CHAPTER TEN
Lady Catherine Comes to Hertfordshire
Lady Catherine de Bourgh arrived at Longbourn on a Tuesday afternoon and managed, within thirty seconds, to offend the maid, frighten Kitty, insult the gravel, and demand the Earl of Matlock’s presence as though she had summoned a footman.
Mrs. Bennet met her in the hall. “Lady Catherine, I presume?”
“I am.” Lady Catherine looked Mrs. Bennet from cap to slippers. Mrs. Bennet returned the examination with interest.
“You are Mrs. Bennet.”
“I am.”
“I require my brother.”
Mrs. Bennet blinked. “His lordship is upstairs with Mr. Darcy.”
“Then send for him.”
Mrs. Bennet drew herself up. It was a curious thing: she might flutter before a countess who smiled at her, but imperiousness awakened all the stubborn pride of a woman who had managed a household for more than twenty years. “My maid will inform him you have arrived.”
Lady Catherine’s nostrils flared.
Elizabeth entered just in time to see the collision. “Ah, this must be Lady Catherine.”
The older woman turned. “And you must be Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Elizabeth curtsied. “I am.”
“This is no occasion for levity. I have heard an impossible report.”
“Only one? Hertfordshire has been industrious lately.”
“Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet whispered, though her eyes gleamed.
Lady Catherine ignored her. “You are said to be engaged to my nephew.”
“I am.”
“You cannot be.”
Elizabeth folded her hands. “And yet the difficulty persists.”
Lady Catherine’s face reddened.
The Earl of Matlock appeared at the foot of the stairs. “Catherine.”
She whirled. “Brother, I demand to know what you have done.”
The Earl descended slowly. “Had a luncheon tray sent to Darcy. Read the newspaper. Lost five guineas to Richard at piquet. Which offence concerns you?”
“This engagement.”
“Not mine.”
“Do not be absurd.”
“Then do not ask absurd questions.”
Lady Catherine pointed at Elizabeth. “That girl cannot marry Darcy.”
Mrs. Bennet gasped. “That girl is my daughter.”
Lady Catherine looked at her as if she had forgotten Mrs. Bennet existed.
“And you,” Mrs. Bennet continued, advancing half a step, “may be a lady, but you are in my house.” Elizabeth almost embraced her mother.
The Earl intervened before history could record the Battle of Longbourn Entrance Hall. “Catherine, come into the library.”
“I will speak here.”
“No, you will not.”
There was something in his tone that made even Lady Catherine stop. The library door closed behind them.
Mrs. Bennet immediately pressed a hand to her chest. “Oh! What a woman! I have never been so spoken to. Lizzy, how could Mr. Darcy have such an aunt? His mother must have been a saint.”
Elizabeth began to laugh.
Inside the library, Lady Catherine was not laughing. “Anne has been intended for Darcy since infancy.”
“No,” said the Earl.
“Our sister wished it.”
“Our sister hoped it. That is not a contract.”
“Anne’s future—”
“Anne’s future is precisely what I would advise you to consider.”
Lady Catherine went still.
The Earl leaned against Mr. Bennet’s desk. “Rosings is Anne’s inheritance through Sir Lewis. She reaches an age when she may reasonably ask how it has been managed on her behalf.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed. “What are you implying?”
“I am implying nothing. I am saying directly that if you attempt to intimidate Darcy’s intended, I will request a complete audit of the Rosings accounts before Anne takes control.”
Colour drained from Lady Catherine’s face. “How dare you.”
“Easily.”
“You question my management?”
“I question everyone’s management when money belonging to a dependent relation is concerned. You have always told us Rosings requires constant attention. I am sure the records are immaculate.”
Lady Catherine stared at him.
The Earl smiled without warmth. “Are they not?”
For once, Lady Catherine had nothing to say. When she emerged ten minutes later, her departure was considerably quieter than her arrival. Elizabeth was in the drawing room with Lady Matlock, Jane, and Richard.
Lady Catherine stopped at the door. “Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth rose.
Lady Catherine looked as though each word cost her a shilling. “My nephew is injured. I shall not disturb his recovery.”
“How considerate.”
Richard coughed into his fist.
Lady Catherine swept out.
The front door closed.
Silence.
Then Lydia burst from behind the parlour door. “La! Is she always like that?”
Richard laughed until he had to sit down.
Upstairs, Darcy heard the noise and asked what had happened.
Elizabeth told him. When she reached the part about Mrs. Bennet reminding Lady Catherine whose house she stood in.
Darcy stared. “Your mother said that?”
“She did.”
A reluctant smile appeared. “I owe Mrs. Bennet an apology.”
“For what?”
“Several private judgments.”
Elizabeth sat beside the bed. “Be careful, Mr. Darcy. At this rate you may become humble.”
He looked at her with grave attention. “Would you dislike me less?” The question was quiet enough to remove the joke.
Elizabeth’s smile faded. “I already do.”
Darcy’s eyes changed. She immediately looked toward the window.
Neither mentioned it again.