The fresh air and exercise, as ever, improved her mood, and during the short walk, she contrived to elude her cousin’s conversation. By the time Lady Catherine’s butler admitted them, she felt restored in strength and resolved to endure the evening.
They joined the party assembled in the drawing room. MrDarcy, the colonel, Miss de Bourgh, and MrsJenkinson were arrayed in a semicircle around Lady Catherine’s favourite chair, listening to her pronounce her opinions about—something or other. Who could say? As they were announced, her Ladyship’s sharp tones were redirected towards them. Or perhaps at them. Elizabeth felt the stirrings of her headache returning.
“MrCollins, I commend your punctuality.”
The parson bowed deeply. “I would never keep your Ladyship waiting.”
The great lady raised her chin expectantly at the others.
As Charlotte came forward with her husband and Maria, Elizabeth remained a step behind but was unable to evade her Ladyship’s piercing gaze.
“Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth curtseyed.
“Are you unwell? You appear…wan.”
“I thank you for your concern, Lady Catherine. I am not unwell, but I have a slight headache.”
“You walk too much for a young lady. It cannot be healthful to be about in all this weather. You should have a care for the changeability of spring.”
“I thank your Ladyship for your advice.” She curtseyed and took a seat.
MrDarcy looked at her oddly. After a moment, he spoke, his voice kind. “Miss Bennet, if you are unwell, I am sure none of us could be offended if you wished to return to the parsonage. Allow me to escort you.”
“There is no need for you to escort her, Darcy,” said Lady Catherine. “For heaven’s sake, it is excessive walking that has made her unwell. Miss Bennet, I shall call for the carriage.”
As much as Elizabeth had dreaded the evening at Rosings, she felt strongly, somehow, that it would be better than returning to the parsonage. She spoke firmly whilst remaining deferential. “I thank you for your concern and generosity, Lady Catherine—”
“Lady Catherine is the soul of generosity.” MrCollins nodded with energy.
Elizabeth ignored him. “Though I am grateful for your kindness, MrDarcy, I am sure I will find an evening in company most restorative. I am quite decided that I should prefer to stay.”
MrDarcy bowed. “Very well, Miss Bennet.” He seemed almost disappointed.
Elizabeth could not make him out.Puzzling man. He is capable of such kindness, yet I shall never forgive him for what he did to Jane.
Dinner was announced. At Rosings, Elizabeth had learned that she could always expect a meal prepared with the finest ingredients, yet entirely lacking in flavour. Lady Catherine disapproved of onions, garlic, and most other spices, and refused to countenance them on her table. But a bland dinner suited Elizabeth on this night, and thanks to Lady Catherine’s domination of the dinner table discourse, Elizabeth avoided most strenuous conversational demands. She sat quietly and ate quietly, her mind roiling with the effects of the colonel’s disclosure.How could he?She tried to put it out of her thoughts, but to no avail.
After dinner, the ladies removed to the drawing room, but the separation of the sexes was brief. Elizabeth had barely sipped her tea when MrDarcy strode in her direction. She offered him a cup, which he accepted with a hesitant smile as he took a seat in a chair beside her.
“You look well, Miss Bennet. I hope you are as improved as you appear.” He looked warily at his aunt, across the room at the card table, and spoke quietly.
Surprised by his charitable comment, she still could not help but retort, “Does that mean that I should tell you that I am feelingtolerable,sir?”
His smile disappeared.
“Miss Bennet. I—?”
“I heard you at the assembly. You took no care to modulate your voice, and I was seated only a yard or two away from you.”
Lady Catherine’s voice came as a welcome interruption for at least one of them. “What are you and Miss Bennet talking of, Darcy? I must have my share in the conversation!”
He sat mute, his complexion an unaccustomed shade of pink, and Elizabeth took pity on him, raising her voice to be clearly heard by the great lady. “We are discussing a country assembly that MrDarcy and his friends attended in Hertfordshire at Michaelmas last year, your Ladyship.”
“A country assembly? Darcy? Why on earth would you go to a country assembly in a county where you have no acquaintance?”
“I was with my friend Bingley, Lady Catherine. He had taken a house in the neighbourhood and wished to meet some of his neighbours.”
