Without another word, Elizabeth hugged Charlotte and Maria and climbed into the coach.
She had a good deal to think about as the carriage made its way back to Meryton. Would Mr. Darcy be able to go against his mother’s wishes and actually visit Netherfield Park? And if he did come…then what?
Chapter Fifteen
April 1812
She told Mr. Collins that you should leave!” Jane’s eyes were round with horror.
“Yes, can you imagine such rudeness?”
“Truly, I have never heard of such a thing! I am so, so sorry, Lizzy. I know how much you were looking forward to this trip.” Jane’s voice was sorrowful.
Elizabeth found her eyes filling with tears. “Oh, Jane! I was so happy to visit Charlotte, and Mr. Darcy was there, and then Lady Catherine –“ Elizabeth found herself enfolded in her sister’s arms as she wept.
“There, there, Lizzy,” Jane said, stroking her sister’s hair. “It was not your fault at all. Have you told Papa what happened?”
“Yes, and he was furious!”
“Of course he was; Lady Catherine had better never come to Longbourn, or she shall be made to feel her error. But you did not tell Mama?”
“No, I only said that I found myself quite homesick.”
“Did she believe it?”
“I am not certain, but she did not press the matter.”
“Will Maria not tell the tale as soon as she comes home?”
“Oh, I suppose she will,” Elizabeth said, petulantly. “I had not considered that.”
“You will just say that Maria is mistaken. But tell me about this Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Oh, Jane, he is intelligent, well-mannered, handsome, wealthy – very well, I see your smile! Yes, I found him quite attractive, more so than any man I have ever met. He mentioned visiting Netherfield, but I cannot imagine his mother will ever permit it.”
“Then you will be surprised to learn that Charles received a message from him saying that he will come to visit us at Netherfield quite soon.”
“Jane! Truly?”
“Truly. You are happy?”
“Happy? Perhaps that is not the right word. I actually have butterflies in my stomach!” Elizabeth pressed a hand to her midsection and laughed for joy.
Chapter Sixteen
Deeply relieved to be leaving Hunsford, Mr. Darcy stopped first at the parsonage to enquire after Mr. Partridge. He learnt from Mrs. Collins that he inhabited a tiny cottage in Hunsford and was struggling to feed himself after having been let go by Lady Catherine. Mr. Darcy made a mental note to have his man of business take care of this situation as soon as possible.
It was but a short ride to London, but it was enough time to allow the cousins to try to make sense of all that had occurred at Rosings.
“Darcy, had you ever before had even an inkling that your mother was so determined to remain mistress of Pemberley, come what may?”
“No, never; I admit to being completely astonished.”
“Whatever can she be thinking?”
Mr. Darcy sighed. “She told me that for a wife, her power, her definition of herself, stems only from her husband; thus, once I marry, her role of mistress of Pemberley ceases.”
Richard’s brow creased. “I certainly see her point, but that is the way of the world.”
