Chapter 25

“Darcy, Fitzwilliam, you are late!”

Richard had to hide his surprise as Darcy ignored their aunt and walked over to greet their cousin.

“Darcy, how dare you ignore me. Where are your manners!”

Bowing over Anne’s hand Darcy smiled and winked at her before turning to face Lady Catherine.

“My manners? Since you thought it appropriate to berate your guests, I merely followed your excellent example.”

Lady Catherine was reduced to a spluttering toddler having a tantrum.

“In my last letter of less than a week ago, I informed you that the Colonel and myself would be at Rosings between 2.00 and 4.00 in the afternoon this very day.”

He pulled out his watch and checked the time.

“It is currently 3.20 and we have been here for several minutes already. In the rest of the Kingdom 3.15 is considered as being between 2.00 and 4.00. Good afternoon Lady Catherine, good afternoon Anne. May I say that you both look well.”

Darcy sat as the Colonel followed with his own greetings.

“How dare you upbraid me in my own home.”

Darcy sat in silence, any kind of apology absent from his lips.

The initial five minutes set the tone for the first week. When Lady Catherine was genteel and pleasant Darcy was equally well-mannered. Unfortunately Lady Catherine had long since lost any sense of control and several times a day would conduct herself in an offensive manner. Darcy no longer excused it. His most frequent response was to leave the room, commenting he would return when ‘we can have a civilised conversation without resorting to shouting’.

--

Before the two gentlemen left for Kent Elizabeth had told them her oldest sister Jane was visiting the parsonage at Hunsford. They were now communicating regularly, although the letters to and fro were all posted through their Aunt Philips in Meryton. Elizabeth had mentioned to Darcy that the Reverend Collins was now married to the former Charlotte Lucas. Darcy recalled meeting the young woman on many occasions. What Elizabeth did not inform them of was Mr. Collins’ first proposal.

Over the course of the first week the Colonel and Mr. Darcy had paid their respects to the two ladies at the parsonage and in turn the three occupants had been invited for afternoon tea at Rosings. With Lady Catherine at her dominating best there had been no opportunity for side conversations.

--

“Darcy, this has been very diverting and all that but are you trying to drive Lady Catherine to apoplexy?”

“Not at all. Sir Lewis charged my father with assisting Lady Catherine manage Rosings. It was not part of the will, rather the husband of one sister asking the husband of the other for help. With my father’s passing, it has been a role that I have performed five times already, this year being the sixth. I do it as a way to honour my father, and Sir Lewis, as well as to assist my aunt and cousin. I respect our aunt, she is my mother’s older sister but I am reaching the end of my patience with her hectoring attitude.”

Darcy returned to the estate ledgers.

“Are you not worried about her health?”

Darcy sighed and placed the quill on the desk. He stood up and walked over to the decanters. He poured two generous splashes into glasses and brought them over to the Colonel, indicating they should get comfortable in the two armchairs either side of the unlit fire.

“I have not raised my voice once since we arrived. I have been polite, courteous and have spent many hours in this room pouring over the ledgers.”

Richard sighed. He hated the truth of what Darcy had said, he was being reasonable.

“I do not want Aunt Catherine to keel over one day either in the parlour or at dinner.”

“You would allow her to accompany you to an event in town?”

The non-sequitur threw Richard further than his horse refusing to jump a hedge.

“What on earth has that got to do with anything?”

“It is a simple question Richard. Would you invite Lady Catherine as your guest to a social event, a ball say? Would you stay with her all evening to ensure that she was comfortable?”

“Of course not Darcy. I cannot think of anything worse.”

“Why?”

Richard sighed, he could see where this was going.

“Because of her behaviour.”

“I have noticed it has been several years since the Earl or the Viscount have visited.”

Richard lowered his head.

“You are being left to deal with her.”

Darcy sat in silence until Richard looked at him.

“Hardly the expected behaviour of two peers of the Realm.”

Said without rancour.

“Richard, if Lady Catherine decided to spend time in London, it would reflect badly on the Fitzwilliam family. She may be the daughter and sister of Earls but she is the widow of a Baronet, not a Countess herself. We both know the niece of a Baronet who is many times more refined and polite than our aunt.”

Despite the seriousness of the conversation Richard made note that even then Miss Bennet was at the front of Darcy’s thoughts.

“What do you suggest?”

“Once this visit is over and we have returned to London I am going to talk to your father. I will confess the visit went poorly and that Lady Catherine and I were at odds throughout much of the fortnight. Rather than dictate what should happen, I will listen to his thoughts. But I think a break of at least a year is necessary. Your father or brother can fulfil the task next year.”

“Will you tell her before we leave?”

“No, there is no point in borrowing trouble forward.”

“You seem very calm about this Darcy?”

“I talked with Georgiana on the journey south from Pemberley. We talked of family and my trouble with the expectations upon me, finding a bride and producing an heir. This season has been more pleasant than any since I joined society. My mother was a Fitzwilliam, I am a member of the extended family, but I find myself focusing on my responsibilities to the Darcy name. Dealing with Lady Catherine about this estate is a distraction. And that is before considering the lie that is her contention there was a childhood engagement between myself and Anne. She only started spreading this falsehood when both by parents had passed on and were no longer able to counter it. If things do not change this will be my last visit to Rosings.”

The Colonel was struck by the lack of drama in Darcy’s voice. He expressed his thoughts as though they were obvious, and that there was no room for an alternate version.

--

“Mr. Darcy!”

“Good morning Miss Bennet, my apologies for startling you.”

“My mind was distracted, I was not aware of the sound of your horse’s hooves until you were upon me.”

They were in sight, just, of the parsonage and with a generous interpretation, sufficiently chaperoned. Darcy dismounted but maintained a respectable distance.

“How are you finding your time here in Kent?”

“I have enjoyed it, especially spending time with Charlotte. We grew close over the last five years and it warms my heart to see her settling into her new home. She had dreamed of her own establishment for so many years.”

Jane’s sincerity was clear for everyone to see.

“I had not visited the parsonage until this trip so I have nothing to compare it against, but from my one visit it appeared to be immaculate, with a warm and cosy air to it.”

Jane was nodding in agreement.

“How long are you staying with the Reverend and Mrs. Collins?”

“I am scheduled to leave the Saturday following Easter. My uncle has generously agreed to send his coach to collect me and I will stay with his family for several days before returning to Hertfordshire. It has been several years since I have seen my cousins and I am pleased to have the chance to see him, and my cousins again. Have you met Sir Edward Gardiner?”

Darcy smiled at the pride in his niece’s question.

“I have, several times. I bought ‘blood brandy’ from him before his elevation and have met him on two other occasions.”

Darcy watched as Jane bit at her bottom lip, a trait he had noticed in his sister. It normally meant she was working up the courage to ask him something. He did not want to presume so waited to see what Miss Bennet would say.

“I do not wish to appear inappropriately inquisitive but how are your sister and Mr. Bingley?”

Something about the question set alarm bells ringing in Darcy’s mind.

“My sister is well and staying with my aunt, the Colonel’s mother, while we are here in Kent. As for Bingley, I have seen at my club several times this winter, we often dine together.”

Jane looked confused, which in turn made Darcy confused. They must have looked an odd pair.

“Oh.”

They would be there all day if Darcy did not cast some light on the matter.

“Why would you think my sister is spending time with Mr. Bingley?”

Jane flushed, realising far too late that all was not as Miss Bingley had written. Jane was many things but a liar was not one of them.

“I was led to understand that Mr. Bingley was courting Miss Darcy.”

“What! Who on earth is propagating such a vile rumour? She is not 16 until May and will not be out in society for at least two more years, probably three.”

Jane cringed and lowered her head, mortified that she had asked such a terrible question, clearly inappropriate even although that was not her intention.

“Miss Bennet, I apologise most sincerely for raising my voice. It was not the act of a gentleman. I know that you would never create such gossip, and you clearly asked your question innocently. Why would you think that there was a courtship between Bingley and my sister?”

Darcy’s more moderate tone calmed Jane and she looked at him, her face still flushed with embarrassment.

“In her note when she left Netherfield Park, Miss Bingley wrote to warn me that her brother admires Miss Darcy greatly and that it was a match that both her relations as well as his wished for. In a later letter, she extolled Miss Darcy and predicted the wishes from her first letter would soon be accomplished.”

Jane watched in trepidation as Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly trying to calm himself. He looked over at Jane Bennet and smiled a rueful smile.

“It is a pack of lies, Miss Bennet. Neither Bingley nor his sister have been in the company of my sister since last summer. I have been meeting Bingley at our club so as to avoid the company of Miss Bingley who I find rude and tiresome. I wish only to maintain his society, he is a friend of many years.”

The last was said as though Darcy was fatigued. He turned to Miss Bennet.

“Do you still have those letters in your possession Miss Bennet?”

“Yes, I do. They are back at the parsonage. I did not dare leave them at Longbourn as my sister is a snoop.”

“Do you think that I could take possession of the letters please. The rumours in those letters could result in serious damage to Georgiana’s reputation.”

Jane had not considered that fact and flushed once again.

“I know this has been awkward for you, but you have done nothing wrong. I thank Providence that our paths crossed this afternoon. Come, let me escort you back to the parsonage.”

15 minutes later Darcy was in possession of three letters from Caroline Bingley to Jane Bennet. Little in any of them bore any relation to the truth.

“Here is my card. Please send a note when you are in London.”

Darcy did not explain why and Jane stood at the door of the parsonage watching as he swung himself up onto his horse and cantered off up the lane to Rosings Park.

--

As Georgiana’s other guardian Richard was equally incensed when Darcy explained Jane Bennet’s tale and showed him the evidence.

“This is too much. What are we going to do?”

“I am unsure.”

“You are unsure!”

“Richard, calm down. You sound like Lady Catherine.”

“Darcy old man, that was a low blow.”

“I am thinking out loud, none of this is set or in any particular order. I have to speak to Bingley. I will inform him that our whole family will give the cut direct to Miss Bingley. She has irrevocably damaged her reputation with the Ton. I am unsure what to do with Bingley. Caroline Bingley is his Achilles heel, he cannot deal with her, as I saw up close during my stay at Netherfield Park. If I had the choice I would prefer not to lose his friendship, even if it was more distant as a result of this. But I do not want him to have to choose between a friendship and his family.

“So there are the first thoughts. The more detailed considerations leave me extremely worried. Miss Bingley left Hertfordshire and sent these damn letters to Miss Jane Bennet. She did not know that Miss Elizabeth Bennet was no longer in Miss Jane’s confidence and had been all but banished to London. Incidentally, a subject that she never discusses. Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bingley had arguments that could be heard miles away and both loathe each other. It does not take much of a step of one’s imagination to realise that Miss Elizabeth could have held Georgiana’s reputation in her hand. Now we know that she would never do such a thing, but what if Miss Bingley wrote other letters?”

Richard Fitzwilliam, a decorated full Colonel in the 1 st King’s Dragoon Guards, paled at Darcy’s words.

“That is why I am unsure. I do not know how to ensure that these are the only letters that harridan has sent out. Neither Miss Jane nor Miss Elizabeth Bennet would spread such gossip but imagine if they got into the hands of Wickham?”

“Darcy!”

Brandy was sought and the two gentlemen slouched in the armchairs.

“Do we get my mother to very publically denounce Miss Bingley for spreading unfounded rumours about the family? People are more likely to think it is Miss Bingley promoting herself with either of us or Andrew. As Georgie is still only 15 no one will think it is because of her.”

Darcy pondered this suggestion.

“That might have some merit. As you say, the gossip will be that she has overstepped the mark when talking about one of the three of us. She already is known for over-emphasising the relationship between herself and me. People would see her as Icarus.”

Both men calmed down.

“A public denunciation would also ensure that anyone else who has heard of this scurrilous news will keep their head down.”

Richard snorted and laughed at himself.

“What about this afternoon is so funny?”

“I was just thinking I might win the fencing tournament in 10 days’ time. All I have to do is imagine each of my opponents as Caroline Bingley.”

Both men needed to release tension and the laughter was long and hearty.

“What are your odds at the club?”

“There are so many participants, even just to get into the final 64, that they are all over the place. There are two or three men renowned as good with a blade. But it is the men that are unknown who worry those setting the odds. There is rumoured to be an officer in one of the Scottish regiments who wiped the floor with his competition. But no one knows for sure, and there are 10 rumours for every fact. My recommendation is to stay away, although things may have calmed down by the time we get to London.”

They sipped their brandy in contemplative silence. Richard had a thought.

“Darcy, how did the matter of Bingley and Georgiana come to be mentioned. It is hardly something that should be talked about.”

Darcy thought back to his meeting with Jane Bennet. She did not know his sister. But she did know…

“That is an astute observation.”

“I do not know whether to preen or punch you on the nose. I am capable of them occasionally.”

“No, I did not mean it like that. Bingley paid Miss Bennet, Miss Jane Bennet that is, particular attention when he was in Hertfordshire. She was not asking about Georgiana, she was asking about Bingley, and for herself.”

“For herself?”

“The day after the ball in November, Bingley left to deal with matters in London, planning to return within three days, four at the most. His sister closed the house behind his back and presented him with a fait accompli when she and the Hursts turned up in London. You have read the letters, there is precious little in them that is true. But it is the only communication Miss Jane can have. It is not like Bingley can write to her himself. Caroline Bingley was stupid, incredibly stupid in dragging Georgiana’s name into her schemes. What she dared to write about was nothing more than wishful thinking on her part, regarding Georgie and her brother. But the immediate purpose was to sever the relationship between Miss Bennet and Bingley.”

Darcy turned pensive.

“I will think on this further.”

--

Two further things of note happened during the second week of the visit. Given Lady Catherine’s constant refrain that Darcy was engaged to her daughter Anne, both of them were very careful when in Lady Catherine’s company. They acted distant and formal, giving Lady Catherine no chance to claim a compromise.

However, the two cousins did meet secretly. Not for some sordid assignation but rather to converse without constant interruptions from Lady Catherine. It took careful planning and required the assistance of both the Colonel but also Mrs. Jenkinson, Anne’s companion.

“You have handled mother better than on any of your previous visits.”

Although a statement Darcy understood the underlying question.

“As I mentioned to Richard a couple of days ago, I am ever more conscious of the need to produce an heir for Pemberley, so as to continue the Darcy name. My mother was a Fitzwilliam but she married my father. The whole idea of who is family, how they treat you, and you treat them in turn, each generation adding to the family, all of that has been swirling within my head. I have never found the social aspect of society easy, for too long I have felt like a prize at the county fair.”

Darcy realised he was talking but not actually making any sense.

“Lady Matlock has made it clear that all three of us, myself as well as Andrew and Richard, that we have to become more serious in our efforts to find a bride. As a result, I have spent a lot of time thinking about this mythical creature. I am clear in at least one part of the process, it will be my choice, this will not be an arrangement for political or social reasons.”

Anne nodded.

“You are doing an excellent job of explaining this. But you still have not addressed the change in the manner of dealing with my mother.”

“I was being a coward. I can search for more palatable terms but that is the core of it. I allowed your mother to bully me, to treat me as if I was 20 years younger and still in short trousers. I challenged Richard to take Lady Catherine to an exclusive private ball and to stay at her side for the whole of the event.”

“Oh my.”

“She is my mother’s sister, you are my cousin, I will not allow harm to befall you. But, as I again noted to Richard, there are two members of the family that are conspicuous by their absence over the last half decade.”

Anne was a smart woman.

“You will not come back.”

“I think it is best that there is a break of at least a year.”

She looked downcast.

“You are welcome at Darcy House, or Pemberley, whenever you want. I will send a carriage, ensure that you are comfortable on the journey.”

“I know that William, I really do. Georgie asks me to visit in practically every letter. I feel trapped, and I do not want to attempt to plan a visit to find out that I am truly trapped.”

Darcy’s face was set in a grim line.

“I am tempted to tell you that you will be accompanying Richard and I when we return to London. But that is just kidnapping you rather than keeping you here. Perhaps the best way to describe it is to say that if you choose to leave with us I will support you completely. You are of age, and can make your own choices.”

Anne reached over and squeezed Darcy’s hands.

“Thank you. I will give the matter serious consideration. Now let us change the subject. How have you found the season?”

The next hour was spent reviewing the six or seven weeks of the season before the trip to Kent. It took all of Anne’s self-control not to question Darcy about a certain young lady that featured frequently in the story of the season. Georgie had alluded to Miss Elizabeth Bennet in her letters but had not broken her brother’s confidence. Now Anne could ask her directly having heard about the young lady straight from the horse’s mouth. As soon as she returned to her room she went straight to her desk, excited to send a letter off to her young cousin.

Darcy and the Colonel were returning to London on Wednesday the 24 th of March, despite daily exhortations from Lady Catherine that they must stay until after Easter. Neither man made any effort to placate her, merely repeating their day of departure. On the Monday prior to their departure a dinner was organised at Rosings with the three occupants of the parsonage invited as well. Their arrival and the time spent before and during dinner only produced three cringe worthy moments, two less than Darcy and the Colonel had guessed beforehand. There was no separation of the sexes after dinner so the whole company removed to the drawing room. The problems started innocently enough.

“I was unaware that you and Mr. Collins were courting when I left Netherfield Park. I was not the most attentive of guests at the Ball but I do not recall you dancing with Mr. Collins.”

Darcy really was just making polite conversation, still something that did not come naturally to him. He was surprised to see Mrs. Collins flush.

“No, I did not dance with my husband at the Ball. We were not yet courting.”

Darcy had to school his face, how long had his aunt allowed Mr. Collins to remain in Hertfordshire? Collins himself had mentioned to Darcy that he was leaving the following Saturday. He needed to change the subject, and quickly.

“I mentioned to Miss Bennet that the parsonage is immaculate. It was only later that I recalled Lucas Lodge was similarly tidy. You must be very pleased to have your own establishment.”

It was at moments like this that Darcy realised how easy small talk could be. Jane Bennet had told Darcy that Charlotte Collins had longed for her own establishment. All he had to do was mention this, and how well presented she had made her home, and the lady could preen. And talk. Five minutes passed effortlessly as he let the young lady quietly boast of her good fortune. As always, such moments of easy peace and calm were rent asunder by the dulcet tones of Lady Catherine. There could never be any private discourse without her ‘having my share in the conversation’.

As for the Reverend Collins, when Darcy and the Colonel had visited the parsonage he had been less obsequious in his manner. Richard had nothing to compare him to, but Darcy thought he saw the calming influence of his wife. Unfortunately, any improvements were instantly undone when in the company of Lady Catherine. At one point Darcy was sure the man was going to topple over he bowed so low. It was when his aunt started her familiar refrain about his supposed engagement that Darcy could feel the tension in his frame. He was not hiding it well judging by the concerned looks from both of his cousins. Having an emptyheaded toady echo the words did not help. Darcy, with little thought to the propriety of his actions, turned his back on the company and stood at the window. It took several deep cleansing breaths to regain a semblance of equanimity. He finally returned to the rest of the party but deliberately sat at the end of the group, next to Jane Bennet. It was clear she was going to say nothing without him initiating the conversation.

“My apologies for my abrupt manner.”

“I understand.”

Given Darcy had met her own mother he knew that she really did understand. Darcy found that he was struggling to start a conversation. It was so different to when he was talking with her sister. The silence was starting to become awkward.

“How was the winter in Hertfordshire?”

He cringed internally, this was beyond awful. But Jane Bennet was grateful for any conversational lifeline.

“Quiet, too quiet at times. It is the season where you are stuck indoors for many days. Breaks in the weather allow us to visit our aunt in Meryton. It must be the same at your estate.”

The differences in the weather between Derbyshire and Hertfordshire eased the tension and the conversation flowed more freely.

“I stood up with Charlotte at her wedding and she requested that I visit once the worst of the winter was passed. It was something to look forward to, and it is nice to escape from Longbourn.”

“Escape?”

Jane flushed.

“When Elizabeth went to keep house for Uncle Gardiner, I visited once in ’08 for two weeks and once in ’09 for a weekend. But other than that, I was unable to be spared from Longbourn. Charlotte was never allowed to visit, despite regular invites from my sister. Both of us….”

Jane Bennet stopped.

“It is in the past. My father consented to my visit and here I am.”

Darcy nodded, nothing else needed to be said. It was not just Anne that was under the thumb of her mother.

“When I was in Hertfordshire, right up until the ball at Netherfield Park, I was not aware of the courtship of Mr. and Mrs. Collins.”

Darcy could see he had run into a conversational brick wall. Jane Bennet flushed even worse than Mrs. Collins herself. For once he was grateful to Lady Catherine’s interruption.

That night he stood at his bedroom window, his valet dismissed and thought about the evening. He did not care but had there been a compromise? It seemed extremely unlikely given what he could observe about either party but there was more to this tale was being presented. He counted off the months with his fingers, it was more than four months and Mrs. Collins was as slim as ever. Hmmm.