Mr Collins’s arrival alleviated some of the awkwardness of Darcy’s situation, but soon he wished the man away. He had forgotten how obsequious and blathering he could be. After an overlong greeting of Lady Catherine, followed by a lengthy question that amounted to him hoping Anne was in good health that morning, Mr Collins turned his attention to Fitzwilliam.
“I am, naturally, very pleased to meet another of my patroness’s nephews. I say another, you understand, as I have had the distinct honour to meet Mr Darcy before.” He nodded solemnly at Darcy. “I did not need to call this morning to acquaint myself with your safe arrival, sirs. I spent yesterday in the lane, waiting for your carriage to pass. I feared that if the hour grew late and you had not yet arrived, Lady Catherine would begin to worry, and under such circumstances, I would want to offer whatever assistance I could.”
“Did you indeed?” Fitzwilliam asked.
For a reason Darcy did not understand, Mr Collins stood from his seat by Lady Catherine and bowed to Fitzwilliam.
Lady Catherine kept a hard gaze on Darcy as she said, “Heunderstood that Anne would be gravely disappointed if Darcy did not appear as expected, even if some amongst us do not wish to acknowledge how important his visits are to us.”
“Just so, just so,” Mr Collins said. “Knowing that Mr Darcy and Miss de Bourgh?—”
“How do you like living in Kent, Mr Collins?” Fitzwilliam interjected.
Darcy could have kissed his cousin for preventing the man from completing the question. For a full five minutes—Darcy watched the passing time on the mantel clock—Mr Collins praised everything about the neighbourhood. Darcy only half-listened. Consequently, he was not sure if he had truly heard the name Bennet. He wanted to know what the foolish man had said, but how to ask without betraying his eagerness to hear news of Miss Elizabeth?
“May I enquire after your family in Meryton, Mr Collins?” Darcy said. His heart thudded against his ribs, but he was confident his outward demeanour did not show it.
Mr Collins assured him it was no imposition and thanked him for his concern before finally answering the question. “They are very well, from what I have lately heard. Even though my cousin Mr Bennet must be fifty or one-and-fifty, he maintains his health. I suppose a man in my position might wish it otherwise, but I never have. Longbourn is a fine estate. Colonel Fitzwilliam, perhaps you do not know why I have such an interest in it. You see?—”
“It is entailed on him,” Lady Catherine said. “Mr Bennet has five daughters, that he will never see married, given they have no dowries, and the estate will go to a distant cousin. My Anne is in an enviable position. What gentleman of sense would not want to possess Rosings?”
Darcy did not need to look at her to know she was glaring at him.
“Very true,” Mr Collins said. “Sir Lewis must have been a fine gentleman, and I shall regret with my dying breath that I did not have the pleasure of meeting him. He was correct to ensure his daughter was his heir. I cannot be entirely displeased withmy cousin’s situation, given it benefits me, but I am sure no one could object to my feelings.”
Except perhaps the gentleman himself and his wife and daughters,Darcy thought.
“I would never say as much in my cousin Elizabeth’s hearing, naturally, but my dear wife agrees.” Mr Collins turned to Darcy. “You knew her as Miss Charlotte Lucas. Her younger sister is presently staying with us, as is my cousin Elizabeth. She is very taken with the neighbourhood. I believe she wishes?—”
Was the ridiculous man saying that Miss Elizabeth was presently in Kent, that she was just a short walk away at the parsonage? Darcy felt breathless and almost dizzy with anticipation. What excuse might he use to go there at once? He should not wish to, yet, knowing she was nearby, his mind would not be calm again until he saw her.
“You and Miss Lucas were married?” Darcy interjected. “My felicitations. Her friend and sister have come to visit? How…pleasant.” He stood slowly to avoid any appearance of haste and addressed Fitzwilliam, saying, “I ought to pay my respects. Do you wish to come with me?”
“You mean to go at once?” Lady Catherine demanded.
“I believe I should,” Darcy said as he began walking towards the door.
Fitzwilliam was by his side, saying, “I shall accompany you.”
Behind him, Darcy heard Mr Collins babbling about not wishing to leave but feeling he should be the one to introduce his wife to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Lady Catherine evidently gave her permission—Darcy did not believe the parson would depart without it—because the man hastened past him and Fitzwilliam as they stepped out of the house and proceeded along the path to his home.
CHAPTER TWO
Darcy knew rushing to see Miss Elizabeth was a mistake. He hardly remembered who Mrs Collins was. To be sure, he recalled going to some party or other at Lucas Lodge—it had been the night he had first noticed Miss Elizabeth’s prettiness and fine eyes—but other than Sir William’s loquaciousness, the family was unremarkable. It was knowingshewas there that drew Darcy towards the parsonage.
As soon as he saw her, a frisson passed through him. The air felt different suddenly—hefelt different, somehow lighter and easier, and he quickly looked around him, relieved to discover that no one had seemed to notice. Mr Collins was introducing Fitzwilliam to the ladies, allowing Darcy a brief period for private reflections, and he attempted to puzzle outwhyhe felt so strange.
“Mr Darcy, please do sit, sir.”
The sound of Mrs Collins’s voice recalled Darcy’s attention. He murmured his thanks and took the chair closest to him. He struggled not to stare at Miss Elizabeth, who wore a blue day gown that was simple but complemented her rich brown hair perfectly. Instead, he considered Mrs Collins and Miss Lucas. It took a moment, but he finally remembered meeting them inMeryton. He could not say that he had spoken to them beyond the usual commonplaces, but the two ladies looked familiar.
“It was very kind of you to call, especially so soon after your arrival,” Mrs Collins said. “Do you not agree, Eliza?”
Darcy felt there was some meaning behind the question that he did not understand, and the slight blush on Miss Elizabeth’s cheeks seemed to confirm it.
“Mr Darcy is all consideration,” she said.
Mr Collins spoke over her. “Indeed, it is a great honour, and I thank you gentlemen very sincerely. To have you come to my humble?—”
