Page 16 of A Sisterly Bond

With all my love,

Jane.

Elizabeth placed the letter in her lap, smiling. She could feel Jane’s gladness in her words, and her heart filled with equal joy, as well as with gratitude for the lovely, kind Miss Darcy who had been such an important part of it.

She tried to control her emotions when she heard Mr Collins shouting. She folded the letter and left the room, but in the hall she was almost knocked down by a very agitated Charlotte.

“Eliza, my dear, make haste. You will never guess what is happening! Mr Darcy is here, with his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. Yes, here, at the parsonage, and they are asking about you! This is the most extraordinary thing that has happened since I moved here.”

Elizabeth needed a moment to comprehend her friend’s words. Mr Darcy? There, at the parsonage, asking about her? What could he want from her? Nothing good, for sure, but she had to meet him with all required politeness. If not for him, at least for his sister.

Chapter 7

Elizabeth had scarcely time to compose her features before she was ushered into the parlour. There stood Mr Darcy and another gentleman, with Mr Collins already deep in the effusions of welcome, Sir William and Maria just watching in solemn silence.

Charlotte remained beside her husband, expressing her delight to the illustrious guests; Elizabeth smiled to herself, musing that Mr Collins’s pompous manners had proved to be contagious for his wife.

Mr Darcy inclined his head with formal civility, then introduced his cousin. Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped forward at once, his countenance open and good-humoured.

“Thank you for your warm welcome, Mr Collins, Mrs Collins. I am delighted to make your acquaintance. Sir William, Miss Lucas, how lovely to see you well recovered after your illness.”

“How very kind of you, Colonel! We are as healthy as possible, as I assured Lady Catherine. You have no reason for concern.”

“Oh, I am not concerned at all,” the colonel answered, taking a seat while Mr Darcy chose another one close to the window. “My aunt tends to exaggerate in matters of health. She wishes to protect Anne.”

“Lady Catherine has every right to be concerned and to shield Anne from any danger,” Mr Collins readily agreed. “But I trust another examination from Doctor Linfield will prove my father and sister are in good health now.”

Then the colonel turned towards Elizabeth.

“Miss Bennet! I am delighted to make your acquaintance at last. My cousins have spoken of you so often that I feel we have already been introduced.”

Elizabeth smiled. “I hope Miss Darcy’s reports are good enough to compensate for the severity of Mr Darcy’s.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed outright, glancing at his cousin with frank surprise.

“Severity? I assure you, Miss Bennet, I have heard nothing but good things from both Darcy and Georgiana, some of them intriguing enough to make me most curious to meet you in person.”

Mr Darcy’s colour rose slightly, but he said nothing. Elizabeth met his gaze for a brief moment and found it unreadable. She wondered whether the colonel’s easy praise embarrassed him or whether he simply disliked the subject of their previous encounters being raised so freely.

Charlotte, ever the careful hostess, ordered refreshments. Mr Collins seized the opportunity to enumerate the many advantages of the parsonage and the unparalleled condescension of Lady Catherine, while the colonel listened with polite attention and Mr Darcy with the appearance of one who had heard the speech before. Sir William and Maria were still in silent awe. Elizabeth smiled.

When a momentary pause allowed it, Charlotte turned to Elizabeth with genuine curiosity.

“I hope such a question is not improper, Eliza. Was it mentioned that you are acquainted with Miss Darcy? I was not aware you had met her.”

“I did, less than a fortnight ago. She is indeed one of the loveliest young ladies one can imagine, not to mention kind and considerate,” Elizabeth replied, ready to recount the accidental encounter in Hyde Park and the subsequent invitation to tea. But before she could speak further, Mr Darcy interjected, his voice calm and measured.

“The encounter between my sister and Miss Bennet was a fortuitous one, Mrs Collins, and it has had a pleasant outcome. Georgiana was glad of the acquaintance.”

He spoke with careful neutrality, offering no further detail. Elizabeth regarded him in silence for a moment, struck by a sudden understanding. He was deliberately keeping the circumstances of their meeting private — the near-accident, the introduction through Mrs Gardiner’s connection to Lambton, the growing friendship that had developed so quickly. He did not wish the particulars known. A sharp little conviction settled in her mind: he was ashamed of the connection — or at least disapproved of it. Perhaps he considered a friendship between his sister and the daughters of a country gentleman to be beneath the dignity of Pemberley. The thought stung more than she cared to admit.

Colonel Fitzwilliam continued with cheerful frankness.

“And it is not only my cousins who have spoken well of you, Miss Bennet. Bingley, too, has given a most glowing report of both you and your sister. He recently mentioned to me how much he valued the renewal of your acquaintance. Indeed, he seemed quite animated upon the subject.”

Elizabeth was warmed by this intelligence. “Mr Bingley is very kind. My sister and I have always thought him an excellent friend.”

“An excellent fellow altogether, and a loyal friend to Darcy,” the colonel agreed.