Page 36 of The Wager
“As we told you the first night you dined with us, our brother is at Cambridge…. Oh!” Jane’s attention was captured by a carriage passing through Longbourn’s gates. “The party from Netherfield has come.”
They hurried through the gap in the hedge, which separated the park from the drive, and stopped to wait for their guests.
“Miss Hamilton, Miss Elizabeth, how delightful to find you both outside,” Mr. Bingley said as he helped his sister down from the carriage. The viscount and Mr. Darcy emerged from the other door. “My sister and I wanted to personally invite you to the ball I am hosting on the twenty-sixth of November.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley,” Jane replied upon taking the elegant card from the young man, pausing when Mr. Collins brought the attention of everyone gathered to himself with a little cough. “Mr. Collins, allow me to introduce our neighbors from Netherfield Park, Mr. Bingley and his sister Miss Bingley.”
The rector gave a funny little nod of his head in the direction of the siblings and Jane continued the introductions with, “Mr. and Miss Bingley, may I present to you the Reverend William Collins. He is our step-father’s cousin, visiting from Kent.”
Mr. Collins acknowledged their polite greetings with a nod of his head, then turned his attention towards the viscount and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth was aware that Jane would not initiate introductions as both gentlemen held a higher social status than Mr. Collins, leaving it up to them to decide if they wanted to establish an acquaintance. However, Mr. Collins, consumed by his self-importance, took matters into his own hands.
“I do not know why my lovely cousin does not wish to facilitate an introduction between us. You are gentlemen of distinction, so permit me to say that I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom, provided that a proper humility of behavior is at the same time maintained.” Having said that, he finished with a wave of his hand toward the manor house. “Welcome to Longbourn, I am Mr. Collins, the heir.”
The viscount looked at his cousin, his eyes filled with mirth.
“I say, Darcy−”
A loud gasp was heard from Mr. Collins.
“Mr. Darcy from Pemberley?”
Mr. Darcy merely nodded in reply.
“Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Collins said again with a solemn bow. “It issuchan honor to meet you, sir. Your lady aunt has spoken of you often. She and her daughter were in good health when I last saw them…” He raised his eyes as though searching his memory, and his mouth plainly showed him counting silently. “…four days past. When next I write my patroness, I shall be delighted to inform her that her exalted nephew was in the pink of health.”
Mr. Darcy’s expression had gone from one of astonishment to mild abhorrence.
“Who, exactly, is your patroness?”
“Pardon me for presuming you know who I am! My patroness is your esteemed aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I have been greatly honored to have been given the living at Hunsford.”
“You are my aunt’s latest rector?”
“I am, sir.”
“There is no need for you to write to my aunt. I received a letter from her this morning.”
“We were about to view Longbourn’s hermitage. Would you care to join us?” Jane asked the Netherfield party
“I would love to join you, Miss Hamilton,” Viscount Ashton offered in a cheery voice and stepped closer to Jane.
“And you are, sir?” Mr. Collins demanded, his eyes narrowing at the easy friendship between the couple.
“Edmund Fitzwilliam,” the viscount offered before anyone could introduce him properly. “I am Darcy’s cousin.”
Because Mr. Collins did not fawn over the viscount, Elizabeth assumed her stepfather’s cousin did not recognize the name and believed the viscount was not of any importance. She broke the awkward silence by reminding them of the purpose of their being in the park.
“There is no guarantee the weather will not turn to rain. We cannot tarry any longer and must make our way to the hermitage. I will let Hill know our party has grown in number and to have tea at the ready when we return.”
“I would hate to leave you behind, Lizzy.”
“I will not be long, Jane. Besides, I walk faster than you and shall catch up in no time. Now shoo!”
Jane graciously accepted the proffered arm of Viscount Ashton, leaving a flummoxed Mr. Collins and a disgruntled Mr. Bingley no choice other than to follow them. Elizabeth hurried in the direction of Longbourn, assuming Miss Bingley would latch onto Mr. Darcy’s arm. A few minutes later upon exiting the west terrace doors, her errand with Mrs. Hill complete, she came to a complete halt at the sight of that gentleman waiting for her, leaning against the arbor’s barren frame.
“I thought you would have escorted Miss Bingley to the hermitage.”
He pushed off the frame and approached her.
