With a nod, Darcy sat on the sofa, resting his head in one hand. “Aunt Catherine’s presence is the last thing I need right now. How I shall persuade Miss Elizabeth in my favor with her watching everything and determined to provoke me to propose to Anne I cannot say.”
Darcy directed a weary gaze at his friend and offered a wan smile. “I know you could do nothing other than invite her, but I wish you had sent her on her way.”
“Oh, I suspect Aunt Catherine’s presence will be the crowning glory of the farce playing out before our eyes!” Fitzwilliam, who had always been far too glib for Darcy’s likely, grinned and winked at him. “You never know what might happen, Darcy. Perhaps instead you should anticipate the follies to come and concentrate on besting the idiot Collins.”
“There is no difficulty with that,” said Darcy with a derisive snort. “Miss Elizabeth confirmed Collins will never prevail upon her to accept him. I have every confidence she is softening toward me.”
“Then do not borrow trouble! Lady Catherine can bluster and moan, but there is nothing she can do to force your hand.”
With a nod, Darcy ended the conversation. Fitzwilliam was in one of his moods where everything must be a reason to laugh, and Bingley was no better. Even Hurst, as boring a man as Darcy had ever met, was getting in on the jesting. There was little to do but turn his thoughts on how he might keep his aunt at bay while trying to thwart Mrs. Bennet and Collins while wooing Miss Elizabeth at the same time.
Except the expected difficulties from his aunt did not materialize. Bingley had a word with his sister, and Darcy, who was watching as they spoke, had little notion Miss Bingleyaccepted his warning with anything resembling seriousness. As she was a little more circumspect than usual and provoked fewer scowls from the lady than Darcy might have supposed, all the while remaining oblivious to them, he decided to leave well enough alone.
The true mystery was Lady Catherine. While the lady had taken every opportunity to push him together with her daughter, on this occasion she did not try to do so, though she remained watchful. Furthermore, Darcy noted Lady Catherine was quieter than was her wont. Whereas she was always eager to dominate any conversation, she was silent, often seeming to wish to say something yet remaining silent. Anne, he noted, was a little more lively than usual, but she often was in Georgiana’s company, and he thought little of it. On the morrow, the Bennets were to join them at Netherfield for the Christmas festivities, and Darcy was to see her at Christmas services that evening. How it might all turn out he could not say, but he hoped for the best.
“Lady Catherine!” exclaimed Mr. Collins the moment the Longbourn party entered Netherfield’s sitting-room on Christmas Day. “If you will allow me, might I present Miss Elizabeth, the most excellent of my cousin’s daughters to you?”
“If you have forgotten,” said Lady Catherine, a hint of impatience staining her tone, “I made Miss Elizabeth’s acquaintance yesterday at the church service.”
“So you did!” exclaimed the ridiculous rector. “Yet, I cannot but imagine you wish to make her deeper acquaintance, given the closer connection you will soon share.”
Elizabeth wished she had something heavy she could use to break over his thick head if only to silence his continual blathering. She noted that several others, including her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Miss Darcy, and even her father, regarded himwith equal exasperation. Lady Catherine, however, faced him with an unreadable expression.
“Perhaps you should allow Miss Elizabeth to enjoy the festivities, Mr. Collins. It is Christmas, a time for merry-making.”
Before Mr. Collins mustered a response, Mr. Darcy stepped forward and bowed to Elizabeth. “Indeed, it is. My sister and cousin are eager for your company, Miss Elizabeth. Will you not join them?”
Relieved of needing to abuse Mr. Collins for his stupidity yet again, Elizabeth allowed him to take her hand and lead her away. Mr. Collins, for his part, gaped at her before moving to follow. To Elizabeth’s great relief, her aunt and uncle intercepted him, and Colonel Fitzwilliam stood nearby, offering his assistance.
“Tell me,” said Elizabeth to Georgiana and Miss de Bourgh when Darcy led her to them, “did you express a wish for my company, or is Mr. Darcy stretching the truth?”
Georgiana shared a look with her cousin, and they burst out laughing. “I always want your company, Elizabeth,” said Georgiana shyly.
“My cousin has informed me of your difficulties with my mother’s parson,” added Miss de Bourgh. “We shall do our part to help you avoid him.”
“Thank you,” said Elizabeth, feeling every hint of the gratitude she expressed.
So began the merriments. Miss Bingley, Elizabeth noted, possessed a flair for hosting, as she had proved at the ball, though her overt attempts to gain Mr. Darcy’s attention marred her efforts. The gentleman responded with civility but no more as was his custom, but that did not seem to divert her. Elizabeth was witness more than once to disapproving glares she provoked from Lady Catherine, a fact that seemed to amuse Miss de Bourgh. Elizabeth was uncertain what that could mean unlessLady Catherine was of a level of society and consciousness concerning the immovability of rank that she could not tolerate the thought of her nephew marrying a woman descended from trade. Then again, she had no proof of the lady’s sentiments, as Lady Catherine remained silent.
“What an excellent opportunity this is!” exclaimed Mr. Collins that afternoon, the exchange making matters a little clearer for Elizabeth. “As your intended is here today, Miss de Bourgh, I cannot imagine that this is anything but a most auspicious occasion for your cousin to formalize your engagement!”
Elizabeth wondered what the man was about, even as she considered Mr. Darcy’s recent interest in her. Before that thought more than crossed her mind, Miss de Bourgh interrupted any further consideration.
“You are mistaken, Mr. Collins. Darcy and I are not engaged, and we have never been intended for each other.”
Dismay fell over the parson’s homely countenance. “B-but Miss de Bourgh! I have it on the highest authority, that of your lady mother, that it is only a matter of time until Mr. Darcy makes you the happiest of women!”
“If you were to canvass my mother’s opinion now,” said Miss de Bourgh with a wry grin at Elizabeth, “you would receive a different answer.”
With that cryptic response, she fell silent. It was not until a little later that Elizabeth learned more of the subject.
“Do not listen to Mr. Collins,” said Georgiana, stepping close to Elizabeth to whisper. “William and Anne are not engaged.”
Elizabeth regarded her, puzzled. “Why did Mr. Collins believe they were?”
“Because it has been the fondest wish of my aunt for many years. But neither Anne nor William wishes for a closer connection, for each considers the other a beloved cousin and no more.”
A part of Elizabeth thought to wonder why it would concern at all, even as her heart called her a liar in the silence of her mind. As Kitty and Lydia scurried toward her to entreat her to join a game, Elizabeth could think no more on the subject.
