by Jann Rowland
Lady Anne laughed. “Then perhaps Georgiana and I shall return you to my brother’s house. Then you may credibly claim you were visiting with us and remove any suspicion she might harbor.”
“Thank you, Aunt,” replied Anne.
The servants delivered the tea, and Anne was served a cup while the two Darcy ladies left the room to prepare for their outing. Jane left to return to her room, and Elizabeth remained behind, curious as to her friend’s actions that morning.
“It appears Colonel Fitzwilliam has made a greater impression on you than I had known,” said Elizabeth, shooting her friend a grin. “You informed me you do not wish to marry Mr. Darcy, but thus far you have said nothing of the colonel.”
“At present, I do not think there is anything to say,” replied Anne.
“But you believe there soon will be,” pressed Elizabeth.
Anne shook her head and smiled. “Yes, Elizabeth, I do esteem Anthony very much.”
“And I have eyes enough to see he returns the sentiment.” Elizabeth rose and embraced Anne, feeling this was a friendship she could easily retain for the rest of her life. “Then I shall wish you the best, my friend. I think you will be very happy.”
“If I can convince my mother to accept it.”
With a laugh, Elizabeth rejoined: “Rosings Park has a dower house, does it not?”
“It does, indeed, Elizabeth,” replied Anne. “But I am not certain it is far enough from the main house to protect us from her displeasure. If it was in Scotland, the distance might be enough.”
Again, Elizabeth released her mirth. “Then I suppose you will simply be required to meet your trials with fortitude. With such a man as Colonel Fitzwilliam by your side, I know you are equal to the task.”
Chapter XVII
Before that night at the ball, Elizabeth could not be certain of the outcome of Mr. Darcy’s visit to the offices of The Times the previous morning. Or perhaps it was more correct to say she knew the outcome of the visit but was not aware of Lady Catherine’s reaction to it.
“They agreed not to print it,” Mr. Darcy had said when he returned from his errand. “Though they did not say it outright, I suspect my arriving before Lady Catherine’s note influenced their decision. As the editor informed me, Lady Catherine’s word, as a member of the family, could be deemed sufficient for them to claim including it in tomorrow morning’s edition was warranted.”
“Surely not,” Lady Anne had replied with a frown. “Everyone who has been in society these past five years knows that Catherine has often pushed the match without regard for the claims of anyone else in the family.”
“And that is the problem,” said Mr. Darcy. “It has been rumored for so many years that it could be said to bridge rumor into certainty. That coupled with Lady Catherine’s status as mother of the prospective bride might have been enough to protect them from a lawsuit.
“Regardless, I arrived in time and informed them of the truth of the matter, and they will not print it.”
“Will rumors not begin because of Lady Catherine’s attempt to force your hand as a result?” asked Elizabeth.
The look Mr. Darcy gave her was tender and firm all at once. “If they do, those rumors will redound onto Lady Catherine’s own head. I will not appreciate being drawn into such gossip, but as it will affect her more than me, I shall not repine it.”
It seemed, however, that The Times was more circumspect than this, however, for no word of the supposed engagement, nor Mr. Darcy’s efforts to prevent its publication, were contained in the newspaper. Those at Darcy house were careful to examine the paper from one end to the other, ensuring there were to be no consequences of Lady Catherine’s ill-judged attempts to force Mr. Darcy’s hand. Whether any gossip had spread by word of mouth, they could not say, as they did not go out that day. In the end, they dropped the subject in favor of such topics as the amusement that night and their preparations to attend.
When Elizabeth arrived with the rest of the party that evening, she could not see Lady Catherine in attendance, but then again, Anne was not in evidence either. The earl and countess welcomed them, and though nothing was said in Elizabeth’s hearing, their manner seemed to suggest knowledge of the situation. Anne had returned to the house the previous day, and Elizabeth supposed she must have informed them, if for no other reason than to ensure their opinion was aligned with her own.
For some time, they stood at the edge of the dance floor speaking and drinking punch, Mr. Bingley joining them a short time after they arrived. Though others attending the event drifted in and out, a few words here and a request for a dance there, they said nothing on the subject of Lady Catherine’s efforts.
“It seems the editor I spoke to must have suppressed any hint of gossip,” observed Mr. Darcy after some time of this.
“Of course, he would,” replied his mother. “Though perhaps they could argue Lady Catherine had the authority to send an announcement to them, they must know that gossip would be less readily defended.”
Given what Elizabeth had heard of the gossip sheets, she was uncertain this was the case. As no one was looking at her, pointing, or whispering behind their hands, she was content. When the music for the first sets began to float over the assembled, she was at ease and eager to accept Mr. Darcy’s hand as he led her to the dance floor.
“What shall we speak of this time, Miss Elizabeth?” asked Mr. Darcy almost as soon as they began to dance. “I seem to recall from our previous attempts at dancing that you consider conversation essential to the art.”
Elizabeth could not help but laugh. “And you mean to ensure there is a conversation between us to stave off misunderstanding?”
“Well, I did prove I was rather inept at it in the past, if you recall,” said Darcy, his self-deprecation on display. “It would seem best to ensure we start this dance better than we have in the past.”
“Then I am at your disposal, Mr. Darcy. I am happy to speak about anything you like.”
Mr. Darcy’s eyebrow rose in response to Elizabeth’s words. “Am I to now understand you even consider books to be an appropriate ballroom conversation topic?”
Delighted with his teasing reply, Elizabeth said: “I shall tell you a secret, Mr. Darcy. If the conversation partner is intelligent, there are few subjects which would be inappropriate.”
“Then I shall do my best to hold up my end of the bargain.”
Thus, the first part of their dance was characterized by lively conversation, interesting topics, and intelligent exchange of ideas. Elizabeth found she had rarely been so entertained in a ballroom. As they continued to speak, Elizabeth reflected it would have been so much easier if Mr. Darcy had shown this side of his character to her when he came to Hertfordshire the previous month.
Then a sight caught Elizabeth’s attention which pushed away all her heady feelings of deepening love. Her sudden grimace did not miss her partner’s attention.
“May I take it Lady Catherine has made an appearance?”
The steps of the dance separated them at that moment, and as Elizabeth watched Mr. Darcy as he moved, she was aware of the exact moment when he saw his aunt. In that instant he turned from the congenial gentleman he had been throughout the evening into the cold and silent Mr. Darcy she had known in Hertfordshire. For her part, Lady Catherine seemed to recognize this and understand its reason, for her already forbidding frown became positively violent.
“I suppose it was destined to happen,” was Mr. Darcy’s short statement when they were close together again.
“Of course, it was,” said Elizabeth, giving the gentleman an impish smile. “It was inevitable from the moment I accepted your request for this dance if it had not already been so before.”
A brief smile appeared on his countenance. “Stay close when the dance ends, Miss Elizabeth,” instructed he. “Though I well know of your ability to defend yourself against the likes of Lady Catherine, I believe it is best we face her together.”
Elizabeth squeezed
his hand, indicating her acceptance, and was gratified when he returned the gesture. The rest of the set saw little conversation between them, their enjoyment muted by the sure knowledge of the coming quarrel Lady Catherine would certainly provoke. Elizabeth knew she could withstand any slings or arrows the lady could cast in her direction, and even more, with the presence of this man by her side. In time, she began to feel more confident, even as the remaining minutes of the dance ticked away.
When the music faded, Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth and offered his arm, which she accepted without hesitation. He then turned her toward the side of the floor a little away from where Lady Catherine stood fuming and close to where his mother waited. This did not prevent the lady from making her sentiments known, but it put them among friends who would help in blunting her displeasure.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” growled Lady Catherine as they reached their destination.
Before she could utter another syllable, Lord Matlock was there, stepping between Lady Catherine and Mr. Darcy. He looked at each of them in turn, his gaze quelling, before he said: “Let us take this to another location, shall we?”
Lady Catherine, it seemed, was not of a mind to delay for even a moment, but even she was forced to yield when her brother scowled. “Do you wish our disagreements to become fodder for the gossips?”
A huff escaped the woman’s mouth, though she did nothing more than stalk off toward the room’s exit. Lord Matlock watched her go for a moment, his annoyance clear for them all to see. Then he caught his wife’s eye from across the room and nodded before turning back to Darcy and Elizabeth.
“I shall join my sister, for I believe she has gone to the library. Though I do not suppose this shall be completely hidden from the eyes of society, we should, at least, make the attempt. I shall try to calm her; follow us to the library once a few moments have passed.”
Mr. Darcy gave his assent, and the earl turned and strode from the room. When he left, the remaining three looked at each other, Lady Anne giving Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy a penetrating look.
“Well, if you meant to announce your attachment to my sister, you could not have done it in a more effective manner. It is also one which will enrage her. I do not suppose a hint of her ire will remain unexpressed.”
“And yet, when I asked Miss Elizabeth to dance, I did so with no thought of or interest in Aunt Catherine’s opinion.”
“You know she will not see it that way,” said Lady Anne with a sigh. When Mr. Darcy opened his mouth to respond, she waved him off. “There is no question of your ability to act as you see fit, William—I might have preferred to have handled this in another fashion, rather than rubbing Catherine’s face in it and prodding the wild beast.”
Then Lady Anne laughed and added: “Then again, perhaps it is best to lance the boil and have done with it.”
“I cannot say you are incorrect, Mother,” replied Mr. Darcy.
“Then let us be about it. The longer we stay here, the more attention we attract, given Catherine’s exit only a moment ago.”
Though Elizabeth had not realized it, a quick glance around the room told her Lady Anne was correct. The eyes of many were fixed upon them, and though none of the whispers reached her ears, Elizabeth knew what was on their tongues. Lady Anne directed a look at Georgiana which suggested she should remain where she was and led Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy from the room. The sound of raised voices as they approached the library spoke to Lady Catherine’s extreme displeasure. Then they were caught in the midst of the storm.
“There she is!” exclaimed the lady as soon as they entered the room. Lord Matlock, who had been speaking with her, attempting to calm her, was ignored as Lady Catherine rounded on the newcomers and approached, singling Elizabeth out with a finger jutted out in accusation. “Miss Elizabeth, you will pack your trunks and return to your home at once. You should have returned long ago!”
“Once again I shall remind you that Elizabeth is staying in my home, Catherine,” said Lady Anne, stepping forward to confront her sister. “There is nothing you can say to induce me to relinquish Elizabeth’s company before I wish to give it up.”
“She has taken you in!” screeched Lady Catherine. “She and her grasping sister! Why can you not see this?”
“Lady Catherine,” said Elizabeth, now becoming angry, “you may attack me as much as you like I and I do not concern myself with your opinion. But you will not speak so much as a syllable about my sister, who is the sweetest woman I have ever known.”
“I will speak about whom I please when I please,” snarled Lady Catherine. “For your sister, I care nothing, for if she chooses to marry my nephew’s tradesman friend, it is nothing to me. As for yourself, I will thank you not to speak in such a fashion to me. I am so far above you by all measures of society as to prevent any comparison.”
“And yet you shriek and storm and rant like a common fishwife,” said Elizabeth evenly. “I apologize, Lady Catherine, but I was not aware that members of fine society behave in such a manner, otherwise I should have returned your insults in kind.”
While Elizabeth could never have imagined provoking the woman to such a degree, it shocked her when Lady Catherine raised her hand to strike. The blow never fell, however, for Mr. Darcy moved in front of her to protect her, and moving even more quickly, Lady Anne put herself before her sister her scowl fearsome to behold.
“You will not even consider striking my guest, Catherine! Have you lost your mind?”
“When she behaves in a manner which demands it, I will not hesitate to deliver retribution. And it will be well-deserved!”
“Yes, she has lost her mind,” came the voice of the earl, who, Elizabeth could tell, was incensed. Lady Catherine whirled on him, but he stepped forward, his countenance implacable, warning her she had best hold her tongue. “There will be no physical assaults perpetrated here, Catherine—remember this, or I will send you back to Rosings and bar you from my home.”
“Perhaps it would be best if you turned your ire on this . . . this . . . Jezebel our sister has allowed into our company! Do you not censure her for the way she speaks to me?”
“Not when you deserve it,” replied Lord Matlock.
“What is it about this young woman which has you all forgetting from whence you sprang?” cried Lady Catherine. “Do you mean to allow this farce to persist, Hugh? How can you justify such pollution of our family line as to admit so unsuitable a woman into our midst?”
“I only propose to allow Darcy the power of his own choice,” said Lord Matlock, motioning for Mr. Darcy to remain silent. That Mr. Darcy did so was a surprise to Elizabeth, for the tense feeling of his arm under her hand suggested he was on the verge of an outburst. “If you think I possess the power to work on my nephew, I wonder at your audacity. Darcy is his own man and may direct his affairs without any reference to our feelings, whether displeased or no.”
“My father would never have stood for such blatant disregard for his position,” spat Lady Catherine.
“But my father is no longer the earl,” replied Lord Matlock. “I am, and I am the head of this family. You would do well to remember that.”
“How can I recall it when you insist on abrogating your responsibilities?”
“Have you heard nothing my uncle has said?” demanded Mr. Darcy, his temper frayed to the point of no longer holding his silence. “I am perfectly ready to do as I please, Lady Catherine, and I do not need your approval, nor do I need his lordship’s, much though I respect him.”
“As I have tried to inform you,” added Lord Matlock.
“Furthermore,” said Darcy, continuing over Lady Catherine’s protests, “you should look about you and see that your objection to Miss Elizabeth is not echoed by anyone else in the family.”
“Nor should it be,” added Lady Anne, her shortness informing them all how angry she was. “Elizabeth is in every respect suitable to be among us, and a far better match for William than your own daughter, I dare say.”
; “Now I must think you mad,” growled Lady Catherine. “To suggest she is better than Anne is utter lunacy!”
“Mother, do you not listen to anything anyone else has to say?”
As one, the four turned to the door to see Anne framed in it, accompanied by Colonel Fitzwilliam. How long she had been there Elizabeth could not say, but she sensed a determination about Anne the likes of which Elizabeth had not seen before in their short acquaintance.
“Aunt Anne said nothing about Elizabeth being better than I am,” said Anne, advancing into the room. “She only said that she was a better match for William than I am. And in that she is correct.”
“You have now infected my daughter with these ridiculous notions,” cried Lady Catherine. “I cannot imagine where you have come by such thoughts, Anne, but I would remind you that you are both descended from the same great noble line on your mothers’ sides, and equally ancient, though untitled lines on your fathers’. A match between you would be one of the greatest matches in our time, creating a dynasty which would be the envy of all. Why, Darcy could aspire to a title himself, further increasing our family’s power. What can Miss Elizabeth offer that is greater?”
“You are the only one who craves such worldly adulation, Lady Catherine,” said Mr. Darcy. “Do you not know that I care nothing for a title? I shall not give up the woman I love for such material concerns when I may aspire to something far greater.” Mr. Darcy’s glance found Anne and he added: “And I can only think Anne agrees with me regarding her own future.”
“I do,” said Anne without waiting for her mother to respond. “The issue, Mother, is your selfishness and insistence on enforcing your will on us all. Let me tell you here and now that you shall not work me by any means you possess to act against my inclination. Elizabeth and William will form a magnificent couple, and I can do nothing other than wish them every happiness.