“As it should be, Lizzy.”
* * *
As a child, Darcy’s trips to Rosings had been one of miserable anticipation. He did not enjoy the trips to see his aunt, uncle, or cousin Anne. Lady Catherine was not the kind of aunt who would sneak one sweets when his mother was not looking, buy him gifts which his father had said he was too young for, or allow him to slide across the newly polished wood floor in his stockings. No, Rosings meant formal meals, criticism, and awkward, probing questions that a child, especially one so reticent in company, dreaded.
Not much had changed since he aged: the meals remained uncomfortable and rigid, the criticism was now disguised as suggestions, and the probing questions were not questions at all, but dictates from one who believed she had the right to impose her will upon another.
Lady Catherine’s private sitting room was Darcy’s least favorite room in the house. As a child, he had been summoned there numerous times for his aunt to go over his deficiencies of character and other complaints about himself, his father, and even his mother. He found that he did not have to attend to the conversation but need only occasionally nod to appease his aunt. After a quarter of an hour, she was ordinarily finished and would dismiss him to return to the others.
As he walked into the room, he realized nothing had changed in all those years, including his aunt. The blue velvet couch still sat in the same place, the pictures of de Bourgh family members adorned the walls alongside water colors painted by Sir Lewis’s mother and grandmother. Time seemed to stand still. This was evident not only by the decorations of the room but also by the conversation of his aunt.
“Where have you been? I sent Richard out two hours ago to find you. Why did you not come immediately?”
He took a breath before responding. “Richard found me merely thirty minutes ago. I finished my tour of the park and came straight away to see to your concerns. What can I do for you, Aunt?”
She grimaced before replying. “You can be more punctual next time. I am not a woman to be trifled with.”
“I came when I completed my tasks foryourestate, madam. As you now see, I am here.”
“Very, well. I have a matter I wish to discuss with you.”
He walked to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of brandy attempting to stifle his frustrations.
“I need you to sign this.”
“Sign what?” he asked, setting down his drink to look at the document she indicated on the table. “What is this?” He walked over and attempted to pick it up before it was ripped from his hands.
“Only an amendment to the marriage contract. There was a small part which your solicitor was remiss in including. Take the pen and sign it.”
“I will not sign it unless I can read it first.”
“I have told you what changes have been made. Do you not trust me?”
“Lady Catherine. I am a man who has been my own master for the last five years, and I profitably run an estate that rivals any in the whole country. I do not take orders from anyone including you. Let me see this at once!” He grabbed it from her with a force she was not expecting and retreated to the other side of the room, reading it as he went.
“Darcy, it is one insignificant clause. Sign it and be on your way. You have more important things to concern yourself with than…”
“What is this?” His voice thundered, looking up at her and glaring from across the room. “What does this say? An allotment of twenty percent of Pemberley’s yearly income will be used for the upkeep and renovation of Rosings. If Anne dies in childbirth or before her own mother’s demise, you are to receive the sum of Anne’s pin money and marriage settlement until the end of your own lifetime.Youwill maintain residence at Rosings and have access to the Dowager House at Pemberley and will take the place of the mistress in all major decisions, even ifandafter I remarry. Isthisthe insignificant clause you speak of?” He stormed across the room, tearing the parchment in two and throwing it in the fire.
“Darcy, you are being unreasonable. Listen to me…”
“No, you listen to me, Aunt,” he said to her with a slow, controlled voice which made her visibly shrink back. “My life will not become yours to order around and dictate because I am marrying Anne. You will havenoaccess to Pemberley unless Anne or I invite you. You will havenocontrol over your daughter once she is married, and you will havenoclaim toanyof the Darcy money. Never.” He strode out of the room, closing the door forcefully behind him.
* * *
“And he is gone?” Kitty asked Lizzy that evening while laying across the bed. “And he did not make you an offer?”
Lizzy pulled out the last of her pins before picking up the brush and running it through her tangle of curls. “Yes, Mr. Hamilton is gone back to Ashby Park, and no, he did not make me an offer.” She shrugged her shoulders and began to plait her hair.
“But, Lizzy. Were you not expecting an offer today? We have not seen him in almost two weeks. Whyever is he waiting?”
Lizzy laughed. “Kitty, if I were able to answer that question, I could solve all the mysteries of life. Why does a man do anything or nothing at all? He has business concerns, estate concerns, concerns I as a woman know nothing about. I am sure, however,” she said, tying a ribbon around the bottom of her braid and walking over to sit on the bed, “that it will not be much longer. He spoke with Father this afternoon…”
“Yes, I know. Maria Lucas and I saw him knock on the study door. But why must he wait? Jane’s wedding was such a jolly affair. I am anticipating the same amount of felicity from yours.”
“Oh, I see that your motivation is self-serving, dear sister.” She threw a bonnet at Kitty who dodged it, laughing.
“No, I am merely anticipating what I will write to Georgiana. She is to write me when Mr. Darcy weds Miss de Bourgh, and I am to reply back with your proposal and all the details. Youwilltell me all the details, will you not, Lizzy?”
