P&P Missing Scenes – Darcy Finds Out Elizabeth is at Hunsford

P&P200 new banner_edited-1Jane Austen does not tell us when and how Darcy discovered that Elizabeth was at Hunsford. We only know that somehow he found out. Here is how I envision the scene.

 



As the carriage turned onto the drive that led to Rosings, Darcy looked out the window and let out a gruff laugh. “I do not believe it!”

“What is it?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked as he leaned forward to see what had his cousin’s attention. He saw someone peer across the lane, give a quick bow, and then turn to walk with brisk, but rather laborious steps towards the parsonage. “Who was that?”

mr collins“That,” Mr. Darcy began slowly, “was Mr. Collins, our aunt’s clergyman.”

“You have met him?” the colonel asked as the carriage came to a halt.

“Unfortunately, I have.”

“I do not like the sound of that. You do not approve of him? Have you heard him deliver a rather blasphemous sermon? Have you witnessed him exhibit improper behaviour?” Eyebrows raised, he gave his cousin a pointed look. “I must hear it all!”

Darcy casually shrugged his shoulders. At least he hoped it was a casual shrug. He now wished he had not said anything. “I met him while in Hertfordshire. There is nothing wrong with him other than some oddities that I found annoying.” He hoped that would be the end of it.

“How did you come to meet him in Hertfordshire?”

Darcy felt himself tense. He was about to reply when the carriage door opened. “Ah, our aunt awaits.” He extended his hand. “Shall we?”

The two men stepped out and stretched their arms and legs. “Oh, to be on the ground again! That ride was unbearable!” Colonel Fitzwilliam had never been one to endure a bumpy carriage ride.

Darcy patted him on the back. “I am quite surprised by your lack of backbone, Fitzwilliam. I cannot imagine how you tolerate the discomforts of being on the battle-field.”

“Ha!” the colonel exclaimed. “You are one to talk about tolerating the discomforts of a battle-field! You have yet to face head on the one battle that presents itself every Easter!”

Darcy clenched his jaw, but said nothing.

“And being silent will not suit, with me or with Anne! You must propose… to someone! That is all there is to it! If you do not want to offer for Anne, at least offer for someone else!”

Darcy stopped and turned towards his cousin. “There will be no proposal – to Anne or anyone else – in the near future!”

Fitzwilliam shook his head. “I do not understand, Darcy. Do you not realize that the longer you go without finding a suitable and eligible match, the more Anne will believe you will one day marry her?”

Darcy turned sharply and began walking towards the front door. “I have nothing more to say on the matter!”

As he marched away from his cousin, he now wished he had answered his cousin’s question about Mr. Collins. He clenched his jaw as he contemplated that both conversations had at their very core one Elizabeth Bennet, and that was what had him so disconcerted. He had tried for months to forget her, but now he was faced with being both in company with her cousin, as well with his cousin, whom he was promised to marry.

Their arrival was usually the most trying time for Darcy, as he attempted to be civil to Anne, but not give her too much reason to suspect he had any intention of asking for her hand. It was always easy for Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had no claims on her. He was also naturally ebullient, and had her smiling and chuckling in no time.

After the initial greeting, the men sat down with the ladies. The drawing room had the window coverings drawn, which always angered Darcy, who believed the sun would improve Anne’s spirits, while her mother believed they would have a detrimental effect on her.

After talking about the unpleasant journey, they began to discuss the col fitzwilliamneighbourhood.

It was then that Colonel Fitzwilliam, who apparently had not forgotten about Mr. Collins, said, “I believe we noticed your clergyman across the lane. I understand he is new since we were here last.”

“Yes, Mr. Collins has been here less than a year.”

The colonel leaned forward with his hands clasped. “And are you pleased with him?”

“I am. He gladly receives my generously given advice and correction, and his wife certainly knows her place.” A satisfied smile curved Lady Catherine’s lips.

“His wife?” Darcy asked.

“Yes, he married a few months back. He met her in Hertfordshire.” Suddenly Lady Catherine frowned and glared at her nephew. “Oh, that is right. They did claim some such acquaintance with you. I was most seriously displeased!”

Colonel Fitzwilliam’s eyes widened. “Displeased that they claimed an acquaintance with Darcy?”

Lady Catherine’s fingers trailed across the neckline of her dress, and she sent Darcy a pointed look. “I found it quite objectionable that they were in your company much of the autumn while I must settle for a short visit in the spring.”

Darcy schooled his features as he attempted to determine who Mr. Collins might have married. A wave of dread passed through him that it possibly could be Elizabeth! And if not Elizabeth, one of her sisters.

“I had no idea when I left Hertfordshire in November that he had a partiality for any of the ladies.” He found it difficult to breathe as he waited for his aunt to reveal the name of Mr. Collins’ bride.

Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned over and whispered, “Perhaps he married the young lady you felt was unsuited for your friend. Then you would no longer need to worry about him!”

Darcy did not feel that discovering Mr. Collins had married Miss Jane Bennet would ease his mind.

Mr. Darcy glares“What is the name of the young lady who was so honoured to become Mrs. Collins?” Fitzwilliam asked.

“Her name is Charlotte, and she is the daughter of Sir William Lucas. A good match, I believe, for Mr. Collins.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam glanced at Darcy with a raised brow as if to ask whether this might be the lady in question. Darcy gave his head a slight shake.

Darcy felt a great sense of relief at the news, but he readily recollected the close friendship Miss Lucas had with Elizabeth. He wondered what he would have done if it had been Elizabeth who had married Mr. Collins. The thought appalled him, yet he reprimanded himself for those feelings which still seemed as strong as they had ever been.

“Was Mr. Collins walking this way?” Lady Catherine asked.

Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned back in the chair. “No. He appeared to notice the carriage and then hurried back to the parsonage.”

“Most likely to inform his wife and guests. You ought to pay them a call in the next day or two.”

“Guests?” Darcy asked.

Lady Catherine waved her hand. “Her sister and a friend from Hertfordshire. No one of any consequence.”

Could that be Elizabeth? Darcy felt his chest tighten, and he stood up abruptly and walked to the window. He knew all the colour had drained from his face and he attempted to calm any and all outward signs of unease and impatience. His head and heart seemed to be engaged in a great battle. He was not certain whether he wanted his head to triumph and find out it was not her, or his heart to triumph and discover that she was right next door at the parsonage.

He turned to face his aunt. “And what is… what is her friend’s name?” He held his breath once he posed the question, but he need not have asked, for somehow he knew, deep down inside, what she was going to say.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

 

39 comments

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    • RMorrel on April 1, 2015 at 3:28 am
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    Well done. Poor tortured Darcy.

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 9:21 am
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      Thanks – we must put Darcy through just a little torment!

    • Deborah on April 1, 2015 at 7:09 am
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    Wonderful missing scene, Kara.. Parts had me chuckling while others had me feeling sorry for Darcy. Little does Darcy know what is to come by taking the Colonel’s advice and proposing to someone other than Anne. Poor, tortured soul with more torture to come, but all of his own making.

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 9:22 am
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      Darcy had no idea he would actually take his cousin’s advice – or was it an ultimatum? Thanks, Deborah!

    • Maggie Griscom on April 1, 2015 at 7:22 am
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    Poor Darcy, to find out from Lady Catherine that Elizabeth was at Hunsford. His head and heart drive the poor man to destraction. Great scene.

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 9:22 am
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      Thanks, Maggie – glad you enjoyed it!

    • Carol hoyt on April 1, 2015 at 8:05 am
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    Great scene Kara! Darcy is so very torn between his heart and head. You could feel his pain.

    The colonel certainly added to his discomfort !
    Great read

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 9:23 am
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      Thanks, Carol! That’s what the colonel is there for, isn’t it? 🙂

    • Linda Clark on April 1, 2015 at 9:15 am
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    I do believe you got it right, Kara… just the way Jane herself would have written it! With but a few words you clearly let us see Darcy’s anguish, his pain and frustration! I love it. Thank you for a great read over my first cup of coffee this morning.

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 9:24 am
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      Thanks, Linda – can’t help but wonder what Jane envisioned. You’re very kind!

    • Madenna on April 1, 2015 at 9:27 am
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    Well done! I really enjoyed this extra scene

    • Sheila L. M. on April 1, 2015 at 9:33 am
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    I do so like the heart and head remarks. Perfect. Yes, Darcy, it will be torture and we know you suffer in silence…but, as said, all of your own making.

    Thanks for this missing scene.

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 12:14 pm
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      You’re welcome, Sheila, and thank you! He is in such a battle – but little does he know…

  1. Great scene! I love the banter and teasing between Darcy and his cousin. Well done!

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 12:14 pm
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      Thanks, Susan! I love writing scenes with those 2 guys together!

  2. Love the heart and the head! Poor Darcy is in for a rough visit!

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 12:15 pm
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      Thanks, Abigail, and that is so true!

    • Carol on April 1, 2015 at 10:56 am
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    Love it! Poor Darcy, he is so miserable. He runs Pemberley, and who knows what else. Just tell Lady Catherine enough is enough. I will not marry Anne. So she gets evil and flaps her gums. She does all the time anyway. No different than normal behavior for her. She just expounds on a different topic at the drop of a breath. One thing she’s really totally proficient at, because she practices all the time. Really, he’s 28 years old.

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 12:16 pm
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      Yes, really! What is he waiting for?!?! Well, I guess he’s only doing what Jane Austen had him do… Thanks, Carol!

    • Carole in Canada on April 1, 2015 at 11:34 am
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    Great scene Kara! Darcy has no one but himself to blame on all counts…Anne and Elizabeth! Being so reticent only compounds his problems.

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 12:19 pm
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      Thanks, Carole. Yes, Darcy needs to learn a few things!

    • Florina on April 1, 2015 at 1:46 pm
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    Aaaahhh this was beautiful.. I am re-reading our beloved P&P for the zillionth time and I am at the time when Lizzie arrives in Hunsford… now everything makes sense :)))

    1. Thanks so much, Florina! I think I’ve read P&P a zillion times, too!

  3. Loved the scene. Such torture. Such a battle of wills with himself, Elizabeth, and Aunt Catherine to boot.

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 1:51 pm
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      Thanks, Patty! Glad you enjoy a tortured Darcy, as well! 🙂

    • Megan C on April 1, 2015 at 2:06 pm
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    Kara, you depict so well how this scene plays out, we can feel the tightness of his heart and chest as he walks to the window. I wonder what Elizabeth is thinking at this same time when Mr. Collins announces who has just arrived in the neighborhood.

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 2:42 pm
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      Thanks, Megan! It’s fun to try and guess what Jane Austen may have envisioned! Glad you liked it!

      • Kara Louise on April 14, 2015 at 6:57 pm
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      Megan, I need you to get in touch with me. My emails to you keep coming back, and it looks like clearwire.net is no longer supporting email. (I googled it.) You might need to get a new email, so email me when you do (or figure out what is wrong). 🙂 This was the only way I could figure out how to get in touch with you.

  4. Absolutely LOVED this vignette! Alas, poor Darcy!! He suffers so…because he has missed his aunt and cousin so very much, correct? 😉

    Wonderful writing–I just love thie site!!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    P.S. Kara, I’ve just started to read your book, Only Mr. Darcy Will Do. I’m fascinated already…and I’m only on page 33!

      • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 2:43 pm
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      Triple thanks, Susanne! So glad you liked this vignette, that you love this site, and that you’re enjoying OMDWD! I hope you’ll continue to enjoy it!

      1. Well, I was on page 33 of Only Mr. Darcy Will Do yesterday morning, and this morning I finished it (yes, in fewer than 48 hours, thanks to Easter break!) and wrote a Goodreads review. It’s definitely one of my favorite JAFF novels, Thank you for writing a wonderful novel, Kara Louise!

          • Kara Louise on April 2, 2015 at 5:48 pm
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          Thank you, thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

    • Julie on April 1, 2015 at 4:32 pm
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    I loved Darcy’s care to not get Anne’s hopes up too much, while still continuing to pay his Aunt the respects she’s sure she’s due… and the agony of wondering hoping, not hoping, great job!

    • Kara Louise on April 1, 2015 at 5:06 pm
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    Thanks, Julie! Glad you approve! 🙂

    • TLeighF on April 1, 2015 at 10:28 pm
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    Darcy is trying so hard to maintain control in the face of the unexpected news. At least he found out before actually encountering her. That would have been awkward and even harder to stay in control. Great job, Kara!

    • Kara Louise on April 2, 2015 at 8:27 am
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    That would have been a great scene to see his reaction in seeing her if he didn’t know she was there! Would he have been able to maintain control? Thanks!

    • forget me not on April 2, 2015 at 2:37 pm
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    Poor Mr Darcy ! lol

    • Kara Louise on April 2, 2015 at 5:48 pm
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    Poor, indeed! 🙂

    • Ellen on July 5, 2018 at 6:12 pm
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    This was most excellent! I enjoyed Colonel Fitzwilliam’s additions to the conversation! Thanks for sharing!

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