The March weather was crisp and dry, much to Lizzies relief. Upon her arrival she was joyful and proud to find just how well her younger sister had slipped into the role of wife. And she managed a lovely home with care and diligence. Mary was truly radiant and was basking in her new position. Mr Collins was as ridiculous as ever, but it was nothing for she got to see her dear Mary. Lizzie was surprised by just how much she had truly missed her serious younger sister. The first days passed simply, visiting members of the parish, helping Mary sew clothes for the orphanage in the next town over and taking long walks, enjoying the views that Kent had to offer. All was peaceful and calm, that was until day five of her stay.
T'was Sunday and Lizzie had used an unexpected amount of her personal inner strength just sitting through the abominably embarrassing and long-winded sermon delivered by her new brother. It was only the strong and powerful love she felt for her sister that kept her awake and upright in her seat.
Once the torment was over, Lizzie was happy to find that both she and Mary were able to extract themselves relatively quickly. Mr Collins stayed behind of course, so the sisters made the way home. Their camaraderie was easy, their conversation surprisingly light. It seemed that once she was away from her family, Mary was able to spread her wings. No longer consistently compared to her prettier, smarter, more sociable sisters, Mary felt the freedom to develop and grow. Lizzie couldn't help the pain of guilt she felt as this realisation struck her.
"Would you like to take a walk before lunch?" Mary asked as they wandered up the garden path.
"No, the stroll we have just shared was perfect" Mary couldn't hide her look of surprise.
"Some tea then?"
"A wonderful idea Mary, thank you"
They settled and set up in Mary's comfortable parlour, tea had only just been poured when a rather overexcited Mr Collins flew into the room.
"My dearest Mary and sister, you won't believe what has occurred. After you left the church lady Catherine spoke with me as it's her usual practice." He turned is attention to Elizabeth "She often gives me her notes and thoughts on my service each week. She is so gracious to share such with me" he smiled pompously " Well she has been kind enough to invite us to dine with her this very evening"
"How lovely" Was Lizzies only response.
"What wonderful news my dear. With this knowledge I know my sister and I will require extra time to get ready. Come Lizzie let us see your dresses and choose one that will be appropriate"
"Oh yes indeed" He spoke as the two exited the room. "And worry not sister, Lady Catherine appreciates all things modest" His loud crass voice followed them up the stairs.
The house certainly was grand. Furnished in dark oak and with its velveted walls the whole place felt closed in, claustrophobic. Nothing to the open, classic feel of Pemberley.
Her Ladyship was as severe and domineering as Lizzie had expected. Anne however had been a surprise. Will had always described her as being incredibly pale and sickly, but Lizzie was shocked to see just how pale and sickly. She genuinely looked as though the slightest breeze would knock her down. Why her mother wanted her married to anyone at all was the eternal question. She'd never be physically capable of managing an estate. And as for providing an heir, surely childbirth would kill her. If she even made it that far. These thoughts and ideas wouldn't leave her. So engrossed was she in her own thoughts that she was left uncharacteristically quiet. That was, of course, until the Grand Lady herself chose to address Elizabeth directly.
"I understand from Mrs Collins, that your older sister is too recently married" This was not a question.
"Yes my lady. Our new brother, Mr Bingley, has just started the process of purchasing the estate adjacent to our own. If only dear Mary here lived closer, all would be perfect. Though I must say she is most charmingly settled here"
Mary shone with pride at her sisters kind words.
"Yes" Lady Catherine drooled in a disinterested tone "and I understand there is yourself and a younger sister still a time?"
"Two sisters. Kitty, that is, Catherine and Lydia"
"Yet no sons?" She continued to probe.
" Alas, no" Her patience was beginning to wane somewhat.
"And this is how Mr Collins is to inherit?" Elizabeth simply gave a tight nod.
With luck, just as Lady Catherine opened her mouth to speak again, a rather nervous Footman entered.
"If you please your ladyship. Your guests have arrived"
"My nephews?" She asked sharply and Lizzies heart jumped.
"Yes ma'am. They have gone to their rooms to freshen up. Colonel Fitzwilliam said they would go straight to the red room afterwards. And wait for you to finish your meal"
"Our meal is done!" Lizzie looked down at her new plate, still hot. " I'm sure you will excuse me Mr Collins"
"Of course" he rose and signalled his wife and sister to follow suit.
"My carriage will be brought out to return you to the Parsonage. Come Anne, Darcy awaits" And just like that, she left.
Darcy finished refreshing himself at a speed unknown. He knew you would say Lizzie this trip he had relied upon it. The ring he bought with him was proof of that. But when, upon their early arrival, he was informed that his aunt and cousin were dining with guests from the parsonage he could barely contain himself. He made his way down to the ghastly red walled living room. But was surprised to find his aunt and cousin Anne already in residence.
"Ahhh Darcy, there you are. I must say I was expecting you to take longer readying yourself. No doubt you are eager to be back in the presence of your betrothed." He watched his cousin muster the energy to roll her eyes.
"She is not my betrothed aunt. As you well know" Catherine opened her mouth to argue but was cut off " No aunt. I am not here to argue with you on this point. We are only to visit a short time. Now, tell me this. We were informed you had guests. Where are they? I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Collins and the Bennetts recently. I would like to pass on my congratulations to the newly wedded couple." He looked around him as though they might be hiding about the room.
" I sent them home" Was his aunts lazy reply. He could offer no response, so shocked was the gentleman. His aunt was a creature of strict habit. The meal could hardly have started their main course. He stood in a daze, one that lasted through the rest of the evening.
Lizzie woke early, as was her norm. Quickly dressing, she headed out into the morning air. The chill helped to arrange her thoughts. Will was here! But she had to be cautious. She's allowed her familiarity to show to readily at home. Thankfully, only her father noticed overly and some awkward questions were asked by Charlotte and Jane. But here, Lady Catherine was a person who could truly make life difficult for her beloved. Strolling the lane, she soon took a little used track that led her to a small Grove. The dew on the ground soaked the hem of her dress. She dearly wished to sit, but the ground was far too wet. Then a wicked thought took upon her. No one ever came to this place , it lay completely undisturbed, and the trees were not all that high. With the glee she hadn't felt since her girlhood and a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, she hiked up her skirt and began to climb the closest suitable tree.
Will awoke early so he made his way downstairs. His cousin had risen early too , and by the door they unintentionally met.
" You want to walk Fitz? So early in the day?" Fitzwilliam nodded " Would you care for company?" He again nodded and so they headed out.
" I cannot believe our Aunts behaviour yesterday"
"Yes, it was rude wasn't it? To dismiss guests with such disregard. You said you know the family?
"Indeed, I have been lucky enough to come to call Mr Bennett friend. And I was invited, though sadly couldn't attend Miss Mary, that is the now Mrs Collins, wedding. And the oldest sister is the very Jane that married my friend Bingley. I stood up with him, and Liz… Miss Elizabeth stood with her sister"
"I see" A sparkle took root in his eye. " This walk then. Might I suggest Hunters Grove. We have not visited that peaceful place these last few years."
The gentleman chattered of little of consequence, simply enjoying being in the company of a dear friend. As the Grove came closer to view, Richard couldn't help but probe an idea that came to him with his cousins previous slip up.
" So…. Miss Elizabeth, you knew each other well?" he chuckled.
Will hesitated a beat. " She is the favourite daughter of my friend" He could not control the flush that crept up his face.
"Is that so?" The Colonel laughed. " only as the daughter of a friend? This Lizzie?"
" What are you suggesting?" Fitzwilliams voice became stern, angry almost.
"Nothing untoward dear cousin." He raised his hands in surrender.
" I should think not" Will growled " You should be more careful to speak such of a gentlewoman" And with that he stormed away into the Grove. Richard, shocked by the vehemence of his friends reaction chose to hang back. Just to give Fitz a moment to control his emotions.
Fitzwilliam strolled through the trees angrily. Were his feelings for Lizzie so obvious?
" Stop that face Will" A voice from somewhere came to him.
Richard reached the tree line and had a view of Fitzwilliam, he was about to call out an apology when he too heard the female voice. He stopped, stood quiet and still.
Will looked about him " Lizzie, where are you?"
"I'll tell you only when you drop your loud scowl"
"Loud scowl?" he laughed, his mood, completely changed, much to the still unnoticed Colonels amusement.
" Indeed, your scowl is audible, on a clear day, you can hear it a mile away. It travels on the breeze."
"Truly?" he laughed again. " where are you?"
"Look above"
Will did and as he caught sight of her she simply called out "catch!" And her slender body slid from the lowest branch. Will caught her, of course.
"Lizzy!" He half yelled in exasperation. "Do you not think you are too old for stunts such as this?!"
"Are you calling me old?" She demanded in mock indignation.
"You are a Young lady now, not that ragamuffin child of old"
"Ragamuffin? " she laughed, not bothering to demand released from his grasp. But relishing in the contact.
" I've known you most of your life, dearest Lizzie" he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear " and so can say, with certainty, that ragamuffin definitely fits." Both let out a short lived laugh.
"Is that so?" a querying voice boomed behind them. Will dropped his grip on her as she took a step back. "Her whole life you say Fitzwilliam?" The shock sat hard on their faces.
" It's not how it looks Richard!" Will declared adamantly.
Pulled from her stupor " Cousin Richard?" She asked, though taking a look at Wills questioning gaze she quickly regretted her own stupidity.
" Really Lizzie?!" Was all he could say to her.
"Indeed I am his cousin Richard. But you have me at the disadvantage…. Talks of me often does he?" The discomfort of his companions was palpable.
" Allow us to walk you back, Miss Bennett"
"Not necessary, Mr Darcy. I have no wish to interrupt your walk" She stepped as if to walk away.
"Are we really going to pretend I didn't just witness you two….. errr… talking with the most open familiarity"
Neither answered right away, but Will stayed at Lizzies side as she walked off, intent on returning to the Parsonage.
"As I said, it's not how it looks"
Richard hoped not because how it looked smacked strongly of compromise.
"It's a long story, Colonel. One I'm not sure you would even believe."
" Colonel now is it? Whatever happened to calling me cousin" he laughed
"She's not your cousin yet, Richard" Will answered firmly.
"Yet?" Richard was aghast, and Elizabeth stopped in her tracks.
"Will?" Her voice was weak
"I…I brought a ring with me, it's at the house. This isn't how I planned to go about it, but?" he's unspoken question hung in the air. Lizzie stared at him, trying to read his face. Richard stood frozen in stunned silence.
" But Georgiana. She…"
"She'll love you. Just as I do. Lizzie, you are my rock, my constant. You have stood with me at my best and my worst. I…" He reached out and grasped both her hands. " I have been in love with you for years. And I know you feel the same, so please just say it. Say you will marry me and I can finally be complete."
Happy tears filled Lizzie's eyes.
"Ohhh Fitzwilliam yes, a thousand times yes!" And with that, he pulled her into an all-encompassing embrace. He took hold of her chin and tipped to up towards him. As he lowered his lips to hers the moment was broken.
"First of all, congratulations are in order" Richard said " Second, Fitzwilliam, you will be explaining this later" He gave his cousin serious look that brokered no discussion. " And thirdly, but by no means lastly. Aunt. Catherine" Lizzie's eyes grew wide.
Will released Lizzie, but kept her close by his side" Ahh, yes. May I suggest Lizzie, Richard, that we keep this to ourselves until after we have removed ourselves from Kent. Though I usually find any kind of deceit abhorrent, I think it best if we consider this a simple act self preservation."
"Are we truly to wed Will?" The reality of it all had yet to sink in.
"Absolutely my love, absolutely"