“I cannot imagine why you would prefer the company at the Parsonage to that of your relatives.”
“It is no competition, Aunt,” the colonel said, keeping the same smile. “You and Anne were resting, Darcy was out on his usual ride, and I went to the village and stopped at the Parsonage on the way.”
“I disapprove of Darcy’s habit of riding around the fields very much too,” Lady Catherine declared. “I have been told you are seen quite often in a certain part of the park,” she said, and again, Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy’s expression changing.
“I ride all around the park, Aunt, just as I do at Pemberley. Managing an estate means to supervise it with your own eyes as often as possible.”
“You cannot argue with that, Aunt,” the colonel interjected again. “I know nobody more dedicated or more successful inaccomplishing his duties than Darcy. And you must admit that, in the five years since he took on the management of Rosings, your income has significantly improved.”
“Geoffrey, we do not speak about business at dinner and certainly not in front of strangers!” Lady Catherine scolded her nephew. Elizabeth hid her smile behind her napkin. The entire scene was equally embarrassing and amusing, and the only ones not seeing the ridiculousness of it seemed to be Lady Catherine and her loyal admirer Mr. Collins.
“Miss Bennet, I hope you returned to the Parsonage safely the other day,” Mr. Darcy suddenly said, and Elizabeth held her breath. He turned to his aunt, who was already looking at him curiously, and explained, “I was riding to Rosings when the rain began, and I saw Miss Bennet in the lane. I hoped she was not caught in the downpour.”
“I entered the house just in time,” Elizabeth said. “Thank you for your concern, sir.”
She understood the meaning behind his words and realised he must have been just as preoccupied by their argument as she had been since he had brought it up in front of his aunt.
“What were you doing out of doors?” Lady Catherine asked.
“I was just walking, thinking about some personal matters that have troubled me lately. The walk helped me realise how wrong I was in my judgments, and now I am searching for ways to make amends, or at least to apologise for my mistakes.”
Elizabeth knew her statement was bold and could begin another quarrel with Lady Catherine, but she accepted the risk and cast a look at Mr. Darcy. He certainly understood her and even slightly bowed his head in an imperceptible gesture of acknowledgement.
“Nonsense!” Lady Catherine declared. “This is precisely what I meant earlier. You should stay with Mrs. Collins and learn from her how to run a household. She is a good mistress — justto my liking. However, you might not need it — I doubt you will receive a marriage proposal considering your situation in life and lack of dowry.”
“Lady Catherine!” the colonel cried. “Surely you cannot say that!”
“Why not? We all know it is true! Why let her entertain hopes that will never be fulfilled? It will only harm her more.”
“I appreciate your ladyship’s thoughtfulness,” Elizabeth replied. “I do agree that Charlotte is an excellent mistress, and I congratulate her on her felicity. As for me, I have no such expectations.” She was now smiling broadly, and she looked at the colonel, then at Mr. Darcy; both of them were frowning.
“If we are not allowed to discuss business at dinner, we should certainly not talk about the futures or marital lives of others,” Mr. Darcy interjected in a cold voice. “Furthermore, I would not measure a lady’s chances of felicity by her connections or dowry but by her worthiness. As proof, I have not seen many happy — truly happy — marriages between people of great consequence and great fortune. My parents were one of the very few exceptions.”
Lady Catherine looked displeased, and she was about to respond when Mr. Darcy addressed her directly. “Do you have other examples of such cases, Aunt? If you do and you wish to debate over them, I would be happy to indulge you.”
His voice was calm and polite, though cold, and Elizabeth was surprised to see Lady Catherine’s face change colour. She abandoned the subject and demanded the next course be served.
After dinner, the conversation was scarce. Unlike the previous dinner, when the colonel had asked for some music and Elizabeth had performed while he turned the pages for her, this time such a favour was not requested. The party soon separated, when Lady Catherine declared she was tired.
***
Since over the last two nights, sleep had evaded her, Elizabeth was exhausted but content. The dinner — whilst neither entertaining nor comfortable — had provided her with the opportunity to speak to Mr. Darcy, admit her error, and apologise.
Even though it had been a disquieting and disguised conversation, its importance was significant. However, new questions arose in her mind as she remembered Mr. Darcy taking her side on the subject of marriage. He had spoken of a woman’s worthiness in opposition to her connections and dowry. Could he have been referring to Jane? Of course, who else? Had he realised his error in separating his friend from her sister and was now ready to make amends too?
With such hopes, Elizabeth’s nervousness returned — but in a good way. She decided to take a long walk the next day and try to see him again, if only for a few minutes, to ask a few more questions. She glanced through the window; the sky was still cloudy, but she prayed for the best.
