Page 30 of New World Tea Company
She began by announcing, “Father, Mr Wickham asked about Mr Collins during supper.”
“Lizzy, everyone was speaking of my cousin during supper. Those conversations will continue through the entire evening.”
“No…yes,” Elizabeth stumbled. “Mr Collins speaks of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mr Wickham just revealed that the lady is aunt to Mr Darcy.”
“Really?” asked Thomas. “His aunt?”
Elizabeth glanced around the hallway and asked, “What shall we do?”
“Other than enjoying the excitement and conversations to come, I do not understand your meaning, Lizzy.”
“Papa, you must make Mr Darcy aware of the connection before Mr Collins declares the news to the general audience in Lucas Lodge. Once the parson learns of Mr Darcy’s connection, he will hound the man in every room for the rest of the evening.”
“I believe Mr Darcy is prepared to withstand slings and arrows as Mr Collins can throw.”
“Please, Papa. It will be an embarrassment to our entire family for your cousin to attach himself to Mr Darcy’s arm like a leech the physicians use to pull blood from people.”
“A leech? That is an unpleasant image, Lizzy,” said Mr Bennet. After a moment’s reflection, her father continued, “Very well. Let us find Mr Darcy and make the connection known to the man.”
Once they returned to the parlour, it took several minutes to find Mr Darcy; the gentleman was with the other gentlemen in Sir William’s office, sipping bourbon before joining the ladies. At Sir William’s desk, Mr Collins regaled everyone with a tale of the benevolent behaviour of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Elizabeth remained in the hallway when her father entered the small room, and when she heard the parson’s voice, she knew her father’s message would not be necessary. Without anyvalid reason to linger in the hallway, she returned to the parlour, where the ladies waited for the gentlemen to return.
Thomas Bennet stopped in his progress through the room when Collins announced the name of his patroness again, but he did catch Mr Darcy’s eye. The visitor was silent and kept his face placid, making no sign that he recognized his aunt’s name. Bennet noticed that Darcy sought out the face of George Wickham, who smiled and inclined his head slightly.
Thomas wondered,‘Was that Wickham’s purpose in telling Lizzy about the connection? Did he think my daughter would insist I warn Mr Darcy?’
Seeking Lucas’s bourbon rather than brandy, Thomas decided to observe the growing number of interesting people in Lucas Lodge. He took only a single finger of spirits, thinking,‘I need my head clear tonight and tomorrow. Perhaps Collins will offer some entertainment, but two weeks is certainly too long to shelter a fool. Can I foster him on any family and restore some semblance of peace in my house?’
~~~
When the gentlemen joined the ladies, Lady Lucas directed the officers and gentlemen to arrange the furniture in the parlour to allow for entertainment, Elizabeth decided the meal had been adequate. Charlotte, her brother, mother, and father seemed pleased with the results of their evening. While waiting for the entertainment to begin, Elizabeth found Mr Darcy at her side.
Elizabeth smiled pleasantly. “Mr Darcy, have you enjoyed the evening thus far?”
The man replied, “It is adequate for an evening in the country.”
While she would not mention the confidences shared by Mr Wickham, Elizabeth confessed, “That is how I felt about supper.The food was good, but the conversation was restricted to the training routine of the militia, London fashions, and the Crown Prince.”
Startled to hear someone else was less than entertained, Darcy confirmed her statement, “The stories many people share about Prince George are hardly suitable dinner conversation. But even gentlemen at my club in London always have the latest tales of the man’s misadventures.”
Elizabeth continued, “I believe that while women are described as prone to gossip, men are equally capable of telling tales and embellishing the facts to make a story more exciting.”
“Do you refer to me?” asked Darcy rather quickly.
“What? No, indeed, Mr Darcy. In our short acquaintance, I do not believe I have ever heard you tell any tale of another person.”
The man nodded, “I always try to speak truthfully and avoid characterising other persons.”
“An admirable goal,” Elizabeth said guardedly, as though she expected to be censured in some way with the gentleman’s next words.
However, Mr Darcy explained, “My reticence to talk about others often leads persons to assume I have little to say.”
Elizabeth argued, “But there are many topics on which we can speak; the weather, crops, roads, bills before parliament, and Bonaparte.”
“For a time, perhaps, but even that conversation grows old,” replied the gentleman.
“Then you must speak about books, Mr Darcy. There are always thoughts and ideas on paper that can be discussed.”
