Page 49 of Master of Himself

“What a pleasure to see you again, Mr Bingley,” his hostess said in a lilting tone, then added with less enthusiasm, “and Mr Darcy, also.”

Charles found this cool reception somewhat puzzling. He could only suppose that Mrs Bennet was still perturbed by Darcy’s poor performance at the assembly. Was it possible that she didn’t know that Elizabeth had received and accepted an apology for that offence?

A tall, rotund clergyman boldly stepped forward. “Do I have the pleasure of addressing Mr Darcy of Pemberley?”

From this speech, Charles supposed that Darcy was also unacquainted with this man. “I am Darcy,” he said.

The man offered a ridiculously servile bow. “Mr William Collins, my good sir, delighted to make your acquaintance. I have been blessed with the parsonage and rectory of Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s parish in Kent, and am pleased to inform you that her ladyship enjoyed the best of health when I last saw her this past Monday.”

Although Charles had no idea to whom the parson referred, he assumed Darcy was acquainted with the lady. “Excellent,” he said, glancing briefly at his twin who regarded the clergyman with a furrowed brow. “Please allow me to present my friend, Mr Bingley.”

Collins bowed to Darcy, then returned his attention to Charles. “I apologise for not informing you sooner, but I had no idea of your being in the vicinity.”

“No offense is taken,” Charles said, hoping this was what Darcy would have said.

“My parsonage is within a half mile of Rosings Park, and her ladyship has been kind enough to invite me to dine with her and Miss de Bourgh on several occasions.”

Dear Lord, how much longer does he intend to rattle on about this lady?

His mortification only increased as Kitty and Lydia giggled like schoolgirls at the absurd scene.

“Won’t you be seated, gentlemen?” Mrs Bennet said, gesturing to two empty chairs near the windows. “Jane and Lizzy will join us presently.”

Collins continued. “Her ladyship has been excessively kind to me, and just last Saturday, she invited me to join her pool of quadrille.”

Not wishing to encourage the man, Charles merely nodded at this comment.

“Mr Darcy has often mentioned his Aunt Catherine and Cousin Anne in Kent,” Darcy said, offering his assistance on the subject.

Ah! Although Charles was unable to recall any previous references to Darcy’s family members in Kent, he now understood the connection.

“As well I can imagine, for I have never met a more amiable and distinguished lady in my life,” Collins said. “She has even once condescended to visit my little cottage and—”

“Here they are now,” Mrs Bennet said, gesturing to her two eldest daughters.

Charles had never been more relieved when Jane and Elizabeth entered the parlour, interrupting the parson’s diatribe about his exalted connections. Rising to his feet, he drank in Jane’s glowing countenance.

“Jane is in her full beauty, as you see, Mr Bingley,” Mrs Bennet said, pushing her eldest daughter to the chair beside Darcy, effectively displacing Charles from his seat.

Giggles filled the air as Charles moved to a sofa beside Miss Elizabeth; however, he wouldn’t complain. From this vantage point, he had a better view of his angel, who blushed violently at her mother’s blatant manoeuvre. When the tea tray arrived, she poured a cup and offered it to Darcy.

“As I was saying, Lady Catherine has already invited me to dine twice at Rosings and once paid me a visit at my humble cottage,” Collins said, inspiring a new round of giggles from the younger girls.

Elizabeth offered Charles a cup of tea. “Would you care for a lemon biscuit, Mr Darcy?” she inquired with a crooked smile.

Thankful for the intervention, Charles helped himself to the sweet, sensing that she found the parson’s antics somewhat amusing. She leaned in closer to whisper. “My father’s heir is rather devoted to your aunt.”

He nodded his understanding, although this didn’t explain why the man was so encroaching. One would think that a clergyman would behave with more modesty.

“I shall write to her ladyship immediately to advise her of today’s meeting. Who could have predicted that I would encounter her esteemed nephew in my cousin’s house? How wonderfully these sorts of things occur.”

Not wishing to encourage the man to continue, Charles turned his attention to Miss Elizabeth. He might as well lend his assistance to Darcy while he was here at Longbourn. “Are you well, Miss Elizabeth? We miss you at Netherfield.”

She smiled, her eyes twinkling. “Oh yes, we are all well, Mr Darcy. My sisters and I are looking forward to the assembly next week. We hope to see you there.”

“Of course,” Charles said. “We wouldn’t think of missing it.”

“Now that Jane has fully recovered, you should hold a ball at Netherfield, Mr Bingley,” Lydia said, to which Kitty added her earnest agreement.