15. Chapter 15

Their first evening in London was spent in a rather melancholy silence. Both Darcy and Bingley were feeling the removal from Hertfordshire keenly, though at least Bingley could look forward to returning within the week. Darcy faced a much longer absence.

He was certain his sister was amused by their behaviour, even if she had also been reluctant to leave the country. They were seated in the drawing room, and she had been attempting to lift their spirits by playing for them. It had not helped a great deal, and so she had taken up a book while her brother and his friend moped in their chairs.

The silence was interrupted by a rattling at the door, and the sound of someone entering with a flurry of activity. Darcy straightened, glancing at the clock and wondering who could possibly be calling at such a late hour.

His unspoken question was answered a moment later when the strident tones of Lady Catherine de Bourgh could be heard from the entrance. “Where is my nephew?” she demanded.

Bingley started, his eyes wide. “Is that-” he began.

“Lady Catherine,” Georgiana said, looking almost as terrified as Bingley. “Why is she here?”

Darcy could only think of one reason for his aunt to drop in unannounced at this late hour. She must know of the engagement. But how? And then he remembered Collins. Surely the Lucases must have sent him word. He grimaced. He had hoped to break the news to her in person.

Bingley and Georgiana seemed frozen to their seats, matching expressions of terror on their faces.

“It is I she wants,” Darcy said. “I would make my escape while I could, if I were you.”

Bingley nodded, getting to his feet quickly. “I - it is family business, at any rate. Goodnight, Darcy.” He fled through the dining room.

Georgiana had risen also, but hesitantly. “Are you certain?” she asked, nervously.

Darcy nodded. “I am. Hurry,” he urged. She followed Bingley, and the door had just closed when a footman entered hurriedly through the other door, announcing Lady Catherine’s arrival.

“Good evening, Lady Catherine,” he said, calmly. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

Her face darkened as she walked into the centre of the room. “Do not trifle with me, Darcy, I have no patience for such things. You must know the reason for my presence.”

He walked to the mantelpiece, hoping that his demeanour did not display a hint of his agitation. “I confess, I do not,” he said, his voice even.

Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes. “I am here, as you must know, to insist that you abandon this foolish notion of marrying Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“Then I am afraid you will be disappointed,” he replied calmly.

“This is not to be borne!” she declared, eyes flashing with fury. “Is this woman to be my daughter’s successor? An upstart, conniving-”

“Lady Catherine,” he interrupted, “kindly refrain from speaking of Miss Elizabeth in such a manner. She is soon to be my wife, and as such, deserves your respect.”

“She deserves no such attention!” Lady Catherine cried.

“I fail to see why not,” Darcy responded. “I do wish to apologise for not informing you of my engagement personally. I had planned to speak with you when we arrived in Kent, and did not realise that you would discover it through other channels.”

“I assure you that my objections would be the same, no matter how I discovered this news,” Lady Catherine said.

“And these objections are?” Darcy prompted, though he knew very well what Lady Catherine would say.

“I would have thought they would be obvious!” she replied. “I hardly know where to start. Though, the inequality of your stations alone should preclude such a match.”

Darcy gritted his teeth. “While I will not dispute that there is a disparity between us, I do not think it is too great to be overcome.”

Lady Catherine was indignant. “But she has no connections! No fortune! Her father’s estate is entailed upon the parson at Hunsford. Is this woman to become mother to my grandchild?”

“She is,” Darcy said, firmly. His jaw remained clenched, but so far, he had managed to keep his voice calm. “She is very fond of Julia, as Julia is of her.”

“Darcy! You cannot be serious in meaning to go ahead with this. It is absurd! And it will be the ruin of you, you mark my words. I told Miss Bennet, and now I shall tell you - if you insist upon this marriage, none of us shall notice you. You will be censured, slighted and despised by all of us. Your name will never again be mentioned among us.”

Darcy paused, her words just now registering. “You spoke to Miss Bennet?”

“Indeed I did,” Lady Catherine said, drawing herself up with an expression of great distaste on her face. “I went to endeavour to persuade her to drop whatever insidious plan she has in place to secure you. I was not at all impressed. She is not a particular beauty, and her manner is quite distasteful.”

Darcy was growing angrier by the second. How dare she presume to make contact with Elizabeth? And what exactly did she say? “Coming from a woman who arrived uninvited to a stranger’s home and no doubt abused her abominably, that is censure indeed,” he remarked.

“Nephew! You dare to speak to me in such a manner?”

Darcy stepped forward. “I shall speak to you in whatever way I please,” he said, his voice hinting now at the anger simmering inside him. “You have insulted my betrothed, barged into my house uninvited and have spoken to me as if I were a disobedient child. I am no child, and I am free to marry whoever I wish.”

Lady Catherine tilted her chin defiantly. “I am ashamed of you,” she announced. “That was no idle threat. If you persist in this notion, I shall not hesitate to act accordingly.”

“Shall you?” he asked. “In that case, I hope the house in town Sir Lewis provided for you is open. I would not like to think of a relation of mine put on the streets, whatever quarrels exist between us.”

Lady Catherine spluttered. “You would turn me out of my own home-”

“It is my home, Lady Catherine,” Darcy reminded her. “It was left to Anne, and became mine upon our marriage. I have had no issue with your remaining there and overseeing the running of the house at present. It is vastly more agreeable than leaving the place empty while I reside in London and Pemberley. However, I doubt anyone would find fault with my terminating such an arrangement once you have cut contact with me.”

To this, Lady Catherine had no reply.

Darcy continued, “As to the rest of our family, I am not certain how the news shall go down with the Lord Matlock. I will inform him tomorrow. I apologise, once again, for the circumstances of your discovering it.” He stepped forward, continuing in a softer voice. “You are my aunt, and Julia’s grandmother. I have no desire to break with you. But I will be marrying Miss Bennet. I have not reached this decision lightly; it is one I agonised over for some time. But I am satisfied that it is a decision I will not regret. She will be my wife, and when that happy day occurs, I will not tolerate anyone showing her anything less than the respect she will deserve as Mistress of Pemberley and Rosings.”

Lady Catherine visibly recoiled at such a term. “Oh, is such an obstinate, headstrong girl to hold such a position?” she lamented.

Darcy could not withhold a short, sharp laugh. “As if Rosings is not accustomed to such a mistress? Was not Anne headstrong? She took after you, after all.” He paused. “I do not wish to replace Anne. But I have been given a chance at happiness, and I intend to take it. I understand if you will need time to reconcile yourself to our union. I shall not force you to leave Rosings immediately. However, if you do not think you can ever accept Miss Bennet as my wife, you should make plans to remove to town. If one word reaches my ear of any comments against Miss Bennet that are anything less than complimentary, however, I will not be so patient.”

He paused. “I leave it to you to decide if it would be wise for us to visit at Christmas as we have agreed. Now, if you will excuse me, I must retire. Thomas will show you out. Good evening, Lady Catherine.”

He walked out of the room, leaving Lady Catherine stunned in the centre of the dining room.

*****

Mr Bingley was to return to Netherfield a week after he departed, and his arrival was much anticipated. Mrs Bennet had extended an invitation for him to dine at Longbourn before he left for town. It was expected that he would arrive early, and he did not disappoint.

Elizabeth tried her best to quash the slight jealousy she was experiencing. It would be the first time since their engagements that Mr Bingley visited without the company of Mr Darcy, and though Elizabeth was of course happy for her sister, she missed Mr Darcy a great deal.

So it was with some difficulty that she waited in the drawing room with her mother and sisters that morning. Imagine her surprise, then, when the door was opened and Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy were announced.

“Mr Darcy!” her mother cried. “We were not expecting your return until the new year! What a delightful surprise!’

Elizabeth was smiling widely at Mr Darcy, her surprise in no way diminishing the pleasure she felt at seeing him again. “Indeed,” she said.

Mr Darcy was returning Elizabeth’s smile, clearly enjoying her surprise. “Our plans changed unexpectedly. I hope I am not inconveniencing you, Mrs Bennet,” he added, tearing his attention away from Elizabeth.

“Not at all,” Mrs Bennet insisted. “Of course you are welcome at Longbourn any time you wish. Kitty, call for Hill, I must inform her we have extra guests. Miss Darcy, such a pleasure to see you again.”

Elizabeth finally noticed the presence of her friend. “Indeed,” she said. “It is wonderful to see you all.”

Georgiana smiled. “Thank you, Mrs Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. My niece waits in the carriage, perhaps you would like to meet her?”

“But of course,” Mrs Bennet said. “I would love to meet Mr Darcy’s daughter. I shall have Hill fetch her at once.”

She bustled out of the room. Darcy crossed over to Elizabeth and took her hand, pressing a soft kiss to it. “I hope you do not begrudge me my somewhat dramatic entrance,” he said.

Elizabeth smiled and squeezed his hand. “Not at all,” she replied. “Am I to understand you shall not be visiting Kent?”

His face grew serious, and he shook his head. “We shall not,” he confirmed. She did not need to enquire as to the reason; her confrontation with Lady Catherine was still fresh in her mind. She was pained by the thought of coming between Mr Darcy and his family.

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “All will be well,” he promised. She knew that she would need to speak to him alone to find out more about what had happened between him and his aunt, so she just nodded.

“Oh, Mr Darcy, what a beautiful child your daughter is!” Mrs Bennet enthused as she returned to the room. Julia broke away from her nurse as soon as she was through the door, hurrying over to Elizabeth.

“Miss Elizabeth!” she greeted. Elizabeth smiled, reaching out to embrace the girl. Julia returned the embrace before stepping away. “Papa says we are to stay here all Christmas,” she announced happily.

Elizabeth beamed. “How wonderful! Did you enjoy your trip to London?”

Julia nodded. “I did. Nurse Sally took me to the park, and Cook made me her special biscuits.”

“You are a lucky girl, indeed,” Elizabeth said warmly. “Do you think she will make me some, when I return to London with you and your Papa?”

Julia considered this. “I am sure she will. She asked me many questions about you. And even if she does not, you can share mine.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said warmly. “Would you like to meet my sisters?”

Julia nodded, and Elizabeth performed the introductions. After a brief period of reticence, Julia soon settled in, and Elizabeth smiled to see her enjoying life at Longbourn. Before long, however, she began to grow restless - the morning’s travel had tired her out.

“It has been some time since our nursery was used,” Mrs Bennet said, “but I have had the servants bring some things to a bedroom upstairs, which should be comfortable enough for Miss Darcy and her nurse.”

“Thank you, Mrs Bennet,” Mr Darcy said. Elizabeth knew he was loath to send his daughter back to Netherfield with just the servants - Mr Bingley had informed them his sisters were to remain in London for the foreseeable future.

“Lizzy, dear, would you show Mr Darcy and Sally the way?” her mother asked, pointedly.

Her mother’s ploy was no doubt obvious to all, but no one objected. Elizabeth certainly had no desire to do so. And so they settled Julia in the bedroom, and Elizabeth and Darcy made their way slowly back towards the drawing room.

“I must apologise,” Elizabeth said, “I fear my meeting with Lady Catherine may have caused problems-”

“No,” Darcy interrupted. “I assure you any problems that exist are not down to you. It is I that must apologise to you for her behaviour. I had planned on informing her of our engagement in person, as I suspected she would not be immediately enthused by the prospect. But I should have realised Mr Collins was in a position to hear of it, and that he would pass it on at the earliest opportunity.”

Elizabeth sighed. “You are not the only one who did not think of such a possibility,” she said. “No matter. I was not expecting her call, but it did not distress me a great deal. The thought of causing you to break with your family, however, does.”

“I have no wish to break from my family. Lord Matlock is eager to meet you,” he said, with a smile. “As to Lady Catherine, I have told her I intend to marry you, and that I have no desire to cut contact with her. However, I will do so in an instant should she persist in her slander of you. Given all of this, it was necessary to abandon our planned trip to Rosings, and so we accompanied Bingley back.”

Elizabeth smiled, hearing all of this had certainly put her mind at ease. Darcy had managed to stand up for her and support her completely. She had every hope that Lady Catherine would see sense, and perhaps eventually accept her.

“I am very glad,” she said. They had reached the door to the drawing room, and Darcy took her hand, pressing another kiss to her knuckles.

Elizabeth was most distracted when they finally returned to the room.