“Undoubtedly,” he returned smoothly. “Anne is a lady of excellent character and position. She will make a fine match.”
At this, Anne’s head rose sharply in alarm; her eyes darted first to him, then to Richard. The colonel, to his credit, merely adjusted his cuffs with elaborate care, though his mouth twitched with the hint of a smirk that threatened his composure.
Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes. “A fine match, indeed,” she repeated, her suspicion sharpening. “I trust you do not mean another gentleman shall be the beneficiary of such a union?”
Darcy inclined his head slightly, refusing to look either cousin’s way. “Anne’s future is her own to determine.”
The words fell between them like a drawn curtain. Anne’s breath escaped in a quiet flutter, her fingers tightening about her handkerchief. Richard crossed one leg over the other, a picture of nonchalant ease. His efforts to woo their cousin seemed to be bearing fruit, for Anne adjusted her skirts and moved a fraction closer to him.
Lady Catherine’s gaze darted amongst the trio, a spark of dawning comprehension flickering behind them. She drew herself up with a sniff of disapproval. “We shall speak of this matter another time, Darcy. Mark me well, I shall not allow Pemberley and Rosings to be so carelessly divided.”
“As you wish, Aunt.” He bowed slightly. “Another time.”
As she swept from the room, he glanced towards his cousins with a knowing look. For now, his aunt’s suspicions were little more than murmurs, but once fully realized, the outcome would indeed prove interesting.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth was quite alone that morning. Miss Lane had taken Elinor out for a stroll, and Mary was visiting parishioners. Mr Collins was at the church, preparing for the Sunday service. Intent on perusing a book, Elizabeth had curled in a chair in the parlour, morning sun spilling through the windows and spreading its warmth across her lap.
The bell sounded, and she rose as the maid entered. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mrs Fiennes.” The maid bobbed a curtsey and began to withdraw.
“Close the door on your way out.” The command was imperious. “Do not disturb us.” The maid complied.
Elizabeth gestured towards a chair in invitation. Lady Catherine ignored the offer, advancing instead until they stood almost face to face.
“You can be at no loss, Mrs Fiennes, for my presence here,” she began, her tone one of lofty condescension.
“Indeed, I cannot account for the honour.” Elizabeth felt a familiar tremor of unease stir within her and checked it firmly.She will not intimidate me.She is not my husband.Her composure steadied. “Mary is out, if that is whom you seek.”
“Silence! It is you whom I wish to see.” Her voice cut across the room like a lash. “A report of a most alarming nature has reached me. Whispers amongst my servants have told me all. They say you mean to unite yourself with my own nephew, Mr Darcy. It is impossible, of course, for he is to marry my daughter. Determined that their reputations will not suffer, I set out immediately to insist upon having such whispers universally contradicted.”
“Your coming here to see me will be rather a confirmation of them, should they exist.” She would not give the lady the satisfaction she craved.
“Do not be obstinate. Mr Darcy is engaged to mydaughter—”
“Your ladyship has said so, but I have heard no such report.” Elizabeth watched with satisfaction as the lady’s face turned an unfortunate shade of red.
“Their betrothal is of a peculiar nature. From childhood, they have been intended for each other. My dear sister, Lady Anne, wished for it. We shared the desire, and I will see it fulfilled, since she cannot.” Her chin lifted in triumph. “Now, I will hear you deny these scandalous falsehoods. Tell me at once—are you engaged to my nephew?”
“Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.” Elizabeth knew it was shameful to take pleasure in provoking the woman, but the freedom to do so, without fear of reprisal, felt strangely intoxicating after years of constraint.
“Headstrong, foolish girl!” Lady Catherine thundered. “Is my nephew to marryyou,a lady spoiled by another man? The idea is shameful. Though you may possess fortune enough to tempt him, he could do much better than the widowed daughter of an insignificant country gentleman. You are nothing to the scion of an earl!” She drew herself up to her full height. “Are you engaged to him? Answer me at once!”
Elizabeth folded her hands before her, tilting her head in careful consideration. “I am certain you, Lady Catherine, know more of your nephew’s affairs than I do,” she said smoothly, though she doubted such was the case. “As you have declared his engagement to your daughter to be a certainty, I cannot fathom why you have sought me out. Surely, Mr Darcy himself would have informed you if the situation were otherwise.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes sharpened with suspicion. “Then you admit there is nothing between you?”
Elizabeth met her gaze with unwavering calm. “I admit to nothing, my lady, except my desire that Mr Darcy should act in a way that brings him happiness. Surely, that is what all who claim to care for him should wish?”
Lady Catherine sniffed, clearly weighing Elizabeth’s words. After a long pause, she straightened her posture and adjusted her gloves. “Then see that you do not interfere with his duty. It would be unthinkable for him to disgrace his family with an imprudent match.”
Elizabeth merely inclined her head, offering a small, unreadable smile. “I am sure Mr Darcy will do what is best.”For himself,she added inwardly.
Apparently satisfied that she had carried the day, Lady Catherine drew herself up. “See that you remember your place, madam.” With that, she turned on her heel and swept from the room, her silks seeming to rustle with self-importance.
When the door closed, Elizabeth exhaled a long steadying breath, a victorious glint warming her eyes. The interview had left her shaken yet strangely exhilarated. How easily the woman’s arrogance had echoed Fiennes’s old tyranny—and how different the outcome. This time, she had stood unflinching.
She had scarcely resumed her seat when the door opened once more and Darcy entered, his expression a mingling of concern and anticipation. Her heart swelled at the sight of him, and for a moment, she could only admire the ease with which he commanded the space, his presence steady and certain.
