“Sir Andrew remains at Rosings Park for the nonce. Afterwards, I understand he is going to Briar Court for business.”
Charlotte nodded and turned away. Aunt Gardiner invited her guest to sit, and he did so, taking the chair closest to Elizabeth.
“Tell me you are well,” he said quietly. “I feared for your safety when Mrs. Collins told me what her bumbling husband had done.”
“We are both well, sir. Charlotte and I are capable of securing a room and passage on the post coach without anyone’s aid. But I thank you for your concern.” Elizabeth smiled pertly, raising an eyebrow at him as if daring him to disagree.
“I know you to be more capable than any other lady of my acquaintance, Elizabeth. And more determined. I was simply worried. It is dreadfully dishonorable to turn two ladies out when it is nearly dark.”
“I am simply grateful my cousin arranged a cart to transport our trunks,” she confessed. “We would not have gone far otherwise.”
“Well then. Let us discuss more pleasant things.” He shifted and took her hand. “I wish to marry as soon as the banns are called. Pemberley is wonderful in the summer, and I wish to take you there in July. Georgiana will, of course, spend a few weeks with my Matlock relations so that we have privacy. We will come to London immediately following the wedding. Lady de Bourgh insists that you are to partake of the rest of the season before ‘I abscond with you’, as she says. I would not dare contradict her, and so I have agreed.”
Elizabeth clenched her teeth as he spoke.How well he has already ordered my life.“Is a short engagement truly your wish?” she asked.
“Elizabeth, I have pined for you since last November. I think three callings of the banns is enough to drive me mad. Perhaps I ought to purchase a common license instead.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“I am not of age.” She shifted uncomfortably. “I shall need my father’s permission.”He will refuse it, if he wants, and then this whole mess can be resolved with no harm to my reputation.“I shall return to Longbourn tomorrow, if my uncle can arrange the carriage.”
“I shall accompany you and Miss Lucas. Once things are settled, I will return to London and complete the wedding articles.”
He sounded so sure of himself and his grand plans. “Complete them?” she asked. “Have they already been started?”
He nodded. “I wrote to my solicitor a week ago to begin preparations. The usual terms are there and the settlements are the same as what my mother had.”
Lady Anne Darcy had been the daughter of an earl. What pin money had she possessed? That lady likely came with a substantial dowry. Elizabeth came with nothing and yet Mr. Darcy still meant to see her as wealthy as a peer.Well, he cannot have his wife look anything less than Mrs. Darcy ought, can he?
“Well, you seem to have everything arranged to your liking.” She spoke sarcastically again, and once more he did not hear it.
“I am nothing if not thorough,” he replied. “I promise you, Elizabeth, I shall be the best of husbands. You will want for nothing.”
Nothing except mutual love and affection,she thought. Instead of speaking her thoughts, she smiled blandly and glanced away, hoping he would see her behavior as proper and demure instead of avoidant.
He then started as if he had remembered something and reached into his pocket and withdrew a letter, which he offered to her. Elizabeth turned it over and immediately recognized Jane’s handwriting. She looked at him curiously, and he grimaced.
Quickly Elizabeth broke the seal and read.
Dearest Lizzy,
I must make haste so that this note can be in Mr. Darcy’s hands before he leaves for London. He was kind enough to call and take his leave, thankfully whilst my husband is not at home.
Lizzy, Mr. Collins has commanded me to cease all contact with you. I have tried to reason with him, but he will have his way. Lady Catherine’s word is law, and I fear he will remain unmoved until the day he dies.
I will not be prevented from writing, dearest. Using an intermediary to communicate is the only way. I intend to send a letter to our aunt Gardiner, asking her to fill the position.
This unfortunate turn of events means that I will not be in attendance at your wedding. Know that I am with you in spirit.
Love,
Jane
Elizabeth refolded her letter. Mr. Collins’s firm stance against her meant that Jane was likely correct. If Mr. Bennet died, there would be no place for Elizabeth at Longbourn. Distracted, she put the letter in her pocket and returned her attention to Mr. Darcy.
He left a short time later, promising to bring his coach tomorrow to transport the ladies home. He would ride alongside and speak to Mr. Bennet when they arrived. Elizabeth and Charlotte thanked him graciously and he departed with a smile on his face.
“You are very fortunate to win the favor of such a man,” Charlotte murmured when they were alone.
“Even though I do not want his favor?” Elizabeth thought about arriving at Longbourn and begging Mr. Bennet to turn the haughty, proud Mr. Darcy away. He would do it, just as he had Mr. Collins, and Elizabeth took assurance in that fact. Soon this whole disaster would end.
