Chapter 10
FIRST AND FOREMOST
Lady Catherine ambled into the east library in time to enjoy hearing Elizabeth and Georgiana performing a lovely duet. Darcy was standing in an advantageous spot that afforded him a good view of both young ladies.
“I confess you have made significant strides in your ability to play since my niece has been accompanying you, Miss Bennet,” said her ladyship. She looked at Darcy. “It was very clever of you to bring your sister here, Nephew.”
Darcy did not know where to look or how to look in response to his aunt’s tactlessness. Georgiana, on the other hand, was clearly made uncomfortable, and she threw an apologetic glance at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth bestowed a hint of a smile for the younger woman’s benefit intending to assure her that no such remorse was required. “Perhaps I shall one day become as proficient as those twice my rank,” she then remarked.
This being exactly the sort of response he had taught himself to expect on Elizabeth’s part, Darcy smiled in spite of himself.
Lady Catherine was far from amused. “I can see your presence in my niece’s company has done nothing at all to temper your impertinence, young woman.
No doubt, you would benefit greatly from additional time here in Kent, though I suppose your mother would miss you terribly, as I shall surely miss my Anne when a certain blessed occasion takes place.
” Here, her ladyship looked at her nephew pointedly. Georgiana shifted a little in her seat.
“I cannot know my mother’s sentiments on the matter; however, my father has already written to me of his eagerness for my return to Longbourn.”
Darcy said, “I was under the impression that you meant to spend time in town after leaving Hunsford.” Actually, he blurted this out. He cleared his throat. “That is to say, have your plans changed in that regard?”
If Elizabeth did not know better, she would have flattered herself into believing that more than a little disappointment peppered Mr. Darcy’s speech.
Perhaps she would ask him about it later that afternoon when the two of them were alone—that was assuming they would have a few moments to themselves.
Do I dare allow myself to wish for such a thing?
She imagined some liberty in that regard was warranted.
They were spending a prodigious amount of time in each other’s company of late.
Even if nothing were to become of their time together, she knew she would never forget what it was like being acquainted with such a man.
Now, whenever Darcy and Elizabeth reached the gate of the parsonage, she found herself wishing their time together was not about to end.
This strange, unfamiliar longing was puzzling.
Were she to speak with her friend Charlotte, Elizabeth had little doubt what the older, married woman would say.
Elizabeth would not allow it to be so. As flattered as she was to be the object of so much of his attention, she was not falling in love with Mr. Darcy.
Whatever were the fanciful imaginings of her heart, Elizabeth would not allow her voice of reason to be so easily silenced.
She would not allow herself to fall in love with Mr. Darcy, for she knew to whom his ultimate loyalty belonged even if he did not. His noble family.
Lady Catherine’s opinion of Elizabeth was a mixture of half admiration, half circumspect.
She liked to suppose the impertinent young woman was far too sensible to aspire to a station in life beyond her sphere even if she was a gentleman’s daughter.
There were gentlemen and there were gentlemen, after all, and not all of them were to be regarded as equals.
The circumstances of his birth were the ultimate decider, even more important than the extent of his wealth.
However, more and more, she was seeing evidence that young people were beginning to lose sight of such distinctions.
She was determined that no one in her family would forget what it meant to be born into such a noble family as hers.
Growing increasingly concerned over her nephew’s attentions to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Catherine decided the time had come to take matters into her own hands in bringing an end to Darcy’s trifling infatuation.
“Mr. Collins,” she said later that same day, “I understand that George Wickham is a member of the militia that encamped near Meryton earlier this year. What can you tell me about how that gentleman comported himself at the time? More importantly, what precisely is the nature of his acquaintance with the Bennets of Longbourn?”
“First and foremost, Lady Catherine, I feel it is vitally incumbent upon me to express a sense of deep regret that my cousin even made mention of his name in your presence. I wish to assure you that gentleman is no friend of mine, or of my devoted wife, or her family, Sir William and Lady Lucas.”
“Yes, but your wife did agree with your cousin that Mr. Wickham made a favorable impression on the people in Meryton. I must assume that includes her family as well. But that is beside the point. Tell me more of that gentleman’s acquaintance with the Bennets, for that is the purpose of my insisting upon a private audience with you.
Bear in mind that no one beyond this room is to know what the two of us have discussed—no one, not even Mrs. Collins. ”
“Indeed, your ladyship. I am quite honored to be of service to you in any manner you deem fit. You can be assured that I, as your humble and abidingly loyal servant, do not dare violate any confidences between the two of us.”
“Well, go on,” Lady Catherine demanded, banging her bejeweled walking stick on the thick carpet. “Tell me what I need to know.”
“It pains me to say this, as I had only recently made the Bennet family’s acquaintance myself at the time, but the manner in which the entire family embraced Mr. Wickham so soon after he arrived in the environs displayed an appalling lack of judgment and proper attention to decorum.”
“Pray, go on,” said Lady Catherine, leaning in.
“Indeed. Whereas I sensed an unwillingness on the family’s part to afford me the manner of deference owed to me as a man of God, the future heir of Longbourn, as well as a member of their own family, Mr. Wickham was showered with approbation by Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, and all of their daughters.
Begging your pardon, your ladyship, but the eldest Bennet daughter I must exclude from this for she is the epitome of grace and all that is proper.
Now that I am obliged to recall events as they truly unfolded, the third eldest daughter is quite a sensible young woman as well. ”
Here, Mr. Collins cleared his throat, no doubt in response to her ladyship’s increasingly aggrieved expression.
“About Mr. Wickham—that gentleman continued to be the beneficiary of the Bennet family’s highest esteem even after that unfortunate business with the young lady in Meryton whose grandfather’s death provided the means of her garnering Mr. Wickham’s attentions when she inherited ten thousand pounds.
From what I am told by those with whom I correspond, the Bennet family embraced him right up until he finally took his leave of Meryton when the militia decamped and went away to Brighton. ”
Lady Catherine pursed her lips. “So, it appears the gentleman would be mercenary. But, of course, he would. Those of his ilk generally are.” She ceased speaking for a moment or two, preferring silent deliberation instead.
She could make something of this intelligence.
At length, she said, “Regarding the Bennet daughters, would you say that Mr. Wickham was a favorite of all of them?”
“I recall an occasion, shortly after my arrival in Hertfordshire, on which that gentleman and I were guests in the home of Mrs. Bennet’s sister—a Mrs. Philips.
I had the opportunity to remark on the furnishings and the size of the room, and I flattered her by saying I almost supposed myself in the small summer breakfast parlor at Rosings—”
Her patience waning, Lady Catherine said, “Pray answer my question!”
“Indeed. That evening was when I had an opportunity to witness the total impropriety exercised by my cousins in anticipation of seeing Mr. Wickham and to observe the stratagems they employed to garner the greater share of his attentions.”
Her ladyship went silent once more. After a moment, she said, “Again, you say the militia went away to Brighton.”
“Indeed. I have heard it said that the occasion particularly saddened the Bennet daughters.”
“I also recall you saying some time ago that Mr. Bennet’s youngest daughter also went away to Brighton.”
“Yes—Miss Lydia. Although I cannot imagine what my cousin Mr. Bennet was thinking in allowing his daughter to escape the confines of proper parental supervision.”
“What can you tell me about Miss Lydia Bennet?”
“One might best describe her as having little education and mean understanding. In my humble opinion, she was brought out much too soon, no doubt as a consequence of being her mother’s favorite.
She is untamed, unabashed, and what with her wild spirits, she is bound to make herself ridiculous wherever she goes and, in so doing, possibly bring great shame on her family. ”
Lady Catherine, having taken in all she needed to hear, dismissed Mr. Collins unceremoniously. Armed with such a fascinating account, the determined aristocrat now knew exactly how to act.