Chapter XXXI

S trange events were afoot at Longbourn the day of Mr. Darcy's departure for Kent. While the gentleman's absence distracted Elizabeth, and this so soon after he returned, to say nothing of her anticipation for what would ensue when he was again in Hertfordshire, she remained aware of what was happening around her. Word of the first matter came to her via her younger sister, which led her to the discovery of the second.

? "Lizzy," said Mary when she entered the breakfast room that morning, "something is wrong with Papa."

? "Papa?" echoed Elizabeth. "What do you mean?"

? "I hardly know," replied Mary. "I knocked on his door to ask him to join us for breakfast, but he sent me away, saying he had business to attend to. He appeared pensive, as if something was bothering him."

? For their father to be preoccupied was not an uncommon occurrence, for Mr. Bennet was a cerebral man, both when he had been a parson composing sermons and managing a parish, and since he had reclaimed the family estate. Mary knew this of their father, so her concern was not a matter to brush aside—Mary was a sensible girl and would not bring the matter to her attention if she did not find it odd.

? "I shall ask after him, Mary," said Elizabeth with a smile. "Perhaps you can call the servants to serve the meal, for I believe Georgiana and Jane will descend directly."

? Mary smiled and nodded, while Elizabeth let herself from the room. When she knocked, her father's voice answered at once, calling for Elizabeth to enter. As she did, she noted his smile at her, though it did not reach his eyes.

? "Lizzy," said he in greeting, stepping forward to kiss her forehead. "I expected you to check on me, for I was certain I had not convinced Mary."

? "You did not," agreed Elizabeth. "Is something amiss?"

? With a shake of his head, Mr. Bennet turned back to his desk. "Nothing is wrong, Lizzy, but for this business with Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy's odious aunt. As Darcy has pledged to deal with Lady Catherine, there is little with which I must concern myself.

? "Instead, I find myself unequal to company this morning and beset by certain thoughts I must settle."

? Mr. Bennet offered another smile. "It is nothing of any consequence, Lizzy—you may be certain I am well. If you would oblige me and send a tray, I shall partake of breakfast alone. By this afternoon, I shall be myself again."

? "Very well, Father," replied Elizabeth. "I shall see to it at once." Elizabeth offered her father a severe look. "Unless you must shroud these matters that plague you in secrecy, can I hope for an explanation when you resolve them?"

? With a chuckle and a nod, Mr. Bennet assented. "Yes, Lizzy, I shall be happy to relate them to you. Thank you for not pressing me now."

? "Not at all, Papa. I shall see to your tray at once."

? "Oh," said Mr. Bennet as if a thought had just occurred to him, "the gardener has mentioned seeing an officer in the woods nearby in the past day or two."

? "An officer?" asked Elizabeth. "Is this a matter of concern?"

? "No," replied her father, "merely a little odd. The officers as a group do not strike me as fellows who engage in walking country paths for their amusement; rather, they seem like prancing dandies, more interested in strutting before silly girls than upholding their duties."

? "Shall we send Theodore to warn him away?" asked Elizabeth.

? "That is likely unnecessary," replied her father. "Whatever his purpose, I have no reason to oppose such men walking the paths unless they cause problems. I mentioned it only because he brought it to my attention."

? Elizabeth nodded. "Then I shall inform Georgiana and my sisters. As we have little interest in the officers and no wish to provoke them to the sort of behavior they betray to the other ladies of the area, perhaps it is best that we stay close to the house."

? "That would be for the best."

? After departing her father's study, Elizabeth spoke with Mrs. Hill about a tray for her father and returned to her sisters, offering affectionate greetings to Jane and Georgiana who had appeared in the interim.

? "Is Papa well, Lizzy?" asked Mary.

? "He appears very well," replied Elizabeth. "Papa told me he is not equal to company this morning and requested a tray."

? "I have not seen Papa do that since Woodborough, when he was composing a sermon or considering some difficult problem."

? Elizabeth smiled at Jane who had spoken. "Nor have I, Jane. But do not despair; when Papa appears this afternoon as he has promised, I mean to coax him to share his troubles."

? "If anyone can do it, you can, Lizzy," said Mary with a laugh.

? With a nod, Elizabeth turned her attention to other matters. "Now, what shall we do after breaking our fast?"

Had either Elizabeth or Mr. Bennet had any greater knowledge of the officer's doings they might have considered it at greater length. Though neither had so much as heard the name George Wickham before he joined the regiment in Meryton—and Mr. Bennet did not even know the name—word of such a man skulking around the fringes of the estate would excite greater concern if the gardener had seen him doing so rather than just catching a glimpse through the trees; had they any notion of his habits or history, his actions would have been cause for greater alarm.

? Wickham, for his part, had taken great care to watch the estate and remain hidden, and had no notion they knew of his presence. If he knew the gardener had observed him, he might have donned clothes that would allow him to blend into the foliage. Much was said about the ostentatious uniforms in which England dressed its armies, but they were not conducive for moving about without attracting attention. While Wickham had considered changing his clothes, he had decided against it, both from an arrogant sense of his abilities, and from the knowledge he would not waste time changing when he must return to his duties.

? "Damn that Darcy," muttered Wickham to himself as he passed through the path he had found in the woods for the third time that morning.

? Wickham did not know what had brought the man back from the north more quickly than he expected, but his presence had thrown a fly into the ointment of the apothecary that were his plans to make off with Georgiana Darcy. It had only been by chance that Wickham had seen Darcy's carriage speeding through Meryton that morning toward the south. How long he meant to be absent this time Wickham could not say, but he did not wish to bide his time and find out. The time to act was now, and Wickham meant to take the first opportunity that presented itself. Fortune favored the bold, after all.

? Philips would be furious if he knew Wickham's plans. That the man was attempting to use him to further his own vengeance he had stated openly; Wickham suspected he would help as he had promised had Wickham done the deed as he designed, but Wickham had never been a man to trust another to keep his word. The Bennet sisters might have dowries of their own, but Wickham was uncertain of them, while he knew the precise figure of Georgiana's dowry. That made his target a simple choice.

? When he had her, Wickham meant to ride for London at once, and once there he could hide himself with ease, compromise Georgiana and demand to marry her when he published that fact to society. Perhaps he would simply demand her dowry and fade into the night, leaving England behind. That might be better, for he knew that Darcy and Fitzwilliam would bay for his blood once he had Georgiana in his clutches. If he did it correctly, he could be on a ship bound for the Americas with a fortune, and never worry about his nemesis again. His imagined success was so sweet as to be the finest ambrosia.

? First, he had to find the girl and make off with her. With the Bennets unaware of the danger lurking on their borders and knowing the girl liked to walk, Wickham could wait until she left the house. She might have company, but Wickham knew he would have little trouble spiriting her away. It might raise a hue and cry, but it was only a few hours to London and his destiny as a wealthy man. He only needed the opportunity, and all he ever wanted would be his.

Darcy was not a man who enjoyed a long journey in a carriage, and his cousin was less so. While many could sleep in a carriage, thus pass away a dull journey in the blessed release of slumber, Darcy had never had that ability. The jostling of the carriage shook him awake, even if he dozed, and the mere motion prevented him from reaching that state unless he was exhausted. Furthermore, his long and lanky frame rendered the confines of the vehicle tight, and he could never stretch his legs as much as he wished. Though he loved his home in the north, Darcy had wished more than once over the years that London was closer, for he traversed those roads multiple times every year.

? "Lady Catherine has much to answer for," grumbled Fitzwilliam as they approached the estate in the distance, mirroring Darcy's thoughts. "I have no wish to deal with her after spending eight hours in a carriage, even one so comfortable as yours."

? "You know that my opinion is the same," returned Darcy. "Yet I will assert that I would much rather endure another four hours confined within than tolerate Lady Catherine tonight."

? "Without a doubt," agreed Fitzwilliam.

? The house already visible, Darcy contemplated what they might find there. Convinced of her infallibility, Lady Catherine would not give way without an argument. Discovering the reason for this sudden interference was as important as getting her to desist. Without her backing, Collins was certain to surrender, so that was the primary concern. Darcy did not know what to make of the man, for he had given no impression of avarice or deceit.

? The thought of the parson provoked Darcy to glance toward Hunsford, which they would pass to reach Rosings, and to Darcy's surprise, he saw the tall, scarecrow-like form of the parson standing by the side of the road watching them. When Mr. Collins saw Darcy looking at him, he dropped into a low bow, one more suited to the deference paid to a monarch than a country gentleman. Seeing the chance to confront him and learn something more, Darcy tapped on the roof of the carriage.

? "Stop the coach!"

? Ignoring Fitzwilliam's curiosity, Darcy reached for the door and opened it, stepping out into the afternoon sunshine, his cousin stepping down behind him. While Darcy felt the need to stretch his legs to ease the soreness from the confining carriage, Mr. Collins was before him, appearing surprised he had stopped, and Darcy wasted little time confronting him.

? "Mr. Collins," said Darcy, "it is fortunate we came across you."

? "Me?" asked the parson in apparent bewilderment? "Have you not come to speak with your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh?"

? "Yes, but we also have business with you."

? "Very well," said the man, puffing himself up with importance at their attention. "How may I help you?"

? "You may start by telling me what possessed you to threaten to sue your cousin for ownership of Longbourn."

? Caught mid-bow, Mr. Collins looked at Darcy with astonishment. For a long moment he gaped, then he straightened, and the blathering began.

? "Mr. Darcy, how excellent that you have come on Mr. Bennet's behalf."

? The man produced a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped at his brow ineffectually. "Your aunt is the wisest, most intellectual woman I have ever had the good fortune to meet. The advice she offers is without fail excellent, such that any man would be fortunate to follow it to the letter. How—"

? "Mr. Collins," interrupted Darcy, not wishing to endure the man's excessive praise, "you need not speak to me as my aunt demands, for I cannot abide it. When you visited your cousin, you spoke of your pleasure that he received his due and informed him you would not have accepted the estate if your cousin left it to you. Is your perspective so altered now as to threaten him?"

? The parson wilted on the spot, his handkerchief once again pressed against his head. "No, Mr. Darcy, I have not changed my mind. The estate is the property of Mr. Bennet, and I have no claim on it. Everything I told him was the absolute truth."

? "Then my aunt's letter?" prompted Darcy.

? Mr. Collins shook his head with dismay. "Lady Catherine insisted, though I know not why. She claimed my cousin had cheated me and declared she would act on my behalf to right the wrong he had done me."

? "And you allowed her?" demanded Darcy.

? "Easy, Darcy," cautioned Fitzwilliam. "Lady Catherine is not a woman to be gainsaid. The word of her parson would not prevent her."

? The look Mr. Collins directed at Fitzwilliam showed his gratitude. "It seems you are acquainted with Lady Catherine."

? The man spoke with a slight question in his statement, and Darcy took it as a desire for the introduction to his cousin. To Mr. Collins's credit, he did not make any grand pronouncements when introduced, for other than a nod, he turned back to Darcy.

? "I have no interest in Longbourn, Mr. Darcy, for I believe my talents are more suited to my current calling. When I returned from Longbourn, I informed Lady Catherine of my visit and my meeting with you. A few days later, her ladyship called me back to her presence to speak of her concerns about the estate, and she dispatched the letter to Mr. Bennet despite my protests."

? Darcy looked to his cousin. "Then it is all Lady Catherine's doing. The question now becomes what is motivating her."

? Fitzwilliam shrugged. "Who knows? The workings of Lady Catherine's mind are a mystery to me."

? "She did not say it outright," said Mr. Collins, "but I understood her threat if I protested."

? "If you will excuse me," retorted Darcy, a little more sharply than he intended, "Lady Catherine cannot rescind the living once she has given it to you."

? "Yes, I understand this," replied Mr. Collins, "but I hope you will forgive me when I say that I have a high respect for your aunt's ability to make my life miserable. I do not wish to contend with Bennet for the estate, but I do not wish to provoke her ladyship either."

? "A wise man, indeed, who knows not to provoke the dragon," said Fitzwilliam. "It appears Scylla and Charybdis caught you between their gaping maws, damned if you did and damned if you did not."

? "My knowledge of Greek mythology is limited," replied Mr. Collins, "but I believe you hit on the problem. Since Lady Catherine insisted on sending the letter, I wished for a means of extracting myself from the situation, but nothing comes to mind."

? Darcy nodded, his regard for Mr. Collins restored. The man tended to flowery speeches and exaggerated deference, but Darcy had thought him at least honorable. While he might have hoped for a little more backbone, he could not fault Collins for wishing to avoid Lady Catherine's anger.

? "Then we shall handle it, Mr. Collins," said Darcy. "These threats of Lady Catherine's are frivolous and not supported by the law."

? "My father will be most displeased that she acted to involve herself in this affair," added Fitzwilliam.

? "I shall leave it in your capable hands," replied Collins. "The lady will be no happier with me, but I shall endure it, knowing it is for a just cause."

? "As much as we are able," said Darcy, "we will keep the knowledge of our conversation with you from my aunt."

? "Thank you, Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam," said Mr. Collins, bowing though not with the embellished deference he had before. "I wish you luck."

? "With Lady Catherine involved," quipped Fitzwilliam, "we will need it."

? Darcy and Fitzwilliam returned to the carriage, passing the rest of the short distance to Rosings in silence. Disgust was a common emotion when dealing with his aunt, for Lady Catherine had a habit of provoking anyone acquainted with her to disdain with as much effort as one used to swat at a gnat. There had to be something else motivating Lady Catherine in this business, and it could not be Longbourn, for Darcy suspected she did not give three straws about the estate's disposition or its proprietor. Darcy thought he knew what it was, and he suspected Fitzwilliam knew as well, but neither spoke as the carriage rumbled up the drive and stopped before Rosings Park.

? Disinterested in anything other than confronting Lady Catherine and retreating as expeditiously as possible, Darcy bounded up the stairs to meet the cadaverous butler, who was already waiting at the open door. A command later, and the man led them into Lady Catherine's domain, giving no sign he had any knowledge of the reason for their coming. When they reached her sitting-room, Darcy entered, not waiting for him to announce them.

? "Darcy!" boomed Lady Catherine before he addressed her. "You have come at last!

? "And Fitzwilliam, of course."

? The lady's greeting to her other nephew was as absent as it usually was—in Lady Catherine's mind, Darcy had always been the most important of her nephews, for even the son of an earl could not be so important as the man she meant to marry her daughter.

? "I am pleased to see you too, Aunt," said Fitzwilliam.

? No one missed the sardonic undertones in Fitzwilliam's response, but Lady Catherine ignored it.

? "It is well that you have come; though Banbury said you had no intention of visiting us this year, I knew he must be incorrect, for I am well aware of your sense of duty. Now that you are here, you must stay for a fortnight. I will call the housekeeper to show you to your rooms where you may refresh yourselves; while you are gone, I shall summon Anne."

? "I apologize, Lady Catherine," replied Darcy, forcing his way into her interminable speech, which he knew she designed to make it impossible for him to refuse. "This is not a social call, for we must speak to you on a matter of urgency. When we complete our business, we must depart and return to London before the end of the day."

? Lady Catherine regarded him, suspicion alive in her scrutiny, and when Darcy returned her regard, he thought he detected a hint of knowing in her manner. It appeared she had expected him to come, which enhanced his suspicions about her behavior.

? "You cannot have come all this way for a matter of business," said the lady, returning to her chair. "If we must speak first, then let us do so by all means. Then we may dispense with it, leaving us to our visit. Of what did you come to speak to me?"

? "Let us put aside any games, Lady Catherine," said Darcy, not willing to exchange words with her. "You know very well that I count Mr. Bennet of Longbourn as a dear friend. It cannot be beyond your expectation that he would approach me for my opinion upon receiving your missive. What I cannot comprehend is why you involved yourself in a matter that does not concern you, creating a dispute that does not exist against all common decency."

? "You are mistaken, Darcy," replied Lady Catherine, her smirk telling Darcy all he needed to know about his suspicions. "If there is no dispute, there should be one, for this Mr. Bennet has cheated my parson out of his due. Mr. Collins is a close cousin to the previous master of Longbourn so this business of leaving the estate to Mr. Bennet is a travesty. I am attentive to all such things as you must know and cannot allow such a miscarriage of justice to stand."

? Mindful of the need to avoid alerting Lady Catherine to their conversation with Collins, he counted down from ten to rein in his spiking anger.

? "Lady Catherine," said he at length, his tone icy and unyielding, "you are not so ignorant of estate inheritance law. Mr. Collins, as the previous owner of the estate, possessed the power to transfer the property to anyone he wished. Even had his son survived, he could have passed him over to leave the estate to another if he so chose—there was no entail on the estate."

? "It is not right," insisted Lady Catherine. "These Bennets should have remained in their parish in Nottingham, for they had no right to the estate. Your grandfather had an excessive and improper affection for these Bennets, and it seems they infected you with the same, though your father more properly distanced himself from them."

? "I shall not bandy words about the propriety of choosing one's friends," retorted Darcy. "The salient fact is that you are treading on ground that you should not, interfering with the inheritance of an estate that is not your own."

? "My father will not be happy with your meddling," said Fitzwilliam, drawing Lady Catherine's eyes to him.

? "I can manage my own affairs, Fitzwilliam," snapped Lady Catherine. "My brother has no business involving himself."

? "Just as you have no business involving yourself ," said Darcy.

? Lady Catherine glowered but she did not respond. Darcy used this opening to further press his case.

? "I know you well enough to understand you would not do something like this without reason. Shall you now tell me why you have involved yourself?"

? Uncomfortable, Lady Catherine shifted in her chair. "It is a trifling matter," prevaricated she. "Mr. Collins is... Well, he is not the man I thought he was. With the benefit of an estate, I can get him out of my hair and appoint a man more suited to the position."

? "I have made Mr. Collins's acquaintance, Lady Catherine," said Darcy. "The man is perhaps grandiose in his pronouncements and possesses an excess of deference, but he is no fool. He seems rather suited for the position he holds."

? Lady Catherine considered this. "He has a distressing habit of doing as he wishes rather than following my counsel."

? "Ah, that is a capital offense, to be certain," was Fitzwilliam's sarcastic response.

? Though she glared at him, Lady Catherine did not deign to respond. "Well, perhaps I may have been a little hasty."

? "I believe that is an established fact," said Darcy.

? The glare disappeared and Lady Catherine became the picture of studied nonchalance. "Very well, Darcy. I shall withdraw my support to Mr. Collins's claim; in return, however, I require you to announce your engagement to my daughter."

? "The truth now emerges," said Darcy, sitting back in his chair and regarded his aunt. "I knew there must be something else motivating you, for while you do not hesitate to indulge in foolish meddling, you would not involve yourself in a matter such as this without some other purpose. Tell me, Aunt—why do you suppose I will announce my engagement? Have I not said ad nauseam that I will not marry Anne? The last time I left Rosings, I declined to marry Anne. Why would I do so now?"

? "Because," growled Lady Catherine, "if you do not, then I shall ensure your friend and his insipid daughters do not have a home."

? "It is as I thought," said Darcy, now letting his anger show.

? "As you should," spat his aunt. "I know all about Mr. Bennet and those girls, for Mr. Collins informed me of them. I would hope you know your position and ancestry well enough to prevent you from pursuing such unsuitable women, but if I must remind you then so be it. If you do not announce your engagement, you will leave me no choice but to pursue Mr. Collins's right to the estate and remove the Bennets in disgrace."

? Whatever response Lady Catherine expected from him, Darcy knew it was not a dark chuckle. "As usual, you overestimate your influence."

? "I know who I am!" shrilled Lady Catherine.

? "And I know who I am," growled Darcy. "I also understand the finer points of the law that seem to have eluded you. If you persist in bringing a lawsuit, the judge will laugh you out of court."

? "I possess more than enough influence to see this done," blustered Lady Catherine. "If I do not, my brother does."

? "If you suppose Father will support you," interjected Fitzwilliam, "you are sillier than I imagined."

? "As you well know," added Darcy. "Your threat is hollow, for I know my uncle as well as you do."

? "Would you try me, Darcy?" demanded Lady Catherine.

? "Yes, I would."

? As each glared into the other's eyes, Darcy knew he would win this confrontation. Lady Catherine was bluffing, but then again, so much of what she said was a bluff to some extent or another. Having had enough of her officious demands, Darcy did not wish to stay a moment longer; but he would not depart without informing her of what awaited her should she persist.

? "So I am rightly understood," said Darcy, "let me inform you that should you take this madness forward, I will oppose you with all the influence and wealth I possess. Without Uncle's support your case is doomed—you know this. I suggest you take care, lest you suffer damage to your reputation and that of your daughter. Do not test me, Lady Catherine."

? The lady's eyes narrowed in fury. "You would support some jumped up parson rather than your own flesh and blood?"

? "Without hesitation," said Darcy. "I will support Bennet, and then we shall see who has more influence."

? With that, Darcy rose and strode from the room.