A FEW DAYS LATER, THEDarcys were to attend an evening at Lord Matlock’s house. It was a dinner party the countess had planned to introduce the Darcys to the extended family, and Elizabeth thought it was calculated to ensure society knew they had their firm support. To own the truth, Elizabeth was uncertain it was necessary, for she had met little resistance since their coming to London. Then again, they had little congress with the highest of society, to which company Elizabeth knew the Darcys had some claim, given the Darcy family’s long history, wealth, and numerous connections extending back centuries.
The younger girls were excluded from this gathering as it was an adult-only event, and Elizabeth thought they would not miss much. Kitty and Lydia might regret it, but Georgiana’s moue of distaste suggested it would not be a gathering at all to their taste.
“Trust me,” said she, “we will not miss much by staying at home. Many of my extended relations are fine people, but there are a few who consider even the Darcys to be beneath their notice. The evening will be nothing more than a group of stuffy, hidebound people looking down their noses and finding fault, while congratulating themselves on their fortunate positions.”
Elizabeth could not help the laugh that burst from her lips. “Upon my word, you are severe on your relations!”
“Not at all,” said Georgiana, unconcerned. “You will like the Spencers very well, but the moment you make the Howards’ acquaintance, you will understand.”
“With accounts such as this, perhaps I should refrain,” said Mr. Bennet. “If they do not accept Darcy, then there is little chance I will be anything other than a nuisance.”
“Oh, Papa!” laughed Elizabeth. “I know you wish to gobecauseof their superciliousness and your desire to laugh at them. Besides, Mama is there, so you must go.”
Mr. Bennet gave a resigned sigh that fooled no one. “I suppose you are correct. Remember the sacrifice I am making on your behalf, Lizzy, for I suspect we will find no one in attendance tonight who will not consider us country bumpkins.”
Contrary to Mr. Bennet’s expectation, many did not appear to hold the Darcys’ country origins against them, though there were certain of the other type as well. It was no surprise that Lady Catherine was not in attendance. Elizabeth had heard nothing of the lady’s disposition, though she knew that Miss de Bourgh was determined to take control of her inheritance. Now that she was married to William and Lady Catherine’s schemeswere at an end, Elizabeth had no more desire to be in her company and would allow Lord Matlock to handle the matter.
Much as it had been since Elizabeth had come to London the previous year to meet William’s friends, that evening was a dizzying array of new faces and names to remember, and while it was impossible to recall everyone she met that evening, there were a few that made an impression. The earl’s children were all known to Elizabeth, of course, and she enjoyed their company, though the eldest daughter, Rachel, who married a duke, could be a little trying. There was another duke in attendance, the earl’s nephew and son of his sister. The duke’s wife, Constance, was a woman who well knew her position in society and was not hesitant to display her superiority, though for all that, she was kind and thoughtful. The earl’s family also included two more sisters and a brother who was a bishop in the church, and among them were some of the elder children, though, like Elizabeth’s sisters and Georgiana, the younger members of the family stayed home. It was also of some diversion to Elizabeth that only a few moments in their company proved Georgiana’s assertions to be true.
“So, you are the new Darcy family,” said a woman with a distinct air of haughtiness who had been introduced as Amelia Howard, the baroness of Harcourt.
“Indeed, we are, your ladyship,” said Elizabeth. William, though he was standing by her side, did nothing more than nod, allowing Elizabeth to take the lead as they had often done since coming to London.
A sniff was the woman’s response, and by her side, her daughter Adele stood, attempting to stare holes through Elizabeth. “That is curious, indeed, for I was not aware of an entail on Pemberley. I might have thought Georgiana would inherit.”
“It was not unknown to me, of course,” said William, “as I was the heir. I never thought to inherit, and certainly not because of tragedy.”
“A genuine tragedy to be certain,” agreed Lady Amelia. “Had Darcy not met his unfortunate end, my Adele would have become the estate’s mistress.” The lady looked down her nose at Elizabeth. “You appear to be a capable sort of woman. If you follow our example, youmayuphold the position to which you have risen with credit.”
Though he did not indicate his opinion, Elizabeth could sense William’s displeasure from the stiffening of his form. For Elizabeth’s part, the woman’s superciliousness was nothing less than diverting, though she was curious about Lady Amelia’s assertion.
“If you will excuse me, Lady Amelia, I am quite curious about the former Mr. Darcy and your daughter. Lady Catherine de Bourgh was most insistent that Mr. Darcy was engaged toherdaughter.”
Lady Amelia sniffed with disdain. “Catherine sees what she wishes and allows no one to gainsay her, but anyone with eyes could see that he did not favor Anne. Anyone with eyes must acknowledge that Adele is far superior to Anne in every way that matters.” The lady paused and though her manner appeared grudging, she said: “Except in the matter of inheritance, of course. Anne’s inheritanceisRosings Park.
“Had Darcy not perished, I am certain he would have proposed before the end of the season. Had I not thought Adele would be lowering herself, I might have explored a connection with your husband.”
“Then it is well you rejected the notion,” said William, unable to remain silent. “My engagement to Elizabeth was already a year’s duration by the time I inherited Pemberley;nothing would have convinced me to end it, as Lady Catherine discovered to her detriment.”
Lady Amelia sniffed with disdain, but she did not respond. What Adele thought of this was not apparent, for her expression did not change, though she appeared to be assessing William as if he were a side of beef. The self-congratulations and arrogance were almost thick enough to cut with a knife, and the Howard ladies were beyond endurance. Elizabeth would avoid them in the future, and she could not suppose they wished to uphold any sort of acquaintance.
“Well, Husband?” asked Elizabeth with an arched brow when they escaped from the viragos. “If the impressive Adele Howard had made a play for you, do you suppose you would have resisted her charms in favor of whatever paltry allurements I possess?”
“Only a blind man could suggest that she is your superior, Elizabeth,” said he. “I am quite content with my choice.”
There was only one occasion where Elizabeth experienced overt unkindness, and while she had thought any such might come from the Howards, it was another lady who made the comments. Elizabeth could not remember the exact relation, for she was of little consequence to her, and when Elizabeth related it to her husband later, she could not even recall exactly what the woman had said. More drivel concerning the origins and lack of credit of the new Darcy family, coupled with her assurance that they would fail in society. Unaccustomed as she was to enduring such slights, Elizabeth thought to push back and then retreat from the field, when another inserted her opinion.
“Perhaps it is best to refrain from such statements, Genevieve,” said Anne de Bourgh, stepping into the breach. “As you know, Uncle wishes to present a united front in society,andhe approves of the new Darcys.”
Lady Genevieve, for that was all Elizabeth recalled of her, shook her head. “So long as he does not require me to associate with those who are inferior, I cannot gainsay him.”
“Trust me, Lady Genevieve, I have no more desire for a close association than you do.”
The woman, blinded by her arrogance, heard nothing caustic in Elizabeth’s comment, for she did nothing more than offer a regal nod. “Then I shall wish you a pleasant evening and success in society, little though I expect it.”
With a swirl of her skirts, she turned away and was soon conversing with Lady Amelia, perhaps not a surprise given that lady’s opinion. With a shake of her head, Elizabeth turned to Miss de Bourgh, who was watching them, giving no hint of her feelings.
“Thank you for stepping in, Miss de Bourgh. I might have said something inadvisable if you had not.”
