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Page 7 of Darcy’s Redemption (Holidays with Darcy and Elizabeth)

Chapter Seven

G eorgiana arrived at Rosings the following day, as expected, in the early afternoon. She could scarcely contain her eagerness to visit the parsonage and pleaded with her brother to make the arrangements as soon as possible. It seemed Darcy was not the only one who had written to her since arriving in Kent—for Colonel Fitzwilliam, too, had sent a letter almost immediately after meeting Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Until Darcy’s letter arrived on Saturday, he had not mentioned the lady in his correspondence—not since Hertfordshire. Then, he had written of Miss Elizabeth only a few times, always favourably, particularly in contrast to Miss Bingley. However, while Darcy had remained silent, his cousin had not, and Fitzwilliam had much to say.

Since their first meeting in the grove on Wednesday, Fitzwilliam had been watching his cousin closely. He recognised that Darcy’s admission to Miss Bennet regarding his sister had not merely been prompted by what she had overheard. Had it been anyone else, Darcy would have been mortified and done everything in his power to prevent further discovery. Instead, he had spoken to Elizabeth freely—almost easily—and if nothing else, that convinced Fitzwilliam of one thing: Darcy was in love.

Over the days that had followed, Fitzwilliam continued his observations and soon realised that while his cousin was indeed smitten, he still struggled to make a decision. What Elizabeth thought of the matter was less clear. On that first day, she had been nearly hostile towards Darcy, her manner stiff and cool. Yet as they spoke, her sharpness softened though she remained cautious. However, in subsequent meetings, Fitzwilliam noted a further change—her reserve did not vanish entirely, but something had apparently shifted.

By Sunday, he found himself studying them both closely. During the sermons, they each seemed deeply affected—at least by the bishop’s words. As for Collins’s sermon, Fitzwilliam could hardly recall a single phrase; it had taken all his well-honed discipline to keep a straight face at the man’s absurd ramblings, especially as he related the death of Christ to his patroness.

In the colonel’s letter to his ward shortly after their arrival at Rosings, he had shared a few of his observations, so Georgiana was eager to meet Miss Bennet for herself.

Therefore, when Georgiana arrived at Rosings, she greeted her aunt as was proper, but did not remain long to exchange pleasantries. The moment she could, she pleaded a need to rest and asked her brother to escort her to her room. Their cousin Fitzwilliam accompanied them.

Once they were all in the sitting room attached to her bedchamber, she turned to her brother expectantly.

“When may we call at the parsonage, Brother?” she asked, her eyes alight and clearly impatient.

“I thought you were tired, sprite,” the colonel said with a chuckle.

“Nothing that a brisk walk cannot cure,” she replied with the wide-eyed expression that usually resulted in her guardians giving in to her.

Darcy huffed a quiet laugh. “You have only just arrived and told Aunt Catherine that you needed to rest. She will be quite put out if she learns that you are going to pay a call so soon after your arrival.”

Georgiana huffed. “I have waited since the autumn to meet this lady who has fascinated you for months. It seems that you have finally decided to offer for her, but I have yet to meet her. She is just a mile away, and it is past time for me to meet her,” she countered, slipping her arm through his and looking at him with a determined expression. “You must allow that I have been very patient.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had been watching with amusement, interjected, “Come now, Darcy, we might indulge her in this matter. I should not mind a visit to the parsonage myself.”

Smiling, Darcy finally capitulated to his sister’s request. “I intended it all along, Georgiana. Mrs. Collins is expecting us; she was only uncertain as to the time of your arrival. As I expected, you arrived early enough in the afternoon to make it possible for us to call before the acceptable calling hours are over.”

Georgiana glared at her brother. “Why did you not say so?” she complained .

Darcy only laughed, surprising his sister and cousin. “Come, let us pay a call to the parsonage. I would be delighted to introduce you to Miss Bennet, Georgiana, and she is looking forward to meeting you as well.”

With that, the Darcys and Fitzwilliam left Rosings and made their way towards the parsonage where they were expected.

“Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, we are delighted to see you again at our humble parsonage,” Mr. Collins said when their guests were announced. “And this lovely young lady must be Miss Darcy. Have you come to celebrate your brother’s engagement?”

“Engagement?” Georgiana stammered, looking at her brother in startled surprise.

“Yes, to Miss de Bourgh. Lady Catherine told me yesterday that the banns could be published, starting this Sunday,” Collins replied.

This proclamation was met with silence. Finally, Darcy found his voice. “You will do no such thing,” he exclaimed. “I am not engaged to my cousin, and neither she nor I wish to marry the other.”

A loud rap at the door startled them all. Before anyone could move from where they were, they heard Lady Catherine demanding entrance. “Show me to my nephew at once, girl, and do not bother to announce me. My rector would not think to deny me admittance to his home since I am the one who granted the living.”

Another voice was heard following this one. Darcy immediately recognised it, as did Elizabeth and the others, but Miss Darcy did not know who had spoken. "Lady Catherine, granting the livin’ doesnae give ye the right tae march intae the man’s house uninvited. It’s only proper tae let the maid dae her job an’ announce ye."

The next moment, both Lady Catherine and Bishop Baines entered the parlour where the rest were seated. The gentlemen rose from their seats quickly upon the lady’s entrance although the ladies were a little slower. Georgiana and Maria looked frightened at the entrance of the newcomers while Elizabeth and Charlotte remained composed.

“What is the meaning of this, Aunt?” Darcy demanded. “Why have I just heard from Mr. Collins that you told him to publish the banns for Anne and me to wed? You know that I would have objected as I never intended to marry my cousin. If you cared about your daughter, you would know she does not wish to marry anyone and certainly does not want to marry me since she knows I need an heir for Pemberley.”

“She does not know what she wants,” Lady Catherine insisted. “Neither do you,” she said to Darcy. “You will marry; it is what your mother wanted.”

Darcy sighed heavily. “Not this again, Aunt Catherine. You know as well as I do that statement is not true. My mother mentioned it in passing, when Anne and I were children, but she would have never forced it upon me if neither Anne nor I were willing.”

“You will marry her, Fitzwilliam,” she repeated, turning to him triumphantly. “I have already sent the announcement to the London papers. If you do not wed her, you will ruin her reputation, and you will be decried as a rake.”

Darcy turned to face her, aghast. “You would do that to me? To your daughter? Aunt, I spoke to you on Sunday about this very matter, and the bishop confirmed that neither my mother nor father ever sought an engagement. Hear me now, Lady Catherine; if your announcement is published, I will have the newspapers print my father’s final letter to me, which stated what I have already told you—that my father never supported a marriage to my cousin. There are other things in the letter and in his journals as well, that you would not want printed, I daresay,” Darcy said, his face severe as he looked at his aunt.

That lady blanched at this threat, turning on her heel without a word, and almost flew from the home. Mr. Collins followed her, shouting nonsense intended to soothe her, but his words had little effect. The rest of those in the room stood silently watching, until the bishop let out a little chuckle that seemed to relive some of the tension.

Still, no one spoke again until Fitzwilliam quietly addressed his cousin—though everyone heard his words. “What did Uncle George write in his journals?”

“Nothing that I am aware of,” Darcy replied sedately. “He hinted at a few things, little things that would likely embarrass her were they to become known but not enough to cause a scandal. However, nothing was stated overtly. I knew just enough to know the threat would work to silence her on the matter.”

Just then, he caught Elizabeth’s eye. She had obviously heard him, and she winked at him, silently approving his subterfuge. His heart leapt at earning praise from her, and he was more determined to win her heart.

She was not the only one, for the bishop then clapped his back. “Well done, lad,” he said, a note of pride in his voice. “I daresay she may have been bluffin’—or if she did send a note, it canna have been long since. She likely thinks there is time yet to stop it reachin’ town. I would have reminded her o’ what we discussed a few days past, but ye seemed to have it well enough in hand.”

Darcy nodded. “I have a longstanding agreement with the primary newspapers to not print any announcement that I do not deliver myself. It is possible that a gossip rag might have printed something, but that would have been far easier to refute. When we return to Rosings, I will write to my uncle to inform him of what his sister has attempted, but I doubt there will be any lasting harm from this.”

“What will Miss de Bourgh do?” Charlotte asked.

“Anne has told her mother often that she feels she is too weak to marry,” Fitzwilliam replied. “She wishes to remain at Rosings for all of her life. While she may wish for some freedom that she does not have under her mother’s dominion, she knows she is not strong enough for life in town or to be a wife to anyone. She also does not believe she could run this estate on her own, which is why she allows her mother to remain in control.”

“Does the estate belong to her, then?” Elizabeth asked.

Darcy nodded. “It does,” he replied. “Legally, it became hers on her twenty-fifth birthday with her uncle and me as trustees. As long as she wished to allow her mother to remain in charge, we have not attempted to do otherwise, but in Sir Lewis’s will, the estate became hers upon her marriage or upon reaching that birthday. She has the right to send her mother to the dower house, but she has chosen not to do so.”

“Most like because she didnae have the strength to put her out,” the bishop interjected wryly .

“Will she do it?” Maria said, entering the conversation for the first time, her curiosity overcoming her shyness for a moment.

Fitzwilliam sighed. “I am uncertain,” he said. “We have encouraged her to take her place for several years now, but Anne has always been unwilling. Even if she does not wish to marry, she needs a husband who can act on her behalf.”

“What if you were to marry her, Colonel?” Elizabeth interjected. “For myself, I would prefer to marry for love, but I know marriages amongst the peerage are often arranged for other reasons. It could be mutually beneficial for you both.”

Fitzwilliam cleared his throat. “There are advantages to the match, and it is unlikely Anne will live to reach thirty, or so she tells us, but I am uncertain I am willing to make the sacrifice.” Seeing how the unmarried ladies regarded him, he continued. “I am not saying that marrying Anne would be a sacrifice, just that I would be giving up, umm, certain things, if I were to wed her. For example, it is unlikely that I would ever have children while married to her.”

“You wish to have children someday, Colonel?” Charlotte asked.

“I believe most men do, even those who do not need an heir to inherit,” the colonel replied before clearing his throat. “Nevertheless, Anne has stated that she does not wish to wed at all, and I am unwilling to broach the topic at present. I would not want my cousin to believe I was taking advantage.”

“Come, let us speak of something else,” Darcy suggested. “If Anne were here, she would not like hearing herself being spoken of in this manner. ”

“Yes, let us turn to more pleasant topics,” Elizabeth agreed. “Come, Miss Darcy, sit with Maria and me, and tell us where you purchased that lovely shawl.”

Darcy shot her a grateful look, delighted that Elizabeth was already helping his sister to feel at ease.