Chapter 11

Return to Longbourn

M r. Greene’s presence at Longbourn quickly soured Elizabeth’s enjoyment of her visit. If she had to endure the phrase, “My exalted patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” one more time, she was certain she would scream. In the last half hour alone, the man had invoked the lady’s name no less than eleven times—a number Elizabeth knew precisely, having kept meticulous count in her growing frustration. To his credit, at least he got the wording right. Mr. Collins, in his usual blundering manner, had once referred to her as Mr. Greene’s exhausting patroness—a description Elizabeth found likely accurate, considering the poor lady’s frequent dealings with such an insufferable bore.

Jane’s hurtful comments at Netherfield had gone a long way toward reducing the possibility of a sisterly relationship between the two ladies, but her insistence that Elizabeth accept Mr. Greene’s attention eliminated all hope. After two days in the man’s overbearing and detestable presence, she could take no more. “Jane, I have decided to walk to Meryton.”

“Take Mr. Greene with you. He will enjoy seeing town.”

Elizabeth attempted to hide a cringe. “I had planned to stop and see Charlotte on the way.”

“Mr. Greene will not mind.” Jane smiled at the gentleman who hovered too near Elizabeth.

“Indeed, I will be pleased to escort you, Miss Gardiner, and I will not mind giving you time to chat with your friend. Ladies do require their moments of gossip. And I must admit that I also enjoy hearing the latest on dit. Why, Lady Catherine always says, ‘Mr. Greene, you are an excellent listener.’ And it is true. I hope I do not sound too enamored with myself when I say— ”

“Let me call for Howes.” Elizabeth could take no more of the man’s prattle.

“Nonsense,” Jane interjected. “You will be out in the open. No need to take your footman.”

Elizabeth responded with a tight smile. “I do not think Papa, Mama, or my companion would agree.” All three looked toward Mrs. Annesley who sat with a sewing basket in the corner. The lady shook her head in the negative.

“See there. I must include Howes in my excursion.”

“Take your maid, as well,” Mrs. Annesley advised. Elizabeth offered a saucy wink to her companion and then hurried from the room. Howes and Milly arrived before she had donned her pelisse and boots, but they were forced to wait while Mr. Greene struggled to put on his own outerwear.

The walk to Charlotte’s was long and excruciating. “Although I am quite pleased with my position in Hunsford, you will be happy to know that I have also a sizable inheritance coming to me when my cousin, Mr. Gerald Gilbert passes on. Of course, I do not wish for such a thing, but when he does, what a terrible time his wife and daughters will have.”

“Yes, it is difficult when a beloved father and husband passes.”

“To be sure, to be sure. But that is not all. I visited the family last spring when Lady Catherine urged me to find a wife. ‘Go to your family in Suffolk,’ she said. ‘Marry a cousin. Someone who is sensible and able to economize. Then when the girl’s father passes on and you take your place at the head of the table, your wife’s family will have a place to live and will not be forced from their home’.”

No lady with half a thought in her head would accept the man. Given that he was still single she could only assume the Gilbert daughters had done as she would do and refused him.

“My cousin had the bad luck to father five daughters and no sons. Terrible decision on his part.”

“I doubt he planned it, sir. Babies have a habit of being born as they are.”

Mr. Greene pondered this. “I believe you are correct. My patroness has only a single daughter. I am sure she would have preferred a son. But Rosings is not entailed to male heirs. Mr. Gilbert should have considered this when he chose his wife.”

“Perhaps he was in love with the lady.”

“Yes, love. Ladies do enjoy the idea of such things.” His face brightened as an idea formed. “Will you take my arm, Elizabeth?” He leaned in, so close their bodies nearly collided.

Her already frayed nerves snapped. Elizabeth took a deliberate step away, her voice cold as steel. “Sir, I have not given you permission to address me with such informality. We have barely known one another for a week, and, even if that time were longer, we are not engaged. You must address me as Miss Gardiner.”

Mr. Greene’s mouth fell open in shock. “My apologies. I believed we had gone beyond such conventions.”

“We have not, nor shall we ever.” She lengthened her stride, but to her dismay, Mr. Greene’s long legs easily closed the distance between them.

“You are a coy one, Miss Gardiner, but do not worry. I am not offended by your comments. It is my understanding that this is the normal attitude of refined ladies who wish to be courted properly. Do not fear, I am of a mind to woo you just as you should be.”

For twenty long seconds, Elizabeth did not say a word. When her mouth caught up with her mind, however, she gave him a piece of it. “Sir, you are mistaken. I do not wish to be wooed by you. We would be perfectly dissatisfied with one another. I am convinced that we cannot make one another happy.”

“Silly girl. Of course we can. I am a very eligible fellow, you know. And you, as lovely as you are, are only the daughter of a tradesman. Marriage to me would bring you up in the world.” Frustrated, Elizabeth quickened her pace to a near run. Mr. Greene, unaccustomed to such vigorous exercise, was forced to be quiet since all his breath was spent on loud huffing and puffing.

After several minutes, she risked looking back. Howes and Milly, long accustomed to her fast-paced rambles, easily followed behind. Further back, Mr. Greene bent with his hands on his knees taking in great gulps of air.

That will show him. To think that he is worthy of me, the great imbecile . And to think, Jane pushed his presence upon me! Elizabeth would have seethed further, but her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching horses.

“Ho there, Miss Gardiner. What brings you out on this fine day?” Mr. Bingley greeted her with a broad smile, oblivious to the tension in the air, as he and Mr. Darcy approached atop two large stallions.

Elizabeth quickly composed herself. “Good day, Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy.”

While Mr. Bingley remained cheerful and unaware, Mr. Darcy’s expression darkened with concern. He nodded in greeting, but his eyes flicked between Elizabeth and the still panting Mr. Greene, clearly sensing something amiss.

∞∞∞

Darcy and Bingley dismounted. “We were just on our way to visit you at Longbourn. I had planned to personally extend an invitation to my ball.”

“A ball!” Mr. Greene gasped. He patted at the sweat on his brow.

“Unfortunately, I believe you will have returned to Hunsford before the event.” Darcy stepped a little closer to Elizabeth, effectively blocking the oafish parson’s path. He could not explain why, but the thought of such a senseless man sharing space with her caused his hands to clinch.

“Darcy is correct. I believe you said you would remain in Hertfordshire through the twenty-second. I am afraid the ball will be held on the twenty-sixth.” Bingley appeared to be genuinely disappointed. Darcy had to refrain from rolling his eyes.

Mr. Greene’s chest puffed. “Yes, yes, I thank you for considering me. Four days is not so much. I believe Lady Catherine will be kind enough to grant me an extension on my stay at Longbourn, especially since my business here is incomplete.” The waggled his eyebrows at Elizabeth.

Darcy forced his hand open. It is not the done thing to beat a minister , he reminded himself. Elizabeth’s menacing glare told Darcy that she, too, was having a similar internal conversation.

“If you remain in the area, you are welcome to attend. And you...” Bingley turned, once again to Elizabeth. “You must agree to open the ball with me.”

Mr. Greene stepped closer to Elizabeth. “And I — ”

“And I would ask for your supper set,” Darcy broke in. He smiled at the lady before turning a menacing eye to the parson. Elizabeth happily agreed to each dance.

“Ahem.” Mr. Greene puffed his chest. “And I would honor you with the final set.” Hardly an honor! Do you even know how to dance? Darcy, once again, found his hands clenched at his sides.

“Thank you, Mr. Greene. I will write your name down for that spot.”

“And if may be so bold, perhaps you might save — ”

“Miss Gardiner, were you planning to visit your friend, Miss Lucas? If so, may we escort you there?”

Elizabeth smiled so sweetly up at him, Darcy’s toes curled. “Yes, thank you. I would love the company.”

Calm yourself, he silently advised himself, but his disloyal heart would not listen. It beat twice its normal pace the entire walk to Lucas Lodge.

While there, Bingley extended his invitation to the ball. As expected, it was accepted with great joy by Lady Lucas and her daughters. “Sir William will be exceedingly pleased, Mr. Bingley. I am only sorry he was not here to greet you, today.”

Bingley made the usual comments and then turned to Miss Lucas. “Miss Lucas, may I have your second dance?” A beatific smile spread across the lady’s face rendering her almost pretty. With ladylike poise she promised to hold the dance for Bingley.

Mr. Greene puffed out his chest. “And I, Miss Lucas, am in need of a partner for the first. I assume you will dance with me?” Though Mr. Greene’s request was less eloquently worded, Miss Lucas graciously accepted his offer as well.

Darcy, unused to dancing at all, sat in silence until Elizabeth’s assessing gaze caught his attention. When she had his notice, she slyly looked at Miss Lucas. Chastened, Darcy cleared his throat. “Miss Lucas, I would also like to request a dance. If you are available, will the third suit?”

Miss Lucas looked first to Elizabeth, whose wide smile filled him with an inexplicable sense of pride, before turning her eyes on the speaker. “I will be pleased to save that set for you, Mr. Darcy.” Her response did not fill him with dread as many others had. Darcy would never enjoy dancing, but Elizabeth had opened his eyes to the goodness of the people around him.

When the appropriate amount of time had passed, the party bid farewell to the members of Lucas Lodge and made their way back to Longbourn. Darcy offered to escort Elizabeth and Bingley, having finally caught on to the lady’s discomfort, crowded her other side before Mr. Greene had an opportunity to importune her. The rector was further excluded by the form of two large stallions that trailed their masters.

Out of mutual, unspoken agreement, the trio set a rapid pace. By the time they reached their destination, Mr. Greene was once again trailing far behind, sweat pouring from his forehead.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins greeted the party with sincere happiness. “How good of you to come, gentlemen. Are you here to check on my beloved? Her knee is greatly improved.”

Bingley bowed. “Mrs. Collins, I hope you are well recovered from your accident.” The lady blushed and quietly indicated that she was healing well.

“Excellent. Then you will likely be in the pink of health by November twenty-sixth, for that is the night I plan to host a ball.”

“A ball!” Mr. Collins’ squeal was nearly identical to the one his dearest friend gave upon hearing the same news. “Oh, Jane, what will I wear?”

After some moments, Mrs. Collins managed to calm her husband. By then, Mr. Greene had arrived. “Mr. Darcy, you will be more comfortable here.” He indicated the seat nearest Mr. Collins. “Allow me to change places with you.”

Though they were not touching, Darcy sat near enough to feel the tension radiating from Elizabeth. “I thank you for the offer, but my chair is acceptable.” It was not actually acceptable; never had he sat in such a lumpy seat. If he could not allow himself to love the lady, he would at least protect her in this small way from such an odious suitor.

Once settled, Mr. Collins secured a set from his wife and another from Elizabeth. “And I would like to ask for a second set, Miss Gardiner.”

“Are you sure you wish to do so, Mr. Greene? I have oft heard my aunt say that no man should dance twice with a lady who is not his wife, even if they are engaged.” A muffled snicker from Bingley drifted to him from Elizabeth’s other side.

The gentleman’s eyes widened, and his hands went to his chest. “Oh dear, she had never said so much to me. Do you truly believe she will be disappointed? Especially since I have every hope that Miss — ”

“She will be very upset, I assure you. She was quite adamant each time I heard her say it.”

Bingley stifled another laugh. Had Darcy been less displeased with Mr. Greene, he would have spared one, as well.

“You must be correct. You are, after all, her most esteemed and favorite nephew. Thank you. Oh, thank you, sir, for guiding me in this.” Darcy inclined his head.

∞∞∞

The visit continued for an additional quarter hour before the gentlemen bid everyone goodbye. Messrs. Collins and Greene walked them out, while Elizabeth stayed behind with Jane.

“Are you in pain, Jane? Would you like for me to find a different pillow for your knee?”

“I am well.” Jane’s mouth bowed into a frown.

Elizabeth was tempted to ignore her, but a niggling curiosity drove her to press. “Then what is that has you so stern-faced?”

Jane fixed Elizabeth with an exasperated glare, her usual sweetness evaporating. “You do not know? And here I thought you were the intelligent sister.”

“I assure you, I would not have asked if I understood your mood.”

Jane leaned forward, her voice sharp and cutting. “Then I will tell you, sister. I am ashamed of you. Mr. Greene has been nothing but agreeable to you. He has waited on you, entertained you with stories of his home, and to what end? You have treated him abominably. And to have allowed Mr. Darcy to perpetrate such a farce—it is utterly unconscionable.”

Elizabeth recalled her father’s advice to stay calm during a dispute, knowing it would only unsettle her opponent further. Taking his wisdom to heart, she took two deep breaths before responding. “Unconscionable would be to encourage the man to persist. He is everything abhorrent to me, and I cannot fathom why you insist on pushing him upon me.”

Jane crossed her arms, her tone dripping with disdain. “You are ridiculous. He is a very eligible man, with a home and a future estate at his disposal once his cousin dies. You may have an enormous dowry, but you are still only the daughter of a tradesman.”

“I am not ashamed of Papa’s status. I will marry for love or not at all. And as you say, I have a very large portion and can do as I please.”

As she walked away, Elizabeth heard her sister’s final, biting remark. “Being friends with an earl’s daughter does not make you part of the peerage.”