Dr Denville who was standing nearby nodded in agreement, “I agree Colonel that she is much better today than she was yesterday, but she is by no means out of danger yet.”
“That is good to hear, Doctor.” The Colonel then turned again to Elizabeth, “Miss Bennet I have not seen her husband Mr Collins visiting the sick lady yet, despite the fact that he is here every single day visiting his patroness. Do you know if he has been to see his wife?”
Elizabeth paled in disgust, “No, I am afraid he has not found time to visit his wife yet.”
The Colonel’s countenance darkened and he appeared ready to seize the unfortunate parson by the collar, had he been there; instead he said angrily, “But she has been here these four days already. Can it be credited that a man should display such indifference toward his own wife, a woman so dangerously indisposed on account of the child he has placed within her?”
Elizabeth started and coloured to the deepest crimson, her eyes falling at once to the carpet, uncertain where she might properly direct her gaze.
“Richard!” Came the stern and measured voice of Mr Darcy, who had approached the party upon observing that Elizabeth had quitted his side.
“I beg your pardon Miss Bennet,” the Colonel said with a contrite inclination of his head, though indignation yet animated his expression. “I cannot but feel exceedingly incensed. The fellow merits nothing less than to be called out.”
Elizabeth shook her head, mastering herself sufficiently to attempt a faint smile. “Indeed Colonel, were you to call him out you would but find yourself hanged for dispatching so pitiable a creature. It would be a most extravagant waste of a perfectly serviceable neck.”
The Colonel’s countenance softened and he smiled back at her. Darcy felt like kicking his cousin; the fangs of jealousy digging its claws on him.
“I doubt Richard would so much as be afforded the opportunity of shooting the wretched man,” said Darcy with dry contrariety. “I would lay a large wager that the unfortunate simpleton would contrive to discharge the pistol upon himself by some pitiable accident, and Richard would be left to face the gallows for it, without even the grim consolation of having dispatched so thoroughly unfeeling a husband.”
The three men and Elizabeth jumped when Lady Catherine’s strident voice shrieked from across the room as was her wont, “What are you telling those men, Miss Bennet? I must have my part in the conversation.”
Darcy winced but Elizabeth turned serenely to the lady and said, “Nothing special my lady, we are talking about how good a husband Mr Collins is.”
The lady gave an indelicate huff. “Of course he is a good and most exemplary husband. I should hardly have selected him to preside over my flock had he been otherwise. In every particular he must prove superior. The example set before the neighbourhood must be irreproachable for the lower class requires firm and constant guidance.”
Lady Catherine bore herself with all the consequence of a queen at court. “Naturally he acquires the art of leadership at my feet, as is entirely proper.” Having thus delivered this proof of superior rank, she allowed her gaze to travel the room; well pleased to observe that every eye was dutifully fixed upon her... in awe... she was certain.
***
The following afternoon Mr Bingley arrived.
Darcy had never explained why he needed his friend to come immediately to Rosings Park in Kent. He simply said that his presence was urgently required and he must come alone without his sisters and brother-in-law.
Bingley was directed to the library where Darcy was drinking brandy with his cousin and Dr Denville. All three men stood up to greet the new comer. After an inordinate amount of back thumping Bingley sat and smiled at the three gentlemen,
“Darcy, Richard, Dr Denville, what a pleasure meeting you all here. I thought you would all be in London by now. What is keeping you in Kent for so long? Is your aunt hosting a bachelor house party?” He chuckled at his own joke.
After the laughter subsided Darcy replied, “No my friend this is not a bachelor household. We have plenty of ladies residing at Rosings at present and at least one more is coming, hopefully by tomorrow.”
“Very well, but it still does not explain why you had me coming so urgently? What did you have planned for me, more training on how to manage an estate?”
“I thought you had given up on estate management, Bingley. Do you require more training?” Darcy asked feeling his face burning with shame.
“No you are mistaken; I have not given up and plan to learn a lot more and for a lot longer than just the two months we had in Hertfordshire.”
Richard looked pointedly at Darcy, and then said, “I understood you had no desire to return to your estate in Herefordshire. Was Darcy mistaken in that too?”
Darcy grimaced and hid his face behind his glass.
“No I never said I wanted to resign the lease. If I have not done it yet is because I am still holding on to some hope that... I mean... I need to learn one way or another and I think that Netherfield is as good as it will get... it was so beautiful... so...” Bingley said dreamily before he checked himself.
“So what?” Richard asked with laughter in his voice. “If I did not know that you were talking about an estate, I would swear you were talking about a beautiful woman instead.”
Poor Bingley choked on his drink and Darcy glared at his cousin who simply smiled nonchalantly.
Darcy rescued his friend by getting up and leading him out of the library and towards his bedchamber to rest and dress for the upcoming dinner.
***
