Chapter 20

20

D arcy was ready for their call to Longbourn even before Bingley was. Somehow he had a feeling of foreboding ever since Mr. Bennet had mentioned needing his daughters at home because they were about to receive a visitor who was desirous of meeting them.

He could think of only one reason that might be, and he'd had little sleep worrying about Miss Elizabeth.

Would she be safe? He recalled Sir William in this very house, saying that Mrs. Bennet had always disparaged her second daughter's looks and, in some unnameable way, he wondered if he was right in his fears that she might be made to marry this man.

What hold could he possibly have on the Bennet family? Bennet's eyes had a sardonic glint when he had mentioned him coming.

Darcy must meet him, must find out who he was. He shifted his weight onto the other foot, staring out of the breakfast room window, and took a sip of coffee.

The staff had cleared away their breakfast things, and he and Bingley had both gone upstairs to change for their call. But Darcy had been back downstairs and waiting ten minutes already.

He sighed. Bingley's valet must despair of his master, who could barely sit still for a moment. He huffed a laugh; he had noticed Bingley was much less inclined to fidget when conversing with Miss Bennet. Perhaps he could really be enamoured of the lady. And, while the family were enough to make Darcy fear a little for his friend, Miss Bennet would be eligible enough once Miss Elizabeth had been sponsored by his aunt into society.

He smiled to himself. He had almost finished his letter to Aunt Alice, although he would have to rewrite it, taking out any part where she might think he was attracted to Miss Elizabeth. He frowned in thought; she would think there was no other reason that he would take an interest in assisting a country miss to gain eligibility. He must think about it perhaps a day longer. But he would send it by tomorrow at the latest. Or perhaps Thursday. He always found it helpful to have a set day by which he must achieve something; then he would not try to make everything perfect.

"Darcy! Please don't scowl like that, I was as quick as I could be." Bingley hurried into the room.

Darcy huffed a laugh. "I was not thinking of that; it was something else entirely."

"Good, good." Bingley glanced into his friend's coffee cup. "I have ordered the horses, so they'll be ready when you finish that." And without waiting for an answer, he almost ran into the hall where Darcy could see him taking his gloves from the footman.

Darcy shook his head, and put his coffee cup down. He paced slowly into the hall, glancing at the clock, and donned his own greatcoat and gloves. "Thank you," he said to the footman and took his cane and hat.

He was still ready before Bingley, who'd tangled his gloves, but Darcy would not show any impatience.

"Peace, Bingley. We have plenty of time before the calling hour." He would not show his own impatience to meet this stranger, this man staying in the same house as Miss Elizabeth, perhaps hearing her practice. He shuddered; why did he have this feeling of dread for her? Why did it matter?

He glanced at his watch; if they walked the horses, they would not be seen to be waiting outside the gate for the calling hour to arrive. He would not wish to seem too eager.

"Let us ride more slowly, Bingley. We do not wish to appear too soon, before we will be expected."

"I do not mind being seen waiting at the gate, Darcy! Miss Bennet will then know I am impatient to see her."

Darcy reined his horse back. Bingley would then not be able to hurry too much. "What is it about Miss Bennet that you are most enamoured of, Bingley?"

"Oh, Darcy, she is an angel." Bingley drew to a slower pace until he was riding alongside. "So beautiful and serenely calm. I can sit still beside her and feel myself unwinding."

Darcy nodded. "I can understand that the lady's beauty drew your attention at once. Miss Bennet has just the sort of looks that you prefer. But now that you know her a bit better, what else about her do you appreciate?"

Bingley's brow wrinkled. "She dances very well, and her movements are graceful and elegant. And as I said, she is calm and serene. The way she smiles at me makes me wish to protect her from all those who must be in pursuit of her."

"As you are."

His friend gave him a puzzled look. "What are you trying to tell me, Darcy?"

"Do you remember when Miss Elizabeth sang at the Lucas Lodge gathering?" he said carefully.

"What of it?"

"Did you not listen to the words of the song? That the beautiful woman was determined to be seen for herself and not just be a possession — a trophy — on the arm of a man?"

Bingley drew his horse to a halt and stared at him, his mind obviously thinking back to the gathering.

Eventually, he focussed on Darcy. "No, I must admit I wasn't listening to the words of the song. Miss Elizabeth's voice was beautiful, and I thought it a love song."

Darcy smiled thinly. "Then I urge you to find something to love about Miss Bennet other than her beauty. She must be despairing of any man seeing the real person — the real character behind her face."

"You are the best of friends, Darcy!" Bingley's horse jumped as his rider drew up the reins. "I shall begin today to get to know Miss Bennet properly."

Darcy kept his features impassive as he followed Bingley along the narrow path that was the shortcut to Longbourn. He hoped he had done the right thing. Then he huffed a laugh; Miss Bingley would be furious at his encouragement of the match.

But he must think of Miss Elizabeth. Miss Elizabeth and this man who was staying in her home. He hoped he wasn't making her uncomfortable.

The man was youngish, quite tall, but ungainly. He was rather poorly dressed in clergyman's black — it was obviously an old garment, and the black wool was grey with age. It wouldn't matter, of course, if only it had been clean. His collar was crooked, and his hair badly combed.

Darcy drew a deep breath, and wondered again what hold this man could possibly have on the Bennet family.

Mrs. Bennet was holding court in the sitting room, obviously over-excited, and she performed the introductions as Darcy tried to keep his gaze away from Miss Elizabeth, who was sitting, head bowed, beside this visitor, whom he now knew to be Mr. Collins, a cousin of Bennet.

There was no seat next to Miss Elizabeth, and Darcy reluctantly took the chair between Miss Mary and Mrs. Bennet, as Mr. Collins' voice rose excitedly.

"Mr. Darcy! Mr. Darcy! I believe you are the nephew of my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh."

Only long practice kept Darcy from showing any expression; the man's voice as he uttered the lady's name showed the utmost reverence and adoration. Darcy was highly amused, until the man spoke again.

"I am sure you will be delighted to know I can assure you that, at the weekend, your revered aunt was in the best of health, as was your betrothed, her daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh."

Both Mrs. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth jumped and lifted their heads to look at him. He drew an angry breath and stared at Collins.

"You are mistaken, Mr. Collins. My cousin and I are not betrothed. Neither of us have any intention of an engagement now or in the future."

"But … but, Lady Catherine …"

"The wish is all her ladyship's. Both Miss de Bourgh and I are fully of age, and we do not wish to marry each other," Darcy said repressively, and glared at Collins as the man seemed inclined to argue.

Mrs. Bennet jumped into the sudden silence as the housekeeper and a maid carried in the refreshments.

"There! Lizzy will pour, Mr. Collins, as Jane has been unwell. You will see what a good lady of the house she will be."

Darcy's jaw clenched as he watched Collins try to pat Miss Elizabeth's arm possessively, but she'd already jumped to her feet and taken a step away from him. Her face was full of chagrin, though her expression was steely. She was unamused as he himself was.

Collins prattled on as she poured the tea competently, unconcerned as to making a good impression.

"Oh, yes, Mr. Collins! I would wish to hear more of Rosings Park." Mrs. Bennet's voice rose above anyone else's. "You were telling us of how gracious her ladyship was when you first moved into Hunsford parsonage."

With those two in loud conversation, there was little else to be done but drink his tea and watch Miss Elizabeth's embarrassment and her attempt to lean away from their visitor. He must do something.

As soon as he had finished his tea, Darcy leaned forward. "Are you feeling improved, Miss Bennet? The day is warm for the time of year, and I wonder if you think you might benefit from a few minutes of fresh air in the gardens? Bingley and I could perhaps accompany you with Miss Elizabeth."

"I think that is a very good idea, Jane." Miss Elizabeth leapt on the suggestion with alacrity. "I will fetch your warm coat and heavy shawl. I am sure it will do you good." She threw a grateful look at Darcy and hurried from the room.

"And you must go too, Mr. Collins." Mrs. Bennet was determined to ruin the opportunity. "I am sure Lizzy wishes to hear more of the Parsonage."

His fears were true. The woman was obviously pushing a connection between her daughter and this man. Darcy's heart thumped erratically. What was there about him that Mrs. Bennet wished to have him for her daughter?