Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

M r Collins's unhappiness with Elizabeth after her tête-à-tête with Lady Catherine was clear. The following morning, he approached her from his garden as she returned from a walk and insisted she stop and take in a particular view of the house from his berry patch. She saw nothing special in the vista, but mindful of Charlotte, complimented the impressive height of the chimney and the pretty flower box. It was a small effort to give him relief that she was not a full troglodyte.

He smiled, revealing his crooked front tooth. "You see the happy life enjoyed here by my dear Charlotte, one which you might have had. I am cousin to your father and his heir, and you must understand what you have lost for yourself and your family. Whatever your disappointment, do not forsake marriage. Redeem yourself in the eyes of God and perhaps you will have another suitor."

It was kindly meant, she told herself, and expressed those sentiments to him as graciously as she could. When it was clear Mr Collins was satisfied she would heed his advice, Elizabeth went quickly towards the house, where Charlotte greeted her with the post.

Handing her a letter from Jane, Charlotte said, "Please share any interesting news with me, Lizzy. Sisters always include interesting tit-bits in their letters, and my only sister is here with me."

Promising to share news and gossip, Elizabeth went eagerly to her room.

Dearest Lizzy,

How I miss you here at Longbourn! My days are kept busy with Mama's planning, and I am helping Mary with her piecework. She is taking a particular interest in church of late. Mr John Smith, the nephew of Mr Wilkshire, has come to visit before returning to Cambridge, where he is studying for the church. With his uncle's blessing, he has undertaken an ambitious endeavour to clothe children in a London poorhouse, which Uncle Gardiner told us holds the lowliest of the poor. Mary is ably assisting, setting aside her playing and reading to instead gather scraps and fabrics and fill basket after basket with garments. Kitty helps too, and Lydia has set herself the task of collecting old lace and ribbon and trimming the dresses. Mama has discerned some mutual admiration between Mary and Mr Smith, and though it remains unspoken by any but her, in loud whispers to me and Mr Bingley, she is encouraging the effort by remaking Papa's old shirts.

Do you see how long it has taken for me to mention Mr Bingley? Like you, he is ever in my thoughts, and to my good fortune, he is here at Longbourn every day. Only rain has kept us apart. Although fewer in number than a month ago, his guests do occupy his time. After his aunts returned to Scarborough, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst went to town for a week to visit ‘quality shops'. We rub along well enough, though I confess I prefer Louisa's company and conversation to that of Caroline. Mr Nugent remains at Netherfield, which itself makes clear he does not suffer from your refusal. In fact, Lizzy, and do sit down to read these words, his admiration has again been piqued. Not by Miss Bingley or Priscilla Lewis—as hoped by her mother—but by our Kitty! At every gathering, they sit and laugh together, and he often accompanies Mr Bingley to Longbourn. When he does not, Kitty seems affected by his absence. Mama is beside herself. You know well the expectant gleam in her eye. I hesitate to think what Mr Nugent's mother thinks of his interest in Bennet sisters, nor do I believe Kitty understands what it is to live with one's mother-in-law. But I speak too soon, and too much, because I miss talking to you here, on my bed, while plaiting our hair. If you were here, I would ask you to forgive me for encouraging Mr Nugent's suit; it is clear to me how much more sense and understanding of the world you have, and I would not wish you plagued by a difficult mother-in-law.

I shall see you in little more than a fortnight, and we shall laugh and be merry and talk of anything but lace and white soup.

Your sister,

Jane

Elizabeth fell back on her bed. Such a letter! Mary and the vicar's nephew? Kitty and Mr Nugent? How could she believe him sincere in his feelings, this green young man who seemed far too eager to hand his heart to a lady named Bennet? Well, it was not her place to worry. There was a husband for every lady, a wife for every man—it was matching them together, ensuring they liked and complemented one another, that proved most difficult.

It was two days later, on their fourth visit to Rosings, this time to view an early bloom in Lady Catherine's rose garden, that Elizabeth learnt her stay in Kent would soon be vastly more complicated, and interesting.

"My nephew tends my sister's rose garden at Pemberley, which has these very roses in the hothouse. It is cooler there, being farther north, and I daresay Rosings's gardens are finer with the sea air, but my sister Anne insisted on planting the same blooms to which she had been accustomed as a girl, in our mother's garden."

Lady Catherine's wistful smile softened the usual harshness of her countenance, and for the first time, Elizabeth could truly see a trace of resemblance between her and Mr Darcy. It was not the eyes or nose; his eyes were dark and his nose patrician while Lady Catherine was light and had a small, upturned nose that hardly fit her scale. But the half-smile was familiar, and especially becoming to a face such as Lady Catherine's. It was the first smile Elizabeth had seen on her. She lived a life alone, with a silent daughter and servants. How lonely it must be .

"Darcy arrives tomorrow, with my brother's younger son, as they always do for Easter." Lady Catherine turned away from the flowers, her face once again stern. "They miss it so here, where they spent much time as boys, and Darcy especially misses Anne, for whom he has always had special consideration."

Perhaps his presence will lure her from the house, Elizabeth thought, trying desperately to refrain from exhibiting the thrum of excitement that ran through her at the news of Mr Darcy's arrival. She had made effort after effort not to think of him. Beyond a possible renewal of their acquaintance at Jane and Mr Bingley's wedding, she had not imagined any reason they might again meet. But they would, here in Kent! If not at Rosings, they might encounter one another on the grounds and most certainly at church services. She would have the opportunity to thank him again for his assistance that day, and perhaps he would wryly comment on all that she had lost in not becoming Mrs William Collins.

Would he wish to see her? They were acquaintances, not friends, who had spent days in a house barely speaking, and hours in a damp shelter, talking and fending off Mr Collins's various affronts. He had done what a gentleman ought, and sat guard over her in the presence of her loathsome cousin. But he had turned away quickly when it was clear their ordeal would end.

Yes, Mr Darcy would be polite to her, but she could expect little more. And having already piqued the interest and temper of Lady Catherine, perhaps it was best she act as a new and disinterested party to any conversation that involved him.

How disappointing it would be if that pleased him.