She spotted Darcy immediately. She gaped at him—and at his hand, which he had not removed from Elizabeth’s shoulder—with narrowed eyes.
“Nephew,” she said, her voice rigid. She peered down her nose at Elizabeth. “I suppose you are Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Shall I make you known to her and her family, your ladyship?” asked Darcy.
Lady Catherine blinked several times, as though she could not believe the words he had just spoken. She addressed her next words to Mrs Bennet. “You are her mother?”
“Yes, madam. Elizabeth is my eldest but one, and these are—”
Lady Catherine interrupted Mrs Bennet’s attempt to make introductions. “You have a very small park here. Darcy, I should be glad to take a turn in it withMiss Elizabeth Bennet, if she will favour me with her company.” She pronounced Elizabeth’s name as though the syllables were poison on her tongue.
Elizabeth was astonished by Lady Catherine’s manner. She took some comfort in Darcy’s immediate reply.
“Miss Elizabeth requires no man’s permission to walk out on her own lawn with anyone. Should you believe, however, thatyouhavemypermission to speak to her with anything less than the greatest civility, you will find yourself quite mistaken.”
Lady Catherine’s nostrils flared. “I received a most alarming report from my brother,his lordship,” she said, adding the honorific with particular emphasis. “I insist upon having it contradicted.”
Mr Collins, Elizabeth noted, hovered near the doorway, watching his patroness with wide eyes. It was as though he was waiting for a signal that he might more fully enter the drawing room. Lady Catherine gave none.
“If it is the report of my intention to marry Miss Elizabeth, I can give you no contradiction. I have proposed, and she has accepted me.”
“Darcy! How can you so completely forget your obligations to your cousin Anne, not to mention those to me, for your mother’s sake!”
Elizabeth regarded Darcy, her brows raised. He appeared pained.
“If you had hopes in that quarter, you know I have never encouraged them.”
Lady Catherine turned her piercing stare upon Elizabeth. “This is not to be borne. I hope she does not expect to be noticed by your family or friends. Why would we recognise her when she wilfully acts against the inclinations of all? Your alliance will be a disgrace. Her name will never be mentioned by any of us.”
Even Kitty and Lydia were finally paying attention enough to look dumbfounded.
“Therein ends my life’s aspirations,” Elizabeth muttered under her breath.
“What did she say? Darcy, tell her to repeat herself. I must know.”
He scowled and took a step towards his aunt. “The only thing you must know is thatIshall not noticeyou, or anyone else who insults my bride. I have informed the earl, my solicitors, and the vicar. It is done, as is your visit here. I caution you not to return until you recall the manners of a lady. Your behaviour disrespects my mother and your entire family.”
Lady Catherine’s brows flew up nearly to her hairline, fury lighting her countenance. For a moment, Elizabeth thought she might hit someone. Darcy might have believed something similar, for he stepped forward, ensuring Elizabeth was behind him.
After a heavy pause, Lady Catherine whirled around and flounced out of the room.
Mr Collins at last advanced into the room. “Um. Miss Mary, I wonder, whether you might care to walk out with me. The day promises fine.”
Mary solemnly nodded, excusing herself to fetch her coat.
Through the window, Elizabeth saw the shiny black chaise-and-four departing.
The room grew quiet, apparently not even Kitty and Lydia knowing what to say. After they heard the front door shut behind Mr Collins and Mary, Darcy addressed Mrs Bennet. “I apologise for my aunt’s rudeness, madam.”
Mrs Bennet, however, barely acknowledged the words in her haste to crowd with Lydia and Kitty at the window, eagerly watching Mr Collins and Mary walking upon the lawn.
“Three weddings!” Mrs Bennet sighed.
“Oh, Mama, how do you think she can listen to him without laughing?” Lydia wondered.
Kitty giggled.
Elizabeth—torn between shock at Lady Catherine’s behaviour and her family’s overlooking of it, as well as gratitude that they somehow had—held her hand out to Darcy. Instead of taking it, he drew her into his arms, standing behind her, his big body warming her along her back. She felt a kiss upon her neck which travelled through her entire being. No one was paying them the slightest bit of attention, but still she could hardly believe he dared it.
