Her hostess’s lips pinched. “I see you have brought Andrew.”
“It isSir Andrew.”Lady de Bourgh smirked. “Perhaps you had not heard. My son has gone on to his reward. It has been a twelvemonth.… You were not at the funeral.”
“Arthur never favored me in life. Why should I condescend to honor him in death?” Lady Catherine’s lip curled in disgust.
“Just the answer I expected from you.” Lady de Bourgh tut-tutted. “I thought better of the daughter of an earl.”
“What would a lowborn woman such as yourself know of it?”
“More than you, so it seems.” The lady tapped her walking stick against the ground, the sound muffled by the thick carpet. “Introduce me to your guests, Catherine.”
“LadyCatherine.”
“I think not. I shall call you lady when you deserve the appellation.” Lady de Bourgh sniffed. “Now, will you perform the introductions? No? Anne, you do the honors.”
Miss de Bourgh seemed to perk up a little. “Certainly, Grandmama.” She straightened and gestured to Jane. “This is Mrs. Jane Collins. She has lately married our parson. Next to her is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who is her sister, and Miss CharlotteLucas, their dear friend. Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas have been guests at the parsonage for just shy of a fortnight. Ladies, this is my grandmother, Lady Amelia de Bourgh. The gentleman with her is my cousin, Sir Andrew de Bourgh. He is a baronet.”
“Thank you, Anne. I can see you know your manners. However did you manage to learn them properly whilst living with your mother?” Lady de Bourgh sniffed disdainfully before turning to Jane. “You are a pretty thing, Mrs. Collins,” she continued. “Your husband is very fortunate.”
“Thank you, madam.” Jane barely choked out the words. Despite her newfound confidence, she seemed to find the contention a little disconcerting.
“How long are you to remain in Hunsford, ladies?” Sir Andrew stepped forward from his position behind his grandmother’s chair. “I should like to come to know you. Rosings Park so rarely has visitors; I look forward to the diversion.”
Elizabeth allowed her sister to answer while she examined Sir Andrew. He was a well-formed man, with black hair and a strong jaw. He was certainly tall, at least as tall as Mr. Wickham. His dark eyes sparkled with good humor or mischief; Elizabeth knew not which.
“My sister and Miss Lucas will remain through April.” Jane spoke politely, her teacup steady in her hand. She placed it on the saucer and set it aside.
“Tea, Grandmother?” Miss de Bourgh turned to the tea things that sat on the table between her and her mother.
“They are not staying.” Lady Catherine glared at the interlopers.
“We are. I have already instructed Brisby to ready my usual room.” Lady de Bourgh raised an eyebrow, daring her daughter-in-law to protest. Lady Catherine did not disappoint.
“You have not been invited,” she insisted. “Besides, Briar Court is less than an hour’s drive.”
“Is it? I had not realized it was so close.” The sarcasm in her ladyship’s voice was unmistakable, and Elizabeth almost snorted into her cup. “I told you I came to visit my granddaughter. I rarely see her, for you never bring her to town, and I rarely leave it.”
Lady Catherine replied sharply. “What possessed you to do so now?”
“Andrew invited me to Briar Court. I suggested we come to Kent early so we might visit with Anne.”
“And I am happy you have come.”
The firmness in Anne’s voice surprised Elizabeth, and her countenance spoke of her pleasure at her relations’ presence. It made her washed-out features brighten, adding some color to her bland presence.
Lady Catherine looked ready to protest, but she must have had some motherly feelings regarding her daughter, for she pressed her lips into a thin line and said nothing.
“How long will you stay?” Miss de Bourgh asked.
“Mayhap a month.” Lady de Bourgh watched Lady Catherine scowl before continuing. “Maybe two.” She smirked.
Elizabeth did not care how long the visitors stayed. Her visit to Kent had just become so much more exciting.
Jane excused herself and her guests a few minutes later. There was tension in the room and its presence was not lost on any of the departing ladies. They hurried out of Rosings Park. The pace Jane set was brisk, and Elizabeth at last saw something of the old Jane Bennet in the flustered lady that rushed home.
Chapter Eleven
March 20, 1812
