Page 35 of Roses from Pemberley
“True,” said Lady Catherine. “And yet, I tend to believe that the young lady is predisposed to liking you. She seemed to listen more…closelywhenever I spoke of you.”
“Did she…”
“Indeed. Furthermore, I told her that you would call in the next day or so. I even suggested that you might like to walk in the gardens together.”
“Did you? And what was her reaction?”
“She did not seem to mind the prospect at all. In fact, she told me that she looked forward to it.”
Darcy let out a deep breath. Elizabeth would not mind seeing him. “Did she actually say that? That she looked forward to seeing me?”
Now Lady Catherine frowned. “Of course she did! Did you think I would lie about it?”
“Not precisely, but…perhaps you exaggerate a little?”
“I am not prone to exaggeration, Darcy, no matter who it is I am speaking to. You must get a hold of yourself and prepare to see her!”
“Yes, I should,” said Darcy quietly.
“As soon as possible.”
“Yes…I shall go tomorrow.”
Whereupon Lady Catherine cleared her throat and looked at him significantly.
“Thank you, Aunt,” he said, realising he had not yet thanked her.
“Hmmph,” said Lady Catherine.
When the carriage reached Rosings, Lady Catherine announced that she was tired and went to her rooms to rest. Darcy went to his rooms as well and contemplated his visit to the parsonage the next day.
The next morning, he and Bingley presented themselves at the parsonage at half past nine. Mrs. Collins and Jane Bennet were there to greet them, Mr. Collins having already left to make his daily calls. Shortly after that, Bingley and Jane went off to walk in the gardens after having invited Darcy to join them. Naturally, he declined.
“Elizabeth is feeling much better today,” said Charlotte, once they were alone.
“I am glad to hear it.”
“A pity she is still too weak to walk downstairs.”
Darcy frowned. Was Mrs. Collins hinting that he should not expect to see her? “Yes, it is a pity,” he agreed.
“But I could ask her if she is willing to see you in her room.”
“Oh! Really? That would be splendid. I mean…if Miss Elizabeth will permit it.”
Charlotte smiled. “I shall just go and ask her, shall I?
“Yes, thank you, Mrs Collins.”
He sat in the parlour, nervously awaiting Charlotte’s return. Thankfully, it did not take long for, less than a minute later, she was back, telling Darcy that Elizabeth would receive him.
He entered Elizabeth’s room and made a careful bow. “Miss Elizabeth, I am happy to see that you are better.”
She was sitting in a chair by the window, an open book face down on the table beside her. She wore a thick, light blue dressing gown over the white cotton nightdress he had seen her in before. She was pale but as lovely as ever. She smiled and said, “Yes, I am feeling much better. Thank you for calling.”
Darcy was glad to be in her company again. For she was actually conscious now and did not seem to mind his presence. That was something, at least.
He noticed that Mrs. Collins had left and was glad of it.
