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As Collins droned on about Lady Catherine’s latest pronouncements, Darcy couldn’t help but imagine Elizabeth’s witty retorts to such tedious conversation, were she present. How could she bear to be engaged to a man so utterly devoid of sense and sensibility?

The urge to contradict Collins’ ridiculous assertions grew with each passing moment. Darcy forced himself to remain outwardly calm, though his knuckles whitened as he gripped the chair arms even tighter.

The cheerful chirping of birds outside the window provided a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere within the room.

Darcy was pleased when Bingley looked around and noticed that Elizabeth was missing from the room.

“Where is Miss Elizabeth?” Bingley asked, his usual exuberance softening to a gentle warmth as he addressed Jane. “I hope she is not unwell, for I had hoped to invite you all to dinner at Netherfield tomorrow night.”

As Bingley spoke, Darcy observed their interaction closely. He noted their deepening attachment with a mixture of satisfaction and envy. Silently, he vowed to support their union, hoping it might balance the scales for his past interference.

Darcy’s attention was drawn back to Mrs Bennet as her smile changed, becoming somehow more ingratiating. “I am not sure where Lizzy is,” she replied.

“Oh, will there be dancing?” Miss Catherine Bennet said excitedly.

Miss Bennet stood quickly, “She is with father, I will get her.”

“I hope all the officers will be invited!” sighed Miss Lydia Bennet.

“No, Jane. Leave her where she is,” Mrs Bennet said firmly, her smile still in place but all humour gone from her voice.

“Mr Bennet has a slight cold and dear Lizzy insists on sitting with him and reading to him. She is such a good girl.” She directed the last part to Mr Collins, who smiled at this piece of news.

“As Fordyce says, ‘Moderation in all things is the mark of a well-regulated mind.’ Perhaps we should consider a more modest gathering,” Miss Mary Bennet spoke quietly .

Darcy’s jaw clenched as he struggled to maintain composure. “I hope Mr Bennet’s illness is not serious,” he said, brow furrowed. “Perhaps Miss Elizabeth could join us briefly.”

He imagined her tending to her father, worried about the toll on her spirits. Could this explain her recent melancholy?

The lively, lived-in atmosphere of Longbourn in the morning stood in stark contrast to the formal, often silent breakfast room at Netherfield.

“Tis a trifling cold,” Mrs Bennet sharply exclaimed.

Mrs Bennet’s dismissal of the illness as a ‘trifling cold’ rang false to Darcy. He made a mental note to discreetly inquire about Mr Bennet’s true condition, perhaps through Bingley’s connections in the neighbourhood.

Darcy’s concern grew as he considered Mr Bennet’s condition.

If serious, it could explain Elizabeth’s hasty engagement to Collins - a desperate attempt to secure her family’s future.

The thought made his chest tighten with understanding and renewed urgency.

A muscle twitched in Darcy’s cheek as he contemplated the implications, absently tugging at his suddenly constricting cravat.

This complication would require a delicate approach.

He needed to find a way to offer support without appearing opportunistic, all while considering the precarious position of the Bennet women should the worst happen.

It underscored the importance of his intervention - not just for Elizabeth’s happiness, but potentially for her security.

“Yes, she nursed Miss Bennet when she was ill at Netherfield last year,” Bingley said with a smile, “after walking all the way to Netherfield.”

Mr Collins started a little. “But is it not nearly three miles to Netherfield from here?”

“Lizzy does enjoy walking,” Miss Bennet said, “she is always going off somewhere or other.”

“Exercise is very good for us all,” Mrs Bennet said, looking at her eldest daughter a little oddly. “Lizzy only enjoys walking for her health, of course. She does not go wandering about the country for the sake of it.”

Darcy felt his lips twitch with amusement, but he quickly schooled his features to maintain his composure.

“And do you enjoy walking, sir? There are many fine walks around Rosings,” he asked Mr Collins, who seemed pleased at such attention from such a quarter.

Lady Catherine believes that walking is excellent exercise, but I do find more pleasure in attending my garden,” Mr Collins replied.

“I also attend Lady Catherine daily and the walk between my humble parsonage and Rosings Park is one I am sure my dear Elizabeth will come to know and love as much as I do.”

As Mr Collins expounded on the virtues of his ‘humble parsonage,’ Darcy felt a wave of distress wash over him.

The thought of Elizabeth relegated to a small country parsonage, her vibrant spirit dimmed by such a tedious companion, made his stomach churn.

He couldn’t bear the idea of her trapped in a loveless marriage, her potential wasted.

“I must say, Mr Darcy, that Lady Catherine’s magnanimity knows no bounds. Her ladyship’s concern for the spiritual and physical well-being of her parish is truly exemplary.”

As Mr Collins rattled on about Lady Catherine, Darcy’s mind began to work.

Perhaps Mr Collins’ obvious desire for approval could be used to his advantage.

If he could persuade the man that a match with Elizabeth was not in his best interest…

Darcy took a deep breath, willing the tension in his shoulders to ease as he considered the possibilities.

The subject was dropped. Darcy hoped that Elizabeth would join them, however she remained upstairs with her father. He had hoped to speak to her, but he was sadly disappointed.

Georgiana had given him a letter to give to her and he was planning on using it for a private moment or two with her.

As the conversation lulled, Darcy’s mind raced with possibilities. He needed to gauge Elizabeth’s feelings, find a way to dissolve her engagement without scandal, all while navigating the complexities of her family situation. It was a delicate balance, but one he was determined to master.

His hand twitched towards Georgiana’s letter in his pocket, tempted to invent an excuse to seek out Elizabeth.

But Mrs Bennet’s watchful gaze reminded him of the delicacy of his situation.

Reluctantly, he abandoned the idea. Reason prevailed over desire, and he remained seated, his disappointment carefully masked.

Seeking to maintain conversation, Darcy turned to Miss Bennet. “Has your family been able to enjoy any outings lately? I remember Miss Elizabeth speaking of her love for walking. Indeed, when we met you in Hyde Park you were all out for a walk.

As Bingley addressed Miss Bennet, his usual exuberance softening to a gentle warmth, Darcy noted their deepening attachment with a mixture of satisfaction and envy. He silently vowed to support their union, hoping it might balance the scales for his past interference.

If Bingley were to propose, it would certainly change the atmosphere at Longbourn. Darcy wondered how such a development might influence Mrs Bennet’s attitude towards Elizabeth’s engagement to Mr Collins.

Darcy’s musings on Bingley’s potential proposal were interrupted by a shift in the room’s energy. The conversation had reached a natural lull, and he sensed the visit was coming to an end.

Darcy found himself reluctant to leave without having seen Elizabeth. When they stood to leave, Bingley again impressed the dinner on them, Mrs Bennet looked around at Miss Bennet before answering.

“Oh, Mr Bingley! How kind you are to think of us. A dinner at Netherfield! What a treat that would be for my girls! But I am not sure who will be able to come, Mr Bingley, but it is so good of you to invite us. I do not want to leave my husband unattended but by servants. Jane will be able to attend, as I am sure will my younger girls. Lizzy, however,” she glanced at Mr Darcy before continuing, “I am not sure Mr Bennet can spare her. She has always been his favourite.”

A muscle jumped in Darcy’s jaw. He unclenched his fist, only then realising how tightly he’d been holding it.

Mrs Bennet’s words about Elizabeth being her father’s favourite struck Darcy as significant. If true, it could explain Elizabeth’s sense of duty in accepting Collins’ proposal, perhaps seeing it as a way to secure her family’s future.

“Mr Bingley,” Miss Bennet’s gentle voice was a sharp contrast to her mother, “we would be delighted to attend dinner at Netherfield. All of us.” She glanced meaningfully at her mother. “I am sure Elizabeth could be spared for one evening, and the change would do her good.”

“My sister Georgiana asked me to convey her regards to Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy reached for the letter in his pocket. “Perhaps I could deliver it to her personally and inquire after Mr Bennet?” Darcy’s heart raced as he made the suggestion, his usually steady hand trembling slightly.

“Oh, Mr Darcy, you are too kind,” Mrs Bennet exclaimed, her voice overly bright. “But surely you and Mr Bingley must be on your way? We wouldn’t want to keep you any longer. Jane, dear, why don’t you see the gentlemen out?” Her pointed look at her eldest daughter left no room for argument.

Darcy felt a surge of frustration as Mrs Bennet deftly blocked his attempt to see Elizabeth. His jaw clenched momentarily before he forced his features into a mask of polite indifference. Inwardly, he seethed at the woman’s transparent manoeuvring.

“Of course, Mrs Bennet. I wouldn’t wish to impose,” Darcy replied, his tone carefully neutral despite the disappointment churning in his gut. He slipped Georgiana’s letter back into his pocket, acutely aware of its weight against his chest - so close to Elizabeth, yet impossibly far.

As Jane led them to the door, Darcy’s mind raced, searching for another opportunity, another excuse to linger. But Mrs Bennet’s watchful gaze followed them, leaving no room for further attempts.

Stepping out into the crisp air, Darcy took a deep breath, willing his racing heart to slow. This setback was frustrating, but he reminded himself that it was only temporary. He would find a way to speak with Elizabeth, to gauge her feelings. He had to.

Bingley, his mind clearly on a very different train of thought than Darcy, said, “I say, a dinner party is just the thing to lift everyone’s spirits! What do you think, Darcy? Shall we make it a grand affair?”

“Indeed, Bingley. I am sure your enthusiasm will be more than enough to compensate for any deficiencies in the menu.”