Page 31 of Saving Jane
“Do you wish him to have clean clothing and a funeral?”
Darcy shook his head. “A quick death is my last payment for his sins. Bury him in his rags in potter’s field.”
“The guards will strip his corpse bear and sell the clothes to the ragman. He will go before God for judgement naked as the day he was born.”
Darcy saw the faces of several young women for a moment before he nodded. “Sir, I thank you for your consideration today.”
The governor’s last glimpse of Mr Darcy was the man climbing into his carriage with his attorney and leaving, his face a maskexhibiting no emotion.
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Chapter 13.Elizabeth’s Better Days in London
Following a long letter from Mr Darcy to Mr Gardiner, Elizabeth was once again allowed to visit Georgiana at Darcy House, though she did not see Mr Darcy for the remainder of that week. It was only in the following week that he joined the ladies for tea once again and Elizabeth made certain to pay him attention and tease him until he smiled and joined the conversation in full.
“And how do you like the sonnets?” Darcy asked his sister, waiting for her to return her teacup to the saucer before she answered.
“I like them very much, but I do not understand the emotions Mr Shakespeare names in his verses–the love and the pain of love. They are so intertwined; I find the idea of love to be...”
Mrs Annesley and Mr Darcy waited for Georgiana to continue but Elizabeth spoke up, “...frightening!”
“Frightening Miss Bennet?” asked Mr Darcy. “I wonder that anything frightens you!”
“You forget sir, I have met Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth replied, and all three ladies were surprised to hear the master of the house begin to laugh; a laughter that was infectious and brought giggles from both Elizabeth and Georgiana.
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“What is the news from Hertfordshire? How does your family fare this fall?” Mr Darcy asked Miss Bennet as he escorted her to the door of Darcy House at the conclusion of tea with Georgiana.
“I am concerned for my sister Jane. She writes of everything except for the most important item in her life–her engagement to Mr Collins,” Elizabeth replied. “She writes of our sister Mary’s courtship with Mr Lucas, the heir of a neighbouring estate. My father has lectured my mother severely to not anticipate the engagement with purchases for Mary’s trousseau.”
“Your mother is in favour of these matches?” Mr Darcy asked, and he watched Elizabeth Bennet’s fascinating face scowl–a look he had never seen on her face before.
“Are you well Miss Bennet?”
The young woman paused in her steps to the door, and she looked anywhere except at the handsome man who had begun to occupy her thoughts during the day as well as haunting her dreams at night. “Our mother loves my sisters and me dearly, but she is very much afraid ofmy father’s death before a daughter is well-married. My father’s estate is entailed from the female line and thus the engagement to Mr Collins is appealing.”
Darcy nodded, remembering the tale from the night of their supper at Darcy House. “And the engagement of your eldest sister to Mr Collins ensures that your family’s future is secure. Your mother may remain at the estate...” he paused searching his memory for the name of her home.
“Longbourn,” she said, naming her home.
“...Longbourn after your father’s death. It appears to be a suitable arrangement. Forgive me, but Georgiana told me that your dowry is very small–a thousand pounds after your mother’s death.”
“But my father’s own words to Uncle Gardiner name Mr Collins to be a fool. How is a fool to manage an estate and make my sister a good husband? He already has refused to hear her comments on our tenants and fields. What security will there be if he ruins Longbourn?”
Darcy indicated that they should continue walking to the door while he thought for a moment. As they neared the door, he suggested. “Your uncle told me that Mr Collins is the pastor at Hunsford, my aunt’s estate in Kent. Next Easter, I shall take the man in hand and require him to train with my aunt’s steward in the coming years. If he is intelligent enough to take orders and become a parson, he can learn to follow an almanac and to listen to his experienced tenants.”
They had just reached the door as he completed his offer of assistance and Elizabeth’s gratitude made her grace Fitzwilliam with the most brilliant smile he had ever seen. The young lady’s eyes glimmered with tears, and she reached out but drew back before touching his hand.
“Your thoughtfulness and kindness to my family does you great credit sir,” she said.
Darcy smiled, reached for Elizabeth’s hand and brushed it with his lips. “It is my pleasure to be of service, Miss Bennet.”
For a long moment, there were no other person in the world but the handsome, kind man who had just kissed her hand; Lizzy Bennet, the girl who climbed trees and read too many books, was lost. And the gentleman was also lost in the eyes bright with fire and beauty; Darcy forgot to release the young lady’s hand.
“I say Darcy! Will you do me the honour of an introduction?” asked a booming voice. Both Elizabeth and Darcy startled back to the foyer of Darcy House where Mr Jones and the footmenwere staring at the walls above their heads while a colonel in his bright red coat stood at the door.
“Richard!” Darcy called pleased and exasperated at the same time. “When did you return to town?”
