Page 40 of Roses from Pemberley
“Good morning, Mrs. Bennet,” said Darcy. “It is good to see you again.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I am visiting my aunt and…calling on Miss Elizabeth.”
“Oh! I see…”
“And how was your journey, Mamma?” Elizabeth took the opportunity to ask.
“It was terrible!” answered Mrs. Bennet, fanning herself with her hand. “I left the day after we received Jane’s letter and went straight to London. The trip there was tolerable, but the one here was atrocious! It rained so hard that we were forced to spend several nights at an inn. And then the carriage wheel broke because of all the mud. One of my nicest pairs of walking boots was ruined when we were forced to walk to the nearest village. And I am thankful I even made it here!”
It was then that Darcy bowed and said, “I shall just inform Mrs. Collins of your arrival.”
He left, as Mrs. Bennet continued to stare after him, looking bewildered. She looked closely at Elizabeth and asked, “Is hecourtingyou, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth was so surprised by the question and she could only answer, “What? No! Not that I am aware of.” She was actuallyhopingthat he was courting her but certainly did not wish for her mother to know of it.
“Well, I suppose it is just wishful thinking on my part,” murmured Mrs. Bennet. “After all, you two always did argue.”
Elizabeth grimaced. “Yes, I suppose we did, Mamma.”
Eventually the front door opened and Mr. Darcy returned with Charlotte who encouraged Mrs. Bennet to come inside and have some refreshments.
Soon they were settled in Charlotte’s small parlour, Mr. Bingley and Jane having joined them as well. Mrs. Bennet recounted her travails en route from London to Kent and everyone listened with sympathy.
“But what are you doing here, Mr. Bingley?” she asked at length. “We - my friends in Meryton and I, that is - had all thought that we would never see you again.”
“I do apologise, Mrs. Bennet,” said Bingley contritely, “it was my intention to return but…” His words died away and he glanced at Darcy, apparently unable to finish his sentence.
“Well, he is here now,” said Elizabeth, attempting to spare him her mother’s remonstrances, “and that is all that matters.”
Jane then explained how Mr. Bingley had brought her, the doctor and the maid from London at the behest of Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth noticed thatthatgentleman appeared once more embarrassed by the attention he was receiving.
“And it was good that Mr. Darcy’s physician came when he did,” said Charlotte, “because he was instrumental in treating Elizabeth’s illness and bringing about her subsequent recovery.”
As if on cue, Dr. Stephens arrived and was introduced to Mrs. Bennet. She questioned him in great detail about her daughter’s health and was finally satisfied when he informed her that Elizabeth would eventually make a full recovery. Nevertheless, he cautioned her that Elizabeth should try not to exert herself too much so soon after her illness. Mrs. Bennet agreed to keep her daughter from undue exertions then turned her attention back to the company. Her eyes alighted on her eldest daughter.
“So I see you have been walking in the garden, Jane,” she said, now addressing her. “And with Mr. Bingley.”
“Yes…I was showing him some of the paths hereabouts,” said Jane with a blush.
“It was very kind of Miss Bennet to do so,” said Bingley.
Mrs. Bennet eyed him more closely, then frowned. “And is this what you plan on doing in Kent, sir? Walking in the garden with my daughter then leaving again without warning?”
Mr. Bingley looked both shocked and mortified, while Jane said, “Mamma!”
“No, I…” said Bingley. “Of course not.”
“His intentions are honorable,” said Darcy abruptly, speaking for his friend.
Everyone turned towards him before Bingley said, “You do not need to speak for me, Darcy, though I appreciate your efforts.” He then turned to Mrs. Bennet and added, “But, yes, my intentions are honorable.”
But Mrs. Bennet was not so easily placated. “So why did you leave Hertfordshire with nary a farewell to your friends there? I recall asking you to have dinner with us and you accepted. Then the next thing we knew you and your entire party had left. And then we received a note from your sister saying that you would not be returning. She went so far as to imply that you would soon be married to Mr. Darcy’s sister.”
“Mamma!” said Jane. “I never showed you that letter.”
