Easter in Kent

Since this past week was Easter, and our theme this month is Spring Has Sprung, I thought I would post an excerpt from “Mr. Darcy’s Rival” when Elizabeth is in Kent.  In the first part of this excerpt, it is Easter Sunday morning, and everyone is gathered at the church for the Easter service. Mr. Rickland, in case you are wondering, is the rival mentioned in the title of the book. He is a nephew of Lady Catherine’s on the de Bourgh side of the family. The second scene is later in the day when Mr. Collins and his party come to visit at Rosings. I hope you enjoy!

Easter Sunday dawned with nary a cloud in the sky. It had only rained sporadically the day before, so the roads and paths were not terribly muddy.

Elizabeth paid more than her usual attention to the sermon this particular morning, being aware that Lady Catherine had some say in its preparation. She attempted to determine which parts might have been from her cousin and which parts from his patroness. There was a commendable balance between exhorting the parishioners to give, visit the poor and sickly, and encouraging them to be honest and upright, while trusting the good Lord for the wisdom and strength to do those things.

After the service, Lady Catherine and her daughter stood alongside Mr. and Mrs. Collins and greeted the congregation as they stepped out of the church, while the three gentlemen stood back with Elizabeth and Maria.

“I am rather surprised.” Rickland leaned in towards Elizabeth, but spoke so the three others could hear. “Mr. Collins delivered quite an exceptional Easter sermon.”

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. “I was thinking the same thing, myself! He seems to have put a lot of thought into it.”

“Quite so!” declared the colonel. “And it was short enough to get us dismissed a few minutes early!”

“I believe we have your aunt to thank for at least some of it,” Elizabeth said. “Apparently Mr. Collins has Lady Catherine give him her appraisal and offer suggestions to improve his sermon once he has written it.”

“I had no idea!” Mr. Rickland said. “But I would wager she does not offer suggestions, but directives.”

Elizabeth tilted her head and laughed. “But is it her design to make the sermons longer or shorter, I wonder?”

“Ha!” Colonel Fitzwilliam turned to Darcy. “I would love to know!”

“I would hope,” Mr. Darcy said solemnly, “that she is more concerned with the content of the sermon than the length of it.” He turned to his cousin. “And you ought to be paying heed to the sermon instead of the hands on your pocket watch.”

Elizabeth watched Colonel Fitzwilliam’s brows lower for a brief moment. When a gentleman stepped up to Mr. Darcy and addressed him, drawing his attention away, Colonel Fitzwilliam chuckled. “So you see, Miss Bennet, while my cousin and I are very close, in many ways we are quite different.”

“I have noticed,” she said with a laugh. “You seem always to be on the lookout for a diversion, while he seems always to be on the lookout for something to disparage.”

Mr. Rickland was quick to add, “He has always been that way, has he not?” He shook his head. “He seems to have a very absolute notion of what is right and wrong, allowing for little disagreement.”

Elizabeth stole a glance at the object of their discussion as he spoke with the gentleman who had approached him. It appeared the gentleman was doing most of the talking. Mr. Darcy merely nodded his head every now and again. He did not seem to be at all engaged in what the man was saying.

She smiled as she thought of his initial conversation with Mr. Collins at the Netherfield Ball. She had been so mortified to see her cousin approach him without any formal introduction, and despite having a close connection with his aunt, she was well aware that Mr. Darcy did not appreciate this breach in etiquette. Yes, he certainly had a very strong sense of what was proper in polite society and would tolerate nothing less.

After a few moments of silence, Colonel Fitzwilliam added, “But I suppose he has every right to expect it of others if he abides by the rules himself. And he does. I have yet to see him behave inappropriately in the company of others.”

Elizabeth had to bite her lip to keep from mentioning all the times she had witnessed his rude behaviour in Hertfordshire.

When the gentleman to whom he was talking walked away, Darcy returned to the group.

“Who was that?” his cousin asked.

“Mr. Adamson, who is hosting the soiree this Saturday. He wanted to inform me that he and his wife would be delighted to introduce their daughter to me. You remember her – the one who sang a solo at church on Easter Sunday three years ago at the sweet, tender age of sixteen.”

“I fear I do not recall her.”

“No need to worry about that. Neither do I.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam crossed his arms in front of him. “Heavens! Lady Catherine will not be pleased to know that a local gentleman is seeking to introduce you to a daughter who is of marrying age!” He let out a bellowing laugh. “No, she shall not be pleased at all!”

Darcy frowned at this, and Elizabeth wondered if the remark was said to remind Mr. Darcy that his intended was Lady Catherine’s own daughter.

The great woman then called to her nephews. The church had emptied, and everyone had dispersed, other than their own parties. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Rickland said their goodbyes and stepped away. Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned over to Elizabeth and whispered, “You notice how that gentleman called for Darcy alone? This happens all the time to him. But to me, never.”

“And do you not mind?” Elizabeth asked.

“Mind? I am elated. I have no interest in trying to fend off all the marriage-minded mothers and fathers who wish to introduce me to their lovely daughters!”

Elizabeth smiled at Colonel Fitzwilliam as he walked away. The three men were each so different from one another. She could not help but wonder if the same thing happened often to Mr. Rickland, despite not having the fortune that Mr. Darcy had. She finally concluded that if someone had to choose between the two men, Mr. Darcy’s fortune might be the deciding factor to someone interested in wealth alone, but Mr. Rickland had the advantage in open and easy manners.

She shook her head slowly as she walked over to Charlotte and her husband. Mr. Darcy likely has women vying for his affections wherever he goes, she thought to herself. “Worry not, sir,” she whispered. “You have nothing to fear from me in that quarter. A gentleman’s fortune is not as important to me as his character and integrity.”

*~*~*

That afternoon the Hunsford party arrived none too soon for the gentlemen’s satisfaction. Darcy had barely been able to contain his nervous energy that afternoon, which Fitzwilliam readily noticed. The tapping of his fingers or foot received a look from his cousin, and at one point, a nudge. He finally repaired to his chambers to await the party.

He returned to the parlour just before their expected arrival. He had come to learn that Mr. Collins was very prompt, which pleased his aunt considerably. The bell announced their arrival at exactly the hour. Darcy took a deep breath, tugged at his coat, and straightened his neckcloth as he rose with the other gentlemen. He could think of nothing he wished to do more than spend time in Elizabeth’s company. He hoped that she was just as eager to spend time with him, as well.

As the party walked into the parlour, Darcy fixed his eyes on Elizabeth. Each time he saw her, he was more convinced of her suitability. He thought her more beautiful than ever. How could he have considered her only tolerable the first time he saw her? He could barely breathe as he considered that she was the handsomest woman of his acquaintance. He could not prevent the smile that began in his heart and turned his lips upward.

Rickland stepped forward and cheerfully greeted the party. Darcy found himself just as quickly gritting his teeth as Elizabeth bestowed upon him one of her ready smiles. His cousin followed, coming up alongside of Rickland and making a short bow to the ladies.

“We have all been anxiously awaiting your arrival,” he said. Then leaning close to the ladies he added, “This ragtag group of gentlemen is in great need of the refined and most pleasant company of lovely ladies.”

Darcy stepped forward with a formal bow. “Ladies, welcome.” While he addressed all three ladies, his eyes stayed on Elizabeth.

“Come in!” Lady Catherine’s voice echoed throughout the large chamber.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins entered first, taking the seats next to Lady Catherine, which put Charlotte next to Mr. Rickland. Maria sat on the other side of him, which left either a chair next to Mr. Darcy or one next to Miss de Bourgh. Elizabeth decided she would sit next to Anne and see if she could engage the young lady again in conversation.

Polite conversations amongst the different parties initially began, which allowed Elizabeth the opportunity to speak with Miss de Bourgh.

“Will we see you at the musical soiree this Saturday?” Elizabeth asked.

The young lady looked at her with wide eyes and a ready smile.

She nodded slowly. “I hope to be able to attend for a little while, at least.”

Elizabeth smiled. “I look forward to seeing you there. Do you enjoy music?”

Again she nodded. “I do, but I neither play nor sing.”

Elizabeth smiled sweetly. “But you have talent in other areas.”

Anne’s brows pinched together. “In other areas?”

Elizabeth pursed her lips together. “I am quite certain you excel in writing. You spend a great amount of time at it.”

Anne’s smile showed a hint of resignation. “It is something I enjoy. I cannot speak of my proficiency at it.”

Elizabeth leaned in towards her. “I would truly enjoy seeing how you describe something with your words. Your secret would remain safe with me.”

Anne’s eyes widened. “Oh, I could not.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I promise not to laugh.”

Anne looked about her, as if to see whether anyone was listening. Once assured that no one was paying attention, she whispered very softly, “Miss Bennet, no one knows. No one can know that I write… stories.”

“Truly?”

A blush painted Anne’s very pale cheeks, and she nodded. “But I beg you not to say anything to anyone. My mother does not know, and she would be very upset if she knew. Only Mrs. Jenkinson is aware that I write, and she encouraged me because she feels I have a gift. She has sent my stories off to her… off to a publisher in London, and two of them have been published.”

Elizabeth had never seen the young lady so animated, and she could hardly credit what she had been told. She looked up and saw Mr. Darcy’s eyes upon them, his brow narrowed. Perhaps he was concerned that she was poisoning his intended’s mind with tales of living in a simple country neighbourhood.

She leaned in to Miss de Bourgh. “What type of stories do you write? Are they children’s stories?”

Anne shook her head, her blush growing deeper. “No, I write love stories. But they are not published under my name. I could never…”

Elizabeth reached over and took her hand. “I have never met an author!” she said in a hushed whisper. “I am delighted with your accomplishment! Would you tell me under what name your books are published? I would love to read one, and I promise not to give away your secret.”

Anne’s brows knit together. “I do not know if I should…”

“Of what are you speaking?” Lady Catherine’s voice boomed from the other side of Elizabeth as her fan slapped down into her palm.

Elizabeth turned. She did not know whether she was addressing Anne or herself. After a moment of silence, Elizabeth decided to answer. “We were speaking about the musical soiree and how much Anne enjoys music.”

Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes. “But unfortunately she does not play an instrument. She enjoys listening. You will play for us, Miss Bennet? I should like to hear you play again. You may play two songs for us.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I shall be happy to.” She gave a friendly nod to Anne, who returned it with a smile. Well, I am not certain I would wish Mr. Darcy on her, she thought, but she may turn out to be the perfect wife for him, after all. He will enjoy many a silent evening in her company whilst she writes. Oh, it shall be a happy union, indeed!

Elizabeth walked over to the pianoforte and began looking through the selection of music. Mr. Rickland was soon by her side, assisting her in her choice. Colonel Fitzwilliam then came and stood on the other side of her.

“Since I am to play two pieces,” Elizabeth said, “you each may pick one. But I do reserve the right of refusing your selection if I deem it too difficult.”

Elizabeth suddenly felt someone come and stand behind her. She knew from the scowl on Mr. Rickland’s face that it was Mr. Darcy.

She turned her head slightly towards him, noticing his arms were folded across his chest. “Did you come all this way to select a piece of music for me to play, Mr. Darcy? I fear your aunt has allowed me but two pieces, and I have already asked Mr. Rickland and Colonel Fitzwilliam to select them.” She sent him a remorseful look.

“I trust that whatever pieces of music they select, you will perform quite well, Miss Bennet.”

Elizabeth turned to Mr. Rickland with a smile. “Mr. Darcy would have you believe I am more proficient at playing than I truly am and can play anything handed to me.”

“Here is a favourite of mine,” Mr. Rickland announced, handing her Pleyel’s Sonatina in D Major.

“And may we hear you play this?” Colonel Fitzwilliam held out to her Haydn’s Sonata in G Major.

“I doubt that I shall be able to do either of these songs justice,” Elizabeth said. “But perhaps I can manage if I play them a little slower than written.” She moved to the pianoforte and sat down, flanked on either side by the two men. Darcy stood on the other side of the piano, looking across at her. She looked up at him. “Please do not flinch in any way when you hear my errors. I know there shall be some. Fortunately,” she said, looking to her left and then her right, “I will see neither of the two men at my side when they grimace or shudder.”

“I shall do no such thing!” Rickland exclaimed. “I shall enjoy each note!”

“As will I, Miss Bennet,” Mr. Darcy assured her softly.

Elizabeth took in a deep breath and began. She played the first two pages rather slowly, but she soon felt confident in her fingering and sped it up a little. She made several minor errors, but no one seemed to notice, even Lady Catherine.

When the last note of the final song sounded, she was rewarded with a soft applause and words of praise from the men.

Everyone was then treated with a delectable assortment of desserts to choose from and enjoy.

After they had finished, Lady Catherine casually looked towards the window. “It is nearing dusk. Mr. Collins, you ought to get everyone home before dark.”

Mr. Collins shot up out of his chair and clasped his hands. “Yes! Yes! Come, we shall not keep you any longer.” With a bow, he gestured for his party to stand, and he began walking out of the room.

As Elizabeth walked past Anne, she whispered, “I greatly enjoyed talking with you, Miss de Bourgh.”

Anne smiled and reached out her hand. Elizabeth took it and realized a piece of paper had been pressed into it. She looked down at Anne with a question on her lips, but Anne shook her head.

Elizabeth nodded knowingly. Anne did not want her to look at it in front of everyone, so she slipped it into her pocket.

Later, after they returned to Hunsford and Elizabeth finally repaired to her room, she pulled out the slip of paper. On it was written a name, N. D. Berg.

Here is a link to the kindle version of “Mr. Darcy’s Rival.”

Here is a link to the kindle version of “A Peculiar Engagement,”
which is Anne de Bourgh’s book about her engagement with Mr. Darcy.