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Before the two gentlemen left for Kent Elizabeth had told them her oldest sister Jane was visiting the parsonage at Hunsford. They were now communicating regularly, although the letters to and fro were all posted through their Aunt Philips in Meryton. Elizabeth had mentioned to Darcy that the Reverend Collins was now married to the former Charlotte Lucas. Darcy recalled meeting the young woman on many occasions. What Elizabeth did not inform them of was Mr. Collins’ first proposal.
Over the course of the first week the Colonel and Mr. Darcy had paid their respects to the two ladies at the parsonage and in turn the three occupants had been invited for afternoon tea at Rosings. With Lady Catherine at her dominating best there had been no opportunity for side conversations.
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“Darcy, this has been very diverting and all that but are you trying to drive Lady Catherine to apoplexy?”
“Not at all. Sir Lewis charged my father with assisting Lady Catherine manage Rosings. It was not part of the will, rather the husband of one sister asking the husband of the other for help. With my father’s passing, it has been a role that I have performed five times already, this year being the sixth. I do it as a way to honour my father, and Sir Lewis, as well as to assist my aunt and cousin. I respect our aunt, she is my mother’s older sister but I am reaching the end of my patience with her hectoring attitude.”
Darcy returned to the estate ledgers.
“Are you not worried about her health?”
Darcy sighed and placed the quill on the desk. He stood up and walked over to the decanters. He poured two generous splashes into glasses and brought them over to the Colonel, indicating they should get comfortable in the two armchairs either side of the unlit fire.
“I have not raised my voice once since we arrived. I have been polite, courteous and have spent many hours in this room pouring over the ledgers.”
Richard sighed. He hated the truth of what Darcy had said, he was being reasonable.
“I do not want Aunt Catherine to keel over one day either in the parlour or at dinner.”
“You would allow her to accompany you to an event in town?”
The non-sequitur threw Richard further than his horse refusing to jump a hedge.
“What on earth has that got to do with anything?”
“It is a simple question Richard. Would you invite Lady Catherine as your guest to a social event, a ball say? Would you stay with her all evening to ensure that she was comfortable?”
“Of course not Darcy. I cannot think of anything worse.”
“Why?”
Richard sighed, he could see where this was going.
“Because of her behaviour.”
“I have noticed it has been several years since the Earl or the Viscount have visited.”
Richard lowered his head.
“You are being left to deal with her.”
Darcy sat in silence until Richard looked at him.
“Hardly the expected behaviour of two peers of the Realm.”
Said without rancour.
“Richard, if Lady Catherine decided to spend time in London, it would reflect badly on the Fitzwilliam family. She may be the daughter and sister of Earls but she is the widow of a Baronet, not a Countess herself. We both know the niece of a Baronet who is many times more refined and polite than our aunt.”
Despite the seriousness of the conversation Richard made note that even then Miss Bennet was at the front of Darcy’s thoughts.
“What do you suggest?”
“Once this visit is over and we have returned to London I am going to talk to your father. I will confess the visit went poorly and that Lady Catherine and I were at odds throughout much of the fortnight. Rather than dictate what should happen, I will listen to his thoughts. But I think a break of at least a year is necessary. Your father or brother can fulfil the task next year.”
