Chapter 9
Nine
FITZWILLIAM DARCY STOOD AT HIS STUDY WINDOW, observing Elizabeth move among the rose gardens below.
Three weeks at Pemberley had transformed her from tentative newcomer to confident mistress, her intelligence winning even the most tradition-bound servants.
This morning, she consulted with the head gardener, dark curls escaping their pins as she bent to examine a bloom, animated gestures suggesting questions about the plantings.
The estate business requiring his attention had been resolved.
Miller, his steward, had departed with instructions regarding drainage for the north tenant farms. The afternoon stretched before Darcy with unusual leisure—perhaps he might persuade Elizabeth to walk with him, to visit the tenants’ school his mother had established.
Elizabeth had expressed interest in continuing that charitable work.
Distant carriage wheels interrupted his speculation. They expected no visitors. Georgiana had arrived the previous week, settling easily into the household, but no other family had announced their intention to call.
The carriage rounded the final curve—elaborate, drawn by four horses, emblazoned with an unmistakable coat of arms. Darcy’s hands tightened on the window frame.
Lady Catherine.
His aunt had not responded to his letter following her angry missive about his marriage. That she would appear unannounced at Pemberley, requiring a journey of several days from Kent, suggested determination that boded ill for household harmony.
By the time he reached the entrance hall, Graves was opening the doors to admit Lady Catherine de Bourgh, followed by her nervous-looking companion. His aunt waited for no formal greeting.
“Nephew, I see you received no warning of my arrival. Good. I wished to observe this household without preparation’s artifice.”
“Aunt Catherine.” Darcy bowed with precise respect due her position while revealing none of his discomfort. “You are welcome at Pemberley, though we are surprised.”
“No doubt.” Her sharp eyes surveyed the hall critically. “Where is your wife? I wish to speak with her immediately.”
“Mrs. Darcy is in the gardens. Graves will show you to the blue parlor while I send for her. You must be fatigued after your journey.” He signaled to the butler, who stepped forward with practiced smoothness.
“I am never too fatigued to address family honor,” Lady Catherine replied ominously. “Mrs. Jenkinson, wait for me in whatever room they provide. This is a private family matter.”
Darcy dispatched a footman to locate Elizabeth while instructing another to inform Georgiana of their aunt’s arrival. His sister would want time to prepare before facing Lady Catherine’s inevitable scrutiny and criticism.
When he joined his aunt in the parlor, he found her examining the room with her critical gaze. “The blue hangings show wear. Your mother would have replaced them by now.”
“Possibly.” Darcy refused a defensive response. “Would you care for refreshment? Tea, perhaps, or something stronger after your journey?”
“Tea will suffice.” She seated herself in the chair most resembling a throne, posture rigidly upright despite her travels. “I will come to the point, Nephew. Your marriage is a disaster for this family, and I have come to determine what can be done to mitigate the damage.”
Darcy’s jaw tightened, but years of discipline allowed him to maintain outward calm. “There is nothing to mitigate, Lady Catherine. Mrs. Darcy is my wife in the eyes of both law and God.”
“A marriage forced by scandal. Do not think I am ignorant of the circumstances, Darcy. The daughter of a nobody, with no connections, no fortune, and relations in trade, compromised you to secure her position. It is a tale as old as fortune-hunting.”
Anger flared at this characterization of Elizabeth, so contrary to the woman he had come to know. “You are misinformed, Aunt. The circumstances of our marriage began with accident, not design. Mrs. Darcy has proven herself capable as mistress of this estate.”
“Pretty words to conceal an ugly truth.” Lady Catherine waved dismissively. “I warned you for years about women who would exploit your position. Anne has been raised to be your wife since childhood. The match was understood by all parties.”
“Except by me. I never agreed to such an arrangement, nor did I encourage expectation of it.”
“Family duty should have been sufficient. Instead, you have allied yourself with a family beneath your notice. A family that includes an uncle in Cheapside who works with his hands!”
The parlor door opened before Darcy could respond, admitting Elizabeth.
She had taken a few moments to tidy herself after being summoned from the gardens, though a becoming flush remained in her cheeks.
Her simple morning dress of sprigged muslin was appropriate for a country morning, if less formal than Lady Catherine might expect.
“Lady Catherine, what an unexpected pleasure.”
Darcy moved to his wife’s side, posture protective as he performed the introduction. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh, may I present Mrs. Darcy.”
His aunt examined Elizabeth with undisguised assessment, gaze lingering pointedly on the simplicity of her attire and the tendrils of dark hair escaping their pins.
“So you are the young woman who has secured what so many have sought. I had expected someone more exceptional, given the circumstances.”
“I am exactly as you find me, your ladyship.” Elizabeth curtseyed and took the seat Darcy held for her with graceful ease. “Neither more nor less exceptional than nature made me.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed at the implied impertinence. “Nature provides raw material, young woman. It is breeding and education that determine one’s true quality.”
“Then I must thank my father for his excellent library and my mother for her determined attention to my manners. Though I confess both would be astonished to discover their influence being discussed in such illustrious company.”
Darcy suppressed a smile at Elizabeth’s skillful navigation between politeness and challenge. His aunt was disconcerted by her failure to provoke either intimidation or vulgarity.
“Your parents are what concern me. A country gentleman of no particular note and a woman whose brother is in trade. Hardly the connections one expects for the master of Pemberley.”
“My family connections are what they are—respectable but not distinguished. I make no pretensions otherwise.”
“At least you acknowledge your deficiencies. That is something. Perhaps you might be rational about the solution to this unfortunate situation.”
Darcy intervened before his aunt could become more explicit. “There is no situation to be resolved, Lady Catherine. Mrs. Darcy is my wife and the mistress of Pemberley.”
“A title obtained through compromise rather than merit. A convenient storm traps you in an isolated cottage with a young woman who has everything to gain from such an accidental discovery.”
Elizabeth stiffened beside him. His protective instinct flared. “You forget yourself, Aunt. A guest at Pemberley does not insult its mistress, regardless of their relation to the master.”
“I speak only the truth as it is widely understood in society. Your marriage has been the subject of speculation from Derbyshire to London. The hasty ceremony, the absence of proper settlements, the bride’s lack of preparation for her position—all suggest an arrangement born of necessity rather than choice. ”
“The circumstances of our marriage are not open for public discussion, nor will I permit them to be questioned in my house.”
“Your house. A house that has been in the Darcy family for generations. A house whose master has always maintained impeccable connections that serve not his own interests alone but those of numerous dependents. Have you considered, Nephew, what this misalliance may cost you in terms of those connections?”
Here was the threat Darcy had known would come since receiving her letter. He maintained his composure with effort. “I am well aware of my responsibilities to Pemberley and its dependents.”
“Are you?” Lady Catherine’s gaze was penetrating.
“Lord Harrington has already mentioned to me his surprise at your choice of wife. As chairman of the committee overseeing the new canal project, his goodwill is essential to ensuring the route favors Pemberley’s interests.
He is but one of many whose support you may find less certain. ”
Elizabeth’s hand found Darcy’s, her fingers cool but steady as they rested on his. The gesture, hidden from his aunt by their position, offered silent support that steadied him.
“My business relationships are based on mutual benefit and sound principles. If they are so easily swayed by personal matters unrelated to commerce, perhaps they are not as valuable as you suggest.”
“You are being obtuse. Society and business are inseparable at our level, as you well know. The connections a man makes through his wife’s family are as important as those he inherits.
What can this girl possibly offer in that regard?
An uncle in trade, sisters with no accomplishments or prospects, a mother whose vulgarity is reportedly boundless. ”
“What Mrs. Darcy offers is intelligence, integrity, and natural grace that requires no artificial enhancement. I consider myself fortunate in my choice, Lady Catherine, and I will not have that choice disparaged, even by you.”
Silence followed this declaration. Elizabeth’s fingers tightened on his, and when he glanced at her, he found her watching him with an expression of surprised gratitude.