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“Pray he is not dead. This must certainly affect the fortune of Mr. Collins’s eldest brother whom I recall as being the heir.”

Both Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam spoke in unison, “Lady Catherine!”

“You need not feign such outrage, nephews. People die.”

Darcy rolled his eyes and whispered a silent prayer of thanksgiving that his wife was not there to bear witness to his aunt’s callousness. “For heaven’s sake, Lady Catherine, guard your tongue. Mr. Bennet lives; however, he has suffered a stroke and the prognosis is dire. I was asking Richard if he would see that Georgiana and Ben arrive safely in London, where they will stay at Matlock House.”

“Matlock House!” At that moment, Georgiana and Ben entered the room, but her ladyship would not be deterred from having her say. “Nonsense, Darcy! Why should Georgiana and young Ben travel to London, and thus deprive me of their company, when they might remain here?”

Ben’s expression quickly shifted from happy and carefree to bothered and concerned. He raced to Darcy’s side and took him by the hand. “No, Da! I do not wish to remain here without you and Mama.”

“Quiet child,” said Lady Catherine. “Your wants are not what is being debated at the moment. In fact, the wants of a child can have no bearing on this discussion whatsoever. Georgiana, accompany young Ben outside to enjoy the fresh air while this matter is being decided.”

Georgiana looked at her brother, seeking permission. Darcy nodded. Georgiana reached her hand out to Ben. “Ben, what say you we head out to the stables to have a look at the new colt?”

Ben did not budge. “Da, please do not leave me here. You know how I never wish to be parted from you and Mama. What if I should never see you again? What if⁠—”

Darcy lowered himself to Ben’s level and placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Ben, you must never worry that either your mother or I will ever leave you. Now, run along with Georgiana. I shall come out and join the two of you once I have spoken with Lady Catherine.”

Georgiana walked over to Ben and extended her hand once again. He accepted it, with some hesitation. Georgiana spoke softly to her brother, “I have no wish to remain here in Kent either, for what it is worth, however, I will not venture to speak for Anne except to say that this is her home.” Darcy lifted a cautioning finger to his young sister, who merely shrugged. She looked at Ben. “Shall we be on our way, young sir?”

Ben smiled. “Yes, my lady.”

When the two of them were gone away and beyond the hearing of the conversation at hand, Darcy said, “Lady Catherine, it was completely unnecessary for you to broach such a topic and cause my son to worry needlessly.”

“What on earth are you saying, Darcy? Does the child being your son not make him my own great nephew? Why should he not be allowed to remain in my charge for a longer visit? Why, your own mother and father were perfectly content to have you remain here in Kent under my authority when you were the child’s age. Is he somehow to be considered more precious than your own parents deemed you to be?”

“It is not that, your ladyship. Ben does not know you; hence, he suffers discomfort with the notion of staying here while his mother and I travel to Hertfordshire.”

“It is about time we rectify that situation, is it not? Besides, soon enough the child will be separated from you and his mother, or does she plan to educate him herself, much the same as she was reared as a child—in a household of five daughters with no benefit of a governess.”

Elizabeth entered the room in time to hear Lady Catherine’s tirade. “If you suppose that such unsolicited attacks upon me will facilitate a favourable outcome in terms of allowing Ben to remain in your charge, you are sadly mistaken. What is more, how my son is educated is none of your concern, your ladyship.”

Her ladyship’s expression tightened. “Why, I never!” said Lady Catherine, her voice swelling with indignation. “It is no wonder young Ben suffers no compunction against speaking his mind with you as his mother. It is all the more reason that he should be allowed to stay with me, so he might learn to respect his elders. He needs to remember his place as a child.”

Darcy’s eyes turned cold and his voice icy. “I have heard quite enough, Lady Catherine. I know perfectly well how you feel. Should matters ever reach such an extreme, then I will remember your grand offer. In the meantime, let us get back to the matter of our immediate departure from Kent.”

Lady Catherine’s mouth gaped. “Immediate departure?”

“Surely you understand why my wife wishes to be by her father’s side as soon as can be.”

“As though your presence will make any difference,” her ladyship said, ambling to her favourite chair.

Elizabeth looked daggers at the older woman. Darcy placed a calming hand on hers. “I have heard all I plan to hear on this matter, your ladyship.” He looked in Elizabeth’s eyes. “Pardon my aunt’s rudeness, my love.” Raising her hand to his lips, he bestowed a tender kiss on her knuckles. “Let us be on our way.” Darcy turned to his cousin. “I leave it to you to make speedy arrangements for my family’s removal to London.”

Later, Darcy came across Georgiana and Ben in the stable yard. They raced to his side. “Brother, has all been decided?”

He squeezed his sister’s hand. “Indeed. If you will, I would ask for a moment alone with Ben.” She readily acknowledged her brother’s need to speak with his son, and with a quick curtsey she walked away.

“Da, why is Lady Catherine trying to make me stay here at Rosings Park with her?”

“Ben, you must not worry about that. My aunt—actually our aunt—is very set in her ways. She is not used to anyone not going along with her plans. She means well. She always believes her intentions are good; however, I know from my own experience that such is not always the case. It is for that reason I shall never leave you or my sister in her charge.”

“Then does that mean that we shall remain here at Rosings Park together?”

“Actually, preparations are being made for your mother’s and my imminent departure as we speak. We have received news from Hertfordshire concerning your grandfather Bennet’s health. Your mother is eager to arrive in Hertfordshire so she might be by his side. Cousin Richard will see Georgiana and you safely to town.”

“But I should like very much to see my grandfather as well.”