We Have Mary King to Thank – Part 5, by Jack Caldwell

Greetings, everyone. Jack Caldwell here. Last time we learned that Colonel Fitzwilliam is not always charming and that Lady Catherine is nuts. And Elizabeth still doesn’t know which side is up—not that it is her fault! Finally, that day is over!

A new day brings more surprises. Thanks goes to my lovely Beta Babe, Debbie!

Part 4 may be found HERE.

Back to our story:

Part 5

ELIZABETH AWOKE LATER THAN her usual time, having slept little due to her struggles over the events of the last few days. She quickly dressed and came downstairs. Upon entering the dining parlor, she was struck by the quiet, strained atmosphere. Charlotte was livid, Maria embarrassed and frightened, while Mr. Collins glowered at her. She soon learned the reason.

“Cousin Elizabeth,” intoned a grave Mr. Collins, “you can have no doubt over the cause of the unfortunate scene last night. Indeed, your own heart must be filled with guilt and remorse. That my honored patroness, Lady Catherine, the embodiment of all that is good and proper, should be brought to such a state! It cannot be borne—it must not. Therefore, for the good of the neighborhood, you must return home today.”

“Today?” Elizabeth immediately saw that in spite of the evidence before his eyes, Mr. Collins owned a very different and unique interpretation of Lady Catherine’s violent fit of temper than one should expect. “Sir, I must protest. I am innocent of Lady Catherine’s claims.”

“Indeed, you are, Eliza! Completely innocent!” cried Charlotte. “Mr. Collins, she is our cousin and—”

“My dear,” interrupted the rector, “our honored patroness, the author of all our present advantages of condition, is most distressed with Elizabeth. My situation must not be endangered. I, of course, shall assume our young cousin was unaware of the consequences of her wanton behavior. But sadly, her guilt remains. It would not do for her to stay in Hunsford. It is to be hoped she will contemplate her faults and pray for Our Lord’s forgiveness on her travels home.”

Maria gasped as Charlotte rose to her feet. “Wanton behavior? What proofs have you of this?”

“Is not enticing a gentleman from his promised betrothal with her wiles not wanton? Lady Catherine wants her to leave, and it is our duty to submit to our betters.”

Charlotte meant to continue her defense of her friend, but Elizabeth stopped her. “Sir, how shall I return to my family?” She tried to remain as calm as possible, since reacting to this gross injustice would accomplish nothing. She found it extremely taxing.

“Er…umm…that is not my concern. Perhaps the post-stage.”

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “Unchaperoned?”

Collins returned to his breakfast. “That cannot be helped.”

“Mr. Collins!” cried Charlotte.

“Wife, I insist you obey me.”

Elizabeth shook with anger and fear but tried mightily not to show it. “I assume you want me to leave today?” Mr. Collins nodded. She turned on her heel and almost ran into the maid who had just entered the room.

“Beg pardon, miss,” the girl said and then turned to her employer. “Mr. Darcy is here, Mr. Collins.”

Elizabeth saw that the man himself was in the doorway, lips white and eyes aflame. She did not know to be relieved or mortified.

Darcy strode into the parlor like a knight errant intent upon slaying a rogue dragon. “Mrs. Collins, I do beg your pardon for disturbing your breakfast, but it is apparent to me that I must have words with your husband,” he announced. “Sir, pray attend me.”

Mr. Collins leapt to his feet, his mouth overfilled with eggs, making his response inaudible. Seizing a serviette, he gestured that Mr. Darcy should proceed him to the study. Elizabeth glanced once at Charlotte, then followed the gentlemen. She was at the study door just as Mr. Darcy was closing it.

“Miss Bennet, I must speak to your cousin, and I fear it will not be a pleasant conversation.” His tone was as gentle as his earlier command was not.

“Does it involved me?” she boldly demanded.

“I would protect you.”

“Thank you, but I must attend. My character demands it.”

Wordlessly, their eyes debated the issue for a moment, then Mr. Darcy capitulated. He sighed and held the door open for her.

Mr. Collins’s study was small and disorganized. Rather than filled with books on subjects like history and philosophy, Collin’s domain boasted only a meagre collection of sermons and a handful of agricultural pamphlets. The rest was a riot of scattered papers. Elizabeth glanced at one. Apparently, Mr. Collins never disposed of any of his drafts.

“Cousin Elizabeth, what business do you have here?” Collins demanded. “Mr. Darcy wishes to speak to me, undoubtedly about the unfortunate treatment Lady Catherine suffered last night.” He puffed out his chest. “This is men’s work.”

“Unfortunate treatment is the subject of our talk, sir,” Darcy announced as he shut the door, “but not that inflicted on my aunt, for none was.” He moved remorselessly towards the cleric. “I must protest your conduct concerning Miss Bennet.”

“Me? I-I do not take your meaning, my good sir.” Collins stepped back. Both men were tall, and Mr. Collins far stouter, but he seemed to crumble under Mr. Darcy’s baleful look.

“I will make myself clear, Collins. I heard you demand Miss Bennet leave Hunsford today without first providing transportation or companion. Is my understanding correct?”

Mr. Collins took another step back, his complexion chalky white. “Mr.-Mr. Darcy…I can explain.”

“Do so now, Collins.”

He pointed at Elizabeth. “It is her fault! She has upset everything and everyone—Lady Catherine, Miss de Bourgh, even my own household! She has seduced you with her arts and allurements, her infamous conduct, leading you to break your engagement and deny the wishes of your most honored aunt! I am acting as her ladyship’s most trusted advisor and servant! She is cast out!”

Darcy turned to her. “Pray, Miss Bennet, I ask that you leave us. It is not right that you should be witness to his lies and slanders.”

Elizabeth stood proud. “And as I said before, my character demands I remain and defend myself.” More gently she added, “But I thank you, sir, for your support.”

Mr. Darcy’s expression clearly glowed with respect and…admiration?

Heavens! Does Mr. Darcy still love me?

“Her very presence is an insult to Lady Catherine! She must go!” cried Mr. Collins

“It is my aunt who is an insult to any right-thinking person,” Darcy declared in a level, forceful manner. “Her wicked behavior last evening proves she is unfit to associate with the honest and upright. You, as a man of God, should stand with the innocent, not the perjurers. There was never any engagement to break. No agreement was signed. As head of my house, I will marry as I choose, and my cousin will marry or not by her own choosing and not her mother’s.”

“But Lady Catherine…she is mistress of Rosings—”

“No, she is not. Miss de Bourgh is actually your patroness.”

“I-I beg your pardon?”

“I will say this once, sir, so that we may end this charade. Rosings Park was left to Anne by her father, Sir Lewis de Bourgh. By law, the property requires trustees, as Anne was both underage and a female. The will named her two uncles, Lord Matlock and my father, to act in Anne’s benefit until she married. The will further states that Anne may assume the management of the household upon her twenty-fifth birthday, if both she and the trustees agreed. Until then, as a consolation, Lady Catherine was allowed to act as mistress.

“When my esteemed father died five years ago, Lord Matlock could have continued on as sole trustee, but he chose to have me appointed in my father’s place. He and I manage Rosings, and the steward and the housekeeper report to us. As my uncle is often busy in the House of Lords, he sends either the Viscount or Colonel Fitzwilliam with me on our annual visit to act in his stead.

“My cousin Anne is nearly seven and twenty. She is of age; she could have become mistress last year. However, her constant ill-health prevents her from taking on those duties and burdens. We have allowed Lady Catherine to continue on, as my uncle and I have our own estates and business to concern us. So you see, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine was never mistress of Rosings Park.”

Mr. Collins was beside himself in confusion. “But…but she gave me the living. She can take it away. You are wrong sir—she is my mistress.”

“Collins, did you mind anything I said? Lady Catherine exercised those duties only by leave of Lord Matlock and myself. We allowed her to choose the replacement for her former rector. We chose not to reject your appointment.”

Elizabeth added, “And do you not know your canon law? Cousin, a living is for life. Lady Catherine cannot dismiss you.”

Mr. Darcy nodded. “Very true, Miss Bennet. The same holds true for my uncle and myself. It is a very serious thing, choosing a vicar. Much good or evil can come from it.”

Elizabeth knew Darcy spoke of Mr. Wickham.

Darcy returned to the puzzled rector. “An incumbent can only be removed from his living by breaking canon law or committing a felony, or by voluntarily leaving it. Lady Catherine has no power over you.”

“I-I suppose it is so—you say it, and I must trust in—”

“Collins! Is anything I stated incorrect?”

“No, no, I recall it from my studies…but she…she is a peer—”

“Oh, good God, I shall waste no more time with you!” Darcy then turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, you have been mistreated in an infamous manner by my aunt—” he glared at Mr. Collins— “and by your cousin. How may I make this up to you?”

Darcy’s continued kindness to her was almost her undoing. “This is not your responsibility, sir.”

“I think it is. Had I made it clear that I would never marry Anne years ago, all of this could have been avoided. Pray allow me to be of service to you. Give me an occupation, and it shall be done.”

“I thank you, sir. I should like to leave this place and go to my relations in London.”

He glared again at Collins. “Pay no attention to the words of fools. You may find refuge at Rosings. There is no reason to leave.”

“But Lady Catherine would not like that!” injected Mr. Collins.

“For the last time, Collins, Lady Catherine has no say over Rosings or Hunsford. She has been stripped of her duties and restricted to her chambers until my uncle comes from London. Then, we shall decide her future. The concerns of Rosings Park are not for you.”

“Mr. Darcy, please,” said Elizabeth. “I thank you for your kind offer, but I cannot accept it. I must go. My absence would hopefully be a boon for Mrs. Collins. My presence here does her no good.”

Darcy stepped close, and Elizabeth wondered if he would take her hands—and if she would accept such a gesture. As it turned out, he kept his hands at his side. “Again, I feel responsible—”

She offered him a small smile. “Again, you are not. Truly, I long for the peace of my family.” And distance from you, so that I can sort out my confused thoughts.

“Very well. I recommend that you do not steal away like a thief in the night, or suffer the indignity of riding post-coach. I offer my carriage to your service, to take you where you will.”

“Would not using your carriage confirm the rumors rather than dispel them? No—I shall ride post, as I have done many a time and not felt any injury for it.”

“I vow there will be no rumors.” Darcy looked over his shoulder at Mr. Collins. “Will there?”

“N-no, sir!”

“Excellent. I should inform you one of my uncles is a bishop, and the other a judge. I would not like you to face a slander suit, Mr. Collins.”

“O-of course not, m-my most honored sir.” That a man so pale did not swoon was a miracle.

Darcy nodded and returned his attention to Elizabeth. To her surprise, instead of triumph, he seemed embarrassed. “I take no pleasure in saying that,” he admitted sotto voce, “but I must protect you.”

Elizabeth could not look at him. “It is not your place to protect me.”

“I know,” he admitted, “but I must. Whatever you think of me, should you ever have need of assistance, no matter what, no matter when, I offer it freely.”

Elizabeth was stunned by the enormity of his words. “Mr. Darcy, no—”

“Please, if it be the last service I perform for you, permit me this. You will not go alone. I shall hire a companion—a reliable maid or a gentlewoman from Hunsford—to act as chaperone. I will not travel with you, for Fitzwilliam and I must remain until my uncle comes.” He gave a half smile. “That was the reason for my coming here today—to inform all of you of our change of plans.”

To the room at large, he continued. “I must request that you keep the knowledge of the changes at Rosings to yourselves. We will make a general announcement once Lord Matlock and I settle matters.” To Mr. Collins particularly, he said, “You may speak to Mrs. Collins, but no one else. No letters. Are my instructions clear, sir?”

Mr. Collins gulped. “Yes, my dear Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy rolled his eyes.

“I can be ready to leave in an hour,” Elizabeth told him

Darcy sighed. “There is no hurry. My carriage will be here at midday.” He raised her hand, but did not kiss it. “Until then, Miss Bennet.”

He took leave of Mr. Collins by only offering his best wishes to his wife and Miss Lucas. He then left the study, leaving Mr. Collins in a nervous state, and Elizabeth strangely disappointed he did not kiss her hand.

So, Lady Cat is overthrown and Elizabeth is for London. What happens next?

Until next week, this has been the Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles.

It takes a real man to write historical romance, so let me tell you a story…