“I am a well-mannered young lady,” Elizabeth replied, her feelings wounded. “I cannot promise to remain silent if someone attacks me or my family, but I have no intention of initiating any discord—that is all I can assure you of.”
They had arrived back at the Parsonage, and with those last words, she retired to her room, now confident she would never again visit Charlotte and certainly never see Mr Darcy or his family again when her visit to Kent came to an end.
Chapter 9
Elizabeth was furious with Charlotte for assuming that she would confront Mr Darcy. Yet, facing the dinner that was to take place that evening, within the depths of her soul, a certain fear arose. In the drawing-rooms across Meryton or the library at Netherfield, where she had discussed various topics with Mr Darcy and the others, she was Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn. However, at Rosings, she realised she had become Mr Collins’s ‘dear cousin’, whose status in Lady Catherine’s household was quite uncertain. One thing was clear: he was not regarded with the respect they afforded the rector of Longbourn.
Every time they dined at Rosings, the mistress of the house made every effort to emphasise her superiority. Her discourse disturbingly echoed the words Elizabeth had heard from her ladyship’s nephew’s lips at the Meryton assembly—that she was not handsome enough to tempt him.
But, as she gazed into the mirror, she saw a woman whocouldtempt him. Despite her usual modesty and indifferenceto fashion, she was pleased with her appearance. She owed thanks to her aunt Mrs Gardiner, who had generously gifted all the ladies of Longbourn with new gowns for Christmas, and to Charlotte’s maid, who had worked wonders with her hair.
Although she had worn the gown at a previous dinner at Rosings, she retrieved a pale pink shawl from her trunk, a gift from her sister Jane, adding elegance to her attire. After one last glance in the mirror and a graceful pirouette, she descended the stairs to join the others in the parlour, her confidence in facing the evening now somewhat restored.
Stepping into the exquisite drawing-room, Elizabeth tried to calm her apprehensions. To her surprise, she was met with smiles all round. Even the usually aloof Lady Catherine displayed an almost benevolent expression.
The butler announced her name, and the smiles in the room did not wane. On the contrary, when it was her turn to curtsey, a well-known voice presented her to Miss Darcy and introduced Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Mr Darcy smiled at her again—for the tenth time since her arrival.
Only then did Elizabeth allow her uneasiness to fade away, suddenly feeling that her presence was expected—if not with interest, at least with some attentiveness.
Her mind raced, perplexed at the benevolence she had found, but ultimately, it was the ‘fault’ of the guests who occupied the room with their joyfulness while Mr Collins failed to reassert Lady Catherine’s dominance over the gathering, as no one paid any heed to him or his patroness.
And when Miss Darcy approached quite shyly, Elizabeth’s evening turned into a truly pleasant one. She discovered Mr Darcy’s sister to be exactly how she had been depicted: handsome, utterly elegant, yet without any aloofness. Leading her to the dining-room, away from Lady Catherine’s imposing presence, they seemed like two young girls escaping thecompany of the adults. Other guests were still arriving, but the young lady whispered, “Please follow me, Miss Bennet. You can meet them later. Let us find seats where we can be together.”
Elizabeth heard Mr Darcy and his cousin laughing behind them, eavesdropping on the ladies’ conversation.
Led by Miss Darcy, Elizabeth took her seat towards one end of the table, as far from the mistress of the house as possible, making her wonder why the young lady was being so friendly to her.
The two cousins were less fortunate and were obliged to sit on either side of Lady Catherine, her orders impossible to disregard. Mr Darcy’s eyes sought out Elizabeth’s, but there was little that could be done. Fortunately, that evening’s gathering was relatively small, allowing them to participate in the same conversation.
Elizabeth admired the room, delighted by the fine table, china plates, and crystal glasses gleaming in the glow of the chandeliers. Rosings appeared in the most resplendent way.
“Lady Catherine certainly knows how to host a dinner!” Miss Darcy remarked, then blushed, showing she was trying to overcome her timidity. “When did you arrive in Kent?”
“Almost three weeks ago,” Elizabeth replied, surprised that Mr Darcy’s sister knew she did not reside there.
“If I may ask,” the young girl ventured, her tone less confident, “what brings you here?” Miss Darcy’s curiosity was genuine, and she seemed suddenly at ease under the watchful gaze of her brother, who marvelled at how effortlessly his timid Georgiana was forging a relationship.
“I am visiting my childhood friend Charlotte, who is now the wife of Mr Collins,” Elizabeth replied discreetly, gesturing towards Charlotte.
“Yes, yes, Fitzwilliam told me about them,” Miss Darcy said animatedly.
Elizabeth tried to hide the bewilderment that such a statement provoked in her. However, it was impossible to conceal her startle from the eyes of the enchanting young lady, who laughed, still blushing yet speaking with much courage. “Even men share confidences!”
Elizabeth looked again towards the other end of the table, where Mr Darcy and his cousin talked; they were remarkably similar and obviously close friends.
Miss Darcy followed her gaze, “Yes, they are like two young boys on holiday. They have been inseparable since birth. There is only a few months’ difference in age between them.”
“You are quite far away,” Lady Catherine interjected, addressing Miss Darcy. “I shall have to shout for you to hear me!”
“We can hear you perfectly well, Lady Catherine, I assure you. Please do not shout,” Miss Darcy replied. Elizabeth regarded her in astonishment, for her voice bore no trace of hesitation when addressing Lady Catherine. The timid young lady seemed at home at Rosings. Georgiana noticed Elizabeth’s expression and interpreted it accurately.
“Even Lady Catherine has a weakness, and we are the ‘blessed’ ones,” she answered with humour, referring to her and the gentlemen accompanying her. “Yet, this year, we came mainly for my cousin Anne, to help her become more independent…and cheerful.”
Almost unconsciously, they both glanced towards Anne de Bourgh, who, with her gaze cast downwards, appeared utterly despondent to be seated at the table with so many others. Her companion whispered something in her ear, to which Anne responded with a slight nod, though she did not lift her head.
“Poor Anne! She is the epitome of timidity. Contrary to hers, my shyness comes from my nature, not my upbringing,” Miss Darcy said softly. “My brother and Richard, the colonel aseverybody calls him, scold me at every turn, urging me to be bolder.”
“And they are quite right!” Elizabeth replied joyfully. To have such a charming and open young lady near her, who moreover held her own against Lady Catherine, was indeed perfect, and the evening suddenly took an interesting turn. When she glanced back towards the other end of the table, she caught Mr Darcy’s gaze fixed on her as though he had a message to convey. She smiled but could not imagine what he might wish to tell her.
