Mrs Bennet returned to her chair in the parlour before Kitty, Lydia, and Mr Collins arrived back from Meryton. Jane and Elizabeth had taken up some sewing from the poor basket and were quietly working when Mary returned to the room. Mary selected her own piece of work and joined her sisters in quiet industry. It was into this peaceful scene that Lydia and Kitty came falling through the door, cheeks bright with cold, eyes alight with glee. They giggled and chattered loudly over each other. The cacophony of sound was greeted by Mrs Bennet joyously and loudly welcoming her daughters home.
"Oh la! Mama what good fun we had. Aunt Phillips has invited us all this evening."
"Indeed Mrs Bennet! In a show of hospitality that I cannot say I was expecting, although I am graciously humbled to receive, your kind relation has included myself in the invitation along with all my fair cousins."
The obsequious oozing voice of Mr Collins joined the conversation. The gentleman sat in a chair almost seeming grateful for the support of the furniture. Elizabeth exchanged a look with Jane. It was likely from what she had gathered from her conversation with Mr Darcy that Lydia and Kitty had done their best to leave Mr Collins behind. It was perhaps a mark of his fortitude that he had managed to keep up.
Jane quietly got up and rang the bell for tea before retaking her seat.
"Oh yes," Lydia said tossing her head. "Aunt Phillips especially asked after you, Jane. She had heard the draughts were no longer going to Netherfield and hoped that you would attend this evening so she could see for herself you were recovered. She was to invite some of the officers, so we shall be a merry party."
"That was most kind of our Aunt, of course, I shall gladly attend this evening to assure her of my well-being," Jane said warmly.
"Oh yes," Mrs Bennet agreed. "An evening at my sister's is just the thing!"
"We made a new acquaintance while in Meryton, Mama," Kitty announced proudly. For that, she received a dig in the ribs from Lydia who loudly took over.
"Mr Denny introduced us to him Mama, a Mr Wickham. He was very handsome. More attractive than both Mr Denny and Captain Carter. He is recently come to join the Militia. Aunt Phillips has agreed to invite him this evening. Oh, and we saw Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy ride through town. They did not stop, only raised their hands to their hats as they passed. Kitty and I nearly did not see them for there was a new bonnet in the window and we were speaking of how well it looked."
"Did they call?" Kitty enquired. "For I noticed they did not take the road towards Netherfield."
"Yes," Jane replied. "Both Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy called. Mr Bingley wished to inquire if I was quite recovered."
"They called?!" Mrs Bennet exclaimed. "But why did you not send for me Jane? You should have done so then you could have invited them for tea!"
"They stayed for tea Mama," Lizzy replied. "Papa sat with us and discussed books with the gentlemen."
"Your father! Books! Oh, Jane, that is not the way to do it. You should have sent Hill for me, Lizzy!" Mrs Bennet reprimanded tossing her hands up in agitation as she spoke. When Lydia and Kitty giggled at the scolding, Mrs Bennet shot them a quelling glance before continuing. "You will never catch a husband if you let your father speak to him of books!" she tutted. "But I suppose at least he called and was able to stay, that is better than having to send him off. Although with your sister present there could be no harm. Very well, I shall own you did the best you could. But I shall have words with your father. Books!" Mrs Bennet's hand were once thrown up again to punctuate her exclamations. Any further words she was about to speak were cut off as Mr Collins interrupted. The cup of tea he had been provided had revived his flagging spirits allowing him to attend the conversation once more.
"Forgive me, my dear Mrs Bennet, is the Mr Darcy you speak of a Mr Darcy of Derbyshire?" Mr Collins asked.
"Yes, Mr Collins it is," Elizabeth said warily.
"How wonderfully this sort of things occurs! Who would have thought of my meeting with—perhaps—a nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh."
"Indeed, Mr Collins Mr Darcy owned that he was Lady Catherine's nephew," Elizabeth admitted.
"And why should he not? Such a noble and estimable lady such as Lady Catherine is an example of superior breeding and understanding! How could Mr Darcy be anything but delighted in such a connection." Mr Collins responded. "I am most thankful that the discovery is made in time for me to pay my respects to him upon our next meeting. It will be in my power to assure him that her Ladyship was quite well when I left Hunsford."
"Mr Collins, you cannot think to introduce yourself to Mr Darcy. His manners are such that he will not think it a compliment to his Aunt. Mr Collins, I entreat you to reconsider your actions."
"My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have the highest opinion in the world of your excellent judgment in all matter within the scope of your understanding, but permit me to say that there must be a wide difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst the laity and those which regulate the clergy; for, give me leave to observe that I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom—provided that a proper humility of behaviour is at the same time maintained. You must, therefore, allow me to follow the dictates of my conscience on this occasion, which leads me to perform what I look on as a point of duty. Pardon me for neglecting to profit by your advice, which on every other subject shall be my constant guide, though in the case before us I consider myself more fitted by education and habitual study to decide on what is right than a young lady like yourself."
Elizabeth exchanged a pained and alarmed glance with Jane but said no more on the topic. Mr Collins who looked pleased with her capitulation nodded once and excused himself to the matter of some correspondence he had to attend.
"Do not worry Lizzy," Jane said softly so not to be overheard. "Mr Collins will have little opportunity to be much in Mr Darcy's company."
Elizabeth gave Jane a pained smile and wondered if it was to be her lot in life to have embarrassing relations.
The party travelled to Meryton that evening in good spirits. An evening of company with society assured to be merry and where the ladies could escape from Mr Collins company was welcomed by each of them.
Mrs Phillips greeted them warmly enquiring after Jane's health in particular. The time between their arrival and the gentlemen passed with all the misery that could be expected of listening to Mr Collins describe in detail Lady Catherine's house furniture and tastes.
When the gentlemen joined them, it was with relief that Elizabeth took Jane's arm and led her to the side of the room out of the way of the rest of the party.
"Jane, what am I to do?"
"What do you mean Lizzy?"
"I overheard Mama as we were dressing. She was speaking to Mr Collins."
"Lizzy, you should not listen at doors." Jane scolded lightly.
"The door was not closed. Mama was encouraging Mr Collins! She means for him to select a wife from among us. She had told him that you are to be soon engaged to Mr Bingley."
"Oh dear, Lizzy, I wish she would not say such things."
"I wish she would not say that I have no prior attachments!"
"You cannot mean?"
"Yes! She has encouraged Mr Collins to look at me for his wife! Oh, Jane! I could not accept him. I cannot bear to think that he will even think of proposing such a thing."
"But Lizzy you still have Mr Darcy, perhaps if Mama was made aware..."
"Oh Jane, that will never do! We do not know that Mr Darcy is considering anything towards me. And if Mama was to find out, I very much fear that she would behave so very much like herself that Mr Darcy would change his mind in an instant. She cannot find out, Jane please, you must help me conceal it from her."
"But Lizzy if she knew she would not let Mr Collins offer for you. But I see what you are thinking. Are you very certain Mr Collins prefers you?"
"I do not think he prefers me. I think I am the next sister when the first is unavailable. And for your sake, I am excessively glad that Mr Bingley is half in love with you. I could not bear to see you imposed upon by the odious man."
"My apologies ladies," a jovial voice came from beside them. "I should not wish to think I have caused such offence as to be worthy of the title odious!"
Jane and Elizabeth turned to see a handsome gentleman smiling at them.
"I am sorry sir, I do not think we have been introduced," Elizabeth said, unhappy that her conversation at least in part had been overheard.
"Ah, no. But I had the good fortune of making the acquaintance of your sisters Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty earlier today. Who demonstrated admirable charity and grace and were charming enough to secure my invitation by your generous Aunt to this evening's entertainment. Lieutenant Wickham at your service." Mr Wickham swept a courtly bow.
"Jane! Lizzy! I see you have met Mr Wickham," Lydia called loudly as she crossed the room to Mr Wickham's side. Lydia slipped her hand around Mr Wickham's arm and batted her eyes at him.
"Indeed Miss Lydia, I was just introducing myself to your fair sisters."
"Shall you join me at the table, Mr Wickham? We are just about to sit down for a game of lottery tickets," Lydia offered.
"Alas no Miss Lydia though it is kind for you to think of me."
Lydia looked torn for a moment before shrugging and returning to her party who were drawn up around a table.
"I believe my sister said you recently came to Meryton sir?" Jane said when it seemed Mr Wickham was not going to move on. "Are you from Hertfordshire yourself?"
"No, indeed I spent my infancy in Derbyshire."
"Derbyshire?" Elizabeth said in surprise, startled from her thoughts of what to do about Mr Collins and her mother's scheming.
"Yes, are you familiar with the area Miss Elizabeth?"
"No, I have never visited myself. However, a Mr Darcy who is staying at Netherfield with his friend Mr Bingley is from the area."
"I am familiar with the gentleman's estate, Pemberley. Indeed, I grew up within its borders. My father began life in the profession which your uncle, Mr Philips, appears to do so much credit to but he gave up everything to be of use to the late Mr Darcy and devoted all his time to the care of the Pemberley property. He was most highly esteemed by Mr Darcy, a most intimate, confidential friend. Mr Darcy often acknowledged himself to be under the greatest obligations to my father's active superintendence. The late Mr Darcy was one of the best men that ever breathed and the truest friend I ever had. I can see your astonishment, but I speak the truth."
"Were you familiar with the late Mrs Darcy as well, Mr Wickham?" Elizabeth asked inquisitively. Mr Darcy's reaction to mention of his mother had made her wonder about the lady. Elizabeth had heard nothing about the late Mrs Darcy from her only other source on Mr Darcy, Miss Bingley.
Mr Wickham paused, his brow wrinkling as if this was not the question he was expecting before his easy smile returned. "She was a great lady indeed, Miss Elizabeth. Very beautiful and always a kind word for those around her."
"And are you familiar with the rose garden at Pemberley? I have heard that Mrs Darcy had a great deal to do with it."
Wickham shrugged. "I confess that as a small boy I was not interested in the formal gardens where I would have to watch my manners to avoid spoiling the beauty. Indeed, I much preferred to be in the fields and wilder parts of the estate. It was a favourite pastime of ours to fish in the stream as boys."
"That sounds quite idyllic Mr Wickham. I am sure that young boys appreciate the wilderness in which to exert their exuberance away from the disapproving eyes of their masters and governesses," Jane said kindly.
"Yes, Miss Bennet I believe you are correct."
Elizabeth let her attention wander as Jane engaged Mr Wickham in further conversation about Meryton and the society to be had. Eventually, the gentleman made his excuses and with a civil bow moved away to converse with other guests.
"Mr Wickham seems amicable," Jane observed.
"Yes. How peculiar there now is another gentleman in the neighbourhood who has a prior claim on Mr Darcy," Elizabeth said with a smile. "Perhaps if we are particularly lucky we might yet meet both his sister and his Aunt, the delightful Lady Catherine de Bourgh."