Page 75 of New World Tea Company
“You know my reputation, Mr Darcy. I have been to the gardens at Rosings Park twice, and the woods are lovely,” the young woman replied. “When I walk, my mind explores possibilities, discards worry and imagines the beauty of the coming summer.”
Darcy took a deep breath and asked, “Would you be so kind as to walk with me tomorrow morning?”
Caught off guard, Elizabeth stared but then replied, “I should be pleased to walk with you.”
Before more could be said, Charlotte returned to the room with a tray bearing a teapot, cups, plates, and biscuits. Elizabeth rose to close the door to the kitchen behind her hostess and then returned to her seat to allow Charlotte to pour and fix each cup. Having overheard Mr Darcy’s request for the walk and Elizabeth’s reply, the hostess encouraged the gentleman to pursue her friend.
“Mr Collins leaves the parsonage just after nine of the clock each day,” Charlotte informed Mr Darcy. “I do not know how long it takes him to walk to Hunsford, but he never returns before five in the afternoon.”
Surprised by this news, Mr Darcy asked, “I did not realize…does Mr Collins spend every day with Lady Catherine?”
“Yes, he spends every day at Rosings Park except for Saturday when he practices his sermon and Sunday when he delivers the sermon in our chapel here in Hunsford.”
“Does it disturb you that Lady Catherine takes all your husband’s time?” the man inquired.
Charlotte smiled as she replied, “My husband believes that Lady Catherine depends upon his counsel and spiritual guidance. I am pleased that he can be of service to his patroness.”
Before the gentleman could speak again, Charlotte asked, “Mr Darcy, how well do you know the gentleman who stopped on the road to greet you yesterday?”
“Mr Fredericks and his family have been neighbours of the de Bourgh family for several generations,” Darcy replied. “He is a gentleman farmer with an estate half the size of Rosings Park.”
“And Jackson? Whom did Mr Fredericks mean?” Charlotte asked.
“Mr Jackson is the steward who works miracles with Rosings Park. My cousin’s estate would collapse without the man’s efforts to curtail Lady Catherine’s orders.”
Mrs Collins replied, “I am glad for Miss de Bourgh’s sake that she has a good neighbour and a faithful steward. I shall make certain to commend Mr Fredericks to Mr Collins.”
Then Charlotte offered the plate of biscuits to her guests, and the gentleman recognized the offered shortbread. Taking three biscuits, Darcy complimented her, “I remember these biscuits at your mother’s home last autumn, Mrs Collins. They were always delicious.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy,” Charlotte said as she placed three shortbreads on her saucer. “Now, if you are going to walk out with Elizabeth, I insist you guard her reputation, sir. She is my dear friend as well as cousin to my husband.”
Elizabeth did not insert herself into this short conversation where Mr Darcy assured Mrs Collins that he would behave in an honourable manner with her guest. He said, “We shall walk along the garden paths, and roads in Hunsford where anyone walking past can view us without hindrance.”
The time allowed for a social call was consumed as quickly as the tea and shortbreads. When the half hour passed, Mr Darcy rose to take his leave of the two women. After thanking his hostess, he received his gloves, hat, and cane, tipped his hat to the ladies, and departed the parsonage to walk back toward Hunsford.
Elizabeth lingered at the door to watch the man walk away and remembered how his hand felt in hers and how it thrilled her when his lips touched her hand. Then she allowed her mind to imagine what his lips would feel like if he kissed her–when he kissed her.
~~~
The same evening as Mr Darcy’s call at the parsonage, Mr Collins returned home excited and never thought to inquire if Mr Darcy had called. As he entered the dining room, he shared his news with his wife and cousin. “We shall receive a great honour tomorrow!”
“What do you mean, Mr Collins?” Charlotte asked her husband.
Mr Collins smiled and explained, “Lady Catherine has invited us to take tea with her and Miss de Bourgh in the afternoon. And her nephew, Mr Darcy, will be present as well.”
“What time does Lady Catherine take tea, Mr Collins?” asked Charlotte to keep her husband’s attention from noticing the look of surprise on Eliza’s face.
“Lady Catherine enjoys a long tea beginning at three of the clock, Mrs Collins. Her servants bring the tea trays into the parlour each afternoon.”
“Then we must walk out at two of the clock to allow us to make our way to Rosings Park,” Charlotte told her husband and saw Elizabeth nod in agreement.
“Why would you leave our home so early, Mrs Collins?”
“We must not arrive with our hair mussed by the wind, our hems torn, or our shoes muddy because Eliza and I were forced to hurry along the road.”
Mr Collins could only agree with his wife. Then he turned to his cousin and said, “Do you have an appropriate dress to wear, Miss Elizabeth?”
Surprised by the question, Elizabeth replied, “Mr Collins, I am certain I have a gown suitable for a gentleman’s daughter to wear to tea with Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I should never claim to dress as fine as Lady Catherine or Miss de Bourgh, but my father provides adequate clothing for all his daughters.”
