Page 25 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations

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On one subject, Elizabeth was utterly and completely in agreement with Mr. Collins: Rosings Park was beautiful in the spring.

Of course, she had to agree on two further subjects too: Rosings House had hundreds of windows, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh had indeed invited them to dine twice already since she arrived in Kent. Just as Mr. Collins had promised.

Elizabeth had accepted Charlotte’s invitation to visit her with reluctance.

Jane was in London with the Gardiners, and her spirits were very low.

Her heart had been broken by Mr. Bingley’s departure and even more so by the realisation — gleaned from Miss Caroline Bingley — that he knew she was in town but did not wish to see her.

Elizabeth had good reasons to doubt everything Miss Bingley said; Mr. Bingley’s sisters had certainly put much effort into separating their brother from Jane — and in that, they had received the help of Mr. Darcy, a gentleman who had caused much sorrow to others due to his ill-tempered nature and selfish arrogance.

He was a man she never wanted to see again, but she had been disappointed to be forced into his company quite often in the last week.

As if he had a purpose of ruining her enjoyment on every occasion, Mr. Darcy had arrived at Rosings for his annual visit to his aunt shortly after Elizabeth had travelled to Hunsford herself.

If she had known there was even a slight chance of such an unhappy coincidence, she would certainly have postponed her visit or even cancelled it.

If his involvement in Mr. Bingley’s situation had not been publicly admitted, and there could be some doubt, his cruel treatment of Mr. Wickham was as certain as it was outrageous.

Not only had he ruined his childhood companion’s chances in life, but he had disregarded his father’s dying wish — something that a gentleman would never do.

Mr. Darcy might be a gentleman by name, family, and education, but surely he was not by his character and behaviour.

Very much unlike his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, who, although not as handsome as Mr. Darcy, was much more likeable due to his amiability.

From the first time he had visited the Parsonage with Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam had been admired, and his visits were considered a privilege. He seemed to enjoy the ladies’ company too; therefore, he called daily on his usual rides around the park.

But why Mr. Darcy came so often to the Parsonage was more difficult to understand. It could not be for their society, as he frequently sat there for ten minutes together without opening his lips; he always seemed to speak as a sacrifice to politeness, not for his own pleasure.

Colonel Fitzwilliam occasionally laughed at his cousin’s aloofness and claimed it was not his usual manner. Elizabeth contradicted him in her mind; to her, Mr. Darcy was very much as usual — arrogant, haughty, staring at her and making her uncomfortable.

Even worse, Elizabeth had met Mr. Darcy unexpectedly on her ramble in the park more than once.

On several such occasions, she had deliberately mentioned the paths where she usually walked, hoping that would keep him away, but the effect had been rather the opposite; she kept meeting him — an event that ruined her enjoyment.

That day, she decided to prevent any unpleasant meetings and completely changed her direction.

Soon, she was quite glad to find herself at the gate in the palings opposite the Parsonage, in a small grove full of flowers and bushes blossoming in the spring.

She was walking with her eyes closed when suddenly she heard the sound of children’s voices and barking, then laughter and a male voice, which made her quiver with disbelief.

She stepped closer, moving to hide behind some high bushes, and found shelter behind a larger tree that obscured her presence entirely.

Bewildered, she watched Mr. Darcy — of all men! — sitting on the grass with two young children, a boy and a girl no older than seven, near him. With them was Mr. Darcy’s dog — the Great Dane Elizabeth had seen at Netherfield — and two puppies.

“They have grown very much in only a week,” she heard Mr. Darcy say. “It means you have taken good care of them.”

“I sleep with both of them,” the boy declared proudly.

“Mama said you sent us a lot of meat, and we all ate it and gave the puppies some too!” the girl exclaimed.

“Are you sure your mother is not looking for you?” Mr. Darcy asked.

“No, no, look, our house is there — she can see us and call us if she wants,” the boy replied. “She and Tom are working in the garden. She said I am too young to work with them, but as soon as I am ten, she will give me some jobs to do. I am strong enough already.”

“Tom is fifteen, is he not?” Mr. Darcy asked.

“Yes, nearly sixteen. He said he wants to be a sailor and go to sea, but he must stay and help Mama,” the boy continued.

“Mr. Darcy, why are you so kind?” the girl enquired.

“Mama said we should not disturb you because you are a very important man, and if you become angry with us, Lady Catherine will be angry too and throw us out of our home. Mama said she is afraid to speak to you. And she said she is afraid she can’t pay for all the food you send us. ”

“Oh, Mama is a woman, and women are always fearful. I am not afraid to talk to Mr. Darcy!” the boy declared.

“I am not afraid either!” the girl repeated bravely.

“That’s because you are a girl, not a woman,” the boy answered wisely.

Elizabeth was equally astonished and amused by the scene, which seemed implausible to her.

“Tell your mother I thank her, but you do not need to worry about bothering me,” Mr. Darcy answered. “Tell her I congratulate her for having such kind, well-behaved, and clever children.”

“Oh, you mean us? the girl asked. “To be honest, we are not well-behaved,” she admitted. “We were at Rosings with Mama one day, and Lady Catherine said we are not allowed there because we are spoilt brats.”

Elizabeth was curious how Mr. Darcy would respond. He seemed hesitant and finally said, “I shall still maintain my own opinion of you. You should always listen to your mother and obey her requests. I would be happy to know you are doing that.”

“I promise,” the girl said.

“And please tell your mother that she does not have to pay for what I send. It was for you because you took these small, dying puppies and took good care of them and fed them. That is all.”

Elizabeth was still in disbelief listening to the dialogue; she would never have imagined Mr. Darcy would engage in such a tender conversation with small children who were unrelated to him.

She was curious about how the three unlikely friends had met, but she could not possibly ask.

She turned to leave, feeling she had intruded long enough, when something creaked under her foot.

The sound was no louder than a whisper but enough for Mr. Darcy’s dog to hear it.

With a bark, the hound ran towards her, its teeth bared, then at Mr. Darcy’s command, he immediately sat, looking at her.

Only moments later, the dog seemed to remember her and moved closer with his tongue out, wagging his tail.

Mr. Darcy approached and so did the children, the puppies following them.

“Miss Bennet?”

“Mr. Darcy! Forgive me for disturbing you, sir, I was just walking and—”

“Are you the miss who is visiting Mrs. Collins?” the girl enquired.

“Yes. I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“Oh, really? My name is Elizabeth too, but my mama calls me Betsy. She only calls me Elizabeth when I do not behave.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Let me tell you a secret. My mother calls me Lizzy, and she also calls me Elizabeth when she is displeased with me.”

The girl gazed at her with her mouth open, clearly trying to ponder whether she was serious.

“You look like a lady. You cannot misbehave,” the girl finally concluded, and Elizabeth laughed again.

“You are right,” Mr. Darcy suddenly interjected. “Miss Bennet’s behaviour is always without fault. I cannot imagine why anyone would be upset with her.”

He spoke in jest, but Elizabeth’s puzzlement changed into nervousness. Had he just complimented her, or was it only a mere joke?

“Allow me to introduce to you Miss Betsy and Peter. Their mother, Mrs. Gilroy, is a tenant of Lady Catherine’s.”

“No, no,” Peter explained. “My father was the tenant, but he died last year. My mama is a seamstress, and she and my brother work in the garden so we can have food for the winter.”

The boy’s explanation saddened Elizabeth, and she exchanged a glance with Mr. Darcy.

“Peter is correct, of course,” the gentleman answered.

As they spoke, they heard someone calling the children, and a woman appeared. Elizabeth estimated she was Mrs. Gardiner’s age, but she looked exceedingly thin and pale, her simple, dark clothes making her look much older.

Seeing them, the woman turned even paler, lowered her eyes, then attempted a curtsey with her head down.

“Mr. Darcy…forgive me, sir…I am so sorry. I told the children not to bother you…”

“Ma’am, please do not apologise. You certainly have no reason to. The children are very pleasant company, and I enjoy our time together very much. I am glad to talk to them — unless of course you prefer not to allow them to speak to me.”

“Oh no, sir…it is just…I do not want to upset you.”

“I am not upset. Please trust me and let us not mention this again.”

“Mama, Mr. Darcy said you do not have to pay for the food!” the girl said joyfully.

“Mrs. Gilroy, I am sorry if my simple gesture made you uncomfortable. I assure you it is nothing but what I do regularly for my own tenants, especially those who most need it. If you wish to thank me, please just accept it for the children.”

“Thank you, sir,” the woman replied, her hands clasped in front of her and her eyes still low. “You are very generous. I am not accustomed to…I mean…I do not want to upset Lady Catherine. She might be displeased…”