Elizabeth’s return to Longbourn was quite an adjustment for her. She had only been home one evening since returning from America before setting off to Netherfield to assist her ailing sister. The unrestrained behaviour of her youngest sisters and uncontrolled outbursts by her mother reminded her just how agreeable her life had been these past six months in the refined presence of her aunt and uncle and in the delightful, close presence of her husband. She smiled as she considered with great delight how wonderful it felt to think of him as her husband and be assured that he still was!
Mrs. Bennet was convinced that Mr. Bingley would soon make an offer to Jane and reminded everyone she met what a good choice he was for her. A match between Jane and Bingley was not disagreeable to Elizabeth at all, but things were not as settled between him and her sister as her mother would have everyone believe. If things did not turn out as Jane desired and her mother expected, Elizabeth feared it would be especially difficult for Jane to face everyone, let alone deal with her own broken heart.
One evening, after Elizabeth had been home only a few days, Mr. Bennet announced to the family the imminent arrival of one cousin, from whom he had received a letter a few weeks earlier. Mr. William Collins was clergyman of Hunsford Parish, whom the family had never before met, and who, upon the death of Mr. Bennet, was next in line to inherit Longbourn.
His arrival caused much consternation and speculation. It was with great curiosity that the family gathered to meet him.
Mr. Collins turned out to be an odd combination of melodramatic discourses and flattering nothings.
Elizabeth spent most of the week trying to avoid her cousin’s presence while counting down the days until Darcy’s return. Jane was greatly improved with each passing day, and as the weather accommodated them, they were able to spend a great deal of time out of doors.
They were usually accompanied by Mr. Collins, as well, and Elizabeth felt certain that he had come to Longbourn to secure a wife for himself from among one of her sisters. At first, his inclination seemed to lean toward Jane, but Elizabeth believed that her mother gave him direct advice to turn his attentions elsewhere. Unfortunately, this meant his attentions soon turned toward her.
Elizabeth did all she could to discourage him, but to no avail. She often wondered what he would think of her if he knew she was already married. She wondered what all of her family would think, but worried particularly how her father and Jane would view it. She believed that neither would understand, although she felt certain that Jane would be more merciful toward her than her father. Her concern with telling Jane too soon about her marriage was that everyone had always expected Jane to marry first. With everyone anticipating an offer from Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth decided she would only tell Jane when she felt it was an absolute necessity.
The days passed slowly, and soon it had been a week since Jane and Elizabeth had left Netherfield. Elizabeth’s desire to see Mr. Darcy grew stronger with each passing day, as did her determination to avoid Mr. Collins.
It was on a mildly pleasant afternoon that the Bennet sisters decided to walk into Meryton to run some errands. Mr. Collins, taking a continued, determined, and most persistent liking to Elizabeth, decided to join them.
The walk was long, but the girls were young and did it frequently, so it was an easy distance for them. But by the time they reached the little village, Mr. Collins was quite fatigued, and his little round face was splotched and enveloped in perspiration. It was all he could do to summon the energy to pull out his handkerchief and dab it across his face.
The girls enjoyed looking in the shop windows to see if there was anything new. Kitty suddenly tugged at Lydia’s arm.
“Look, Lydia, there is Denny!”
The attention of every young lady was soon caught by a young man, whom they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance, walking with Denny on the other side of the way. All were struck with the stranger’s air and wondered who he could be. Kitty and Lydia, determined to find out, led the way across the street.
Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with him the day before from town, and had accepted a commission in their corps. This was exactly as it should be; for the young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming. His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address.
As they talked, two men on horseback slowly made their way down the road. They both noticed the group of women talking with the men. Darcy’s eyes immediately picked out Elizabeth and he felt that increasingly familiar lurch of his heart. He could not take his eyes from her.
Bingley then noticed Jane, and the two men, without speaking, led their horses in their direction.
Darcy noticed the others with Elizabeth, but not distinctly; his eyes were content to rest solely on her. When one of the sisters pointed out the two men coming down the road, all eyes went to them and Darcy was only barely aware that one of the men, who had been standing in the shadows, briskly turned and began walking away down the street.
Bingley jumped off his horse and cheerfully greeted Jane and the others. Jane, at first, seemed embarrassed by this surprise meeting, but Bingley, with his endearing personality, soon had her engaged in conversation.
Darcy slid off his horse, taking off his hat, and slowly walked over as well, greeting Elizabeth with a smile in his eyes. He greeted Elizabeth’s sisters and the men were then both introduced to Mr. Collins and Mr. Denny, who then excused himself to rejoin his friend.
Mr. Collins bowed repeatedly, nervousness and excitement overtaking him as he edged closer to Darcy and Elizabeth.
Bingley spoke animatedly to Jane while Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged a quieter conversation.
“How was London, Mr. Darcy?”
“It was most profitable for me. I took care of some business that required meeting with some business associates and then attended to a matter that required making new, rather pleasant personal acquaintances.”
Elizabeth could not read the look on his face except to be sure he was not going to explain any further. At least not now.
“I am glad.”
Mr. Collins hovered close to the pair, seemingly intent on listening to their conversation. Darcy knew he could not overtly express his joy at seeing Elizabeth, with Mr. Collins in such close proximity, as much as he would have liked to. He looked at Mr. Collins and then back at Elizabeth. “As much as London has to offer, I found myself greatly longing for the pleasant company that I have found in this neighbourhood.”
Elizabeth noticed the twinkle in his eyes. She returned a smile, accompanied by a slight blush, knowing his words were meant for her.
Mr. Collins could not contain himself any longer, and when he noticed the pause in the conversation between Darcy and his fairest cousin, he broke in. “Mr. Darcy,” he excitedly addressed the tall, fashionable man, “would you be, by some small chance, of the same Darcy family that is so inexorably linked to my generous, most noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh?”
Darcy looked at him as surprise and concern spread over his features. “Indeed, she is my aunt.”
Collins clasped his hands together in jubilant satisfaction. “Is this not grand news? To actually make your acquaintance! She speaks so highly of you!” His nervousness seemed to propel his wordiness. “I am most pleased to tell you that she was, when I left her a few days ago, in exceedingly good health!”
“I am glad to hear that.”
Elizabeth noticed Darcy’s look of discomfiture. She could not imagine why he would not feel inclined to receive the news that Mr. Collins was his aunt’s clergyman with any pleasure.
Bingley then told everyone that they were just on their way to Longbourn to deliver the invitation to a ball he was having at Netherfield.
Lydia and Kitty were soon beside themselves in anticipation of the ball. Mr. Bingley was now looked upon with great admiration by the two girls, as he was not only giving the ball as promised, but had assured them the officers would also receive an invitation.
Darcy was grateful for the distraction, as it took everyone’s attention off himself, and he took the opportunity to lean in to Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, how long is your cousin to remain at Longbourn?”
“I believe he is leaving Saturday next.”
Darcy pursed his lips as Mr. Collins cast a glance toward the two and then turned back to the others.
In a soft whisper, he said, “It will not be good for me to talk with your father while Mr. Collins is still in your home. I would not want word getting back to my aunt before I am able to talk to her. Unfortunately, that means it will not be until after the ball that I will be able to speak with him. Does that disappoint you too much, my beloved?”
Elizabeth’s disappointment was soothed by his endearing address. “If that is best, I understand.”
Using his hat as a cover, he gently reached over and took her hand in his, giving it a tender squeeze.
Mr. Denny caught up with Mr. Wickham, who had stopped and turned back toward the group at the far end of the street.
“You left very suddenly there, Wickham.”
“Yes,” he said slowly, his eyes on the group gathered. “I deemed it to be to my best advantage to remain unseen by a certain gentleman.”
As Wickham watched Darcy, his old childhood chum, something unusual caught his eye. Normally, Darcy shunned country neighbourhoods and distanced himself from those of that class. And yet, here he was approaching this group, so far beneath his station, as if they were his equals. He noticed that the two elder Bennet daughters were quite pretty, and from the looks of things, the other gentleman with Darcy seemed to have an attachment to the eldest. Could that mean that Darcy had taken a fancy to Miss Elizabeth?
He shook his head and laughed, thinking to himself, Ol’ Darcy, has this country lady somehow touched your heart? How sweet. But knowing you are in the neighbourhood should prove quite profitable for me if I keep out of your sight and play my cards right!
Wickham turned and slapped his friend on the back. “Come, Denny, I suddenly find myself with quite an appetite!”