Finding Another Mother - CH 5

Chapter 5: TRIPS AND GUESTS

Darcy and Georgiana would either go to Longbourn or Jane and Elizabeth would visit Netherfield daily. The relationship between Jane and Georgiana grew closer. Mr. Darcy was pleased. Jane Bennet was different than the ladies that he usually met. She was beautiful, kind, caring but also quite intelligent. Jane did not simper and defer to him, avowing him to be correct on everything. No, Jane would calmly state her opinion on a matter and back that opinion up with her reasons. Darcy found that her beliefs were well thought out and he admired her greatly for her intellect. Mr. Darcy desired to see Jane at his estate, Pemberley. He wanted to see if she approved of it and if she would enjoy being there. He concocted a plan where he would have Georgiana invite Jane and her sister Elizabeth, who was now known as Lizzy to Georgiana, for a month’s long stay at Pemberley. He also would ask the Netherfield party as well as have Miss Lucas invited to accompany them. Georgiana issued the invitations, and everyone accepted. They would leave in ten days.

There was much excitement about the upcoming excursion to Pemberley which was in Derbyshire County. Jane was beginning to allow herself to believe that Mr. Darcy was interested in her. She enjoyed his attentions and being with him made her feel special and happy. She thought him everything that a proper gentleman ought to be. Charlotte was having the time of her life. She had never had such an active social life as she did presently. She was invited to attend teas, luncheons, and even walks. She was over the moon about the invitation to Pemberley. She also was enjoying Mr. Bingley’s regard for her advice. Elizabeth found joy in seeing her sister and friend happy. She also was forming a friendship with Caroline as well as Georgianna. Elizabeth looked forward to visiting Derbyshire as she had never been in that part of the country before.

During this time of preparation for the trip, Mr. Collins, a cousin of the Bennets, came for a visit. The estate of Longbourn was entailed to the male line. Mr. Collins was the nearest living male relative to Mr. Bennet and thus would inherit Longbourn upon the demise of Mr. Bennet. Mr. Collins was immensely proud of his position as a clergyman. He considered it his Christian duty to select a wife from one of Mr. Bennet’s daughters as that would keep the estate “in the family.” He was the rector of Hunsford parish, and his patroness was none other than Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who happened to be Mr. Darcy’s aunt. However, upon knowing him for less than a half hour he proved to be a pompous, silly and conceited man who was constantly bragging about his position and his patroness. He even found it necessary to inform his cousins that his esteemed patroness had installed shelves in the closets at his home. While this may seem like an innovation even Lydia, who rarely paid attention to such matters, wondered where one would hang the coats and dresses.

Mr. Collins inquired as to the reason for the hustle and bustle at Longbourn. His cousin Jane explained that she and Elizabeth had been invited by Miss Darcy for a visit to her home in Derbyshire. Mr. Collins’ eyes lit up. "Miss Darcy, you say?” he asked. “Why Miss Darcy is the niece of my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mr. Darcy, her brother, is engaged to Miss Anne de Bourgh!” Mr. Collins stated with aplomb. Jane and Lizzy looked at each other with questioning looks. Lizzy asked, “How do you know about this engagement Mr. Collins?” He answered, “Lady Catherine, herself, has stated that fact several times in my presence. By the way, you ladies are in for an exquisite time as Pemberley rates only second in elegance to Lady Catherine’s estate of Rosings Park.”

Jane excused herself from the group citing important business to complete upstairs. Lizzy followed her shortly. Jane was sitting on the edge of her bed looking somewhat downcast. She was thinking, “Why has Mr. Darcy been paying me so much attention, if he is engaged? Have I really misunderstood his attentions to me? Is he an honorable or dishonorable man? How can I reconcile his conduct?” Lizzy knocked on the door and entered. “Jane are you well?” she asked. Jane answered her, “I do not know what to think! I believe Mr. Darcy to be honorable. But why has he been showing so much interest in me while he is engaged to another? The only thing I can think of is that he is looking for a new companion for his sister and that he is considering it to be me!” Lizzy disagreed with this assessment. However, Jane continued, “Miss Darcy herself told me that her current paid companion is the widow of a retired clergyman. Mrs. Annesley, her companion, is more like a grandmother. Perhaps she is thinking of resigning her position? After Mr. Darcy met me, he wasted very little time in getting Georgiana here to meet me. Now he wants me to be at Pemberley. I think he wants to hire me as Georgiana’s new companion. This is the only sense that I can make of everything.”

Jane looked sad but being the strong woman that she was she stated, “Lizzy, we will keep our plans to visit Pemberley as we cannot disappoint Georgiana. However, if Mr. Darcy makes an offer of employment to me, I will have to let him know straight away that he is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman’s daughter. So far we are equal and I could not be expected to work for him. Thus, I would need to refuse the offer no matter how much I enjoy the company of his sister.” Deep in her heart Jane was disappointed. She had thought that Mr. Darcy was showing a preference for her. Well, all that thinking would have to be changed. Jane realized that she was very close to falling in love with Mr. Darcy. In order to protect herself from a heartbreak, Jane determined to put up a wall around her heart and not allow Mr. Darcy in. She rationalized that the only way to protect her heart was to never allow it to be touched. Jane decided that she would overcome this disappointment and be an agreeable guest. She and Lizzy started to finish their packing.