Hey guys, I am so sorry that it has been so long between updates. I kinda lost motivation for this story as the task of rewriting it was quite daunting but I will try to update a little bit more often. Thank you to everyone for their kind words of support and I hope that this chapter doesn't totally suck. For some reason, even though I tried to make the chapter longer, it refused to cooperate so we have a mini chapter as a result!
Anyways, enjoy!
Once he was dressed appropriately for the evening's engagement, Mr Darcy dismissed his valet by way of thanks. The faithful servant nodded and bowed before leaving the room without being noticed by his master, for he was deep in thought about the evening ahead. Checking his reflection in the standing mirror in front of him, Mr Darcy left the room in order to be present when his aunt's guests arrived.
Due to the events that had transpired that afternoon, Mr Darcy was in no mood to greet guests. He decided that it would be better if he did not dine with the guests for he was sure to cast a pall on the lively party that would soon be arriving and so began the search for his cousin, Richard. Mr Darcy could hear his cousin preparing himself in his bedchamber and so crossed the hallway, knocking at the door in order to alert his cousin that he was standing at the door. After waiting for a few moments, the door was flung open to reveal a smiling Richard. However, upon seeing his cousin's rather grim facial expression, the smile left his face and he gestured for Mr Darcy to enter.
Once inside the room, Mr Darcy declared, "Richard, I cannot go down to dinner tonight. Please convey my regrets to the guests as well as aunt."
Raising his eyebrows with interest, Richard responded, "Why, what happened this afternoon?"
"It is none of your concern, I am merely tired from touring the parks." Mr Darcy responded sternly, not wishing to speak of his feelings.
Richard shook his head, wishing to know his cousin's feelings but knowing that to do so now would not end well, before replying, "Very well, Darce. We will discuss this later but if you do not tell me what is troubling you, I shall have you tell aunt as well."
Mr Darcy nodded, replying softly, "You will know about it when we leave Rosings," before exiting the room in order to return to his own bedchamber for the evening.
Richard muttered in response, "I shall make sure you do, my dear cousin."
Once he was back in his bedchamber, Mr Darcy wished that his dear sister could be there with him to provide guidance and ease his troubled thoughts. She was able to see the problem clearly and provide advice and reassurance if he asked for it, which he had not done in so long for fear of being a burden on his young and innocent sister.
xxx
At the parsonage, Mr Collins' voice echoed throughout the house as he shouted anxiously for his cousin and wife to hasten as he hated to keep his esteemed patroness waiting longer than necessary. He had not been late to an appointment made with Lady Catherine since he had been given the living at the parsonage which had been quite some time.
Worried that her friend would not feel comfortable being left on her own, Charlotte entered Elizabeth's bedchamber to ensure that she was well enough to be left alone for the evening. Her anxious feelings were alleviated when Elizabeth nodded, thus reassuring her friend that she was well and that the headache would pass if she rested for a little while, despite the fact that the headache was a product of Elizabeth's imagination in order to avoid attending the dinner at Rosings. Smiling, Charlotte left the room, calling to her husband that she was prepared to leave for Rosings in order to keep their engagement and arrive on time. A few moments later, the door was closed, silencing the house for the evening, leaving Elizabeth alone in her bedchamber, with only her thoughts to keep her company.
Neither party was aware that they would not be meeting at Rosings, for Mr Darcy dreaded the next day when he would have to explain his actions to his aunt who would likely ensure that he sat with her during all of her morning calls for the duration of his stay, and Elizabeth wished that she would not be in the company of Mr Darcy until she mastered her thoughts and emotions.