“I daresay it was quite the most exciting event of her life,” Lady Catherine said spitefully, “at least, until her sister attempted to ensnare an earl’s son!”
“There is no question of ensnaring, Aunt Catherine,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, sounding weary already of the conversation. “I chose to offer for Lydia of my own free will - indeed, I was not her only eligible suitor - and I am honoured she has chosen to accept me.”
Lady Catherine harrumphed, but Elizabeth suspected Darcy and Fitzwilliam’s calm demeanours were throwing her off her stride rather. Lady Catherine seemed to want a screaming match which she could dominate, and their refusal to participate frustrated her.
“And what of her dowry?” Lady Catherine changed tack. “Miss Elizabeth admitted to a paltry portion indeed; you are a second son, Richard, you cannot settle for less than fifty thousand pounds!”
“Nonsense,” Fitzwilliam rebutted in a cheerful tone. “I have a very pleasant estate near Leicester from my mother, as you will no doubt recall. Nothing to Rosings or Pemberley, of course, but I have an income of some four thousand a year from it - as Mr and Mrs Bennet will no doubt be pleased to hear. Since I have been living on the army’s largesse and on my salary for the lastfew years, I have been able to invest quite significantly in the Funds, too.”
“Oh my,” Mrs Bennet said, almost too faintly to be heard.
Lady Catherine made another angry sound. “Oh, the girl has quite fallen on her feet, then! This is ridiculous, Richard! I know your father bought you a commission because you were restless...”
“He bought me the commission because the King needed soldiers and I wished to do my duty,” Fitzwilliam cut her off sharply.
“If you say so! But I know he hoped you would sell out soon and return home... he’s been negotiating with the Duke of Livesey, you know, the man has five daughters to fire off...”
“I know just how he feels,” Mr Bennet said dryly.
Lady Catherine continued as if Mr Bennet hadn’t spoken. “The duke thought one of his girls might suit you very well.”
“I’m afraid the duke is destined to be disappointed,” Fitzwilliam said amiably. “Since the first banns will be called tomorrow for myself and Lydia.”
Lady Catherine wasn’t yet done with her attempt to change his mind, however; she persisted. “You will be disappointing your parents intensely, Richard! Come, if the banns have not even begun to be called, there will be nothing in this. Speak to the parson before service tomorrow and call off the engagement!”
“Even if I were willing to do so, there is still the announcement which has been sent toThe Timesin London. Monday’s edition will be being printed already, and that, itistoo late to stop. No, Aunt Catherine. The engagement is publicly known already... since it has reached your ears, more widespread than just in Brighton, to be sure!”
“Consider, Aunt,” Darcy put in then, “the scandal which would arise should Fitzwilliam jilt the young lady after the engagement has been made public! Far worse than his marrying someone who doesn’t happen to be a duke’s daughter.”
“Thenshemust jilthim,“ Lady Catherine snapped. “Come, sir,” she obviously spoke to Mr Bennet, “you must make the girl see reason. She cannot possibly hope to be accepted into the family!”
“On the contrary, Colonel Fitzwilliam has assured me that every member of his family will be pleased to see him happily settled with a young woman of good family,” Mr Bennet said, his tone exceedingly dry. “Save for a certain aunt he mentioned as being particularly high in the instep and likely to be displeased that he had made a choice she did not direct.”
Lady Catherine’s intake of breath was so sharp it was clearly audible upstairs, before she said, “Well, I was never so insulted!” in outraged tones.
“Considering the insults you have heaped upon my daughter’s name, you have reaped what you sowed, madam,” Mr Bennet riposted.
Elizabeth’s lips pursed in a low whistle. She had never heard her father sound so coldly angry. Lydia and Jane both had eyes round with shock as they listened to their father’s defence.
“Well, I see that you are all set upon this ridiculous course,” Lady Catherine huffed, “but you need not expect my blessings, nor an invitation to Rosings, Richard! I am most severely disappointed!”
“I think you should reconsider, Aunt Catherine,” Darcy said evenly, and Elizabeth traded a surprised look with Jane. She had fully expected that he would just let his aunt leave in a huff, ending the conflict there.
“And why should I?” Lady Catherine barked in response.
“Why, for the sake of the family for whose reputation you are so concerned, of course. Or have you forgotten that Heatheridge has no son? Snubbing Fitzwilliam and his wife means you are snubbing the potential future earl and countess, you will recall.” Darcy sounded calm, almost disinterested, but Elizabeth suspected he was doing so deliberately, to make it seem to his aunt that he did not care one way or the other. Indeed, Lady Catherine choosing to snub Fitzwilliam and Lydia might be a decision which could come back to haunt her in the future, but right now, the couple needed thegrande dame’sblessing on their union.
There was a brief silence as Lady Catherine apparently thought through the implications, and then she said pettishly “Well, what would you have me do?”
“I assume you are staying with friends in Brighton tonight - you mentioned Lady Carshalton? Simply advise her that the engagement might have happened a little more hurriedly than you would like, but young people do get carried away sometimes, and you will be pleased to attend Richard’s wedding in a few weeks. As for the Bennet family, why yes, you have a distant connection to them as your parson Mr Collins happens to be a cousin of theirs, and you hosted the bride’s older sister at Rosings just a few weeks ago at Easter.”
“That all has the benefit of being true,” Fitzwilliam said, and Lady Catherine sniffed loudly.
Elizabeth could only imagine the gimlet stare Lady Catherine must be levelling on her nephews, but in the end, she said “Very well. For the family’s sake. But make no mistake, Darcy, I am most seriously displeased!”
“Indeed, you have expressed yourself quite clearly on that point, madam,” Darcy said, his tone dry, and then there was the sound of clipped footsteps and a door opening.
The four girls remained sitting in a row on the edge of Harriet Forster’s bed, motionless, until the carriage wheels rattling outside announced Lady Catherine’s departure.
