“Oh?” asked Darcy, wishing he could shake his head at her insistence. “I cannot say why it is unwelcome, for it ismybusiness and has nothing to do with anyone else.”
Lady Catherine’s expression spoke of exaggerated patience. “Do you not suppose matters have changed? You are now the proprietor of a large estate and can claim a connection to an earl. Men in such positions as you now inhabit cannot marry girls such as thisfiancéeof yours, for it is unthinkable. A more prominent lady would be better—it would allow you to establish yourself in the first circles.”
“First, Lady Catherine,” replied Darcy, now displeased, “I am engaged to the woman I love, so your point is moot. As I have already told you, the only reason we are not married at this very moment was the tragedy that brought me to Pemberley.”
“That is no impediment,” interrupted Lady Catherine as if his engagement was of no consequence. “Given the position you now hold, it is not impossible to extricate yourself.”
“Yes, Lady Catherine, itisimpossible,” retorted Darcy. “I have no notion how higher society behaves, but it is catastrophic to a man’s reputation to break an engagement; even if I had any inclination to do so, I would not.
“It will not cause me a jot of concern if high society laughs at me for my convictions, not that I consider them foolish enough to do so. Elizabeth is a capable young woman, one who will behave with distinctionwhenI have the good fortune to introduce her to society as my wife.”
Lady Catherine was already shaking her head. “No one needs to know that you broke your engagement, and the opinions of those in your previous neighborhood are of no consequence.”
“They are of consequence tome,” shot Darcy.
“No, no, this will not do,” insisted Lady Catherine. “You have no recourse but to put this woman aside in favor of a more appropriate match.”
“Lady Catherine,” snarled Darcy, not caring about the anger he was displaying, “I shall not listen to you for another moment. Kindly recall that you are no relation of mine and can have nothing to say on the subject of my future—even if youwerea relation, I would allow no such interference into my affairs. My engagement is none of your concern. Please desist, or I shall require you to return to your home at once.”
“You will not remove me from my sister’s home!” shrilled Lady Catherine.
“In case you have not yet noticed,” interjected Fitzwilliam, “Lady Anne Darcy is no longer the mistress of Pemberley, nor is her son. It is highly improper for you to suggest that Darcy break his engagement, Lady Catherine. You will be silent at once, or I shall assist Darcy in removing you from the house. It is early in the day, so you can still complete a third of the journey to Rosings if you leave now.”
This threat ended Lady Catherine’s complaints, though Darcy suspected her protests were not at an end.
“When is your fiancée to arrive, William?” asked Georgiana, a transparent attempt to move past the unpleasantness of the past few moments.”
“Longbourn is four hours north of London,” replied Darcy, still eyeing Lady Catherine with contempt. “They will have departed by now, so I expect them by midafternoon on Wednesday.”
“Given your separation,” said Fitzwilliam, “I suppose you will wish to greet Miss Bennet at once.”
“You are not incorrect, for I long to be in her company again. My mother will send me a letter when they arrive at the inn. I shall go to Lambton and return with them for dinner.”
That Lady Catherine was displeased, the lady did not bother to hide from anyone in the room. For a change, she said nothing, which was welcome to Darcy. After enduring her constant comments, criticisms, and harangues, Darcy did not suppose he would miss the sound of her voice if he never heard it again.
“Then we shall welcome them,” said Fitzwilliam. “I am eager to make her acquaintance, for I suspect she is a worthy lady.”
It was not in Lady Catherine’s nature to allow the comment to pass without response, but she contented herself with a derisive snort. She remained quiet while they stayed in the breakfast room, but she redoubled her efforts to criticize the moment they were out of it. More than once that day, Fitzwilliam reprimanded her for her harsh statements, particularly those she leveled at Georgiana, who fled the room in tears. Darcy did not know what to make of her, nor did he understand the level of conceit one must possess to meddle to that extent in the affairs of others who were, after all, not connected to her.
“I cannot understand it myself,” replied Fitzwilliam when Darcy asked him about it later that day. “That Lady Catherine is senseless is a fact that is not unknown to anyone in the family. Yet even I, who suspect nothing less than the worst from her, did not expect her to order you to break your engagement.”
“Should she speak of it again, I swear I will remove her from the estate,” averred Darcy.
“You will have my support,” agreed Fitzwilliam. “There is no reason for you to tolerate her excesses. It may be best to removeher before Miss Bennet arrives; am I correct in apprehending that she will not hesitate to defend herself?”
“Elizabeth is no timid miss. She will find diversion in Lady Catherine’s authoritative ways and her ridiculous behavior, but she will not endure her if she oversteps.”
Fitzwilliam shook his head with disgust. “Lady Catherine will surpass our expectations—there is no question of that.”
Darcy considered the situation, then shook his head. “Were I not convinced of Elizabeth’s quality, I might consider sending Lady Catherine away. As it is, I know Elizabeth will not wilt. Barring Lady Catherine from Pemberley will only create more problems, so I shall refrain for now. Should she give me a reason, I will not hesitate.”
“Very well. My father knows that Lady Catherine is here and making trouble. I shall inform him of the upcoming visit and Lady Catherine’s views. With any luck, he will be at liberty to visit Pemberley and put her in her place.”
With their plans set, Darcy dropped the subject. Perhaps Lady Catherine would become so offended by Darcy’s intention to marry an unsuitable woman that she would depart without Darcy commanding her absence. While Darcy did not ascribe such sense to Lady Catherine, he could not help but hope for that outcome.
Chapter X
“So this is Lambton. I might have expected Aunt Gardiner’s account to be embellished by fond nostalgia, but it appears as charming as she always said.”
