Let her try, thought Elizabeth. It will be difficult for her to see aught amiss. Her aunt and uncle took great pains to keep the house superbly maintained and impeccably furnished in the latest style.
“You may leave us, Miss Bennet. I wish to speak to your sister alone.”
Elizabeth signaled for Jane to stay, but her sister was too intimidated to oppose Lady Catherine. She gave a small shake of the head and mouthed an apology.
Lady Catherine stared fixedly at the door until Jane had closed it, then turned fiercely to Elizabeth.
“You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand the reason for my journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I come.”
“I find myself afflicted with a curious lack of curiosity, Lady Catherine. However, I am sure you have every intention of telling me.”
“Impudent girl!” Lady Catherine stood and went to the window to look out. “This is my reward, for welcoming you into my home, for condescending to treat you with civility!”
“I hope I have shown you every civility in return, your Ladyship.”
Once again, Lady Catherine lapsed into silence. Elizabeth did not entertain any hopes it was going to last, and she braced herself for more.
“I see that your wound is much improved. I never thought much of it. '’Tis just a flesh wound,' my nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam, informed me. However, it served its purpose very well, did it not? You were able to insinuate yourself not only into my home but into my nephew’s life.”
Elizabeth was incensed by Lady Catherine’ wholly inaccurate accusation.
“As you well know, your nephews both witnessed not only the shot but the depth of the wound itself. I find it highly unlikely to believe the Colonel would refer to it as just a flesh wound!”
Lady Catherine waved her hand dismissively.
“I will concede the wound may be genuine enough, though why you were shot and how is not as clear to me as it should be. However, the fact remains you contrived to compromise my nephew. He would never have proposed to you otherwise.”
It was a thought that had occurred to Elizabeth, and there were moments—though they were growing fewer—that she grew convinced that he had only offered for her out of duty, because he was enough of a gentleman to wish to shield her from scandal.
“I beg your pardon, Lady Catherine, but may I remind you it was your daughter who locked the door and forced Mr. Darcy into a situation whereby he must propose? And may I remind you further, your Ladyship, you were a witness to the fact I turned down Mr. Darcy’s first proposal?”
“I am wiser to the world than all that. Your refusal was nothing more than an artful allurement intended to draw him in.”
“No doubt your Ladyship will have it, too, that I arranged to have myself shot in order to draw his sympathy.”
“It would not surprise me to learn it. However, that is neither here nor there. I am here to give you one last opportunity to redeem yourself in my eyes—to prove that you are possessed of a sense of honor and decorum. It has come to my knowledge that you actually intend to go through with this farcical marriage. If you care anything for my nephew, you would not embroil him in such a situation. No good can come from it. Do you wish to subject him to the censure and condemnation of his friends and family? To alienate him from all that he is accustomed to? Do you really think for one moment that marriage to you can bring him anything but unhappiness?”
Lady Catherine’s words would have been more easily dismissed if Elizabeth had not wondered such a thing herself. Confined to her bed with little to do, she had spent many hours wondering if agreeing to marry William—she blushed even as she thought the name—was not in fact the utmost folly for both of them.
She would not for anything acknowledge this to Lady Catherine, but she did not feel quite as sure of herself as before when she answered the woman who—if the marriage took place—was to become an aunt to her.
“I do care for him, which is precisely the reason I wish to marry him. It is quite absurd to expect me to claim affection for your nephew while at the same time relinquishing any claims on him.”
“This, then, is your answer? Unfeeling, selfish girl! Do not think you have heard the last of it. I intend to do everything in my power to prevent my nephew from persisting in this folly. I will see to it that he withdraws from this engagement. I have the means to do so and I shall; you may depend upon it.”
“Your nephew is a man of his word, your Ladyship. I do not think it likely that he will withdraw his offer.”
“The engagement is not yet official. The papers have not been drawn up. It is no more than an informal understanding, and I intend to ensure it goes no further.”
With that she swept towards the door. Elizabeth rose from the bed and tried to follow, hoping to contain the damaging effects of Lady Catherine’s anger. She did not wish the Gardiners to bear the brunt of it.
She need not have troubled herself. When Lady Catherine reached the bottom of the stairs, Mr. Gardiner emerged from the drawing room and invited her to partake of some tea and cake.
“I will not honor the family with my presence,” she replied, brushing past him. “I have been most grievously insulted by your niece.”
As Lady Catherine’s carriage drove away, Elizabeth made her way back to the bed slowly. She felt as if all the energy had been drained from her. The encounter had left her far more shaken than she was willing to admit. Worse, it had awakened many of her fears and uncertainties. What if Fitzwilliam changed his mind? What if, despite his words, he had proposed only out of duty or honor?
Elizabeth could not bear it. So much for believing herself indifferent. She had convinced herself she gave in to Mr. Darcy’s persistence because, ultimately, she had little choice in the matter. Now suddenly, for the first time, she began to wonder if there was more to it than that.
CHAPTER 14
It had been a long day, and Theo was contemplating the mess of papers spread across his desk, when he detected the unexpected sound of Monty’s voice outside his chambers. Not that his presence was unusual, but he had rarely heard Monty speak in such a grim, commanding tone. Known for his easy disposition. it took a great deal to kindle his friend’s wrath.
“In with you!” snapped Monty.
The door to Theo’s chambers was flung open, and Monty propelled a young man inside.
“There is no need to be so rough, Preston!” The dandified young man glared at Monty, rubbing his wrist.
Monty slammed the door shut, then leaned back against it, his arms crossed over his chest. Monty the Mountain—that was what they had called him at school when he did that. He was unshakeable.
“Tell him,” he growled.
Theo cocked his head to one side as he eyed the sullen-looking young man. “Duxbury, is it?” he asked mildly. He had been part of the crowd Theo had run with during his student days.
Duxbury straightened his waistcoat with a tug. “You know perfectly well who I am.”
Theo gave Monty a questioning glance, then said dryly, “I do not suppose one of you might be persuaded to tell me the purpose of this call, delightful as it may be.”
“He made me come! It was not my idea. I was having a private conversation when…”
Monty said, “And as soon as you repeat that private conversation to Darcy, you may go on your way.”
Theo sat back in his chair. “It is hard to imagine what could be so urgent, but it is generally unwise to argue with Monty. Those fists, you know.”
Duxbury sniffed. “It is none of his affair. He was eavesdropping.”
“Perhaps I might refresh your memory,” said Monty. “You were telling your friend about your recent drinking bout with Wickham.”
“It is not against the law to drink with a friend!”
“And Wickham said…” Monty prompted inexorably.
“Oh, very well! He said his fortune was made because that pompous jack…”
Monty cleared his throat loudly.
Duxbury gave him a poisonous look. “Because the elder Mr. Darcy is now engaged, and he will dig deep in his pockets to spare his beloved’s family from shame. Wickham said he would be set for life.”
Theo sat up straight. “And how did he plan to enact this pretty little blackmail?”
He had not intended to use his cross-examination voice, but it came out naturally.
The dandy swallowed hard. “He did not say exactly, just that there was a comely bird who would sing whatever tune he chose.”
Theo’s eyes narrowed. He had heard more about Wickham’s wenches than he cared to recall. “Did he happen to name this particular bird?”
“No, it was some girl he had met in Hampshire. Or maybe Hertfordshire. I cannot recall—wherever his regiment was stationed. He was about to return there, as he said, and would see his little bird right away.”
Miss Bennet’s family was from Hertfordshire—and Wickham knew them, or knew of them? This was not good, not good at all.
“Did he say anything else?”
Duxbury shook his head sullenly. “Not about that, no. Just crowed about his good fortune.”
Theo cast a glance at Monty.
His friend shrugged his broad shoulders. “That was all I heard,” he said.
“When did this conversation with Wickham take place?”
Licking his lips, Duxbury counted on his fingers. “It was just after the prizefight, so certainly less than a se’nnight.”
Seven days. Wickham could create a great deal of mischief in that time.
“Very well,” said Theo. “You can go, as long as you promise to let me know if you hear anything else.”
The dandy dusted his sleeve resentfully. “Or what? You will send your friend here after me?”
“Rest assured that I will,” said Theo, grimly.
Duxbury shrugged. “If either of you had cared to ask before I was dragged here without so much as a by-your-leave, I would have told you I feel no loyalty towards Wickham in any case. He owes me a large sum of money.”
Having felt that he scored a point, Duxbury cast a self-satisfied look at the two of them and strolled casually from the room.
Theo jumped up as soon as Duxbury was out of sight.
“We have to find Fitzwilliam right away,” he said, striding out so quickly that most people would have had difficulty following. Monty’s long legs, however, unfolded easily as he rose gracefully and in seconds he was at his friend’s side.
“I say, times truly have changed,” said Monty, amused. “A month ago, your brother would have been the last person you would turn to with a problem. Now you go straight to him.”
Theo scowled. “It is not that simple. This directly affects him, and, unlike me, he knows Miss Bennet’s family.”
“I did not mean to criticize. He is a more decent fellow than I expected, I grant you, but you have had your disagreements.”
“Oh, he is indeed a decent fellow, and I am glad he has stopped assuming the worst of me at every turn. Now I still have the task of convincing him that I do not need him hovering over me constantly to protect me from the wicked world! He seems to have forgotten I have made my own way in it for some time now.”
“He does seem to be one to go to extremes. I am deathly afraid to insult you in his presence, since he would probably take it into his head to challenge me for it. As if I have not been insulting you many times a day for years!”
“So that explains your uncharacteristic politeness at the theater last night! And there was I thinking you were sparing my sister’s innocent ears.”
“Well, I would not wish to add to her troubles, since she already has to deal with you, your brother, and that eccentric cousin of yours. I swear I lived in terror of what would come out of that lady’s mouth next!”
“Oh, yes,” said Theo dryly. “I could see you quaking in your highly polished boots. I must remind you it was your idea to invite us all to join you so you could finally meet Anne de Bourgh.”
“That was before I learned how terrifying she is! All you had told me was that she had changed dramatically as her health improved and would likely be taking her place in London circles. Given she is a considerable heiress, it was practically my duty to meet her at the first opportunity. But even if she were inheriting the throne of England, it would not be enough to tempt me!”
“Anne is not so bad. She means well, but she has been ill for so long that she has lost the sense of how to behave in society.”
“I find it hard to believe she ever knew! Staring openly at total strangers, saying anything that popped into her head. She even asked me who had tied my cravat!”
“Ah, now we get to the heart of the matter! Your vanity has been pricked. She had likely never seen such an intricate style before and was amazed by its complexity.”
Monty harrumphed. “If she wishes to succeed in society, she had best learn to leave the subject of gentlemen’s cravats alone, unless she wishes to pay a compliment. Can you not teach her to tame her outspoken tongue?”
Theo laughed. “You have not met her mother if you think Anne is outspoken.”
“It is worse than that! Your cousin reminds me of my mother.” Monty shuddered. “I say, I hope she is not staying long at your brother’s house. As it is, perhaps I should wait outside this evening.”
Theo clapped him on the shoulder. “Never fear, my friend! You may depend upon me to protect you from the fearsome Miss de Bourgh.”
*****
Georgiana hurried to meet Theo as soon as he arrived at Darcy House. “I am so glad you are here! We have had the most horrible day.”
Theo exchanged a glance with Monty. “What happened?”
“Aunt Catherine came to Town early this morning and called unexpectedly on Miss Bennet. Then, she came here in such a fury, hurling insults about the lady and the Gardiners before storming upstairs to poor Anne’s room where she had the most frightful argument with her as well, all about the Dower House and Sir Lewis’s Will and disinheriting Anne. That was when Anne accused her of deliberately drugging her for years to keep her from claiming her property. We could hear them shouting from downstairs. William told me to go the music room and practice the piano when the strong language started, but even when I was playing I could hear what they were saying.”
She seemed to realize for the first time that Theo was not alone. “I beg your pardon, Sir Montgomery,” she added softly. “I should not have mentioned a family quarrel in front of you.”
Monty made a courtly bow. “Be not alarmed, Miss Darcy. You have my confidence.”
In truth, it was unusual for Georgiana to speak this freely in front of a relative stranger, for she was normally quite reserved. Theo reflected that he would have to warn her not to take Monty seriously. She needed to be told his friend tended to flirt with every female he met.
The warning could wait, however. It sounded like he had more than enough on his plate at the moment. “It sounds like quite the disagreement,” said Theo. “But I need to speak to Fitzwilliam. Where is he?”
Georgiana gestured toward the window. “He is gone to Rosings but an hour since. Fitzwilliam took Aunt Catherine to task over her visit to Miss Bennet, but she would not listen, continuing to rant about the conditions of the Will; then, she stormed out of here, and Anne insisted on going with her. They were both in such a rage, he felt it incumbent upon him to head to Kent directly, and he spent the rest of the day in preparation.”
Theo narrowed his eyes. “Naturally. Our brother went to Kent to solve a dispute of law, leaving behind the one person in the family versed in legal matters.”
Placing her hand on his arm, his sister said, “I am certain he did not mean to slight you! He would have been glad to send someone else in his place. He was not at all happy about leaving when he was due to call on Miss Elizabeth on the morrow.”
“Nevertheless, this leaves me with a quandary. I will have to seek counsel from Miss Bennet.”
“What is the matter?
”
Theo hesitated, reluctant to raise Wickham’s name to Georgiana in Monty’s presence. But she was as frustrated with William’s protectiveness as he was and he should not add to that.
“Our old friend Mr. Wickham has apparently decided to create a scandal within the Bennet family, in hopes of persuading Fitzwilliam to pay him off. Since our brother is away, it falls to me to stop him. I will call on Miss Elizabeth in the morning in the hope she holds any information which might help thwart Wickham’s intentions.”
Georgiana paled. “Theo, William says he can be dangerous. What if he tries to hurt you?”
Monty cleared his throat. “Miss Darcy, I believe your brother meant to say that he and I would pursue Wickham together.”
“Oh, thank you, Sir Montgomery. That would be a great relief to my mind.”
“Just what I needed,” grumbled Theo. “Another nursemaid.”
“Your sister is correct, my friend. When dealing with Wickham, you need someone to watch your back.”
*****
While the journey to Rosings was never pleasant, this time Darcy had hated it in an entirely new way. Each step of the horses, each rut in the road, each mile traversed was one more away from Elizabeth. He had not even been able to see her before he left. Just a quick note dashed off with the hope she would understand. But there had been so much misunderstanding; this only seemed to beg for more. But why now, just as there were glimmers of hope with her?
What choice had he though? Anne and her mother were Sisyphus and his stone. How could so much stubbornness exist in one house? Perhaps the ease with which Anne might be managed encouraged Aunt Catherine to insist on Anne’s tonic long after any true need might be argued.
Despicable though the practice might be, Darcy understood the temptation. Anne was so, so—what did one call a person who acted on every whim and allowed each loose word to fall from her mouth without restraint? Impulsive, uncontrolled or was it just untutored? He rubbed his fist along his chin.
In all fairness, Anne behaved much like a girl ten years her junior, untaught, untrained and thereby unrestrained. So many of the years Anne should have been mentored in the ways of society were spent deep in tonic-induced lethargy. Perhaps there was hope, in time, and with an appropriate, active companion, she might become a…a what? At least not an embarrassment to the family. She might never truly be accepted by the best circles, but she might be able to mix in some company without scandal following her.
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