“How dare he, how am I to get by with such a paltry sum!” Lady Catherine exploded. Neither brother commented, so regardless of her simmering fury, she returned to the page.
The difference of £290 I previously gave you each quarter will be paid to the Greens from now on. I will add to that sum as well, but I was determined that even if you cannot be arrested as you should be, you will help compensate the Greens for what you have done. Catherine, you can caterwaul until the end of your days but it will not sway me in this.
Had I proof, I would not only see you in gaol, but I would divorce you! If I was on my own it would be one thing, but Anne was with me! What turned you into the heartless, avaricious, envious, covetous woman you are?
There is none other in your family who is like you, so whatever it is inside of you did not come from them.
From now on, you will be guarded at all times. Also, if you think I will allow you to live at any of my estates, you are more delusional than I suspect. Matlock and Darcy will explain what is to occur now. I wanted to make sure you knew they are acting with my full authority.
As bad an error my marrying you was, I am not sorry for the product of that union—my daughter, Anne. Unlike you, she has a good character, and Catherine, she plays the pianoforte, and is gaining an education. She is proficient and does not have to lie to cover her deficiencies like you do. Do you really think no one knows the truth, that your inability to play is because you are tone deaf?
I will make sure neither Anne nor I are ever in your company again.
Sir Lewis de Bourgh
Lady Catherine was flummoxed. How did her husband know it was she who had attempted to kill him and Anne?
She relaxed slightly as she remembered his words about no proof. At least she would not lose her freedom or have to face the hangman. She had a niggling feeling that had her husband had the proof needed, he would not have hesitated in having her tried. She also knew her brother Reggie would not have lifted a finger to stop it.
The letter was folded, placed on the table next to her chair, and then Lady Catherine folded her hands in her lap and looked at her brothers with an unworried mien. She was sure her brothers would believe anything she said.
“Surely you two do not believe this fiction my husband has written,” Lady Catherine pronounced as evenly as she was able. “It is proof of his insanity. He needs to be consigned to Bedlam and the management of his estates and everything else should be given to me.”
“Catherine, the only person who may end up in Bedlam is you,” Lord Matlock barked. “Any more talk like the delusional nonsense you just uttered and I will be the one to ask for you to be committed! Your only action now is to listen. Do I make myself clear?”
Catherine de Bourgh would have hated to admit it, but her brother’s tone of voice and the looks of pure disdain from both men was intimidating. She would think on it later, but it was perhaps, a time to change her tactics.
“Say what you must,” Lady Catherine sniffed like she was unconcerned.
“You are to be sent to de Bourgh’s house in Bath.” Lord Matlock raised his hand seeing his sister was about to interject. “You will remain silent until we have completed what we need to tell you.” Lady Catherine scowled with displeasure but gave a tight nod.
“If you would prefer, we can investigate until we discover who you paid to carry out your disgusting plan. If that is your choice, we will,” Darcy threatened. “I am sure he or they would be more than willing to tell us all in return for transportation and not the noose.”
Lady Catherine blanched. She was fully aware if they caught up with Clay Younge or the halfwit cousin, they would not hesitate to tell all so they could save their necks.
“As I was attempting to say, you are to be sent away, and you will not be allowed back at Rosings Park or any other de Bourgh property other than the house where you will be resident,” Lord Matlock continued. “Your chambers and belongings are being searched while your trunks are being packed. You will not be allowed to take any of the funds you have squirreled away or jewellery to sell to raise more money, just to employ more brigands to try to carry out your murderous intent.
“All you will be given each quarter day is the money de Bourgh mentioned in his letter, not a single penny more. Writing to either my or Darcy’s family begging for funds will not even be dignified with a reply.
“My question is the same as the one de Bourgh asked in his letter. Anne and I were raised by the same parents, in the same house as you. Not in our wildest dreams would we even think about wilfully harming another, not to mention our own flesh and blood. Darcy and I will not allow one like you around our families again either.”
“As Matlock stated, you will be observed at all times,” Darcy took over from his brother. “If de Bourgh receives a report which indicates, even in the smallest measure, you are causing trouble, you will be moved to my horse farm in Ireland. No, you would not be the mistress, but resident in a small pensioner’s cottage. Your living arrangements can be far worse than residing in a comfortable house in Bath.”
For now, all thoughts of her plan to remove her husband and daughter from the mortal world were forgotten. Now was the time for her to worry about her own survival. ‘Thank goodness,’ Lady Catherine thought, “The will I intended to use is with the solicitor I paid to create it. They will all pay for this indignation I am to suffer!’ She knew not how yet, but she was confident in her abilities, and she would prevail one day!
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
About three hours later, a very sullen Lady Catherine departed the estate for Bath in an old, nondescript, small carriage. Her funds and the de Bourgh jewels she had hidden had all been discovered and secured.
The only servant who accompanied her was her lady’s maid. She had been informed there were staff and servants at the house, which much to her displeasure was only about half as large as the dower house at Rosings Park. She was escorted by a group of eight footmen who were from both the Fitzwilliam and Darcy households who would be her guards in the interim. As soon as Sir Lewis employed his own men for the purpose, the eight would return to their employers.
On her departure from the manor house, Lady Catherine had kept her nose in the air and put on as unaffected an air as she was able. There had been no goodbyes between her and her traitorous brothers.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Your assistance is much appreciated,” Sir Lewis told his brothers when they returned to Longbourn. “I have sent word I am looking for former soldiers, marines, or sailors, and as soon as I employ the contingent I need, they will replace and release your men. In addition, I will employ more men to act as personal guards for Anne and me.”
“There is no hurry,” Darcy assured his brother. “Is there any word on the progress of the fabrication of the axle?”
