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Darcy’s feet stopped working. Elizabeth could have been lost to him!
“That ridiculous man proposed to you?”
She nodded sadly. Darcy had a thought.
“I was making polite conversation with Mrs. Collins, the former Miss Lucas, and remarked that I had been unaware that she and Mr. Collins were courting when I was in the neighbourhood. She blushed and I admit to confusion.”
“That is because the Netherfield Ball was on the Tuesday, he proposed to me on the Wednesday, where I rejected him most vehemently, and Miss Lucas accepted his proposal on the Friday.”
“Three days later?”
“Yes.”
“No wonder there was an embarrassed silence when I talked of the matter. That is.”
He was at loss for words.
“You would agree that Richard fought a brilliant match against Captain Uxley yesterday?”
Darcy was confused by this apparent non-sequitur, but knew that Elizabeth could make conversational right turns.
“Er, yes.”
“I think the way I respond to slights is similar to Captain Uxley.”
Darcy was struggling to catch up to this conversation.
“He was described as a brilliant but brutal man, charging the quarterdeck and putting all before him to the sword. On reflection, I think that is the way I verbally responded to Miss Bingley’s slights.”
Darcy now saw what she was saying. It was a very effective analogy. Elizabeth, when her ire was raised, verbally chopped and hacked without mercy.
“Mr. Collins would not do me the courtesy of listening to my rejection. My first no was utterly disregarded, the second which was extremely vehement was also ignored. When he made the mistake of saying what I wanted was of no account and that the marriage would be sanctioned by my parents I rather lost my temper.”
Darcy internally winced.
“I called him a poor man of god and accused him of violating the 1st and 10th Commandments and at least five of the Deadly Sins.”
Darcy had to laugh. He had no idea where it came from, he just burst out laughing.
“Do not be mad with me Elizabeth. I am not laughing at you, in fact I want to hug you.”
Elizabeth’s blush disappeared under her collar.
“You never cease to amaze me. Having met the man, I can understand the 1st and most of the Sins. The 10th?”
“He looked at Longbourn with envy and greed.”
“I see. Carry on your tale.”
“My mother was adamant I had to agree to marry the man and my father suggested the match without forcing it upon me. When Miss Lucas accepted his second proposal there was not a moment’s peace at Longbourn. Between Christmas and the New Year my father told me I should return to my uncle here in London. He was clear I was not being disowned or banished, but it felt close to that. I came to London after Twelfth Night. Within two weeks I was staying with Lady Maria which has been a gift I can never repay.”
The walked in silence for a while.
“Did you know of Sir Edward’s elevation before it was announced?”
“No. Not even Aunt Agatha knew. We both found out the same morning, January 8th.”
“That has been quite the tale.”
