Chapter 1.17
Lady Matlock was entertaining her husband in the music room, performing for him at the pianoforte while the earl savoured a glass of port. It was one of those rare, quiet evenings without any guests or an event to attend.
Their eldest son, Henry, had been wed for six months and did not visit as frequently as he had in the past. As for their younger son—the colonel—when he was in town, he was usually engaged in evening entertainments, and he was not expected to return home until late.
Thus, when he entered not alone but in Darcy’s company, both were greeted with great pleasure.
“Dear nephew, what a pleasant surprise to see you! How is Georgiana? I presume she is well since you decided to leave home.”
“Yes, Aunt, thank you for your concern. She has been well for the last few days and is improving constantly.”
“I am glad to hear it. I intend to visit her very soon. I long to see her, and I was troubled that I was not able to go and see her recently.”
“She will be very happy to see you, I am sure.”
The earl invited them to join him and poured each a glass of port.
“So, Darcy, do you have a particular reason for this rather late visit, or had you just wanted to see us?” The earl sounded very happy; he, too, was delighted to see his nephew and hear such good news about his niece.
Darcy was the only one who remained standing. He took a few steps and then stopped in front of the sofa where his aunt and uncle were sitting.
“Actually, I do have a specific reason, Uncle. Truth be told, I have wonderful news, and I want to share it with you as you are my closest family.”
They stared at him, waiting in wonder and quite impatiently, but nothing prepared them for his next words.
“I am very happy to tell you that I am engaged to be married.”
Their eyes widened in surprise, and both exclaimed in a most improper manner: “What!?”
“Darcy, did you finally propose to Anne?” asked the earl, quite incredulous.
“No, Uncle, I have never intended to propose to my cousin. The young lady to whom I have offered my hand in marriage is not acquainted with you, I believe.”
The earl rose from the sofa in surprise and began to pace the room. “But who is she? And when did you meet her? When did you court her? You have barely left your house since Georgiana became ill.”
“I met Miss Elizabeth Bennet more than three months ago while visiting my friend Charles Bingley in Hertfordshire. Her father’s estate is but three miles from Netherfield.”
“Oh, her father owns an estate? Well, thank heaven for that!” cried the earl in jest. “Darcy, have you lost your mind and all good sense? Did you hear what you just said? Out of all the eligible young heiresses in the ton, you chose the daughter of a country gentleman from only God-knows-where?”
Before Darcy could formulate an answer, Lady Matlock suddenly addressed her son.
“Robert, would you accompany me to the drawing room? I believe your cousin and your father are in need of a private conversation about this rather delicate matter.”
The colonel tried to protest as he had promised Darcy his support, but Lady Matlock had already grabbed her son’s arm quite forcefully and was directing him to the door.
There was nothing left for him to do except exit the room with her after exchanging a brief glance with Darcy.
Before closing the door behind him, he heard Darcy’s low voice and the earl’s insistent demand to be informed about all the particulars of the affair.
∞∞∞
Upon entering the drawing room, Lady Matlock cast a quick glance around to be sure that no servant was within earshot. She then turned towards her favourite son and slapped him with all the force of her delicate hand.
He stared at her in shock; never in his life had his mother struck him in punishment, not even when he was a boy and his wild behaviour was worthy of parental censure.
“How dare you mock me? Do you think I am an old, mindless woman with whom you can play games? You should have learnt by now that I am not to be trifled with, and if you have not, I am most willing to teach you that lesson right now.” She was intensely angry, and a look as sharp as daggers was levelled at her son.
A man in his early thirties and a head taller than his mother, the colonel was grieved and intimidated by her strong reaction and wounded countenance. “Mother, please allow me to explain—”
“Oh, I shall allow you to explain this riddle to me, have no fear of that. In fact, I am quite curious to hear how you can explain that you deceived me on purpose about Miss Elizabeth, telling me what you believed I would like to hear but concealing the most important fact: her engagement to your cousin.”
“My lady”—he began using his affectionate and respectful way of addressing her since he became an adult—“I trust that, after you are informed of all the details, you will find me not to be as guilty as I may appear to you at the moment.” He paused a little, and Lady Matlock took a comfortable place on the settee.
“By all means, do tell me all the details.”
“Mother, you must know that I would never dare be disrespectful to you, to wilfully deceive you nor trifle with you. It is true, however, that I tried, quite consciously, to present Miss Elizabeth to you as favourably as possible, for Darcy had confided in me his affection for her. But I did not lie, for I myself did not know that Darcy intended to propose to her today, and I did not deceive you: everything I said about Miss Elizabeth Bennet is true. And with all due respect and affection, I must say I am determined to support Darcy in his decision.”
He stopped and searched his mother’s eyes, but he could read nothing in them.
“Robert, how many times have you met Miss Elizabeth?”
“Only twice, my lady: today and last evening.”
“I see. So would it be correct to state that you have only a brief acquaintance with her?”
“Yes.”
“Then nothing you have told me about her can be considered ‘true’ as they are only your observations based on very little evidence. She might be handsome and charming; I shall grant you that. As for the rest, I shall restrain from expressing myself for the moment. Now come and sit down; you are making me dizzy with your pacing about the room. And please be so kind as to offer me a glass of wine.” He did exactly as his mother requested.
“I must tell you, I agree with your father that Darcy has lost his mind. I cannot believe he decided to connect himself—and by implication our family—to someone whose situation in life is so far below ours. That Miss Bennet is beautiful and charming is of little consequence.”
The colonel thought it wise not to contradict her.
“Do you not disagree with me?”
“No indeed, Mother. My own first opinion was no different from yours when Darcy confessed his interest to me. Moreover, I was convinced that he had finally fallen into the trap of a fortune hunter.”
He knew his mother well enough to guess that she was thinking the same.
“And may I ask why you decided in her favour after only two days’ acquaintance?”
“I witnessed Darcy’s happiness in her company and the expression on her face when looking at him.”
His simple statement caused Lady Matlock to look at him as if she did not understand the meaning of his words. She had no answer prepared for it and no argument against it.
Several minutes of silence passed before she spoke briefly. “After Darcy departs, I would like you to tell me everything you know about Miss Elizabeth. If you promise me honesty, I shall promise you a fair judgment regarding the lady. At present, I can offer you no more.”
“My lady, I would not dare ask for more than a fair judgment. I am confident you will come to the same conclusion I did.”
“Do not presume too much, and do not hope for too much, son! I am not as easily charmed as you are.”
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a door and Lord Matlock’s voice.
“If you willingly accept becoming a stranger to your family, so be it. After a couple of years, when you are satiated and tired of the little lady’s charms, you will realise I was correct and apologise. Until then, I have nothing further to say regarding this matter.”
He entered the drawing room like a storm and, on the way to his library, stopped briefly in front of his wife.
“He is completely unreasonable; I never would have expected such behaviour from him. That country girl has turned him into a bewitched fool!”
“Lord Matlock!”
She reproached her husband with a harsh tone as she had done with her son, and the colonel was sure she would have no scruple in also slapping her husband if need be.
“Language of that sort is unacceptable in my presence! I strongly recommend you partake of the solitude of the library and a glass of wine. I shall talk to Darcy myself.”
“Yes, by all means do that. Try to convince him. Maybe he will listen to you.”
He disappeared through the library door, and Lady Matlock exchanged a glance with her son as they walked to the music room.
She found Darcy pacing the room and breathing deeply, clearly affected by the confrontation.
He looked livid, his eyes darkened by anger and by the evident effort to control himself.
“If you will excuse me, Aunt, I shall leave now.”
He bowed politely, clearly prepared to leave, but Lady Ellen put her hand on his arm.
“Darcy, please stay a moment. Please sit and allow Robert to pour you some brandy.”
“I am afraid I have neither the disposition nor the desire to remain. I do not possess the ability to have further conversation in my present state.”
“Please stay…as a favour to me.” He hesitated a moment, enough for his aunt to seize the advantage.
“I know Lord Matlock has offended you deeply, and I apologise for his bad manners. I am sure he will apologise himself on a later occasion.”