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“While it is true that as a guest in your home I ought to abide by your directives, Mr. Collins, I am not in the habit of subjugating my own opinions to the dictates of those whose sentiments are so adamantly opposed to my own.”
He was about to speak, but Elizabeth was not done. She held up her hand. “After some thought, I have decided it is best to end this arrangement as soon as can be. I shall, therefore, write to my father and request the necessary preparations be made for my return to Hertfordshire.”
“Eliza, please reconsider—”
“Quiet, Mrs. Collins! For once, I can say my cousin and I are wholeheartedly in agreement.” He looked at Elizabeth with disgust. “Come, Mrs. Collins. We shall leave this instant; else we might keep her ladyship waiting.” He marched out the door, but Charlotte stood still. Her face bore a weary expression.
“Mrs. Collins!”
Elizabeth went to Charlotte’s side and placed her hand on her friend’s arm. “Charlotte, we shall have an opportunity to speak in the morning. You must not fret over me and risk increasing his ire. I shall be perfectly well here on my own this evening.”
“Truly, Eliza?”
“Indeed.” The two friends embraced. Poor Charlotte. Her lot in life is worse than I ever supposed.
Later that evening, the sound of the doorbell roused Elizabeth. Her spirits fluttered a little when she supposed Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had called late in the evening once before, had come to enquire after her. However, the idea was soon banished, and her spirits were affected very differently when Mr. Darcy strode into the room.
He rushed to Elizabeth’s side as soon as the servant shuffled out of the room and closed the door. He sat directly beside her and behaved as though he might take her hand in his. “I came to see you because Mrs. Collins said you were unwell.”
A puzzling tingle waltzed across her shoulder and down her back. Elizabeth immediately moved to a chair across the room, sat, and folded her hands in her lap. “I am sorry I gave you cause for concern, sir. You need not have come, for I should hate to think I am keeping you away from your relatives.”
Darcy stood, walked over to the mantelpiece, and leaned against it. “I am here out of concern for your well-being. You were perfectly well when last I saw you this morning. At least, I supposed you were. Has something happened since then? Did I say or do anything to cause you distress?”
“No, Mr. Darcy.” I scarcely listen to a word you say.
“Are you certain?”
I am fairly certain you have little to say of any consequence. “Yes, Mr. Darcy. I am certain.”
“You would tell me were that the case, would you not?”
One only need speak to Mr. Collins, and apparently Lady Catherine, to know I have no compunction against speaking my mind. “Yes, Mr. Darcy.”
“I ask because, I value honesty. I insist there must be no secrets between us.”
Secrets between us? There he goes again, speaking in riddles. Elizabeth said nothing.
“Pardon my saying this, but as you do not look unwell, I can only suppose you are purposely avoiding Lady Catherine.”
Elizabeth drew a sharp breath. “Let us suppose you are correct, Mr. Darcy. Am I wrong to do so? I see no reason to purposely subject myself to her meddling and condescension. I am not my cousin!”
“Actually, Miss Elizabeth, I wanted you to dine with us this evening. I had planned a special surprise for you.”
“Mr. Darcy! Your aunt is insulting; she purposely gives offense. She—”
Darcy interrupted. “I assure you, she is no worse than many of the other grande dames of Society. How shall you ever expect to conduct yourself in my world when you refuse to make allowances for my aunt?”
Conduct myself in your world? “I beg your pardon, Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy looked as if he wanted to retract his words. He did not. His voice determined, he said, “Miss Elizabeth. In vain, I have struggled. It will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire you.” He swallowed hard. “Believe me; falling in love with you is the last thing in the world I ever wished for myself.”
Elizabeth twisted her lips, which he must have interpreted as genuine concern.
“Do not misunderstand me. My objections to loving you have nothing at all to do with you, but rather your family. All this I have determined I would put aside, for I have decided that once we are married you need not ever associate with those people again.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. This he must have considered sufficient encouragement to argue the merits of his case.
“Elizabeth, think about it. It will be impossible for you to assume your life as Mrs. Darcy and maintain your ties to those people! Your mother, your three younger sisters, and your father, I suspect, are ill-qualified to recommend themselves amongst my circle.
