Chapter 20
Dona María Alta Gracia possessed some information about her grandson's activities. She knew everything about his work but very little about his personal life. She was well aware that Matthew guarded his privacy carefully, especially when it came to his maternal grandparents.
She therefore devised a new strategy. She had been keeping him under observation for some time and had discovered that her grandson had formed a particularly close bond with one of his clients, a woman known as Lady Campbell.
She also knew that his father, James, was a friend of Edward Gardiner and that Matthew visited him frequently.
Unfortunately for her, the servants in both households were loyal and discreet, so she had been unable to obtain any further information from them.
Her own faithful servants, however, had discovered that Lady Campbell was connected to the family of Earl Westcliff.
The Countess was well known for her love of gossip and her keen interest in everything connected with London's fashionable society.
Taking advantage of that weakness, the Marchioness organised a small gathering at her London residence.
She invited Lady Westcliff, Lady Emma, Lady Samantha, the Countess of Matlock, and several other ladies who regularly moved in their circle, hoping that Lady Campbell would also attend.
At tea time, the ladies were seated in the drawing room of one of the most magnificently appointed houses in London, conversing with a Spanish noblewoman who was wealthier and more influential than all of them put together.
"Thank you very much for coming, my dear ladies.
As I believe you know, my husband has been rather unwell, and we shall remain in England for some time because we have found a treatment here that may restore his health.
I have been confined for far too long and wished to make new friends in this country, so I thought of inviting such distinguished ladies as yourselves. "
The Marchioness de la Pena was a highly accomplished woman. She spoke five languages fluently and could converse in two more.
"You cannot imagine the honour you do us, dear Marchioness de la Pena. We are delighted to become your friends and to introduce you to London's society," Lady Samantha said enthusiastically.
She was already imagining the many occasions she might spend in the Marchioness's magnificent residence. Besides, she was certain that the Marchioness would soon become the latest sensation of the ton.
"I invited Lady Campbell as well, but she sent her apologies, explaining that she had other engagements. I had particularly hoped to meet her, for I have heard many admirable things about her."
Dona María Alta Gracias spoke with apparent casualness, though in truth she was carefully seeking any information that might prove useful.
"My sister-in-law is, without a doubt, a remarkable woman and greatly admired by everyone, especially by the gentlemen," Lady Westcliff said, intending to provoke Lady Samantha.
Although neither of them knew about Marcus and Ella's forthcoming wedding, rumours suggested that the handsome general was courting the charismatic widow.
Naturally, Lady Westcliff would not miss the opportunity to rub it in her enemy's face.
"Yes, without a doubt, Lady Campbell is very charming," Lady Samantha replied with false sweetness. "Unfortunately, she has yet to learn our social conventions, which are probably far stricter than those of Canada."
"What do you mean, Lady Samantha?" the Marchioness asked.
"Lady Campbell has several poor young ladies living in her house, the daughters of some distant relation.
She ought to have given them money and sent them on their way instead of keeping them under her roof.
But she probably feels some familiarity with such low-born people.
No doubt she herself was once a poor young lady, the daughter of some insignificant landowner, until she married Lord Campbell. "
"I do not see anything wrong with having a kind heart," Lady Westcliff replied.
"I know the young ladies, or at least two of them.
They are friends of my daughter, Lady Claire, and I can say that, although they are not as polished as ladies brought up in society, they know how to conduct themselves.
I believe Lady Campbell has done an excellent job educating them.
Nevertheless, I agree with Lady Samantha.
She has already done enough for them and ought to send them back where they belong," Lady Emma added.
"How old are these young ladies? Are they still very young?" the Marchioness asked with interest.
"I believe the youngest is seventeen, and the eldest is about twenty," Lady Westcliff replied. Naturally, she did not include Jane, as she lived with the Gardiners rather than with Eleanor.
The ladies continued gossiping while the Marchioness quietly sipped her tea. From everything she had heard, she began to suspect that one of those young ladies might be connected to her grandson. Suddenly, a troubling thought crossed her mind, though she concealed her uneasiness as best she could.
'Ay, Mateo, sólo espero que no estés planeando hacer una locura, o me veré en la necesidad de intervenir. Tienes que entender que el futuro Marqués de la Pena no puede darse el lujo de casarse con una mujer que no provenga de una familia rica y noble.'
**Ay, Mateo, I only hope you are not planning to do anything foolish, or I shall have no choice but to intervene. You must understand that the future Marquess de la Pena cannot afford you to marry a lady who does not belong to a wealthy and noble family.
◆◆◆
Mr Darcy was in the drawing room waiting for his cousin.
The previous evening, he had informed him that they would be leaving Rosings before noon.
He had intended to deliver the letter to Elizabeth and then return to Darcy House in London.
He could not endure another moment of his aunt's impertinent questions.
All he wanted was to reach his home, lock himself in his chamber, and remain there until the unbearable pain in his heart had eased.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was deeply concerned. His cousin had disappeared the previous afternoon, and when he saw him again the following morning, he looked as though he had not slept at all.
"What is the matter with you, Darcy? Last night, just as I was about to retire, your valet brought me your message saying that we were to leave today. At breakfast, you scarcely spoke a word to me. Besides, I must tell you that you look dreadful."
"I am sorry, Fitzwilliam, but I am in no humour for conversation. I only wish to leave this place as soon as possible."
Mr Darcy cherished the faint hope that, once he was farther from Hunsford, the ache of Elizabeth's rejection might lessen.
The sadness, almost despair, in his cousin's voice alarmed Richard. He could not remember seeing Darcy so utterly dejected since the death of his father.
"It is all right, Darcy. But never forget that you may always rely upon me. I am a good listener."
"Thank you, cousin. I shall remember that," Mr Darcy replied as he gazed through the window at the park surrounding Rosings. "But my regret is too personal and too humiliating to be worthy of mention."
Only a few hours earlier, he had imagined remembering those paths as the place where he and Elizabeth had decided to unite their lives. Now they had become nothing more than a painful reminder of all that he had lost and all that he would never possess.
"Well, Darcy, in another hour we shall finally be on our way back to London."
At that moment, Mr Darcy turned to his cousin and, with the faintest of smiles, replied,
"Yes... finally."
Richard's anxiety only increased when he saw the expression on Darcy's face. He resolved to persuade his cousin to confide in him, but at that very moment Anne hurried into the room.
"Darcy! Fitzwilliam! My mother was screaming like a madwoman, and she has gone to the parsonage to confront Miss Bennet!" Anne cried. She could scarcely catch her breath. The moment she had seen her mother leave the house, she had run in search of her cousins.
"What?" Mr Darcy exclaimed in alarm.
"Why?" Richard asked, bewildered.
Anne did her best to answer both questions.
"That gossiping fool, Hall, was spying on you, Darcy, when you gave Miss Bennet a letter, and he told my mother all about it. That is all I managed to hear through all the shouting."
Anne admired Elizabeth. She had answered each of her mother's impertinent remarks with poise and elegance, something Anne had often wished she possessed the courage to do herself.
"A letter? Darcy, why did you give a letter to..."
Richard never finished his question because Mr Darcy had already rushed from the room, shouting for his horse to be saddled immediately.
◆◆◆
Lady Catherine was beside herself with rage. Mistaking Marcus for Mr Gardiner, she shouted without a moment's hesitation,
"How dare you, you filthy tradesman, raise your voice to a lady of my rank? I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh, daughter of an earl and sister to the present Earl of Matlock. Mr Collins, throw this man and his insolent niece out at once."
Mr Collins took a hesitant step towards Marcus, but the look in the General's eyes quickly made him think better of it. The gentleman before him was tall, broad-shouldered, and every inch a soldier.
"Lady Catherine, I shall fetch some footmen immediately to deal with this insolent fellow."
"There will be no need," Marcus replied coolly. "Miss Elizabeth and I are leaving at once."
Then, turning to Lady Catherine, he spoke in a calm but unmistakably threatening voice.