Darcy shrugged, affecting a nonchalance he did not feel. Thank God these two did not know how much his future felicity relied on their decisions. “Many people may run an estate; there is not much expertise required.” Darcy had uttered several falsehoods recently, but this one was the most galling. “Only you could be the solace that my aunt needs in her times of trouble.” He directed an entreating look toward Collins.
“I might also point out, Mr. Collins,” Elizabeth said delicately, “you are not terribly popular with Longbourn’s tenants at the moment. Perhaps a different hand at the wheel might do some good…for a little while at least.”
Mrs. Collins agreed. “Perhaps I could manage Longbourn in your stead? Certainly I could not handle it as well as you, but I believe the estate will not suffer.”
Oh, she is good, Darcy thought. Appealing to his vanity while giving him an excuse to do what he wants.
Collins considered for a moment. “That is an excellent idea. My heart would rest easy if I were to leave Longbourn in your capable hands…temporarily, of course.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Collins agreed hastily. “Naturally, I will miss you, my dear.” She batted her eyelashes at her husband. “But we must all make sacrifices for the greater good.”
“Yes, yes, indeed. Clergymen and landowners must make a great number of sacrifices.” Collins settled back into his chair with a self-satisfied smile. Why would he not be pleased? He had just acquired his perfect situation in life: Longbourn’s income and prestige—without a pesky need to write sermons or a requirement to make decisions.
“Can you possibly manage Longbourn on your own?” Elizabeth asked Mrs. Collins with a very convincing expression of alarm.
“I can…” Mrs. Collins bit her lip uncertainly. “Although, goodness knows, I could use some assistance. Do you think Mary might be convinced to help me? She knows so much about agriculture. If she could be persuaded…”
Elizabeth’s lips twitched. “I am sure Mary would be pleased to be of assistance. She wants what is best for Longbourn.”
“Excellent thought!” Collins beamed.
Good. Now when Mrs. Collins later appointed Mary to be the steward of Longbourn, Collins and Aunt Catherine would not be completely unprepared. Outraged, yes, but they would have little cause for objection.
“Very well. It is decided.” Aunt Catherine sat up, apparently feeling far less ill now that she was replacing a troublesome daughter with a compliant clergyman. “I shall return to Rosings and await your arrival, Mr. Collins.”
The man in question blinked, taken aback by the speed with which everything was occurring. “Y-Yes, of course.”
“Perhaps in a week?” Darcy’s aunt excelled at making a question sound like a command.
“I do not know if—It is rather fast—”
Aunt Catherine merely glared at the hapless man, who reddened under her scrutiny.
“Yes, of course,” he said finally. “A week at the most.”
She granted him a cool smile as she stood. “Very good. Then I shall return to London tonight and Kent on the morrow.” She swept from the room like a queen leaving court. Collins followed only a few steps behind her.
Once the door closed behind the two, everyone in the room relaxed like marionettes whose strings had been cut. “Charlotte, you were wonderful!” Elizabeth crowed.
“I thought Anne was marvelous!” Mrs. Collins responded.
Anne’s pale cheeks colored a little. “I must thank all of you for your assistance in establishing a new life. Particularly you, Cousin William, for devising this scheme.”
Darcy sank into a chair and rubbed his face with one hand. “Well, all did not go precisely according to plan…”
Anne smiled. “You could not have anticipated that Mr. Collins would lock us out of Longbourn!”
“No.” Darcy shook his head ruefully. “Fortunately, Elizabeth’s friends saved the day.”
“Well, the end result is the important thing,” Elizabeth said. “Anne and Peter are married and will live happily at the Grange. Jane will marry Mr. Bingley. Charlotte will manage Longbourn with Mary’s help.”
“And you and I are free to start our new lives at Pemberley,” Darcy finished. The smoldering look in his eyes suggested he was already looking forward to the wedding night.
She gave him a fond smile.
“Mr. Darcy, you are a miracle worker,” Peter said with a grin.
Darcy did not smile back. “No. I helped bring to conclusion events which were set in motion long before I arrived at Longbourn.” He leaned forward, addressing the younger man earnestly. “Let me give you a piece of advice: Never underestimate a determined woman.”