Upon hearing this, the footman Darcy had spoken to the day before immediately hurried to the stables. His task was to send word to the carriage driver, instructing him to make his way to the parsonage as swiftly as possible to transport Miss Bennet to London.
This was the first time Lady Catherine had accused a specific lady of being the reason for Darcy’s refusal to marry Anne, despite his previous visits. Darcy was determined to ensure his aunt could not harm Elizabeth’s reputation or well-being. As they left Rosings the day before and discussed the plans Darcy had set in motion, Richard had suggested they have a carriage available for Miss Bennet, just in case it was needed. At the first town past Hunsford, Darcy hired a small but comfortable carriage with a coachman, making sure it was ready in case of an emergency. He sent word back to the footman, informing him of this addition to the plan.
When they arrived at the parsonage, Elizabeth was surprised to see a hired carriage waiting and more surprised to learn the carriage would convey her to London as soon as she was ready.Charlotte was relieved that her friend would not be stranded without any protection or care for her reputation and thought she could guess who sent the carriage. For a moment, she considered what Elizabeth was likely not saying regarding her relationship with Mr Darcy but chose not to ask any questions. While Elizabeth’s things were packed, the two friends spent a few minutes talking about their disappointment in being unable to finish their visit. Elizabeth begged her friend to prevent Mr Collins from sending any letters to Longbourn about her being summarily dismissed, and her friend agreed to try her best.
Arriving at the cottage a few minutes after the ladies, Mr Collins was upset and annoyed; the carriage’s presence interfered with his plans. He was looking forward to Elizabeth’s ruination and believed she deserved it for rejecting his proposal and Lady Catherine’s accusations that she was trying to capture her esteemed nephew, Mr Darcy. He allowed Charlotte to invite her to the parsonage in the hope that his cousin would realise what a fortunate match her friend made and feel some regret at her dismissal of him. Since she did not seem to be affected as he would have liked, it was only fitting that she should suffer, and he was pleased to kick Elizabeth out of his home without care for how and where she was to go at the express wishes of his patroness.
During his walk back from Rosings, Mr. Collins pondered his cousin’s plight and comprehended Lady Catherine’s intention to tarnish Elizabeth’s reputation as a means to dissuade her nephew from proposing to her. When Lady Catherine proposed the notion of compelling Elizabeth to depart in the middle of the afternoon, thereby leaving her without a chaperone either at an inn or in the woods overnight, Mr Collins had found a sense of satisfaction in the idea that both the lady who had rejected his generous offer and her father, who would not compel hisdaughter to fulfil her duty, would face the consequences they merited.
Mr. Collins remembered the moment she refused him. He was so convinced of his acceptance that he condescended to ask the lady despite her meagre dowry. After soliciting Mrs. Bennet’s opinion, he settled on his second oldest cousin, who was nearly as beautiful as her sister but far more impertinent. Mr. Collins didn’t understand half of what she said, but she was lively and, with his direction, would have made him an admirable wife. However, he chose her friend. Charlotte was not as beautiful as his cousins, but she willingly accepted his offer. Nevertheless, his anger continued to simmer at his rejection, and when Charlotte asked to invite her friend, he readily agreed. He hoped to see Cousin Elizabeth regret him, but instead, she attracted the interest of Mr Darcy, and now his patroness was livid—blaming him for bringing her there in the first place.
However, this carriage appearing at his door circumvented the plans they hatched that morning. Mr Collins tried to insist it would be improper for Elizabeth to use the carriage of an unknown person, but she ignored him. He told the carriage driver to leave without his passenger, but the man refused, stating he was there to convey Miss Bennet to London and would not go without her. The maid seated in the carriage to protect Elizabeth’s reputation was unknown to everyone and would only speak to Miss Bennet. Like the carriage driver, she would not leave the carriage despite all of Mr Collins’s considerable efforts.
Continuing to ignore Mr Collins, Elizabeth hugged Charlotte and assured her friend she would write soon to let her know she arrived in London safely. Elizabeth was surprised by the carriage’s arrival, but somehow, she knew Mr Darcy planned this in case his aunt became too unreasonable—which she did. Shewas simultaneously grateful for his foresight and slightly vexed by his high-handedness in making the arrangements without consulting her. However, she immediately knew she was being silly, as there was neither the time nor the opportunity to consult with her before he departed. A footman had pressed a note into her hand as they were escorted out of Rosings, and she was anxious to read it but had not dared to do so while Mr Collins or anyone from Rosings might observe.
Finally, she took her and was assisted into the carriage by the footman accompanying her. Once the carriage started moving, the maid finally spoke, introducing herself as Claire and handing Elizabeth another, thicker note. Claire asked Elizabeth to read that note after she read the first one. Elizabeth pulled the first note from her pocket and sat back to read.
Dearest—
Please forgive my presumption, but after my confrontation with my aunt, I worry she may have somehow recognised my interest in you and might blame you for my departure. Richard, Colonel Fitzwilliam, pointed out as that I was not as discreet in paying you attention as I believed. My aunt can be vindictive when she thinks she has been crossed, and if she does anything in retribution, like confronting you and insisting you leave immediately, I wanted to ensure you would not be stranded or ruined. If she does not act, you will never know of any of this, but if she does, please know my only goal is to provide you protection so you are not injured by me or my family, regardless of the outcome of my suit.
FD
Any negative feelings Elizabeth held towards Mr Darcy melted away as she read his note. He expended significant effort to protect her if his aunt acted badly. His actions mitigated the potential for harm, and she could only appreciate his effort on her behalf. Of course, the endearment he began the letter with gave her a sense of contentment she had never imagined before, and she began to think of a future with the gentleman as a certainty.
When Elizabeth read the second note given to her by the maid, she was surprised further at its contents. Darcy wrote the letter from his London townhouse that morning and informed her he had visited her uncle’s home the previous afternoon and learned they were away from London. If Lady Catherine behaved as he feared, he expected Elizabeth to arrive in London late in the evening in need of accommodation. He invited her to be his sister’s guest at Darcy House until her aunt and uncle returned, or, if she preferred, he would request that his aunt, Lady Matlock, host her until her relatives were available. Should she be travelling to London, he requested she send an express to his sister at her first opportunity to inform them of her expected arrival and whether she preferred to stay at Darcy House or with Lady Matlock. Darcy closed the note with yet another apology for his aunt and another subtle reminder of his affection for her.
Feeling a sense of relief and finally having a moment to contemplate the events of the past few hours, Elizabeth settled comfortably into the carriage’s squabs, her heart lightening. Her thoughts drifted towards the prospect of being married to Mr. Darcy, envisioning what it might be like to have someone care so deeply for her and provide such careful attention. Mr Darcy had taken great care to protect her reputation and uphold propriety during her uncertain journey to London, even requesting that she inform his sister of her arrival instead of him and ensuringshe would not be forced into a marriage with him. Though everything he had said and done indicated his desire for their courtship to progress towards marriage, was that his intention? For the first time in their acquaintance, she allowed herself to contemplate what it would mean to be the wife of Mr. Darcy, and she devoted much of her thoughts to pondering the potential realities. It proved to be a most enjoyable way to pass the afternoon.
When they stopped in Bromley to refresh themselves, Elizabeth purchased paper and ink, quickly wrote a note to Miss Darcy, and arranged for an express rider to deliver it to Darcy House. In her missive, she apologised for contacting Miss Darcy without an introduction and explained that Mr Darcy requested she inform Miss Darcy that she was happy to accept her invitation to stay for a few days until her aunt and uncle arrived back in town and would arrive later that day.
Chapter Four
Almost too soon for Elizabeth’s comfort, the carriage arrived in Mayfair and stopped in front of Darcy House. It was a large, imposing structure built of white stone, several stories tall, and one of only two houses on that block. Almost directly across the street was an entrance to Hyde Park.
The front door opened before Elizabeth could exit the carriage, and Mr Darcy stepped out. Waving away the footman who opened the carriage door, he held out his hand to help Elizabeth down. “Welcome to Darcy House, Miss Bennet,” he said in his deep voice, sounding gravely pleased, his eyes reflecting his turmoil. “I wish it were under better circumstances, but I cannot express how pleased I am to have you here. I hope you like Darcy House.”
“Thank you, sir,” she breathed, suddenly shy of the man. “I thank you for the arrangements you made on my behalf. Lady Catherine insisted I was to blame for your abrupt departure and for your refusal to marry her daughter. She demanded Mr Collins kick me out of the parsonage immediately, and he waspleased to do so. I honestly do not know what I would have done had the carriage not arrived at the door when it did.”
He scowled at his aunt’s actions but, recalling her presence, quickly shifted his mouth to a smile as he offered his arm and escorted her inside. On the way to the drawing room, he asked a footman to call his sister to join them in a few minutes. He led her to a settee, where he sat beside her and said, “I must apologise for my aunt, Miss Bennet. Before we left for London, Richard and I discussed my aunt and felt that she might take out her anger at my refusal on you. He told me I was not as circumspect in my admiration for you as I believed and that our aunt noticed my attention to you, especially since she brought your name up when I refused her demand to marry Anne. I do not know why she thought that, as I have refused to do as she commanded for years now, I began to worry she may take action against you after I left. I apologise if my actions to protect you were in any way officious; it was not my intention to be high-handed, but I do try to protect those I care about.” He blushed slightly as if he had not meant to blurt out the last part of his statement.
Elizabeth also coloured at the implication of his words and the confirmation of his care for her—or was it something more driving his actions? “Again, I thank you for the steps you took to ensure I was protected. Your notes assured me of your good intentions, and I appreciate that you attempted to ensure my reputation and safety. Lady Catherine was not concerned for either, and my cousin, miserable toad that he is, was more than happy to cast me out without concern for either. I believe he was hoping for my ruination and was pleased by the prospect of getting retaliation for my refusing him. He was confused and dismayed when the carriage arrived and obviously displeased to learn it had been sent for me. I do not know what LadyCatherine’s reaction might have been, but I doubt she was pleased about the circumstances of my rescue either.”
He scowled and muttered something that sounded like an imprecation directed at Lady Catherine and Mr Collins under his breath. Just then, a lovely blonde-haired young lady walked into the room, her eyes wide in surprise. Elizabeth and Darcy both stood, and Darcy reached his hand out towards the girl.
“Georgiana, allow me to introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” he said. “Miss Bennet, this is my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
They curtsied to each other, and Miss Darcy mumbled, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bennet,” barely glancing up from her feet.
Elizabeth immediately realised Miss Darcy was extremely shy and likely embarrassed at finding her brother and a lady alone in their house. “I am so pleased to meet you, Miss Darcy. I have heard many good things about you from your brother and cousin. I have been looking forward to making your acquaintance since your brother mentioned it.”
This startled the girl, and she looked up at Elizabeth. As Darcy encouraged everyone to take a seat, Georgiana spoke again, slightly louder this time. “I confess, Miss Bennet, I have been looking forward to meeting you ever since my brother wrote of you when he was in Hertfordshire last autumn.” Darcy and Elizabeth both flushed at this, but Elizabeth recovered more quickly than he.
She laughed. “I can well imagine what Mr Darcy may have said about me then,” she teased. “You will have to tell me what he wrote so I can counter it and correct your opinion of me. Hehas not always thought so well of me.” She grinned at Darcy as she said this, and he laughed out loud at her teasing. “Although, I believe his opinion of me has become more positive since meeting me at Hunsford.”
“That is not true, Miss Bennet, as I told you only yesterday. I have always had a high opinion of you, despite how poorly I might have expressed myself on occasion,” Mr Darcy countered.
Georgiana looked between the two of them, uncertain of how to respond. She was surprised to hear her brother laugh in company, especially with a lady, and was somewhat shocked by Miss Bennet’s teasing him. He seemed to enjoy it, so she smiled and relaxed a little more.
