Page 37 of The Widower of Pemberley

Mr. Darcy forced a polite smile onto his face. He sat next to Mr. Collins and engaged the clergyman’s attention with questions about how Lady Catherine managed and how Mr. Collins had become acquainted with her.

This was, as Elizabeth had already discovered, a happy subject for Mr. Collins, and her cousin was eloquent (or as close as Mr. Collins could come to eloquent) in his praise of the woman and her celebrated greatness. Mr. Darcy was, in the opinion of theparson, uniquely blessed beyond all else in having such a woman for his relation, even though Lady Catherine was not wholly satisfied by his conduct.

Mr. Darcy glowered at Mr. Collins when he reached this point in his narration. “Does she still blame me for Anne’s childbed death after she married Lord Derwent?”

“Ah, she has spoken about…that is a few words—” Mr. Collins stuttered. “Her ladyship is of the view that you treated her daughter in a…ah…insufficiently respectful manner by not marrying her, as had been agreed by all when you were children.”

Mr. Darcy sneered, and though Elizabeth wished to ask more aboutthatstory, her attention was grabbed by Georgiana, who wished to play a duet with her again, like they had during the happy dreamlike before times, when she had stayed at Netherfield.

Emily sat with them to turn the pages, and they chose a sad song in honour of the depressed mood of the house. But after Elizabeth had sobbed her eyes out once she finished the words, she said, “Let us sing something cheerful. I would like a joyful tune.”

Georgiana saw the music sitting on the pianoforte forThe Vicar of Bray, which had always been a favourite song of her father’s, and she suggested it, as it would be more interesting to play since she did not know the tune well. After looking at the music for what seemed to be only half a second, Georgiana began a rendition of it that had more spirit and accuracy than any time Elizabeth had attempted the piece.

It was Elizabeth’s job to sing, and she did so, but the whole time she was thinking of her dear papa. Her voice became choked, and she burst into tears after singing the last chorus:

And this is law, I will maintain.

Unto my Dying Day, Sir.

That whatsoever King may reign,

I will be the Vicar of Bray, Sir!

Mrs. Bennet sobbed too, and she came up to Elizabeth and said, “Dear, you ought to sing for your father when next he is awake. I cannot help but think he would like that.”

A small nod from Elizabeth—she then turned to Georgiana, “It is a favourite of my father’s.”

Georgiana wrapped an arm around her. “He will be well. And you must not fret. All will be well. You are my friend. You must swear not to do anything rash out of fear.”

The girl looked towards where Mr. Collins sat.

Elizabeth had nothing to say to this, so she hurried them to begin another song.

During the following hour, Mr. Darcy’s manner was somehow different from ever before. He pointedly did not look at Elizabeth, while usually his gaze frequently fell upon her.

She did not know what to think.

After they had stayed for a long time, Mr. Darcy suddenly said, “Miss Elizabeth, I have a matter that I wish to discuss with you privately. Might we walk around the shrubbery?”

Elizabeth had been playing at troll, helpless maiden, and knight with Emily and Georgiana—the game was decidedly mixed up; Emily frequently demanded they all change their roles within the space of half a second. Upon hearing that her father was to take her dear playmate away from her, the little girl demanded that she come as well.

Mr. Darcy, with his usual kindness to his daughter, picked her up, kissed her, smiled at her, and told her that it was impossible.

“Why?”

Mr. Darcy seemed confounded by the question.

Georgiana asked with a smile, “What do you mean to speak of with Lizzy?”

Rather than smiling in return, the gentleman’s face was grim and his lips pressed together. “I shall explain only after I have spoken to her.”

Odd.

As she pulled her coat and boots on, Elizabeth guessed that he meant to offer her some position, likely unusually well paid, maybe as Emily’s governess or Georgiana’s companion once her father was dead.

If so, that was most kind of him, though a little lowering.

She was, however, determined to sacrifice herself for her sister’s well-being in a more permanent and efficacious manner.