Chapter 11 #2
“Uncle Reggie, Aunt Elaine, these are Mr. Thomas Bennet, Master of Longbourn; Miss Lucas, his betrothed; Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, and Miss Catherine Bennet, who is known as Miss Kitty.” The Bennets and Charlotte bowed and curtsied as each was introduced.
None of them missed the raised eyebrows when Mr. Darcy used Kitty’s given name.
“Mr. Bennet, Miss Lucas, Misses Bennet; Lord Reginald Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock; Lady Elaine Fitzwilliam, Countess of Matlock; and last but certainly not least,” Darcy gave his sister a reassuring smile, “Miss Georgiana Darcy, who we all call Gigi, my beloved sister.”
“It is not every day we have a peer of the realm in our modest home,” Bennet drawled. “To what do we owe this honour?”
“When my sons returned and told us not only had they met some good and honourable people, but your betrothed saw through that scoundrel’s facade, which initiated the events leading to his residence in Newgate, we knew we had to make your acquaintance,” Lady Elaine stated.
“Also, there was not much of note going on in London’s social scene, so we decided tonight’s ball should not be missed. ”
“Is your cousin not here, Mr. Bennet?” Darcy asked. “If he lost his control of his senses when introduced to my cousins and me, what will his reaction be when he meets an earl and countess?”
“William, did you not note the cart leaving Longbourn as we arrived?” Richard asked with a big grin. Darcy nodded. “Am I mistaken, or was the distraught man in the bed of the cart Aunt Catherine’s venerable parson?”
“You are correct, Colonel,” Charlotte replied. “He has been removed until the day he inherits, if there is no other heir born first.”
“I thought he was to marry before he departed,” Andrew asked in confusion. Seeing the look his father was giving him, he turned toward the Earl. “Yes father, he was a toady sycophant. Your sister outdid herself this time.”
“He is no longer betrothed to Miss Dudley, and Lady Catherine will have to look for a new clergyman…” Charlotte then enumerated the parson’s behaviour, and how Longbourn’s rector was writing to both the Archbishop and the Bishop of Kent.
“This was the second time he was about to strike you, Miss Lucas?” Lord Matlock asked with a look of disgust.
“It was, your Lordship,” Charlotte confirmed.
“My name was Manner-Sutton before Reggie married me,” Lady Elaine informed everyone, “Charles, the current Archbishop, is my late uncle’s son. I think I should write to my cousin about this man; one such as he should not represent the Church of England.”
“In addition to his other offences, your Ladyship, I suggest adding that he discloses information shared in confidence by his parishioners to his patroness, and is proud of the fact,” Mary spoke up.
Anything she could add to help in the defrocking of the last man who should have ever been a clergyman, she was happy to do.
“I believe my cousin is visiting his old parish in Norwich. An express will be on its way today,” Lady Elaine stated with purpose.
Charlotte rang for tea, and soon Mrs. Hill and two maids delivered the service.
After Charlotte poured, the rest of the party sat and talked quietly in smaller groups.
Miss Darcy sat with Miss Elizabeth and Miss Kitty.
“I would be happy if you call me Elizabeth or Lizzy, as most everyone does, except Charlotte and her family who call me Eliza,” Elizabeth told Miss Darcy.
“And you must call me Kitty. Papa only uses Catherine if he is angry with me,” Kitty added, her smile bright and welcoming.
“In that case, please call me Georgiana, or Gigi, as my family and friends do. Is it true you put Miss Bingley in her place without her being aware of it, Lizzy?” Georgiana asked.
“I have been known to do so. I find I have no patience for one with her airs, graces, and pretentions,” Elizabeth admitted. The admission elicited the first smile from Georgiana that reached her eyes.
“I do not like her very much. Mrs. Hurst is a little better, but only when not with Miss Bingley,” Georgiana admitted quietly.
“Jane and I saw as much when we were hosted at Netherfield when she fell ill,” Elizabeth agreed.
“My brother wrote to me and mentioned you were there to nurse Miss Bennet,” Georgiana shared.
“Your brother mentioned me in a letter?” Elizabeth asked with genuine surprise.
“In each of his letters,” Georgiana owned shyly. “It is why I was so keen to meet you.”
Elizabeth was astounded. Not only had Mr. Darcy written about her to his sister, but often and in a most positive way. How many more examples of Charlotte’s perspicacity would she be presented with?
The more she thought about the enigmatic Mr. Darcy, the more Elizabeth realised she had never been indifferent to him, which explained her reaction to his slight. Had she not wanted his good opinion, it would have rolled off her like water off a duck’s back.
The Earl and Countess were talking to Bennet and Charlotte and were impressed with the intelligence of both.
The Fitzwilliam brothers were sitting with Miss Bennet and Miss Mary.
As they talked about many subjects including the neighbourhood, their tenants, and the charities Miss Bennet was involved in, Andrew began to understand Miss Bennet was much more than a pretty face, which pleased him.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Charles, you cannot be serious about Miss Bennet! Oh, she is a sweet girl, but look at her connections, her lack of fortune, and that family. The two youngest are wild and will ruin themselves. Is that what you want our name associated with?” Miss Bingley ranted.
“Caroline is correct, Charles. Aligning yourself with that family will do nothing to raise us—er, I mean you in society,” Mrs. Hurst said in support of her sister.
“But she is so beautiful! She is an angel, and I want her to be my angel,” Bingley responded weakly.
“She does not love you, brother,” Miss Bingley reported with false empathy, attempting to make her brother believe she felt for him.
“Of course she loves me,” Bingley returned, but without confidence. His sisters had been working on him for some hours already, and he was ready to give in to them just to reclaim some peace.
“Charles, a woman knows. She smiles at you no differently than any other man. She will accept you for your fortune alone if you offer for her,” Miss Bingley drove in the final nail.
“What am I to do? I have asked her for the opening set tonight,” asked a distraught man.
“Have you asked for any other sets?” Mrs. Hurst asked with concern. Bingley shook his head. “Then do not ask her for another set tonight.”
“It is a pity Mr. Darcy had to travel to Town with his cousins,” Miss Bingley stated.
“I am sure he would have asked to open the ball with me, and then take my supper and final sets.” Miss Bingley thought for a minute.
“We should leave tomorrow morning for Town. I am sure Mr. Darcy, the Viscount, and Colonel will all agree with us. I will have the servants begin to pack our bags.” Miss Bingley sailed out of the room as if what she wanted was a fait accompli.
Miss Bingley was unaware Miss Darcy was in the area, as her brother had omitted that fact per Gigi's request. Instead, he was worrying about putting on a good show for his neighbours later that night.
Bingley decided a trip to Town would be just the thing and was sure he would be back once Caroline and Louisa cooled off.
He would request his sister write to his angel on the morrow before their departure.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Collins would have preferred to stay in Meryton and take care of those who had cost him his betrothal; this idea was rejected almost as fast as it formed when he had a vision of the two Lucas men coming after him.
So, here he was on the stage to London in cramped quarters, with none of the comfort he believed was his due.
He was sure his fellow clergyman would not write the letters he threatened! Dudley only said that so he would not sue for breach of contract. The fact a woman could withdraw from an engagement with no repercussions was one of the inconvenient facts Collins ignored.
Even if Dudley did write, Collins was certain his patroness would put a stop to any action against him—after all, he was trying to obey her edict to marry. Lady Catherine had told him many times she could order things the way she desired, so he had nothing to worry about.
All would be well on the morrow, for he would arrive home in Hunsford, go to see her Ladyship, and she would put all to rights. Besides, she would be happy with him for informing her of the scandalous way his Cousin Elizabeth was practising her feminine arts and allurements on Mr. Darcy.