“You! You knew about this, Mr Collins! I had to be informed by someone named Miss Bingley, whoever that is!” shouted Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
“Caroline!” gasped Bingley.
“Charles, you said that Mr Darcy’s entire family was coming, I thought that also meant his aunt and cousin from Kent!” Miss Bingley said innocently. “I only sent an express to her to learn if there was anything special we must do to provide for Miss de Bourgh’s comfort!”
Bingley glared at his sister in disbelief as Lady Catherine continued to spew her venom. “I shall write to the Bishop of Kent! You are finished, Collins! Darcy! You will not set Anne aside! You have been engaged since your cradle! You cannot abandon her now!”
“You cannot take his living, Catherine, and you know it. Stop bullying your poor parson, and everyone else, too,” drawled Lord Matlock as the other gentlemen entered the room with him, followed by Richard, who had slipped out to escort his cousin Anne in from the carriage. The young woman was paleand thin, and looked as if a strong wind would carry her away. Elizabeth hurried to the young woman’s side. “I beg your pardon, but you must be Miss de Bourgh. I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Your cousin will introduce us properly sometime, I am certain, but first, you look exceedingly pale. Are you well? Is there aught that my family can provide that would aid your comfort?”
“I thank you for your kindness, Miss Bennet. A chair next to a warm fire and a hot cup of tea shall set me to rights, I am certain, but first, there is a conversation that my cousin and I must share with my mother that can no longer be delayed.” Miss de Bourgh looked at Darcy. “I am sorry I could not stop her, cousin, but let us have this out and be done with it.”
“Very well.” Darcy stood and looked at Bennet. “Mr Bennet, could my uncle and I borrow your breakfast room? I fear your study may be too small.” Mr Bennet consented swiftly, and Lord Matlock ushered his sister and his niece along after Mary, who guided them down the hall.
Darcy turned to Elizabeth and said, “Would you care to accompany us? The matter concerns you directly.”
Elizabeth smiled, “If we are to proceed, it is a good idea to see the worst our families can do, is it not?” Darcy agreed, and she took his arm as they followed the others to the breakfast room.
“Sit,” ordered Lord Matlock as he ordered the seating to his liking. He sat at the head of the table, his sister and her daughter to his right, and Darcy and Elizabeth to his left.
“What is that person doing here?” Lady Catherine objected as Darcy seated Elizabeth. “I will not discuss my private affairs before a stranger.”
“You were just screaming about your affairs before a room full of strangers, Cathy. These are Darcy’s private concerns as well. It is his choice if he chuses to involve Miss Elizabeth,” Lord Matlock admonished. “Sister, I am appalled that you draggedAnne from Kent in such a state.” He turned to his niece. “Are you well, my dear?”
“I am chilled, but I will be well when we have had this conversation, Uncle. You have my apologies, Miss Bennet. We ought to have done this long ago and saved you this embarrassment,” apologised Anne.
“Do not be troubled, Miss de Bourgh. Mr Darcy has explained the matter to me. I understand entirely,” Elizabeth assured her.
“Well Ido notunderstand, Cathy,” snapped Lord Matlock. “Years ago, when George died, was the last time this came up properly, and was legally rejected when you attempted to force the matter. George Darcy was so against your daughter and his son marrying against their inclinations that he actually spoke of it in his last will and testament, as you are well aware. Darcy is not engaged to Anne. However, just under a year ago, you revived the matter, and have attempted to force it every way you know how. Don’t think I do not know of your attempt to bribe people atThe Times. I pay them more than you do to block such attempts. In addition, they have an agreement not to publish any wedding announcement of Darcy’s unless he comes in and places it in person with the editor himself. So what is this all about? Do you need money? Why the sudden determination to force this again?”
Lady Catherine glared at Elizabeth and opened her mouth, when Lord Matlock interrupted her. “I swear to God, Cathy, if you claim one more time that there is a legitimate engagement between Darcy and Anne, I vow upon everything that I hold holy, I will have you housed in Bedlam. Apublic room.” Elizabeth was rather appalled by the terrifying threat.
“Mother, justtell them,” demanded Anne.
Lady Catherine glared at her daughter. “You knownothing!” she hissed.
Anne sighed heavily. “Just because I amtoldnothing, does not mean that Iknownothing,” she said disdainfully. “Mother is ill,” she informed her uncle. “I believe she is very gravely ill. I am told that she was informed that she would expire in a year, perhaps two, some few months ago.”
“Anne!” her mother gasped. “How dare you!”
“Mother, it is very private information, but if it is true, then the family must know of it eventually.” Anne looked at her uncle. “I do not know the nature of her malady, only that it is painful, and that she may only have a few short months left with us.”
Lady Catherine looked sadly at Darcy. “I do not know what to say,” he said to his aunt.
“Say you willmarry Anne!” His aunt begged. “Darcy please. She will be taken advantage of. Someone will steal her fortune. You can protect her!”
“Mother, I am not going to marry Darcy, under any circumstances, even if he were to agree. Cousin, I forbid you to agree,” Anne said in an aside.
“What is it? Cathy? What is it that ails you?” rasped Lord Matlock in shock.
Lady Catherine was quiet for a moment. “It is a tumour.”
“Cancer!” exclaimed Darcy. “Where is it?”
“I cannot speak of it with you,” Lady Catherine whispered, averting her eyes.
“Like Aunt Abigail, then?” asked Lord Matlock. Lady Catherine closed her eyes and nodded once, as if in great pain at the recollection.
“It seems to me that Miss de Bourgh must have her own opinions on this matter, but no one has asked her to share her feelings regardingwhyshe does not wish to marry her cousin,” Elizabeth said gently.
