Second chapter posted today, so ensure you read the other one first.


Darcy spent the rest of that day tending to estate matters with Richard and Anne. Anne was a quick study and was good at sums, which helped significantly. She showed genuine concern for her tenants' needs, which was a stark contrast from her mother's attitude. Darcy was able to mostly keep his mind off of Elizabeth, despite some of the tenants' homes being close to the parsonage, with only fleeting thoughts crossing his mind a handful of times.

Once, while riding the perimeter of the estate, he saw three women who he thought to be the ladies from the parsonage, but he did not draw any nearer. His cousins had already taken great pleasure in teasing him about his admiration for Miss Bennet. He refused to give them any further justification to think a connection was forming.

Mr. Collins called in the evening to speak with Lady Catherine about the sermon for the following day. Darcy wondered if anyone had ever told Mr. Collins that he did not need to pander to Lady Catherine. She could not take the living away once given, not unless the archbishop got involved. If she was to become displeased, then it was likely that her donations of food and supplies may not be as generous. However, this did not seem so great a misfortune. Darcy would rather eat fish than beef if it meant not having to live under Lady Catherine's thumb.

Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins had been conversing for a while when her voice began to rise, reverberating off the walls. Darcy was unable to make out all of the words, however it seemed she was irate that Mr. Collins' Easter sermon asserted all people were equal in Christ. The clergyman quietly explained his rationale; however, his meek voice was overshadowed by Lady Catherine's more assertive pitch. Darcy felt pity for the other man and quickly went to his room to fetch his Bible.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus," read Darcy as he entered the room where the two combatants argued. He turned a few pages back to Proverbs. "The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all." He closed his Bible with a loud snap. "Do you argue with the Bible itself, Lady Catherine?"

Mr. Collins's face was filled with terror as he nervously glanced back and forth between Darcy and Lady Catherine. He need not have feared, though, for Lady Catherine could have no argument. She scowled and ordered Mr. Collins to leave. Darcy followed Mr. Collins, hoping to speak with him for a moment — certainly a most singular experience.

"Mr. Collins," he called out as the other gentleman exited the manor house.

Mr. Collins turned around and bowed low in greeting.

"I hope you will not change your sermon on Lady Catherine's account. Your duty is to the people of the parish, not your patroness."

"I- I do not know what to do, sir." Mr. Collins fidgeted with his hands, looking meek and afraid.

"Keep your sermon as it is," said Mr. Darcy. "Besides, the living technically belongs to my cousin, Miss de Bourgh. She is not so fastidious as her mother."

"Truly?" Mr. Collins could scarcely believe his ears. All of his sermons had to be accepted by Lady Catherine, and he had to remain within the boundaries of topics that would not upset her. He had been told months ago that Miss de Bourgh had inherited, but it wasn't until now that he began to contemplate how it would impact his future. "What about in the future? Lady Catherine wishes to see all my sermons. What if Miss de Bourgh sides with her mother?"

"If you preach something that angers her ladyship and it results in your living situation becoming uncomfortable, I will try to find you a living elsewhere," said Mr. Darcy. "I cannot say it will have so good an income as Hunsford, but I will not let you be abused by my aunt."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy," said Mr. Collins breathlessly. "You are a most kind gentleman." His expressions of gratitude continued for several minutes as Darcy walked with Mr. Collins back to the parsonage. Without realising it, he had walked the entire way with the other man and only when they were at the door did he realise where they were. Mr. Collins then invited him in to dine with him. Darcy did not wish to see his aunt just then, so he accepted.

On entering the house, Mr. Collins called out to his wife and informed her that Mr. Darcy would be dining with them. Mrs Collins joyfully welcomed him and asked for an extra place to be prepared. Elizabeth and Miss Lucas had not yet made their way to the drawing-room. Mrs. Collins observed his curiosity and informed him that the young ladies would be down in a few minutes.

She was correct, for Miss Lucas appeared after a mere five minutes, and Elizabeth followed shortly after. Letting out a deep breath, he took in Elizabeth's beauty. He recognised the gown she wore. This was one of the dinner dresses that she had worn while visiting Netherfield. Her dress was a pretty white muslin with short sleeves and intricate embroidery at the hem. The bodice drew the eye, as it was decorated with large white beads that glimmered in the light, making it look like strings of pearls. He forced his eyes to her face, lest he seem to be ogling her. She smiled at him, but the expression on her face was curious as she was wondering what he was doing there.

She absentmindedly reached up to her hair to confirm that the small decorative comb she had placed there was still there. Her hair was carefully and intricately arranged with bands and curls, the same style she had selected for the gathering at Lucas Lodge.

Mrs. Collins let out a cough, which caused him to be pulled away from his admiration of her friend. "My dear," said Mrs. Collins to her husband, "I believe all is ready if you would like to go into dinner."

Mr. Collins agreed and offered an arm to his wife. Darcy escorted each of the other ladies in, one on either arm. He was seated in a place of honour by Mr. Collins, with Elizabeth on his other side. Mr. Collins recounted to his family the events of that evening, going into great detail about the offer that Mr Darcy had made.

"How generous," said Elizabeth with a raised eyebrow. "Have you many livings to bestow?"

"Not many, no," said Mr. Darcy. "In my gift, there are three. Lampton, Kympton, and Holmton. They are all currently filled, and the vicars are in good health. However, I know many people who also have such gifts, and if a man is worthy, I would not hesitate to use my influence to ensure he gets what is owed to him. Nonetheless, the Hunsford living is truly owned by my cousin Miss de Bourgh, as she is the legal owner of Rosings. I do not think she would cast your cousin out."

Elizabeth was taken aback. She had recently begun to wonder how the man she had come to know over the last se'nnight could be the same man who would cruelly deny Mr. Wickham a living. She now pondered if Jane's idea was correct, that each man had wronged the other in some way, or if a miscommunication had occurred.

For the rest of the meal, Elizabeth remained largely silent and reflected upon the gentleman she had previously believed she understood well. She was coming to think she did not know him at all.


That evening, Mr. Collins toiled away at his sermon, although he did not revise it for the satisfaction of Lady Catherine. The next day he spoke with conviction about the equality and freedom available to all through Christ's sacrifice. His speech was delivered with an unshakeable passion, his stature standing tall and unmoved in the face of Lady Catherine's menacing glares.

Mr. Darcy and his cousins sat in the pew, their eyes wide as Lady Catherine's face turned a brighter shade of red. They hoped she would not make a scene, at least not until they had less of an audience. Mr. Darcy was impressed with Mr. Collins and it seemed Anne was as well. He did not think Mr. Collins had anything to worry about, for his cousin would not see Mr. Collins homeless just when he had begun to preach something interesting for a change.

"Did Mr. Collins grow a spine?" whispered Richard to Darcy as they sang the final hymn. Darcy's reply was a single, dismissive shrug.

As soon as the service was over, Lady Catherine stormed out of the church, calling for her carriage to be readied immediately and scolding the stable boys for not working fast enough.

"Dinner should be entertaining this evening," whispered Elizabeth as she passed him in route to the retiring room. Darcy agreed. He was uncertain if he should be looking forward to the dinner or dreading it.