She smiled fondly. “She is a delightful young lady. I would dearly like to welcome her into the family.” She glanced at him slyly. “She would make a wonderful sister for Georgiana.”
“Her background is completely unsuitable,” he said shortly, thinking this argument would sway her.
“Yes,” she said thoughtfully, “it certainly would have been a barrier to your meeting in any other circumstances. But, Darcy, you have met her now. In any level of society, she’d be a rarity.” She put her cup down. “If you let her go just because of her background, I’d think you a fool.” She looked at him. “And you are not a fool.”
He looked down. A faint hope had bloomed within him, but then he remembered the hurtful words he’d hurled at her.
“I don’t think there is any chance of it, Aunt. Not now.”
She looked consideringly at him. “Would you like there to be a chance of it?”
He jumped to his feet and walked to the window. “I don’t know!”
She raised her voice a little so that he could hear her clearly. “I think you need to know that she wishes to assure herself of your well-being, Darcy. Right from when I first went to see her, she ascribed no blame to you at all, and at once asked after you. I think she is a rare find, and I would beg you to reconsider your opposition to seeing her.” She had risen, too, and he found her standing beside him.
“And you also need to know, Darcy, that Lady Catherine has travelled to Hertfordshire to try and find a way of humiliating her with her background, to break the engagement, which of course she does not know is over.”
He’d turned in shock at her words. “She would not dare!” He was enraged. “I will find her at once, and ensure she knows not to stir up trouble for Elizabeth!”
29
Elizabeth sat over her needlework, in quiet companionship with Aunt Gardiner. She knew she must go back to the loud and chaotic Longbourn soon. After all, the ostensible reason for her visit had been to accompany Jane to buy her wedding clothes.
Her family had understood when they had heard of her engagement, but her mother had still not stopped asking how it had all come about. Elizabeth would have to return and tell everyone that she had broken her engagement.
She knew they would be displeased with her, and Mama would be enraged again. Having refused Mr. Collins, and now having declined to continue her engagement with a wealthy gentleman … She shook her head. Mama would denounce her again for failing her family, failing to ensure that they were financially secure.
And the worst of it was that Elizabeth had no choice. The marriage would not be going ahead, whether she had wanted it to or not.
The door to the drawing room opened, and both Elizabeth and her aunt looked up.
“No, I will not wait.” Hectoring, imperious tones sounded from the hall, and Elizabeth felt her stomach lurch.
“It is Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy’s aunt who wants him to marry her daughter,” she hurriedly whispered to Aunt Gardiner.
Her aunt nodded, her lips pursed tight, disapproving. Lady Catherine swept into the room.
“So there you are!” Her insolent stare swept over Elizabeth from head to toe, and Elizabeth bitterly regretted that she had not worn one of her new gowns today.
“I see you have reverted to your simple country clothes, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Lady Catherine said disparagingly.
Elizabeth lifted her chin, and stared unflinchingly at their guest, and smiled very slightly. She thought she knew how to discompose her.
“Good morning, Lady Catherine. I am surprised you have deigned to call on me here. But since you are here, may I introduce my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner?”
She turned to her aunt. “Aunt Gardiner, this is Mr. Darcy’s other aunt. I am afraid she is probably not going to be as agreeable as Lady Matlock.”
Lady Catherine’s complexion turned purple. “Has my sister-in-law called here?”
Elizabeth stood straight and still. “Yes, Lady Catherine, she has. No doubt, if you wish to know more, you can call on her and ask her.”
Their visitor snorted and crossed the room uninvited to the sofa and sat down.
Elizabeth glanced at Aunt Gardiner. She looked quite calm, but Elizabeth could tell she was rather disturbed within.
She smiled calmly at her and resumed her seat. Lady Catherine would not have the advantage if Elizabeth could get her wish.
“Miss Bennet, I am here to make you an offer,” Lady Catherine announced.
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.
“Well, have you nothing to say?” Lady Catherine’s complexion was darkening again.
“Your Ladyship has not asked me a question,” Elizabeth said quietly. “When you do, I am prepared to answer.”
She wondered how Lady Catherine had heard of the arrangements and the confusion surrounding them. Her heart was heavy. Mr. Darcy would no longer be able to use it to avoid marrying his cousin.
“Yes, I am prepared to offer you two thousand pounds to discontinue your engagement to Mr. Darcy!” Lady Catherine declaimed. “You must know that you are considered a money-hunting trollop. His family will never accept you, and you will be shunned by all society if we wish it.” She bent a glowering eye on Elizabeth. “You would much better take the money and be free of the constraints of a society so far above what you are used to!”
Elizabeth resisted the urge to jump to her feet and pace the room. If she did, their visitor would know how disturbed she was.
Instead, she made an effort and smiled gently, placidly. “Lady Matlock says completely otherwise, Lady Catherine. I think perhaps you need to speak to her before coming here again.” She watched the woman’s face twist into a grimace.
“Darcy is engaged to my daughter, Miss Bennet. You have ensnared him, your arts and wiles have drawn him in — though I do not know how!” And she sneered at Elizabeth’s attire.
Elizabeth laughed softly, not showing the great effort it cost her. “I believe not, Lady Catherine. Or how else could Mr. Darcy have introduced me to all his family as his betrothed?”
She rose to her feet. “I think your call should come to an end, Lady Catherine. I think Mr. Darcy will be most displeased to know of your call.”
“Three thousand! And not a penny more! I always knew you were a fortune-hunter, Miss Bennet.”
“I cannot be bought, Lady Catherine.” Elizabeth let the coldness sound in her voice. “I will act as I see best, without allowing any fortune to be waved at me.”
“But your family; your whole family will taint the wonderful history of Pemberley. Your family — they are dreadful.” She shuddered dramatically. “I have just returned from there and I have explained to your parents just how you have inserted yourself into my nephew’s affairs and affections! They will not thank you for refusing the exit I have offered you!”
“Goodbye, Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth snapped her mouth shut. She would give this woman no further satisfaction.
Lady Catherine rose to her feet and waved her finger under Elizabeth’s nose. “You will regret this, Miss Bennet! I will see that you regret it!” And she turned to Aunt Gardiner.
Elizabeth stepped in front of her. “You have nothing to say to my aunt, Lady Catherine. Goodbye.”
Aunt Gardiner took a step back, looking at her niece quizzically. Elizabeth could tell she was somewhat bemused, but not distressed.
Lady Catherine swept from the room, her snort of disgust marking her departure.
30
Aunt Gardiner looked quizzically at Elizabeth. “Why did you not wish to tell her the engagement is over, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth felt as if her legs would no longer hold her up. She sank back onto the sofa, trying to catch her breath.
Her aunt laughed. “I am not surprised you’re discomposed, Lizzy. If I may say so, you were magnificent.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I had the benefit of having met her at the ball, Aunt. And with this call, I can understand even more clearly why Mr. Darcy would try anything rather
than have her as his mother-in-law.”
Aunt Gardiner tried to look disapproving, but failed completely. “You are very pert, Lizzy. I am very happy that you do not show that attitude in front of the children.” She patted Elizabeth’s hand. “But I am delighted to have heard you. This morning has been most entertaining.”
The drawing room door opened again. “Lady Matlock and Miss Georgiana Darcy,” announced the butler.
The two ladies stared at each other in surprise. It seemed that there would be no time to discuss the visit just completed.
Elizabeth curtsied deeply at these more welcome visitors. How could Lady Matlock have brought Georgiana? Did she perhaps know something that gave her the confidence to bring the girl and risk upsetting her?
She took Georgiana’s hand. “I am so pleased to see you, Georgiana. Come, shall we let the ladies talk of other things, while we entertain ourselves at the pianoforte? I have some duets, although none here so challenging as the ones you have at Darcy House, as these are for my young cousins.” She drew her away for their respective aunts, and they sat at the piano stool.
Elizabeth was concerned with the delight Georgiana showed at being with her again, but they began playing the little pieces — so simple that they could maintain a conversation. She saw the housekeeper supervising the maid bringing in tea and pastries, and that Lady Matlock and Aunt Gardiner were already deep in conversation.
She wondered what they were talking about, very much hoping that Aunt Gardiner would tell her later.
Georgiana hesitated. “Was — was that Lady Catherine who was here a few minutes ago?” She sounded miserably anxious.
Elizabeth glanced at her. “Did you see her coach?”
“Yes,” Georgiana nodded. “So we waited until she came out of the house before we called.” She glanced at Elizabeth. “I think Aunt Alice wanted to come straight in and confront her, but she had no time to decide whether it would be a good thing.” She stopped playing and touched Elizabeth’s hand. “I hope she was not very rude to you.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “I think she is rude to everyone, is she not, Georgiana? But I am not discomposed by her call, and I expected her to be rude about me and my family.”
Georgiana shook her head. “You are so much braver than I am, Elizabeth. Lady Catherine frightens me.”
Elizabeth considered her. “I know she can be very rude and intimidating, Georgiana. But let us think. What is the worst thing that she could actually do to you? Could she injure you with her words?”
“Well …” the girl whispered, “she tells me that I will never make a good match if I am so shy, because will not be able to run a great household and make the servants do as I ask.” Her voice shook. “It distresses me very much.”
“Oh, Georgiana,” Elizabeth sympathised with her. “It might distress you, but do her words mean anything? Good servants in a well-run household know their place. They know that they must do as their mistress wishes. I do not think that Lady Catherine saying that means that it will be true.”
“You’re very good for me, Elizabeth,” Georgiana twisted her fingers in her lap. “I wish … I wish …”
Elizabeth glanced at her. It seemed Georgiana knew of the breach in relations between her and Mr. Darcy. But she could not say anything. It was not her place to divulge any secrets, and she didn’t know exactly what Georgiana knew.
“Do you think you might ever forgive him?” Georgiana’s question drew Elizabeth’s mind back to the present.
She didn’t know quite how to answer. Perhaps Georgiana had been given a different reason to the truth, and while she was sorry if that was the case, she would not cause further confusion.
“I don’t see that there is much that I can do, Georgiana. Your brother has not called here, and until I know what he wishes to do, I cannot help.” She stifled a sigh.
“He is much affected,” Georgiana commented, “and his temper is very much in evidence. I know he said something that he bitterly regrets now. But it is hard for him to admit it.”
Elizabeth was saddened for everyone who had been affected, and her heart twisted at the thought that Mr. Darcy was discomposed.
“I hope very much that he finds happiness soon,” she murmured, although her words sounded unconvincing ever to her.
Georgiana looked at her. “Would you be willing to help him?” She sounded hopeful.
“I am not sure what I can do, Georgiana, but if I knew, then yes, I would help.”
Later that day, she was herself rather discomposed, when Aunt Gardiner would not discuss the particulars of her conversation with Lady Matlock.
“It was nothing of note, Lizzy. I don’t think you have answered Jane’s letter of yesterday, have you? Why not write to her? She seems to be finding married life rather more tiring than she had thought.”
So Elizabeth had dutifully sat and written to Jane, a task made much more difficult by having no news that could be imparted and being unable to give any intimation of what had happened. Most of her letter regarded Georgiana’s visit.
31
Elizabeth strolled slowly through the little park close to her aunt’s home. Aunt Gardiner had sent a maid to follow her, although she had been accustomed to walking out alone before.
“You are under the patronage of Lady Somerville now, Lizzy,” she said firmly. “You must comply with the proprieties.”
Elizabeth had not demurred too much, but she could forget the maid behind her as she walked beside the pond, smiling slightly as she watched the waterfowl quarrel over some scraps.
As she returned to the house, she wondered how much longer she ought to stay here. Lady Matlock was being most kind, and she had brought Georgiana the previous day. Lady Susan had also called upon her again. But she knew she wanted to return to Longbourn. She must put all this behind her, and begin to build her life again.
She took her hat and gloves off in the hall and patted her hair. The butler bowed.
“Excuse me, Miss Bennet, there is a gentleman waiting upon you in the drawing room.”
She was startled. “Is my aunt with him?”
“Yes, Miss Bennet.”
“And do you know who it is?”
“It is Mr. Darcy, Miss Bennet,” the man bowed and moved away.
Elizabeth sat down very suddenly on the chair by the door. He had come.
She swallowed, and drew a deep breath. Lifting her chin, she rose and went towards the drawing room, hesitating only a moment before turning the handle and going in.
She was barely aware of her aunt as Mr. Darcy rose to his feet, his eyes grave, and bowed.
He was thinner, and there was exhaustion hidden behind his well-groomed appearance. She felt sadness at having caused him so much pain.
“Miss Bennet,” he said quietly, as she returned his bow with her curtsy.
“Mr. Darcy. I hope I have not kept you waiting long.”
“Not at all.” His slight smile sent a thrill through her.
“Please excuse me,” Aunt Gardiner said. “I have a letter to write.” She crossed the room and sat at her writing desk, studiously looking occupied.
Elizabeth smiled fondly at her. She turned to her caller.
“Thank you for calling, Mr. Darcy. Please take a seat.” She sat down on one of the chairs beside the fire, and he nodded seriously and sat down opposite her.
There were a few moments of silence, as he gazed into the flames, seemingly unable to begin the conversation.
Elizabeth wanted to assist him. “I’m sorry you look so tired, sir, and I’m distressed to have been the cause of your mortification.”
He flicked a glance at her. “You were not the cause of it, Miss Bennet, and I’m sorry if I appeared to blame you at the time.”
Her heart was pounding within her, she didn’t know what this visit presaged, and she struggled to push down her hopes, for fear that they might be dashed.
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy began, looking as if he wished himself anywhere else but h
ere. “Miss Bennet, I am here to offer my sincere apologies for the words I used that — that evening, it was reprehensible of me. My words were intemperate and ill-judged. I pray that you will find it within you to forgive me.”
Elizabeth stared at him. “I hope that your mortification is not from those words, Mr. Darcy. There is nothing to forgive. They might indeed have been ill-judged, but I would be the first to admit they are not untrue, and my recent understanding of your shock at the discovery, means that I am not surprised at their utterance.”
He dipped his head in acknowledgement. “You are very understanding, Miss Bennet. However, I would still wish to apologise.”
She smiled. “If you wish it, then I sincerely accept your apology, although I still don’t think it is necessary.”
“I am honoured, Miss Bennet.” His intense gaze met hers, and heat spread through her. Then he looked down again. “There is something else I must apologise for. You pointed it out at the time and I dismissed it.”
His smile was a little twisted. “From the first reply to me from Lady Somerville, to your reaction, and to the stern words of my aunt, Lady Matlock, I have been assured of my grievous mistake in making the original request. You told me at the time it was a tasteless arrangement, and I am now convinced I was indeed deeply in error.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Please do not demean yourself in this manner, Mr. Darcy. I can quite understand that, in your discomposure of Lady Catherine’s interference in your affairs, that you seized upon the nearest possible relief of the situation.”
She leaned back and laughed softly. “Why, you did not need to do so at all. Anyone can see that Miss de Bourgh’s affections are taken by another. You might have saved yourself so much trouble.”
He looked puzzled. “By another?”
Elizabeth gave him a small, secret smile. “It is for them to declare.” Then she shrugged. “I can quite see that the gentleman might be reluctant, given Lady Catherine’s severe reputation.”
Impatiently, Darcy Page 11