The evening stretched until past sunset. Another round of tea was served, though Lady Catherine opted for a slightly stronger libation: her favourite sherry.
“Miss Bennet, I have been told you have a prior acquaintance with my nephew.” Lady Catherine’s words were slightly slurred afterher second glass of the fortified wine. “Pray tell, how did you meet him? I cannot fathom how two people from such disparate social circles would become acquainted.”
It was Mr. Darcy who replied to this question. “We met last autumn during my visit to Hertfordshire, when I accompanied Mr. Bingley to review an estate. Sir William introduced us at the Assembly Rooms in Meryton.”
“Ah yes, Mr. Bingley—your lesser acquaintance from the north,” she said with a disdainful sniff. “I understand his fortunealsocomes from trade.” She cast Elizabeth a fleeting glance of disapprobation.
Mr. Darcy clenched his jaw, but made no reply.
For her part, Elizabeth was amused at how Lady Catherine had managed to belittle her and offend her own nephew with the same remark. She stifled a chuckle, though a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
“What is it that diverts you, pray?” her ladyship quickly demanded.
She replied with candour, “I cannot understand why your Ladyship finds it so unfathomable that Mr. Darcy and I are acquainted. I do not belong to your sphere either, yet here I am, dining at Rosings by your particular invitation.”
Mr. Collins gasped. Miss de Bourgh let out a small whimper. The colonel shifted on his chair, turning his face from his aunt’s view, a diverted grin curving his lips. Elizabeth’s eyebrows arched up. Did her frankness amuse him? It was nothing but the plain truth!
Her ladyship appeared affronted. “Upon my word, young lady, you express your opinions with great determination. Is this how you repay my generous invitation? Have you not been taught to respect your superiors?”
“I am not being disrespectful; I am simply stating that my chances of meeting a gentleman of Mr. Darcy’s rank are the same as becoming acquainted with someone of yours.”
“I have never heard such insolence,” snapped Lady Catherine, tapping the rim of her glass with her forefinger to signal to the footman for a refill. “Though I suppose I should expect no better from someone of inferior birth.” Then, addressing the parson, she said, “Mr. Collins, next time you bring your cousin hither you mustinstruct her about the appropriate behaviour when visiting a noble house. I shall not tolerate this conduct a second time.”
“I shall, your Ladyship,” Mr. Collins bowed his head. “I shall deal with the subject personally. The next time you honour us with an invitation, my cousin’s manners will be considerably improved.”
In any other moment, Elizabeth would have been offended by her cousin’s words. Even though his reply was much too cowardly and deferential, she could not bring herself to blame him. She had seen enough of Lady Catherine’s abusive nature to understand that Mr. Collins had too much to lose if he dared to confront his patroness.
“Have you returned to your pianoforte lessons, Anne?” asked the colonel, cleverly distracting his aunt from further attacks on Elizabeth or the Collinses. “I brought you a music book so you can learn new songs.”
“I shall be delighted to play one for you, if you allow me some time to practise.” Miss de Bourgh beamed. “My music teacher is still away, but Mrs. Jenkinson can help me—”
“You will never play well enough, for you do not practise as often as you should.” Lady Catherine said to her surprised audience. “Few people in England have my taste in music. It is a pity I never learnt, for I know I would have been an accomplished player.”
Miss de Bourgh’s face reddened.
“Darcy.” Her ladyship turned to her nephew. “I hope Georgiana has not given up her lessons. Does she practise every day?”
“Yes.”
“Do not neglect that part of her education. It is her accomplishments in the fine arts that must set her apart from the many mediocre young ladies of her station.”
“I shall not, Lady Catherine, I assure you.”
“I truly hope so, for that has not always been the case.”
The gentleman’s jaw tightened, and it looked as if he held his breath. What could Lady Catherine possibly mean? That Mr. Darcy had somehow neglected his ward? It would appear so, if his countenance were any proof: his colour was high, and his eyes betrayed a gathering storm.
The colonel was quick to interject. “I had the pleasure of seeing her in London before we travelled to Rosings, Lady Catherine, andI assure you Georgiana is an exquisite performer. I have often seen her practising.”
Lady Catherine considered his reply, then turned to her daughter. “You would do well to follow Georgiana’s example and apply yourself more seriously. I dare say her presence at Pemberley will be of great benefit to you should matters proceed as expected.”
At this, Mr. Darcy rose abruptly and left the room without a word.
As he went through the door, Elizabeth was somewhat puzzled by the altercation. Lady Catherine’s nephews, even one as high ranked as Mr. Darcy, were not immune to their aunt’s criticism. For a moment, she almost sympathised with him. The suddenness of his response revealed how deeply he had been affronted. But what, precisely, had unsettled him more: his aunt’s veiled accusations or her not-so-subtle matrimonial expectations? The Hunsford party exchanged astonished glances, the tension plain enough to be felt across the room. Miss de Bourgh let out a quiet sob and was immediately comforted by Mrs. Jenkinson. The good colonel merely shook his head. Not long after, Lady Catherine declared she was tired and dismissed her guests.
Once again, she was relieved that the evening had come to an end, and this time, she was not alone in her feelings.
***
