Chapter Eighty-Nine
Imust meet the girl,” Lady Catherine insisted.
“I do not see why,” the Countess replied, coolly. “The Earl and I have already done so and we approve wholeheartedly.”
“His marriage reflects on me as well,” Lady Catherine argued. “I must make certain that this Miss Lucas is worthy of being part of my family.”
“I do not agree at all, Catherine,” the Earl finally put in.
“But we do plan to go to Lucas Lodge, and we will allow you to join us, with this stipulation. If I have, at any moment, the slightest suspicion that you are about to say anything that is inappropriate or slighting to her or her family, I will march you out of there and let you stand alone in the front garden until Eleanor and I are ready to leave. Do you understand me?”
He held his sister’s gaze until she gave an abrupt nod and then looked away.
Mr. Fitzwilliam walked his parents and his Aunt Catherine to the carriage. “I still do not understand why I am not permitted to see Charlotte today. It seems nonsensical in every respect.”
His mother shook her head and said, “The groom not seeing his bride the day prior to the wedding is one of those traditions that has lingered on for no good reason, Reggie; but it is not worth raising a fuss over. After tomorrow, you will be with Charlotte every day.”
He frowned. “Tell her that I would have come today, were it not for this silly tradition. I shall research it to see where such nonsense originated. But make certain that she understands no slight is intended.”
Lady Matlock smiled. To see her odd eldest son succumb to romance was a pleasure she had never thought to have. “I shall, Reggie; have no fear.”
***
When the Matlock carriage rolled up in front of Lucas Lodge, Charlotte arranged her skirts hastily and checked her hair one last time.
The Earl and Countess of Matlock and Lady Catherine de Bourgh were announced. Thanks to a letter from Eliza, Charlotte and her mother had been expecting Lady Catherine.
The Earl and Countess greeted the Lucases warmly, introduced Lady Catherine, and the visitors were invited to sit. While the others made enquiries into one another’s health, Lady Catherine walked to Charlotte and asked her to stand up.
“Catherine,” the Earl began in a warning tone.
“Nonsense, George, I just want to see the girl! Please, Miss Lucas, I do not bite, rumours to the contrary.”
Charlotte had to smile at that, and she stood up.
“Well! Rather tall, are you not?”
“Not as tall as Reginald,” Charlotte responded.
“True enough, true enough! Tell me, Miss Lucas, do you play?”
“I do, yes.”
“And dance, and sew, and all the usual things?”
“I believe I possess the usual feminine accomplishments, Lady Catherine,” Charlotte replied, evenly.
“I understand you are well-acquainted with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I have brought her here at your behest.”
“I am very grateful, Lady Catherine,” Charlotte said, bowing her head. “Eliza is my very best friend, and I could not imagine being married without her by my side. Thank you for bringing her to me.”
“Do you know, at one point, I thought of Reginald for my own daughter, but as he is rather strange, I think Darcy a better choice,” Lady Catherine said, conversationally.
The Countess scoffed. “Darcy will never marry Anne, Catherine, and we are very fortunate that Charlotte Lucas finds our son delightful and original, rather than strange. In any case,” she cleared her throat and addressed Charlotte.
“Reggie wishes me to tell you, Charlotte, that he would have very much liked to visit you today, but this troublesome tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding prevents him.”
Charlotte decided she had had enough of Lady Catherine’s scrutiny, and she sat down near her future mother-in-law. Smiling, she replied, “I am surprised he was willing to agree to the tradition.”
“It was not easy to get him to do so, I admit,” the Countess laughed. “Only when he was reminded that after tomorrow he would spend all his days with you, was he willing to be patient and wait.”
Charlotte blushed. “He is very sweet.”
“He is, he is! How wonderful that you see that!” the Countess was delighted. “Oh, my dear, I simply could not be happier!”