His Uncle's Favorite (49 page)

“Because honour, decorum, prudence, even interest forbid it! If you love your daughter, you should not expose her to ridicule by attempting to attain a goal so far above her! Mr. Darcy and my daughter would be a perfect match in all the ways that matter; anyone can see that. Your daughter is merely a temporary distraction for him; he will never ask for her hand in marriage, and you will be left with only disappointment and shame!”

“Lady Catherine, does Mr. Darcy know of your visit here? Have you spoken to him lately?” Mr. Bennet was suddenly weary of their conversation.

“I did speak to him yesterday! I told him everything I told you!”

“And, considering you came such a long way to repeat everything to me, I imagine he was not receptive to your interference.”

“He was not—because he is already addled! That is why I came here with the determined resolution of carrying my purpose! I wished to speak to your daughter directly, but perhaps it is better that I spoke to you instead. Mr. Bennet—you must know I never fail in my plans, and I am always willing to pay the price. Here is what I propose to you: if you agree to help me with this situation, I shall insist that Mr. Collins take care of your family after you are gone. I shall see that he allows your widow and your daughters to remain in this house as long as they wish!”

Mr. Bennet looked at her with great interest and complete seriousness.

“Lady Catherine, your offer is generous indeed. It makes me happy to know that, after I die, your ladyship—who undoubtedly will live much longer than me—will convince my cousin not to throw my family out of their home. On the other hand, were my daughter to marry Mr. Darcy, the problem would be solved in a more desirable manner. So I am afraid my choice is final, and I must refuse you.”

“How dare you! You refuse to obey the claim of duty and honour? You and your daughter are determined to ruin my nephew and make him the contempt of the world!”

“Neither duty nor honour would be violated by my daughter marrying Mr. Darcy—quite the contrary. And with regard to the resentment of his family, I had the pleasure of meeting Lord Matlock, and I am certain he would welcome such a union. As for the world in general, I dare say it would have too much sense to join in the scorn.”

“And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve! Very well—I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine, Mr. Bennet, that your ambition will ever be gratified. I hoped to find you reasonable, but depend upon it, I will carry my point.”

“I am sorry I must disappoint you even more, but there is little you can do now. It pains me to give you more bad news, but there is something else you must know. I suspect Mr. Darcy did not inform you because he wished to speak formally to me first. Our entire discussion was pointless, because Mr. Darcy asked for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage a week ago. He wrote and asked for my consent; I await his arrival at any moment as he accompanies Elizabeth home. You are more than welcome to wait for him if you wish. It would be exhilarating for all of us to debate his engagement to Elizabeth.”

Mr. Bennet smiled, but he suppressed his mirth when he saw Lady Catherine turn white and lean slowly against the settee. She seemed unable to breathe, and he hurried to pour her a glass of water when the room was suddenly invaded by Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, Kitty, Mrs. Philips and Lady Lucas. Mrs. Bennet’s voice almost made him drop the glass.

“Oh dear Lord, did I hear you correctly? Lizzy is engaged to Mr. Darcy? Oh heavens! Mr. Darcy and Lizzy? Hill, where are you? Lady Catherine, Hill told me you were here, and I was wondering about your visit… Oh dear Lord, you came to tell us about the engagement? Lizzy and Mr. Darcy? Oh, Lord, this cannot be! My dear Lizzy, she is such a smart, spirited girl! So bright, so well read! And such a good dancer! Oh, such a handsome man! Tall and handsome! Oh, dearest Lizzy! Hill, Hill, where are you?”

Mrs. Bennet’s cries of happiness continued for a time, and Lady Catherine, suddenly recovered from her shock, strove to find the exit from the house. Her retreating steps attempted to outpace Mrs. Bennet’s persistent words of gratitude for bringing them such extraordinary news.

Mr. Bennet asked John to help Lady Catherine to her carriage and then closed the library door with a heavy heart. Why could he not manage to control his anger better? He should have kept the secret as Darcy and Elizabeth requested. How could he betray their confidence? Surely they would be upset with him—and reasonably so. He was upset with himself, but there was little he could do for the present.

Lady Catherine—with tentative steps, unable to interrupt Mrs. Bennet and looking desperately from one woman the other, all of whom were discussing her nephew’s engagement—finally entered her carriage, wailing at the coachman to make haste.

As the carriage departed, Mrs. Bennet’s voice still rang loud and clear.

***

Looking out the carriage, Elizabeth thought there could be no day more perfect for travel.

They had left London immediately after breakfast with a tender farewell from Lord Matlock, his sons, Miss Darcy, Lady Selina, Mrs. Gardiner and the children. After spending such a long and eventful time together in London as well as at Matlock Manor, Elizabeth felt as though she were departing from one family to be reunited with another.

They journeyed together in Darcy’s carriage, and Elizabeth blushed as she remembered her shameless scheme: Jane was the first to enter the carriage. Elizabeth followed her sister and immediately sat opposite. Consequently, when the gentlemen entered, each had little choice but to sit by his betrothed.

The moment he took his seat, Darcy’s glance, smiling and mischievous, acknowledged his approval of the seating arrangements and made her blush.

She had slept little the previous night, imagining the ride home. How many things had happened in such a short time and how much her life had changed in only one month! She had left Longbourn with so many uncertainties, fears and hopes, and now she returned with a heart filled with overwhelming happiness.

She looked briefly at her dear sister, whose felicity glowed on her beautiful face, then turned briefly to the man near her—the source of her own felicity. He was smiling—a smile that was more obvious in his eyes than on his face. Opposite them, Mr. Bingley spoke much and laughed frequently, his joy impossible to conceal.

Mr. Darcy—her future husband—spoke little and laughed even less, but his face, even more handsome when joy was brightening it, gave little doubt of his feelings.

From time to time, he leaned towards Elizabeth, pointing to something out the window that she could admire. In these moments, which were neither few nor rare, his body touched hers, and his lips, whispering into her ear, daringly touched her. His hand, resting on her shoulder, and his fingers, brushing over her nape, seemed to burn her skin.

Such small gestures were unnoticed by Jane and Mr. Bingley—both being preoccupied with each other—but for Elizabeth, it was sweet torture, a storm of fire and ice sending countless shivers throughout her body.

Three times, at Mr. Darcy’s suggestion, the carriage stopped at some lovely place, allowing them time to enjoy refreshment and take short walks near the carriage.

Nothing seemed more natural to Elizabeth than to enjoy the beauties with her intended, to walk at his side and to take offered fruits from his hand as they sat together on a blanket. The smallest touch, the most innocent smile or joke, made her blush, and he did not miss her disquiet. He tried to reduce her uneasiness with light jokes and teasing, and she gladly entered his game.

During the last part of their journey, Elizabeth became more comfortable—even managing to bear his thigh tightly pressed to hers—and their conversation unfolded in a light, pleasing manner.

It was late in the afternoon when the carriage stopped in front of Longbourn. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley helped the ladies out, and they were approaching the main entrance together when the door opened and Mr. Bennet appeared.

A moment later, he was unceremoniously shoved aside as Mrs. Bennet ran out the door, decidedly moving in their direction, and did not stop until two steps away from Mr. Darcy, expressing loudly and incoherently her happiness at seeing him at Longbourn again. She then turned briefly to Mr. Bingley, greeting him too with a rushed welcome, and then returned her attention to Mr. Darcy, complimenting him on his carriage—the most exquisite she had ever seen.

Darcy looked at her, completely lost, his arm still held by Elizabeth, and glanced briefly at Mr. Bennet. The gentleman’s guilt and embarrassed expression dissipated any remaining doubts: his engagement to Elizabeth was no longer a secret.

After a short hesitation, Darcy lowered his eyes to Elizabeth, who was looking at him with a pale expression, troubled and ashamed. He smiled and replied warmly:

“Mrs. Bennet, I thank you for your warm welcome. Mr. Bingley and I are happy to be at Longbourn again. We have always regretted that we did not have a chance to accept the dinner invitation you so generously extended us last autumn. We hope to have numerous opportunities to benefit from your generosity on this visit.”

***

Lord Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the viscount were at their club in London, debating the last days’ events. All were worried as they had not discovered Lady Catherine’s whereabouts and feared she might do something that would expose them all to ridicule. They were at least content that Anne was safe and healthy in Selina’s house, protected from the foolishness of her mother.

Shortly, two gentlemen approached their table and stopped to greet them.

“Lord Sinclair—so glad to see you,” said Lord Matlock. “I was hoping to meet with you, as I need to speak about a rather private and important matter.”

“I am glad to see you, too, Matlock. Well, well, I wonder what important matter that might be.” Lord Sinclair laughed in obvious good humour. “Can we sit at your table? By the way, do you know John Stoddart from
The Times
?

“Of course; Mr. Stoddart, very pleased to see you again. Please take a seat, gentlemen.”

“Lord Matlock—it is an honour, sir. And such a surprise—I just spoke to your sister Lady Catherine earlier today. She came to visit me at my office,” said Mr. Stoddart.

“Quite a surprise indeed.” Lord Matlock glanced at his sons. “Mr. Stoddart, I hope you will accept a dinner invitation on short notice. I feel we have many things to discuss, many things indeed.”

Chapter 19

“There is something of great delicacy about which I wish to speak to you, Sinclair,” said Lord Matlock, choosing his words carefully. They were sitting at a table slightly apart from the rest of the group in a large room at their club. The other gentleman looked at him with curiosity, so he continued.

“It regards Eve.”

“Eve, my wife? What did she do? You seem quite serious; should I be worried?”

“I am very serious; I am sorry to upset you, but drastic measures are required. Her actions intentionally jeopardised the good name and peace of my family.”

“I must demand that you be more specific when you bring such a serious accusation.”

“A few days ago, she sent a letter to my sister Catherine with offensive content directed to my nephew Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet—the niece of our late friend Mr. Gardiner. This action brought painful consequences to those whose names were maligned and to others associated with them.”

As he spoke, Lord Matlock grew angrier. Lord Sinclair paled.

“How can you be certain it was Eve?”

“My sister Catherine told me. Should I ask her to hand me the letter?”

“No…no—that will not be necessary. Please accept my apologies on behalf of my wife and myself. I cannot imagine what Eve was thinking; sometimes she is just…

How can I atone for this unfortunate outcome? What should I do?”

“There is no reason for you to apologise, and no compensation is possible. I depend on you to take the proper measures to avoid similar situations in the future. I was thinking… Your estate is beautiful. I have known Eve since she was an infant, and I am certain that spending a few months there for the summer would benefit her. Solitude can be rewarding at times.”

“True… I think that to be wise advice. Again, please accept my apologies…”

“There is nothing further to say on the matter. Let us return to the others.”

“Matlock, please do not think me oblivious to what happens around me. I see and hear everything. It is just that…sometimes I am weak. Doing what is proper is not always easy. Eve is a very beautiful woman. I know you never approved my marriage, but there was little I could do. I am not as strong as you.”

“I am not as strong as you believe me to be, Sinclair—not at all. As for your marriage—I only gave you my opinion as a friend. It was never for me to approve it or not. But enough of this. I trust you will find the best solution.”

“At least I will search for the best solution; I can promise that.”

The discussion ended in awkward tension for both gentlemen as they reunited with the group. Lord Sinclair seemed to have lost most of his joyousness, and he was more silent than ever; it was no surprise when he made his farewell rather sooner than later.

The evening ended at Matlock’s house with a pleasant dinner and a single guest—Mr. Stoddart. As Lord Matlock guessed and feared, it was revealed that Lady Catherine visited the editor of
The Times
earlier that day, insisting that an announcement be posted in the next edition, announcing the engagement of Mr. Darcy to Miss Anne de Bourgh. With great effort, Lord Matlock managed to maintain a calm appearance as he tried to explain to his guest—without maligning the good name of their family and his sister—that such an announcement was in error.