Page 34 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
Elizabeth entered what she soon discovered to be an empty house. Her grandmother and Uncle Henry had yet to arrive, but the upper servants had been sent in advance and assured Elizabeth that they were expected any minute. Her chamber was promptly readied whilst Elizabeth took refreshments in the parlour. Her mind was occupied with whether or not she should tell her grandmother everything, but she decided against it. If they should happen upon Mr Darcy during the Season, it was best if they could meet as indifferent acquaintances. That would not be possible if Grandmother Bennet were apprised of his insult, and scenes might arise that would be unpleasant to both. Not that she was the least bit concerned about how Mr Darcy was faring.
A commotion in the entrance hall jolted Elizabeth out of her worrisome thoughts, and she went to greet her relations.
“Elizabeth! What a pleasant surprise. Is Jane not with you?” her grandmother greeted her.
“No, my company must suffice for the moment. Jane’s suitor, Mr Bingley, is expected at Longbourn for a dinner engagement on Saturday. He is likely to ask for my father’s blessing and propose after having made his intentions clear at his ball last night.”
“I see. Then I suppose I must excuse her, and you must tell me more about Mr Bingley once I have refreshed myself after the journey.”
Her grandmother ascended the stairs just as Uncle Henry entered. He drew her in for a big hug before he too abandoned her for his ablutions. A peace settled upon Elizabeth, who busied herself in the library whilst she awaited her relations. She needed something to read before bed, and Uncle Henry’s shelves were well stocked.
Half an hour later her grandmother found Elizabeth curled up with a book in the library.
“So…” She paused. “What truly brings you to town in such a hurry?”
Elizabeth told her all about Mr Collins and his ridiculous proposal. Especially his reluctance to accept her mother’s opposition to his suit, which she turned into a funny anecdote. Mr Bingley’s marked attentions at the Netherfield ball were also examined and approved before the evening drew to its natural conclusion.
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“You have not once mentioned Mr Darcy,” Grandmother Bennet remarked at breakfast the next day.
“That is simply because there is nothing to tell,” Elizabeth said as indifferently as she could muster and reached for the jam.
“Yes, well. I am afraid I have no news to relate either. Our leave-taking was rather abrupt, but I would not be surprised if he calls as soon as he is apprised of our return.”
“Indeed, I think not.” Elizabeth hid behind her cup. “Since he has made no attempts thus far, I very much doubt we shall ever hear from him.”
“What would you like to do today?” her grandmother enquired with a frown between her brows.
“Nothing,” Elizabeth replied and heard her grandmother’s sigh of relief. “I travelled yesterday, and we returned very late from the Netherfield ball the night before, so I am quite happy to remain at home.”
“I admit that I am utterly relieved. The journey from Ireland is not getting any shorter, and this body is not getting any younger. I know not for how long it will tolerate all these long journeys back and forth. Fortunately, we do not have any engagements before Saturday, when we are attending Lady Middleton’s ball. I am certain I can persuade her to include you in the invitation, Eilís.”
“That is not necessary,” Elizabeth assured her. “I had a note from Aunt Gardiner this morning, who invited me to dine with them on Saturday. I would like to accept if you do not mind?”
Her grandmother was regarding her quizzically but acquiesced to her request. It was not like Elizabeth to avoid entertainment of any kind, and she tried not to blush. This shying away from engagements just because she might happen upon Mr Darcy had to stop. If only she could wait until Jane was engaged to Mr Bingley. She hoped to receive an express with joyful news no later than Sunday. Which reminded her that Mr Darcy was still in Hertfordshire and no threat to her equilibrium in London. Though she risked encountering his ungentlemanly cousins.
Uncle Henry stirred from his newspaper. “Maeve told me that you received an unwanted proposal, and that Jane is soon to be engaged.”
“Yes, the first sent me hither in due haste. My mother worried he would not respect my father’s objections. I found his declaration of being run away with his feelings particularly diverting, especially since he fancied himself in love with Jane first.” Elizabeth chuckled, but Uncle Henry did not look amused.
“Does he know the specifics of your father’s will?” he questioned brusquely.
“Yes. My father informed him after Mr Collins revealed he was not even aware of the broken entail. According to his letter, he came prepared to offer us an olive branch to mend a breach in the family.”
Uncle Henry huffed. “To atone for the sins of his father may not have been as important to him if there had not been the prospect of an estate to tempt him. He must have been pleased to discover that the Bennet girls are beautiful and everything lovely. But your father made the right decision to send you here. If my suspicions that his reason had a more nefarious bent are correct—namely to secure Longbourn for himself—Jane’s imminent engagement must have spurred him into acting. It is specified in your father’s will that Longbourn goes to the first-born grandson, regardless from which Bennet sister he is sired,” Uncle Henry explained. “Mr Collins must be aware of that fact and hoped to beget the heir before Jane and her beau. His only chance to secure Longbourn for himself would be to take a wife from amongst you girls, hasten his bride to the altar, and sire a son…”
The conditions also explained why Lady Glentworth was so keen to see her daughters married—to birth a son.
“Honestly, after meeting the man in question, I doubt that he knows much about anything. But he does have a meddlesome patroness.”
“Let us forget all about Mr Collins as I would like to know more about this Bingley chap,” Uncle Henry demanded.
Elizabeth complied and gave her relations a summary of all Mr Bingley’s dealings—with the exception of the friend he had brought to Netherfield. She would have to relate Mr Darcy’s presence in Hertfordshire at some point and was astonished that none of her sisters had mentioned him in their letters, though Jane was the only faithful correspondent. Her mother usually left it to Elizabeth to relate any news, and her father wrote only what could not be overlooked. Mary was too engrossed in her own concerns, and Kitty and Lydia were much like their father. Though their true reason for neglecting letter writing was that they were too busy chasing after the officers in the militia.
“It is convenient that you are here, Eilís. I am refurbishing your family’s appointed chambers this winter and would like your assistance,” Mrs Bennet said.
“Certainly, when do you plan to begin?” Elizabeth asked.
