Chapter 22
On November the twenty-second, Lord Halsley escorted Mrs Ryde and Elizabeth to the dinner party.
“I hope it will be more entertaining than I foresee at present,” he said as they sat in the carriage.
“My brother has never got on with Lady Catherine,” Mrs Ryde explained. “But then, few people do.”
“Very true,” the earl said. “I have been reminding myself it is just a few hours, and even I can withstand that. Tell me, Elizabeth, how are you liking your sojourn in town? Since I have been so unexpectedly occupied this autumn, I feel as though I have not seen much of you, despite us living in the same house.”
“I like it very much,” she said. “Between spending time with Mrs Ryde, meeting new friends, and exploring London, I cannot imagine giving any other answer.” As always of late, her thoughts went foremost to Mr Darcy and how he added to her good mood.
She could hardly admit it, however, not when they were no more than friends.
To be sure, she believed they were more than that, but since they had not spoken of their connexion being anything other than that of friendship, it would be improper for her to hint at her sentiments and dearest hopes—not even to Mrs Ryde and Lord Halsley, in whom her father had entrusted her care.
Mrs Ryde chuckled. “I am pleased to report that Lizzy has been as much of a success as I knew she would be. Everyone who meets her, likes her, and I am extremely glad she, Rebecca Darcy, and Marian Strachan have grown so close.”
“And along with them, she has been often amusing herself in company with Romsley’s boys and young Darcy,” Lord Halsley said.
“Fine gentlemen. I anticipate being diverted, and perhaps vexed, when Lady Catherine realises Bramwell has intentions towards Rebecca.” He laughed.
“But what about you, Elizabeth? Has any man caught your attention?”
Just as Elizabeth was stammering a response, Mrs Ryde said, “Oh, do not ask her that. If, or should I say when there is anything to tell us, she will.”
Briefly, her eyes met Elizabeth’s, and she felt heat rise up the back of her neck.
Was Mrs Ryde aware of her tender feelings for Mr Darcy?
Did she suspect he had intentions towards her?
Once or twice, the lady had made a comment that led Elizabeth to suspect the answer was yes.
Mrs Ryde patted her arm and smiled before turning back to her brother-in-law and asking about an article she had read in the news, giving her a moment to regain her composure.
Soon enough, they arrived at Grosvenor Square and were escorted into the drawing room. They were the last to join the party, and in greeting the others, it was apparent that Lady Catherine was not pleased to see them.
“I assumed you would keep the guests to family,” she said to Lady Romsley. “Our family,” she added, her disapproving gaze on Rebecca and her parents.
“Catherine,” Lord Romsley hissed through clenched teeth.
Speaking calmly but forcefully, Lady Romsley said, “Not only are Lord Halsley and Mrs Ryde good friends of ours, it is Georgiana’s birthday, and she wished for them and Miss Bennet to be invited.
And I shall remind you, I am mistress here, and I may invite whom I like. Only my husband may tell me otherwise.”
Elizabeth surmised the subject had been discussed previously.
Catching her notice, Colonel Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes, and she gave him a brief smile in return.
At the moment, Mr Darcy was standing near where Lady Catherine, Miss de Bourgh, and his sister sat.
He was leaning over, listening to Miss Darcy, who was whispering to him.
Rebecca was with the viscount, to no surprise.
In a moment, the colonel was by her side.
They exchanged a few pleasantries, after which he said, “We are hoping my aunt will not spoil the evening. If you have not discovered it already, she prefers to dominate the conversation, believing everyone should have the honour of her opinion—even though no one appreciates it—and if she wants to talk to you, you must, regardless of what you were doing or what you wanted to do.” He sighed.
“I suppose it is as well Miss Strachan is not here. My mother attempted to find a way to include her while also avoiding her father, but she abandoned the attempt once Lady Catherine came to town. As brusque as she is to all of us”—Darcy nodded towards the assembled group—“she would be far worse to Miss Strachan. I do not believe I would have been able to hold my tongue.”
His evident disappointment at Marian’s absence and willingness to defend her was interesting.
Elizabeth knew they had become friends, but was there more to it than that?
If he believed his feelings for her were becoming more serious, would he act on them, or would dislike for her father—and Lord Romsley’s hatred of the man—prevent the possibility of a match? She hoped not.
She said, “Marian told me her father forbade her to step foot inside this house. He sounds like an ogre, from everything I have heard.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam gave a bark of laughter. “Oh, he is. I pity her.”
There was no time for more conversation as they were invited to go into the dining room.
Elizabeth had hoped that Mr Darcy would sit beside her, but she was disappointed.
Lady Catherine immediately took his arm, ensuring he escorted her.
Miss de Bourgh was at his other side, despite his stated wish to be with his sister.
“You see Georgiana every day,” Lady Catherine said. “You cannot object to spending time with Anne and me.”
That, apparently, was the end of it, and Elizabeth watched as he left the room with the two ladies. She followed a little later with the colonel and Mrs Ryde, and had to settle for sitting across from her preferred companion rather than next to him.
As Colonel Fitzwilliam had warned her, Lady Catherine was overly fond of her own voice.
She spoke loudly and often throughout the delicious and rather elaborate meal, which contained many of Miss Darcy’s favourite dishes.
When possible, he and Elizabeth spoke quietly, but whenever they said more than three or four words to each other, his aunt would interject, demanding to know what they were speaking of.
She never spoke to Elizabeth, and largely overlooked Mrs Ryde, Lord Halsley, Mr and Mrs Frederick Darcy, and Rebecca.
No one, not even Lord Romsley, could distract her.
Unfortunately, it meant Elizabeth was finding the evening tedious and vexing, although she held out hope that she would find the period after dinner more agreeable.
Surely, she and Mr Darcy would be able to speak alone for a while.
As much as Elizabeth was attempting not to hear what Lady Catherine was saying—to lessen her irritation and avoid getting a headache—she paid more attention when she mentioned marriage. They were approaching the end of the meal.
“Georgiana’s birthday is an excellent reminder that the children are all getting older. It is time to see them settled. I have made my opinion of Bramwell’s situation known, and I urge you to heed it,” Lady Catherine said to her brother.
“I will say again what I did the first dozen times you told me,” Lord Romsley said.
“It is none of your concern. Only my wife and I have the right to comment on his choice. Your role in my son’s life is to wait for news regarding his engagement and congratulate him and his bride.
The same holds true for my younger son.”
“If you permit that foolishness to proceed, I will not,” Lady Catherine insisted as he spoke the final statement.
Before the earl could respond, she waved a hand dismissively and continued.
“We are not amongst family at the moment.” Her lips pursed, she glanced at Lord Halsley, Mrs Ryde, and Elizabeth, her expression darkening as she turned to Rebecca and her parents.
“And ought not to discuss it further until we are.”
“You are the one who raised the matter, Catherine,” Lady Romsley remarked.
But Lady Catherine acted as though she had not heard and went on. “As for Anne, that is one reason we are here. As I have said, it is time for her to take her proper place in society. Her health is much improved, as you can see.”
Elizabeth looked at Miss de Bourgh, who appeared as pale and listless as she had upon their previous meetings. Assuming her mother spoke truthfully, Elizabeth pitied her, for she must have been very ill previously.
“That includes her marrying,” Lady Catherine continued.
“I intend that she will be installed at Pemberley by mid-January. Provided the winter weather permits them travelling that far. I would not have her undertake such a journey if it is too cold or it has been snowing excessively. If it is not possible for them to go into Derbyshire after the wedding, they will pass the winter at Rosings.”