“You will forgive me if I suppose that the contrast she may hope to create will not at all favor her.”
“Not at all, Elizabeth,” said William, his vexation turning to regard. “As you are the perfect woman for me, I could not consider another woman your superior, even if she were a duchess!”
“Then we have no reason to fear her coming.”
Elizabeth paused, and a mischievous expression he knew so well emerged in the grin she directed at him. “This Miss Bingley of whom you speak must be a veritable paragon, yet I have not made her acquaintance. Tell me, William, when is she to arrive?”
Understanding her meaning at once, he turned to mirth. “Why, the day after tomorrow.”
“Then if you can be at Longbourn when Lady Catherine arrives, I can see no reasonIcannot visit Netherfield when Miss Bingley is to grace the estate with her presence.” Elizabeth presented a casual picture for her future husband, one that did not mislead him in the slightest. “As I am not yet acquainted with her, I should like to rectify that oversight at the first opportunity.”
“Trust me, Elizabeth,” replied William, again catching her hand and pulling it to his lips, “I am eager to witness the spectacle.”
“Lizzy! William!” came the voice of Longbourn’s mistress, interrupting their tête-à-tête. “You have had enough time for your reunion—we must still discuss the last few details of your engagement ball, for there is little time left.”
Elizabeth fixed William with a look and rolled her eyes; he endeavored to hide his reaction from the company. If the grins were any indication, no one in the room outside Mrs. Bennet misunderstood his disinclination for the subject. As a dutiful future son-in-law, however, he joined Elizabeth in giving every appearance of interest and attention to the subject at hand, which was how they spent their time for the next hour. That these details were nothing more than a review of what they had already decided did not escape Elizabeth’s attention—everything was decided before William ever left for Derbyshire. Still, her mother was not to be denied, and Elizabeth did not even try.
At length, the sound of a carriage on the drive alerted the company to a visitor, prompting a series of glances between everyone present. Before the sound of the conveyance even ceased, Mrs. Bennet sent for Mrs. Hill and instructed her to have Mr. Bennet summoned, while requesting a tea service.
“While that is admirable,” said Mrs. Darcy, “I doubt Lady Catherine will pause so long as to accept a cup of tea.”
“That is the truth,” said William, shaking his head with disdain. “Georgiana, please sit beside Elizabeth. When we frustrate Lady Catherine in her design, she will turn her attention to you.”
Georgiana did not protest, even though she had been with the younger Bennets in animated conversation since their arrival. Sensing the girl’s distress, Elizabeth caught her hand and squeezed when William rose to allow her to sit, taking position before them like a sentinel on duty. By this time, the sound of the carriage halted, and Mr. Bennet stepped into the room, though he did not portray his usual anticipation for folly.
“Let us send this woman on her way in the most expeditious manner possible,” said he in greeting to William. “While I can laugh at stupidity as much as the next man, I suspect this Lady Catherine will not bring us to mirth.”
“In that, you are correct, Bennet,” replied William, his voice sounding tight.
Within moments, the sounds of raised voices reached them, and a heavy step approached the door. Flung open a moment later, the tall, imperious figure of Lady Catherine de Bourgh stood framed within, the plump figure of Mrs. Hill lurking behind. The lady took in the company’s composition at a glance, her eyes narrowing at the sight of William standing before them, his stance one of a man waiting for the gale to fall upon him. That gale did not delay, for it set upon them in a storm of winds lashing them, no less violent than had it been an actual tempest.
“Darcy!” boomed the lady as she marched into the room. “What do you do among these miserable people? I might have guessed you found it necessary to protect them, for they are not suited to do it themselves!”
“You may not respect me,” snarled Mr. Bennet, “but you will not ignore me in my house.”
Mr. Bennet turned away from her in an action calculated to insult—effective if the flaring of Lady Catherine’s nostrils were any sign—and addressed William.
“Might I suppose this insolent woman is the one of whom you have told us?”
“Be silent before your betters!” snapped Lady Catherine.
“Trust me, I will offer all the deference due to my betters the moment they present themselves. What you have failed to consider is that you are inmyhouse, and an invader no less. If you suppose I am the sort of man who would allow you to assault my family, then you know nothing of me.”
Lady Catherine glared at Mr. Bennet with nothing less than contempt. “I see the truth of what my parson told me.”
“And I see the truth of everything I have heard about you.” The two combatants stood proud and tall, neither giving an inch. “You sent your odious parson here to assail my daughter. By all rights, I should take you by the scruff of your gown and deposit you in the dust of the drive.”
“Do you not know who I am?”
“You are an obnoxious virago who has poked her nose into matters that do not concern her and set vile events into motion against all decency,” retorted Mr. Bennet. “Do not claim to be the virtuous party in this, Lady Catherine, for anyone who hears of your actions must know that you are a woman without honor.”
“I shall not listen to the mewling of a ruffian.”
Lady Catherine turned away from Mr. Bennet as if he were of no consequence and glared at William. “If you consort with such people as this, you risk your standing in society. It would be best if you sold your estate here and took up permanent residence at Pemberley.”
“Pemberley will be my home,” replied William, “but I shall not sell Netherfield for any price. Not only has it been in myfamily for decades, but it will serve as an inheritance for a second son.”
Though she regarded him for a moment, and Elizabeth thought Lady Catherine would again try to impose her authority, she decided it was not the battle she wished to wage. Instead, she came to the point at last.
