“You are paying his wages.” Darcy did not make it a question.
Aunt Catherine fussed with the folds of her skirt. “Naturally. Mr. Collins could not afford a steward—not with the condition of his estate. Why, do you know he did not have the means for a new barouche? So, I thought it would be my gift to him.”
Darcy contemplated his aunt. Generosity was not numbered among her character traits; she only took actions if they benefited her. But he failed to comprehend her motives here. “That is very beneficent of you,” he murmured.
“I do think very highly of Mr. Collins.”
“Does Mr. Weston have any experience as a steward?” Darcy asked, knowing the answer very well.
Aunt Catherine carefully examined the nails of one hand. “His father was an excellent steward…”
“Who, as I recall, indulged his son with excessive amounts of cash that he spent on gambling and other distasteful pursuits. That was the reason he joined the army.”
“No doubt he learned stewardship from his father.”
Darcy laughed harshly. “His most notable talent is for seduction!” he snapped.
His aunt drew herself up. “How dare you raise your voice to me?”
Darcy took a deep breath, swallowing his anger. “I apologize, Aunt. But you sent a known seducer to a house full of unmarried women.”
She waved her hands negligently. “Their cousin is present to protect them.” She leaned forward in her chair. “You traveled from Longbourn, did you not? How does the estate fare? Has Mr. Weston supplied Mr. Collins with necessary aid?”
“It seems to be thriving. The harvest is sure to be a good one, and the tenants seem happy.” There was no reason for his aunt to know that this prosperity was not Weston’s doing.
She sank back into her chair with a pleased smile. “That is very good to hear. I hope Mr. Collins will not be so very busy this summer and might come to visit Rosings. It has been nearly five months since he was last here.”
This struck Darcy as odd. How often would she expect a former employee to visit her? He had no family in Kent and no reason to dance attendance upon Aunt Catherine now. At the same time, Darcy had no doubt her affection for Collins was sincere. She would never find so faithful a lackey.
When the realization struck him, Darcy blurted it out. “You want Collins to return to Rosings!”
“What? Nonsense!” His aunt brushed an imaginary speck of dust from her skirt.
Of course! She believed Weston could take over Collins’s duties and permit her erstwhile rector a long sojourn at Rosings, perhaps even inhabiting the parsonage again.
“But you have a rector, do you not?”
The faintest blush stained his aunt’s papery cheeks. “Of course, I do,” she said sharply. “But now that you mention it, I did offer to make Mr. Collins my personal chaplain. Unfortunately, he feels that his duties to Longbourn will not permit it.”
“Ah.” Now the scope of her plans was becoming clear. She keenly felt the absence of her most loyal sycophant and hoped Weston’s labor would allow him to return. Darcy did not know whether he thought the scheme was more sad or diabolical.
“Do you believe Mrs. Collins wishes to resume living in Kent?” he asked.
Aunt Catherine waved Mrs. Collins away. “She will do as her husband bids her.”
Darcy did not believe the Collinses’ marriage—or indeed any marriage—functioned in quite that manner. Certainly Aunt Catherine’s had not.
Darcy decided to play the last card in his deck. “Should you be sponsoring someone of Weston’s moral character? What if he commits some scandalous act, and members of the ton learn you are connected with him?”
She pursed her lips and then nodded. “You are absolutely right.” Darcy sagged with relief. “I will write to Mr. Weston at once and ensure he informs nobody that I pay his wages. I will have him say Mr. Collins pays them.”
Darcy ground his teeth in frustration. His relief had been premature. “You could simply dismiss Weston or recall him to Rosings—where his father might watch over him.”
Aunt Catherine frowned. “Mr. Collins needs him.”
He tried to marshal another argument while his aunt nibbled on a biscuit. Surely the information she had provided might somehow be used to Elizabeth’s advantage.
Darcy had been silent too long; it allowed his aunt to seize control of the conversation. “When will you announce your engagement to Anne?”