Chapter 8

The maid was still out, as was Maria, it fell to Charlotte therefore to answer the door - it was Mr. Darcy and with him Colonel Fitzwilliam. Charlotte could not conceal her surprise; she had surmised they would likely seek to avoid the parsonage for the rest of their visit

"Good day, Mrs. Collins," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, ignoring the shock upon her face.

"I'm delighted to see you, and Mr. Darcy of course. To what could I owe the pleasure of this call?" she said, leading them to the sitting room, praying their call would be completed by the time any of the rest of the household returned home. She could only thank the heavens for their continued absence as she answered. Anything that happened within Maria's hearing would surely make it to her mother, who, perhaps, rivaled even Mrs. Bennet at initiating gossip in Meryton. As to the maid, anything that made it to her ears was surely supplied, in short order, to Lady Catherine. Nearly every household order Charlotte gave, was within days, sure to be contradicted, her ladyship's condescension knew no bounds. Even the size of joint, ordered from the butcher, would be commented upon with new orders, with hardly even the trouble to disguise her dictate as a recommendation. As to her husband, nothing need be reflected upon on that score- she never made the acquaintance of someone who was better able to further incite the situation, he had both precisely the right talents and shortcomings - he could only make the current situation more lamentable.

"Sadly, we are to depart Rosings, and come now to take our leave."

"I am sorry to hear it, I am certain your company will be sorely missed. It is not often we have the pleasure of Lady Catherine's guests coming to call."

"I am equally as sorry to take away your entertainment in that case. Tis a sad thing when friends should part."

Knowing she had not more than a half an hour before at least some of the household returned, Charlotte thought it best to give the room to those that needed who wished to speak. "Indeed, it is Colonel. I hope you are not in too much of a hurry to take tea?"

"I should be delighted, and Darcy shall as well, I am sure." He said quickly, seeing Darcy ready to speak, concerned at what stupid uttering might come from his mouth.

"Then excuse me but a moment, as the maid is out, I will summon the tea."

"No need, Charlotte, I should be happy to go for you." Elizabeth said, sliding passed her. "I would not have you kept from your guests."

There was nothing to be done for it, she had already quit the room. Charlotte immediately suspected Elizabeth of avoiding the conversation Charlotte was attempting to provoke; surely the gentleman could not have called on her account. She wondered then, if Mr. Darcy had thought better of his earlier actions, and called to offer some sort of truce – he could not then know what was in Eliza's letter, he must have taken his leave of his aunt before she had received it. She could only now hope Lady Catherine would not arrive while her nephews were still in her parlor. Such an uproar would scarce ever be forgotten, and likely bantered about the neighborhood for quite some time.

Resigned that the gentlemen would not depart until they had spoken to her friend, Charlotte settled into polite discourse until Eliza returned.

"Tis a shame your journey back could not wait for better weather. Do you travel far?"

"Fortunately not, we only go to town."

"That is fortunate."

After nearly a quarter of an hour of stilted, inane, meaningless chatter, mercifully, Elizabeth finally arrived with the tea. Suspecting her friend of having delayed the matter longer than was required, Charlotte said nothing.

"We are to town today, Miss Bennet. I understand that your journey is not far behind our own. Do you have family you intend to visit there?"

"Indeed, my aunt and uncle. I am sad to say I have not occasion to see them often enough." She paused, looking squarely at Darcy.

"Your family are all well then?" Asked Darcy, as he could think of nothing else to say.

Ignoring his question, yet implying the answer, she looked back to Colonel Fitzwilliam and continued addressing him. "Though there are some that may blush for relations in trade, I am happy to say I am not one of them. I could not feel more affection for them. I am also to be reunited with my eldest, and dearest sister as she is lately in town herself. Though Mr. Darcy has assured me he has had no occasion to see her."

Darcy blushed, Charlotte blushed with him, wishing her friends defense of her sister were more circumspect. Colonel Fitzwilliam caught the inference that Mrs. Collins knew precisely what business lay between them.

"What a happy occasion." interjected the Colonel. "Tell me of her, is she much like you? I would ask Darcy, but he is hardly a reliable source it seems." Said the colonel, implying to Elizabeth he knew something of this morning's discourse.

"Indeed," she said, appearing to tease, hoping to keep the conversation civil for her friend's sake. "I think I should sooner ask the butcher for medicinal advice than Mr. Darcy for a character study. He confesses to have not great talent for discourse, and we know we cannot trust him to practice. But, alas, you have asked after my sister have you not? I cannot praise her enough, she is the dearest, sweetest girl in all the world. If only we all had her goodness. She is really rather shy in nature but warms to kindness quickly. I've never known her to believe ill of anyone but always speaks what she finds- which is a real wonder is it not? There are many with a simpering sweetness where it may benefit them, but so few with natural kindness, able to speak well of those society cares little for, and even of those not of a kind and gentle disposition themselves. She is able to see the best in everyone, even when they fail to show themselves to an advantage. As to myself, I cannot claim to be much like her. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and everyday confirms my belief of the inconsistencies of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense."

"It is not uncommon for contrary dispositions to be intimate friends. It has been my observation that two such persons can provide as sort of balance to one another, complimenting each other in a way similar dispositions cannot. She sounds like quite the young lady, very similar to my ward in some ways. It would be a privilege to know her." Replied Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Elizabeth could not keep the shock of such a comparison from her countenance. Colonel Fitzwilliam smoothed the matter over; a candid conversation could not now be had – all he could hope to do in such short order was provide a sympathetic portrait of Georgianna's character.

"Surely, it cannot be such a surprise that I would wish to call on an acquaintance while we are both in town."

"It does not follow that your call would be unwelcome. I should be delighted to receive you, near Cheapside." Said Elizabeth, unabashedly emphasizing her relations location.

"It is settled then. I will be please to make your sisters acquaintance, and your aunt and uncle's, of course."

"They will be delighted to receive you, I am sure."

"If Miss Darcy is in town, perhaps I shall bring her. I imagine you would have heard something of her in Hertfordshire."

Darcy looked horrified. Though he would have been delighted to introduce the two not a day ago, he would not now subject his shy sister to such impertinence and contempt, her being thought an artful rival for Bingley's affections-though she was yet ignorant of the scheme-and would likely have remained so, if she were not unjustly thought complicit in their machinations. What was Richard about? Surely, if the two were introduced, there would be insinuations that Georgiana could only be confused by – likely innocently inciting the situation further, by what would be perceived as feigned innocence. Elizabeth could sense his indignation. She attributed it to her relations in trade, their condition in life so decidedly below his own- and her anger piqued because of her assumptions. She would not have it, would not subject her relations to such evident disdain, like when Miss Bingley called upon Jane and employed every possible incivility to ensure Jane knew she was now beneath Miss Bingley's notice.

"Indeed," replied Elizabeth coldly, turning to look Mr. Darcy in the eye. "I heard a great deal of her from mutual acquaintances."

The colonel now had his answer, Miss Elizabeth had heard something of Miss Darcy from Wickham. Knowing whatever that man spouted was self-serving nonsense, and could hardly reflect well on Georgiana, he decided that whatever was said by Mr. Wickham, could only add to the contempt this Miss Bennet felt on behalf of the insult to her sister- add to it Darcy and Miss Bingley's example and this young lady could have no reason to think well of her.

"I pray soon you shall be able to form your own opinion of her, I believe her to be much like your own sister, based on your own account. Such young ladies are deserving of not only our affection but our protection."

Before Elizabeth could attempt understand what the colonel was implying, Darcy spoke, adding to the confusion and aiding no one's understanding. "Indeed, there is no worse dereliction of duty than to fail in the care of dependent, especially one of such a temperament. Whatever could be done for her protection or comfort must be done at once. Nothing within ones means should be withheld in the case of such as cause." He was thinking of his failure, hoping to unite them in the opinion there was nothing more estimable than the care of a sister; She was thinking of her sister, his actions towards her- thinking he meant to justify them, claiming it his right as a brother to procure whatever a spoilt, selfish, and proud sister wished.

The colonel cringed knowing how Darcy's statement would be taken, he looked to Mrs. Collins, silently pleading for help, hoping he had found a sensible ally.

"I cannot claim to agree with you there Mr. Darcy. Means alone cannot justify taking what is not yours, simply to answer one's own wishes, or even for the pleasure of a loved one. Jane would not ask it of me, I am sure."

Charlotte, catching both the Colonel's meaning and now having espied her husband, thankfully, very far up the drive, and not yet much more than a spec in the distance, hoped he too, would manage to infer her warning.

"I see Mr. Collins has returned home. He will certainly wish to share every detail of your kind condescension with your aunt. Nothing will be beneath his notice."

"I beg you to extend our apologies to your husband, madam, we cannot stay if we mean to make to town in time to dine."

"Of course, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I am certain he will understand."

Elizabeth was left with much confusion as to the colonel's motives and intent for requesting an introduction to the eldest Miss Bennet. He may perhaps, wish to aid Jane, though she could not know it for sure, as it seemed the colonel may mean to make some introduction to his ward as well, and could therefore not trust his good nature, as his hopes may algin with Mr. Darcy's. He may mean to impress upon Jane's gentle nature to quit the field and allow Miss Darcy to take the prize, she having more to offer their suitor. As Mr. Darcy quitted the room with a stiff bow, Elizabeth felt how improbable it was that they should ever see each other again, and she rejoiced in it; and as she threw a retrospective glance over the whole of their acquaintance, so full of contradictions and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of those feelings which would have previously promoted its continuance, if only for the sake of Jane's being in Mr. Bingley's company. She could only rejoice now that she had a method outside his influence to reunite the two.