One evening just Darcy and his sister settled in at Kensington Place. Mrs. Annesley had the evening off to visit a beloved nephew.They took a light repast together and casually enjoyed each other’s company in the drawing room. Darcy partook of more brandy than he should; he was not drunk, but the warmth of the liquid lowered his defenses.
“Will you travel to Kent to see our aunt at Easter?”
“I will; our cousin arranged a reprieve from his military duties so we will be able to tackle our aunt’s many business issues together. It is not a trip to which I look forward. Our aunt can be so . . . ”
“Demanding,” Georgiana added maybe a little too quickly.
Darcy arched an eyebrow at his sister’s response; Georgiana had become more opinionated of late although she never expressed those opinions beyond her brother’s hearing. “Our aunt can be very solicitous. Has she said something to you, my dearest?”
“It is just her usual reproofs to practice my music and to maintain the proper manners. Sometimes I resent her constant remarks. I know I should not feel these things about a beloved relative, but, honestly, Fitzwilliam, her rebukes are very upsetting.”
“Our aunt can irritate even the most devout. Do not bother yourself with Lady Catherine’s many sentiments.”
“Fitzwilliam,” she changed the subject, “was not Mr. Bingley satisfied with his estate in Hertfordshire?”
“Why do you ask, my Dear?”
“It is he just quit the estate on impulse it seems. Did something happen?”
Darcy felt a bit uncomfortable knowing his part in removing Bingley from Netherfield. He shifted his weight, gulped down the last of the brandy, and poured himself another. “Bingley is such an impetuous young man,” he extended an explanation.
“It is just,” Georgiana began shyly,“he speaks well of his short time there and expresses a fondness for the company of Miss Jane Bennet.”
“Does he now?”
“He seems so downcast. Is Jane Bennet not the sister of Elizabeth Bennet? Your letters from Netherfield mentioned her several times. I hoped when I read your letters if Mr. Bingley remained atNetherfield I could visit there. I thought I might like to meet Miss Elizabeth. It would be nice to have a friend such as you described. Do you think Miss Elizabeth could have seen me as an acquaintance she might like to make?”
“I am sure of it,” Darcy began slowly. “I often considered the possibilities.”
Georgiana’s interest perked up. Leaning forward and giving him her full attention, she asked, “Would you tell me about Miss Elizabeth?”
Darcy held his glass of brandy to his lips, but he did not drink. Impressions of Elizabeth Bennet came so easily to him, as if he saw her but five minutes ago rather than it having been nearly eleven weeks. He began slowly, guarding his words, fearing to betray his susceptibility to the woman. “I believe I described Miss Elizabeth physically previously. Miss Elizabeth’s features are not as refined as her sister’s, but they tend to be more classical. Her eyes are the key to her soul, a quick note of what she really thinks. She says she loves to laugh, and I find her humor to be teasing in nature at times. I have not found many women with a more agreeable character. Everything is united in Elizabeth Bennet: she possesses a superior intelligence and good understanding; generally correct opinions, which she often expresses without regard to the time or the situation; and a warm heart. She demonstrates strong feelings of family attachment, without calculating pride or insufferable weaknesses. Miss Elizabeth judges for herself in everything essential.” Darcy stopped himself at this point, fearing he said too much.
Georgiana sighed heavily when he paused. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet seems like the perfect mixture of sense and judgment. I hope some day I have the opportunity to make her my friend. I always wanted a friend such as you describe.”
“It would be nice to see Miss Elizabeth again,” he said wistfully.
Images of Elizabeth Bennet and Georgiana together at Pemberley invaded his dreams that evening. The images instantly created happiness without the misery, but when awake, Darcy could only dwell on the misery of such happiness.
Those months also added to his duplicity against Bingley. Jane Bennet came to London to stay with her Cheapside relatives. She called unexpectedly on Caroline one afternoon. Caroline and Louisa were on their way out so her visit was short, but a like call upon her would be expected of the Bingley sisters. They agreed Caroline would wait several weeks before reciprocating, and even then, Miss Bingley would make Jane Bennet aware of her folly in pursuing Charles. Such incivilities ended Jane Bennet’s hopes. Darcy hated himself for keeping the news of Miss Bennet’s presence in London from Bingley. Obviously, from what Georgiana confided, Bingley’s affliction of the heart was no more over than was Darcy’s.
Late February brought signs of spring, and Darcy, Georgiana, and Mrs. Annesley returned to Pemberley. He spent these weeks with his steward explaining his plans to increase the production of crops among the tenants on Pemberley.The steward, Mr. Howard, was a respected overseer; the two spent many hours planning a four-crop rotation among the farmers.The system, developed by the Second Viscount Charles Townsend, had been successful in the Americas since the early 1700s. Pemberley used a three-crop rotation for many years, usually wheat, barley, and the third field left to fallow. Yet, the land was being used up too quickly, and production decreased, leaving many of Pemberley’s tenants unable to maintain their farms.
Darcy hoped the four-crop rotation plan would save his estate and the livelihood of his tenants. Nitrogen-rich legumes would be used to put back into the soil the nutrients the grain crops used, and the grain crops put back the minerals the legumes used.They fed each other; it was a simple plan; now, he had to convince his tenants of the necessity of the changes. Mr. Howard would examine each farmer’s soil makeup and decide who would plant which crops.
The excitement of getting back to the land relieved Darcy of the agitations of his mind. He had not thought about ElizabethBennet more than a couple of times over the past few weeks.Then he received a letter from his aunt.
8 March
My dear Nephew,
I am anticipating your upcoming visit; your cousin Anne is most anxious to renew your relationship. Her health seems much improved; I am sure you will notice the difference. I hoped to introduce you to my new curate Mr. Collins and his wife, but much to my chagrin, I find you met them both while you were in Hertfordshire with Mr. Bingley.
Darcy’s heart stopped. Mr. Collins married someone from Hertfordshire. Pictures of Mr. Collins’s attentive behavior to Elizabeth flashed across his eyes. He danced with her at the Netherfield Ball, and after supper, Collins refused to leave Elizabeth’s side, leaving her in misery and unable to dance with other gentlemen.Please, God, do not let Elizabeth be married to Mr. Collins!Mrs. Bennet would marry Elizabeth off to Collins just to be rid of one of her daughters at last. Collins kissing Elizabeth—the thought brought a murderous rage to Darcy’s heart.With shaking hands, he returned to the letter.
Charlotte Lucas made Mr. Collins a reasonable match. Her temperament is most pleasing, and I assured Mr. Collins of my approval in his choice.
Darcy’s breath came in ragged outbursts. Charlotte Lucas! It was not Elizabeth! He nearly cried with relief.Although Collins would provide Miss Lucas with a steady income and a protective home, he hated to see any woman’s attentions wasted on such a supercilious ass, as was Mr. Collins. Darcy actually liked Charlotte Lucas, even without her being Elizabeth’s special friend. He would not wish Collins upon anyone.
