20. Chapter Twenty

Elizabeth gazed upwards at the vaulted ceiling of the chapel at Rosings, marvelling at the intricate frescoes depicting angelic choirs in rapturous song. The melodious strains of the wedding march filled the air as Anne de Bourgh, resplendent in a gown of jonquil silk overlaid with delicate Chantilly lace, glided down the aisle on the arm of her uncle, the Earl of Matlock.

Colonel Fitzwilliam awaited his bride at the altar, his scarlet regimentals striking against the dark wood of the pews. He stood tall and erect, a slight smile twitching at the corners of his mouth as he watched Anne approach. Mr. Collins, officiating in his capacity as clergyman, puffed out his chest with an air of immense self-importance.

As the bridal couple took their vows, Elizabeth found her eyes drawn to Mr. Darcy where he stood beside his cousin. How well he looked, so tall and proud of bearing! Their eyes met for the briefest of moments and Elizabeth felt a curious fluttering in her breast before she quickly lowered her gaze.

The ceremony concluded and the guests began to file out of the chapel to repair to the sumptuous wedding breakfast Lady Catherine had arranged. "The ceremony was a credit to you, Mr. Collins," Elizabeth overheard her ladyship remark to the obsequious vicar. "You comported yourself with admirable gravity. I confess I had some reservations about your... provincial background, but you have exceeded all my expectations."

"Your ladyship is too kind," simpered Mr. Collins, bowing so low he nearly toppled forward. "To have secured your esteem is the crowning glory of my life."

Elizabeth bit back a laugh at the tableau, hastening her steps to escape the chapel before her mirth could betray her. What an idiot, she thought. Thank goodness I refused him. I should never have been able to restrain myself from rudely laughing in his face when he made such nonsensical remarks.

As Elizabeth made her way about the room, politely mingling with the wedding guests, she found herself waylaid by none other than Mr. Collins. The obsequious clergyman had managed to disentangle himself from Lady Catherine's side and now stood before her, his face a mask of barely concealed disdain.

"Cousin Elizabeth," he said, his nasal voice dripping with condescension. "I trust you have found the ceremony to your liking? Though I dare say it is far grander than the nuptials I had once envisioned for you and I."

Elizabeth felt her cheeks flush with anger at his presumption. How dare he bring up his ill-fated proposal now, after all this time? "I assure you, Mr. Collins," she replied coolly, "I have no regrets about the path I have chosen."

Mr. Collins sniffed, his small eyes narrowing behind his spectacles. Before he could speak again, Elizabeth cut him off.

"And I understand my sister Mary feels the same," she added. "She is residing in London with our Gardiner relations and we are led to understand that a Dr. Watley is soon to be paying my father a visit."

Elizabeth felt no small amount of satisfaction in the way Mr. Collins' nostrils flared in obvious fury, his cheeks flushing an even darker red. He opened his mouth, probably to shout at her if the way his chest inflated was any guide, but before he could commence, a commanding voice cut through the air. "Mr. Collins! My brother would like a word, if you please." It was Lady Catherine, her imperious gaze fixed upon the clergyman.

Mr. Collins blanched, his bravado wilting under the force of her ladyship's stare. "Of course, your ladyship," he stammered, bowing deeply. "I am at your service, as always."

As he scurried away to find the Earl of Matlock, Elizabeth found herself face to face with Lady Catherine. The grande dame regarded her with a calculating look, her lips pursed in disapproval.

"Miss Bennet," she said, her voice as cold as the marble statues that adorned Rosings Park. "You may have refused Mr. Collins' offer of marriage, but I assure you, the opportunity has not yet passed. He is still a most eligible bachelor, and I would be willing to overlook your previous… indiscretion… if you were to reconsider."

Elizabeth felt a wave of shock and revulsion wash over her. The very idea of marrying Mr. Collins, of subjecting herself to a lifetime of his pompous lectures and empty flattery, was enough to make her stomach turn. How could Lady Catherine even suggest such a thing?

"I thank you for your... generous offer, your ladyship," she managed to say, her voice tight with barely suppressed anger. "But I am afraid I must decline. My feelings on the matter have not changed, and I have no intention of accepting Mr. Collins' hand, now or ever."

"Do you have any idea what you are throwing away? The chance to secure your family's future, to rise above your station?" Lady Catherine's gaze slid away from Elizabeth's even as she spoke, and Elizabeth could not help but glance to see what caught her ladyship's attention.

Ah,Elizabeth thought, as she spied Mr. Darcy standing with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne. Lady Catherine is making one last bid to remove me from the field.

But aloud, she merely inclined her head, a small, tight smile playing about her lips. "I appreciate your concern, your ladyship," she said, her voice as smooth as silk. "But I am quite content with my decision. Now, if you will excuse me, I see Georgiana looking for me. We are to play a duet on the pianoforte to amuse your guests, and I believe it is time for us to begin."

And with that, she turned on her heel and walked away, her head held high, leaving a sputtering Lady Catherine in her wake.

The duet was well received by the guests, but afterwards, Georgiana, overcome by all the attention, begged Elizabeth to slip outside with her for a walk in the garden.

"Of course, dear one." Elizabeth squeezed the younger girl's hand. "Let us escape this noisy crowd a little while."

They did not go outside alone, however. Mr. Darcy joined them as they slipped out into the gardens, moving in between them and taking one of them on each of his arms.

"No escaping without me," he said, his tone almost playful.

Elizabeth laughed, and teased him back. "Did you need an escape so badly, sir?"

"I think you know me well enough by now to understand that a room so full of people as that one is difficult for me to navigate, Miss Bennet," he said, his tone full of warmth. "I am not at my best in a crowd, even one comprised of those with whom I am familiar."

Georgiana giggled. "And in a crowd of those with whom you are unfamiliar you are positively horrid!"

"Oh, indeed," Elizabeth agreed. "Did you ever hear what he said of me at the first assembly he attended in Meryton? He said that I was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him."

Georgiana let out a little shriek, and Darcy's mouth fell open.

"Dear Lord," he said. "You did hear that?"

"I did, I'm afraid."

"I must offer you my most fervent apologies, then! I was…"

"Deeply uncomfortable and desperate to avoid being introduced to yet more strangers? I forgave you long ago, Mr. Darcy."

"I hope you understand that my opinion of you is very far from that I espoused then." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I have long known you to be one of the most handsome women I have ever had the pleasure of looking upon."

A red flush rose uncontrollably through Elizabeth's cheeks, and she dropped her gaze, unable to bear the intensity in his.

There was a brief moment of silence before it was broken by, surprisingly, Georgiana. "We couldn't help but overhear what Lady Catherine said to you earlier," she said softly. "About Mr. Collins, I mean. Are you quite all right?"

Elizabeth felt a rush of warmth towards the younger girl. Dear, sweet Georgiana, she thought fondly.

"I am perfectly well, Georgiana," she assured her. "Lady Catherine's words were hardly a surprise to me. She has made her feelings on the matter quite clear in the past."

Mr. Darcy frowned, his brow furrowing. "It was most improper of her to speak to you in such a manner," he said, his voice low and intense. "Especially on a day that should be a joyous occasion for our family."

Elizabeth shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I have grown accustomed to Lady Catherine's meddling ways," she said. "And in truth, I find the idea of marrying Mr. Collins rather amusing. Can you imagine the sort of life we would have together?"

She affected a high, nasal voice, mimicking Mr. Collins' pompous tones. "‘My dear Mrs. Collins, I must insist that you join me in paying our daily respects to Lady Catherine. It is, after all, our duty as her most humble and obedient servants.'"

Georgiana giggled, covering her mouth with her hand, and even Mr. Darcy's lips twitched in amusement. Elizabeth felt a rush of pleasure at having made him smile, however briefly.

"It would have been a most laughable mismatch. Your wit and intelligence would have been entirely wasted on a man like Mr. Collins," Darcy said quietly, his expression sobering again.

"You are too kind, Mr. Darcy. But I assure you, I have no regrets about refusing Mr. Collins' proposal. I could never marry a man I did not love and respect, no matter how advantageous the match might be."

Georgiana nodded, her eyes wide with understanding. "I am so glad you refused him, Elizabeth! You deserve so much better than that."

Elizabeth smiled at the younger girl, touched by her sincere concern. "Thank you, Georgiana. That means a great deal to me."

Mr. Darcy cleared his throat, looking slightly uncomfortable with the turn the conversation had taken. "Yes, well... I hope you know that you have our full support, Miss Bennet. If there is anything we can do to make your stay at Rosings more pleasant, please do not hesitate to ask."

Elizabeth met his gaze, her heart swelling with gratitude and something else, something deeper and more profound. "I appreciate that, Mr. Darcy. Truly."

For a moment, they simply stood there, lost in each other's eyes, the rest of the world falling away. And though no words were spoken, Elizabeth felt a new understanding pass between them, a sense of kinship and shared purpose that filled her with hope for the future.

A few days later, after bidding a fond farewell to a blissfully happy Colonel and Mrs. Fitzwilliam, the carriage bearing Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, and Georgiana rumbled up to Longbourn. Elizabeth's heart swelled with a mixture of relief and trepidation as she caught sight of the familiar house, its homely weathered bricks and ivy-covered walls a welcome sight after the grandeur and formality of Rosings.

As the carriage rolled to a stop, Elizabeth stepped down with the assistance of Mr. Darcy's strong hand. She turned to him with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for seeing me safely home. Your kindness and generosity throughout our stay at Rosings have been greatly appreciated."

Mr. Darcy inclined his head, his dark eyes intense as they met hers. "It was my pleasure, Miss Bennet. I hope you know that you have become a dear friend to both Georgiana and myself. We shall miss your company greatly."

Elizabeth felt a flush rise to her cheeks at his words, her heart fluttering in her chest. She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could speak, the front door of Longbourn was flung open and Charlotte emerged, a warm smile on her face.

"Lizzy, my dear! Welcome home!" Charlotte exclaimed, hurrying forward to embrace her stepdaughter. She turned to Mr. Darcy and Georgiana with a courteous nod. "Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, thank you for bringing Elizabeth safely back to us. Won't you come in and join us for tea?"

Mr. Darcy and Georgiana exchanged a glance, and Elizabeth felt a sudden pang of disappointment at the thought of their departure. But to her surprise and delight, Mr. Darcy nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We would be honoured, Mrs. Bennet. Thank you for your kind invitation."

As they made their way into the house, Elizabeth couldn't help but marvel at the change in Mr. Darcy's demeanour. Gone was the proud, aloof gentleman she had first met at the Meryton assembly. In his place was a man who was kind, attentive, and genuinely interested in the well-being of those around him. He is so very different among those he knows well, she thought.

Over tea, Mr. Darcy and Georgiana were the very picture of graciousness, engaging Mr. Bennet and Charlotte in lively conversation about the latest news from London and the goings-on at Rosings. Elizabeth watched with a sense of pride and affection, her heart swelling with each passing moment.

After a leisurely and delightful conversation, Mr. Darcy and Georgiana departed for Netherfield with gracious thanks, expressing hopes they would see Elizabeth again soon.

"You certainly shall," Elizabeth said with a laugh, "for I will be at Netherfield tomorrow morning to see my sister."

"We shall look forward to seeing you then," Mr. Darcy said, and added for Elizabeth's ears alone, "I have something particular I would like to talk to you about."

Stunned, Elizabeth watched as Mr. Darcy handed Georgiana up into the carriage. It had long since rolled out of sight and still she stood there, staring at where it had been.

Did he mean what I suspect?

What shall I say when he asks me?

A smile came to her lips, but still she stood there, until Charlotte came out to find her and call her inside, wanting to hear more of Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam's wedding.

But the next day, Elizabeth's happiness was shattered by the arrival of Jane, who burst into the breakfast parlour at Longbourn in a flood of tears, before Elizabeth could even think of setting off for Netherfield. Elizabeth leapt to her feet, spilling her tea in her haste, her heart constricting at the sight of her beloved sister's distress.

"Jane, my dear, what is it? What has happened?" Elizabeth cried, gathering Jane into her arms and guiding her to the settee.

Through her sobs, Jane managed to choke out the words that sent a chill down Elizabeth's spine. "It's Caroline Bingley. She's been simply awful to me, Lizzy. I don't know what to do!"

As Jane collapsed against her, her body shaking with the force of her tears, Elizabeth felt a fierce protectiveness rise up within her. She would not stand by and watch her sister suffer at the hands of that spiteful, manipulative woman.

Elizabeth stroked Jane's hair, her brow furrowed with concern. "Tell me everything, dearest. What has that wretched woman done to you?"

Jane sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with a lace-trimmed handkerchief. "She's been so cold, so dismissive. Nothing I do seems to please her. She criticizes my every move, from the way I pour tea to the way I arrange the flowers. It's as if she's determined to make my life a misery."

A hot flush of anger suffused Elizabeth's cheeks. How dare Caroline treat her sweet, gentle sister with such disdain? "This cannot be allowed to continue, Jane. You must speak to Mr. Bingley about his sister's behaviour."

Jane's eyes widened, a look of alarm crossing her face. "Oh, no, Lizzy. I couldn't possibly. I don't want to cause any trouble between them."

"Trouble?" Elizabeth scoffed. "The only trouble is what Caroline is causing with her spiteful ways. Mr. Bingley needs to be made aware of the situation. He would want to know if his sister was mistreating his wife."

Charlotte, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "Elizabeth is right, Jane. You must stand up for yourself. Show Caroline that you will not be cowed by her petty cruelties."

Jane bit her lip, uncertainty etched across her delicate features. "I don't know if I have the strength, Stepmother! I've never been one for confrontation."

Mr. Bennet, who had been observing the scene with a wry expression, chuckled. "Perhaps we should have sent Lydia to stay at Netherfield for a time. That would surely teach Caroline a lesson."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at her father's jest. "I fear that would only make matters worse, Papa. Lydia's exuberance might well drive Caroline to even greater heights of unpleasantness."

Sobering, Elizabeth turned back to Jane, taking her sister's hands in her own. "You must find the courage within yourself, Jane. You are stronger than you know. And remember, you have all of us here to support you."

As they stepped into the drawing room, Caroline Bingley's icy gaze fell upon them, her lips curling into a brittle smile. "Miss Eliza! How lovely to see you back in Hertfordshire," she said, her tone dripping with insincerity.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, her suspicions confirmed by Caroline's overly polite demeanour. Georgiana, who had been sitting quietly by the window, rose to greet them, her gentle presence a balm to the tension in the room. "It's wonderful to have you here," she said, her voice warm and genuine.

As they settled into the room, Elizabeth couldn't help but notice the way Caroline's gaze flickered between Jane and Georgiana, a calculating gleam in her eye. She leaned closer to Jane, whispering, "Stay strong, dear sister. Remember, you are mistress of this house now, not her."

Jane nodded, her delicate features set in a determined expression. She turned to Caroline, her voice steady as she spoke. "Caroline, I must speak with you about a matter of some importance. I fear there has been a misunderstanding between us."

Caroline's eyes widened in mock surprise, her hand fluttering to her throat. "A misunderstanding? I can't imagine what you mean, Jane."

Elizabeth fought the urge to roll her eyes at Caroline's theatrics. She glanced at Georgiana, who met her gaze with a knowing look. In that moment, an idea began to form in Elizabeth's mind, a way to expose Caroline's true nature.

Leaning close to Georgiana, Elizabeth whispered, "I have a plan, but I shall need your help. Can I count on you?"

Georgiana nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Of course, Elizabeth. Anything for Jane."

As the two young women put their heads together, Elizabeth felt a thrill of anticipation coursing through her veins. With Georgiana's aid and Jane's newfound strength, they would surely find a way to outmanoeuvre Caroline and secure Jane's rightful place at Netherfield. For the love of her sister, Elizabeth would stop at nothing to ensure her happiness.