The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (26 page)

Chapter
23

“Charlotte, whatever is the matter?”
It was Monday morning, and Elizabeth was in the back parlor writing to Jane
when Charlotte entered, looking flustered and wringing her hands in front of
her.
“Lizzy, I fear I have bad news.”
“What is it?”
“Mr. Collins has just returned from Rosings, where he was meeting with Lady
Catherine.” Charlotte paused and took a deep breath. “It would seem that her
ladyship is unhappy with you, Lizzy.”
“With me? Whatever for?”
“She believes you are distracting Mr. Darcy’s attention away from Miss de
Bourgh.”
“What? Is that what she said?”
“Not in exactly those words.”
Elizabeth squinted and looked closely at Charlotte. “Charlotte, we are friends,
you and I. Come, tell me what was said. I assure you I can handle it.”
“Oh Lizzy, I am so sorry! Lady Catherine believes you are purposely trying to
entrap Mr. Darcy into a compromising situation so that he will be forced to
marry you. She called you a,” Charlotte lowered her voice and leaned forward,
“a common trollop. I am so sorry, Lizzy!”
Elizabeth released a short laugh and looked at her friend with relief. “Oh,
Charlotte! I've never been called that before, but I shall not let Lady
Catherine upset me! If that is all, I am not worried. Charlotte? Is that all?”
Elizabeth’s voice began to sound worried as Charlotte’s face paled.
“Lizzy,” she was so quiet Elizabeth had to move closer to hear her, “she
demands that you leave immediately. She says she will not allow her family to
be near such a one as you. I am so sorry, but Mr. Collins will not disagree
with her. I’m afraid you must go.” She hung her head as she said the last line,
clearly mortified of her friend’s treatment. “Immediately.”
Elizabeth stood still and looked at Charlotte for a moment, not sure what to
say. She had never been asked to leave anywhere in her life before, and wasn’t
exactly sure what the protocol for behavior was. She decided you can never go
wrong with a dignified exit, so she held her head up and took Charlotte by the
hand.
“It’s alright, Charlotte. This is not your fault. Do not worry, I won’t hold
this against you.” She squeezed her friend’s hands. “Now, would you like to
help me pack?” 
Charlotte gave her a weak smile and they headed upstairs to Elizabeth’s room,
requesting her trunk on the way. Within two hours, Elizabeth’s trunk was fully
packed, a basket of food prepared for her journey by cook, and Mr. Collins had
returned with passage for the post chaise.
The trunk was being loaded onto Mr. Collins’s wagon to be taken to the village
when a large carriage pulled up. Mr. Darcy quickly leapt out and directed the
footman to load Miss Bennet’s trunk onto his carriage.
Darcy greeted Mr. and Mrs. Collins and asked to speak privately with Miss
Bennet for a moment. Mr. Collins was about to object when Charlotte stepped in
and pulled him toward the house.
“Miss Bennet, I’m beginning to think you dislike my carriage. Please, if it is
in some way deficient, I beg you to tell me so I may correct the issue.” He
smiled good-humoredly.
Elizabeth couldn’t stop herself from smiling slightly. “I assure you it is
nothing of the kind, Mr. Darcy. I seem to have found myself in need of a quick
departure, that is all.”
He looked uncomfortably toward Rosings. “Yes, I heard about my aunt’s interview
with Mr. Collins. How can I ever make amends for such behavior?”
“It was not you who did it, Mr. Darcy.”
“Yes, but I am partially to blame.” He looked at her quickly and back to the
parsonage. “I understand you were to stay with my aunt, Lady Matlock, when you
returned to town next week?”
“Yes, that was the plan, but now that I am arriving early, I will go first to
my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner’s. I do not wish to inconvenience Lady Matlock.”
“I hope you do not mind, Miss Bennet, but I have taken the liberty of sending
an express to my aunt in London. She will be ready for you when you arrive.
Hannah is waiting in the carriage and will accompany you. I cannot allow you to
ride post, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth was too tired to argue, the rush of the last few hours having more
effect on her than she would like to admit.
“Very well, Mr. Darcy.”
“I am sorry we cannot leave with you today, but there is still some work to be
done on the estate and we would not be ready in time, anyway. We may be able to
leave at the end of week if the weather holds, and Colonel Fitzwilliam and I
are efficient in our duties. Otherwise, we won’t return until the seventh, as
planned.”
“I see. Then I will hope for clear skies for you.” She smiled and stepped
toward the house to say goodbye to Charlotte.
She hugged Maria and told her she would see her soon in Hertfordshire,
curtseyed to Mr. Collins while avoiding eye contact, lest she say something
regrettable, and finally came to Charlotte. The two friends embraced and
promised to write, and when they released each other, Elizabeth saw tears
glistening in Charlotte’s eyes. 
You may
be secure, dear Charlotte, but you are not happy.
 Elizabeth
tried not to think about her dear friend's ridiculous husband and overbearing neighbor,
and said a silent prayer that a true friend for Charlotte would emerge in Kent.
Elizabeth walked to the carriage, stopping just outside the door to curtsey to
Mr. Darcy. He bowed over her hand and kissed it lightly. Though she couldn’t
feel much through her gloves, a heat moved through her hand up her arm. 
“Safe journey, Miss Elizabeth.” He smiled into her eyes and handed her into the
carriage, squeezing her hand gently before he let go.
“Goodbye, Mr. Darcy,” she said softly. 

~

“How did Miss Bennet handle being sent off?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked Darcy as
they rode over the fields of Rosings, checking the drainage systems.
“She seemed to be fine. Mrs. Collins was not happy about it – she looked quite
mortified, as she should be. What kind of person demands that a guest of
another house be sent away?”
“Lady Catherine, that’s who. I had a feeling this would happen. It’s why I
packed so lightly.” Darcy gave him a look. “Well, she was bound to notice
eventually, Darcy,” he said with a shrug.
Darcy nodded. “The worst of it was that insipid parson. How anyone can stand to
be around him is beyond me.”
“What did he do now?”
“He had the nerve to tell me that I should have let Miss Bennet ride post, that
Lady Catherine would be ‘displeased’ with my interference in an affair that was
none of my concern.” Darcy’s face was twisted in disdain.
“Good God! He actually told you it was none of your concern?”
“Not so succinctly, but he eventually came out with something to that effect.
He had the gall to tell me I should remove myself as quickly as possible so as
not to encourage his cousin in her scheming! Can you believe it? Intolerable
man!”
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed loudly. “That is rich! To think that 
she
 would be trapping 
you
! If they only knew you’d be too happy
to be found in a compromising position and be forced to marry her. Oh, you’d
love that!” The colonel guffawed loudly, slapping his knee.
Darcy glared at him. “Thank you, Richard. I’m glad to know you think so highly
of me,” Darcy said sarcastically as he looked away from his cousin and across
the fields.
“Oh lighten up, old man! From the looks of it, it won’t be long before we’re
hearing an announcement. Am I right?”
“We shall see, Fitzwilliam, we shall see.” 

~

They weren’t the only ones thinking of Mr. Collins. As Elizabeth rode in the
carriage, she thought over what he had said. The nerve of that man! What made
him think he had the right to accuse her of such behavior?
He had suggested that she would never be invited to Rosings again, which he was
sure she must feel deeply, but perhaps Lady Catherine would forgive her if she
apologized and was properly humble. He spoke of Lady Catherine's condescension
and rank, and how someone of her standing need not even acknowledge Elizabeth,
and that she should feel honored by even the slightest of attentions. 
Elizabeth fumed as she remembered Mr. Collins's words. 
“Cousin Elizabeth, it would be reaching
incomprehensibly beyond you to attempt an alliance with a man such as Mr. Darcy.
Of course, having refused the most generous offer you are ever likely to
receive, and now having angered the house of de Bourgh, you cannot expect to
marry at all.”
Her only response had been a fiery stare. 
Mr. Collins had gone on to say it was brazen of her to presume to importune Mr.
Darcy so, and while he was in the company of Miss de Bourgh, and that surely,
if he had encouraged her, which Mr. Collins was sure he had not, as Mr. Darcy,
the nephew of his esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, was an
honorable gentleman and would never encourage one such as she beyond her
station, he only did so out of politeness and a desire not to hurt her feminine
sensibilities by pointing out her insolence in attempting to seduce him. 
If Charlotte had not quickly ushered her husband out of the room, Elizabeth was
not sure what she would have done. Insufferable, ridiculous, pompous man!
Charlotte had told her she would try to curb his tongue and keep him from
spreading word of her dismissal. She felt it was the least she could do.
Elizabeth was not worried overmuch. The only acquaintance they had in common
was her father, and she knew he would only find amusement in the occurrence and
wouldn’t believe anything he said about her. Besides, Lady Catherine was
certain to tell him not to mention it to anyone. She would not want the names
of Darcy or de Bourgh sullied by unsavory gossip.

Chapter
24

Darcy stormed silently into his aunt's private sitting
room. 
“I would like a word with you, Lady Catherine.”
She sipped her tea delicately, taking a full two minutes to reply. She sighed
in an annoyed fashion. “Very well. I shall meet you in the study in twenty
minutes.”
Darcy strode out of the room silently without another glance in her direction.
Colonel Fitzwilliam saw his cousin walking past and quietly followed him down
the stairs. Seeing Darcy disappear into Sir Lewis's study, he quickly returned
upstairs.
“Come in,” Georgiana called in response to the knock on her door.
“Come poppet, you don't want to miss the show!”
“Richard, what are you talking about?” she asked in bewilderment.
“Your brother and our aunt are about to have a conversation in the study and I,
for one, do not intend to miss it. Now come on!”
Georgiana leapt up from her seat and hurried to join Richard, who was already
walking down the hall. They made their way down the stairs without making a
sound and stopped just outside the study door. Fitzwilliam dismissed the
footmen nearby and then sat on the floor, his long legs stretched out in front
of him. 
“What are you doing?” Georgiana whispered.
“I'm sitting. I suspect this will be interesting and long, and I am tired.” He
reached a hand up to her. “Come poppet, sit down. No one will see you sitting
on the floor. And if they do, I shall tell them you fainted.”
Georgiana made a face and sat heavily by her cousin. “Thank you, Richard.” She
crossed her arms over her ribs. “And I do 
not
 faint!”
The colonel chuckled and signaled her to be quiet when he heard his aunt
entering from the door in the next corridor.
“What is this about, Darcy?” Lady Catherine asked imperiously.
“The way you behaved toward Miss Bennet today was unacceptable,” he said
coldly, standing behind the desk with his hands clasped firmly behind his back.
She sniffed and looked away.
“She is a close friend of Georgiana's, as well as a friend of mine and
Fitzwilliam's. In addition, she is Mrs. Collins's particular friend and guest,
and Mr. Collins's cousin. Even one of these connections would make your
behavior today completely objectionable, but Miss Bennet's relationship to so
many in your immediate vicinity makes it unthinkable.”
“Really, Darcy, when did you become so dramatic? Miss Bennet is no one, a poor
relation, and a 
distraction
.”
She spoke with her head held high, her back ramrod straight in the seat in
front of the desk.
Darcy clenched his jaw and breathed in deeply through his nose. He could feel
the muscles around his lips twitching and his eyes widening in anger, and he
schooled himself to remain calm. A gentleman did not lose his temper with an
aunt thirty years his senior.
“She was not your guest to dismiss, and you know it.”
“Collins is my parson and required to do as I bid.”
“He is a parson, not a servant!”
She flicked her wrist as if the difference was unimportant to her and kept her
eyes on the carpet, giving her a false look of modesty.
“You cannot have everyone in the country sent away who does not bow to your
every whim. You are too old to be acting like a spoiled child,” Darcy spat
quietly.
Lady Catherine's eyes shot up to meet his, her lips pursed in dissatisfaction.
“I should have known you were no better than the rest of them. You are only a
man, you do not have the ability to control yourself, but she,” Lady Catherine
nodded sagely, “
she
 knew
exactly what she was doing. Fluffing her feathers and shaking her tail for you!
It's disgraceful!”
“Miss Bennet did no such thing,” he replied quietly, his voice deceptively
calm, but strong.
“That she had the audacity to flaunt herself in front of Anne, knowing the two
of you are engaged – it was shameful. If you would hurry up and do your duty to
Anne, I wouldn't have had to send her away.”
Darcy ran a hand over his face and let out a stifled groan. “Lady Catherine,
when have I ever given you the impression that I wish to marry Anne? For that
matter, when has Anne ever said she wishes to marry me?”
“Anne knows her duty,” Lady Catherine snapped. “And you know it was the desire
of your mother for you to marry Anne. We spoke of it when you were children,
barely out of your cradles.”
“I told you years ago, I will not marry Anne.”
Again, Lady Catherine flicked her wrist and looked towards the dark window.
“Lady Catherine, I tell you now, I will not marry Anne. Not now, not ever,”
Darcy said clearly.
Her eyes flashed and she glared at her nephew. “How dare you! You would deny
the wishes of all your family, of your departed mother, and for what? For some
bit of muslin from Hertfordshire?” 
“Miss Bennet is a lady, a gentleman's daughter. And my mother never said any
such thing! It is your wish, and your wish alone! It's time to quit
pretending.” 
By now, both voices were raised and Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at
each other with raised brows from their place in the hall.
“This is nonsense! You were formed for each other! Anne is perfect for you in
every way!”
“Really? And what ways are those?” he asked with sarcasm.
“She is of noble lineage. She is the heiress of Rosings! She is more
accomplished than a dozen Miss Bennets!”
“Really? And just what is Anne accomplished at? Is she a good dancer? Does she
have a lovely singing voice? Can she play well?” Lady Catherine began to shake
with rage as Darcy's voice became louder and more derisive. “She has no talent,
no conversation, and barely an education.”
Lady Catherine did not respond, but only stared coldly at him as her face went
pale with anger.
“And whose fault is that, Lady Catherine? You have completely isolated her,
filled her head with nonsense about moving to Pemberley to be my wife. She is
completely unsuitable for the job and more importantly, she is not strong
enough to be a proper mistress OR a proper wife! She would never be able to
bear a child, as you well know. Marrying her to anyone would be giving her a
death sentence, and yet to get what you want, you will stop at nothing. How can
you be so callous to your own child?”
“You insolent boy! There is nothing wrong with Anne! She would make a perfect
mistress and wife. It is clear that you will say anything to shirk your duty.
You are without honor, without loyalty, and have no respect for your familial
responsibilities! I am ashamed of you!” She was standing, leaning over the desk
as she berated her nephew.
“
You
 are ashamed of 
me
?” Darcy let out a barking laugh that
left his aunt speechless and wide eyed. “You, ashamed of me!” he smiled and
shook his head, wondering if it was Elizabeth's influence that allowed him to
see the absurdity in his aunt's words. “No Aunt, today, it is I who am ashamed
of you,” he said seriously.
Her face flushed red and she sank down to her chair. 
Darcy continued, “Not only have you behaved appallingly to Miss Bennet and the
Collinses, but you have used your own daughter for selfish gain, without
thought to her happiness or even her health. What did you think would happen?
Did you think you would eventually wear me down? That I would marry Anne and
take her off to Pemberley, only to have her die after the first harsh winter,
or worse, in childbirth?”
Lady Catherine looked away in an attempt to hide her guilty expression.
“Yes, that is what I thought. I know the will. Sir Lewis left the estate to
Anne to pass on to her child. But if Anne never has a child? Well, if she dies
without an heir, the estate reverts to the DeBourghs. And what if Anne passed
before you? With the state of her health, it would not be surprising. You would
be cast out, sent to the dowager's house and replaced by a new mistress of
Rosings.” He walked slowly to her side of the desk, his voice soft but with a
dangerous edge. 
“You just couldn't stand the loss of control, could you? You knew I would want
to stay at Pemberley. Were we to marry, Anne would naturally move there. And
you would remain here, queen of the castle. With any luck, Anne would give you
a grandchild and your future as Mistress of Rosings would be secure.”
Lady Catherine did not move. She looked straight ahead of her, her gaze never
wavering from the landscape behind the desk. Her hands were folded neatly in
her lap, one ankle tucked behind the other underneath her chair.
“Or did you think you would eventually gain control of Pemberley as well? How
far did your little plan extend?” Her lips pursed almost unnoticed. “Ah, but I
know more than you think I do, dear Aunt.”
Her eyes snapped to him, then squinted in question.
“Yes, I know your little secret.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked in a haughty tone.
In the hall, Georgiana looked to Fitzwilliam with wide eyes. He merely shook
his head and gestured for them to continue listening.
Darcy sat down and leaned back in the desk chair. “When you were younger, you
had your heart set on marrying George Darcy, heir to Pemberley. But he was
never interested. So you married Sir Lewis instead, and then George married
your little sister. You hated my mother. Everything you've said about knowing
her wishes is a lie.”
“How dare you! I was the better choice! ME! He should have chosen me! Anne was
a weakling! How many stillbirths were there? How many miscarriages? She only
gave him two children in fourteen years, and then she died and left him alone.”
Her voice was venomous and her expression was twisted like a knot in a rope.
Darcy went pale, then flushed a bright red. “Tomorrow, I will speak to your
steward. A secretary will be hired and all important questions and information
will be forwarded to Lord Matlock. I will finish what I started here, out of
respect for the family, and then I and Georgiana will go back to London and not
return. You shall not see either of us until you apologize for what you said
about my mother and your ridiculous behavior towards Miss Bennet.” He rose and
stretched to his full height. “We're finished here. Good night, Lady
Catherine.”
His aunt spluttered and turned to watch him go, her protests falling on deaf
ears. Before they could get away, Darcy opened the side door and nearly tripped
over Colonel Fitzwilliam. He stopped for a moment to look at his sister and
cousin, then stalked upstairs.