Page 54 of Saving Jane
Darcy shook his head. “My aunt will not keep me long this morning.”
Quickly finishing his meal, Darcy hurried above stairs, greeting Georgiana as she came below stairs. “Good morning sister! How was your sleep?”
“Very good brother!” Georgiana replied. “I expect Elizabeth has already been out for a walk this morning. Did you think to join her?”
Darcy stopped on the stairs and looked closely at his sister. “I did not know Miss Elizabeth would walk early...”
“Yes, she and Miss Bennet explained that they walk early each morning to wake their appetites before breaking their fast and then continuing to set the parsonage to rights. I believe Elizabeth said they walk the circuit around the flower garden to the French garden just after sunrise each morning.”
“Are you intending to accompany Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth on their walks Georgiana?”
The young lady shook her head vehemently. “I am not a great walker! I intend to spend my time hiding from Aunt Catherine when I am not practicing the pianoforte.”
Darcy nodded and continued to his aunt’s chambers while his sister escaped into the dining room. Admitted to Lady Catherine’s bedchamber, Darcy found his aunt breaking her fast in her bed. She took a drink from her teacup and eyed him critically.
“Darcy, I have been thinking about the guests in attendance at Rosings this Easter.”
“Guests, aunt?” Darcy asked. “Mr Bingley is my only guest, and he is assisting me with the annual survey–ColonelFitzwilliam has been called to duty in Spain.”
Lady Catherine waved away the news of the war. “I have not paid attention to the French since they beheaded their queen and king. They deserve their ignominious future without a noble class to lead them to greatness.”
“Yes, Lady Catherine.”
“But I want to discuss the ladies in residence at the parsonage,” she continued, watching him closely but Darcy had no reaction to his aunt’s comment. “I am certain that the Miss Bennets are not suitable companions for Georgiana.”
“I disagree and my opinion is the one that matters in regard to my sister.”
Lady Catherine frowned and prepared to argue before Darcy continued. “How can I help you this morning aunt? I am to meet with the steward this morning and begin reviewing your accounts–though I am certain you have overspent your income again.”
Angry to be reminded she was no longer as rich as she had once been Lady Catherine waved Darcy to a chair. Once he was seated, she delivered her commands. “If you are insistent on this Miss Elizabeth being in Georgiana’s company, you must be their escort and make certain your sister is not polluted by this association. I insist that Mr Bingley not be in company with your cousin Anne. You will inform Mr Collins that he is to be Anne’s escort each day and Miss Bennet will be escorted by Mr Bingley–she’s engaged so it is safe for her to converse with the man in trade.”
Darcy patiently waited while Lady Catherine discussed all items she wanted addressed with the steward until she again waved her hand at him in dismissal.
Once he was removed from Lady Catherine’s presence, Mr Darcy had a very pleasant smile on his face–at direction of his hostess, he would keep company with Miss Elizabeth each day of their visit to Rosings Park.
~~}{~~
Chapter 25.Miss de Bourgh’s Pleasant Picnic
In the early light of the following morning, Elizabeth and Jane made their way along the path from the parsonage toward the gardens of the manor house. The sisters were silent, enjoying the songs of the birds and the distant calls of animals moving from barns to fields. Stepping around a wall that outlined a formal garden, Elizabeth and Jane found Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley approaching from the house.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy greeted the ladies. “If you have no objection, Mr Bingley and I thought we should join in your walk this morning.”
Glancing first at Jane who nodded, Elizabeth replied, “You are welcome to accompany us on our walk, sir.”
Darcy walked beside Elizabeth while Mr Bingley and Jane followed behind.
“The gardens are certainly lovely,” Elizabeth commented. “Rosings Park has some ancient plantings.”
“I believe the de Bourgh family purchased the estate a century ago and rebuilt the house only fifty years ago. There has been an estate here for several centuries.”
“The gardens are very extensive,” Elizabeth observed. “I have spoken to six different gardeners and seen others at work.”
“Lady Catherine expends funds she does not have to maintain gardens and the house in the manner she does. If she entertained the king or any of the royal princes, I would understand the expense, but my aunt does not even step out into the gardens herself and the only regular guests at Rosings are myself and Colonel Fitzwilliam. This year I brought Mr Bingley and my sister instead of my cousin.”
“Where is the colonel this year?”
Darcy looked away for a moment before answering, “He is serving with the army in Spain. They intend to drive the French back to the Pyrenees this summer.”
