He nodded. “I think she is doomed to be disappointed. Now, I wish to know all that occurred between Darcy and Miss Bennet whilst he visited Hertfordshire.”
Chapter Fifteen
March 26, 1812
Rosings Park, Kent
Elizabeth
The invitation to dine at Rosings Park for the second time in a week came unexpectedly. Elizabeth had imagined that, given the arrival of her ladyship’s nephews, she would have little use for the party from the parsonage. The invitation they had received before Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had arrived had, in Elizabeth’s opinion, been granted simply to aid Lady Catherine support against her disagreeable de Bourgh relations. Elizabeth had not minded. Lady de Bourgh’s war against Lady Catherine had provided ample amusement and plenty of character study.
Mr. Collins’s verbosity knew no bounds. “How magnanimous my patroness is! Never did I imagine we would be so favored.Surely, this is a testament to her approval, dear Jane. She has welcomed you and now her condescension has spread to our family… and our other guest, of course.”
His words faltered. His mention of Charlotte felt like an afterthought. Elizabeth had detected some reluctance on her cousin’s part to being in Charlotte’s presence and she wondered about it. They had seemed friendly in Hertfordshire. Mr. Collins had even spent two days at Lucas Lodge following his failed proposal to Elizabeth.
They arrived at Rosings Park and were promptly admitted to Lady Catherine’s favored sitting room. Her ladyship sat on a settee; her usual seat occupied by Lady de Bourgh. Lady Catherine’s displeasure as she glared at her mother-in-law caused Mr. Collins to swallow hard. The poor man glanced from one lady to the other, likely wondering which he ought to greet first. His loyalty to his patroness won out and he bowed low to Lady Catherine.
His subservience mollified her ladyship some, and she greeted the rest of the party from the parsonage politely, if not warmly. Several conversations soon sprang up in the room. Lady Catherine spoke with Mr. Darcy and her daughter. Her strident tones carried across the room to where Elizabeth sat with Charlotte and Sir Andrew.
“When will you make your engagement official, Darcy?” she asked. “This delay has gone on long enough. Anne will be five-and-twenty next month. What say you to a May wedding?”
“I have no intention of marrying in May.” Mr. Darcy’s reply was vague. It neither agreed with his aunt’s supposition that he would marry her daughter, nor did it decry it.
“Then in June?”
“Aunt, this is neither the time nor the place to discuss this.” Mr. Darcy’s tone censured the lady for her lack of discretion, and he turned away from her to speak to Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Poor Aunt Catty.” Sir Andrew tut-tutted with false sympathy. “It will infuriate her when Darcy marries against her inclination.”
Elizabeth turned to the gentleman in surprise. “Is he not engaged to Miss de Bourgh?” Mr. Wickham had assured her that the engagement was of some duration. Had he been incorrect?
“Only in Lady Catherine’s mind does the engagement exist.” Sir Andrew smiled conspiratorially. “Darcy doubtlessly wishes to avoid confrontation. His desire for peace overrides his good sense. He has had years to disabuse our mutual aunt of her wishes and has not done so. Now, Anne is almost five-and-twenty and nearly on the shelf. My cousin has never been to town and her prospects are slim. Rosings Park is an inducement, I suppose, but Lady Catherine will not marry her daughter to just anyone. She loves her and believes that Darcy is the very best match for Anne. Oh, yes, it will be a sight to behold when Aunt Catherine’s hopes are finally put to rest. I do hope I am here to see it.”
“Will she not turn to you to marry your cousin in Mr. Darcy’s place? It seems an ideal situation.” Elizabeth regarded him curiously.
Sir Andrew chuckled. “No, I do not believe she will.”
When he did not expound, Elizabeth frowned and turned away to speak with Charlotte. “What can he mean by that, dear Charlotte? Does Sir Andrew mean to tease us by withholding his suppositions? Why would Lady Catherine forgo such an excellent match for her daughter in lieu of Mr. Darcy?”
Charlotte sighed. “It is because she wishes to retain control of Rosings Park, Eliza. Sir Andrew has related his suppositions to me. I shall tell you all later.”
The butler called dinner and the party filed into the dining room. Lady de Bourgh maintained her seat at one end of the table but left Lady Catherine to her seat. The guests satthemselves to their preference, given the informal nature of the evening. In consequence, Elizabeth ended up seated between Sir Andrew and Mr. Darcy. The former she tolerated despite his insult to her friend; the latter she bemoaned. Mr. Darcy had proven he could converse amiably, but she did not believe he would do so in current company. Mr. Collins displayed his ridiculous behavior just across the table, and there would surely be a battle of wills between Lady de Bourgh and Lady Catherine.
The footmen served a soup that smelled heavenly, and Elizabeth delicately took a sip. The rich flavors were delightful, and she sighed a little in pleasure.
“My aunt’s cook is exceptional.” Mr. Darcy spoke from beside her, his deep voice rumbling quietly so as not to draw attention from the head of the table.
“I have enjoyed Rosings Park’s hospitality several times since arriving in Kent.”I already told him that,she mused, silently rebuking him for interrupting her meal. But politeness dictated that she share conversation with him for the course.
“Have you been in Kent long?”
Elizabeth took another spoonful of soup before replying. “We arrived the fifth of March.”
Darcy nodded. “When are you to depart?”
“We are set to depart on April eleventh.” She lifted her glass and drank, hoping the beverage would aid in settling her mood.
“I am pleased that we have this opportunity to meet again.”
