"The whole of this unfortunate business," said Dr Lyster, "has been the result of pride and prejudice." - Fanny Burney, Cecilia
Peering through the palings of Rosings as she entered Hunsford, Elizabeth could not help but think to herself, "You are a fine house, but mine is better."
As much as she had refused to let herself be cowed by wealth and circumstance when she was the poor Miss Bennet, friend of the parson's wife, she could not help but notice the difference now that she was Mrs Darcy, wife of Lady Catherine's nephew.
Instead of sharing a small guest bedroom in the parsonage, she had her own room at Rosings, overflowing with gaudy furnishings. Instead of lording his dominion over her, Mr Collins was now deferential and submissive. And instead of being mostly ignored by Lady Catherine and thus able to do as she pleased, she was now an honoured guest whose schedule was carefully controlled and filled with tours and social engagements.
Overall, there was not a lot to be said in favour of the change.
Whenever possible, Elizabeth was at the parsonage with Charlotte and her new baby. The younger John Collins scowled, and blinked myopically at the world, when not screaming for attention from his mother and grandparents. Elizabeth was more predisposed to enjoy the company of children when they were old enough to sustain a conversation, but could not help liking him when she saw how happy he made Charlotte.
A mushy layer of snow and mud lay over the park, making it difficult for Elizabeth to go on the walks she had enjoyed during her last stay in Kent. Instead she was mostly stuck indoors with Lady Catherine. It had been her intention to get to know Miss de Bourgh a little better, or perhaps spend time talking to Darcy or Mary, but it was Lady Catherine who demanded her attention and dominated the conversation.
Lady Catherine alternated between making a great show of how generous and kind she was to Mary, and treating her like a piece of unremarkable furniture existing solely for the benefit of Miss de Bourgh. Much was made of the large, if somewhat weather-beaten piano in her room, as well as the dresses and books she had been given.
Looking around Mary's room, Elizabeth noted with a mix of affection and disgust that as well as a small library of books, Mary had started a new and equally gruesome replacement for the beetle collection left at Longbourn.
"I see that Mary has been making new friends in Kent," she said cheerfully, looking at a particularly large and shiny specimen.
Lady Catherine frowned. "Indeed, I have explained to your sister repeatedly that her time would be much better spent in more feminine pursuits, but she has been quite immovable on the subject. Were she a little younger I would have her learn drawing, but it is too late to correct such defects of upbringing now."
"Well, I am even more determined to get Mary back to Longbourn," Elizabeth said to her husband as they retired for bed on the night of their arrival at Rosings. "I am not certain that we were right to allow Mary to come here at all. I have been here a day and can barely stand another minute; how can she be happy after a matter of months? Expected to serve and entertain the silent and stupid Miss de Bourgh with no friends or family for support? It is not to be borne."
"You would not relish such a life, but Mary must make her own decision. And do not underestimate my cousin. Her circumstances and personality have left her poorly suited for company, but she is quite intelligent, and can be engaging enough when she has the desire and opportunity."
"I suppose it is unfair to censure anyone for silence in the company of Lady Catherine. Charlotte speaks very highly of Miss de Bourgh's kindness. Perhaps I am letting myself be influenced by jealousy; she was once your intended."
Darcy smiled. "Do not fret. Anne never had any hold on my heart, nor I on hers."
"Truly?" said Elizabeth. She reached for him, trailing her fingers down his chin, now gently rough with stubble. "What woman of good sense could ever resist your charms?"
Darcy smiled and put his hand on hers. "It has been known to happen."
The next morning, Elizabeth managed to escape with Mary to a private room before Lady Catherine could accost them.
"I must ask, Mary, are you happy here? Lady Catherine keeps telling me all the many ways in which she has improved your life, but I place rather more trust in your opinion on the matter. Say the word and we will whisk you away to freedom."
"I am quite satisfied with my position."
"And does Miss de Bourgh treat you with respect? She does not make you feel misused or put upon?"
"She treats me with every respect."
Elizabeth stared at Mary, trying to gauge her thoughts, but her expression was blank and unreadable. "Well, I am glad to see you have not let Lady Catherine force you into becoming quite as dull as Miss de Bourgh, even if I do dislike your beetles."
"Miss de Bourgh has a great respect for natural history, and has introduced me to many fascinating books. She likes my beetles."
"Does she indeed. Has she found a new companion? Lady Catherine was uncharacteristically vague on the question. You should not feel obligated to stay if she has not; we only agreed to a few months and she has had them."
"She has not yet found a new companion. And thank you for your concern, but I do not wish to leave."
"Well, can I persuade you to come with us to Longbourn for Christmas? Our parents would be glad to see you again."
Mary did not look as if she would be glad to see them. But what she said was, "I had promised Miss de Bourgh to help her give out gifts to the local children."
Elizabeth sighed and decided that, promises or not, she was going to have to be honest about her motives. "As I am sure you have noticed, my father has not been himself recently." From Mary's expression it was clear that she had not noticed. "Ah. Well, he made me promise not to worry you, and there's no reason to be so very worried, but his heart is not what it was. I don't know how long he has been ill, but he had a bad spell when he was at Pemberley. Despite his strong protestations of good health, I made him see a doctor. The surgeon said that if Papa takes care of himself he should not be in any serious danger, but it would still...I think it would be good if you could visit."
"Of course."
Elizabeth squeezed her hand "Do not fret. The life of a country gentleman is not so very taxing, and our mother has put her full energy into keeping him well so as to save Longbourn from the Collinses."
Mary nodded mutely.
One of the few amusements offered at Rosings was cards. To Elizabeth's surprise, Mary was conscripted into playing, though she did so with neither enthusiasm nor skill.
"I am surprised to see you at the table," said Elizabeth. "We could never induce you to play at Longbourn."
"All young women should play cards," said Lady Catherine. "It sharpens the mind and is a necessary connection to society."
"And do you agree, Mary?" It was remarkable how everyone around Lady Catherine seemed to magically agree with her opinions.
"I would not agree that it is necessary," said Mary, "but it can certainly be helpful. If my only goal is self-amusement then I see no need to play, for I do not enjoy it. But I do not object to playing in order to further the pleasure of others."
She certainly seemed to bring pleasure to Lady Catherine – since her commitment to the game did not include any close level of attention or much motivation to succeed, Mary played very poorly, and Elizabeth was sure that were the table to consist only of Rosings residents and local dependents (as was usually the case) then Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh would have no difficulty in laying waste to all those who challenged them. However, since Elizabeth was no one's dependent, and quite good at cards, she caused Lady Catherine evident displeasure by winning consistently. Elizabeth wondered how Darcy was going against Mr Collins and Sir William at billiards in the other room.
"I believe we have had enough of cards for one evening," said Lady Catherine firmly. "Miss Bennet, if you would grace us with a song?"
As Mary launched enthusiastically into something complex and tinkly, Lady Catherine smiled. "I was pleasantly surprised by your sister. She is not without accomplishments, and although a little more decided in her opinions than one might like, she is a good sensible girl and very open to guidance. As you know, I was planning on finding a more suitable companion, but Anne has become quite fond of her, and I think we may allow her to stay."
"How generous of you. Will she also be allowed to voice her own opinion on her fate?"
"What possible reason could she have to object? As you can see, she has every luxury here; she is treated quite as if she were a member of the family. She is very happy."
"As if she were a member of the family! How condescending of you, to include her so."
Elizabeth reminded herself the she was trying to reconcile with Lady Catherine, not drive a wedge between them. She rapidly excused herself, and walked into an empty room to cool her temper.
To her surprise, she was shortly joined by Miss de Bourgh, who sat next to her on the small couch.
"I apologise for my mother's rudeness. And I do not believe I ever thanked you properly for your hospitality in June," she said softly.
"We were glad to offer you what assistance we could; I am sure it must have been very a very difficult time."
"Yes." Miss de Bourgh looked up and frowned intently. "Do you truly think that your sister wishes to leave Rosings? Did she say something to you?"
"No. She says she is quite happy. But Lady Catherine is very forceful; I worry that she is being pressured into something she does not truly want."
Elizabeth was gratified to see what looked like an expression of true concern on Miss de Bourgh's face. "That possibility had not occurred to me. But you are right, my mother is not an easy woman to disagree with, and Miss Bennet values her opinion highly. Given the opportunity to choose freely, there is no reason she would not prefer to be with her family."
"Perhaps. At least with us she is treated as an equal. At the very least, I worry that she has no ally here. I would be less concerned of her being overwhelmed by Lady Catherine if I knew that you were willing to speak up in her defence, especially since she values your opinion so highly."
"I will speak to Miss Bennet."
"And will you speak to Lady Catherine as well?"
"When I feel it is appropriate." Signalling her unwillingness to discuss it any further, Miss de Bourgh changed the subject. "Are you enjoying your stay in Kent?"
"Yes, very much, and thank you for your hospitality. I realise you are not able to travel to Pemberley, but should you ever be in London you are quite welcome to stay with us at our house in town."
"Thank you. You are of course always welcome at Rosings. I know that Mrs Collins has missed your company since she moved from Meryton, and though I have never had a sister, I imagine that you and Miss Bennet must regret spending so much time apart."
Clearly you have never had a sister, thought Elizabeth. "It is good to see her, and Charlotte as well. And little John! Perhaps he will follow in his father's footsteps, and become a great orator; note how totally he captivates his audience with only a few gurgles and smiles."