“There is something I must tell you, and I hope you will understand. After the letter I received from Jane, I would like to return to London sooner than planned, to be with my sister and relatives. Maria may join me, of course. I shall write to my uncle to send us his carriage.”
Charlotte readily expressed her disappointment, but Mr. Collins’s answer surprised her greatly.
“My dear cousin, whilst we shall miss your pleasant company, I cannot but support whatever you decide. If you wish to return to London, I understand. But there is no need to bother Mr. Gardiner for his carriage. I shall be happy to take you and my sister Maria there myself. I shall tell Dawson to hire a carriage for tomorrow morning.
All three women stared at him in disbelief; the reason behind his amiability was easy to guess, and Charlotte tried to oppose him, but Mr. Collins would not have it.
“My dear Charlotte,” he said with great solemnity, “you should be happy that your husband is so considerate as to escort your sister and your friend, with no regard for his own comfort. My only wish is to be sure they arrive in London safely. Now, excuse me, I must make the arrangements.”
Elizabeth feared there might be some unpleasant consequences to such a plan, but in the end, it was nothing that might affect her. She would be in Gracechurch Street, andwhatever foolishness Mr. Collins indulged in, it would happen in a different part of London.
Preparations were made in haste, and the following day, early in the morning, Elizabeth took her leave of Hunsford. The farewell with Charlotte was brief yet heartfelt, filled with promises of future correspondence and the quiet understanding that had long bound them.
On the road, Mr. Collins spoke tirelessly, frustrating and exhausting Elizabeth at the same time, and she was relieved when the carriage drew up before the Gardiners’ house. Elizabeth was received with surprise and welcomed with open arms by her aunt, uncle, and cousins, and with the sweetest affection by her dearest Jane, whose countenance already glowed with renewed hope.
As she embraced her sister, Elizabeth’s thoughts turned once more to the gentleman whose letter and intervention had set these happy events in motion. Her heart was divided between gratitude and that softer, more disquieting flutter she still refused to name, though she wondered if and when she would see him again.
***
Elizabeth had been five days in London, comfortably settled within the cheerful walls of Gracechurch Street, before the quiet rhythm of her days began to reveal the true state of her heart. Maria Lucas had been taken home to Meryton by her father, Sir William, whose delight in his daughter’s tales from Kent could scarcely be contained.
Elizabeth and Jane had begged their parents’ permission to remain a little longer in town. The news of Jane’s reunion with Mr. Bingley had so transported Mrs. Bennet that her reply overflowed with unreserved approval: the girls might stay inLondon for as long as they pleased, provided they did not neglect to secure advantageous connections. Mr. Bennet’s answer had been characteristically brief —You may do as your mother said— and thus the matter was settled with ease.
“Dearest Lizzy, I am so happy to have you back,” Jane told her several times.
“I am happy to be back, dearest. But I dare say your happiness has other causes too.”
“I cannot deny that… You know, Lizzy, at first I was afraid to even speak of it, or to entertain any hopes… But now… Mr. Bingley calls so often …”
“Twice already since I arrived,” Elizabeth replied with a smile. “What a pleasure it was to see him again, so happy to see me,” she jested.
“Oh, Mr. Bingley speaks of you all the time, Lizzy! He is so attentive, so courteous…even more than last autumn. And it feels easier to speak to him and to share things. He apologised for not returning to Netherfield and expressed his regret for not knowing I was in town. But how could he have known? I still wonder how it was possible that his sister concealed my presence for so many months.”
“It was possible because they are as unkind and deceptive as I told you almost from the beginning. Do you remember when they implied Mr. Bingley was in a close relationship with Miss Darcy?”
“Of course I remember…”
Well, I happen to know from a most reliable source that was not true. Perhaps you should tell Mr. Bingley as well as Mr. Darcy about this lie.”
“Oh no, Lizzy! You cannot do that, I beg you! Mr. Bingley is already angry with them, I believe. As for Mr. Darcy — dear Lord, I would be mortified if he knew that!”
“Do not fret, Jane. I was mostly joking. I would not dare bring up such a subject to Mr. Darcy either.”
“I am so grateful to him, Lizzy, for informing Mr. Bingley about my presence in London. Why did he do so? Regardless, I hope I shall have the chance to thank him.”
“That would be lovely, indeed,” Elizabeth whispered, mostly to herself.
“He must be very busy, as Mr. Bingley said,” Jane added. “Mr. Darcy is a man with many responsibilities, and he must have little time to spare. Especially now, with the distressing situation of Miss de Bourgh. I still pray for a chance to thank him in person, though Mr. Bingley insisted there is no need.”
Elizabeth prayed for a chance to thank Mr. Darcy too. But the chances of meeting him seemed slim. He must know she was in town. Or perhaps not? Did he have time to even think about her? He must be busy with all the scandals caused by Lady Catherine. Was she still in town? Had Miss de Bourgh fully recovered? What about Mr. Collins? So many questions which might be answered if she dared to address them.
Her thoughts returned to Mr. Darcy many times every day, recollections mingled with hopes, sadness with joy. She was tempted to ask Mr. Bingley for Mr. Darcy’s direction and take a carriage ride to Mayfair… Of course, it would be a silly gesture, but it was tempting nevertheless.
“I wonder whether Mr. Collins is still in London,” Elizabeth pondered aloud while the two sisters took tea with their aunt.
“Mr. Collins must be home now — if he has any sense or wit,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Where would he stay in London? Why not call on us?”
“His reason for being in London was Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth answered, “so if he is still here, he must be spending his time with her somewhere. His obsession would be amusing and laughable if it were not sad and disturbing.”
