Page 74 of The Riches of a Life Well-Lived
T he afternoon, and Mr. Collins’s advent, came all too soon. William and Mr. Bingley were once more present at Longbourn. Mr. Bennet had spent the afternoon in the sitting room with them, discussing politics with whichever gentleman happened to be unattached at the moment. Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, and Jane were talking about wedding plans while Kitty sketched dress designs and Mary read Plato’s Republic, a book William had suggested she might enjoy. Lydia was watching the scene with unconcealed boredom, but Mr. Bennet had already told her that she was not allowed to leave her family’s sight until he was certain that she would not be running off to Meryton alone.
Elizabeth had been shocked but pleased by this show of interest on her father’s part. Lydia had complained petulantly to her mother until Mrs. Bennet had interceded on her behalf. Mr. Bennet’s only response was, “Do you not wish her to marry well? If she runs off with someone before Lizzy and Jane can throw her in the way of ‘rich gentlemen,’ your plans will all come to naught.”
Mrs. Bennet had reluctantly agreed and soothed Lydia with the fact that helping her sisters with wedding plans would bring her closer to finding an eligible young man—probably within a matter of weeks.
Considering that Elizabeth and William intended to push for the three younger girls to be enrolled in a finishing school, that seemed unlikely, but Elizabeth was hardly going to break the peace.
Just before four o’clock, when Mr. Collins had said he would arrive, William drew Elizabeth into an unoccupied corner.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” he asked.
She cast him a quizzical look. “Why do you ask?”
“I imagine things were awkward before. Mr. Collins does not seem like the sort of gentleman who would be content with your refusal.”
Elizabeth smiled at him. “Thank you for wanting to protect me, William, but truly, he was almost cordial when he took his leave. I may not be thrilled with the match, but both he and Charlotte are quite content with their betrothal.”
William opened his mouth, but then the clock struck four and the doorbell sounded. He closed his mouth with a rueful look.
Elizabeth shared his frustration, wishing they could have a moment’s privacy. Longing for their rest days, when they could just talk as long as they wanted without worrying about who might overhear, swept through her like the rush of a summer rainstorm. Soon. They would have their own home soon.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Collins,” Mrs. Bennet greeted as he entered the sitting room.
Mr. Collins bowed to each of them in turn. “I am glad to see you all looking so well. Mr. Darcy, I had not expected to see you here. I will take this opportunity to assure you that your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, was in excellent health when I took my leave of her last night.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Darcy said.
“You remember, of course, Mr. Bingley, who is now Jane’s betrothed, and Mr. Darcy, who is Lizzy’s betrothed,” Mrs. Bennet said proudly.
Mr. Collins paused in the act of sitting down. “You must be mistaken, Mrs. Bennet. Not only is Mr. Darcy betrothed to Miss de Bourgh, but he himself pointed out to me that Miss Elizabeth is unlikely to conform to Lady Catherine’s opinions.”
Mrs. Bennet looked back and forth between Mr. Collins and Darcy, panic filling her eyes.
“I am not betrothed to my cousin, and I would appreciate it if you would not spread that rumour,” Darcy said fiercely. Thank God he had already explained the situation to Elizabeth! He turned to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. “After my mother’s death, my aunt began saying that she and my mother had planned for their infant children to one day wed. Unfortunately, my mother never spoke of the matter to me, and my cousin and I have no desire to marry each other. In addition, Anne is frail and unlikely to marry anyone, especially not someone in need of an heir.”
Mr. Collins harrumphed. “Are you suggesting that Lady Catherine would prevaricate?”
Darcy turned icy eyes upon the man. “I am telling you that I am not engaged to my cousin, nor have I ever been. I do not know what Lady Catherine may have told you, so I cannot speak to whether it is a lie or not. However, I will tell you that I will not take it kindly if you continue to spread that rumour.”
Silence hung over the room for a moment before Bingley cleared his throat. “I can attest that Darcy is not engaged to anyone other than Miss Elizabeth. He is well known to be a bachelor among society.” He gave Mrs. Bennet a small smile. “It is why he is so sought after.”
Mr. Collins shook his head, regaining his composure with visible effort. “Even if such a thing were true, you yourself told me that Lady Catherine would not approve of a person like Miss Elizabeth,” he told Darcy.
Darcy glowered at the man. Hoist on his own petard! “I said that Lady Catherine would likely prefer you to have a wife who would conform to her opinions. Fortunately, Miss Elizabeth has a mind of her own and is unlikely to fulfil that requirement. Also, fortunately, it is not necessary for my wife to conform to Lady Catherine’s opinions.”
Mr. Collins’s jaw dropped. “But she is Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
“She is my aunt; I have known her for much longer than you have, and I will thank you not to continue in this vein. Miss Elizabeth is eminently capable of being an excellent wife. I would not change a thing about her, regardless of whether Lady Catherine approves,” he said, holding Elizabeth’s gaze.
Mr. Bennet cleared his throat. “I do not think it would be profitable to continue this conversation, Mr. Collins. Now, tell us how you left Hunsford, and then you will likely wish to see your betrothed.”
Mr. Collins swallowed hard, apparently vacillating between continuing the argument and acquiescing to his host’s suggestion.
Darcy strode over to the back window and stood looking out it. If he continued to look at Mr. Collins, he might punch him too.
After a summary of his latest activities, Mr. Collins left quickly for Lucas Lodge.
“I apologise,” Darcy said to the group from where he stood by the window. “My aunt has been setting that rumour about for several years. I have never agreed with her, nor given any sign that I intend to acquiesce to her desires. I expected her to take the hint, but I see now that I ought to have made my feelings plain. It would have saved you all from an uncomfortable scene.”
Elizabeth moved to stand next to him and put a hand on his arm. “You could not have known.”
“No, but if I had told her long ago, she might have moderated her hopes. As it is, she will be greatly disappointed and, though my Aunt Margaret has sufficient social capital to ensure the ton’s acceptance, Lady Catherine may make things unpleasant for us,” he said, shifting to face her. “I would not for the world have you endure any discomfort, but some of Lady Catherine’s friends in the ton do not accept outsiders easily.”
Elizabeth smiled up at him. “I doubt they would approve then, regardless of Lady Catherine’s interference. I shall not mind as long as you do not.”
Darcy returned her smile. “If it means I have you by my side, I can endure anything,” he said, taking her hand. “Besides, I would much rather not have to speak to them anyway.”
“Then neither of us need worry,” she said, leaning closer.
Miss Bennet cleared her throat, and Darcy immediately stepped back as Elizabeth’s cheeks went scarlet. It was so easy to relegate everyone else into the background whenever they were together. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, then reminded himself that they had done nothing overly untoward.
“Still, I am sorry to have been a party to upsetting you all,” he said, looking over at the rest of the group.
Mr. Bennet stepped forward. “Provided you are telling the truth about Miss de Bourgh, I believe there is no difficulty.”
“I am,” Darcy said, holding his future father’s gaze. “When we go to London, you are welcome to speak to my aunt and uncle about the matter.”
Mr. Bennet nodded. “Now, I believe we were about to have dinner.”
“Oh, yes,” Mrs. Bennet said in a breathy sort of voice. “I—I will tell Cook that we are ready.”
Darcy gave Elizabeth a rueful smile as he held out an arm to escort her into the dining room. At least, eventually, they would have time to speak alone.