“Aunt.”
Lady Catherine’s attention returned, for a moment, to Elizabeth.
“This is Miss Bennet, I presume.” Her tone suggested that the presumption was unnecessary.
Elizabeth curtsied, composed and respectful. “Miss Elizabeth, Madam.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes sharpened at the correction and did not return the courtesy. Instead, she turned again to Darcy.
“I had expected to find you at Netherfield,” she said. “Though, upon reflection, I ought perhaps not to be surprised that you are elsewhere engaged.”
Darcy did not answer.
She continued, as though no reply were required. “I considered the matter sufficiently urgent to admit of no postponement. I have travelled without delay, hoping, expecting that the report that had reached me was false,” she said, “but present circumstances make me believe otherwise.”
Mrs. Bennet, who had been struggling between awe and alarm, now stepped forward.
“Lady Catherine, we are most honoured – quite honoured – to receive you – though we had no notion – no expectation…”
“No,” said Lady Catherine, with calm decisiveness. “I do not suppose you had.” The words were not rude in form. Only in effect.
Mrs. Bennet faltered.
Lady Catherine turned again, this time with a more deliberate survey of the room.
“I understand,” she said, “that a great deal has been proceeding here of late. I prefer not to rely upon report where I may obtain certainty.” Her gaze settled once more upon Elizabeth. “I am come, therefore, to be satisfied.”
A silence followed.
Darcy stepped forward. “You shall be satisfied, madam,” he said. “But not here.”
Lady Catherine turned to him slowly. “Not here?”
“No. I will speak with you in private.”
A pause. Her eyes sharpened.
“I had not supposed,” she said, “that there could be anything between us which required concealment.”
“There is nothing to conceal,” he returned. “But there is much which does not concern others.”
For a moment, it seemed she might refuse.
Then…
“Very well.” Her tone made the concession sound like authority.
***
Lady Catherine entered the room begrudgingly and found the place wanting. “How quaint,” she said though without the least appearance of amusement, but she did not sit. She went to the window and turned. Her gaze shifted, swiftly and decisively, to Elizabeth. “You remain, Miss Bennet?”
“Miss Elizabeth, Aunt.”
She frowned.
Elizabeth met her look without hesitation. “I do, madam.”
Darcy closed the door behind them, then came forward with measured composure. “Aunt, what are you doing here? To come so far, and without notice…?”
