“She does not perform for our amusement,” Darcy said solemnly.
“What shocks me,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied, “is that you are coming to Lady Catherine’s at all. I thought I’d need to go alone as my father’s sacrificial lamb.”
“There is a great deal of business with the estate that I ought to look over. It is my duty as Anne’s guardian, even if Lady Catherine principally manages the estate. And she has several times suggested there are matters that might be best handled by a gentleman.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes. “She only wishes to see you.”
“She only wishes to see Emily.”
“Andthatis precisely why I am shocked that you are coming at all. At least with the girl.”
“I will not leave Emily behind for weeks. Not at such an age as she is at, when everything changes so quickly. Her facility with language advances nearly every day. She runs more easily, finds fascination in new games and tricks, and—”
“Deuce.” Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. “I did not ask to hear every great feature of your daughter. I knew that by your accounting there are a great many. Butwhy? — none of that tripe about business matters. You can deal quite well by mail, and whatever I may dislike about her character, Lady Catherine does a satisfactory job of managing the estate and keeping all, sundry, and the ants of the fields well aware of its consequence.”
Darcy was determined to not tell Colonel Fitzwilliam the truth. Firstly, he did not wish to be teased. Secondly, his own emotions and feelings were wholly unsettled, and he did not wish to hear advice from Colonel Fitzwilliam until such time as he was fully decided upon a course.
The reason that he was traveling to Rosings for Easter was simple: He had met Bingley at his club upon arriving in London for the season. They had talked, drank cognac, played billiards, and settled in for a game of chess. Only at this point did Darcy mention Miss Elizabeth Bennet and ask if Bingley might know how she managed.
To which the immediate reply was that she had been present in London until only a week prior, and that Bingley had twice called with his sisters upon her aunt and uncle. He liked her uncle very much.
Oh. She’d been so close. But she was not anymore.
And then Bingley said, “She has gone to Kent, to be present when Mrs. Collins enters her confinement. Such a beautiful woman. It is a pity that she is tied irrevocably to such a bore. Poor, poor woman. I think of her often.” Bingley blushed. “It shall be a great comfort for her to have her sister with her during such a critical time.”
And then, without pausing to think, Darcy said, “Do you wish me to give them both your greetings when I travel to see my aunt for Easter?”
“You shall visit Lady Catherine!” Bingley exclaimed. “I thought you never meant to.”
And Darcy had, without blushing, made up a story about business needs, and the importance of family ties. Bingley had even believed the tale.
Darcy had even managed to make the plan sound like it had been one of long standing, rather than an impulsive decision made two minutes earlier.
Colonel Fitzwilliam did not believe the tale.
“No really,” the officer insisted. “And no more twaddle.Whyare we in this carriage?”
“My deep and abiding affection foryou.”
A stare. Darcy smiled back.
“Lalalalala.” Emily crawled into Darcy’s lap, took his face in her hands, stared into his eyes, and insisted, “Lalalala.”
“I do believe you are right, dear. A walk will do us good. But when we arrive — why, we are nearly there. Passing through the village right now.”
Darcy now stared out the window.
He wanted to see the parsonage where Miss Elizabeth lived.
Emily began to sob, and Darcy pulled her onto his shoulder and bounced her as he tried to keep half an eye out the window.
Where was that blasted parsonage? There it was. As they rolled past, he saw Mr. Collins himself standing outside, wearing his ugly hat and white clerical collar. That gentleman bowed to them as Darcy drove past.
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. “Who was that fellow? He looks like a fat frog who swallowed a fly which did not agree with him.”
“Hop, hop,” Emily said.
“What?” Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at Emily, seemingly surprised that she had suddenly ceased to cry.
