A/N - this has been updated to correct grammar and spelling - a big thanks to my beta reader Ann ( goclimbatree), who has begun reading through and helping me fix errors and ensure clarity.
Let me know if you continue to see any issues. This story will be published on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited at some point once it is finished (August?).
Chapter 3
While Elizabeth was in her room considering all this, Darcy and the Colonel were riding toward London. Darcy was anxious to read the note Elizabeth had given him, slightly surprised at her daring in doing so. When they arrived in Bromley to rest their horses and refresh themselves, Darcy dismounted and ensured the Colonel was occupied before taking the note out of his pocket and breaking its seal.
It was short, only a few lines, but Darcy was very pleased by what it contained.
I neglected to thank you, sir, for the honour you have bestowed on me in making your request for a courtship. I am looking forward to getting to know you better and meeting your sister. I will be returning to London on Thursday next and am already anxious to see you again. If my father and uncle agree to the change in plans, please request that Jane write me to let me know discreetly. Remember to inform her and my uncle that C is reading my correspondence. Gratefully, EB
Darcy smiled and considered sending a few lines in return, but recalled that she believed Mr Collins was reading her mail. He was shocked by the audacity of her cousin, but knowing those his aunt hired, he considered it likely due to his feeling of superiority — the same sense of superiority that would lead to his failure to understand how a woman could refuse his proposal. He secreted the missive in a pocket and took out the other letters Elizabeth had given him, quickly memorising the address on top as he wondered how he could send Elizabeth a message.
After allowing their horses a rest and refreshing themselves, the gentlemen resumed their journey to London. Upon reaching the city, they separated – Darcy to deliver Elizabeth's letters to the Gardiners and the Colonel to see what he could discover in London about Wickham before departing for Hertfordshire the next day.
Back at the parsonage, Charlotte checked on Elizabeth, and the two spoke privately for several minutes. Since Darcy had asked her to keep their understanding a secret in Hunsford, she only told her friend she had asked Mr Darcy about his dealings with Mr Wickham, and the two had enjoyed a conversation where they cleared the air between them. She told Charlotte they parted as friends, and she was appreciative of his agreeing to take letters to her family on his return to London. After Charlotte left her, Elizabeth stayed up late into the night, pondering how her relationship with Mr Darcy had changed so suddenly and completely.
The next morning, Lady Catherine sent an invitation to the residents of the parsonage to take tea at Rosings at one in the afternoon. As soon as they entered the grand lady's public rooms, Elizabeth became the target of her ire.
"Tell me, Miss Bennet," she demanded shortly after they had all been seated. "What did you do to my nephews to make them leave so abruptly?"
"Excuse me, Lady Catherine, I do not believe I understand you," Elizabeth said, taken aback at the sudden attack. "I did nothing to cause them to leave. I understood they left of their own volition."
"No, they left immediately after my nephew refused to announce his engagement to my daughter," Lady Catherine said.
"Why would you believe I had anything to do with that, madam? I have no say in who Mr Darcy or the Colonel marries," Elizabeth replied.
"You have been flirting with my nephews since you arrived, and I know that it is because of you that Darcy is refusing to marry Anne," she insisted. "If you had not come to Kent, he would have done his duty to his family."
"I have not flirted with either of your nephews, Lady Catherine," Elizabeth protested. Collins, however, nodded his head in agreement with his patroness.
"You will leave Kent this very day, Miss Bennet," Lady Catherine yelled. "You are no longer welcome in the parsonage."
"I cannot depart today, Lady Catherine," Elizabeth exclaimed. "I will gladly leave in the morning once arrangements can be made, but you cannot expect me to leave right this minute. How would I get to London?"
Lady Catherine assured her that she did indeed mean for her to depart that day as soon as she could pack, although packing was less important than departing. The grand lady cared not if Elizabeth had transportation to town or a place to stay once there, but she was determined Elizabeth would not stay in the parsonage another hour and certainly not one more night. Mr Collins, of course, agreed with Lady Catherine's every word and herded his family toward the door so he could have Elizabeth's trunks packed and send her on her way.
Hearing this, a footman quietly put into action the plans Darcy and Richard had made in the event Lady Catherine ejected Elizabeth from the parsonage. Although Darcy refused to marry Anne every time he visited, this was the first time Lady Catherine accused a specific lady of being the reason for his refusal, and he was desperate to ensure his aunt could not injure Elizabeth's reputation. Before they departed Rosings, Richard had suggested making a carriage available for Miss Bennet should it be needed, and Darcy hired a small but comfortable carriage and coachman to be ready in case they were needed quickly. The footman now sent word to the carriage driver to arrive at the parsonage as soon as he could to convey Miss Bennet to London.
Elizabeth stepped out the door a short time later and was surprised to see a carriage waiting outside the parsonage. Even more surprising was the news that the carriage would convey her to London as soon as she was ready. Charlotte was relieved that her friend would not be stranded without any protection or care for her reputation. She thought she could guess who sent the carriage and considered what Elizabeth was likely not saying regarding her relationship with Mr Darcy. The two spent a few minutes in quiet conversation about their disappointment in not being able to finish their visit. Elizabeth begged her friend to prevent Mr Collins from sending any letters to Longbourn about her being summarily dismissed, and her friend agreed to try her best.
In his study, Mr Collins was upset and annoyed; the carriage's presence interfered with his plans. Since his discussion with Lady Catherine the day before about how his cousin had been trying to capture her esteemed nephew, Mr Darcy, he had been looking forward to her ruination, given how she had rejected him when he had proposed marriage to her. He had allowed Charlotte to invite her to the parsonage in the hope that his cousin would realise what a fortunate match her friend had made and feel some regret at her dismissal of him. Since she did not seem to be affected as he would have liked, it was only fitting that she should suffer in some way, and he was more than willing to kick Elizabeth out of his home without care for how and where she was to go at the express wishes of his patroness.
While the carriage had been being loaded, Mr Collins paced in his study, wondering what to do about his cousin and knowing Lady Catherine had intended for her reputation to be ruined to prevent her nephew from ever offering for her. He insisted it would be improper for Elizabeth to use the carriage of an unknown person, but she ignored him. He told the carriage driver to leave without his passenger, but the man refused, stating he was there to convey Miss Bennet to London and would not leave without her. The maid seated in the carriage to protect Elizabeth's reputation was unknown to everyone there and would only speak to Miss Bennet. Like the carriage driver, she would not leave the carriage despite all of Mr Collins's considerable efforts.
Continuing to ignore Mr Collins, Elizabeth hugged Charlotte and told her she would write soon to let her know she arrived in London safely. Elizabeth had been surprised by the carriage's arrival, but she somehow knew Mr Darcy had planned this in case his aunt became too unreasonable, as she had. She was at the same time grateful for his foresight and slightly vexed by his highhandedness in making the arrangements without consulting her. She knew she was being silly, as there had been neither the time nor the opportunity to consult with her. The footman had pressed a note into her hand as they had been escorted out of Rosings, and she was anxious to read it but dared not do so while Mr Collins or anyone from Rosings might observe.
After taking her leave, she was assisted into the carriage by the footman, who was also accompanying the carriage. Once the carriage started moving, the maid finally spoke, introducing herself as Claire and handing Elizabeth another thicker note. Claire asked Elizabeth to read that note after she had read the first one. Elizabeth pulled the first note from her pocket and sat back to read.
E — Please forgive my presumption, but after my confrontation with my aunt, I worry that my aunt may have recognized my interest in you and might blame you for my departure. Richard, Colonel Fitzwilliam, pointed out that I was not as discreet in paying you attention as I believed. My aunt can be vindictive when she thinks she has been crossed, and if my aunt does anything in retribution, like insisting you leave immediately, I wanted to ensure you would not be stranded or ruined due to her actions. If she does not act, you will never know of this, but if she does, please know my only goal is to provide you protection so you are not injured by me or my family, regardless of the outcome of my suit. FD
Elizabeth felt any negative feelings toward Mr Darcy melt away with this note. He had expended significant effort to protect her in the event that his aunt acted badly. His actions mitigated any potential for harm, and she could only appreciate the effort he took on her behalf.
When Elizabeth read the note given to her by the maid, she was surprised by its contents. Darcy had written it that morning from his London townhouse and informed her he had gone to her aunt and uncle's home the previous afternoon and learned they were away from London for a few days. If Lady Catherine behaved as he feared, he expected Elizabeth to arrive in London late in the evening in need of accommodations. He invited her to be his sister's guest at Darcy House until her aunt and uncle returned, or, If she preferred, he would request that his aunt, Lady Matlock, host her until her relatives were available, but cautioned that he may not be able to make the request for that evening as his aunt was often out in the evening. Should she be travelling to London, he requested she send an express to his sister at her first opportunity to let them know of her expected arrival and whether she preferred to stay at Darcy House or with Lady Matlock. Darcy closed the note with yet another apology for his aunt and a subtle reminder of his affection for her.
Feeling relieved and finally having time to consider the last few hours, Elizabeth settled into the squabs of the carriage and felt her heart lighten. All her negative emotions regarding Mr Darcy had faded away, and she now felt that being married to him might be something…. He had carefully ensured her reputation was protected and propriety maintained on her uncertain journey to London and by requesting she notify his sister of her arrival instead of him. She was grateful she would not be forced into a marriage with him. Although everything he had said and done indicated his desire for the courtship to proceed to marriage, is that what he intended?
When they stopped in Bromley to refresh themselves, Elizabeth purchased paper and ink, quickly wrote a note to Miss Darcy, and arranged for an express rider to deliver it to Darcy House. In her missive, she apologised for contacting Miss Darcy without an introduction and explained that Mr Darcy had requested she inform Miss Darcy that she was happy to accept her invitation to stay for a few days until her aunt and uncle arrived back in town and would arrive later that day.
Copyright 2023 by Melissa Anne
