“Do not concern yourself, Mrs. Darcy, for my mother is yet at Rosings.”
“Miss de Bourgh,” said William. “I had not thought to make your acquaintance, and not now without your mother’s presence.”
“That is because you have been away and do not understand certain events that have taken place these past days.”
With that, Miss de Bourgh spoke of her mother’s ranting and how she planned to prevent their wedding from happening, seasoned with her growing disgust for her mother. When Lady Catherine departed for Hertfordshire, Miss de Bourgh waited for her return, but the longer she waited, the more disgusted she became with her mother’s behavior. Then she spoke of her determination to leave Rosings and her mother’s return before she could depart, and the aftermath of that confrontation.
“In short,” said Miss de Bourgh when she finished the telling of her tale, “I am no longer interested in living under my mother’s tyranny. This is to be my first season in London, and I mean to enjoy it. Thereafter, we may take thought about what we shall do about my mother’s hold on Rosings.”
“Anne is Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s heir,” explained Lord Matlock. “While I do not recall the details of his will, I know Rosings was to be hers when she reached a certain age.”
“Either one and twenty or five and twenty,” said Miss de Bourgh with a shrug.
“Those are the most common ages,” agreed Lord Matlock. “My solicitor is working with the de Bourgh solicitor to determine the particulars of the will—I should have an answer any time now. When we know Lewis’s arrangements for the estate, we will know how to act.”
“I am yet three and twenty,” said Miss de Bourgh.
Lord Matlock nodded. “If the estate devolves to her at five and twenty, she will stay with us until she reaches that age. If one and twenty, I will start proceedings to move the estate to her control, and Catherine to the dower house.”
“You will excuse me if I doubt Lady Catherine will surrender on that alone,” said William.
The expression on Lord Matlock’s face told them all that he was not about to endure any dissension from his sister. “No, I do not suppose she will, but if she resists, she will discover the power I can bring to bear against her.”
“Then you will have your season,” said William, turning back to Miss de Bourgh.
“And more besides,” agreed she.
The woman paused as if uncertain what to say, then she addressed William again. “I hope you will pardon me, Mr. Darcy, but I never intended to marry you, regardless of my mother’s ranting on the subject.”
“Nor I you,” said William with some amusement.
Miss de Bourgh nodded. “I would have married my cousin, but I also possessed a lifetime acquaintance with him. You appear to be an excellent man, but I do not know you, and I was aware of your engagement.”
“With that, I cannot but agree, Miss de Bourgh,” said William, his words a clear testament to his lack of offense. “Though I have no notion of what your mother would think on the matter, please accept my wishes for your happiness.”
“Thank you. At present, I have no notion if I wish to marry, for my healthisa concern. I shall take great pleasure in discovering my future.”
With that, they moved to other subjects of discussion. Miss de Bourgh was a curiosity to Elizabeth, for she was not like her mother at all, being much quieter, less domineering, but quite intelligent. Though she spoke with all the company with composure, Elizabeth sensed a hint of her mother’s condescension whenever she spoke to one of the Bennet sisters, but she was not unkind. Associating with her was not at all onerous, for Elizabeth thought she would prove a worthy acquaintance. For all that, she did not expect bosom friendship, for Miss de Bourgh did not appear willing to allow it.
Chapter XXVI
High on the Darcys’ list of activities after their return to London was to visit their family on Gracechurch Street, and they attended to that the day after the visit to the earl’s house. The Gardiners were excellent people whom Darcy had always appreciated, regardless of their less-than-fashionable position in society. Indeed, they were connections he knew that the supercilious of society would deplore as unsuitable; Darcy had no intention of keeping them at arm’s length, for he cared little for what society would say.
The visit went about as the Darcys expected, for Mrs. Bennet spoke at length of their residence and the looming visit to the earl’s house, and Lydia repined her residence in London and the distance from the officers, for all that Darcy suspected the girl was not unhappy. Mr. Gardiner was not there, having gone to his warehouses for the day, but Elizabeth offered an invitation to her family to dine at Darcy’s house, and they went away with the promise that they would meet again soon.
The next day was the proposed shopping excursion, and while Elizabeth was not eager to participate, at least she was resigned, or so it seemed to Darcy. Though they had come to London to engage in the events of the season, there was no rush to immerse themselves in that ocean and every reason for a gradual increase in their participation. Thus, they were not to attend the high events in the earl’s company until Elizabeth’s new gowns were complete, perhaps another week. Anyoneacquainted with the Darcys knew that neither considered this delay a loss.
“What shall you do while I am engaged in shopping?”
Even now, the distaste in Elizabeth’s voice was enough to bring a chuckle to Darcy’s lips. “I sent a note to Bingley yesterday. We shall meet at the club this morning; I shall return in time to greet you.”
“It appears you will have a better time of it than I shall,” grumbled Elizabeth.
This time, the laugh escaped Darcy’s lips. “I know you do not deplore shopping so much as you suggest!”
A wide grin from his wife proved his supposition. “Perhaps I do not, though I am not eager. Do not tell the countess, for I wish to uphold my reputation.”
“Trust me, Elizabeth,” replied Darcy, “I shall be silent as the grave.”
