Chapter 2.21
Angry steps sounded along the halls until the door opened to admit Lady Catherine.
Elizabeth’s heart raced slightly, but she had no time to greet her ladyship before the woman started to shout.
“I am here to talk to my daughter. Send for her this instant! She has no business being here! I was led to believe that she was staying with my brother’s family, only to discover that she is living in the most dreadful company that someone of her rank could bear.”
Lady Catherine held an umbrella in one hand while she waved the other in the air to emphasise her words. Her eyes narrowed in anger, and her lips spat with fury.
Elizabeth gazed at the unexpected guest, and her distress and apprehension slowly diminished. She straightened her shoulders and smiled while trying to keep her voice calm.
“Lady Catherine, welcome to Pemberley. Your visit is entirely unexpected. Did you by any chance write to Mr Darcy of your intentions? Perhaps he forgot to inform me.”
“I do not need to announce a visit to my sister’s house! And I certainly do not need any approval to come and see my daughter. Where is Anne?”
“Would you like to sit down?”
“No, I would not! I am in no disposition for polite conversation with you!”
“It is such a pity that your ladyship seems never to be in the disposition for polite conversation,” Elizabeth said sharply, and the smile vanished from her face.
“However, this is the only sort of discussion we carry out here, and as you are a guest, I would expect your ladyship to follow the rules of the house.”
“How dare you! I have been welcomed in this house since long before you even knew it existed. You have no right to even speak to me! Where is my daughter? I demand to talk to her at once! I do not wish to be anywhere around you or that fool who polluted the shades of Pemberley by bringing you and your unworthy family here!”
“Lady Catherine, nobody can demand anything from Mrs Darcy, except for Mr Darcy himself.” Elizabeth’s voice was icy, but her eyes cast flames at the intruder.
“You once managed to burst into your nephew’s house to offend me in every possible way and to harm my sister—your own niece—in a way that the cruellest stranger never would have done.
But no longer. You are not speaking to Miss Bennet now but with Mrs Elizabeth Darcy.
I am the mistress of this house, and either you will respect my position or I will ask the servant to show you the door without delay! ”
“You dare not speak to me as if we are equal! You are still nothing but a country nobody.”
Lady Catherine raised her voice enough to be heard from outside, and Elizabeth took a step closer, keeping her composure.
“I hoped we could talk civilly so as not to make us the laughingstocks of the household. If your ladyship insists on exposing herself to ridicule, I will certainly not keep you company. You should leave now and return later when Mr Darcy, Miss De Bourgh, and the rest of our guests have returned home. They are presently on an excursion.”
“I will not leave, and you cannot force me to! Everybody knows who I am! I am Lady Anne Darcy’s sister!”
“I do not deny that. However, this surprises me exceedingly as I have heard only praise about Lady Anne’s kindness, elegance, and impeccable manners—quite different from what I have seen of you on the two occasions we have met.”
“I have never witnessed such impertinence! You offend me after you refuse to allow me to see my daughter! What kind of dreadful scheme are you carrying out here?”
“As I feared, our conversation is rapidly passing into complete absurdity. Miss de Bourgh is certainly here by her own free will, and we are happy to host her as a member of the family. She is under the care of Lord and Lady Matlock, and you may speak to all of them soon. Until then, it is my duty to attend to the comfort, peace, and tranquillity of my family and friends. No disturbance will be accepted—not even from one related to the family.”
“You dare to call me a disturbance!”
“Not your ladyship but your behaviour, which nobody could name otherwise. Let me make myself clear one last time. We are hosting a large party, including Miss de Bourgh, Lord and Lady Matlock, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Most of the guests are on a long ride and will be away for several more hours. In the meantime, I will gladly offer your ladyship some refreshments and a room in which to rest in exchange for improved manners on your part.”
“Improved manners? I—Lady Catherine de Bourgh? I will reveal your impertinence to my nephew and my brother as soon as I see them.”
“You may do as you please. However, Lord Matlock is—”
“I need to hear nothing more, and I wish nothing from you! I will not stay here with you alone. I would rather wait in my carriage, which is at the front door. You cannot convince me otherwise.” Lady Catherine’s face was red from anger, her voice trembling.
The smile returned to Elizabeth’s face, and she shrugged her shoulders, answering lightly, “I do not intend to convince your ladyship of anything. I am sure three or four hours in your carriage in full sun will pass in no time. Let me ring for someone to show you out.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes widened in disbelief; then her face coloured even more, and she hastened out, babbling obscure words that only she could understand.
Elizabeth breathed several times to calm herself then glanced outside and spotted the impressive carriage—waiting precisely in the full sun.
She rang and asked for some tea and sweets. It was a truly hot day, and the argument had sharpened her appetite.
∞∞∞
Lord Matlock returned to Pemberley after a short call in Lambton, eager to return to the coolness of the library and Darcy’s excellent brandy.
He was astounded to see his sister’s carriage in front of the house and immediately imagined the worst. He hurried inside, and on his inquiry, he was informed that Lady Catherine was in the drawing room with Mrs Darcy.
He headed in that direction but was even more shocked to see his wife in the hall, indicating that he should be silent. Lady Matlock pulled him into a dining room. From the other chamber, the voices of both Elizabeth and Lady Catherine could be heard clearly.
“I saw Catherine’s carriage from the window, and I heard her voice,” Lady Matlock whispered. “I came to support Elizabeth, but she seems to be handling the situation very well. I believe we should not intervene. It is Mrs Darcy’s duty to solve such annoying problems.”
The earl intended to act, but his wife held his arm tightly. “Elizabeth must prove her strength in front of your sister alone.”
“I understand your point, and I hope we are doing the proper thing. Catherine’s rudeness is appalling. Upon my word, I do not know from where she took this trait.”
When the voices ceased and Lady Catherine’s steps indicated her departure, Lord and Lady Matlock waited another minute then exited to the hall and entered the drawing room by the main door.
Elizabeth was near the window and startled at their entrance. She smiled politely with slight uneasiness.
“Lady Catherine is here,” she said. “She wished to speak to Miss de Bourgh. I am afraid we had quite an unpleasant argument. She is now outside in the carriage awaiting the return of Miss de Bourgh and William.”
Lady Matlock touched her arm to comfort her. “We know, my dear. We heard her. We did not interfere as we thought the mistress of the house should settle the situation to her liking. And from what I heard, you did it remarkably well.”
“Mrs Darcy, I must apologise for my sister’s lack of civility,” the earl added.
“She is mostly upset because Anne refused to return to Kent and chose to spend the summer with us. But there is little she can do: Anne is of age and is the heir to her father’s fortune.
Even Rosings belongs to her. I sympathise with my sister for remaining alone, but Anne’s health is undoubtedly improving in our company.
It is such a pity that we placed you in the middle of this conflict.
Darcy will be rightfully angry when he finds that you have been exposed again to Catherine’s unreasonable behaviour. ”
A maid entered just then carrying a tray with tea, fruits, and sweets. Once she left, Elizabeth answered brightly.
“Lord Matlock, your concern is much appreciated but not needed, I assure you. Apparently, Lady Catherine has many other reasons to hate me besides Miss de Bourgh’s presence at Pemberley.
It is her right to do so as it is mine not to allow any misbehaviour in my home.
Now, would you like to join me for some tea? ”
Lady Matlock’s eyes narrowed in amusement. “I completely agree with you. And yes, some tea would be lovely.”
While they enjoyed their drinks, Elizabeth added in the same light conversational tone, “Lady Catherine might be unaware that you are both here. I tried to inform her, but she chose not to listen. If your lordship talks to her, perhaps you should also take her some tea or fresh water. It is quite warm outside.”
Lord Matlock poured himself a glass of wine, glanced at his wife, then at Elizabeth, and said with perfect calmness, “Well, if she wished to know where we were, she would have asked or at least listened to you. I will speak to her—eventually. For now, I have something to discuss with Mr Bennet in the library. It is such a cool room, perfect for a summer day. Then I might rest for a while before talking to my sister. In the meantime, you might consider drinks for the coachman and fresh water for the horses. None of them should suffer from my sister’s obstinacy. ”
Elizabeth’s amusement matched her surprise at Lord Matlock’s manner of punishing his sister. She hurried to give the orders the earl suggested, wondering why she had not thought of it herself.
Lady Matlock swallowed some tea in her elegant manner then smiled at her husband.
“I find this to be a perfect plan, husband. I will rest a little too, and so should you, Elizabeth. Warm summer days can be very fatiguing.”