Page 35 of Moments Frozen in Time (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

“Yes, well,” Mrs. Bennet said hastily, “my brother’s letter also mentioned he required Lizzy’s help with the books.

You know how she enjoys that sort of work.

” She turned towards Mr. Collins with a brittle smile.

“It may not be the traditional role of a gentlewoman, but Lizzy is quite skilled with figures and often assists Mr. Bennet. I daresay it is a useful trait for the mistress of a modest estate—or perhaps even a rector’s wife. ”

The suggestion hung in the air, her hopeful tone doing little to mask her attempt to appease Mr. Collins in her daughter’s absence.

“She ought to have been here,” Mr. Collins repeated, his voice sulky and sullen.

Mrs. Bennet looked stricken, caught between regret at Elizabeth’s absence and her desire to honour the unspoken arrangement—one I was not meant to be aware of although I knew it involved Miss Bingley and that lady’s attempt to manipulate. Regardless, Mrs. Bennet’s silence spoke volumes.

Unaware of the undercurrents, Bingley spoke up just then.

“I will be returning to London soon, and since Miss Elizabeth did not have the chance to take her leave, if you would like me to deliver any letters to her, I would be happy to do so. I am leaving the day after the ball to accomplish some business, but I will return within a fortnight.” He glanced towards Miss Bennet when he said this, and he missed the obvious consternation in Mrs. Bennet’s expression.

Miss Bennet simply looked sedate, and I wondered if my friend had already talked to her about his expected absence.

“Oh, no, Mr. Bingley, that will not be necessary,” Mrs. Bennet replied, her voice tight. “Surely you will wish to return as soon as you can, and visiting my brother would only delay you.”

“Miss Elizabeth has mentioned that her aunt and uncle live on Gracechurch Street,” I stated.

“I believe I do some business with a Mr. Gardiner who has a warehouse near there; is that not your brother? I would very much like to speak to Miss Elizabeth again as well, and if she is in town, I can introduce her to my younger sister,” I said, watching Mrs. Bennet’s expression as I spoke the words.

“No, Mr. Darcy, that is not necessary at all,” Mrs. Bennet rushed to say.

Before she could comment further, Mr. Collins interjected with pompous eagerness.

“How exceedingly generous of you, Mr. Darcy, to offer to visit my cousin when she is staying with her relations in town. Still, I must confess, I cannot imagine that your noble aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, would approve of such a visit—particularly if it involves bringing your esteemed sister into a merchant’s household.

Whilst the Bennet sisters may be genteel young ladies, they are, of course, quite beneath your exalted station.

Indeed, I must admit I am astonished—honoured, truly—that you have condescended to visit what will one day be my humble estate.

It is, I suspect, a trait you share with your most gracious aunt, whose affability and munificence are unrivalled. The very image of noble condescension!”

“My sister’s acquaintance is not a matter for Lady Catherine to dictate,” I said coldly, turning my attention towards the rector.

“Nor is it any of your concern, sir. I am my sister’s guardian, and it is for me to decide what company she keeps and where she may go without regard to my aunt’s thoughts on the matter. ”

Mr. Collins gaped. “But—but surely your aunt’s opinion must carry weight?

Lady Catherine is your nearest relation, and her judgement is impeccable.

Surely you would not contradict her—particularly regarding your sister’s conduct.

Why, Miss de Bourgh is the jewel of Kent!

Certainly, you would wish Miss Darcy to imitate your intended in all her mannerisms and conduct. ”

“She is not my intended, as I have said before,” I snapped.

“And I would thank you not to repeat my aunt’s mistaken assumptions.

Lady Catherine has long entertained the idea of a match between her daughter and me, but I have never shared that view.

My late mother, I am certain, had no such desire.

I will not be compelled into a marriage I do not choose.

” My anger was rising, and somehow, I felt my mother’s presence nearby, and it calmed me.

I turned then to Mrs. Bennet, softening my tone only slightly.

“Forgive me, madam, for speaking so bluntly to your guest. But I feel I must make myself plain. I am aware of certain rumours circulating in Meryton—one, that I am engaged to my cousin, Miss de Bourgh; another, that I am secretly engaged to Miss Bingley. I assure you; both are complete falsehoods. It is remarkable how swiftly such tales travel.”

My gaze met Mrs. Bennet’s, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw something shift in her expression—perhaps regret for her hasty decision to send her second daughter away. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by a resolve.

She said nothing in reply, only offered a stiff nod and leant back in her chair.

Before I could ask anything further about Elizabeth, she turned her full attention to Bingley, peppering him with questions about the upcoming ball.

Although it had not yet been formally announced, Mrs. Bennet considered herself more informed than the rest of the neighbourhood.

Bingley did his best to answer, clearly caught off guard by the barrage, though, fortunately, Mrs. Bennet did not seem to require particularly detailed responses. After a few minutes, he rose from his seat.

“Mrs. Bennet, thank you kindly for your hospitality,” he said warmly. “But I believe it is time my friend and I took our leave. My sister and I shall hope to deliver the invitations later this week.”

With that, I stood as well, taking my leave of the Misses Bennet.

Mrs. Bennet sent Miss Bennet and Miss Lydia to accompany Bingley and myself to the door, making me smile at her machinations.

Momentarily, I realised how, a few months ago, I would have been annoyed rather than amused and attributed it mostly to Elizabeth but also to my mother’s voice that had seemed to linger in my mind more and more frequently over the last weeks, reminding me of things she had taught me.

“You did well, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Lydia said to me as she walked me to the door behind Bingley and Miss Bennet.

“If I learn any more about Lizzy, I will do my best to let you know, even if I need to use Mrs. Hill to send a note to Mrs. Nicholls. Do not worry about either of them; they would never gossip or do anything that might harm Lizzy’s reputation, and I will make sure that Hill knows that I am doing it for Lizzy. ”

“Very good, Miss Lydia,” I replied. “Do you know if your coachman has returned? I wonder what he may reveal about where he took Elizabeth?”

Miss Lydia seemed to consider this. “I will see what I can find out, Mr. Darcy.”

I began to exit, but then Miss Lydia called me back. “Should I gather from what took place earlier that Mr. Wickham should not be trusted?”

“You should, Miss Lydia,” I replied, astounded that I could have forgotten the encounter with him.

However, my thoughts had been wholly taken by what may have happened to Elizabeth once Miss Lydia had told me what she overheard.

“I will write to my cousin when I return to Netherfield, but somehow, I suspect he will not trouble the residents of Meryton long. But yes, you and your sisters should avoid him and not trust a word he says to you.”