Page 24 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
“What is it, Louisa?”
“Reginald received word his father is quite ill and his mother begs us to attend them before... well, before he passes. We leave at first light tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry for you and Hurst. I was sending Caroline to Aunt Cora’s. Her latest behavior has finally escaped the bounds of propriety. Would you and Hurst mind making a small detour on your way to his family’s estate and drop her off. I’m headed to London for an appointment with my solicitor and cannot put it off any longer.”
“I will take her to Aunt Cora’s and she’ll go no further. Reginald’s mother has requested that she not ever visit them while they have breath in their bodies.”
Darcy reached the top of the stairs and paused, shaking his head. Miss Bingley had much to learn. Not for the first time he dearly wished he could transport her to the Hebrides and after a few weeks, send an anonymous letter to Charles advising him where she could be found. He chuckled softly at the thought of her trekking over the rugged terrain in nothing but her day dress and soft shoes. That would be cruel. He might be persuaded to send along a blanket and a pair of warm boots. He almost laughed out loud.
Bingley began to ascend the stairs and paused on the first step. “Would you be so kind as to write the Bennet family and extend our regrets. We were to attend dinner tomorrow evening and I shan’t return for at least a fortnight.”
“Of course. Leave it to me.”
“Thank you.”
Within the hour, Darcy and Bingley were on their way to London and were not there to witness, nor prevent what happened next.
Worried about her husband’s piece of mind, Louisa knocked on Caroline’s door.
“What Louisa? I’m not fit for company.”
“Charles has asked if Mr. Hurst and I could deliver you to Aunt Cora’s. We leave tomorrow morning and it’s on our way.”
“Why are you going there, of all places. They are rude people and don’t treat us with respect.”
“I have no quarrels with my husband’s family. His father is quite ill and not expected to last long.”
“And you’ve bothered me with this drivel because....”
“Charles asked if I’d write a note to the Bennet family as he and Mr. Darcy cannot dine with them tomorrow evening. I need to be with Mr. Hurst and don’t have the time. Would you let them know for me?”
With a smile, reminiscent of a Cheshire cat, Caroline willingly agreed and it was no accident the footman was ordered to deliver it long after they’d all departed and she’d finally shaken the dust of Meryton from hem of her dress.
~~oo0oo~~
“Would you pass the eggs, please Lizzy.”
The day following the ball found Mrs. Bennet, Lizzy and Kitty seated at the table breaking their fast. Jane was busy in the still room, having eaten earlier, Mary practiced on the pianoforte in the next room and Lydia had yet to make her appearance. Given the amount of pilfered punch she’d ingested at the ball while Lizzy’s attention had been focused elsewhere, she most likely wouldn’t join the family until late afternoon. It was thus how Mr. Collins found them. Even though she knew the footman had brought up water for him to bathe, her cousin’s hair still lay in a greasy pile upon his crown and his body odor remained pungent.
“May I hope, Madam,” he addressed Mama, “for a private audience with my fair cousin? I would not wish to rush you from your meal, but it is vital that I have this moment in order to speak with Elizabeth.”
Dear Lord in heaven. Must he use ten words when one will do?
“You do not have leave to call me by my given name, Mr. Collins,” Elizabeth said and reached for a piece of toast.
“Lizzy!” Mama admonished. She turned her attention to her father’s cousin. “I’m sure Lizzy can have no objections. Come Kitty, I want you upstairs to... help me sort my embroidery thread.”
Considering Mama never embroidered, Lizzy knew a feeble excuse when she heard one. Mama intended to leave her and the malodorous Mr. Collins alone and unchaperoned. Could the day get any worse?
“There is no need to leave, Mama. I’m sure Kitty can bring your box of embroidery here, for Mr. Collins can have nothing to say that any body need not hear.” She set her uneaten toast on her plate. “In fact, I was about to leave myself.”
“I require that you remain and hear what Mr. Collins has to say.” Mama stood and glared down at her before sweetening her countenance and giving Mr. Collins a wide smile. “In fact, Iinsistupon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins.”
It was not in Elizabeth’s nature to openly defy her mother, and so she remained seated while Kitty and Mama exited the room. Their skirts had barely swished by the door frame before he began, rocking on his heels, hands clasped behind his back.
“Miss Elizabeth, your modesty adds to your other perfections. You would have been less amiable in my eyes had there not been a little unwillingness.”
Unwillingness? The fact that she even breathed made her amiable in Mr. Collins eyes. How could Mama even think she’d wish to join her hand with this, this... She paused in thought when she heard him say, “Almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of my future life.”
