Page 80 of New World Tea Company
In the morning, Mr Collins instructed his wife and cousin that they should not write about the conversations at Rosings Park in their letters to their parents. Charlotte readily agreed because such a report would distress her parents. Elizabeth admitted, “I should not attempt to put those memories on paper.”
With those assurances from the ladies, Mr Collins made his way out of the parsonage and began his daily walk to Rosings Park, his thoughts whirling around in his mind. Charlotte pulled out the bed curtains they had been sewing and asked, “Eliza, shall we sew this morning?”
“I think we must,” agreed Elizabeth. “Our time with needles and thread will allow us to sort our thoughts and avoid gossip.”
Coughing to cover her laughter, Charlotte said nothing about the events at Rosings Park. The pair shared memories of the familiar tasks their families and friends completed in Meryton. Elizabeth mentioned planting seeds in the garden that afternoon.
“I believe the ground is dry enough to plant squash and cucumbers,” Charlotte said. “Once the sun heats the ground this morning, we can plant our seeds, and the plants will spring from the ground in just days.”
“I shall chop the weeds around the potatoes,” Elizabeth volunteered. The conversation in the parlour focused on gardens and cooking while they sewed.
~~~
In the late morning, Charlotte and Elizabeth heard a coach arrive and stop outside the parsonage. Fixing their needles in the cloth where they could be found easily when they returned to their seats, they rose and hurried to the front door. There was a knock on the door, and Charlotte opened it to find Mr Darcy standing there.
“Mr Darcy, come inside, please,” Charlotte greeted as she stepped back to permit the man entry into her home. Elizabeth curtseyed but remained silent as the gentleman removed his gloves and dropped them into the hat he kept in his hand.
He bowed and addressed his hostess, “Mrs Collins, I apologise for interrupting your day at this unusual hour. I am leaving Kent and shall not return to Rosings Park, but I felt that social obligations demanded I bid you farewell.”
“Certainly, Mr Darcy,” Charlotte replied, unsure what to do.
“First, I apologise for any unpleasant conversations you and your guest were subjected to yesterday,” the gentleman said.
“Your apologies are appreciated, Mr Darcy, but every family argues, and many of those events occur while in the company of others,” Charlotte replied. Then she said, “Forgive me, Mr Darcy. I must remove loaves of bread from the oven. Please speak to Miss Eliza for a moment.”
Mr Darcy smiled at the housewife as she left the room, leaving the door to the kitchen open to maintain Elizabeth’s reputation.
Finding themselves almost alone, Darcy turned to the young woman. His face betrayed his inner turmoil of wanting to say more, but he settled to say, “Miss Elizabeth, your first introduction with my family was not as I hoped. My aunt’s fableof marriage with Anne…after hearing it again and again, I could not remain under the same roof as my cousin and aunt because I feared Lady Catherine could arrange a scene where it appeared that I compromised my cousin. She would not hesitate to force the marriage.”
Wishing she could take his hand to reassure him, Elizabeth reminded the man, “Sir, you have seen my sisters and mother swoon over redcoats at the gatherings in Meryton. My youngest sisters were tipsy at the dinner at Lucas Lodge. If you do not count their offences, I promise I shall keep none against your family.”
Dismissing these offences as personal foibles, Darcy said, “Your sisters are young and can be taught proper behaviour. I fear Lady Catherine is set in her ways.”
“I hope to remain open to new ideas for my whole life and treat others as a lady should,” Elizabeth added.
Darcy smiled. “I do not doubt you will strive to learn new things throughout your life, Miss Elizabeth. My greatest regret about my departure is that I cannot walk with you at Rosings Park.”
“I shall miss your company on my walks here but hope to see you this summer,” she admitted. “There are many pleasant paths around Meryton.”
His smile growing broader, Darcy asked, “Will you still welcome my attention if…when I visit with Bingley?”
“Of course! You must write to Charles, and I shall write to Jane,” Elizabeth assured him. “We can share many walks around Netherfield and Longbourn this summer.”
“May I write to your father?”
“Certainly,” Elizabeth replied. “I return to Longbourn at the end of April and hope to hear news of you then, Mr Darcy.”
When Charlotte appeared at the door to the kitchen again, Mr Darcy said farewell to Mrs Collins and kissed Elizabeth’s hand before departing. The women followed him out the door and watched until the coachman set the elegant coach and four in motion. Darcy did not look back, but Elizabeth waved farewell.
Before they entered the parsonage, Charlotte remarked, “Mr Darcy was very late leaving for London.”
“Really? How long is the trip to London?” asked Elizabeth without thinking.
“With stops to rest the horses, it is seven hours with good weather and light.”
“It is not eleven of the clock, and the days are longer in April,” Elizabeth stated. After a moment, she added, “And the moon is waxing.”
Teasing her friend, Charlotte asked, “Still, there must have been some particular reason that he delayed his departure. Can you imagine the cause?”
