Chapter 2
“Darcy, you must tell me why you did not join us for dinner,” Lady Catherine demanded, and every loud word cut Darcy’s temples. The headache had continued through the night and threatened to last all day too.
“It is nothing more than what I am sure Richard already told you, Aunt. I had a headache, nothing more.”
“I find it very annoying when a trifling headache disturbs my plans.”
“I am sure you do, Aunt. And I would not want to upset any of your plans, but headaches are difficult to control,” Darcy replied.
“I am also annoyed that you are leaving so soon, Darcy! You could at least stay a few more days! Are you disturbed by the Collinses’ presence?”
“Not at all, I assure you.”
“To be honest,” the colonel interjected, “Mrs Collins and her friend Miss Bennet are quite delightful.”
“You always exaggerate your praise, Fitzwilliam,” Lady Catherine answered with apparent displeasure. “Miss Bennet is anything but delightful. She is impolite, outspoken, ill-mannered, and I may find more objections to add to my list before she finally leaves.”
Darcy chose not to contribute to that discussion, so he gave all his attention to his plate.
“And she is quite reckless. She lacks wisdom and responsibility,” the lady continued.
“I would say such a description is too harsh, Aunt,” Darcy finally added.
“Not at all. Let me tell you in complete confidence — and I expect absolute secrecy from you! — what she has done. Mr Collins proposed to her out of generosity, knowing he would inherit Longbourn one day. I myself advised him to propose to one of his cousins and to take care of the family after Mr Bennet dies. And that country girl dared to refuse him! Can you imagine? She has no dowry, no connections, and she might not receive another marriage proposal ever again. And still she rejected an honourable man and a most comfortable life. What woman does that?”
Darcy felt cold shivers down his spine while he struggled to keep his composure. So she had rejected Mr Collins too? Well, he was in shameful company, and probably worth less than the clergyman to her since she had declared he was thelastman in the world she could be prevailed on to marry.
“Dear aunt, I must disagree with you!” the colonel said. “I would rather praise Miss Bennet than criticise her for having the strength to choose her own happiness over material advantages. She and Mr Collins would be completely unsuited to each other, and she would have probably been miserable for the rest of her life.”
“Miserable? Are you out of your mind, Fitzwilliam? Is the present Mrs Collins miserable? She has a comfortable home, a good income, a respectful and well-mannered husband, and she has my regular company and guidance. What more could she expect?”
“Mrs Collins does not seem miserable at all, quite the opposite. But she is not Miss Bennet,” Darcy said. “So their expectations in marriage must be completely different.”
“A country girl with such a poor situation in life like Miss Bennet should not expect more than she is worthy of!” Lady Catherine declared with apparent irritation.
“Worthiness is measured differently by different people,” Darcy uttered. “And I agree with Richard — Mrs Collins is a good match for Mr Collins.”
“Indeed, she is. I certainly approve of her much more than Miss Bennet!”
“So Miss Bennet’s refusal seems to have been a blessing for everyone involved,” the colonel concluded.
Fortunately for Darcy’s state of mind, the subject of Elizabeth ended there. He was still tormented by thoughts of her, but at least he did not have to discuss her with others.
After breakfast, Darcy withdrew to the library, declaring he needed time to study some papers related to the estate before his departure. That sort of activity was tedious to his aunt and cousins, so he expected no company. In the library, the papers were his last concern; instead, he struggled with deciding how to proceed. He had promised Elizabeth he would be there to answer her questions, but was there any use in a meeting that would bring him more distress? Did he truly care whether she believed his explanations or not? If she did not trust his words, was she even worthy of more effort on his part?
Eventually, his pride overcame his reluctance. He had promised to be there, and he was a man of his word, even to those who did not deserve so much consideration. He left the house through a side door, and only when he was halfway to the gate did he wonder whether she would keep her word and be there herself. With every step he felt more restless; his attempts to maintain his self-control failed almost entirely.
He spotted her from a distance, and his heart began to race. It was the same thrill he had experienced the day before, when he had gone to propose to her. Back then, he had expected the meeting with her would bring him joy, but now he knew there would be more anxiety and probably another quarrel.
“Miss Bennet, good morning,” he greeted her, his heart still pounding. He cast a quick look over his shoulder, wondering whether the trees offered them enough privacy to not be seen from either Rosings or the parsonage.
“Good morning, sir,” she replied. She looked pale, and there were dark circles around her eyes — probably signs of a sleepless night.
“I have come, as promised, to answer your questions. I cannot stay long, though.”
“Thank you. Yes, neither can I — Charlotte might call me at any time.”
“And my aunt,” he added, trying to keep his eyes away from her.
