Page 114 of Pride, Prejudice & Wicked Pleasure

Her earnest look melted him. He could not stay angry with her for long and took her hand in his. “I have been blessed in my life to know at least two remarkable women.”

She arched a brow and teased, “I hope you are not denigrating our sex, for there surely number far greater than two remarkable women.”

“There are many who can command respect and affection, but there can be but one Abigail Trenwith.”

“On that I will agree. And you may search the rest of your life, but I hazard to guess you will only find one Elizabeth Bennet.”

*****

Knowing that Miss Elizabeth was partial to her mentor, Darcy had at times entertained the fantasy of revealing himself to her, but if she bore him little regard, the shock would ruin whatever fondness her Trenwith education could be looked upon.

Perhaps Abby was right to accuse him of cowardice. He had no wish to have his heart broken twice by the same woman. As tempting as it was to follow Abby’s urging, beneath her nonchalance for convention and quest for sensual adventure, Abby was a romantic. It did not surprise him that she would promote the conquest of love.

He had not resolved never to go to Longbourn. The marriage between Charles and Miss Bennet would put him in the way of Miss Elizabeth frequently enough. Abby would be disappointed, but he simply saw no reason to hasten back to Hertfordshire.

He had just reached this conclusion in the latter part of the day when he was surprised by yet another visitor to his townhome. As with Abby, Catherine came unannounced.

“You will forgive the unexpected call,” his aunt said upon being shown into the parlor, “once you understand the nature of my concerns.”

He asked if she desired a glass of wine.

“No, I have been many hours upon the road to-day and mean to retire to bed as soon as I am returned to my lodgings.”

He sat down and waited for her to speak. The journey must have wearied her a great deal for he had never seen her looking so solemn, but there was vigor enough in her speech.

“You would not believe the revolting rumors that Trenwith woman is spreading,” she said.

Darcy made no reply, wondering how her complaint could warrant her coming all this way to London.

“It is a display of her ill-breeding, for I had done nothing to provoke her, and she insisted on being presumptuous.” Her nostrils flared. “It shows a great want of character, an intolerable mischievousness, spitefulness, and insolence.”

He had little patience to listen to Catherine disparage Abby, and, deciding to pour himself a glass of wine, rose to his feet.

“She has ever proven my opinions of her,” Catherine continued. “When she had opportunity to repeal her grievances, she only added to them. The woman seems to delight in being outrageous. Her true colours are obvious.”

Darcy remained at the sideboard, his features no less serious. “On that alone I will agree. She has no more affinity for the deceitful character than I.”

Catherine narrowed her eyes. “Fitzwilliam Darcy, are you defending this person?”

“I think Mrs. Trenwith a woman greatly misunderstood. I have had the fortune to know her better. She has many admirable qualities.”

“Then she has cast a spell upon you—perhaps not unlike that awful Bennet girl. My Anne has not these arts, this trickery, to fool men into thinking they are better than they are. She is honest and does not pass herself off as a fraud. She may not be considered as sophisticated as some of these more artful women, but one shall always enjoy a sense of security and trustworthiness with her. You ought take care with Georgiana. She is not immune at Ramsgate from the folly that abounds the young women of to-day. I would offer my Anne as a better companion for her and should be happy to have her at Rosings more often.”

But Darcy heard only a little of what had been said. “Bennet girl?”

“Or perhaps I should say girls, for there can be insufficient explanation otherwise for how Charles would wish to marry beneath him when he might have many superior to her to choose from, especially in light of the business with the youngest one. You must know what the family is about. I saw nothing in any of them to impress me.”

He straightened. “You have met them?”

“I came from Hertfordshire. But even if I had not heard and seen them with mine own eyes, I know enough of their circumstances that they do not deserve the situation they aspire to. The sham marriage of that Bennet girl is enough to cast them all in grievous light.”

“What persuaded you to seek them out?”

“That Trenwith woman dared congratulate me on your pending nuptials to Miss Elizabeth Bennet! I was aghast at such an allegation and went to her to confirm the nonsense.”

“Her?” he echoed, agitation rising. “You saw Miss Elizabeth?”

She detected the eagerness in his tone. “You would have been mortified by her treatment of me. Such obstinacy, such insolence! I am ashamed for her mother and father. She values nothing of honour and decency. She dared consider herself your equal. I informed her of all the obvious objections to such a match, as well as the consequences of such a union, that none of your family and friends would welcome her, that she would be ostracized, and if she had any considerateness for you, she would not wish to bring such unhappiness upon you and your loved ones. But she is a most selfish creature, and the advantages of being attached to you are too much an enticement for her.”