Chapter Thirty-Eight

T he family was still at the breakfast table when visitors were announced.

"What in the world?" Mrs. Bennet said. "Jane, Lizzy, hurry and make yourselves presentable."

Mr. Collins rose, saying, "I should greet the gentlemen as well; they are both the nephews of my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I would not wish to be seen as lacking in courtesy."

"Sit down, Mr. Collins," Mr. Bennet said, wearily. Mr. Collins had long since ceased to be amusing and was now scarcely tolerated by any member of the Bennet family. His promised stay of a fortnight now felt like an eternity.

"But –"

"SIT DOWN!"

Mr. Collins hastily retook his seat, burying his chagrin at having been so spoken to in an exceptionally thick slice of ham.

The two girls hastily put down their toast and ran up the backstairs to their bedroom. Just ten minutes later, after fixing their hair and changing their dresses, they descended the front stairs, looking for all the world as if they had finished breaking their fasts an hour prior.

Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were waiting in the parlour; they rose and bowed as the ladies entered.

"Is everyone quite well, gentlemen?" Jane enquired.

Mr. Darcy replied, "Yes. Miss Elizabeth, might we speak privately for a moment? In full view of the house, of course."

As soon as they were in the back garden, Mr. Darcy said, "She has been found."

Elizabeth gasped. "Georgiana! Oh, my! Is she quite all right? What of Mr. Wickham?"

Mr. Darcy replied, "I do not know. My aunt – the Colonel's mother – sent a message yesterday saying that Georgiana was with them." He did not tell her the rest, that the marriage was not valid.

"You must go to her at once, of course."

"Miss Elizabeth, it distresses me to leave you at this point, no matter the reason. I promise that I will return to Meryton as soon as possible. I would very much like to enter into a courtship with you."

She hesitated before replying. "Mr. Darcy, nothing would make me happier. But I truly believe you must work your way through the anger you feel at your sister before you can be ready for a courtship."

"I do not understand. Are you rejecting me?"

"A heart filled with rage has no room for love, Mr. Darcy. And I will settle for nothing less than love."

He bowed his head. "I see." Could he not tell her how much he loved her, how she consumed his every waking thought? "Miss Elizabeth, you must allow me to tell you how ardently –"

She stopped him. "No, please listen." She put her hand on his arm and spoke with great sincerity, her heart in her eyes and in her voice. "Were I a fortune hunter, I would leap at the opportunity to marry you, even if I thought you would later regret the union. But I am not. I know how I feel, but until you and your sister have made your peace, you cannot know how you feel. Until that time, I know not how I can trust your assurances."

He could not speak. She could not trust his assurances? He felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart. Finally, his face a mask, he replied, "Very well. Please tell Miss Bennet the true reason for our untoward departure; there is not enough time or privacy for the Colonel to confide in her before we leave."

***

Miss Bennet sat in the sofa across from his chair, looking impossibly lovely in a pale blue gown. A matching ribbon wound around her golden curls.

He tore himself away from contemplating her beauty. "Miss Bennet, family business calls us to London immediately. Your sister knows something of the situation and Darcy is even now giving her permission to tell you of it."

"I am so sorry, Colonel; it sounds quite dreadful."

"It is very dreadful, but there is – finally! – a ray of hope in the gloom. Miss Bennet, I will come back. I cannot say when, but I will come back. I beg you to give me time to sort out my family's situation. If I had more time, I would go in to your father and ask his permission to request a courtship with you, but the situation is dire and I have no time to spare."

And then Jane did something she never thought herself capable of. She rose from her seat and approached the Colonel. Surprised, he immediately rose from his chair. She offered her hand and he took it. "I will wait for you, Colonel," she whispered.

He bent his head and kissed her hand. "I will count the days until I see you again. And I will dream about you, Miss Bennet, every night."

"And I of you, Colonel," she whispered in return, her body swaying towards him.

At that moment, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy walked into the room. "Colonel – oh, I beg your pardon!" Elizabeth exclaimed as the Colonel and her sister leapt apart. Jane ran back to her accustomed place on the sofa and stared hard at her shoes.

"Miss Elizabeth, I was just explaining to Miss Bennet that you would tell her of the circumstance that calls us to London," the Colonel said, unruffled.

"I shall," she assured him.

Kitty and Lydia chose this moment to run into the parlour. Lydia waved a yellow ribbon above her head, yelling out, "My ribbon!" and Kitty chased her, screaming, "No, it is mine!"

Elizabeth and Jane both closed their eyes in shame as the two gentlemen rose, bowed and left without another word.