Chapter Twenty-Three

Elizabeth found it difficult to contain her fury at Mr. Collins thinking she might not be capable of being a companion to Georgiana, although she knew she only had herself to blame. It perhaps had been unwise of her to suggest there was a mental weakness in her family but at the time she could not think of a better reason to prevent her being married to Mr. Collins, and grateful for that decision. Having seen the life Charlotte led with him, she knew more than ever it was one she would have found completely intolerable. In the end she persuaded Mr. Collins to leave her at the beginning of the long drive to Rosings.

"You must not neglect Charlotte," she said. "I saw that she was looking a little pale today. I am sure she requires your attention."

Mr. Collins looked suddenly worried. "If Mrs. Collins is to be ill, she must be isolated at once. I cannot upset Lady Catherine. Goodbye, dear cousin."

Elizabeth watched with amusement as he set off running in a most ungainly manner. Poor Charlotte. She did look pale, but she hoped she wasn't really sickening for anything.

Elizabeth carried on her way up the long drive to Rosings. She was about to go up the steps to the front door when she remembered Lady Catherine had insisted that unless she was with Georgiana she should do as Mrs. Jenkinson did and go around the back.

Elizabeth was tempted to go up the front steps but she knew if she did the butler or housekeeper would report her to Lady Catherine and she did not want to experience the ire of her or Mr. Darcy. She went around the back and was surprised as she turned the corner to see Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam approaching. They were both wearing riding boots and carry whips. Not wanting to be seen by them she slipped through the back door, but before she had a chance to reach one of the back staircases she heard them enter the house and she dived into the stairwell. The less she saw of Mr. Darcy the better. The two men headed towards her hiding place. Colonel Fitzwilliam was talking and Elizabeth was shocked by what she heard.

"Darcy, I saw you looking at Miss Bennet the other night, I believe you are warming to her."

"Fitzwilliam, as usual you are talking nonsense. She is Georgiana's companion, nothing more."

The colonel stopped with his foot on the step. Elizabeth pressed herself back into the dark recess under the stairs, hoping they would not see her.

"Darcy, she is a personable young woman. Georgiana likes her and you should consider asking her to be her companion on a permanent basis."

"I am grateful for what she has done, but I think we still need someone who is older. Look how she was tree climbing when we arrived."

The colonel laughed. "You exaggerate, Darcy, and it does not matter. She is attractive, has a beautiful voice, and she is well educated. If you do not see her as a companion, you could always marry her."

Elizabeth nearly choked in her hiding place.

"Fitzwilliam, you are a fool. I do not wish to marry Miss Bennet. I concede she has turned out to be more agreeable than I first thought, but she would not make a suitable wife."

"Why not… she is a gentleman's daughter and would make a suitable mistress at Pemberley. It would solve your problems with regard to your father and Lady Catherine. At least think about it…"

Elizabeth heard no more as the two men carried on up the stairs and she was left to ponder on what she had heard. She came slowly out of her hiding place and carried on slowly up the stairs. She was angry with both men talking about her in such a way. She was disappointed in the colonel. He had always treated her with kindness and thoughtfulness, but he had spoken of her so dismissively. And as for Mr. Darcy, words failed her. She had never imagined that he had any interest in her, but to say she would not make a suitable wife—it hurt.

She was tempted to write to her uncle at once and tell him she was returning to London to look for another position, but she knew such an action would worry Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. She would have to fulfil her promise to be Georgiana's companion until the rest of the summer, but she could not wait until it was over and she could return to Longbourn.

Over the next couple of days, the only contact she had with Mr. Darcy was at dinner and she made sure that she said as little as possible, so much so that Lady Catherine took her to task.

"Anyone who wishes to become a woman of substance should be able to converse in polite company, Miss Bennet?"

"But Lady Catherine, I am only a companion," said Elizabeth sweetly.

And Lady Catherine had pursed her lips for Elizabeth showing such impertinence in answering back.

"Aunt Catherine is frightened of you," said Georgiana, when they were sitting in Georgiana's room while she finished the sketch of Elizabeth.

"Afraid. I don't think your aunt is afraid of anything," said Elizabeth.

"Oh yes, she is. You make her feel uncomfortable because you to speak up for yourself. She likes people to agree with her."

"Then I am sorry to disappoint her," said Elizabeth.

Georgiana said no more and put the finishing touches to her drawing. "I am afraid it is not perfect, but I think I am slowly improving."

Elizabeth took a look, gasping as she looked at it.

"You're not offended, are you?" asked Georgiana anxiously.

"How could I be? It is quite beautiful," she said, looking at the very fine line work, "And you have made me look far more attractive than I deserve."

"That's not true and you're very beautiful. You know I wish you were my sister."

Elizabeth handed back the precious notebook. "Thank you for the compliment, but I have four of my own."

"I know," said Georgiana, "but if one day you got married you might acquire another one."

Elizabeth immediately felt uneasy. "Perhaps I might," she said carefully. "But not today." She was desperate to distract Georgiana. "Shall we take a turn around the gardens? I thought we might ask Miss de Bourgh and Mrs. Jenkinson to accompany us."

"Do we have to?" asked Georgiana, placing her book carefully at the back of a drawer.

"No… I just thought it might be nice. She seems quite lonely."

"Very well. We can ask, but I hope she will not come. She does not talk a great deal."

"Well, nor do you on occasion," said Elizabeth. "I shall fetch my bonnet and go and find Mrs. Jenkinson."

Much to Elizabeth's surprise, Mrs. Jenkinson thought it an excellent idea as did Anne de Bourgh.

"We must get out without Mother knowing," whispered Anne, "or she will want me to sit with her."

"Let's meet at the entrance to the kitchen garden," suggested Mrs. Jenkinson. "Do you know where that is, Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth did and they arranged to meet within ten minutes. As she was about to go to her room, one of the footmen arrived with letters for her. She was about to take the third when he explained it wasn't her but for Miss Darcy.

Elizabeth took her letters back to her room and left them on the table to read them later. One was from Jane and the other from Aunt Gardiner. She would have liked to have read them at once, but they would have to wait. As she fastened her bonnet, she was curious about Georgiana's letter. Georgiana did not seem to have any friends, which Elizabeth had thought was sad. She must be wrong.

When she was ready, she collected Georgiana. She was almost tempted to ask her about the letter, but she was reluctant to spoil the warm friendship that was building between them.

Miss de Bourgh and Mrs. Jenkinson were in the appointed place when they arrived, though Anne looked faintly ridiculous wrapped up as if it was a cold day, when the sun was beating down. Elizabeth saw Georgiana's eyes widen in amazement, but she greeted her warmly enough and very soon the two girls were walking side by side leaving Elizabeth and Mrs. Jenkinson to walk behind.

"Have you been in Lady Catherine's employ a long time?" asked Elizabeth.

"Five years. Anne is a very pleasant young woman."

"Yes…but her life seems restricted. She does not seem to leave the house very often."

Mrs. Jenkinson looked embarrassed. "She is often unwell and her ladyship does worry about her health a great deal."

Elizabeth felt Mrs. Jenkinson was choosing her words carefully. "Does she not have any friends?"

"Lady Catherine is very careful about who Anne spends time with. Of course, that may change when her engagement to Mr. Darcy is announced."

Elizabeth could hardly contain her surprise. "You mean there is an arrangement between them?"

"So I understand, though it is unclear what the agreement is, but Lady Catherine talks about it often."

"And does Miss de Bourgh want to marry Mr. Darcy?" asked Elizabeth curiously.

"I do not think so. She doesn't even know Mr. Darcy very well. She is shy and has led a sheltered life. That's why it is so nice to have you all here."

"Does she read embroider, play the piano, read, draw, anything?"

"I have tried to encourage her, but it is difficult to persuade her to do anything. I sometimes suspect she resists to avoid criticism from her ladyship."

"That must be difficult." Elizabeth felt sorry for Anne de Bourgh. Having a mother such as Lady Catherine could not be easy.

They carried on their walk, stopping to admire some of the many fruits and vegetables in the garden before moving on to the formal gardens and the large lake.

Georgiana spied a boat, tied up near the boat house. "Oh, I wish we could go out in it. Elizabeth, can you row?"

"No, I cannot, and we are not going out on a boat."

Georgina looked disappointed. "Are you sure?"

"Certain," said Elizabeth firmly.

"So shall we paddle?" asked Anne.

Georgiana looked at her in surprise. "What a wonderful idea. Come on, Anne, let's take off our shoes."

Georgiana sat down on a bench and started to take off her shoes. Anne only hesitated for a moment.

"Georgiana, I do not think this is a good idea," said Elizabeth.

"Miss de Bourgh. Lady Catherine would not approve of such an action," said Mrs. Jenkinson.

"My mother is not here," said Anne firmly as she removed her shoes. Very soon Georgiana had grabbed her hand and the two of them were at the lake's edge.

"Be careful," said Elizabeth.

"Why don't you join us?" said Georgiana.

Elizabeth was almost tempted as it was a warm day, but she knew she shouldn't.

"I'd have much rather been out in the boat," grumbled Georgiana, squealing as she stepped on a small stone. "Ouch, that hurt."

"Perhaps we could ask Fitzwilliam," suggested Anne.

"Fitzwilliam swims, he does not row," said Georgiana. "But we could ask cousin Richard."

"Anne, lift your skirts, you do not want to get them wet," cried out Mrs. Jenkinson, who had grown pale as Anne gently kicked her feet.

Georgiana leaned down and splashed some water at Anne. It was difficult to tell who looked more horrified, Anne or Mrs. Jenkinson. Then Anne laughed and before anyone could stop her, she had pushed Georgiana quite hard, who couldn't help her balance, and the next moment she grabbed onto Anne and they both toppled into the water. The water wasn't deep and it was only their skirts that suffered, but still they were soaked. Mrs. Jenkinson and Elizabeth were soon trying to pull them out but neither of the girls were very co-operative as they screamed with laughter.

Mrs. Jenkinson looked as if she was about to cry and kept muttering, "What will Lady Catherine say?"

Anne suddenly stopped laughing and held out her hand to be pulled out of the water. "Mother will be very cross. Let's go back."

Suddenly the little party looked very sombre. "Let's hope we can go in the back without being seen," said Georgiana. Elizabeth hoped so too, but luck was not with them. Lady Catherine had been looking for her daughter and when she could not be found had wandered outside and was having a conversation with one of the gardeners.

Lady Catherine nearly fainted when she took a look at them. "Mrs. Jenkinson, take Anne in at once. Dr. Hughes must be called for at once."

"Yes, your ladyship."

Elizabeth saw Anne scowl. It was clear there was nothing wrong with her. All she needed was some dry clothing.

"It was my fault, Aunt," said Georgiana. "I wanted to paddle in the lake."

Lady Catherine turned to Elizabeth, a look of pure hatred on her face. "This is your fault. You wicked girl." She started to hurry back to the house.

"I'm sorry, Lady Catherine. It was only a bit of water."

"Only water?" screeched Lady Catherine. "Lake water with plant life and mud. Anne is very unwell, do you not understand that?"

"I know you care greatly for her, but she can soon be dried."

"You do not know what you are talking about," snapped Lady Catherine as they went into the house. "And you can go to your room and collect your things. You are to leave at once."

Elizabeth's heart dropped. Lady Catherine was hysterical. "If I could just explain."

"Out, out."

Georgiana tried to intervene. "Aunt, it was not Miss Bennet's fault."

"How dare you. It is her fault and she goes at once."

Lady Catherine was screaming so loudly that several servants had appeared to see what the fuss was about and Mr. Darcy came bounding down the stairs, shortly followed by Colonel Fitzwilliam.

"What is the matter?" asked Mr. Darcy.

"This… this woman has let Georgiana and Anne nearly drown in the lake," said Lady Catherine.

"It's not true. Anne and I were paddling, that's all," said Georgiana, whose wet dress was creating a puddle on the ground.

"You do not know what you are talking about, Georgiana. Darcy, this woman is a wicked influence. She must be sacked immediately."

Even Mr. Darcy seemed surprised by his aunt's venom. "Aunt, I must have the opportunity to ascertain what has happened."

"I know what has happened. Anne has nearly drowned, she will develop pneumonia and she could die," said Lady Catherine hysterically. "She must leave at once. I will not have her in my home."

Colonel Fitzwilliam intervened. "My dear aunt, you must not distress yourself," he took her arm. "Let Darcy and I deal with this."

"But I must look after Anne," said Lady Catherine in a small voice.

"The doctor will be called and Anne is in the hands of Mrs. Jenkinson and her maid. Right now my concern is for you."

"You are a good boy, Richard. This whole incident is a strain on me…"

"One you are managing so well," said the colonel soothingly as he led his aunt away.

Georgiana turned to her brother. "This was not Miss Bennet's fault. It was mine."

"Georgiana, your dress is wet. Perhaps some clean clothes."

Georgiana looked as if she was going to argue, but she obeyed her brother and left them alone.

"Miss Bennet."

Elizabeth followed Mr. Darcy, conscious that the bottom of her own dress was wet. He took her into the library and showed her to a chair, but she refused to sit.

"Please tell me what happened," said Mr. Darcy.

"It was my fault. It was such a warm day, and I thought Miss de Bourgh and Georgiana would enjoy a paddle," she said, hoping he would believe her.

"And that was your idea?"

"I know it was a bad one. One of them slipped and got wet sitting down in the water. I don't think either of them were harmed."

"But it was an irresponsible thing to do."

Elizabeth could not argue with him. She did not want him to be angry with Georgiana. It was better he thought it was her idea than his sister's.

"I'm sorry."

"I shall talk to Lady Catherine. She is angry now, but I am sure she will soon calm down."

"So you're not going to send me home?" asked Elizabeth, quite surprised that he was not trying to censure her.

"I see no reason for it, but you must stay in your room until I call for you."

"Yes, sir."