“Do you know the way?” enquired the colonel.
“Yes, sir.”
Elizabeth proceeded towards the music room—a space she had visited only once before but was not far. Although dark, the room was faintly illuminated by light filtering in from the nearby gallery, allowing her to find the pianoforte and Miss de Bourgh’s music.
Muffled sounds emanated from an adjoining sitting room. Elizabeth immediately recognized the elevated voices. Lady Catherine and Mr.Darcy were engaged in a heated discussion. Curiosity overcame propriety, and she edged closer to the slightly ajar door, which allowed her to hear them with clarity.
“. . . I shall repeat it one last time: The match you presume to pursue will never occur. I shall not marry my cousin—ever,” Mr. Darcy said, emphasizing each word.
“This is intolerable!” Lady Catherine was quite affronted. “This marriage has been planned since your birth. You and Anne are destined for each other. By refusing to fulfil your duty, you will not only be denying my sister’s—your dear mother’s—wishes but also mine.”
“I am sorry, but neither Anne’s opinion nor mine has ever been considered. Neither duty nor desire binds us together.”
“What you and Anne feel matters little. Decorum, prudence, and indeed, mutual interest, demand this union. You both hail from noble maternal lines, with splendid fortunes on both sides. Such considerations are more than sufficient.”
“Not to me. As you yourself acknowledged, I am a man of fortune, and that affords me the liberty to live as I choose.”
“You leave me no choice, nephew.” Lady Catherine’s tone sharpened. “Since your arrival, I have been patient. I had hoped you would find reason without further persuasion. But you force my hand.”
With her heart pounding, Elizabeth edged closer to catch a glimpse of the unfolding scene. Through the narrow gap in the door, Mr.Darcy’s back was visible, as well as Lady Catherine circling him. She should not be eavesdropping, yet she could not tear herself away.
“What happened at Ramsgate should never have occurred,” said Lady Catherine. “Your failures in managing your sister’s affairs nearly ruined her reputation—and the entire family’s as well! So reckless was her conduct—and with a man so far beneath her, so wholly unworthy of her station! And such ineptitude on your part! I know well of your dealings with Georgiana’s lover, and of the sumyou paid that scoundrel to keep the matter undisclosed. Refuse to indulge me, and all your efforts to keep it quiet will be for nothing.”
“So you resort to threat and coercion—how noble of you.” Mr. Darcy scoffed.
“No method is dishonourable when the purpose is just.”
The gentleman shifted slightly, prompting Elizabeth to retreat from his view.
“I never imagined you capable of such selfishness, such greed,” he said. “Is this truly what you desire? To sacrifice your daughter’s happiness, to ruin your niece’s life, merely to satisfy your ambition?”
“Sacrifice? It will be for the benefit of all! Consider the possibilities this marriage presents. Your fortunes combined will surpass all expectations. It will be an empire within an empire. The compensation will be so substantial, it will silence any scruples you may harbour about allying with her.”
“If you believe that I can be swayed by such considerations, you are gravely mistaken about my character.”
“I know you better than you imagine, Darcy. You will do anything to protect your name and honour. The price to pay will be exorbitant. Are you willing to forfeit your power and respectability merely to preserve your freedom?”
“I need not choose. Regardless what you allege about Georgiana and me, I shall deny it.”
“You could do so, but you will not be able to refute the letters she wrote to that rascal, nor her plans to elope with him to Gretna Green.”
Elizabeth’s breath caught, a faint gasp escaping before she could stop it; she pressed a hand to her mouth at once.
Her ladyship went on. “Georgiana was foolish enough to leave written proof of her dealings, and that evidence, dear nephew, is now in my possession. I shall use it, should you persist in defying me. My influence is greater than you imagine. Once this affair becomes public, your guardianship over your sister will be revoked. With my connections, I can easily see you replaced, and all control over your sister’s future will rest entirely in my hands.”
“Fitzwilliam is also her guardian. He will never agree to that.”
Lady Catherine laughed. “You give him too much credit. He lacks your scruples—and your financial independence. He would do whatever it takes to acquire wealth. I can find him a rich bride eagerto forge a connection with the Fitzwilliams of Matlock. That would remove him from my path—and Anne’s. Her fixation on him is becoming increasingly troublesome. I shall not allow it to escalate further.”
“You believe you can manipulate everyone at your whim, but you are not as powerful as you presume. This scandal will tarnish you as well.”
“My reputation is impeccable, and I shall be the only one capable of rectifying this situation. Once Georgiana is under my guidance, I shall control her fortune and education. Finding her a suitable husband will be effortless. That will accomplish two aims at once: your name will be forever sullied, and your sister’s fortune will pass to someone of my choosing.”
A deafening thunderclap echoed through the rooms, drowning out any further reply. The meeting had abruptly ended, and fearing discovery, Elizabeth quickly hid behind the door as Mr.Darcy departed with an ungentlemanlike curse. Disturbed by what she had overheard, she hurried back to the drawing room where the others awaited.
Chapter 7 – Monster’s Ball
That night, the Hunsford party was accommodated in various guest rooms of the mansion, on the same floor where the family’s apartments were situated. The staircase, with its creaking floorboards, seemed to whisper secrets of the past. Guided by the circumspect butler carrying a single candle, the group traversed the long, dark gallery in silence, flanked by rows of dusty armour and watched over by the unyielding gazes of long-dead ancestors whose portraits adorned the walls.
