“What nonsense, nephew. What has love to do with marriage in our circles? Who are you going to marry? Some low-born, penniless chit with no connections like that harridan Elizabeth Bennet who thinks she is too good for her cousin, Collins?” Lady Catherine spat out Elizabeth’s name as if her tone would affect his view of the woman. But it was a tactic he often used, and the realisation made him colour with shame.
“My revered parents married for love, and so will I,” he spoke evenly, as done with this conversation as he had ever been.
“My sister, Anne, and brother-in-law, George, were weak. They did not deserve control over that vast fortune! It should have been mine...” she started.
“Enough!” he used her tone back at her and she started in shock. “You, Lady Catherine, will never have control over any aspect of my life. And you should be careful with what you say to and about the Bennets. They could ruin you without blinking an eye. The Duke and Duchess of Bedford are Miss Elizabeth’s godparents, and she is counted a niece by them and Lord and Lady Jersey. Unless you want those peers of the realm after you, I would tread very carefully,” he said, offered this final gift in the form of a warning.
“What drivel! If she had such connections, she would not hesitate to proclaim it,” Lady Catherine scoffed.
“Not everyone is like you, Aunt. I take my leave of you.” And that is what he did, not allowing her any time to reply. Darcy was soon in his carriage with his cousin on his way back to London. He would have found at least a little amusement had he known that Lady Catherine was left spluttering to no one` in her uncomfortable chair.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As soon as Lizzy entered the sitting room at the parsonage, she was accosted by her bumbling, odiferous cousin. “Little wonder that no one but me would be willing to offer for a penniless daughter of a father with an entailed estate with your wild ways. My offer was better than you deserved as you have again proven. I have told you to control your urges while you are under my guardianship.” He warned, his anger burning at the dismissive and disregarding tones she used with him.
“Excuse me, Charlotte. I need to write some expresses. May I use your private parlour?” Lizzy said, ignoring the now spluttering parson.
“But of course you can, Eliza. I trust that all is well?” Charlotte asked, enjoying the small instances of defiance Elizabeth used against her husband.
“It is. It is only that I have to get some information to my father and also to Jane in London, and it unfortunately cannot wait.” Elizabeth answered with the same sweetness as Charlotte used. They had long talked circles around those in the same room, and it was a comfort that Charlotte was proving as much her friend as ever.
Without so much as a look at her cousin, Elizabeth, after nodding hello to Charlotte’s sister Maria, closed the door to the parlour and sat at the writing desk. First, she wrote to her father.
Hunsford Parsonage
Kent
5 April 1812
Dear Papa,
Please do not worry yourself; all is well, but there is some information that I must convey to you that needs to be acted on with great speed.
You, Jane, and others warned me that Lieutenant Wickham may not have been telling the truth, and you were surprised that I allowed him to impart such personal information on such a short acquaintanceship.
I am chagrined to own that I was completely and utterly misled by the man, who is in fact a profligate, a debaucher of young women, and wastrel. Thank you, and the Lord above, that you chose to apply yourself to discipline my younger sisters. Before I forget, please contact Uncles Frank and Edward to put a clause in our dowries that states that they will not be released unless proper permission and blessing for the match has been granted by yourself. I posit that you consider requiring the permission of you plus one of our uncles for permission to release a dowry.
I will explain all when I return to you and Mama, but Mr Darcy revealed the true nature of the blackguard’s character to me today. And before you think me capricious or swayed without reason or cause, he has proof to support his claims.
Elizabeth continued to write, outlining the information that Mr Darcy had imparted to her. She continued her missive:
As part of our conversation, I revealed our true wealth to Mr Darcy. I think that we cannot hide the truth any longer, nor should we. Though I thank heavens that the truth about our wealth has not been revealed yet, as Wickham is a fortune hunter of the highest order. I see his pursuit of poor Miss King in a whole new light now.
Please warn our neighbours of his conduct. The merchants need to protect themselves and their families. Speak to Colonel Forster, he seems like an honourable man. If his unit cannot cover Wickham’s debts to the merchants, then we should. As mentioned above, during part of my conversation with Mr Darcy I revealed the extent of our wealth and connections. I will elaborate when we see each other.
Please give my love to Mama and my sisters.
Your dutiful daughter,
Lizzy
After writing the direction on the express to her father, she pulled out another sheet, mended her pen, then wrote to her sister Jane.
Hunsford Parsonage
Kent
5 April 1812
