Page 63 of Collins Takes Charge

Fitzwilliam and Darcy led William up to the drawing room, where he greeted his patroness and was introduced to Lord Hilldale and the timid Miss Darcy.

On Fitzwilliam walking him down to the drive, William shook his friend’s hand and then mounted Vulcan. “Until later, Fitzwilliam; I will see you when we arrive,” William called out over his shoulder as he began to ride away.

On his return to Longbourn, William shared what he had put in place for the ball with the three eldest daughters of the house. Rather than thinking him presumptuous, the three sisters were very appreciative that he was doing something to curtail their youngest sisters’ behaviour that their parents should have done a long time past.

William asked for Cousin Jane’s second set and Cousin Elizabeth’s third. Both happily granted his request.

Chapter 24

“We have been invited to arrive about an hour before the time listed on the invitation to enjoy an aperitif with the residents of Netherfield Park,” Collins stated to those in the drawing room who were relaxing from their preparations for the ball. All that was left to do was to actually don their ball gowns.

“Jane, did I not tell you how it would be?” Fanny flapped her lace-edged square furiously. “Mr Bingley wants us to join them early so he may propose to you before the ball. Not even your wilful sister forcing you to leave Netherfield Park before I told you to return home has deterred that dear man.”

“Cousin Fanny, as much as I dislike disagreeing with you, we are to meet my patroness and one of her cousins. This note was sent by Mr Fitzwilliam and not Mr Bingley,” William Collins corrected.

“Mamma, on that subject, I do not know if Mr Bingley and I suit. I certainly do not know him well enough to accept him if he does offer for me,” Jane stated.

For some moments Fanny’s mouth hung open. “You have been in company with Lizzy far too much! Her impertinence is rubbing off on you,” Fanny accused. “You have never tried to gainsay me before. When he offers for you, I insist that you accept him!”

“I am sorry if you think I am being disrespectful, Mamma, but what I said are my own thoughts and have nothing to do with Lizzy. I told you this when we returned from Netherfield Park, that I agreed with Lizzy that it was time to come home. She did not have to convince me of anything,” Jane stated firmly. “Do you think that I am not able to think for myself?”

“Cousin Jane, how old are you? Please pardon me and do not reply if it is an impertinent question,” William asked.

“I am three and twenty; I do not object to owning to it,” Jane replied.

“As such, Cousin Fanny, you understand that Cousin Jane is of age and can chuse for herself, do you not?” William pointed out. “Even Cousin Bennet, whose right it is to approve of engagements before your daughters reach their majorities, cannot direct Cousin Jane to make a choice she does not want to make.” William was very impressed that the eldest Bennet sister was seeing things with a clear eye. He would not need to speak to her more about how she related to the world, as she had made changes on her own after the meeting they had with Fitzwilliam and Darcy.

Even better was the fact that Cousin Jane had recognised that Mr Bingley was not right for her without regard for the fact that the man was reasonably wealthy—that is, if the amount of his income Cousin Fanny touted was close to accurate. William was interested to see how Cousin Fanny would react when they were introduced to Viscount Hilldale. He hoped she would not attempt to push one of her daughters at him.

“Well, I never,” Fanny blustered. She sniffed and looked away. First, Mary had found a suitor before any of her sisters, and now Jane was gainsaying her. Add to that, Jane and others had insisted that Lizzy was not at fault for the things Fanny had been certain she was. What was the world coming to? At least, her Lydia listened to her. Her favourite would not say who or when, but had hinted she would soon be engaged, not just courting. Fanny could not wait to see which officer was to become her son-in-law. It was good to know one daughter would follow her directions on how to catch a man.

With no good cheer, Fanny told her daughters to go and finish dressing for the ball, seeing that they had to be there earlier than planned.

William took it upon himself to inform Cousin Bennet of the new departure time.

Bennet was not overjoyed that he would have to leave his study an hour earlier than he had expected. However, he placated himself with the knowledge that his wife and youngest two daughters would have that much more time to make cakes of themselves. The additional time was worth the extra amusement he would enjoy.

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As they waited for the Bennets, Fitzwilliam was beyond pleased. When he had requested the significant sets, Anne had not hesitated before responding in the affirmative. When they had spoken, she had assured him that she was very confident he was not dangling after her for her property and money. The cat was out of the bag now. Andrew, William, and Anna were aware that he and Anne planned to make a match. He would have liked to have offered for her as soon as she accepted his request for the dances, but that would have meant he would have had to move out of the house.

Two days after the ball, Bingley was to take Miss Bingley to be evaluated by the physicians from The Quiet Place. Fitzwilliam, his brother, and Anne would make for London. As soon as they arrived, he planned to propose, as Anne would be hosted at Matlock House. He had the option to reside at either Hilldale House in Portman Square, or Darcy House, which was also in Grosvenor Square, across the green from his parents’ house. He chose the latter, as it was far closer. William and Anna would remain in Hertfordshire as the former tried to woo Miss Elizabeth. His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of horses’ hooves and wheels crunching on the gravel in the drive.

When the Bennet carriage came to a halt at Netherfield Park, William jumped down and nodded to the man in uniform, one of the six he had employed, standing at the foot of the stairs leading up to the veranda. It seemed like Mr Biggs had chosen to send one of the average sized men to see who the two youngest Bennets were so that his own size would not be a distraction.

William assisted Cousin Bennet to hand the ladies out of the cabin of the conveyance. Even with both men riding on the box, six women dressed in ball gowns overfilled the interior. He made sure to be the one to hand down the two youngest Bennets. He looked at each one pointedly and nodded.

The soldier nodded back and made his way up the stairs and into the house. The rest of the men, including Biggs and Johns, were standing on the landing between the ground level and the first floor with a clear view of the entrance hall. By the time the Bennets and Mr Collins had been relieved of their outerwear, the man was with the other five. He pointed out the two their new employer wanted watched and protected without making it obvious he was doing so. As soon as all of the men had identified the two, they made their way up to the first floor.

Biggs and Johns joined Colonel Fitzwilliam in the drawing room. They nodded to him to let him know they had seen those they were to protect.

As soon as the butler stood aside after announcing the Bennets, they entered the drawing room. The Bennets were taken aback when they saw the two huge men in army uniforms. Even the three who William Collins had told about the men were not prepared for the size of them. As soon as the surprise passed, Kitty and Lydia began to giggle, as there were three men in scarlet coats. The colonel looked far better to them in his uniform.

The older three sisters knew that they were to meet the viscount, but they did not know who the tall, blonde, shy looking younger lady standing next to Mr Darcy was. There was an older lady just behind her. Based on Cousin William’s descriptions, they were able to identify Miss de Bourgh, who was seated next to Colonel Fitzwilliam.

As Mr Bennet had never been introduced to him, Fitzwilliam asked to be introduced. With that done, he introduced his brother, Anne de Bourgh, his ward, his two comrades, and Anna’s companion to the Bennets. Fitzwilliam did not miss the way his brother’s eyebrows shot up when he was introduced to the three older Bennet sisters. Andrew had been made aware that Miss Mary was spoken for and that William was in love with Miss Elizabeth. He had been told about Bingley’s infatuation with Miss Bennet, but as far as anyone knew, there was nothing official between them.

Andrew Fitzwilliam had never seen a lady to match Miss Bennet, not only in beauty but also in serenity. At the same time, she looked like a lady who did not lack resolve. He hoped he would be able to speak to her and discover if she was more than a pretty face. His thoughts were interrupted when the Bennet matron addressed him. He had been forewarned that this may occur.