His Uncle's Favorite (31 page)

“Miss Bennet,” said the colonel, “you must return to London as soon as possible. I cannot possibly tell you how much you are missed. Georgiana and Selina speak of you all the time, and to be perfectly honest, so do my father and I—and even Darcy here.”

“You are as kind as you are charming, Colonel; it is good that I am already accustomed to your manners, and I know too well you are not completely serious.” Elizabeth laughed.

“Dear Cousin, I am sure you did not mean any affront to the colonel, but you must be aware that an officer in His Majesty’s army is not to be trifled with nor his words doubted,” Mr. Collins intervened, alarmed by any offence she might give to Lady Catherine’s nephew.

“So true, Mr. Collins! A lady never should doubt my words.” The colonel laughed and politely kissed her hand. “Such a pity that Miss Elizabeth knows me too well indeed.”

For some time, Elizabeth, the colonel, and Mrs. Collins continued to speak of London, Kent and Hertfordshire, with frequent and insistent intervention from Mr. Collins. Only Mr. Darcy remained silent, watching them from his corner chair. Several times Elizabeth looked towards him, and each time she met his eyes. She could not be certain whether he enjoyed his time or not. She felt disappointed, though she was not sure what precisely she expected from him.

“Miss Bennet, I look forward to meeting you again at Rosings soon. Your presence will surely make Rosings more beautiful,” the colonel said as the gentlemen prepared to leave.

“My dear Colonel Fitzwilliam, I would not wish by any means to contradict you, but I have to say that, though I believe my fair cousin Elizabeth is worthy of admiration, it would not be possible for anyone to make Rosings more beautiful as perfection cannot be improved.”

Elizabeth laughed while Charlotte blushed slightly in embarrassment at her husband’s outrageous comment. The colonel hurried to reply, but it was Mr. Darcy who spoke first with perfect composure.

“I must agree with Mr. Collins. Miss Elizabeth’s presence may not make Rosings more beautiful, but surely she will make it more radiant and spirited,” he said while bowing politely to his hosts.

Later, though Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had left long before, Elizabeth still was unable to attend to any of her cousin’s remarks.

Chapter 13

Despite their desires and expectations, no invitation for dinner arrived that evening from Rosings—nor did one arrive in the next several days. Furthermore, it rained two days in a row—a cold, sharp, spring rain that kept them all inside. Between her cousin’s poor library and his endless stories regarding Lady Catherine, together with his delight at having been visited by Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth found little to keep her mind from further struggles, questions and restrained hopes.

The morning of the third day, Mr. Collins’s loudly expressed joy was a clear indication that the long-awaited invitation had arrived.

For the first time since she arrived in Kent, Elizabeth wondered whether she had a proper gown for such an auspicious dinner and whether Charlotte’s maid would know how to fix her hair. Annoyed by her own childish behaviour, she found a better way to calm her nerves: she left for a walk before anyone could offer to keep her company.

As she enjoyed the beauty of the grounds, her steps took her towards Rosings. She stopped for a moment, admiring the splendid gardens; Mr. Collins might have exaggerated in many ways, but his praise of Rosings’s gardens was well merited.

She heard her name called and turned to see Colonel Fitzwilliam hurrying to her. His expression was nothing but happy, and she could do little else than smile at him.

“Miss Bennet, such a pleasure to see you! This weather was killing me. If I had to stay one more day inside, I would become ill, mark my words.”

“Colonel Fitzwilliam. You become ill from indoor air; I understand.” She laughed. “I have to say I sympathise with you completely, sir.

“Upon my word, I have not slept so much in years, yet I do not remember the last time I felt so tired. Are you going somewhere, Miss Bennet?”

“No sir, I was just walking and enjoying the gardens of Rosings.” She smiled.

“May I keep you company, then?”

“Certainly,” she said as she took his offered arm and they walked together along the garden path. She wished to inquire after Darcy, but she did not dare.

“So, Miss Bennet, we shall have dinner together, I hear—such a delightful diversion.”

“Lady Catherine was kind enough to invite us.”

“Lady Catherine is all kindness,” the colonel replied, and Elizabeth laughed.

“Her kindness does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. There are few people who would be as grateful as my cousin for all her ladyship’s attention.”

“I have no doubt of that. Mr. Collins has already visited us today to express his gratitude.”

She blushed slightly, embarrassed by her cousin’s behaviour. The colonel seemed oblivious to her uneasiness and continued. “Mr. Collins was very fortunate in choosing his wife—strangely and unexpectedly fortunate. Mrs. Collins appears to be a very sensible lady.”

“She is, indeed. However, it is possible to say that she was fortunate, too.”

“I have many doubts about that,” the colonel replied, and Elizabeth tried to hide her laughter.

“Charlotte seems perfectly happy, and in a prudential light, it is certainly a good match for her. As long as she is content, I cannot but be content for her.”

“I am certain that your opinion about marriage is different. I somehow doubt that you would judge the prospect of a match only in a prudential light.”

“My own opinion is of little importance in this, Colonel. May I ask—how are Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh?” she tried to change the subject, slightly uncomfortable.

“My aunt is busy with something—not sure what—and I confess I am not curious to find out. Anne was taking a walk with Darcy; I think they are still somewhere in the garden. Oh, here they are!” the colonel exclaimed, pointing to a spot in a corner of the garden.

Not far away, somewhat protected by some rose bushes, were Mr. Darcy and Miss de Bourgh, walking arm in arm at a slow pace. Elizabeth had the impression that they had spotted them, too. Before Elizabeth could say a word, the colonel called his cousin, waving to him. A few moments later, they had moved closer, greeting each other.

“I found Miss Bennet hiding in the back garden, and I was just telling her how pleased I was to see her. These last days have been so boring; I could not bear any longer the silence of Rosings. Nobody sings, nobody plays, nobody laughs. I so look forward to dinner tonight!”

Elizabeth startled, embarrassed by the colonel’s inconsiderate remark. Did he not see that Miss de Bourgh was present? How could he declare he was bored spending time in her house and in her company? She briefly met Darcy’s eyes and noticed his own uneasiness. At his side, Miss de Bourgh became paler, and her hand clenched her cousin’s arm.

“Rosings is beautiful, inside and out,” said Mr. Darcy. “I am certain you could have found something with which to amuse yourself if you were willing to do it.”

“I have rarely seen a house and surroundings as beautiful as Rosings,” Elizabeth approved. “And from what I saw, there is a beautiful library and a beautiful music room…”

“Yes, but nobody uses them.” The colonel laughed again.

“I am sorry…” Miss de Bourgh whispered self consciously, her eyes to the ground.

“No need to be sorry, Anne. I am sure Miss Bennet will play for us tonight,” the colonel said.

Elizabeth glanced to Darcy, and his discomfort was obvious. She smiled at Miss de Bourgh, but she avoided Elizabeth’s gaze. “I feel a little tired. I shall return home,” she whispered.

“As you wish,” Darcy replied. “Let us return. Good day, Miss Bennet…Robert…”

They departed together while the colonel offered his arm to Elizabeth again.

“Poor Anne, she is not accustomed to staying outside long. It is better for her to rest as much as she can. Well, Miss Bennet, where to? Do you have a special place you would like to see?”

“No, not particularly. In fact…if you do not mind, Colonel, I think I shall go and rest a little too. Then I need to prepare for dinner. Shall I see you later?”

“You most certainly shall, Miss Bennet. And I do mind a little, as you force me to retire to lifeless Rosings too soon; that is not very kind of you. For this, you must play at least twice tonight. And I shall turn the pages for you; it is settled.”

“We shall see.” She smiled. He kept her company until they approached the parsonage. Not partial to the prospect of returning to Rosings alone, the colonel stood for another half an hour, allowing himself to be amused by Mr. Collins’s meaningless conversation and by Maria’s anxiety.

As soon as the colonel left, Elizabeth excused herself and went to her chamber. Her heart felt heavy and restless from the moment she saw Darcy with Miss de Bourgh. Though she reasoned that it was unlikely Mr. Darcy was bound in any way to his cousin, there was no doubt that Mr. Darcy had tender feelings for Miss de Bourgh, which was perfectly reasonable.

Two months earlier, he made her an offer of marriage, but how could she be certain of his present feelings? She had rejected him; it would be reasonable that he turn to someone who cared for him and welcomed his attentions. He admitted that he had come to Kent with the special purpose of meeting her, but that very day, he behaved coldly again—he barely looked at her and did not speak more than two words to her. How could she understand his intentions? And she would meet him again that evening. How should she behave?

After an hour, she lost patience. She tried to read, but her mind seemed drawn away, and time passed painfully slowly. She took her pelisse and her bonnet and left again, this time away from Rosings. She was not in the mood for company; she only needed exercise so she could rest before dinner. A long walk would do perfectly well.

So lost was she in her thoughts that she did not hear the voice calling her name. She looked around, a little nervous, only to see Darcy appear from behind the trees.

He dismounted and greeted her with gentle politeness. Elizabeth’s only hope was that he would not notice her embarrassment.

“Mr. Darcy…this is the second time we have met so unexpectedly, sir.” She forced a smile. “Such a coincidence that your riding paths always cross my walks.”

“It is no coincidence; I was looking for you. I just called at the parsonage, and Mrs. Collins was surprised not to find you in your room.”

“I imagine so; I was careless to leave without telling her. She was not too worried, I hope?”

“No, not too worried.” He smiled. “I assured her that I would look for you and bring you back home safely. But I am surprised to find you so far from the house. Did you walk here?”

She laughed and blushed, looking at her shoes, dirty with mud. “I obviously did. I have to say I am similarly surprised to find myself so far. I am afraid I will not return in time for dinner.”

“Of course you will; take my horse, and you will be at the parsonage in no time. As soon as you get there, just release him; he will return to me on his own.”

She stared at him—eyes wide. “Surely you mock me.”

“No, I do not. Do not worry about the horse; we have been together since his birth. He will come back to me.”

“I…I can barely dare to look at your horse; nothing on earth would entice me to ride him.”

“Very well, than we must find another way. I could go home and return with a carriage. Or, we can return through the wood; I still remember a few shortcuts.”

She hesitated a moment, unable to take her eyes from his smiling ones. He was positively amused, his face bright, a mischievous twist on his lips.

“What if we return together?”

“It will take us at least an hour to walk back.”“Very well, I shall take the offer with the shortcuts. And please do not think your help is unappreciated, sir, as well as your sacrifice to walk rather than ride.”

“As I said on a previous occasion, please do not thank me for what I do willingly.”

She dared a quick glance at him then began to walk at a fast pace. “Miss Bennet? On the left, please,” his voice stopped her, and she obeyed instantly.

“We will climb a small hill then go down and trespass the grove behind the parsonage, and we are there,” he said, offering his arm, which she took instantly.

“It sounds very easy and fast…like a short stroll around the house.” She laughed.

“Yes, almost. You must be careful; the grass is wet and slippery.”

After a few moments, Elizabeth looked back and continued to do so from time to time.

“Is something wrong, Miss Bennet?”

“No, not really, but…the horse is actually following us. And he is free, is he not? You are not holding the reins… He is like an enormous, black, restless shadow.”

“Black, restless shadow… I think Thunder would like your description. Why are you surprised? I told you he would follow me. Did you believe I deceived you?”

“His name is Thunder? Well, that certainly puts my mind at ease. I am most eager to ride him at the first opportunity… Thunder…” Darcy laughed out loud.

“Have you ever ridden, Miss Bennet? Have you always disliked horses?”