Notes: I didn't abandon this story, in fact, I finished the draft in Spanish a few days ago, but I have very little time to translate and edit it.
PPP
Contrary to her expectations, Elizabeth found herself delighting in Miss De Bourgh's company far more than she would have imagined. Though Miss De Bourgh was quiet and timid, her gentle sweetness and guileless nature touched Elizabeth's heart. In many ways, she reminded Elizabeth of her beloved Jane—selfless and kind.
During the following two weeks, Elizabeth accompanied her sister to visit Miss De Bourgh three times. Each time, Miss De Bourgh would request Elizabeth to tell her stories of her sisters and she would sit with rapt attention, her eyes shining with quiet longing as Elizabeth spoke of Jane's gentleness, Lydia's wild antics, and Kitty's endless chatter.
Although Miss De Bourgh's frailty had prevented her from learning to play music, her deep appreciation for it was unmistakable. Whenever Elizabeth played, Miss De Bourgh's pale face would light up with rare animation, her delicate hands gripping the arms of her chair as if the melodies alone gave her strength.
A fortnight after Elizabeth arrived in Hunsford, she was seated with Mary in the dining room, busy with their needlework. The serene quiet of the afternoon was punctuated only by the soft clinking of their needles and the occasional rustling of fabric. They had settled into a companionable silence when the tranquility was abruptly shattered by the abrupt entrance of Mr. Collins.
"My dear Mary! Cousin Elizabeth!" he exclaimed, practically bounding into the room. His hurried steps and flushed face betrayed his excitement. "I bring you the most extraordinary news—news that will surely fill you with joy!"
Startled, Elizabeth and Mary set down their work. Mary, ever composed, raised an eyebrow and asked, "What could possibly cause you such excitement, Mr. Collins?"
He stood before them, his chest puffed out and his expression exuding self-importance. "Lady Catherine received a letter yesterday from her esteemed nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam, announcing his arrival at Rosings in three days' time. And—" he paused dramatically, savoring the moment, "—he shall be accompanied by none other than her other nephew, Mr. Darcy himself!"
Elizabeth's head snapped up, her sewing momentarily forgotten. "Mr. Darcy?" she repeated, her voice tinged with curiosity. "The same Mr. Darcy we met in Hertfordshire?"
Mary glanced at Elizabeth before nodding, her tone calm. "Yes. The very same."
Before Mary could elaborate, Mr. Collins turned to his wife with an air of affronted disbelief. "You knew Mr. Darcy?" he exclaimed, his voice rising. "My dear Mary, how could you withhold such significant information from me? This is a matter of great importance!"
Mary shrugged lightly, her demeanor unperturbed. "I did not think it worth mentioning," she replied. "The only time Lady Catherine spoke of him, she seemed thoroughly displeased."
"Yes, you are correct, my dear!" Mr. Collins interjected, his voice rising with enthusiasm. "But Lady Catherine, in her boundless wisdom and benevolence, has forgiven Mr. Darcy for the regrettable incident involving his sister. She has graciously permitted his return to Rosings. However," he leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "she has made it clear that the engagement she once envisioned between her daughter and Mr. Darcy is now entirely out of the question. Furthermore," he added, with the air of someone delivering a devastating pronouncement, "Lady Catherine has decreed that the former Miss Darcy will never again be admitted into her home nor acknowledged in her presence. Such is her displeasure at the scandal."
Elizabeth frowned, her curiosity piqued. "And what precisely was the nature of this scandal?" she asked, her voice calm but edged with concern.
"Ah, my dear cousin," Mr. Collins began, adopting a sanctimonious expression, "it is a matter of great moral consequence. I hesitate to taint your delicate sensibilities with the sordid details, but suffice it to say, it involved an indiscretion of the gravest nature. Lady Catherine's disapproval is entirely justified. Such behavior cannot and should not be tolerated in a young woman of breeding." He clasped his hands together piously. "However, Lady Catherine, being the exemplary Christian she is, has magnanimously extended her forgiveness to Mr. Darcy, recognizing that he was not directly at fault."
Mr. Collins continued to expound upon Lady Catherine's virtues, his words a cascade of platitudes that Elizabeth barely registered. Her mind had wandered far from the present, pulled inexorably toward the memory of Mr. Darcy. Though their acquaintance had been brief, she remembered him with surprising clarity. There was his hauteur and reserved demeanor—but there was also his kindness, the quiet generosity he had shown her family during their time of greatest need.