Chapter 55 Performance #2
"I commented on how pleased you must be to have such an admirable young man as Sir Phillip to carry on the legacy that first Sir Lewis, and now you, have built at Rosings Park.
He is a good friend to Martin, and I have met him on a number of occasions.
I have always been impressed by his character, since he does not seem prone to those vices so often indulged in by young men with expectations. "
Due to her years of spying on him, Lady Catherine knew the estimate of Sir Phillip's character to be true. She, herself, had never looked at him in so positive a light, but it did make sense.
"Well, he is a de Bourgh," she said proudly.
"I understood you had some doubts on that score at one time," Lady Ferrell said in a slightly challenging tone.
"Oh, there were vague rumors when he was young," Lady Catherine said, conveniently forgetting she was the one who had spread them.
She waved her left hand airily as if to dispel any thought of them.
Then, her posture and attitude stiffened again as she remembered the delicacy of the chair on which she sat.
"One has only to compare his looks with a portrait of my late husband to know the truth," she continued more sharply.
"Well, I certainly have no doubts," Lady Ferrell asserted with a light laugh.
"The young man personifies all the good I have known and heard of about the men of the de Bourgh family.
I expect he will make an excellent master of the estate when the time comes that you hand management of it over to him. "
The time to which the Countess of Boxwell referred was one of which Lady Catherine preferred to avoid thinking. Her only reply was a sound that fell between a sigh, a snort and a grunt. Lady Ferrell understood perfectly.
"Of course, it is always difficult to think of anyone taking our places. For instance, I know my eldest son's wife is an excellent girl and will manage this estate well, but I am hardly filled with excitement at the thought she might one day need to."
"That is how our children met!" Lady Catherine exclaimed, ignoring Lady Ferrell's statement as she finally understood what had eluded her since she learned of the marriage.
"Through Sir Phillip? Yes. My son was visiting him at the dower house when Anne stopped by during one of her drives.
They became acquainted and continued to meet there, always under strict chaperonage from Mrs. de Bourgh, of course.
I met with her there as well, when it was clear my son was decided on marrying Anne. "
"You promoted this clandestine courtship?" Lady Catherine said, aghast at the idea.
This time, Lady Ferrell made no attempt to hide her amusement as she replied.
"It was only clandestine with regard to you.
You were so set on having your daughter marry her cousin no matter what they wanted, that everyone felt it was better you know nothing about the courtship.
I did try to visit with you to at least sound out the situation, but you refused to see me.
That is why we ended up planning and celebrating the wedding without you. "
"She is my daughter! It is my right to say who she will marry!" Despite her best intentions, Lady Catherine could not contain her anger at being thwarted with what was apparently the active interference of this woman before her.
"Whether that is true or not, despite your best attempts you could not control the inclinations of your nephew, nor did you have the authority to force him to marry Anne. It is a matter of academics now, at any rate. Martin and Anne are very happily married."
Lady Catherine ground her teeth as she fought with the desire to throw her teacup at the other woman. A small wobble from the chair, reflecting the trembling of her limbs as she struggled to contain her anger, finally brought her back to her purpose.
"I should like to finally meet your son," she said, with the grimace she intended for a smile.
Lady Ferrell's smile was more genuine. "I am afraid that is not possible. The happy couple are on their bridal tour. They left just yesterday and I am not certain when they mean to return."
"Where have they gone?" Lady Catherine asked, a little too eagerly.
With another light laugh, Lady Ferrell answered, "Oh, I couldn't say. They promised to write when their plans to return are settled."
Lady Catherine could tell the other woman knew exactly where Anne and her husband had gone but was intent on keeping it secret. As the chair wobbled under her again, Lady Catherine decided she had enough of the interview. Carefully, she stood and offered a perfunctory curtsy.
"I thank you for your gracious hospitality," she gritted out in icy tones that told the truth of her feelings. "I have trespassed on your courtesy too long."
Lady Ferrell stood as well and returned the curtsy with grace. "Do come again, Lady Catherine. As you say, we are now family. I shall always have the best tea served for you."
It required a great effort, but Lady Catherine swallowed a sharp retort and left the room in silence.
Her anger carried her rapidly out of the house and back to her carriage.
As she stopped to give the coachman directions, she decided on a change.
There was no point in returning to Rosings Park to fume alone.
Wherever her nephews had gone when they left her home, Darcy was probably back in London now and, with any luck, Richard was with him.
She would release her frustrations upon them.
"Head for London with all due speed," she told the coachman. "I intend to stay at Darcy House tonight."
~o~
"What do you mean you will not allow me inside?" Lady Catherine asked the butler incredulously. "I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy's aunt! I have every right to be here!"
"I am aware of your ladyship's identity," the man said. "However, my instructions from Mr. Darcy are clear. When he is not at home, I am not to let anyone inside unless I have prior express orders from him to do so."
"But I am his closest relation! Of course, those instructions do not apply to me!
" Lady Catherine's anger had only increased over the space of the long drive from Boxwell to London, and it was with difficulty she refrained from simply shoving the man aside and forcing her way in, especially after his next comment.
"I am sorry, Lady Catherine, but your name was not only specifically mentioned by Mr. Darcy, but I also have further instructions to send for the constable if you attempt to circumvent the orders I was given."
Lady Catherine glared at the man in silence, assessing his dedication to his instructions. The man stared impassively back at her, looking as solid as a statue carved of granite. Finally, with a huff of frustration, she turned on her heel and stormed down the steps back to her carriage.
"Take me to the Fitzwilliam townhouse!" she ordered the coachman.
~o~
Annoying though it was, having her entry denied at Darcy House could be understood. However, being denied entry to her father's townhouse was incomprehensible.
"I am sorry, Lady Catherine. Orders from the Earl of Matlock recently arrived specifically barring you from this house."
The man at the door was unknown to Lady Catherine, not one of those people she had long controlled or used as spies.
In fact, he reminded her of the butler at Darcy House, both in his looks and in his very solid and unflinching stance.
She tried again, although her patience was nearly at its breaking point.
"I am the daughter of the Earl of Matlock, not some stranger on the streets.
You will let me in and allow me to stay the night here!
It is too late for me to return to my home in Kent, and there is no reason for me to go anywhere else!
" For once Lady Catherine regretted her choice not to maintain a house in London.
The servant at the door stood steadfast. "I understand this may place your ladyship in a difficult position.
However, my instructions from the Earl are clear and allow for no exceptions.
I cannot permit you to stay in this house or even to enter.
May I suggest you visit one of London's finer hotels tonight? "
"Where is Danvers?" Lady Catherine asked sharply, naming the butler who had served at the Fitzwilliam townhouse for more than a decade and who was one of her paid agents.
"He was recently released from service along with several other members of the staff, your ladyship."
Lady Catherine was not certain what annoyed her more – the man's cool demeanor or the fact that Danvers, and probably several other people in her employ, had been released from service but had not notified her that they would no longer be able to carry out her instructions.
She would have to direct her man of business to stop any payments to them.
She could only guess that her brother must have gotten around their father somehow.
There was no other explanation that made sense.
Another look at the impassive servant convinced her she would have no more luck here than she had received at Darcy House.
She hated the idea of going to a hotel, although there were several that catered specifically to the upper classes in London.
There did not seem to be any other alternative for this evening.
Without another word, she turned and headed to the carriage.
This would not be the end of the matter, however.
She might not have spoken with either Darcy or Richard, but there remained one more local target of her ire.
The Bennets might not have had anything to do with Anne's recent marriage, but in Lady Catherine's mind, Thomas Bennet was at the root of most of her problems right alongside her own brother.
Tomorrow she would visit Meryton and give the entire Bennet family a scolding to remember.