Chapter 2.21 #2
Two and a half hours later, Lord Matlock finally went to talk to his sister, and as a result, Lady Catherine moved to the Lambton Inn, even if against her will. She was too weak to oppose her brother and too thirsty to argue.
When the large party returned, noisy, tired, full of joy, and with their cheeks red from the sun, Anne, Darcy, and the colonel were discreetly informed by Lady Matlock about the impromptu visit.
Darcy’s anger was increased by his concern for Elizabeth, and he hurried to her, abandoning the others. He was astonished and relieved to find her preparing for dinner in excellent spirits and happy to see him.
He embraced her then covered her face with small kisses and held her close.
“My dearest, I cannot believe that again I abandoned you to my aunt’s rudeness. It is a nightmare that it happened the same way and precisely when I was not here to protect you. I will talk to my aunt without delay. This will never happen again. How are you feeling? You must tell me everything.”
She looked at him with bright eyes and a large smile.
“I am perfectly well. Please rest assured that today’s discussion with Lady Catherine was nothing like the first one.
I will tell you everything. However, I would say it was rather a comedy than a nightmare.
You should talk to her; she cannot keep making a fool of herself every few months.
But you should be patient and pity her. She must be frightened at the prospect of losing her daughter too. ”
“I cannot be so generous and forgiving. I understand my aunt’s fears, but her present loneliness—including Anne’s decision to remove herself for a while—is only the result of Lady Catherine’s unreasonable behaviour and her insistence on always having her way.
We have all learned some lessons in the last six months.
It is time for her to do the same or bear the consequences.
Her staying three hours in the oppressive heat of the carriage is only the beginning. ”
That same afternoon, Darcy, Lord Matlock, and the colonel accompanied Anne de Bourgh to meet her mother and to inform her that Anne did not want to return to Kent for the time being.
Lady Catherine refused to listen to such a decision and demanded that her daughter return with her.
The argument lasted for almost an hour and reached no positive result.
Anne maintained her decision, and Lady Catherine answered that she no longer considered she had a daughter.
“In that case,” Lord Matlock replied, “you should consider the possibility of moving to your house in London directly. Let us not forget that Rosings belongs to Anne, and she is free to use it as she likes.”
That statement fell like a thunderclap on Lady Catherine, and she was unable to move or to speak—but only for a moment. The terrible exchange of reproaches and accusations that followed brought Anne to tears, and she left the room, unsteady on her feet, taking the arm kindly offered by the colonel.
Darcy unsuccessfully attempted to moderate the discussion and help his aunt to see reason Soon Lady Catherine’s anger turned on him, and new insults against Elizabeth followed. That was enough for Darcy to lose his temper and to declare his intention to cut off all connections with his aunt.
The party returned to Pemberley, leaving Lady Catherine at the Inn. On her way back, Anne de Bourgh’s eyes were tearful and her face pale with distress. She repeated several times that she regretted leaving her mother alone, but her determination to remain with her relatives did not change.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh left Derbyshire that same evening with the promise of never returning.
∞∞∞
The first private ball hosted by Elizabeth Darcy was entirely a family affair. However, this did not deter anyone from treating the event with care and interest.
The doors between the drawing and dining rooms were fully opened, turning the space into a large ballroom, which was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers.
The musicians were placed in a corner and the dinner table in another.
Ten courses and a great variety of drinks were prepared to satisfy every guest’s taste.
“I say, Darcy, this is much better than at Almack’s,” the colonel said while having a glass of wine with the other gentlemen in the house. “Better food, better drinks, elegant arrangements, and only lovely faces.”
“Not to mention that we can dance with our wives as much as we like,” Bingley added enthusiastically then suddenly paled. “I hope Lady Matlock will not force us to follow any rules.”
The colonel laughed. “It is good that we are in Darcy’s house and he makes his own rules. And those we will surely follow respectfully.”
“Do not worry, my friend,” Darcy reassured him. “I intend to dance with my wife the first and the last sets—and more in between. So you are free to do the same.”
Mr Bennet tasted some brandy then spoke without hiding his amusement.
“It is astonishing how marriage affects people in various ways. Most gentlemen lose their interest in dancing once they marry while others become more attached to it than before.”
Darcy laughed. “I see your point, sir. In truth, I remember myself once telling Sir William Lucas that every savage could dance and that dancing was a compliment I never paid to any place if I could avoid it. Such a pompous fool I was.”
“Well, I cannot argue with that,” Bingley said. “This is your well-deserved punishment, I would say. Once you refused to dance with Elizabeth, and now you struggle to find a way to do so.”
“Having the entire Bennet family here for three months is an excellent way of redeeming yourself,” Mr Bennet said soothingly.
The ladies’ appearance interrupted their teasing conversation as both Darcy and Bingley hurried to meet their wives. All of them glowed in beautiful ball gowns, matched with sparkling jewels and exquisite hair arrangements.
Kitty and Mary, although having attended numerous other balls in Meryton, were more nervous than ever before. They stood close to Miss Darcy, whose beauty was enhanced by her confident smile.
Miss Anne de Bourgh looked lovely in appearance but rather awkward in manners, and she confessed to Lady Matlock that she did not remember having attended any ball since her father passed away.
Lady Matlock encouraged her and complimented her beauty while the colonel asked for the privilege of the first set. Anne de Bourgh accepted, but she warned her cousin that she was not certain she remembered any steps.
Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s hand, and his eyes gazed deeply into hers.
She was wearing a creamy satin dress and the ruby set of jewels that he offered to her on their engagement.
They both understood the meaning of it: a gift prepared by Lady Anne Darcy for the new mistress of Pemberley—a bridge from the past to the future.
“You are wonderful,” he whispered and kissed her palm once again. Chills travelled from the place where his lips touched her skin, along her arm, and down her spine, and a slight blush coloured her cheeks.
“I am happy,” she murmured, oblivious to the pairs of eyes that were following their little interlude with either amusement or curiosity.
The entire group gathered around the table with food and drink, and the din of voices and laughter began again.
For the early part of the evening, the four Gardiner children were allowed to participate in the first ball of their lives. They sat in line next to their mother, well behaved and intrigued by what was happening around them.
Henry and Thomas were gentlemanly attired while Becky and Margaret looked charming in their beautiful dresses, white gloves, lovely curls and elegant slippers. Margaret’s delight was evident; she stood by her mother’s side, glancing around as if she could not believe where she was.
Becky, however, appeared sullen and sad.
Darcy and Elizabeth approached them, asking Becky why she was so upset.
The girl lifted her tearful eyes to them. “Because my life is destroyed, and I am desperate.”
They both stared at Mrs Gardiner, worried at such a serious statement, but met the lady’s amused countenance.
“Becky is not herself this evening. She is not unwell, only displeased. My dear, why do you not tell Lizzy how your life has been destroyed?”
The girl jumped down from the chair and made a large reverence, pointing to her clothes.
“Do you not see how I look, Lizzy? Look what mama made me wear!”
“You look charming, my dear—one of the most beautiful young ladies I have ever seen.”
“Precisely! How can I be a lady, when I am only a small child? Am I already at the age to go to balls? Is my entire childhood gone forever? How can I ever play again in such a dress?”
Elizabeth barely held her laughter as she kissed the girl.
Mrs Gardiner replied in earnest, “I already assured her she has no reason to worry. She is far from being at an age for these kinds of parties; in truth, I do not intend to allow her to attend any ball until she is eighteen. She is rather upset because I asked her to behave like a ‘young lady’ tonight. I trust she will return to her usual self tomorrow morning.”
Becky sighed and returned to the chair, resigned. “Now I have worn these shoes, I will never be myself again. I feel too grown up.”
She was comforted with more kisses and encouragement, but Becky’s disposition did not change for quite some time.
However, when the music started and her parents lined up on the dance floor together with the other pairs, Becky discovered that her slippers were not uncomfortable enough to prevent her running through the great halls.
By the end of the second set, her gloves were smeared with chocolate and her curls in great disorder—and she felt confident about her life once again.
Sitting on a sofa in a corner of the room, Lady Matlock watched the dancing pairs with interest. Her husband, the earl, took a seat near her, holding a glass in his hand.