Darcy suspected she would have throttled him if they had been alone. But she was not done yet and speaks her mind she would,
“How dare you Mr Collins, to speak of your wife’s health so nonchalantly? Does she mean nothing to you, even when she is carrying your heir?”
“Cousin Elizabeth, obviously you do not understand the nuances of the upper-class, madam.” Mr Collins seemed to be on the cusp of launching himself into a lecture about the English Nobility when Mr Darcy interrupted him,
“Mr Collins I beg your pardon, I know Mrs Collins is your wife and ultimately you should have the last say regarding her welfare, but in this instance I am overriding your rights sir. Mrs Collins will, this very night, be transferred to Rosings Park. Her health and safety is more important thanupper-class nuances.”Darcy finished the sentence and bowed to the parson. Then he turned to Elizabeth and said, “Miss Bennet please make sure that Mrs Collins is ready for transfer in the next hour. I will come myself with my carriage and a couple of footmen to assist her.”
“But… but…”
Mr Collins attempted to protest yet again but the doctor interrupted him, “It is decided Mr Collins, the best you can do now is pray to the God you claim to serve that your wife will regain her health and strength to give birth … toyourson or daughter.” The doctor spat the last few words looking ill-used.
Then Darcy and the doctor left the parsonage while Elizabeth climbed the stairs to her friend’s bedchamber, where she would begin the task of readying Charlotte for her removal to Lady Catherine’s house.
Elizabeth took a deep breath; she shivered in a moment of uncertainty, wondering what it would be like to live under the roof of the two most disagreeable people in all of England.
She resolved to be polite, but nothing more than just polite, for Mr Darcy deserved no extra effort from her.
Chapter 5
Darcy was true to his word and in less time than was required to prepare Charlotte for the relocation he returned, accompanied by the physician, his cousin the Colonel and a single footman.
As a commanding officer and accustomed to decisive action, the Colonel immediately assumed direction of the situation. He ordered that a hammock be slung within the carriage, that Mrs Collins might be spared any unnecessary jolting; and paying no heed to Mr Collins’ indignant stare he mounted the stairs and having knocked with due firmness, entered the chamber of the invalid.
After a quick assessment, he gently pushed Miss Bennet out of the way and lifting the lady from her sick bed he carried her downstairs and into the carriage.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Mrs Collins said weakly as he lifted her into his arms, “there is no need for all this trouble sir, I can walk.”
“Hush now Mrs Collins, I have you safe madam.”
For some odd reason, the Colonel felt the situation most keenly and cradled the fragile lady into his chest like precious cargo.
She did not have the energy to protest further and proceed to thank him feebly, “thank you, Colonel.” She whispered faintly.
“Shhh... No need, madam.”
As he passed Mr Collins, the Colonel glowered at the man who cowered in a corner.
The Colonel placed and adjusted the lady into the hammock and stepped aside so Miss Bennet and the physician could get in. Then he grabbed the reins from the footman and climbed onto the saddle as Darcy did the same.
Mr Collins was not invited to accompany them but instead was encouraged to remain at the parsonage and visit his wife daily. He felt overlooked and resentful of the attention his wife was getting, for he felt the fuss over her was all due to him and the benevolence of his noble patroness.
Yet, notwithstanding his resentment Mr Collins soon perceived that little alteration would ensue in his customary habits; for he was already in the practice of passing the greater part of his days at the grand old house. Where as a type of apprentice he devoted himself to the reception of Lady Catherine’s wisdom, while her ladyship, with a depth of discernment she believed unequalled, condescended to regulate his conduct and enlighten him on every subject within the compass of her domain.
***
As for Lady Catherine, she was still reeling from the confrontation she had had with her nephew an hour earlier, when he had informed her that her parson’s wife would be coming to live under her roof. And not only a night but for the foreseeable future, until the woman recovered her health and strength... And to add insult to injury, Miss Bennet and Dr Denville from Harley Street would trespass on her hospitality as well.
“What do I care about my parson’s wife?” She shouted angrily when Darcy arrived back from the parsonage, “It is not my fault that the woman is weak and cannot hold to her health during her confinement.”
“Lady Catherine,” Darcy said with a low and grave voice, “How can you call yourself a Christian, madam? How can you be so callous, knowing of Mrs Collins’ distress and not deign to lift a finger to help her?”
“It is not my obligation to see to her comfort! I already pay her husband for his services... do I now have to concern myself with his wife’s welfare as well?”
“It is my understanding that you have long made a habit of intruding upon the concerns of your tenants, and indeed of the neighbourhood at large. I am therefore at a loss to comprehend why such interference should now be deemed offensive. I should have supposed, according to your established custom, that the entire vicinity would not only anticipate, but rely upon your intervention… particularly on occasions when it is of real consequence.”
The lady snorted inelegantly, “As I said, it is not my concern. I will send a footman with a note informing them that they will need to seek other arrangements.” She looked defiantly at her nephew, “Mr Collins will not defy me.”
“But I will,” Darcy retorted firmly. “Do not forget madam that you depend on my good graces to keep this estate managed... and afloat. Defy me and you will find yourself at the mercy of your brother, Lord Matlock.”
