Battle of the Dragons Chapter 13, a pride and prejudice fanfic

~O~

Kentish Dragons

Sir William Lucas was ecstatic. He and his younger daughter Maria were on their way to visit his older daughter in her new home in Hunsford.

As he was not a good traveller, he had planned to break the journey by spending a night in London. The reason he was thrilled was that they would be spending the night in the home of the Duchess.

Since one of the reasons Sir William was travelling via London was to pick up Elizabeth, to take her along for the visit, Isabella had offered to put up the knight for the night.

As the party bound for Hunsford prepared to leave in the morning, Sir William asked, 'How can I ever thank you for your condescension?'

Even though it was a rhetorical question, Isabella answered, 'By not telling anyone about my rank.'

He looked mournful as he said, 'You drive a hard bargain, Your Grace.'

~O~

Elizabeth enjoyed the journey despite Sir William's silence. It gave her an opportunity to enjoy the view of a countryside which she had never before seen.

The roads were good and despite a

moderate pace to spare the horses, they arrived at the Hunsford parsonage in the early afternoon. Mr and Mrs Collins came out to meet them as soon as the carriage came to a halt.

The moment the travellers were out of their conveyance, they were warmly greeted by their hosts. Elizabeth was pleased that Charlotte greeted her with as much affection as always.

They did not linger outside as Collins was eager to show off his domain. Elizabeth was amused as he seemed to be particularly determined to make her feel what she had lost by rejecting him. But though everything seemed neat and comfortable, she did not show the least repentance, much to annoyance of their host.

Even though she mused that being married to Collins would be unbearable for herself, it appeared that Charlotte was quite content.

~O~

The visitors settled into the parsonage. Elizabeth was delighted that Sir Wiliam bore the brunt of Collins' attentions giving her and Maria a chance to spend time with Charlotte.

The ladies spent much of their time in the small parlour at the back of the house which Charlotte had set up for her own use. 'Mr Collins prefers the front rooms where he can see everyone,' she explained. 'When he is not preparing his sermons, or calling on Lady Catherine, you can often find him in his garden. He has quite the green fingers. I expect when the weather gets warmer, we will supplement our meals from his produce.'

Elizabeth complimented Charlotte on all things about her new home and situation while thinking that Charlotte had found a way to spend as little time as possible in her husband's company.

When Mrs Collins was busy with her own duties, Elizabeth explored the paths around Hunsford and even Rosings, after Collins proudly told her, 'Lady Catherine has given permission for you to explore the parks at Rosings when she learnt that you enjoy being in nature.'

~O~

As expected from their conversations over dinner, three days later, Mr Collins came back to the parsonage full of jubilation.

'Lady Catherine has done us the honour to invite us to dine at Rosings this very night,' he exclaimed as soon as he rushed through the door.

Elizabeth glanced at Charlotte and saw an expression of resignation briefly cross her features before she gained control of her reaction. 'That is most gracious of the lady. It is fortunate that the stew I planned to serve tonight will keep until tomorrow.'

Oblivious to the implied complaint, Collins went off on an errand. As soon as he was gone, Elizabeth asked her friend, 'Is Lady Catherine always as… impulsive?'

'You mean high-handed,' Charlotte corrected, her expression now openly resigned. 'I am afraid our patroness is convinced that she knows best and is loath to consider the plans other people might have.'

Before Elizabeth could think of a polite way to commiserate with her friend, Charlotte shook herself and she regained her good humour. 'Still, it is a small price to pay for having a home of my own. And I have to say that Mr Collins has been remarkable accommodating to my wishes… except in regards to the lady.'

'Well, I hope that you will always receive invitations at times which are most congenial to you,' Elizabeth told her friend with a smile.

~O~

Anxious to be punctual, Collins insisted that his wife and guests change for dinner well ahead of time.

As Elizabeth went off to prepare, Collins advised, 'Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which becomes herself and daughter. I would advise you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest — there is no occasion for anything more. Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.'

She could not help but enquire, 'I presume that Lady Catherine always dresses formally when she invites guests to dinner?'

'Of course, but as I said, she makes allowances for those of us of lesser rank.'

'Thank you, cousin for your advice.'

In her room, Elizabeth chose to ignore Collins' advice and picked her second-best evening dress to test the waters. The best evening dress and the ballgown which she had brought just in case she needed it, she deemed unsuitable for the occasion.

The last few days Elizabeth had thought it best not to flaunt her good fortune to her friend. She had therefore chosen her simplest day dresses from her new wardrobe to wear for dinner and had dressed in her old walking dresses in the daytime. But to beard the dragon in her den, she felt she needed the armour of elegance.

~O~

As it was only half a mile from the parsonage to the manor of Rosings, and the weather was pleasant, Collins led his party on foot through the park.

Along the way he was proud to point out features of interest with great enthusiasm.

When the servants took their outerwear in the foyer of the manor, Collins briefly examined Elizabeth's appearance and commented, 'I see that you have taken my advice in the manner of your dress. While it is pleasingly plain as befits your station, it appears to be quite new.'

Elizabeth suppressed a smirk and simply acknowledged his praise with, 'I am gratified that you approve of my attire.'

'I am most attentive to these things,' Collins intoned and headed towards the drawing room.

Elizabeth admired Charlotte for not rolling her eyes at that comment. Fortunately, Sir William and Maria were too busy being overawed by their surroundings to pay attention to anything else.

As soon as they were ushered into Lady Catherine's presence, Collins bowed so low that Elizabeth was afraid he would lose his balance, but due to the amount of practice he had in his obeisance, disaster was averted.

On entering the room, Sir William and Maria gaped at the opulent surroundings and barely noticed the occupants. Elizabeth on the other hand ignored the overdone decorations and examined the three ladies. Lady Catherine was a statuesque lady in her fifties who sat ramrod straight on a raised chair which could have could have done duty as a throne.

Sitting beside her in a chair which dwarfed its occupant, was a frail and sickly-looking young woman whose features proclaimed her as Lady Catherine's daughter. She was wrapped in shawls and her expressions asserted that she would rather be elsewhere.

The final occupant was a middle-aged woman perched on a stool next to Anne de Bourgh, who appeared to be her companion or possibly her nurse. Her focus was on her charge, and she wore a worried expression.

Once introductions and greetings were accomplished, during which they learnt that the companion was Mrs Jenkinson, Lady Catherine addressed the knight. 'Sir William, I must congratulate you on your good fortune to have disposed your daughter in such an advantageous marriage.'

While Sir William thanked the lady in confusion, Elizabeth bristled at the insult to Charlotte. Unable to resist, she forced a tight smile as she said, 'Pardon me for saying so, but in my opinion, Mr Collins is the fortunate one to have won such an admirable wife as my friend.'

Lady Catherine sniffed to have her opinion contradicted and replied in her haughtiest manner, 'Your feelings for your friend do you credit, but considering her age and general situation, I still maintain that Mrs Collins is the lucky one.'

Not wanting discord to spoil the evening, Sir William suggested, 'Perhaps in this matter they were both fortunate to have found each other,' to which the ladies could both agree.

~O~

Dinner was torture for Elizabeth. Not only were there too many rich dishes, but she was seated between Charlotte, whose attention was demanded by Lady Catherine, and Anne de Bourgh, who did not utter a word as she listlessly pushed food around her plate but ate little.

Collins made up for Anne's appetite as he had generous helpings of each dish and praised every mouthful… usually while his mouth was full. Elizabeth was only grateful that he was seated at the foot of the table.

Once dinner was over, the ladies repaired to the drawing room for coffee, where Lady Catherine expounded on every subject in such a decisive manner which demonstrated that she was not accustomed to having her opinions challenged.

Eventually she took an interest in Elizabeth. 'Your father's estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think? For your sake,' turning to Charlotte, 'I am glad of it; but otherwise, I see no occasion for entailing estates from the female line. It was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh's family. Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?'

'A little.'

'Then I shall be pleased to have you perform for us some time.' The lady went on to enquire minutely into Elizabeth's education and that of her sisters. While Elizabeth answered honestly and politely for the most part, Charlotte was concerned that Lady Catherine would detect that on many occasions, Lizzy's tongue was firmly in her cheek.

'You should have had a governess,' Lady Catherine proclaimed on learning of the Bennets lack of such a creature.

'Our parents thought it was unnecessary. Although now that my youngest sisters are of an age to soon come out into society, they have been sent to school to improve their accomplishments.'

'I suppose that is something. Although in my time, young ladies were always educated at home by a proper governess,' Lady Catherine declared. Looking down her nose, she added, 'I suppose that is the difference at my level of society.'

In a complete change of subject, she raised her quizzing glass and peered at Elizabeth's dress. 'I must reprimand Mr Collins for not pointing out to you the proper mode of dress. Such a fine evening gown would be more appropriate for a member of the upper ten thousand.'

Elizabeth forbore to mention that the gentry were considered to be part of the upper classes. She maintained a polite expression but could not suppress the twinkle of her eyes as she said, 'I was taught that I should always dress to compliment my hostess. Mr Collins congratulated me on the plainness of my ensemble.'

'That man obviously knows nothing of fashion. But surely, any fool can see that this gown is of the highest quality and completely unsuitable for a person of such low stature as yourself.'

'It was a gift from my aunt who thought it quite appropriate attire for a gentlewoman.'

'Who is your aunt?' demanded Lady Catherine with a scowl.

Before Elizabeth was forced to decide whether to admit to her connection to Isabella or to prevaricate, the men entered the room.

Collins heard the question and answered for her, 'Cousin Elizabeth has two aunts, one is the wife of the solicitor in Meryton the other the wife of a tradesman in London.'

'I received the gown from my aunt in London,' Elizabeth admitted and was amused by the look Sir William sent her way, although he graciously did not elucidate the company.

Lady Catherine huffed, 'That explains the mistaken understanding of the proprieties.' She nodded to herself in satisfaction, feeling that she had gained complete cognisance of the situation.

Having a more appreciative audience in Mr Collins and Sir William, she spent the rest of the evening pontificating to the gentlemen.

When it was time for the party from the parsonage to leave, Lady Catherine graciously sent for a carriage to take them home.

~O~

A few days later, Sir William returned to Meryton, leaving Maria and Elizabeth to enjoy Charlotte's company.

The ladies settled into a comfortable routine. Whenever Charlotte was busy with her duties and the weather was fine, Elizabeth explored the surroundings of Hunsford and Rosings.

As expected, they did not see much of Mr Collins except at meals and when they were invited to dine or take tea with Lady Catherine. After the first week, these occasions did not include Anne de Bourgh.

Another week later, the invitations stopped altogether. From a chance comment by Collins one evening at dinner, Elizabeth got the impression that all was not well at Rosings.

~O~