Page 143 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

She believed Lady Catherine’s arrival would restore order. Rank would expose Elizabeth’s presumption, family authority would recall Darcy to his duty, and Georgiana’s presence would remind him of the distance between Pemberley and Longbourn. Caroline expected discomfort, perhaps anger, but not defeat. Lady Catherine seemed too certain to fail, and Darcy too proud to resist her on behalf of a Bennet.

Both assumptions proved false.

Caroline crossed to the window. Beyond the lawn, the upper part of the summerhouse showed through the trees while Bingley’s workmen moved along the path beside it. Footsteps sounded behind her. Louisa came into the room and closed the door.

“Georgiana and Anne are settled. Charles gave them the east rooms, with Mrs. Jenkinson in the chamber beside Anne’s.”

“Without asking us.”

“It is his house.”

“He has never remembered that fact when a decision required sense.”

Louisa shook her head. “You mean when a decision did not agree with yours.”

Caroline faced her. “Lady Catherine went to Longbourn to prevent a disaster and returned with nothing.”

“She returned because Darcy would not yield.”

“That is the disaster.”

“No. It is the answer.”

Caroline heard the finality and hated it. “You have surrendered.”

“I have accepted the obvious. Charles loves Jane Bennet, and Darcy’s regard for Elizabeth is no passing interest. Lady Catherine forced him to declare as much before half the neighborhood.”

“He declared nothing.”

“He defended her family, admitted his own error, and refused every escape his aunt offered. What declaration do you require?”

“A gentleman may defend a woman without intending marriage.”

“He may. Darcy would not defend Elizabeth in that manner if he meant to leave her exposed to the conclusions it created.”

Caroline moved away from the window. “You credit him with honor when it suits you and use that honor to excuse folly.”

“I credit him with consistency. He guards his reputation.”

The words exposed Caroline’s fear. Darcy’s restraint once gave her hope because his preference appeared through small signs she could deny: a glance toward Elizabeth, attention to her words, irritation when Caroline mocked her, and visits to Longbourn. His conduct that afternoon could not. He had placed his judgment against Lady Catherine’s and allowed Elizabeth to hear why.

Caroline sat opposite Louisa. “You speak as though the matter has ended.”

“For us, it should.”

“For you, perhaps. You have decided Jane Bennet will become your sister, so every surrender now appears practical.”

“Charles will not abandon her because we disapprove.”

“You encouraged him to remain in Hertfordshire.”

“I encouraged him to fulfill his obligations as a host. His attachment grew without my help.”

“And now you welcome her.”

“I treat her with respect.”

“Because she has won.”