Much to her delight, Mrs Bennet was informed by the housekeeper that accommodation had been prepared for their party in anticipation of more heavy rains and that their attendance at dinner was expected.
"Ohhh… we are staying here! I knew my plan would work! Now I can ensure that Jane catches Mr Bingley!" she exclaimed as soon as Mrs Nicholls left the room.
"Mama!" Jane coughed.
"Jane, you will soon thank me for my help. You are too shy and reserved. You ought to be bolder. Show Mr Bingley that you hold him in affection."
"Mama! That sounds improper," Elizabeth gasped.
"Do not be so silly, Lizzy! How else can you land a husband if you do not give men any encouragement? You will end up like Charlotte."
"Charlotte is our friend—"
"And a spinster. She does not possess a pretty face or an attractive form. She has no money, no prospects… she will become a burden to her family. She could not afford to hope for a romantic match," Mrs Bennet added.
"She should just marry the butcher's son, or Mr Goulding," Lydia suggested.
"Mr Goulding has a wife," Elizabeth reminded her sister.
"His wife has been confined to the sick room for months now…"
"Lydia! I cannot believe you could say such a thing--"
"La! I was only speaking in jest, Lizzy. But it could happen, you know."
"But then she would become mistress of Haye Park and have a curricle at her disposal. No, that would not do. I have long envisioned that one of my daughters would reside there once married. Perhaps you, Lydia. The estate is not far from Longbourn. It has better attics than Purvis Lodge and a larger drawing room than the great house at Stoke. I can see it now. We shall have Jane at Netherfield, you at Haye Park, well, I think Kitty would do well at Stoke, and Mary could settle for Purvis Lodge. And Lizzy… she could travel further afield… what is fifty miles of good road?"
"But I do not want to marry Mr Goulding. He is too old!" Lydia complained.
"I know you fancy redcoats, Lydia, but you cannot reasonably survive on their meagre wages."
"Who knows, maybe a general would become enamoured with me."
Elizabeth was at a loss for words and could only shake her head in disbelief as she listened to the conversation. When dinner was announced, she was torn between staying with Jane and joining her family at dinner. She would rather remain upstairs with her dearest sister, but also worried about how her mother and younger sisters would comport themselves in the presence of the Netherfield residents. Upon Jane's encouragement, Elizabeth decided to go down and do her best to prevent her relations from causing irreparable embarrassment.
When Elizabeth returned to Jane later that evening, she reassured her sister that she believed her standing with Mr Bingley was secure. Intimating that the young man had enquired about her quite thoroughly, Jane did not press for a lot more detail about what else had occurred during dinner until the following morning.
"Lizzy, I know you have not told me everything from last night's dinner," Jane started.
"There is nothing much to report, Jane. Mama was her usual self, as was Lydia. She spoke for Kitty most of the time. Mary was rather timid. Fortunately, I have learnt how to distract them and was able to provide some diversion. Mr Bingley remained amiable throughout and was truly concerned about your health. That is all that matters," Elizabeth shared.
"Thank you, Lizzy. I pray that one day soon, you shall meet a man who will value you."
"You might have to keep praying for a while," Elizabeth giggled. "But for now, you need to focus on your recovery."
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Back at Longbourn, Mr Collins was somewhat frustrated with being left in Mr Bennet's company. He felt that his elder relation demonstrated little interest every time he initiated conversation and suspected that he surreptitiously made sport of him. Moreover, he had also lost the opportunity to forward a match with a Bennet daughter. It was now clear to him that the best choice for his wife was the lively Miss Elizabeth. She could play and sing, which would please his patroness Lady Catherine. She was handsome, with a well-formed figure and strong constitution, which would please him. And she was kind, caring and sympathetic, which would please his parishioners.
"Sorry, did you just say Mr Darcy, sir?" the clergyman asked excitedly.
"Pardon?" Mr Bennet idly replied.
"Did you say Mr Darcy is at Netherfield?"
"Ah… yes. He is a friend of the Bingleys," the senior man confirmed then muttered under his breath, "though how that came to be is a mystery to me."
"Mr Darcy of Pemberley?"
"I believe so."
"Mr Darcy! He is my patroness's nephew. I must seek an audience with him most urgently."
"You are not intending to introduce yourself to Mr Darcy!"
"Indeed, I must! It is my duty to assure him that her ladyship was very well when I left Hunsford."
"I would advise that you wait for a proper introduction before addressing the gentleman, lest he take offence in your exercising such a liberty."
"Oh no, Mr Bennet. I am determined in my course of action."
"But…" Mr Bennet stared at the dark clouds through the windows, "how would you get there in this weather? The carriage is not back yet."
"May I borrow your donkey cart?"
Not hearing any objection, Mr Collins readily took his leave while Mr Bennet wondered how the donkey or the cart would fare with the load.
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A couple of hours later, a soaked Mr Collins was shown into the Netherfield parlour, clutching a bunch of wilted wildflowers. The astonished party hardly knew how to react to such a strange appearance.
"Shall I ask a maid to deliver the flowers to Miss Bennet?"
"No. These are for Miss Elizabeth. I gathered these myself, my fair cousin Elizabeth. They are a bit battered by the rain and the wind, but I hope you appreciate the gesture," he held the flowers out to her.
All the ladies with the exception of Elizabeth and Mary tried to conceal their laughter but barely succeeded. Elizabeth looked completely mortified and accepted the pitiful flowers with shaking hands.
"Ahem. Mr Darcy, I am very honoured to finally make your acquaintance. Your aunt, my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, often mentions you and your grand estate Pemberley. It is with great pleasure that I inform you that her ladyship was quite well when I last saw her a se'ennight ago, as was your lovely cousin, Miss de Bourgh. I am quite happy to answer any questions you may have about your illustrious relations or about Rosings Park," the parson offered.
"I have nothing I wish to ask," was Mr Darcy's curt response.
"Well then. Perhaps… when I return to the parsonage, hopefully before the month ends," he paused to smile at Elizabeth, "you may want to send some correspondence."
"There is no need. But thank you," Darcy frowned, noting the man's obvious preference for Elizabeth.
Soon after, Mr Collins was led away in order for him to change out of his wet clothes. Before the latest guest could return to the parlour, Elizabeth excused herself so she may tend to Jane.
"Oh, Jane! You would never guess what just happened," Elizabeth hurriedly shut the door behind her.
"I have no idea," Jane spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Mr Collins! He is here!"
"What? Mr Collins --" Jane struggled to answer, breaking into a bad cough.
"Jane… you do not sound well at all… we must send for help. Mr Jones was unable to attend to you last night, but I shall speak to Mr and Miss Bingley again."
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Sorry for the delay and for the short chapter. Still on holiday but tried to squeeze in an update.
Who is arriving next? ;-)