Collins blinked rapidly. “But Your Ladyship, if witnesses claim?—”
“Witnesses can be mistaken,” Lady Catherine interrupted. “Young ladies can misinterpret gentlemanly politeness. You, as my rector, have a duty to prevent such scandalous lies from spreading further.”
“I… yes, Your Ladyship, but…”
“No buts, Collins,” Lady Catherine’s voice was icy. “You will return to Hertfordshire immediately. You will inform your wife that she is to deny any knowledge of improper conduct. She will state that any visits by Mr. Darcy were brief, public, and entirely proper. Miss Maria Lucas is a child whose testimony cannot be trusted. The Bennet family may have threatened or bribed her to support their fabrications.”
“Your Ladyship wishes me to ask Charlotte to…” Collins swallowed hard.
“I wish you to ensure that Charlotte tells the truth. The truth being that no compromise occurred, no improper proposals were made, and the Bennet family is attempting to create a scandal for their advantage.”
Darcy watched this exchange with growing unease. Lady Catherine’s solution was effective but brutal, requiring Charlotte to essentially perjure herself to protect his reputation.
“I shall convey Your Ladyship’s wishes to Charlotte,” Collins said miserably. “Though I fear the pressure from the Bennet and Lucas families will be considerable.”
“Then you must ensure that the pressure from the de Bourgh family is greater,” Lady Catherine said ruthlessly. “Remind Mrs. Collins that her comfortable situation depends entirely upon my continued patronage. Remind her that speaking against the interests of the Darcy family would be most… inadvisable.”
Darcy felt sick as he listened to his aunt systematically plan the destruction of Elizabeth’s support network. Yet what choice did he have? Elizabeth had chosen to make war upon his reputation by confiding in Wickham. If she suffered for that choice, the fault was hers, not his.
“There is one more matter,” Lady Catherine continued. “This Lieutenant Wickham, who has appointed himself Miss Bennet’s champion, is the one who must repair the young lady’s honor. Mr. Bennet is your cousin, is he not?”
“Yes, yes, a distant second cousin,” Collins replied. “But what does he have to do with this man, Wickham?”
“Why, any responsible father would call this officer to task, dallying with his daughter and telling damaging stories. Collins, when you return to Hertfordshire, you will advise this Mr. Bennet to do the duty of a gentleman. Either challenge Wickham to a duel or demand he marry the young lady he has besmirched.”
Darcy’s stomach churned. Elizabeth married to Wickham? The very thought made his blood run cold. Despite her rejection, despite her apparent betrayal of his confidence, he could not bear to see her bound to a man he knew to be dissolute and mercenary. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, nails digging into his palms, but the only other alternative was for him to make the offer, one which would be refused again.
“Yes, Your Ladyship.” Collins nodded obsequiously.
“Now, we must also consider Fitzwilliam’s immediate actions,” Lady Catherine continued, fixing Darcy with her penetrating stare. “You cannot remain in London whilethis scandal festers in Hertfordshire. Your absence will be interpreted as guilt or cowardice.”
“You suggest I return to face these accusations directly?” Darcy asked.
“Certainly not! You will visit Netherfield Park as previously planned for the summer. You will conduct yourself with perfect propriety and dignity, showing no awareness of these ridiculous claims. Your presence will demonstrate that you have nothing to hide while allowing you to monitor the situation personally.”
The thought of returning to Hertfordshire, of potentially encountering Elizabeth while this scandal raged around them, made Darcy’s chest tighten. Yet Aunt Catherine’s logic was sound—absence would appear suspicious.
“I understand,” he said resignedly.
“Excellent. Collins, you will ensure that Mr. Darcy’s visit to Netherfield is received with appropriate respect. Any attempt to embarrass or confront him will result in my extreme displeasure.”
“Of course, Your Ladyship!”
“Then our strategy is clear,” Lady Catherine declared with satisfaction. “We will crush these fabrications through superior social position and systematic discrediting of the accusers. Miss Bennet will discover that attacking the Darcy family has consequences far beyond her provincial imagination.”
As Collins scurried away to execute her commands and Lady Catherine began planning additional countermeasures, Darcy remained silent, staring out the window at the London street. He had committed himself to a course that would destroy Elizabeth’s reputation and credibility, all to protect his wounded pride.
Even as he told himself she deserved whatever consequences came from her indiscretion, his heart rebelled against the thought of her suffering. Especially at his hands.
Elizabeth’s words haunted him with painful accuracy:Had you behaved in a more gentlemanly manner…
He had not behaved as a gentleman then, approaching her with arrogant condescension, expecting gratitude for his reluctant affection.
And he was not behaving as a gentleman now.
CHAPTER FIVE
ROOM FOR REGRET
