When Mr. Collins returned to Netherfield, his nerves were as strained as Mrs. Bennet’s the day he first arrived at Longbourn. If Mr. Darcy found he had done Miss Anne’s bidding, he would be put out of Netherfield and Lady Catherine would not abide another failure. His future was uncertain at best.
Pleased to find Miss Anne alone when he entered the parlor, he asked after Mr. Darcy while glancing about the room to be certain the man was not hidden in the shadows.
“Is he in the library? I do hope he has not an inkling of our plan. Miss Elizabeth shall be along soon, shall we position ourselves in the garden and await her arrival? I would hate to wait here and chance Mr. Darcy distracting us from our aim.”
Miss Anne rose from her seat and gave the parson a cold smile. “Yes, Mr. Collins, we shall. My cousin went out riding this morning and so we should not have to worry that he might interfere.”
The parson offered his arm to the young mistress and listened attentively as she spoke of Lady Catherine. “Mother is well this morning and most pleased with my quick thinking after Fitzwilliam forbade me to have Miss Bennet to tea. I did mention your willingness to assist me after he threatened to warn the staff not to take orders from me. She believes Miss Bennet has bewitched my cousin and I am of the same mind. We shall set things to rights today, Mr. Collins, and Mother shall forgive you.”
Mr. Collins began to believe their plan might work as risky as it was and for the first time in days, his spirits lifted. Certainly he must do his part to rectify the terrible situation and the de Bourgh’s confidence in him gave him courage. Mr. Darcy was well away from Netherfield and his cousin would not suspect their duplicity until it was too late.
He helped Miss Anne into her spencer to keep from calling for the butler and escorted her through the front doors of Netherfield and into the gardens where they would conceal themselves and await his cousin.
Elizabeth left Longbourn with a lingering sense of trepidation. Why would Miss Anne wish to walk with her in the gardens on such a chilly afternoon instead of sit in the warmth of the parlor and have tea?
Mr. Collins had said she was sickly when he first sat to dinner with the Bennets. Perhaps Mr. Darcy’s cousin worried that he would interrupt their first meeting and she would be unable to speak her piece. Elizabeth could see no other reason why the young lady might behave in such a manner and so she directed her steps to the field between her home and Netherfield with a brisk pace. The sooner she arrived, the sooner she might take her leave and allow Mr. Darcy to deal with his family.
Settled in her mind, she breathed deeply of the crisp air and hugged herself to keep warm as she moved easily across the now barren landscape. A figure off to her left atop a small hill caught her eye and she paused to shield her eyes from the sun.
The breath of the steed that carried what looked to be a gentleman rose in the air in great plumes of steam. Her heart skipped a beat as the rider waved to her and turned his horse to canter down the hill. It must be Mr. Darcy!
She had not thought to meet him on the way to Netherfield but was pleased she might confide in him and find whether he knew of this meeting his cousin had requested.
He swung down from his horse as the beast stopped before her and Elizabeth fought the urge to run to him. How lovely it would be to bury her head against his chest and feel his arms about her after having been separated the many days since his aunt’s arrival at Netherfield.
Mr. Darcy was of the same mind and for a moment, Elizabeth thought he might take her and leave Hertfordshire on horseback. The romantic notion caused her to laugh at her folly, so like Lydia she seemed whenever Mr. Darcy appeared.
He took her gloved hand and the warmth of his lips radiated through the material. Elizabeth regulated her breathing and spoke willing her voice to remain steady. “Mr. Darcy, what a lovely surprise to meet you here.”
He lifted his head and Elizabeth longed to move the lock of hair that had fallen as he bent to kiss her hand. In his eyes, the depth of desire startled her and she gave a small step backwards.
Mr. Darcy pulled her into an embrace and Elizabeth gave a small squeak of surprise. “Please my dearest lady, it has been too long since last we met. You must know how ardently I admire and love you. When my aunt has recovered and left Netherfield, I shall come to your father and have you as my wife.”
Elizabeth could not find the words to answer his impassioned speech and so she merely laid her head upon his chest and rested it there as she had wished only moments earlier. Mr. Darcy loved her and she would be his wife! Tears of joy stung her cheeks and she pulled away to gaze up into his face.
They stood for what seemed an eternity there in the field, Elizabeth safe within the circle of Mr. Darcy’s arms. It was several long moments before she was able to speak. “Mr. Darcy, I would be the happiest of women to become your wife. I had not thought to have a man I so admire and respect return my affection.”
Mr. Darcy kissed the tip of her nose in delight and quickly drew his greatcoat about her. “Where are you off to on such a cold day, my love? I shall see you home if you wish.”
Elizabeth gave a sigh that their tender moment had passed. “Your cousin sent Mr. Collins to Longbourn an hour ago and asked that I meet her in the gardens of Netherfield. I admit I can find no sensible reason for her to wish to walk outdoors on such a day but I would not deny her as she is your family.”
Mr. Darcy whistled for his horse and caught the reins. He took Elizabeth’s hand and walked with her towards Netherfield. “I cannot think why she insists on meeting you but I told her last evening at dinner that she must not send an invitation to tea. She and Mr. Collins have gone behind my back to achieve their aim. I believe Aunt Catherine has a hand in this. Let us see what it is my cousin and yours have planned so carefully with their deception.”
Elizabeth’s heart sang at having Mr. Darcy’s confidence in regard to their meddling cousins. “Whatever they might wish to accomplish this afternoon, they shall be shocked to find us together in the gardens. I am so happy you appeared, Mr. Darcy. I feel safe in your presence.”
Mr. Darcy gave his love the broadest smile she had ever witnessed upon his countenance and returned the conversation to the plans he held for marrying her and taking her home to Pemberley.
Elizabeth was not pleased when the great house of Netherfield appeared, for Mr. Darcy had woven a fairy tale for her as they walked hand in hand across the fields. To have it shatter as the patches of ice beneath her feet made her most uneasy.