Although William did not agree with the doctor, he politely thanked the man, saying he was opposed to bleeding his child and would take his other recommendations under consideration. The old doctor was not pleased with William’s curt dismissal and left the child’s room with the intention ofmaking his displeasure known to Lady Catherine. After all, he was an established physician and had made the arduous trip to Rosings Park at the grand Lady’s urgent bidding.
Lady Catherine’s Study
Needless to say, Lady Catherine was not pleased with William once she had listened to the physician’s complaints. Her voice could be heard throughout much of the house while calling for her nephew to be sent in.
“Sit down, Darcy. Mr. Purdy here tells me he has been treated very ill by you, and that you have refused to follow his advice. I should like to know; what has got into you?”
“Aunt,” William responded with reserve, though he would have preferred to make his displeasure more loudly known. “I did listen to Mr. Purdy’s recommendations. However, I do not consider the practice of bleeding a patient as one I wish to consider for my child.
“Mr. Purdy, as I said only minutes ago, I appreciate your coming all this way, but now that Anna no longer has a fever and is out of grave danger, I would prefer to be the one in charge of her care.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed as she interjected her thoughts. “And who are you, Nephew, to make such a decision? Are you a physician? Have you gone to medical college? How dare you disrespect my long-time friend and family physician? I remember your obstinacy when my Anne was dying, and now I find your attitude with my granddaughter equally disturbing.”
“Aunt,” William said more forcefully, his expression stern. “Anna is MY daughter and MY responsibility. I have made up my mind and will brook no further discussion.”
Turning to the physician he continued, “Mr. Purdy, I thank you again for your assessment and recommendations. I shall be happy to pay you for your troubles if you will simply leave your bill with my aunt before returning to Town.”
William remained firm with his decision, and once Mr. Purdy was convinced of such, he promptly submitted his expenses and left Lady Catherine’s study with the intention of returning to London before the day was over.
Mr. Purdy was the least of William’s troubles, for he had yet to inform Lady Catherine of his impending marriage to Elizabeth. Though Lady Catherine indicated she had had her fill of William’s obstinacy, he insisted on speaking privately as soon as the door was closed.
“Well, what is so important that you must continue to try my patience after your debacle with Mr. Purdy? Nephew, I am heartily ashamed of the way you have treated the man who has been our family’s favoured physician for more years than I can remember.”
Looking her squarely in the eyes, William said with determination, “I wanted to inform you that I am to be married.”
“Married?! To whom?! You gave me no indication that you had settled on someone the last time you were here. Is this not rather sudden?”
“Yes, Aunt, it is, but it cannot be helped.”
“What do you mean it cannot be helped? Pray tell me you did not compromise this woman?”
“If you must know, there was a compromise, but it was unintentional.” William went on to explain what had taken place at the ball.
“Fitzwilliam Darcy! This is unheard of in our family! How could you let such a thing happen? Who are her people? From where does she hail? I have never heard of any woman of thetonnamed Elizabeth Bennet.”
“She is not of theton. Miss Bennet is the daughter of a country squire from Hertfordshire. She is one of five sisters. Her portion is small, and her father’s estate is entailed away from the female line.”
Lady Catherine was beside herself. Rising from her seat, her face became taut and she intentionally pounded both of her fists on her desk before reaching for her walking stick. With nostrils flaring in agitation and her voice rising still higher in pitch, she stepped around her desk and stood directly in front of William.
“Surely you are not going to marry that chit? Tell me it is not so! I refuse for my dear Anne, your deceased wife, to be dishonoured in such a way.” The woman was infuriated. “Have you lost your senses? Whatever possessed you to be in company with this Bennet woman to begin with? You say she has no money, no connections, and now there is this scandal! I never thought I would see the day when my own nephew, my son-in-law, the husband of my beloved daughter, would bring such a disgrace to our family.”
“Yet, it is as I say, and I WILL marry Elizabeth Bennet. Once Anna is firmly on the mend, I shall return to Town and make the final arrangements. After the wedding, my wife and I will come here to collect Anna. The three of us shall go on to Ramsgate and spend time with Georgiana before going back to Town and then on to Pemberley.”
“I cannot believe you are determined to subject my granddaughter and my niece to this woman and her inferior family. I will not stand for it. Anna will remain here with me. I will fight you in court if needs be.”
“Aunt, I am her father and there is not a court in this land that will go against me and give you custody.”
“Then you must find another way to release yourself from this travesty. For one, you could pay her off. With all the wealth you have accumulated, it would be no hardship.”
“That may be, but it is not something I will even consider. Miss Bennet and her sisters would be ruined.”
“And what about YOUR daughter and YOUR sister?! Have you not considered the consequences of this scandal and what it will do to Georgiana’s prospects? Darcy, she is nearly sixteen and will have her coming out in two years. No matter what new scandal may come along during that time, thetonwill not forget these misdeeds. Georgiana will be censured.”
“I am aware of all of the implications which may arise with my marriage to Miss Bennet, and I assure you I fully intend to take care of my own. It will go a long way for both Georgiana and Anna if the family would stand behind me on this. If you cannot accept Elizabeth Bennet as my wife, then I will have no choice but to sever our ties and move you into the dowager’s house or, better still, a house in Town.”
“You would dare threaten me?”
“This is no threat, Aunt; it is reality.”
