Mr. Collins' Will: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Renata McMann & Summer Hanford

Author:Renata McMann & Summer Hanford [McMann, Renata & Hanford, Summer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-11T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Before giving in to the urge to head to the Gardiners to call on Elizabeth, Darcy ordered his coachman to take him to his Aunt Catherine’s, the obligatory visit faced with much greater cheer now that he needn’t endure the underlying pressure of her expectation that he wed Anne. Or perhaps the elevation in his mood stemmed from the expectation of visiting Elizabeth next. He’d noted a propensity for increased joy of late. The sort of giddiness he’d always frowned upon when observed in others, but which he must now admit seemed entirely right and natural.

He was shown into Lady Catherine’s favorite parlor for familial visits, a surprisingly airy room devoid of much of the ostentation liberally displayed in the majority of the townhouse. His aunt sat at her writing desk, a massive yet simple piece set squarely before tall diamond paned windows and flanked by blue velvet curtains. She rose when he entered and ordered tea, forgoing asking if he’d care for any, then turned to him.

“Darcy. I’d begun to worry a reprimand would be required before you’d do your duty and call on me in London.”

“We did journey to London in tandem, coming from residing under the same roof in Hertfordshire for several days,” he noted dryly.

“That is no excuse.” She gestured to the sofas and chairs hemming in a low table. “Sit. Tea will arrive shortly. The staff always has something on hand this time of day.”

A manifestation of both wealth and Lady Catherine’s certainty that callers would arrive, for although she could afford to, she wouldn’t waste foodstuffs. Heading in the indicted direction, Darcy selected his usual armchair beside his aunt’s preferred sofa. She crossed the room in a rustle of skirts, her lion headed cane thunking out a louder than usual rhythm, a sure sign the London winter didn’t agree with her.

That made her recent capitulations to Anne all the more surprising, and Darcy longed to ask about them, but first he wished for a fuller understanding of her temper. There was no point attempting to have a reasonable discussion with Lady Catherine were she in one of her moods.

Lady Catherine settled to her sofa, both hands resting atop her cane, and frowned at him. “At least you’ve come. I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of Richard. I’d begun to think I’d done something to offend the two of you.”

That surprised Darcy. Richard was normally quite diligent in his duty to their aunt. “He asked permission to court Anne and then has not been to see her?” Could it have anything to do with why he’d come to Darcy House? Georgiana had said that Richard seemed on edge when he arrived. Had he reconsidered his bid to court Anne? He’d always told Darcy he didn’t believe cousins should wed. “You don’t think he’s reconsidered?”

“He best not have. I’ve already begun making Anne over.”

Darcy raised his eyebrows. “Making Anne over?”

Lady Catherine nodded. “Which is why I didn’t send for her when you arrived. She and Miss Mary Bennet are with their drawing master.

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