Page 37 of Such Low Connections

After their marriage? Darcy caught himself in this assumption and backed up again. Was he really set on returning to Hertfordshire and offering his hand and his name on the strength of observing one happy married couple in the street? It was quite ridiculous, no matter how pleasing he found Elizabeth Bennet’s person or personality.

After all, what if some simple explanation emerged for those letters, and everything resolved itself within weeks? He could come to badly regret such precipitate action. His family had always made it clear what was expected of him. How could he justify merely pleasing himself, even at a moment of such need?

The dilemma seemed impossible to resolve. Darcy’s mind and heart tipped to and fro, torn between that his knowledge that the Bennets’ low connections and lack of fortune would be unacceptable to his remaining family and his own feeling that Elizabeth Bennet was the only person who could give him new strength and heart to fight his unseen enemy.

As he made his way back towards Darcy House, Darcy came to a decision. By Mr Moreton and Mr Deringham’s advice, he was already bound to wait for intelligence on whoever was seeking to destroy his reputation. He would be in London until after Christmas and likely longer. Similarly, Darcy would wait before proposing marriage to Elizabeth Bennet, and see whether the storm blew over before the spring.

If it did, Darcy might not need a wife at all, or he might choose one with greater dowry or social advantages that would add to the Darcy family’s position and influence. If the storm only grew fiercer, however, then he would be grateful for the safe harbour that Elizabeth Bennet represented.

In Darcy’s head now, the image of that young woman looked on him with distinct disapproval, and for a moment, his confidence in his logic faltered. Had he misjudged something? No, he was sure it all made sense and, with an effort of will, he banished the image entirely and renewed his determination.

The choice was made. If he was still in such trouble the next time their paths crossed, Darcy would propose to Elizabeth Bennet at the first opportunity.

Chapter 13

“What a well-appointed house you have here, Mr Collins,” Elizabeth commented politely as her cousin gave his visitors a tour of Hunsford Parsonage, missing no detail from the doormats to the leading on the windows. “Don’t you think so, Sir William and Maria? I particularly commend both the main staircase and the cupboards.”

This final statement was spoken with twinkling eyes and a glance to Mrs Collins at her husband’s shoulder, knowing from Charlotte’s letters how proud Mr Collins was of these particular features.

“What excellent taste and discrimination you display, Cousin Elizabeth,” Mr Collins replied enthusiastically. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself particularly commented on both the cupboards and stairs. She said they were perfectly proportioned and placed for a clergyman.”

“So they are, Mr Collins,” agreed Sir William Lucas, his younger daughter Maria nodding beside him. “It is a residence very well suited to a clergyman in every way, and you have arranged it to the greatest excellence.”

Mr Collins preened himself a little at such compliments from his cousin and father-in-law. So much, at least, was exactly what Elizabeth might have expected. But to her surprise and delight, Mr Collins looked to Charlotte with an expression of still greater regard. If Mr Collins could understand Charlotte’s true worth, she could forgive him almost anything.

His next words were most promising. “We both thank you, Sir William,” Mr Collins said earnestly. “While I did what I could in my bachelor days, and under the instruction of Lady Catherine de Bourgh when she condescended to advise me, it is my dear wife’s touch that has made all the difference.”

“How true, sir. A house needs a mistress to make it a home,” Sir William replied happily, glad to see his daughter both settled and appreciated. “That’s what Lady Lucas and I always say.”

“You both have achieved a great deal here in the short months since your wedding,” Elizabeth added with a smile.

“Months? I suppose it has been two months now, but it seems only weeks or days since the wedding. Ah, time flies by when you have such domestic felicity as I have found with my dearest Charlotte,” Mr Collins pronounced fulsomely. “Is it not so, Charlotte?”

Mrs Collins herself only smiled and patted her husband’s back.

“Why don’t you show my father and Maria their rooms, and I will take care of Elizabeth? There will be much to hear of the ladies of Longbourn, and you cannot be interested in our idle talk.”

Taking Elizabeth’s arm, she steered her away from the rest of the party, and they were soon enclosed in a small but comfortable parlour, with a tea tray steaming on the table beside them.

“Now, Lizzy, you must tell me all the news from Hertfordshire.”

∞∞∞

“Dear me, poor Jane!” Charlotte tutted, refilling Elizabeth’s cup after hearing of Jane’s still-disappointed hopes and long stay with the Gardiners. “It is as I told you once before. She lost her chance when she ought to have taken it. Once Mr Bingley returned to London, there were other young ladies to distract him, and his affection faded.”

“I thought better of him than that,” Elizabeth said, shaking her head in disapproval. “He seemed so very fond of Jane. It reflects badly on a man’s character to be so easily distracted and turned aside from his object. He has not called on Jane even once since she came to London, and Miss Bingley has made only a single call, during which she stayed not even a quarter of an hour.”

Charlotte remained philosophical.

“It does no good to dwell on Mr Bingley, nor to judge him harshly. As you say, he has not called on Jane in London, and that must speak for itself, given that his sister has done so, however minimally. Jane must forget him and look to other opportunities. Now, what of Mr Wickham?”

“Oh, poor Mr Wickham has certainly blotted his copybook in the opinion of my younger sisters,” laughed Elizabeth. “He is courting Miss King, or at least courting the £10,000 she is to expect since her grandfather’s passing in January.”

Charlotte smiled too.

“You judge Mr Wickham less harshly for his worldly behaviour than Mr Bingley, I think.”

“I suppose I do,” Elizabeth conceded with good humour. “Mr Bingley has the kind of fortune that ought to bestow greater freedom of action. Mr Wickham has always openly admitted his actions to be constrained by his lack of fortune.”