Mary ran to Mr. Collins’ study and handed him the note.
“We will attend, of course,” he said. “But do not be alarmed at the prospect, my dear. It is in our best interests to be in accord with her ladyship, but there is no reason to be afraid of her, as she cannot remove me from my post. Nor you from yours, for that matter.” And he put his arms around his Mary and kissed her again.
Emerging from the study, a rosy-cheeked Mary went at once to her writing desk.
Lady Catherine,
We would be most honoured to attend. My sister and I very much look forward to meeting you.
Mrs. Mary Collins
Handing it to Maeve, she went into the kitchen to inform Mrs. Watkins that they would be at Rosings Park for dinner. Then she went into her drawing room – her very own drawing room! – carefully closed the door, and then whirled around in excitement before collapsing onto the sofa.
How glad she was to be in her own home! How glad she was to be away from her mother, and the endless comparisons with Jane’s beauty! And how very, very glad she was that she had a husband who loved her, as had been very wonderfully demonstrated the night before.
***
Elizabeth did not get lost as she wandered around Rosings Park, as she was careful to keep the big house in view at all times, but it was, on occasion, a near thing. The gardens were lovely, the forest dense with sycamore, oak, hazel and blackthorn. She was certain that, come spring, there would be wildflowers everywhere, though she hoped very much that there would be no need for her to still be in Kent in the spring!
There were a number of walking paths, though many of them looked as though they had not been used for some time. They would be grateful for her presence, she thought, laughing at her own folly.
She wondered at her own happy mood. She should feel guilty, should she not? Had she not abandoned her family in their time of need? After all, helping Mary set up her new house had been no more than a flimsy excuse for getting herself out of an unwanted marriage! Though, in her own defense, she believed with all her heart that Mr. Bingley wanted Jane, not herself, and would offer for Jane soon enough. She hoped that she would hear from Meryton quite soon.
The one sour note in her happiness was Mr. Darcy. She found herself missing him, far more than she had imagined that she would. She reminded herself that she had resolved to put him from her mind, as much as she was able, because he was simply unattainable. Instead she focused on the beauty around her, and the joy she would experience from being able to walk in this park every day.
When she finally returned to the rectory, Mary was eagerly awaiting her. “Lizzy! Lizzy! Such news!”
“Jane is to be married?” Elizabeth gasped. It was the first thing that leapt to her mind, of course.
“What? Oh, heavens, no. Lizzy, we only arrived here yesterday. Be patient! The news is that we have all been invited to Rosings Park for dinner tonight!”
“How very kind of Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth said.
“Is it not? I was ready to be quite nervous, Lizzy, I must tell you, but Mr. Collins informed me that it is in our best interests to be in accord with her ladyship, but that she cannot remove him from his post, so there is no need to be frightened.”
“Truly, the more I know of your husband, the better I like him,” Elizabeth said. “Now then, it is time to consider serious matters.”
And, laughing, they chorused, “Whatever shall we wear?”
Chapter Sixty-Six
The three residents of Collins Cottage, as it was now known to all those abiding there, made their way across the lane that separated the cottage from the Park, and then across the enormous lawn that spread out in front of the mansion. It was already quite dark, so Mr. Collins was leading his bride most tenderly, pointing out unexpected holes or stones on the lawn, with Elizabeth following behind.
Elizabeth’s heart swelled to see her middle sister, so long neglected by her own parents, now being treated so very kindly, so very thoughtfully, so very – well, lovingly. She wished for this for herself, with all her heart, and once again, Mr. Darcy’s image swam before her. She blinked her eyes rapidly. There was no point in thinking about him, she reminded herself yet again. Not only was he not ever going to be interested in someone like herself, but he was likely engaged to a young lady she would meet very soon.
As they approached, Elizabeth could see that the mansion of Rosings Park was very grand. It was a full two stories tall, evidently built over a semi-basement, as Elizabeth could make out half windows at the ground level, and there was an attic as well. The two side wings made it an H-shaped building. It was, without a doubt, the most magnificent home Elizabeth had ever seen.
The front door opened as they stepped up to the entry way. A stern-faced, older man with white hair and a very erect bearing greeted them, and asked them to follow him. They did so, and soon found themselves in the largest drawing room Mary and Elizabeth had ever seen. They would very much liked to have the leisure to look about the room, but their attention was, of necessity, drawn to their hostess. She rose as they entered the room.
“Mr. Collins, will you not make the introductions?” Her voice was low and throaty, and her words clearly pronounced. Elizabeth curtsied deeply; rising, she glanced quickly at her hostess. Lady Catherine’s nose was too pronounced and her face too thin for beauty, but she was tall and majestic-looking in her heavy brocade gown, decorated with weighty tassels and gold ribbon.
Mr. Collins presented his wife and his Cousin Miss Bennet, smiling reassuringly at both Mary and Elizabeth as he did so.
Lady Catherine gestured to the sofa nearest the fire. The guests turned towards that sofa, and Lady Catherine proceeded to introduce her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, and her daughter’s companion, Mrs. Jenkinson. Both ladies rose and curtsied.
“Welcome to Kent, Mrs. Collins,” Miss de Bourgh said, politely. “And you as well, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth was surprised to see the small young woman dressed in a heavy red and gold brocade very similar to her mother’s gown; it, too, had a good deal of gold braid. Elizabeth thought the young lady far too young and slight for such clothing.
