Chapter 13 #3
“Then she would certainly make a good and energetic mother, and I have been impressed by her kindness to my Anne. There is no artifice in her. She would also provide you with the liveliness of which you are in desperate need. Not to mention she will not cater to your over-inflated ego. That young woman will stand up for herself when she thinks she is in the right. Which will probably be most of the time.” She glowered at her nephew.
“However, I sincerely doubt you have it in you to be a man who might make her happy. Your selfishness in this matter knows no bounds. I used to think you would make my dear Anne the perfect match, I see now I was mistaken. You are nothing like your father. He is a good, kind man and someone such as he would treat my daughter well.”
She sniffed. “You are the last man in the world I would prevail upon to marry my Anne.”
Lady Catherine turned to Lady Anne, “Sister, I believe we shall remove ourselves to Matlock House for a time.” She stood ramrod straight and held her head high, with all the dignity of a daughter of an earl. With a final glare at her nephew, she exited the room leaving behind a stunned nephew.
Mother and son sat, neither daring to move or make a noise. Both were astonished by the scene they had just witnessed. The only sound was of Darcy’s distressed breathing.
Finally, taking her son’s hand in one of her own, “Speak to me, my child.”
He chuckled sadly, “I am no longer a child.”
“You will always be my child.”
He heaved a huge sigh. “What have I done? Where did I go so wrong, not just with Elizabeth, but with myself? My pride was excessive and uncalled for. I have been selfish and vain, thinking myself above everyone else due to my situation in life.” He huffed a bitter laugh.
“Aunt Catherine is correct–I am not a good man.”
“Stop. You are a good man. Your pride took you astray. The question I would ask you now is what do you intend to do? What do you desire, for yourself, your life, and your future?”
“I desire to be the type of man someone as admirable as Miss Bennet could esteem. I have failed miserably and I have failed you and Father too.”
“There is no time like the present to begin to make changes.” Lady Anne patted the hand she still held.
Darcy slumped back on the sofa and began to tell his mother about Elizabeth’s words at the ball. “She is still angry about the first night we met.”
“Understandably. I would be interested to know why you spoke so condescendingly.” She watched her son squirm a little in his seat and hid a smile. Once again, he reminded her of the little boy in leading-strings.
“I was so disappointed!” he exclaimed. He shook his head from side to side as if he wanted to deny his own words.
“I saw her, you know, before that night.
In Hyde Park. She was so pretty, smiling and luminescent in the sun.
When I came upon her a second time, I contrived a way to speak with her.
We chatted, but she was proper and would not stay or tell me her name.
“I sought her at functions, but when that proved fruitless, I gave up. Then, there she was, like a wonderful dream come to life. If she was there that evening, it meant she was somebody. Someone I could get to know.”
“She is somebody. Everyone has a relation they wish to keep at a distance.” Lady Anne leant towards her son and whispered, “Aunt Catty is ours.”
He laughed ruefully, and slowly shook his head. “I did not even intend to mean how it was perceived. I felt I had lost her, before I ever had the chance to win her. I was blinded by my stupid pride.” He sighed and scrubbed his face with both hands, “I made a complete mess of things.”
“Indeed. Though, perhaps it is not too late. While I do not doubt Elizabeth has no fond feelings for the man you have portrayed yourself to be, I am not convinced she is indifferent to you.”
Darcy’s head shot up.
She squeezed her son’s hand and gave him a small smile. “You may not be able to win her heart, but you will become a better man either way. First, I implore you to examine your heart to see if you are serious about pursuing her. It will be a difficult path; to undo all you have wrought.”
She rose from the sofa and he followed suit.
Facing her son, she cupped his face between her hands.
“Fitzwilliam, be it Elizabeth, or some other worthy woman, they may not trust you, if you do not humble yourself. And then, show them that their happiness and contentment will always be your priority. As terrifying as it is, being vulnerable is not a weakness, it will demonstrate how much you trust the other person with your heart.”
Darcy kissed his mother’s cheek. She watched as he tugged down his waistcoat and stood tall.
Lady Anne smiled to herself, thinking yet again, how much like his father he was. Especially when George was younger; it is as if they were preparing themselves for battle.
Before Darcy disappeared out of the door she called to him. “I wish you luck, Fitzwilliam, but know this–your happiness is all I desire, no matter the form it takes.”
He sent her a small, sad smile and left.