon into your visit."
"Neither did I, Lady de Bourg was kind enough to invite us to dine." Lady Catherine cleared her throat, dragging the twins' attention to her.
"Are you positive you are twins?" she asked. "You are so... unalike."
"We are most certain," Lizzie said. It looked as if she would say more if not for a stern look from her husband.
They were led into a grand dining room and Eden found herself across from Lizzie, sitting beside Mr. Darcy.
"I trust your family is in good health, Miss Bennet?" Mr. Darcy asked
"They are, thank you… My eldest sister is currently in London, perhaps you happened to see her there?"
"I haven't been fortunate enough, no."
"Well, when you return, perhaps you'll deliver a letter for me?"
"Perhaps."
From the head of the table, Lady Catherine addressed Lizzie.
"Do you play the pianoforte, Mrs. Fitzwilliam?" "A little ma'am, and very poorly. Not as well as Eden can."
"Oh… do you draw?"
"Not at all," Lizzie said with a tight smile.
"The rest of your sisters, do they draw?"
"Not one of us."
Lady Catherine looked appalled.
"Has your governess left you?"
"We never had a governess." Eden knew what the older woman was attempting to do. She wanted to find ways to show that she was better than them and at the moment, Lizzie was doing well to keep her head high.
"No governess? Six daughters brought up at home without a governess, I never heard such a thing! Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education… Are any of your younger sisters out in society?"
"Yes, ma'am. All."
"All! What, five out at once? Very odd! And you the only married one? Your youngest sisters must be very young, Miss Bennet."
Eden wished she hadn't been addressed. Wished that Lizzie could be the one still answering questions.
"The youngest is not sixteen," she said. "But I think it would be very hard on younger sisters, not to have their share of amusement because the elder is still unmarried. And to be kept back on such a motive! It would hardly encourage sisterly affection."
"You give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person, Miss Bennet. Pray, what is your age."
"With three younger sisters grown up, your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own to it."
One of these days, Eden needed to learn that not everyone appreciated her quips. Her words had made Lizzie and Colonel Fitzwilliam hide smiles, but Mr. Collins had given her a stern look. She tried to ignore it. She really did.
After dinner, everyone gathered in the salon.
"Miss Bennet, play for us," Lady Catherine said, gesturing to the pianoforte.
"No, I beg you—"
"Music is my delight," Lady Catherine said. "In fact, there are few people in England who have more true enjoyment of music than myself or better natural tastes. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a prodigy. So would Anne if her health would have allowed her. And I am sure that if you aren't very good, it will be good practice."
Reluctantly, Eden sat at the piano, fingers gracefully moving across the keys. She could faintly hear the conversation but focused instead on the keys in front of her. She looked up when Mr. Darcy came to stand beside her. They were silent until Colonel Fitzwilliam joined them. He left Lizzie talking with Charlotte.
"Miss Eden. What was my friend like, in Hertfordshire?"
"A gentleman," Eden answered. "A bit aloof, but a gentleman."
"Come now, tell me how you truly feel," Colonel Fitzwilliam pressure.
"Well, the first time I saw him, at the Assembly, he danced with nobody at all—even though gentlemen were scarce and there was more than one lady who was sitting down without a partner."
Mr. Darcy was quick to defend himself, coloring slightly.
"I knew nobody beyond my own party."
"True, and nobody can be introduced in a ballroom."
"Fitzwilliam! I need you!" Lady Catherine called.
As Fitzwilliam left them, Eden realized how close Mr. Darcy was standing to her.
"I do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I have never met before."
"Well, neither do I, but we mustn't let that fault us. Perhaps we should both take your aunt's advice and practice." He flinched and she closed her eyes momentarily."I'm sorry. I did not mean to sound harsh." He dipped his head at her, as if having taken no offence.
"You play well," he murmured.
"Thank you." She smiled at him, but he didn't return it.
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