Chapter Twenty-One
It had been a blissful week at Rosing Park, the family at Hunsford parsonage had enjoyed been reunited and entertaining their guest. The Bennet family had begun to see that Mr. Collins, was not beyond hope, and with a bit of distance from the demands of lady Catherine, once he was away from her he became a man one could tolerate and potentially even like. Mary had begun to show that she was with child and the family was particularly impressed when the clergyman had told his patroness in no certain ways that he wouldn't be available for her every whin especially as his wife was enceinte, as she grew their child and heir she would need him at home more. The great lady was so taken aback by the change in her clergyman she didn't even reply to him. There had been worry between the two eldest sisters about Marys's marriage but both women were happy to see their sister was content with her life as they both suspect that she had married him to save the family upon the death of their father, and slowly but shortly love was developing between the collins and their bundle of joy on the way would only make them closer.
It had been a long time since Mr. Bennet had the pleasure of spending some quality time with his oldest sensible daughters, he had missed Jane and Elizabeth when they had moved away to support their aunt Gardiner, When the older girls had left he had begun to spend more time with his next eldest daughter mary and had built a strong bond. It was a treat to have his three eldest girls together sadly, his younger two were very much like their more, especially his youngest Lydia, however sadly, it was now time to go home, his wife had written to say there was a young man in the neighborhood of good fortune who had taken a fancy to Lydia, who she thought was planning to court their youngest daughter. Therefore he was needed at home to give his permission and blessing straight away, she expected him to make haste as she was about to finally achieve her lifelong dream of marrying off all her daughters. Mr. Bennet worried that if Mrs. Bennet achieved this dream she would want to spend more time with him and even enter his bookroom.
Mrs. Bennet had also taken the time to write to her daughter's to demand they visit her, that they had been badly mistreating their dear mama, by been back in England for so long and not visiting her in person. As she was an old woman they must visit her as she couldn't bear traveling that far especially as she would need to come to Lindford Manor at Christmas tide. Mrs. Bennet's primary concern had been the fact she hadn't been able to showcase her most deserving beautiful daughter who was now the countess of Ashbrook, around Mereryton so that the good people of Meryton whom she had been known all her life knew who Mrs. Bennets was connected to she failed to note that the good people of Meryton had known her and Jane all there lives and where well aware of her good fortune. Jane who loved her son dearly was heartbroken that her mother had failed to mention her grandson that she had never met and didn't appear to be too bothered about.
It was planned that the Earl, Countess, and Elizabeth would visit Longbourne on their way north to their own estate Lindford Manor, in Staffordshire, Mr. Darcy had invited them to break the journey with him and his daughter at Pemberley rather than at a coaching inn and was gladly accepted by the Earl as he knew it would be safer for his family. The Earl also knew it would give Darcy and Elizabeth more time together to figure things out and give Elizabeth more time with Catherine Anne. Jane was concerned that her sister would struggle to be parted from her daughter again and encouraged her father to invite Mr. Darcy to Longbourne to visit with the family. Her father and his husband must invite the Darcys party to travel and visit with them, as it would be after to travel in numbers especially along the north road.
The Darcy's and Richard had spent a very pleasant week with the party at Hunsford parsonage, Darcy had especially been enjoying time with Elizabeth and their little family. The bennet and Ashbrook party had agreed to travel to long borne before traveling to Pemberley and had asked his party to join them which he gladly accepted, as he was not willing to be parted from his Elizabeth now he had found her again. Darcy felt like he was floating her had never spent such a pleasant time at Rosing park, he had spent the week with his Daughter and his Elizabeth and had hardly seen his aunt, they were a delight to be around and the instant connection between mother and daughter had with each other was amazing as they had now been separated for many years. He believed he was living on the stolen kisses that he had been stealing from Elizabeth he was sure he would die without them, he could he couldn't remember the last time he was truly this happy.
His happiness had come to a staggering halt a few mourning before they were due to leave when he had been summoned to an express rider who had a letter that he was to give to Darcy and Darcy only. This had upset the lady of the house as she felt it was her right as his closest relation to no his business and who was sending an express letter to her son in law! Lady Catherine was already annoyed that she hadn't heard from Wickham, knew it was too soon for the deed to be done as the chit was still in Hunsford but she had at least expected a reply or a request for funds to make it happen. Lady Catherine had decided that if she hadn't heard from him within the next few days she would find someone else to complete her task. Elizabeth Bennet had already spent too much time with Catherine Anne and Darcy for her taste. Finally, Darcy entered the kitchen where the express rider was waiting and was approached by the rider.
"Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Sir?" Asked the express rider
"Yes, I'm Fitzwilliam Darcy" He replied.
"I have a letter for you, of a captain Wickham, he said it is vital that you read this letter sir and it was to be placed in your hands only" replied the rider.
Darcy reluctantly took the express and sighed, what would Wickham want now, he was sure anything he had to say would not be pleasant. As he began to read the letter, his face dropped and his blood boiled, luckily at that moment, Richard had come into the kitchen in search of some food only to come across his cousin who appeared to be in white-hot rage and the servants appeared to be backing away from their master.
Richard quickly Sheppard Darcy out of the kitchen and into his study, shaking with rage alls Darcy could do was hand over the express for Richard to read. Richard was not shocked to learn of his aunt's antics, but stealing someone's personal mail was a new low even for lady Catherine and how long had she been stealing his cousin's mail for was another question, that was the smallest of her crimes, separating darcy from his family and then trying to ruin the women who Darcy loved. Lady Catherin must have been aware that Darcy had found someone he loved for her to act in that manner and he wanted to know her reasons, something had to be done about her.
Richard was relieved to know that Wickham who appeared to be a changed man had written to them they had a better chance of learning who the spies at Pemberly were but they would need to check Wickham out first and make sure he actually was a changed man. The mystery of the stolen letter had now also been resolved and with Wickham, newfound consciousness was true it probably wouldn't cost his cousin as much.
The real question was how they would deal with their aunt and how they would keep Elizabeth safe, Once he had settled Darcy's rage down he and Richard came up with a plan and then finalized the arrangements for them to travel to Longboure and Pemberley.
Darcy's plan was simple, as he and Elizabeth had both resided at Hunsford for over three weeks, they could be married by common licenses, if she agreed, they would wed straight away, Mr. Collins would need to agree to perform the ceremony. It would be time for the gentleman to pick his side between his wife and family or his beloved patroness. The final part of the plan was the couple would need to pretend not to be married for the first few weeks till Lady Catherine was dealt with. Darcy quickly dispatched a letter to his solicitor to arrange a marriage settlement and penned a reply to Wickham, before leaving to seek out his beloved to update her.