Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Elizabeth was shown into Lady Barry’s drawing room the day after the lady returned from Hunsford. Lady Barry was wrapped in her shawl, fortified by tea and cakes, and wearing an expression akin to disapproval.
“You are late.” The elder woman was imperious.
Elizabeth removed her gloves as she consulted the clock. “Only three minutes.”
“Three minutes is sufficient time for disaster, as your recent experience has proven to us all, Lizzy-girl.” Lady Barry sniffed.
“I am sorry if my experience worried you in any way,” Elizabeth murmured.
“It merely confirmed for me what I already knew…that men should never be permitted to wander unsupervised.” Lady Barry turned from the scene outside the window to Elizabeth and held out her palm. “Let me see your hand. Your father said you scraped it.”
“It heals quite well. I was fortunate.” Elizabeth obediently extended her hand. “I fell on my knee as well, but it sustained no injury that prevents me from walking.”
Lady Barry examined Elizabeth’s scraped palm and turned back to the window. “Hmmm.”
“A promising diagnosis,” said Elizabeth in an attempt to cheer Lady Barry, for she could see the lady was disturbed.
“You remain conveniently alive,” Lady Barry replied. “Were you at least accompanied here today?”
“My father’s stableboy accompanies me now,” Elizabeth assured her.
“That is hardly adequate. Bennet is a fool. Ring the bell, Lizzy-girl.” Lady Barry shook her head in disgust.
When the butler entered, she gave instructions.
“Inform Peter that he is assigned to Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s safety for the remainder of her stay in Ramsgate.
He is to accompany her everywhere, even when she is with her friends.
She is not to walk out alone, nor is any man permitted to importune her.
When she is at home, he may make himself useful to Mrs Bennet’s household. ”
She turned to Elizabeth. “Can your stepmother board him?”
Elizabeth was surprised. “I am certain that she can, but it is hardly necessary, my father’s servant–”
“Is some silly young rascal who probably needs supervision himself. Peter is the most feared footman in Ramsgate. You will humour me in this, Lizzy-girl.”
“Very well,” Elizabeth capitulated as the butler left them. “I still cannot quite believe it happened at all.”
“You might have been badly hurt,” Lady Barry replied, her tone almost accusatory.
“I had a rock.” Elizabeth grinned. “It was sufficient.”
“Of course it was. What are men compared to rocks and impertinence?” Lady Barry sniffed again. “You frightened many people.”
“I am saddened that anyone was alarmed.” Elizabeth bowed her head.
“Miss Darcy was weeping in rage and fear of what might have happened to you when I arrived at Darcy Cottage. I thought she might assault her aunt with her bare hands. Her father was so pale, I nearly sent for my physician. Your father was so grave when he entered my drawing room, I was quite alarmed that you had died.”
“And the other Mr Darcy?” Elizabeth could not help but ask.
“He was more rightfully angry than any man I have ever seen in my life,” Lady Barry answered.
“At his aunt and Mr Collins?” Elizabeth asked.
“At the entire world, I believe,” Lady Barry confirmed. “And mostly at himself, no doubt, for feeling so powerless because he was not there when you needed him.”
“Oh.” Elizabeth fell quiet.
“It would have been intolerably disagreeable if you were seriously harmed, or worse, Lizzy-girl.” Lady Barry’s expression was nearly mutinous.
“Lady Barry, that was nearly affectionate.” Elizabeth was touched.
“Nonsense.” Lady Barry thumped her cane. “What would become of young Darcy and his sister if aught happened to you? They are much improved by your company. I should hate to see them if you were somehow lost to us all.”
“I am very fond of the Darcy family,” Elizabeth felt her cheeks redden.
“Fond indeed. Keep telling yourself that.”
Elizabeth turned the subject. “I still cannot believe that you escorted Lady Catherine to Hunsford yourself.”
“No one else possesses sufficient fortitude. It was worth it to see her face when she was installed at the dower house.”
“How was the journey?” Elizabeth asked curiously.
Lady Barry relaxed deeper into her chair. “Loud. Entirely intolerable. What ought to have been a few hours seemed to take years.”
“I can imagine.” Elizabeth grinned.
“No, you cannot. At one point, she ranted for two hours that the kingdom is in decline because young women have forgotten submission and obedience to their betters.”
“I am sorry that you had to suffer it,” Elizabeth apologised.
Lady Barry gave her a look of mischief. “No need. I quite enjoyed chiding her all the way to Hunsford.”
Elizabeth poured her a fresh cup of tea. The lady accepted it and continued her account.
“She is still obsessed with your brother,” Lady Barry informed her.
“Lucas? Lady Catherine never even met my family before all of this.” Elizabeth was confused.
“Mr Collins has been sent away, and is no longer to be a clergyman. Mr Darcy plans to write to his bishop, and if the man somehow manages to return from the continent at all, he will be defrocked. What on earth is her interest in the matter?”
“She remains convinced that God's will and nature have been quite manipulated, and that it is her duty to see your brother set aside.” Lady Barry shook her head. “Were she my relation, I should be quite humiliated by her ideas.”
Elizabeth was nearly speechless. “I cannot understand it.”
“The woman has moved on from mathematical unlikelihood to ethical machination.” Lady Barry sighed. “I have written to her brother, Reginald. It is quite obvious that his sister is insane. An earl’s daughter could not be placed in Bedlam, but the man must do something about her.”
“Reginald is Priscilla’s father? Lord Matlock?” Elizabeth asked. “Will he heed you?”
“He had better, for his family name is at stake if she gets out into society with behaviour like this. Cathy has always been known to be difficult and unpleasant, but this goes quite beyond mere impudence.”
“I hear his sons are at Rosings,” Elizabeth observed.
“They will manage her, for now. They are tolerable, I suppose,” Lady Barry said. “Nearly the quality of Anne’s boy. Reliable, but far too amiable.”
Elizabeth giggled. “But you say that Mr Darcy is too serious.”
“And so he is. Let that be a lesson that perfect men do not exist. Now…enough of this stuff and nonsense. Did you bring the novel? Well, what are you waiting for? I must find out what happens after we left off.”
Elizabeth had been reading for nearly an hour, and Lady Barry had entered that rare state in which she was both attentive and only intermittently disparaging.
Their afternoon had settled pleasantly; tea and cakes, a light rain against the window, and one of the author’s impossibly silly heroines fleeing ruin in humorously dramatic difficulty.
Elizabeth was reading an especially improbable scene when the butler appeared with the expression of a man bringing unwelcome information.
“Sir Rupert Barry and Miss Barry, madam.”
Lady Barry’s expression betrayed more than displeasure. “No.”
The butler, who received this answer nearly every time there were callers, remained stoically where he was.
“He claims that the visit is familial and urgent, madam.”
Lady Barry scowled. “Very well; admit them, so that we may be rid of them quickly. They will not stay here, Chambers. You will permit no luggage to enter the house. Send their trunks on to the Albion.”
“Very good, madam.”
Lady Barry turned to Elizabeth. “Do not look hospitable, nor even amiable. Mere civility encourages people like these.”
“As you say, Lady Barry,” Elizabeth promised.
Sir Rupert Barry entered first. Perhaps five-and-forty, a tall bear of a man. He was well dressed, and severely composed. Everything about him suggested order, gravity, and a lifelong distrust of happiness.
His sister, Miss Barry, followed close behind. She was sharp-featured, as severe as her brother, and her features implied that humanity disappointed her each day by breakfast.
Sir Rupert bowed. “Aunt.”
Belle jumped down from the sofa where Lady Barry reclined and hid behind Elizabeth’s skirts.
Lady Barry gave him a glance that could have curdled cream. “I am not your aunt, nor have I ever been. You will address me properly.”
“I apologise, Lady Barry,” he amended. “It is good to see you looking so well.”
“You were not invited.” Lady Barry was grim. “Nor did you send word of your visit. I could have saved you the trip by informing you that you are unnecessary.”
“But we were in the neighborhood,” he said, unconcerned by her displeasure.
“You were in Kent. All the way from Derbyshire?”
Elizabeth had to lower her eyes to hide a smile.
Lady Barry gestured. “You may be seated. Briefly.”
Introductions were made, and the butler returned with a fresh pot of tea and more cups, but no cakes or other refreshment. At Lady Barry’s instruction, Chambers served, then withdrew.
Sir Rupert turned to Elizabeth with an interested expression. “Miss Bennet. I have heard a great deal about you.”
“I cannot imagine why. I doubt we have any common acquaintance besides Lady Barry.” Elizabeth’s tone was frosty.
A flicker of amusement crossed his countenance, though perhaps he had not intended to reveal it. “On the contrary. Your reputation is heard all about Ramsgate. Even as far as London.”
He sipped his tea and regarded her with an interest similar to that displayed by Mr Collins. Elizabeth felt ill as he observed her.
“How do you like Ramsgate, Miss Bennet? Is the sea to your liking?”
Elizabeth loathed him instantly. He was too calculated. Too intent.
Sir Rupert leaned slightly forward. “I confess myself fortunate in arriving while you are here.”
Elizabeth did not smile. “How curious.”
“I understand you are a frequent visitor of Lady Barry’s.” He regarded her as a predator that sizes up its prey.
Lady Barry replied. “She reads tolerably well and is therefore useful.”