Chapter Twenty-Four
Elizabeth found that Mr. Darcy did not quite have the influence that she hoped. She was summoned back to the library an hour later to be told that she had to leave.
"My aunt is adamant that you are no longer welcome to stay at Rosings," Mr. Darcy told her. "I think you should spend the night with your friend Mrs. Collins and give her ladyship the chance to change her mind."
Elizabeth knew that Lady Catherine would never do that. "I am sorry. I never meant this to happen."
"I'm sure you didn't, Miss Bennet, but your impetuousness and your disregard for propriety has caused this to happen."
Elizabeth frowned at his critical tone, but she remained silent.
"Have you nothing to say?" asked Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth didn't know what she could say without betraying Georgiana or Anne.
"I will go and pack my things."
"Your belongings will be sent to you. Her ladyship has graciously arranged for a carriage to take you to the Parsonage."
"May I say goodbye to Georgiana?"
"Georgiana is upset enough and is refusing to leave her room. I think it better that you go."
Elizabeth bit her lip. It was humiliating to be sent away in such a fashion. She stood up to leave and was about to open the door when Mr. Darcy called her back. "Miss Bennet. I am sorry this has happened. I will call on you tomorrow to tell you how we shall proceed."
Charlotte welcomed her with open arms. "I must say that I did not expect to see you so soon, Lizzy."
"I am sorry to just turn up, Charlotte." Elizabeth looked around. "Where is Mr. Collins?" she asked fearfully. The thought of him giving his opinion on what had happened was more than she could bear.
"Don't worry. Mr. Collins has been called away to someone who is very sick. We received word from Mr. Darcy that you needed a bed for tonight."
"More than one night," said Elizabeth as Charlotte showed her to one of the spare bedchambers. "I have offended Lady Catherine and she has thrown me out of the house."
"I can't say I am surprised, Lizzy," said Charlotte, as she opened shutters, smoothed away imaginary creases in the bed cover and checked everything was in pristine order.
"Why not?" said Elizabeth indignantly, as she removed her bonnet and coat.
Charlotte smiled at her friend. "Lizzy, do not misunderstand me. I did not mean to insult you. Lady Catherine has been very kind to Mr. Collins and myself, but I am not blind to the fact she is a rather difficult woman who Is accustomed to getting her way in all things. In truth, Lizzy, her only pleasure seems to be to antagonise others. She is feared rather than loved in Hunsford. As someone who has always been happy to express your opinions, it was only a matter of time before you were going to cross her."
"I'm surprised it has not happened sooner," said Elizabeth miserably. "But now she is saying I should be sacked as Georgiana's companion, all because Georgiana and Miss de Bourgh paddled in the lake and got a little wet."
Charlotte smiled. "Elizabeth, it is such a small thing. I am sure by the morning it will all be forgotten."
Elizabeth wasn't so sure.
"Lady Catherine is a Christian woman who readily offers forgiveness," Mr. Collins told Elizabeth at the breakfast table the following morning. "I am sure that if you admit how grievously you have behaved and how sorry you are, then you will be restored to your post."
"She has no right to take it away," said Elizabeth. "It is not Lady Catherine who employs me."
"My dear cousin, you cannot expect Lady Catherine to stand back and do nothing when you have disgraced the family."
Elizabeth found it difficult to control her temper. "Mr. Collins, you do not know what happened."
"Indeed I do. When I heard you had been banished from Rosings, I rushed to see Lady Catherine to offer my sincere apologies."
"Yours," said Elizabeth.
"Mine. I explained that your disgrace was my disgrace and hoped that she would forgive me."
Elizabeth looked desperately at Charlotte.
"My dear, I think we should finish our meal. You and I have some baskets to distribute today. We do not want to be late."
"You are right, Mrs. Collins," said Mr. Collins, smiling gratefully at his wife. "You see, Miss Elizabeth, how fortunate I am to have my dear Charlotte. Perhaps you could come with us, though on this occasion it might be better if you did not speak. We cannot let anyone else be tainted by your behaviour."
"My dear, Elizabeth is expecting Mr. Darcy to call this morning. She must be here to greet him."
"Then you must stay. Perhaps we should postpone our visit and I should speak to Mr. Darcy on your behalf."
"No, Mr. Collins, that will not do at all. We could not disappoint the families that are expecting to see us this morning. You know how much they enjoy seeing you."
Elizabeth almost held her breath as Mr. Collins pondered on his wife's words.
"Mrs. Collins, I don't know how I would manage without your wise counsel. Yes, we must go. I hope, dear cousin, that Mr. Darcy will be prepared to offer his forgiveness."
Elizabeth was relieved when Charlotte and Mr. Collins had left the house. Her head had started to ache rather badly after listening to his many strictures about her behaviour. She sat and tried to read but nothing could hold her attention. She kept listening out for Mr. Darcy's arrival, but after a couple of hours she had decided he was not coming, and she was just going to go for a walk when one of the maids arrived to say Mr. Darcy was there and he was in the morning room.
Elizabeth checked her hair and smoothed down her dress and took a deep breath before opening the door and entering the room. Mr. Darcy was standing, looking out the window.
"Good morning, Mr. Darcy."
Mr. Darcy turned around. "Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth sat down. "I am afraid Mr. and Mrs. Collins are out. They will be sorry to have missed you."
"Another time," said Mr. Darcy. He sat down and then quickly got up again and Elizabeth was puzzled by his behaviour.
"Miss Bennet, I have talked to my aunt, but she remains adamant that she will not have you back at Rosings."
It was not a surprise and yet Elizabeth felt sorely disappointed. She had no love for Rosings, but she did want to see Georgiana.
"I am sorry that I caused you so much trouble…. It was…"
Mr. Darcy held up his hand. "Miss Bennet. I have spoken to Georgiana and she has explained that the paddling was her idea."
"But I should have intervened."
"Yes, I think you should, but I know my sister. If she has decided on a course of action, there is little that can be done to stop her."
Elizabeth did not know what to say. "Does that mean you would like me to continue in the position as her companion."
"Yes… I mean no… In a way."
Elizabeth was astonished. She had never seen Mr. Darcy so agitated. She stayed silent until he sat down again.
"Miss Bennet, I have a proposal for you. I would like you not just to be Georgiana's companion, I would like you to be her sister."
"I don't think I understand…" said Elizabeth.
"Georgiana, as you know, thought herself in love. The man was George Wickham. He was known to my family and grew up with me. As a boy he was well thought of, but he did not grow up to be a good man and in time he left Pemberley and became estranged from us. Unbeknown to me however, he did keep in contact with Georgiana and he tried to elope with her. I was able to stop the elopement and I paid him off and he is now gone from her life. But she has continued to pine for him. She needs more direction and I do not have time to devote to her, but as my wife you would. You are a little young, but she is fond of you and I think in time you would help her grow into the sort of woman she should be."
As he warmed to his subject Mr. Darcy's words came out more clearly.
Elizabeth sat silent. She was stunned by what he was saying.
"But why would you marry me?"
"It would offer more stability to Georgiana. Normally you would not be the sort of woman I would consider marrying."
"You wouldn't?"
"No… Miss Bennet, I have met your family, I have met your sisters and your mother and their behaviour is not the sort one can be proud of. It is because I care so much for my sister that I am prepared to overlook that and take you as my wife. You are impetuous and outspoken and I would ask that you do not disgrace us, but you are beautiful and educated and in time, I'm sure, will make a fitting mistress of Pemberley."
By the time Mr. Darcy had completed his little speech Elizabeth was shaking with anger She had known him to be arrogant and rude, but she had never expect him to insult her in such a grievous manner.
She rose to her feet and Mr. Darcy rose as well. Elizabeth put more distance between them. She wanted him to leave immediately.
"Are you prepared to give me an answer, Miss Bennet? Perhaps if you need more time, I could return later in the day."
"No!" Elizabeth's voice sounded strange even to herself. It was difficult to form the words she needed to say.
"Mr. Darcy… under normal circumstances receiving a proposal of marriage from a man of your status and breeding would be an honour."
Mr. Darcy nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"But in this case it is not. I have known you to be rude and arrogant, but I had never expected you to behave in such an ungentlemanly fashion."
"Is that what you think of me, madam?"
"How can I think otherwise. You have insulted me in every way you can. You offer me a proposal which is really only a business transaction. You suggest that I am beautiful and educated and yet your dislike my impetuousness and outspokenness. And you ask me not to disgrace your family name. Why would I take your name, sir, when you have been so insulting to me? I have never considered I was not your equal and in your manners today, that has shown to be true. I would wish you good day, sir."
Elizabeth turned her back on Mr. Darcy, catching a glimpse of his shocked expression.
"Miss Bennet… if I could just say."
"No sir, you may not. Please understand under no circumstances would I ever marry you.
Mr. Darcy gave a small bow. "You have made your feelings clear, madam, and I apologise for taking up your time. I wish you good day."
As the door closed Elizabeth's legs gave way and she grappled for a chair and sank into it. She was horrified by what had occurred. She had heard the conversation between Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, but she had never expected him to actually propose. And then to insult her so. That hurt so very much.
One thing was clear, she could not stay in Kent. She wanted nothing more to do with the Darcys. She must return to London at once.