Elizabeth received a letter from her sister Mary. Written over three weeks earlier, it had been rerouted from London, to Pemberley, to Matlock, and back to Pemberley. Mary related that Charlotte Collins née Lucas died in labour along with her child. Mary’s retelling of that fateful day caused Elizabeth considerable distress. Poor dear Charlotte, married to my hideous cousin for nearly a year, now tragically departed. After a bout of sad reflection, she continued to read the letter clutched tightly in her hand.
Mary wrote that whilst she attempted to offer condolences to Mr. Collins during his time of need, he confessed he could not bear to live alone. They had reached an understanding. They planned to marry in three weeks; a full month after Charlotte’s passing. By now my sister is Mr. Collins’s wife, Elizabeth considered. She had always known that Mary held a favourable opinion of their cousin. It came as no great surprise that she should marry him, but the timing… Elizabeth considered the irony of her family’s situation and her own rejection of her cousin’s proposal. How different things would be had Mr. Collins offered for Mary, instead of herself, in the first place.
Mary stated in her letter that she understood if Elizabeth could not attend the wedding, especially in light of the disaster that was Mr. Collins’s proposal less than a year earlier. Mary expressed her fondest wish that the Bennet family would soon be reunited. Mrs. Bennet and Kitty would return to Longbourn on the eve of her wedding to Mr. Collins, thereby reclaiming their rightful place at Longbourn. Nothing would make her happier than to have Elizabeth and Jane return, as well. Elizabeth smiled as she read her sister’s sentiments. Indeed, it truly would be a wonderful blessing if Jane returned from Scotland, but it is impossible that I should consent to live under Mr. Collins’s authority.
Elizabeth was glad for her sister. She immediately set out to write to Mary of her joy for her and the rest of the family. She also wrote a heartfelt letter to the Lucas family to express her condolences.
Three days later, Darcy summoned Elizabeth to his study. With Georgiana’s courtship formally under way, he had reached a decision about her supervision. He needed to discuss it with Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, I have decided to hire a chaperon for Georgiana.”
“A chaperon, sir; as her companion, is that not one of my duties?”
“I never intended you to watch over her, Miss Elizabeth. I imagine Lord Harry will be here often, now that he has permission to court her. I want them supervised carefully at all times. I do not expect that of you.”
“Sir, are you dissatisfied with my work? Do you believe I am an unsuitable companion?” Elizabeth asked with uncertainty.
“You know that it pleases both Georgiana and me to have you here. However, you are a maiden yourself, as well as Georgiana’s closest friend,” Darcy responded, trying his best to put her at ease.
“Perhaps you think I will allow the couple too much freedom because I am young and inexperienced, myself. If that is the case, let me assure you, I take my responsibilities very seriously,” she affirmed.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am aware of how committed you are to Georgiana, and I trust your care over her, implicitly. You must trust me when I say this is for the best. You should continue to spend as much time with Georgiana as you wish, but you should not feel obligated to attend to her when she is with Lord Harry. That will be the job of the chaperon. This is as much for me as it is for you. I cannot spend all my time watching the young couple. I do not expect you to have to either, even if you do think it is your responsibility.”
Darcy continued, “I have arranged an interview with an old friend of the family, a middle-aged, recently widowed woman. Her name is Mrs. Pearce. I invite you to take part, should you wish.”
“That is not necessary, sir. Am I excused?”
Sensing her apprehension, Darcy approached Elizabeth and gently placed his reassuring hand on her slender arm. Attempting once more to put her at ease, he took her hand. “Please do not worry, Miss Elizabeth. It will be for the best. You trust me, do you not?”
“Yes, of course I trust you, sir. If you will excuse me, I think I will go out for a walk before dinner.” Elizabeth curtseyed and quickly left the room. Darcy stood in awe. He wondered what he might have said to make that go smoother. It was disquieting for him, seeing her reaction to his news. She is completely unaware that I would do anything for her.
Elizabeth headed outside for her walk and contemplated Darcy’s latest act. Based upon her conversations with Georgiana, she knew Georgiana and Lord Harry were in love, and they planned to wed as soon as the upcoming Season was over. Her days with the Darcys were coming to an end. She could not help but be troubled that Darcy planned to hire a chaperon for Georgiana. She trusted it was not an indictment against her—that it was exactly as he presented it. Elizabeth was certain that she would stay with Georgiana until she married. What was to happen after that? Fortunately, she was no longer obligated to send money to Meryton to help her family. All that she earned from then on would be hers alone. Elizabeth had no doubt that Darcy over compensated her for her services as Georgiana’s companion. He paid her handsomely, for all intents and purposes, to enjoy the lifestyle of a wealthy maiden.
She thought of her uncle Gardiner as being a very successful businessman. She decided to write to him to seek his financial advice. Once she left the Darcys, she did not intend to seek employment again. With her uncle’s help, she would endeavour to build up a small nest egg and live modesty off the interest, without being an added burden to her family.
Once Elizabeth carefully considered her plans, her spirits rose immensely. She soon strolled merrily along the garden path with much brighter hope for her future.
The ensuing weeks at Pemberley passed quickly. Lord Harry remained in Matlock to accommodate his courtship with Georgiana. Given the relatively short distance between the two estates, he visited with her almost daily. Elizabeth found Lord Harry very engaging. He was handsome and good-hearted, and he doted on Georgiana. Elizabeth suspected the two would be a truly loving and affectionate couple when they married. Even Darcy quickly warmed to Lord Harry, as he began to spend more and more of the time at Pemberley. As Darcy predicted, Lord Harry visited so often, it was a relief to Elizabeth that Mrs. Pearce was also there to chaperon the young couple.
Darcy made sure that Elizabeth spent much of her free time with him. The two of them spent hours in the library, reading and debating. Horseback riding was a favourite pastime as the weather permitted. Darcy even invited her into his study to seek her opinion on Pemberley household matters, to Elizabeth’s bewilderment, because he had come to value her judgements. It seemed Darcy could not get enough of Elizabeth’s company, and she delighted in his company, as well.
In early December, Darcy began to plan for the Christmas season. He hoped to spend Christmas at Pemberley with Elizabeth. As Georgiana’s paid companion, it was Elizabeth’s job to go wherever she went during all times; however, as both Georgiana and Darcy regarded her as a close friend, neither would demand it, if Elizabeth chose otherwise. When Darcy asked Elizabeth of her plans for Christmas and whether she would visit her family, Elizabeth said she intended to spend only two days with the Gardiners in London. Therefore, Darcy made his plans so. Giving up his hopes to spend Christmas at Pemberley, he arranged to spend it in town to accommodate Elizabeth. He made extensive plans for their entertainment. He was so looking forward to sharing that time with her.
Days later, Elizabeth received a letter from Jane informing her that she was returning to England. She had given her notice to her employer in Scotland. She looked forward to seeing Elizabeth at Longbourn, along with the Gardiners. It would be a marvellous family reunion in their beloved home.
Elizabeth did not want to disappoint Darcy and Georgiana. But, of course she would go to Longbourn now that Jane would be there. Elizabeth set out to speak privately with Darcy, to tell him of her change in plans.
“Mr. Darcy, I have wonderful news. My eldest sister, Jane, is returning to England. She will be at Longbourn in time for Christmas.”
Darcy’s heart sank. That could only mean one thing. He said, “Indeed that is wonderful news. I am happy for her, and for your family. I imagine you will spend Christmas there, as well.”
“Oh yes, I am very excited to see her again! Our whole family will be there, including my uncle and aunt from town. I plan to travel by stagecoach, so that I might arrive as soon as possible,” Elizabeth enthusiastically responded.
“You plan to travel from Derbyshire to Hertfordshire by stagecoach,” Darcy responded. Are you out of your mind? He thought to himself. “Surely, you jest. I would never allow that.”
“I beg your pardon, sir,” she said with a certain degree of astonishment.
“I will not allow you to travel by stagecoach. What are you thinking?”
“How dare you? You do not decide how I conduct my own personal affairs! Stop trying to control me!” Elizabeth shouted.
“I am not trying to control you. My concern is for your safety. You know that!” Darcy insisted, thinking to himself, All these months, and she is still as headstrong as ever.
“What I know is that you enjoy having your own way in all matters, even those that do not concern you!” Elizabeth insisted, thinking to herself, All these months, and he is still as officious as ever.
“And I will have my way this time. I will take you to Longbourn myself,” he stated firmly, then mumbled, “even if it means exposing my sister to tradesmen.”
Instead of focusing upon his effrontery towards her relatives, she argued, “I will not have it, Mr. Darcy! What might everyone think seeing me personally escorted to Meryton by my employer?”
“Then, I shall take you to London, and you can travel with your uncle and aunt. We will leave in two days hence. Now, if you will excuse me, I must speak with my steward. Good day, Miss Elizabeth,” he decreed, as he left her fuming in his study.
The fact was that Elizabeth did not want to abide by Darcy’s dictate because she did not want to chance increasing her mother’s expectation that she was more than a paid companion. Once she returned to her apartment, Elizabeth recalled the many letters she had received from her mother with explicit instructions on how to use her arts and allurements to ensnare Darcy and secure the future of her family. Mrs. Bennet said it was selfish of Elizabeth to have such a lifestyle while her poor family suffered so. She insisted that Elizabeth would be wealthy beyond any of their dreams with a house in town, many splendid carriages, and such pin-money. In addition, she would put her sisters in the way of rich husbands. It mortified Elizabeth even to imagine her mother’s outrageous behaviour if Darcy arrived at Longbourn with her. No, she would never allow that.
Needless to say, the return trip to London was not nearly as pleasant as had been the journey to Pemberley. The weather was harsh, cold and rainy. Darcy spent the bulk of the trip in the closed confines of the carriage with Georgiana and Elizabeth. He spoke very little to either of them, preferring instead to focus his attention upon the passing winter scenery. Instead of putting their differences aside, even for Georgiana’s sake, he elected to take his meals in his room, when they rested each night.
When Darcy, Georgiana, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Pearce arrived at Darcy House, he immediately arranged to have Elizabeth properly escorted to the Gardiners’ home in Cheapside. His spirits remained as low as the day they argued. Irrationally, he felt he had lost her. What would happen if she decided never to return? It broke his heart as he watched her departure from his home after the tearful goodbye with Georgiana. Elizabeth gave her promise to Georgiana that she would return to London in time to prepare for the Matlock’s Twelfth Night Ball.