Page 67 of Saving Jane
Darcy smiled and asked, “Will you miss me?”
Lifting her chin defiantly, Elizabeth said, “Not in the least. Georgiana can come to visit; we shall read Shakespeare and not notice your absence.”
Leaning closer and making the other ladies giggle, Mr Darcy whispered just a little too loud to be private, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will you not miss me, even just for a moment? Perhaps if I escort youthrough the gardens again and propose a second time, you will miss me for a moment or two?”
Darcy and Georgiana stayed until it was time to return to Rosings to dress for dinner. Mr Collins continued to be absent from their table at the parsonage, so Mrs Gardiner and her nieces had Edward and Emily sit with them for dinner and they made a happy party.
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In the morning, Elizabeth met Mr Darcy in the gardens and gave him a letter to take to her father. Their discussions and moments were private that morning and Elizabeth planned to write several more letters to pass the time until Mr Darcy returned.
Once Lady Catherine and Mr Darcy departed for London, Georgiana walked to Hunsford to spend the day at the parsonage, and she brought an invitation for supper from Miss de Bourgh. When Mrs Gardiner inquired, Georgiana denied any knowledge of Mr Collins and his plans to return to Hunsford. Late in the afternoon, the de Bourgh carriage arrived at the parsonage to carry the ladies to the house.
While they waited for Georgiana to change for supper, Miss de Bourgh and Mr Collins entertained the visitors with a discussion of the meaning of the Sermon on the Mount–the topic for the coming Sunday’s sermon. Jane remained relaxed and seemed content to allow Mr Collins to pay all his attention to Miss de Bourgh. No one made mention of Elizabeth’s engagement to Mr Darcy.
When the evening came to an end, Anne turned to her cousin. “Georgiana, I think you should return to the parsonage for the evening. I see that you are enjoying the company of your friend, and I believe you should spend the night with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth at the parsonage. But Mr Collins will remain here at Rosings. He has to meet Mr Livingston this evening and with my steward early in the morning.”
Suddenly Mrs Gardiner endorsed the suggestion. “You are indeed thoughtful Miss de Bourgh. Miss Darcy can spend the evening with my nieces and Mr Collins will be safe here at Rosings–it would not do for Mr Collins to trip and fall in the darkness.”
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Chapter 31.Jane’s Surprise at Tea
The following morning was quiet with a few housekeeping tasks, gardening and playing with the Gardiner children to occupy the time for Elizabeth and Jane.
“Lizzy, do you feel differently today?”
“How do you mean?” inquired Elizabeth. “I do not understand your meaning.”
“You are engaged now and have a strong regard for Mr Darcy. Does it make you feel different to be engaged to him?”
Elizabeth was reluctant to reply but when she saw Jane’s face, she had to explain. “Yes, I feel differently. I miss William’s face and voice. I want to walk beside him in the gardens.”
“I am glad for you,” Jane said. “It is a great gift you have received.”
“How can I make things better for you?” Elizabeth asked her sister sincerely. “I would not see you unhappy.”
Jane smiled as she replied, “My life will not be sad. I shall find good works to fill my days.”
“You shall come visit me every year!” Elizabeth insisted.
Jane reached over to hug her sister tightly but then returned to her work with the linens. When teatime arrived, the ladies in the parsonage exchanged remarks that there remained no sign of Mr Collins returning to the parsonage.
Mrs Gardiner commented while watching young Edward and Emily playing in the garden. “Did Mr Collins indicate his plans to return to the parsonage?”
“I expected him to return the morning after Miss Bingley’s departure,” Jane replied. “But with Elizabeth and Mr Darcy’s announcement, I forgot about his return. And last evening was too nice to worry about his return.”
“Perhaps Mr Collins and my cousin are continuing their religious study,” Georgiana suggested meekly though she refused to meet anyone’s eyes.
Glancing once at Georgiana with surprise, Elizabeth stood and announced, “I propose an excursion–let us walk to Rosings and seek Mr Collins through the halls and in the gardens. Miss de Bourgh will enjoy the diversion.”
“I shall allow the excursion but remain here with my children,” Mrs Gardiner announced. “Jane and Elizabeth will walk with Miss Darcy to Rosings and determine when Mr Collinswill return to his domicile.”
The spring afternoon was glorious! The trees were brilliantly green with fresh leaves and brilliant yellow buttercups bloomed in the ditches along the road, their fragrance filling the air. When they stepped onto the gravel path in the gardens of Rosings Park, a bed of two hundred red tulips dominated the centre of the garden and the gardener was pleased to receive the commendations of all three ladies. Birds sang in the shrubberies as they built nests and flew around the garden. In this beautiful garden, Jane thought she would find some contentment as Mrs Collins with an environment such as this.
However, any contentment they felt vanished when they reached the house and found it deserted–the door stood open with the footmen and butler nowhere to the found.
Jane and Georgiana were both disturbed by the absence of the staff but fearlessly Elizabeth led the way into the depths of the manor house, searching for maids, footmen, Mr Collins and Miss de Bourgh. When they reached the stairs leading down to the kitchens, Elizabeth went ahead with her sister and future sister-in-law following behind. Once they reached the kitchens, the three ladies found the maids, cook and housekeeper.
