As he approached Rosings, he saw a vision of his father offering him perhaps his best piece of advice.
Son, you need to be strong and resolute, but sometimes you will need help and there is no shame in seeking it. In fact, seeking help when you need it showsstrength, not weakness.
He needed help to keep silence about the day's events, and to quell panic over Miss Elizabeth's abrupt absence. This demanded aid from both the colonel and Mrs Collins, and they needed to act before the lady’s absence was noted.
Mrs Collins would certainly worry about her friend’s absence from the parsonage. He hoped Miss Elizabeth would compose a convincing tale, but even if she sent an express from London, the message would not arrive until quite late; nor was there a guarantee she could afford an express with the funds in her reticule. In fact, he was not even certain ladies kept enough on hand for the fare to London. She might return in an hour, having wasted a journey to the first stop and back.
Not in the least prepared to face his aunt at present—or perhaps ever again—he entered through a hidden side door and took the time-honoured route devised with his cousins to avoid their aunt to the parlour's edge, invisible from his aunt's usual throne.
He manoeuvred until the colonel alone could see him, then signalled for a clandestine meeting.
When the colonel exited, Darcy drew him into a storage room.
The colonel did not appear unduly concerned by Darcy’s odd behaviour, as he was rarely overly concerned about much of anything. “What is this about, Darcy?”
Darcy took a deep breath. “Miss Bennet.”
Before he could say more, a feminine voice intruded. “I wish you would just propose to her and have done with it before you drive me mad! Are you a man or a mouse?”
Darcy started, as he always did when his cousin Anne crept up on him. She was like a ghost and had been since childhood, and he had never quite accustomed himself to it. Of course, she lacked amusement in general, so he would not suspend any pleasure of hers, even if he could detect her—which he could not, so it was a moot point anyway.
“Hello, Anne. Thank you for joining our tête-à-tête without invitation.”
Anne naturally scoffed. “Avoiding the question, are we, cousin? When will you start acting like a man and make your addresses?”
Attempting to regain the upper hand, Darcy asked, “What makes you think I plan to propose?”
Naturally, that question earned two scoffs and two laughing cousins; Anne at least did not slap her knee like the colonel, though she considered it.
Feeling control slip away, Darcy blurted, “I just did.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam ‘s backslap nearly dislodged teeth, which would have been disconcerting enough, but Anne danced about the room like a ballerina, smiling and laughing.
It took several moments to calm them, and before Darcy could say anything, Anne asked, “So when can we wish you joy?”
Looking sheepish, Darcy said, “I do not know!”
Both cousins ceased their antics and asked in unison, “What do you mean, you do not know? Must you speak with her father? Does she need time for a less… ah… subtle… less… confusing courtship?”
“I have no answer.”
Anne smiled as if the sun had painted a rainbow in the middle of the room. “I knew I liked her! She is making you sweat a little, is she? Yes, she will do quite nicely! It might do you good to have that Darcy pride taken down a peg or two. When did she promise an answer?”
Both cousins stared at him most disconcertingly, and he finally sheepishly replied, “I have no idea.”
“Did she refuse you?” Fitzwilliam asked, shocked.
“No.”
“Did she speak of conditions you must meet?” Anne asked.
“No.”
The colonel scratched his head. “What exactly did she say?”
Darcy frowned at his boots. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
