Chapter Ten
A few days later, Eden sat in the drawing room in Mr. Collins' home. She was trying to compose a letter to Jane but found herself at a loss of words as she stared at the paper. It had two words on it, Dear Jane. That was all.
From across the house, someone knocked on the door, yet she didn't feel compelled to go answer it. The maid would get the door and if it was for Eden, the maid would escort that person to where she was.
She glanced up when the door opened, blinking in surprise at the sight of Mr. Darcy.
"Mr. Darcy!" she said. He stood awkwardly in the doorway, and she gestured to the seat across from her. "Please, do be seated… I'm afraid Mr. and Mrs. Collins are gone on business to the village."
The man in front of her didn't bother to sit and started pacing up and down the room.
"This is a charming house," he remarked. "I believe my aunt did a great deal to it when Mr. Collins first arrived."
"I believe so—and she could not have bestowed her kindness on a more grateful subject."
There was a long pause between them before Mr. Darcy spoke again.
"Mr. Collins seems very fortunate in his choice of wife."
"He is indeed lucky to have found one of the few sensible women would have accepted him."
Finally, Mr. Darcy sat down.
"Shall I call for some tea?" Eden offered. He shook his head.
"No. Thank you." He jumped up when they heard the front door open. "Good day, Miss Bennet. It's been a pleasure."
"Good day," she said as he hurried from the room.
Charlotte walked in the drawing room, looking confusedly at Eden.
"What on earth have you done to poor Mr. Darcy?"
"I have no idea," Eden murmured. She stared at the chair Mr. Darcy had previously occupied.
When Sunday loomed upon them, Eden found herself sitting in the backrow of the church, beside Colonel Fitzwilliam. Lizzie had become ill and was unable to attend service.
"How long do you and Lizzie plan to stay in Kent, Colonel?"
"As long as Mr. Darcy chooses," the Colonel answered. "I am at his disposal. There is no need for Lizzie and I to return to my estate at the moment. It's so large and airy, we seem to disappear into it. But it does not matter much. Mr. Darcy is a most loyal companion after all. From what I heard, on our journey here, he recently came to the rescue of one of his friends just in time."
"What happened?"
"He saved a man from an imprudent marriage."
A sinking feeling started in Eden's stomach.
"Who was the man? If you do not mind my asking."
"His closest friend. Charles Bingley."
They were silent as Eden processed his words. She leaned close to him, lowering her voice even more so.
"Did Mr. Darcy give you his reasons for this interference?"
"There were apparently strong objections to the lady."
"Such as?"
"I believe it was her family. They were considered unsuitable."
"So, he separated them?"
"I believe so. I know nothing else."
She nodded, "Thank you for sharing, Colonel. However, I suggest mentioning none of this to Lizzie. She might be upset."
"Ah, thank you for the warning. I treasure our friendship, Miss Eden."
"As do I."
When church was over, Eden found herself walking across Rosings' flourishing hillside. She was so overcome with her own thoughts that she didn't notice that the sky had grown grey until it was much too late. The sky opened, dumping buckets of rain upon her. She picked up her skirts, running for a Grecian summer house near the lake. She ducked onto the porch, sitting on a bench as she pushed drenched hair out of her face.
She looked out at the sprawling green meadows, being drenched by rain. Her eyes spotted a figure coming towards her and she stood when she noticed who it was. Mr. Darcy came running up to her, stopping when he was under the safety of the porch. He was breathless and agitated for some reason. He spoke before she could.
"Miss Bennet, I have struggled in vain, but I can bear it no longer. The past months have been a torment."
He paused, trying to find his words as she stared at him in shock. He took a breath, struggling on.
"I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you… I had to see you."
"Me?" Eden repeated.
"I've fought against my better judgement, my family's expectation. The inferiority of your birth, my rank and circumstance…" He stumbled monetarily before continuing. "… all those things, but I'm willing to put them aside and ask you to end my agony."
"I don't understand," she whispered.
"I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand."
It was not normal for Eden to be at a loss of words. She allowed herself a bit of pride in the fact that almost nothing caught her off guard. However, this certainty did.
"Sir," she began. "I appreciate the struggle you have been through, and I am very sorry to have caused you pain. Believe me, it was unconsciously done."
"Is that your reply?"
"Possibly."
The man frowned at her.
"Are you laughing at me?"
"Never!"
"Are you rejecting me?"
"I don't know what I'm doing," she snapped. "Never before have I been insulted like this."
"Insulted?"
"Yes! Your words are so evident a design of insulting me. You chose to tell me that you liked me against your better judgement!"
"Believe me, I didn't mean—"
"I'm sure you didn't, but you did. And I don't know if I can marry a man who has destroyed someone else happiness for the same reasons!"
"Excuse me?"
"My darling sister and Mr. Bingley. The inferiority of Jane's birth? Rank and circumstance? It is as if you drew them apart only to decided that it matters not for yourself. Do you deny it, Mr. Darcy?"
"I do not deny it."
"How could you do it?"
"Because I believed your sister indifferent to him."
She repeated the word, trying not to scoff.
"I watched them most carefully," he snapped at her. "And realized his attachment was much deeper than hers."
"Because she's shy!"
"Mr. Bingley too is modest and was persuaded that she didn't feel strongly for him." Eden's voice lowered, on the verge of tears.
"Because you suggested it."
"I did it for his own good."
"I'm sure," she said, meeting his eyes. "Did his fortune have some bearing on the matter?"
"No!" Mr. Darcy said sharply. "I wouldn't do your sister the dishonor. Though it was suggested—"
"What was?"
"It was made perfectly clear that… an advantageous marriage…"
"Did my sister give that impression?"
"No!"
There was a pause between them as Mr. Darcy tried to control his emotions.
"There was, however, I have to admit… the matter of your family. It pains me to say this, but it was the lack of propriety shown by your mother, your three younger sisters—even on occasion your father. Forgive me."
"On that we agree," she muttered.
"Yourself, Jane, and Mrs. Fitzwilliam, I must exclude from this. Now, do you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?"
"No, of course not, but your words are not those of gentleman. I've tried, Mr. Darcy, to be kind and understanding, and yet you have been arrogant and conceited and you have a selfish disdain of the feelings of others! And I'm sorry to say that I cannot, in my better judgment, marry you."
She regretted the words the moment they left her mouth. She could see her words cut him down as he recoiled back.
"Forgive me, madam, for taking up so much of your time." He turned, walking back into the rain.
Dread sunk Eden to her knees. She watched Mr. Darcy stride off, his shoulders tense. Had she just made a dreadful mistake? She couldn't marry him. He was conceited and rude, an-and, just…
Lifting a hand to her face, she tried to figure out when she started crying. Had that happened before or after he left? She picked herself off the ground and steeled herself. She had to return to Mr. Collins' home before Charlotte grew concerned.
By the time she made it to the Collins' residence, she was soaked to the skin. Charlotte came running out to her.
"Eden!"
"I was caught off-guard," Eden murmured. She started laughing, albeit hysterically.
The next afternoon, Eden was sniffling, a hoarse tint to her voice.
"Shall I call the doctor?" Charlotte asked.
"No, Charlotte," Eden shook her head. "I'll be fine after a long rest. Please, give Lady de Bourgh my apologies. You mustn't keep her waiting."
"Come on. We shall be late!" Mr. Collins called from the front door. Charlotte cast Eden a look.
"I'll be fine, Charlotte. I promise." Reluctantly, the woman left.
Alone, Eden wrapped a blanket tight around her. It was drafting in the drawing room. She picked up a book of Fordyce's sermons, settling down in her chair to read through it.
Her head popped up from the book when the door opened. Her voice caught in her throat when she saw Mr. Darcy. He walked forward, setting a cream envelope. He was gone as quickly as he appeared.
Hands shaking, Eden picked up the envelope, pulling out several pieces of fine parchment with a sprawling script written. She willed herself to read it, eyes landing on the opening sentence.
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