Chapter 1
On one subject, Elizabeth was utterly and completely in agreement with Mr Collins: Rosings Park was beautiful in the spring. Of course, she had to agree on two further subjects too: Rosings House had hundreds of windows, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh had indeed invited them to dine twice already since she arrived in Kent. Just as Mr Collins had promised.
Elizabeth had accepted Charlotte’s invitation to visit her with reluctance. Jane was in London with the Gardiners, and her spirits were very low. Her heart had been broken by Mr Bingley’s departure and even more so by the realisation — gleaned from Miss Caroline Bingley — that he knew she was in town but did not wish to see her. Elizabeth had good reasons to doubt everything Miss Bingley said; Mr Bingley’s sisters had certainly put much effort into separating their brother from Jane — and in that, they had received the help of Mr Darcy, a gentleman who had caused so much sorrow to others due to his ill-tempered nature and selfish arrogance. He was a man she never wanted to see again, but she had been disappointed to be forced into his company quite often in the last week.
As if he had a purpose of ruining her enjoyment on every occasion, Mr Darcy had arrived at Rosings for his annual visitto his aunt shortly after Elizabeth had travelled to Hunsford herself. If she had known there was even a slight chance of such an unhappy coincidence, she would certainly have postponed her visit or even cancelled it.
If his involvement in Mr Bingley’s situation had not been publicly admitted and there could be some doubt, his cruel treatment of Mr Wickham was as certain as it was outrageous. Not only had he ruined his childhood companion’s chances in life, but he had disregarded his father’s dying wish—something that a gentleman would never do. Mr Darcy might be a gentleman by name, family, and education, but surely he was not by his character and behaviour.
Very much unlike his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, who, though not as handsome as Mr Darcy, was much more likeable due to his amiability.
From the first time he had visited to the Parsonage with Mr Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam had been admired, and his visits were considered a privilege. He seemed to enjoy the ladies’ company too; therefore he called daily on his usual rides around the park.
But why Mr Darcy came so often to the Parsonage was more difficult to understand. It could not be for society, as he frequently sat there for ten minutes together without opening his lips; he always seemed to speak as a sacrifice to politeness, not for his own pleasure.
Colonel Fitzwilliam occasionally laughed at his cousin’s aloofness and claimed it was not his usual manner. Elizabeth contradicted him in her mind; to her, Mr Darcy was very much as usual — arrogant, haughty, staring at her and making her uncomfortable.
Even worse, Elizabeth had met Mr Darcy unexpectedly on her ramble in the park more than once. On several such occasions,she had deliberately mentioned the paths where she usually walked, hoping that would keep him away, but the effect had been rather the opposite — she kept meeting him, a fact that ruined her enjoyment.
That day, she decided to prevent any unpleasant meetings and completely changed her direction.
Soon, she was quite glad to find herself at the gate in the palings opposite the Parsonage, in a small grove full of flowers and bushes blossoming in the spring.
She was walking with her eyes closed when suddenly she heard the sound of children’s voices and barking, then laughter and a male voice which made her quiver with disbelief. She stepped closer, moving to hide behind some high bushes, and found shelter behind a larger tree that obscured her presence entirely. Bewildered, she watched Mr Darcy— of all men! — sitting on the grass with two young children, a boy and a girl no older than seven, near him. With them was Mr Darcy’s dog — the Great Dane Elizabeth had seen at Netherfield — and two puppies.
“They have grown very much in only a week,” she heard Mr Darcy say. “It means you have taken good care of them.”
“I sleep with both of them,” the boy declared proudly.
“Mama said you sent us a lot of meat, and we all ate it and gave the puppies some too!” the girl exclaimed.
“Are you sure your mother is not looking for you?” Mr Darcy asked.
“No, no, look, our house is there — she can see us and call us if she wants,” the boy replied. “She and Tom are working in the garden. She said I am too young to work with them, but as soon as I am ten, she will give me some jobs to do. I am strong enough already.”
“Tom is fifteen, is he not?” Mr Darcy asked.
“Yes, nearly sixteen. He said he wants to be a sailor to go to sea, but he must stay and help Mama,” the boy continued.
“Mr Darcy, why are you so kind?” the girl enquired. “Mama said we should not disturb you because you are a very important man, and if you become angry with us, Lady Catherine will be angry too and throw us out of our home. Mama said she is afraid to speak to you. And she said she is afraid she can’t pay for all the food you send us.”
“Oh, Mama is a woman, and women are always fearful. I am not afraid to talk to Mr Darcy!” the boy declared.
“I am not afraid either!” the girl repeated bravely.
“That’s because you are a girl, not a woman,” the boy answered wisely.
Elizabeth was equally astonished and amused by the scene, which seemed implausible to her.
“Tell your mother I thank her, but you do not need to worry about bothering me,” Mr Darcy answered. “Tell her I congratulate her for having such kind, well-behaved, and clever children.”
“Oh, you mean us? the girl asked. “To be honest, we are not well-behaved,” she admitted. “We were at Rosings with Mama one day, and Lady Catherine said we are not allowed there because we are spoilt brats.”
Elizabeth was curious how Mr Darcy would respond. He seemed hesitant and finally said, “I shall still maintain my own opinion of you. You should always listen to your mother and obey her requests. I would be happy to know you are doing that.”
“I promise,” the girl said.
“And please tell your mother that she does not have to pay for what I send. It was for you because you took these small, dying puppies and took good care of them and fed them. That is all.”
