“What is it?”
“I will speak with Lady Catherine this afternoon.I must tell her I am courting you and that I will never marry Anne.”
“Have you never told her that before?”she asked curiously.
“Once, a few years ago.She suddenly felt hot, and then began rambling about pains in her head and then her heart, and finally feigned a swoon.She remained in her bed for three days, pretending to be gravely ill and on her deathbed.”
“Pretending?I had no idea Lady Catherine was so good an actress.”
He gave her an eloquent look.“You would be surprised.I know she was perfectly well, but I have not wished to be subjected to more theatrics, so I have kept my peace.I never agree with her, and I have refused when she asks a direct question.That is probably why she has ceased asking them.Anyroad, the discussion should be had and it would be better in person.I will wait until just before dinner to minimize the chance that she may call on you at the parsonage.”
“Do you think she would?”
“I do not know, but I would not put it past her.She can be intractable when she wants something, and she has refused to accept bad news before.”
Elizabeth frowned in thought.“I must tell Charlotte.Lady Catherine could make life very unpleasant for them.”
“Yes, she very well may.I am sorry for that.”
“Do not be, Fitzwilliam.It is not your fault your aunt is a termagant.”
He almost laughed, then grimaced.“We will be outside the parsonage at nine tomorrow.Will you be ready?”
“Yes, of course!I am anxious to escape Lady Catherine’s wrath, though I do worry for Charlotte.Perhaps she will feel a sudden need to visit her mother!”she teased.
“It is not the worst idea.She could ride in the carriage with you and act as your chaperone.”
“So that you may ride in the carriage as well?”
“Of course.Would your aunt and uncle be willing to host her?”
“I am sure that they would, though I do not know if Charlotte would wish to go.She has responsibilities here, and there is Mr.Collins to think of.”
“Yes, well, it was just a thought.”
“Sweet man,” she said with a smile as she touched his face.“It was kind of you to consider my friend.”
He caught her hand and kissed it, and they continued to talk of busy nothings, interspersed with the kisses and touches expected of the newly in love—or those rapidly falling into it.
By the time Darcy re-entered Rosings, he was in excellent spirits.He checked with his valet that his things were packed and prepared, spoke with the grooms about his horse and the carriage being ready on the morrow, then sought out his cousin.
“Fitz, would you accompany me to speak to Anne?”
“Anne?”asked Colonel Fitzwilliam incredulously.“Whatever for?”
“I intend to speak to our aunt today, and it is only courteous to speak to Anne first.”
“Ah, of course.Let us bell the cat, shall we?”
Darcy rolled his eyes.“Really Fitz.She is not that bad.”He led the way out the door and through the maze of Rosings’s corridors.
“To you, maybe.She thinks you may be her husband one day, so she has hidden her true nature.She has no such qualms with me.”
“Whatever are you talking of?Anne may be sickly, but she is hardly a harridan.”
“Ha!Shows what you know!”He gave his cousin a look.“I shall not spoil the surprise for you, Cousin.You may see for yourself.”He opened the door to Anne’s sitting room and gestured his cousin ahead of him with a grand flourish.
Darcy looked doubtfully at the colonel as he passed him.He settled on a small sofa next to Fitzwilliam.He did not wish for Anne to attempt to sit beside him.Soon, Miss de Bourgh entered the room, followed by her companion, Mrs.Jenkinson.
