Page 41 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

Jane stared at him. “I cannot possibly be applauding so vigorously."

“Accidents do happen, Miss Bennet,” he insisted. “You cannot imagine how devastated I would be if you were hurt again.”

Elizabeth barely attempted not to laugh openly at the gentleman’s irritating earnestness. Jane looked about helplessly. Elizabeth shook her head, unable to save her sister.

Lady Barry thumped her cane in satisfaction. “The performance of Darcy’s friend is vastly superior to the play.”

“You are insufferable.” Lady Catherine hissed.

“I live in Ramsgate, Cathy. You are the one who has entered my neighbourhood,” answered Lady Barry pointedly. “In fact, you are currently occupying my box. You can always go and sit over there, by yourself, at your brother’s end. I think we would all enjoy ourselves much better.”

She looked at Elizabeth and Darcy with unmistakable gratification. “Unlike some people, I know a promising entertainment when I see one.”

Elizabeth blushed scarlet.

Darcy seemed pleased. “Am I still improving, Lady Barry?”

“By leaps and bounds, dear boy,” Lady Barry assured him.

“We shall never need to visit the theatre again, as long as these people remain acquainted and in each other’s company. Their behaviour is more entertaining than the show.” Mr Bennet murmured to Charlotte from behind them.

Charlotte swatted him lightly with her fan.

Chapter Eighteen

Elizabeth went out early Monday morning. She walked out early each day, and Darcy usually met her somewhere along her walk. It had become a game to both of them to see when and where he would find her, for she walked in different directions every time, but she was never disappointed.

When he found her, she would give his horse the core of the apple or pear she enjoyed as she walked, then the two would stroll the lanes or the coast before he escorted her back to the Bennets’ cottage.

Today, Charlotte wished to attend the warm salt-baths in the morning, but it was Mary’s turn to accompany her. Elizabeth would do something with her two youngest sisters after breakfast, then walk to Nethercourt House to read to Lady Barry. Or perhaps they would only giggle mischievously about the events of the previous Saturday. Then Darcy and Georgiana would pick her up in their carriage, and they would visit the confectioners. Perhaps they might walk back along the promenade, or visit other shops. They were planning a journey farther afield soon, perhaps to Margate or one of the other small nearby seaside resorts.

Elizabeth did not see the Darcys outside of church the day before. Mr Bennet preferred the family to remain home quietly together, and they never issued or accepted invitations to dine after church on Sunday.

Elizabeth finally recognised the pattern Darcy's family followed in support of his pursuit of her. It had begun with the invitation for a daily confectionery adventure with Georgiana. That had assured Darcy’s ability to spend time with her each afternoon. Then in the evening, Priscilla was his accomplice in finding her and remaining in her company in the assembly rooms.

His family is certainly devoted to helping him keep me in his sights, Elizabeth mused as she walked near the coast, relishing the brisk air. Suddenly, a man in a clergyman's garb stepped into her path. She stopped short.

The man stood before her with an obvious air of self-importance. She recognised him as the man who accompanied Lady Catherine the night she arrived at Darcy Cottage. Darcy had told the butler not to admit him again, she recalled.

Mr Bennet had regaled them all with the tale of the visit which Mr Collins paid him. The pompous little man listed his expectations that Mr Bennet would declare his own son illegitimate to make way for him, and promise him the hand of the daughter that his patroness deemed appropriate. All of this was expected in lieu of the distress and inconvenience Mr Collins had experienced since the birth of Lucas.

Mr Bennet had laughed at him and thrown him out, refusing to consider the matter further. Charlotte was outraged by the man’s claim regarding her son and had taken great pains not to insult Lady Catherine intentionally at the theatre on Saturday night.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I presume.” Mr Collins appeared extremely pleased with himself.

“I believe you must be Mr Collins, sir. I saw you arrive in Ramsgate with Lady Catherine, but we have not been introduced, so you must permit me to continue undisturbed.” Elizabeth stepped to the side to pass him, but he blocked her path.

“I assure you, Miss Elizabeth, that ordinary civilities may be dispensed with, for I am a representative of the church, and my business is sanctioned by Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself.”

“That does not excuse either of us from the expectations of society, sir. You will let me pass, and if you wish for an introduction to me, you will approach my father.” Elizabeth folded her arms stubbornly and glared at the man. “Your behaviour is presumptuous and beneath the office you hold.”

“You should be kinder to me, Miss Elizabeth. I come in the spirit of noble generosity.” He bowed in self-importance.

“You may keep your generosity, sir. It is of no use to me.” She nimbly attempted to pass again, but he was faster and more determined than he appeared.

“Miss Elizabeth, you are short of sight. Allow me to explain your circumstances to you,” he said. “The legitimacy of your brother is shortly to be investigated and revealed to be fraudulent. The dowries that are rumoured to be settled upon yourself and your sisters are obviously from investments made with funds stolen from Longbourn, which will one day be rightfully mine. I ought to be offered your elder sister, whom I have seen from afar. As the heir, I should be entitled to the most beautiful daughter, but I will accept the hand that my patroness chose for me.”

“It is impossible for my parents to steal funds from my father’s own estate. The income is his to do with as he chuses in his lifetime, whether his choice is to spend it upon books, his table, or to settle on his daughters. But I digress. The matter of Longbourn, its income, and the succession is a matter to discuss with my father, not with me.”