Elizabeth chewed her lip and looked down at the billiard table. A ball was near to her fingertips. She pushed it towards a pocket, which it missed.
“Why has Lady Catherine not come to Pemberley before now? Our marriage is surely the kind of gossip that she thrives upon.”
“My aunt distanced herself from me last year. It would not do for a lady like herself to associate with a drunkard.” Darcy lowered his voice, “She does not know about Georgiana. I would like to keep it that way. That is why I have not sought out any kind of reconciliation or invited anyone to visit Pemberley since we married. Now, it seems, they are all inviting themselves!”
The man thought intensely for a moment, idly tapping the cue he still held against his ankle. A decision was reached; Darcy took four steps to the door and threw it open. A muffled yelp was produced, then a shamefaced Bingley shuffled back in.
“Ah, Bingley! What a surprise to see you again. I can see that you like examining keyholes here as much as you did in Cambridge.”
“Darcy, I…”
“We need your assistance, so your eavesdropping is rather convenient. In future, of course, it willnotbe.”
“Of course.” Bingley mumbled. “How can I help?”
“We need to prepare for a large gathering here. Perhaps even a ball. You have not destroyed your social connections as I have, Bingley. I must ask you to arrange the invitations.”
“A ball?” Elizabeth echoed, bewildered. Darcy frowned.
“Do I ask too much, Elizabeth? I know it will be a lot of work, and I apologise. I thought that with Miss Bennet’s assistance…”
“I am more than equal to the task, sir! I simply cannot see how throwing a ball will solve our problems.”
“Even if it solves nothing it will be a delight, Mrs. Darcy!” Bingley interrupted with nervous chivalry, “Will you promise me the first dance?”
“I believe it belongs to my husband, sir.” Elizabeth could not help smiling, “Perhaps my sister will stand up with you. She loves dancing.”
“If you two are quite finished?” Darcy growled. They quieted at once and looked at him. By the furrows on Bingley’s brow and the arch of Elizabeth’s eyebrow Darcy knew that he had been too firm. Apologising at once, he then opened his hands and explained the rest of his plan.
“Mr. Collins is devious, yes, and manipulative, but from what you have told me he only acts so when he is unobserved. He only accosts Miss Bennet alone - with her mother’s fearsome consent.His profession and social standing depend on his reputation. My aunt will tolerate a great deal in her own house, as it amuses her to encourage ridiculous behaviour. In public, however, she values propriety. She will not allow her own rector to embarrass her. Mr. Collins will be well aware of that and will be cautious. He will not be able to abduct Miss Bennet when the eyes of society are upon him.”
“What if Lady Catherine believes in his claim?” Elizabeth pressed.
“My aunt enjoys fools, madam, but she is not one herself. I will inform her of the details of the matter. Since they are closely connected to our own marriage, then she will demand the truth from me the second she arrives. Elizabeth, you must prepare yourself for that.”
“Prepare myself?”
“Yes.” Darcy looked nervously at his wife and then took the plunge: “She disapproves of being connected to your family. To be linked to a subservient oaf like Mr. Collins would be even worse. If I am right, then she will move mountains to prevent it.”
“I had no idea I was so objectionable.” Elizabeth growled, hurt. Darcy shook his head.
“She has no right to criticise either of us. She all but disowned me when I was a drunk. From what sense I could pry from her letters, she sees you as another consequence of my debauchery. Now that I am ‘acceptable’ again she has conceded that you are a gentlewoman, but she still finds reasons to disapprove. She was convinced that I should marry her daughter. Even though she was the one who explicitly forbade it after I ‘fell’, she still resents anyone else taking Anne’s place.”
Bingley choked in disgust: “She sounds lovely. To disown you when you were most in need! And to deign to receive you now that the hard work is done!”
Darcy smiled at him, “I did not need family like her, Charles, when I had a friend like you.”
“Mmph.” Bingley managed, trying and failing not to look pleased. Elizabeth was put in mind of an honest man trying to bluff at cards. “You wife is a far better ally than I, Darcy. She has to tolerate youallthe time. At least I am only here for a few days.”
“A few days?” Lizzie asked, looking quizzically at her husband. Darcy shook his head sternly.
“If you can do without a wine cellar, Bingley, then I would like you to stay for the whole summer.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I suspect that the dread Mr. Collins will not be quickly dispatched, after all.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, “That was almost a pleasant gesture, Darcy.Almost.Admit that you value Mr. Bingley’s company, at the very least!”
