Free A Most Civil Proposal by C.P. Odom Page A

sniffed in disapproval and then continued, “The comments involve your person, Mr. Darcy, and they also concern a friend of Mrs. Collins, a Miss Bennet.”
    Darcy cursed under his breath and then collected himself. “And what do they say?”
    “I do not know for sure, Mr. Darcy, since I left the room when my advice to avoid gossip was ignored.”
    Darcy sighed. “I am afraid that this is what you should expect when the household staff changes as often as occurs here, but there is no help for it now. Jennings, I need to know what is being said below stairs. I hate to ask this of you, but I must know. Please endeavour to find out whatever you can and give me a report after supper.”
    “Very good, sir,” said Jennings, and he quietly left the room.
    * * * * *
    Darcy stayed in the library reading until supper, which was a repeat of luncheon, and even Fitzwilliam and Anne noticed Lady Catherine’s cold behaviour. He ate quickly and, ignoring Fitzwilliam’s raised eyebrows, made his exit as soon as possible to return to his room. There, he quickly summoned Jennings. As soon as the man entered, Darcy could tell that he did not bring good news. He did not think he had ever seen his valet quite this upset and angry.
    “Have a seat, Jennings. This appears as if it may take some time.”
    “Indeed it may, sir. I have been busy listening to a variety of different accounts from the staff, and none of them seems to see even the slightest impropriety in indulging in such talk! It is all quite upsetting, sir!”
    “I dare say,” said Darcy. “Well, let me have all the particulars. Omit nothing, for I need complete information so I know how to proceed.”
    “Very well, sir,” said Jennings. “First” — and he ticked off the point on his finger — “the Parsonage servants, who appear to be almost as ill-behaved as those here at Rosings, have evidently spread a report that you visited the Parsonage last evening and there spent several hours alone with Miss Bennet in the parlour.
    Darcy struggled to control his sudden fury, and it was several moments before he felt himself under sufficient control to respond to Jennings report.
    “I see,” he said at length, and motioned to his valet to continue.
    Jennings well understood his employer’s anger and shrugged helplessly. “I am sorry, sir, but the staff, as I say —”
    “I know, I know, Jennings. Pray continue.”
    “As I say, the Parsonage staff was all excited about this as a most improper and indeed, compromising, situation, especially since it is the house of a clergyman. Next” — he ticked off another finger — “the Rosings staff has taken that bit of gossip and added to it that you and Miss Bennet have several times been seen walking in the park and that you have other times ventured to meet Miss Bennet alone at the Parsonage. They are talking of other assignations beyond that of last evening.
    “Next,” he continued, “Mr. Collins was incautious enough this morning to speak to Lady Catherine in front of one of the servants. He not only repeated what was being said already but also added his own estimation, which is — and please pardon me for saying it, sir — that you made improper advances toward Miss Bennet last evening, which she rejected. He believes you tried to force yourself on her, which resulted in Miss Bennet fleeing the parlour in tears.”
    This brought Darcy to his feet in anger. “That idiot! That he would spread such filth about his own cousin is completely intolerable! And that the servants would then gossip about it! Can they not see how harmful this type of talk can be to the family? Is there no one in charge below stairs at either household?”
    “There does not appear to be, sir. The previous housekeeper left over two months ago, and she has not been replaced. The butler ought to step in, but it appears that he is rather fond of the bottle and will not be bothered to control the staff.”
    “Well, is that all?” asked Darcy,