I suppressed a gasp. Beside me, Fitzwilliam stiffened.
“My brother is the sole living person who might have been aware of our courtship, but he travelled for most of that summer. Lady Anne had not yet made her debut, and I never confided in her. Captain James Weston and I met at a neighbour’s party. James stayed at the estate as a guest of the eldest son. His father, though a gentleman, owned a modest estate—“her sight shifted to me—“smaller than your father’s property.”
My goodness. Her parents would not have welcomed the match.
“James became enamoured with me at first sight. Within a fortnight of parties, dinners, and frequent walks together throughout my father’s estate, I fell in love with him.”
Lady Catherine had never revealed such a vulnerable side of herself before—not to my knowledge at least. Her ladyship’s bent posture, the slight tremor in her hands, and even her soft vocal tone made her seem small, frail, and even kind. She continued her poignant tale and revealed Captain Weston’s tragic death. If the captain had lived, she would not have had Rosings and the trappings of extreme affluence, but she may have had happiness.
“I had no knowledge of this.” My husband’s solemn words broke through my thoughts. “I am sorry for your loss.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I echoed his sentiments.
“I thank you both. To my regret, I have not lived my life in a way that honoured the love shared by James and me. Instead, I avoided the sentiment at all costs in a misguided attempt to avoid further heartache and misery.” She raised her tea cup towards Fitzwilliam. “This is why I clung to the idea of you and Anne marrying. I never expected you and she would be a love match, but I believed you would be friends. I knew you would ensure her safety and well-being. I thought it would be the best possible outcome for both of you. But I was wrong.”
She took a long breath and met Fitzwilliam’s gaze. “As a married man, you are pleasanter than before and clearly more content.”
He flashed a smile in my direction. “Any improvement in me is due to my wife.”
Lady Catherine’s gaze moved to me. “At the time of your engagement, I dare say, anyone would have justifiably been suspicious of you in light of your family’s precarious financial circumstances. Yet your affection for my nephew is obvious. I should have recognised the truth sooner, but it seems the acrimony I have harboured for so long made me blind.”
Fitzwilliam rested his hand atop mine.
“I apologize for every unkind word I have ever said to you. I am ashamed of having drawn Lady Rebecca into my ill-advised scheme, which she had the good sense to abandon. Despite my hostility, you never ceased to treat me with respect and kindness. You are a stronger woman than I am, Elizabeth. It is now plain to me that Darcy chose well for himself.” She lifted the handkerchief from the nearby table and dabbed at the moisture pooling in her eyes. “I regret that it has taken me so long to acknowledge the truth. Will you forgive me?”
With a deep inhalation, I smiled at her. “I am happy to accept your apology.”
She wiped her eyes again. “I have decided to depart for Bellwood Hall tomorrow and stay there for a week or so. I have not been to my childhood home in years. Anne prefers to remain at Pemberley while I am gone. I trust you do not mind.”
“Fitzwilliam and I are delighted to have her here. She has already formed arapportwith Bennet. Oh, and the toy dog is one of his most prized possessions.”
Furrows formed on her brow. “Of what do you speak?”
“The birthday gift from you and Anne.”
“Oh…um…yes. I am glad to hear it.” Lady Catherine sat straighter. “I commend you for working on your musical skills. Compared to your mediocre performance at Rosings years ago, your playing has improved.”
I bent my head to cast a facetious look towards my husband. It seemed that, despite her new understanding, Lady Catherine would not alter in essentials. I bit my lower lip to temper my smile. “Thank you. In the summer of 1813, I hired a music master and found his instruction to be quite helpful.”
She nodded. “Still, you must be diligent to play each day. Mark my words, your ability will regress unless you practice with attentiveness and constancy. I dare say even with guests in the house, you ought to find time for the activity.”
A glance at my husband revealed him to be smirking. “I shall keep that in mind.”He may enjoy this now, but this evening his aunt will expect him to play quadrille again.
Fitzwilliam tapped upon my arm. “It is time we joined the others in the breakfast room. Lady Catherine, shall you accompany us?”
“No, you two go without me. I had a bite to eat in my room early this morning, and I must speak with Mrs. Jenkinson—she deserves an apology as well.”
We quit the room, and I took advantage of our relative privacy. “Can you imagine how different your aunt might have been as a navy captain’s wife?”
“Indeed, I cannot picture it. In any case, I am glad she apologized to you at last.”
“Yes, and it is all the more valuable since I do not believe she is often repentant.”
“No, she is not.” His sight fell upon me, and his mouth curved in a frolicsome style. “My aunt’s advice with regards to music has merit. You can always practice on the pianoforte in the east wing. You would be in nobody’s way in that part of the house.” He had scant time to complete the sentence—uttered in an adept imitation of Lady Catherine’s voice—before my hand slipped under his coat, and I pinched his waist. He jerked sideways. “Hey!”
My husband’s outburst and subsequent chuckles startled John, the footman stationed ahead of us, forcing him to shift his weight and sorely testing his ability to maintain his countenance.
Lambton
