The way she regarded him, Darcy could see that she was not convinced of the wisdom of his actions. There was little option to refuse, however, so she accepted and rested her hand on his arm, though with little discernable pressure. She did not miss—nor did Darcy—Lady Catherine’s angry glare at her, but Fitzwilliam had the lady controlled for the moment.
“It seems Lady Catherine still stubbornly holds to her dream of uniting Rosings and Pemberley.”
Darcy smiled down on his companion, though he was aware of the rueful quality inherent in it. “You have no idea, Miss Elizabeth.”
“It seems obvious that you will never gratify her ambition,” observed she. “Else that evening in the parsonage would never have taken place.”
“I will not,” said Darcy. “Neither Anne nor I wish it. What has become clear is that I must lose no time in communicating this to my aunt.”
Miss Elizabeth regarded him as if wishing to say something, but she shook her head. “No, I suppose you could not speak to her before. She would not listen, and it would have devolved into a family incident.”
“You see clearly, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Darcy, grateful for her perception. “Now, however, it has become imperative that she understand, so the argument is unavoidable.”
“What of Anne’s escapade today?”
Darcy understood her question at once. “Fitzwilliam has insisted that should there be any... complications regarding Anne’s reputation,hewill be the one to marry her. It is not lacking in a certain measure of common sense.”
Miss Elizabeth appeared amused. “As I recall, I jested that fifty thousand pounds must be the price for a younger son to enter a marriage. Rosings is so much more than that.”
“Ah, I see his need to marry with some attention to fortune has also made its way into his conversations with you.”
“That it did, Mr. Darcy.”
By this time, those before them had made their way into the dining-room, allowing Darcy to lead her to a pair of chairs on the opposite side of the table from the rest of his family. It was a novel seating arrangement, for Fitzwilliam, as the highest-ranking man in the room should have escorted Mrs. Bennet yet had put himself in a position to control their irascible aunt. Lady Catherine, of course, should have entered on Mr. Bennet’s arm, and as Bingley would not allow a team of horses to remove him from Miss Bennet’s side, the arrangement was haphazardat best. Mr. Bennet, given his grins, found it all amusing, and while Mrs. Bennet did not seem to understand, she must have attributed it to the foibles of higher society, for she said nothing, giving the signal for the servants to serve the first course. Soon the diners attended their dinner.
“Mrs. Bennet,” said Lady Catherine the moment her bowl was before her, “this soup is cold.”
“On the contrary, Aunt,” said Fitzwilliam, “I can see the steam rising from it.”
Lady Catherine threw a vicious glance at her nephew, but Fitzwilliam took no notice.
Mrs. Bennet appeared startled at the byplay, but she said not a word, confining her attention to her meal. That did not stop Lady Catherine, for she began a litany of complaints, from the size of the portion to the arrangements of the dining-room. Clear in her diatribe was the fierce glares she directed at Darcy and Miss Elizabeth; though they were sitting together, Darcy had concentrated on his meal, belatedly unwilling to give her more about which to complain. Though he thought to contradict his aunt’s charges, Darcy watched as Fitzwilliam neatly refuted everything she said, all without raising his voice or appearing angry.
“Will you be silent, Fitzwilliam?” Lady Catherine finally snapped at him. “As I have been the mistress of an estate for many years, I am much better positioned to understand such things than a soldier.”
“Yet, Fitzwilliam is being a polite guest,” said Anne from Fitzwilliam’s other side. “Kindly remember, Mother, that we descended upon the Bennets with no warning,andwith no invitation. If the arrangements are insufficient for your taste, it is as much our fault as Mrs. Bennet’s, who has been nothing but welcoming.”
Mrs. Bennet, Darcy noted, regarded Anne with the warmth ofgratitude. Lady Catherine, however, would not be denied.
“She should take such matters into account, for one never knows when company will descend unexpectedly. At Rosings, I always ensure a meal of at least three courses and instruct my cook to prepare a meal for six.”
“Longbourn differs from Rosings,” said Anne. “You should be more gracious.”
“Anne!” spat Lady Catherine. “You will not speak to me in this fashion. I am your mother—you will give me your respect.”
“You will have my respect when you deserve it, Mother,” said Anne, still maintaining her even temper.
Lady Catherine appeared shocked that her daughter would say as much as to her. Then her fury descended.
“It seems thesepeoplehave affected your good sense. We shall return at once to London where I shall remove this contamination from you.”
“You may believe as you wish, Mother. Elizabeth is my friend, and I will not give up her friendship.”
“A woman who has your cousin’s fortune in her sights.” Lady Catherine regarded Miss Elizabeth with utter contempt. “Well, I shall not allow it. No fortuneless upstarts nor libertines will frustrate my designs. When we return to London, I shall publish the news of your engagement at once, which will end this business.”
Anne directed a harsh laugh at her mother. “How silly are you, Mother? Should I marry Darcy, you will have no more power to direct me. I may keep my friendship with Elizabeth without reference to your ridiculous demands. Not that I intend to marry Darcy.”
“You will!” cried Lady Catherine. “I insist upon it!”
