Page 81 of New World Tea Company
“No,” replied Elizabeth absently as she watched the coach vanish around a bend in the road.
“No?” teased Charlotte. “Eliza, you are certainly not thinking clearly today. Mr Darcy delayed his departure until Mr Collins arrived at Rosings Park so that he could speak with you without interference by my husband.”
Still smiling, Charlotte continued, “Today and for the remainder of this week, Mr Collins will support Lady Catherine while she mourns the desertion of her nephew. Mr Darcy called and spoke with you informally with me in the next room. Your reputation is protected, and he was able to say ‘farewell’ appropriately.”
“He was kind and did not mention the lack of fresh bread,” Elizabeth agreed.
Then Charlotte suggested, “Imagine the scene if Mr Collins had been present.”
~~~
In the afternoon, Elizabeth walked out to sort her thoughts and feelings. Mr Darcy’s words and gaze made her tremble inside, and she was hopeful that the gentleman would call on her this summer. She decided, ‘Jane and Charles will keep Mamma distracted when he calls.’
When she found herself in the formal gardens around Rosings Park, Elizabeth walked about carefully, hopeful of not stumbling upon Miss de Bourgh strolling with Mr Fredericks. She mused, ‘If I can walk with a gentleman along country lanes without a chaperone, certainly Miss de Bourgh can spend a few minutes with a gentleman in her own garden…with her companion as a chaperone.’
Feeling disappointed that Mr Darcy had departed for London, Elizabeth turned about to walk back to the parsonage. As she walked along the lanes again, the young woman reaffirmed her decision not to tell anyone about Miss de Bourgh’s walks with Mr Fredericks.
Determined to change her mood before returning to the company of Charlotte Collins, Elizabeth thought about discussing the New World Tea Company with her friend. ‘The London newspapers did not print a word–fact or rumour–about Mr Wickham’s business the whole winter. Not a single mention about his profits or prospects for the coming year.’
‘The gossip columns mentioned Mr W attending Miss B’s salons with Lord C, but Jane never mentioned them. I do not believe Mr Wickham knows any lords, and there are many other Miss B’s besides for Miss Caroline Bingley.’
Pausing momentarily, the clouds parted, and the sunshine brightened the scene in a pasture where lambs frolickedtogether, ignoring the ewes. The lovely moment blew away the dark clouds gathering in Elizabeth Bennet’s mind, and she hurried her steps.
~~~
That evening, Mr Collins reported that Lady Catherine was heartsick that her nephew disobeyed her. He sighed and said, “Lady Catherine said she would write Darcy and her brother, the Earl of Matlock. She is certain the earl would force Darcy to marry Anne and wanted me to publish the banns beginning this Sunday.”
Charlotte took her husband’s arm and forcefully said, “No! Mr Collins, you dare not do so! Without Mr Darcy’s explicit permission, you must not do such a thing!”
“But Mrs Collins…” Mr Collins began to object to his wife’s unusual behaviour, but his cousin agreed with his wife.
“Remember what Miss Bingley told all Meryton last autumn–Mr Darcy’s godfather is a bishop in London. That gentleman must regularly exchange letters with the Archbishop of Canterbury,” Elizabeth stated and then added, “If the bishop heard that a clergyman used his godson’s name without permission, I fear for your future in the pulpit.”
“Speak to Lady Catherine about the need for agreement within her family. If the earl convinces Mr Darcy to marry Miss de Bourgh, there will be time for the banns before any wedding,” Charlotte assured her husband. The man seemed almost convinced and prepared to speak plainly with Lady Catherine.
To reinforce Charlotte’s argument, Elizabeth added, “Yes, remind Lady Catherine that no one wants the Archbishop of Canterbury examining their tithes.”
~~~
During the journey from Hunsford to London, the image of Elizabeth’s face remained fixed in Fitzwilliam Darcy’s mind. When they stopped to water the horses in Gravesend outside the Bull’s Horn, he remembered that stormy night when he saw her across the room only weeks ago.
‘That woman has bewitched me,’he decided when the coach resumed the trip to London. He spent the hours of the trip remembering their conversations, her smiles and laughter.‘She has thoroughly bewitched me!’
The following morning, Fitzwilliam Darcy wrote a personal letter to his friend Charles Bingley requesting permission for himself and his sister to visit with Bingley and his bride at Netherfield for a fortnight. He wrote of his intentions to speak with Mr Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet regarding a courtship that spring and wanted the opportunity to introduce his sister to the other young woman. When the first letter was complete, he immediately penned one for Mr Thomas Bennet in which he referenced their discussions concerning books, history, and politics last autumn. He mentioned that he hoped to visit with his friend Bingley soon and hoped to have the opportunity to speak with Mr Bennet concerning personal matters.
When both letters were addressed appropriately, sealed with wax and handed to Jones to ensure they were both dispatched that same morning. Certain of a forthcoming invitation to visit Netherfield in May, he considered his summer schedule. Darcy smiled and thought,‘I shall take Georgie into Hertfordshire to meet Elizabeth. We shall be engaged shortly thereafter and marry in autumn.’
He paused and then added,‘If she agrees. If she desires a long engagement I shall abide by her wish, but I hope she does not.’
~~~
Chapter 36.Men Are Slaves to Gold
That same morning, Mr Collins walked the familiar path from the parsonage to the manor house with hesitant steps. Lady Catherine was slow to rise from her bed, and Mr Collins sat alone in the hallway for a long time before being summoned to her apartment for an interview. Her lady’s maid remained present the entire time, repairing a seam in a gown while the headstrong lady and her parson discussed uncomfortable topics. Later, the chambermaids at Rosings Park gossiped about one loud exclamation from Lady Catherine when the parson counselled the noblewoman not to attract the attention of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Collins argued, “Lady Catherine, I cannot…we cannot call the banns without Mr Darcy’s explicit approval.”
The formidable woman was displeased for her parson to contradict her commands, but she actually listened to his advice. Upon reflection, Lady Catherine admitted that she did not wish for any visit by the archbishop or his underlings to her parish. Before one of the clock, her ladyship and Mr Collins descended the stairs for luncheon with Miss de Bourgh and the daughter’s companion. The small party spent the afternoon considering options to attract Mr Darcy’s attention to Miss de Bourgh and her fortune.
