“I have come to bring your new wife up to standard, if that is even possible. It will be all I can do to reduce the degradation of Pemberley.”
Anne trailed behind her mother and shot him an apologetic glance. She went to the sitting area without being invited and slumped down.
Darcy stiffened, feeling his jaw clench involuntarily as it so often did in Lady Catherine’s company. The insult to him was bad enough, but he had no intention of putting up with such abuse of Elizabeth. “There will be no need for that. My wife is perfectly capable —”
“A mere country gentleman’s daughter with no relations of any consequence? I hardly think so.” She cast a disparagingglance at Elizabeth. “From the looks of her, you will need to send her to finishing school just to bring her up to snuff.”
Darcy had opened his mouth, though he hardly knew whether it was to order his aunt from the grounds or to inform her exactly what she could do with her insulting insinuations, when he was stopped by a gentle touch on his arm. Elizabeth stood beside him with a brilliant smile. “My dear, your aunt and cousin must be very tired from their long journey. Shall we not sit down for tea?” she asked sweetly.
“Perhaps that would be for the best,” he agreed slowly.
“Yes, I am sure it is. You must be so weary, Lady Catherine! And you, Miss de Bourgh.” Elizabeth nodded toward his cousin, who gave a nervous laugh and a half-smile. Before anyone could object, Elizabeth had chivvied them over to the tea table, directed Anne to the warmest seat nearest the fire, and called for refreshments. Pemberley’s servants being as efficient as ever, it was not long before they all had a cup of tea in hand and a plate of dainties before them.
His aunt seemed taken aback by being treated so kindly. It was certainly more than she deserved after the way she had treated Elizabeth. She did not even know her and had attacked her immediately on the first occasion of their meeting. Elizabeth had shown all the good breeding Lady Catherine accused her of lacking in handling the situation so deftly, not to mention so graciously.
“Well, at least someone in the house has some manners,” Lady Catherine said as she sipped her tea. “And the servants have not yet got out of line, I see.”
Darcy bristled at the obvious slight, but kept the peace. Perhaps, with luck, Lady Catherine had merely needed to have the last word before remembering her manners.
He ought to have known it was a vain hope. Lady Catherine was only preparing her next volley. “I hear you are one of five daughters, Mrs Darcy. Is that so?”
Darcy was unsure how she had heard that, but of course, his aunt had her sources. He had said nothing of her family in his letter, only that they were from Hertfordshire and that her father was a country gentleman. Perhaps Fitzwilliam’s mother, the Countess of Matlock, had filled in the details from the more in-depth letter he had sent his cousin.
Elizabeth did not seem shaken by the line of questioning. “Indeed it is, ma’am, and I am very glad that it is so. One is never lonely in a household of five young women — though I must admit peace and quiet were sometimes in short supply.” Upon seeing Lady Catherine’s teacup almost empty, Elizabeth took up the pot and refilled it for her, though she might have called the maid to do so. It was very like her, Darcy thought. Another woman might have wished to show off her position, particularly in the face of Lady Catherine’s pointed questioning; Elizabeth simply saw to her guests’ comfort.
“How was your journey, Lady Catherine?” Elizabeth continued. “It took us three days to arrive home. From what part of England do you hail?”
“My estate, Rosings Park, is in Kent. I believe you will have heard of it?” Lady Catherine demanded imperiously.
“No, I am sorry to say I have not. Is it as large as Pemberley?” Elizabeth looked over at Darcy and gave a brilliantsmile. “I must confess, I have never seen a house more lovely than Pemberley.”
“Very nearly as large,” Lady Catherine admitted reluctantly, and not quite accurately. Though the house at Rosings Park was nearly as large as Pemberley, the estate itself was considerably smaller.
“I myself am very proud of my home,” Lady Catherine continued sternly. “It has been the work of many generations. My husband had all the glazing redone when we were first married, God rest his soul, and saw to it that the formal gardens were brought up to date.” She looked over at him. “Darcy has done much to the grounds of Pemberley since his father died. Or have you even taken notice? Too busy counting your newfound fortune, I suppose?”
Elizabeth answered before Darcy could rebuke his wayward aunt. “Indeed, I have been busy. I have been doing quite a lot of exploring since my arrival. There is so much to learn.” She paused. “That is why I shall be glad to accept your offer of instruction, Lady Catherine.”
Darcy nearly fell out of his seat. What on earth was Elizabeth doing?
Lady Catherine looked surprised only for a moment before regaining her composure and sniffing haughtily. “I shall do my best, I suppose. Though it will be no laughing matter to correct all the deficiencies I suspect I shall find in your education.”
At that fresh provocation, Darcy could no longer keep silent. “Under no circumstances —”
“Just a moment, my dear,” Elizabeth interrupted him smoothly, startling him into silence more from the endearment than the protest. She rose elegantly from the settee she was sharing with Lady Catherine. “Would you please excuse us for a moment?” she asked. “I do apologise; we shall return shortly.”
He offered her his arm but felt as if he were the one being led, walking as if in a daze. When they were alone in the adjoining ladies’ parlour, she quickly closed the door. Darcy turned to his wife, utterly at a loss. “Elizabeth, I cannot stand aside and allow her to berate you like this. It is out of the question. They must stay the night, but in the morning, I will insist that they depart —”
“They are your family, Mr Darcy. You cannot very well kick them out of the house.”
“Very well. However, I must insist that you do not take my aunt up on her absurd offer of so-called ‘lessons’. She is condescending and impossible. She will do nothing but belittle you the entire time. And no wife of mine is going to put up with such treatment.”
Her face softened. “I am very grateful for your desire to protect me, Mr Darcy. I am touched, truly.” She smiled up at him. Darcy sucked in a quick breath, all but lost in her dark, sparkling eyes. Did she grow more lovely every day? Or was he simply seeing her in a new light?
She placed a hand on his arm, ever so lightly, and went on. “This may be my only chance to make a good impression on your aunt. She is wrong about me in many respects, and I am sure, on many other subjects. Even so, she does have experience running a large estate, and I do not.”
Darcy frowned. “I confess, I am wholly confounded by you, Elizabeth. Why would you want to subject yourself to her incivility? Even if she can teach you a few things about running the house, it would not be worth the discomfort it would inflict on you.” He took her hands, and warmth spread through him. He wanted to hold her close and protect her from anyone who might try to harm her, physically or otherwise. “I do not mind if you are slow in learning to be the mistress of Pemberley. I will help you.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That is very kind of you, but I want to be the best mistress of Pemberley that I can be — for your sake, to be sure, but also for my own. I do not mind being subjected to a little discomfort. Most importantly still, this is an opportunity for your aunt and I to spend some time together. With a little luck, perhaps I can change Lady Catherine’s mind about me.”
