Page 52 of Miss Gardiner
“Now what has Georgiana to do with walking in the parks?” he insisted to know.
After explaining that Aunt Madeline wrote to Charlotte Collins about providing a change of scenery to help Elizabeth deal with her grief for Jane, she added, “I wrote to Miss Darcy about my trip into Kent. Yesterday, I received a letter from your sister in which she sang praises for the lovely walks besides the meadows of Rosings Park particularly in the early morning.”
“My sister is…” he scowled.
“…very smart,” Elizabeth completed his statement.
Rather than discussing the situation with Miss de Bourgh’s potential suitors, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy spoke of the past month, how the loss of Jane hung over Elizabeth’s heart but also how the couple missed speaking and seeing each other, and how Miss Darcy facilitated communication even if it was only second-hand.
Upon arrival at the parsonage, Charlotte Lucas came out to greet Elizabeth and Henry; she was greatly surprised to find Fitzwilliam Darcy escorting her friend back from her walk.
“Mr Darcy, I did not know you were in Hunsford,” Charlotte stated.
“Did not Mr Collins tell you of my arrival?”
“My husband mentioned Colonel Fitzwilliam attending to his aunt’s needs this month, but he did not mention your name.”
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth and explained, “My cousin asked for my aid in dealing with Aunt Catherine.”
“And how do you know Miss Elizabeth?” she asked in the commanding voice of a determined matron confronting a gentleman in an awkward situation.
“Mr Darcy is a client of my Uncle Gardiner. We met last summer and have continued…”
“My sister prefers Miss Elizabeth’s company over the other young ladies in town and until the passing of Miss Jane, we were in regular company,” Darcy added.
Charlotte nodded but turned to the farm boy standing beside them and said, “Henry, you must be here every day to escort Miss Elizabeth everywhere she goes outside the parsonage. You will earn that penny every day!”
Glancing back at Mr Darcy, she continued, “There will be nothing improper in this household!”
“Yes, Mrs Collins,” agreed both Mr Darcy and Henry.
Now Darcy bowed to Charlotte and asked, “Mrs Collins would you permit me to bring my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam to call this afternoon? I wish to introduce him to Miss Elizabeth and assure you of my honourable intentions.”
“Very well, Mr Darcy,” Charlotte agreed. “Sometime after two of the clock.”
Saying his farewells, Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s hand one more time and walked toward Rosings. Charlotte stared at the smile on her friend’s face as Mr Darcy walked away.
Henry Jones asked, “Do I getlunch like promised?”
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Chapter 13.Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Argument
As the two men road toward Hunsford, the colonel in his red coat asked, “Why did you inform Lady Catherine we were going for a ride rather than to call on her parson?”
“We are going for a ride, Richard. As Zeus and Ares carry us across the meadows and we find ourselves near to the parsonage, I believe it proper to call because I made acquaintance of both Mr and Mrs Collins last fall during my stay in Hertfordshire. Lady Catherine cannot object; most especially because her sending Wickham into Hertfordshire to raise mischief resulted in Mrs Collins’ sister being disgraced and banished, her mother dying, and Wickham being sent into the regulars.”
Richard’s face turned to stone with Darcy’s explanation, but he asked, “Is the girl well? Did she find refuge somewhere?”
Darcy glanced at his cousin and replied, “I do not know. Discuss the subject with Mrs Collins but do so gently.”
Nodding his understanding, Richard said, “I still think of Miss Easley every time I approach Matlock House in London. Her father, may he live for many years and suffer with his gout, threw her out after hearing mere accusations. I could find no trace of her when I returned.”
“I am sorry Richard,” Darcy stated simply but with honest regret in his voice. Several years earlier, his cousin fell in love, but the young woman had been compromised by another gentleman while Richard was fighting in the many wars that plagued Britain. Since then, Richard had not courted any woman.
They rode for a time, crossed a meadow and jumped the fences before halting outside the parsonage. They tied the horses to a post and knocked on the door where a slender chambermaid allowed them entrance and led them to a parlour. The room was small and furnished with worn, but clean and sturdy furniture. There were candlesticks on the mantle before a mirror and sconces with more candles; the inhabitants would be able to read easily at night if desired.
“Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam,” the young maid announced at the door as the two gentlemen entered the room.
