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“Mother is feeling much better and she has been speaking of coming downstairs for tea this afternoon. She is keen for society again after so long an incarceration in bed,” said Anne as they approached the house. “I believe everyone at the parsonage is invited.”
Elizabeth looked at her in surprise. Given Charlotte’s position as a suspect, she was gratified that Lady Catherine had chosen to include her in the invitation.
Anne must have read her mind because she said, “Mother says she believes in Mrs Collins’s innocence. She has insisted on including her in the invitation, despite the counsel of others who have advised against it. I hope Mrs Collins may be able to flout her restrictions in order to come.”
“I am sure the village constable will bend his rules for Lady Catherine,” said Elizabeth with a smile. “I do not think anyone would dare displease such a formidable lady.”
“And yet you do not fear my mother,” said Anne, looking at her curiously. “You are the first I have seen who has not been intimidated by her, save for my cousin, Mr Darcy. It is most refreshing and enlightening to me.”
“Pray, do not let Mrs Jenkinson hear you speak thus!” said Elizabeth with a laugh. “I fear I shall be teaching you to be insolent!”
“Nay, Miss Bennet, it is not insolence, but a confident independence which I deeply admire. Would that I had even a small iota of your strength of character and were able to voice my own opinions so decidedly.”
“You make me sound like a veritable termagant,” Elizabeth chuckled. “I confess, I have been accused of having too much independent spirit sometimes, to the point of recklessness. Your cousin, Mr Darcy, may have some uncomplimentary things to say about me in that regard! I beg you do not use me as a model to emulate, for I fear I would not do the role justice.” She paused, then added gently, “In all seriousness, Miss de Bourgh, do not allow yourself to be cowed by others. You are the best judge of your own happiness and let not the schemes and prejudices of others keep you from your greatest desires.”
Anne smiled shyly. “I shall endeavour to remember that. And may I presume to ask you to call me Anne?”
Elizabeth returned the smile. “Indeed, I shall be honoured. And you must call me Elizabeth.”
They were at the front door now and they were met by Mrs Jenkinson, her face creased in lines of displeasure.
“Good day, Miss Bennet,” she said coldly. “I hope you have not encouraged Miss Anne to overexert herself. Her frail constitution requires solicitous supervision which I fear you are unequal to provide. She should really have not attempted the walk without my escort, especially in such inclement weather.”
Elizabeth felt a flash of irritation at the woman’s condescending attitude, but felt it was not in her place to make a reply. She glanced at Anne to see if the other girl’s newfound desire for independence would manifest itself, but to her chagrin, Anne flushed guiltily and lowered her head, saying, “I’m sorry, Mrs Jenkinson.”
“You had best return to your bedchamber now, Miss Anne. You must rest if you are to attend the tea this afternoon.”
Anne gave Elizabeth a scared look, bade her a hasty farewell, and scurried into the house.
Mrs Jenkinson turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, I must tell you that I have warned Lady Catherine strongly of the dangers of inviting Mrs Collins back to Rosings, given her status as a potential criminal—”
“She is no more a criminal than you or I!” said Elizabeth angrily.
“She is the most likely person to have poisoned Lady Catherine,” snapped Mrs Jenkinson. “I, for one, am going to make sure that Mrs Collins does not serve anything.”
Elizabeth could barely restrain herself from replying and suggesting that Mrs Jenkinson should keep her own hands to herself as well. As far as she was concerned, the lady’s companion was still a most likely suspect. Darcy might have favoured Mrs Poole the housekeeper, but Elizabeth would not relinquish her suspicions of Mrs Jenkinson. Both of them would have had opportunity to poison Lady Catherine’s tea, both of them could have obtained the syrup of colchicum from the Widow Mags—and both of them had ample motive. But without the support of proof, she did not want to make premature accusations and possibly alert the real culprit to be on their guard.
Elizabeth bade Mrs Jenkinson farewell and began to turn away, but she was stopped by the other woman’s voice: “Oh, Miss Bennet... before you leave, Lady Catherine requests a private audience with you in her upstairs sitting room.”
“With me?” Elizabeth said in surprise.
“Yes.” A malicious gleam came to Mrs Jenkinson’s eyes. “As a long-time member of the De Bourgh household, I am in the privileged position of being on intimate terms with the family. Their welfare is my greatest concern. Indeed, I love Miss Anne as my own daughter. Lady Catherine has truly witnessed this time my tireless devotion to her care; her rapid recovery is no doubt due to my tender efforts. She understands my value...” She smiled complacently. “And thus, I knew it was my duty to inform her when I became aware of a situation developing which may seriously displease Lady Catherine and harm her plans for her daughter, Anne.”
Elizabeth stared at the woman, her mind racing. She thought back to Mrs Jenkinson’s impertinent questions last night at the parsonage, regarding her and Darcy, and then recalled Lady Catherine’s hopes for Anne marrying her cousin...
“Her ladyship is waiting,” said Mrs Jenkinson pointedly.
Elizabeth nodded coolly, refusing to let the other woman see any unease on her part, then walked into the house, keeping her head high. She was shown by a footman upstairs to Lady Catherine’s private quarters. The suite of rooms included a large sitting room decorated in an opulent fashion, with wide sash windows that looked out onto the front of the park and a gilt-edged French day bed of silk brocade. It was on this that Lady Catherine was reclining. Though dressed in a dressing gown and slightly pale and haggard from her recent illness, she retained a formidable air.
“Ah... come in, Miss Bennet.” She waved a regal hand as she saw Elizabeth. “Take a seat.”
Elizabeth curtsied and sat down on a Louis XVI chair by the window. Lady Catherine did not speak immediately, but instead subjected Elizabeth to a critical scrutiny, moving her eyes insolently from head to toe. Elizabeth withstood it with as much composure as she could, folding her hands in her lap and looking at the other lady expectantly.
Finally, Lady Catherine spoke: “You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand the reason you have been called hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I summoned you.”
“Indeed, you are mistaken, madam. I am unsure how to account for the honour of being invited to your private chambers.”
“Miss Bennet,” said her ladyship, in an angry tone, “you ought to know that I am not to be trifled with. However insincere you may choose to be, you will not find me so. From our very first introduction, I noted that my nephew, Mr Darcy, paid you particular attention and that you made no effort to discourage him. I was determined to be vigilante with regards to the situation. I also hastened to make some enquiries regarding your family, your background, and your connections. Darcy is my beloved nephew and I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world, therefore his welfare has always been one of my chief concerns.”
“That is an admirable sentiment, madam, but I fail to see the relevance to my presence here today.”
Lady Catherine glared at her. “I will not be interrupted! Hear me in silence.”
Elizabeth bit back the reply that sprang to her lips, took a deep breath, and nodded.
“Observing as I did Darcy’s unnatural attachment to you, I began to fear that he might be persuaded to enter into an alliance which would prove disastrous for him.” Lady Catherine sniffed disdainfully. “While he retains the use of his reason, it must be impossible. But your own arts and allurements may, in a moment of infatuation, have made him forget what he owes to himself and to all his family.” She leaned forwards. “Now, a report of the most alarming nature has reached my ears: that you have been seen spending time alone with my nephew, in a manner which could give rise to gossip and speculation. Indeed, there may even be an expectation that Darcy will soon make you an offer of marriage! What say you to that?”
Elizabeth sat back, attempting to conceal her surprise and her flustered thoughts. She could not believe that she was sitting here with Lady Catherine, discussing the acceptability of a marriage proposal from Darcy, when she had barely begun to accept the notion that he may care for her!
And her own feelings towards him? It was not that long ago that she had considered him one of the most disagreeable men of her acquaintance, but her opinion of Darcy had undergone a radical change, especially in recent months. She had discovered another side to his character, had begun to understand him better, and had learnt to see beyond first impressions. And while she had never allowed herself—before now—to consider any tender feelings for him, she was forced to acknowledge that no other man intrigued her like Darcy did; no other man challenged both her emotions and her intellect; no other man made her feel so angry, so frightened, so gloriously alive.
She looked up and realised that Lady Catherine still awaited her answer. “If your ladyship has declared such a proposal to be impossible, I wonder you took the trouble of requesting this interview.”
Lady Catherine flushed angrily. “Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which you have the presumption to aspire, can never take place.” She sat up taller and said haughtily, “Mr Darcy is intended for my daughter, Anne. It was the favoured wish of his mother, as well as of hers. While in their cradles, we planned the union. They are descended on the maternal side, from the same noble line, and on the father’s, from respectable, honourable, and ancient families. Their fortune on both sides is splendid. They are destined for each other by the voice of every member of the respective houses.” She looked at Elizabeth with contempt. “Therefore, it is not to be borne that an alliance between them should be prevented by the upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or fortune.”
Elizabeth stiffened. “If Mr Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is he not to make another choice? If I am that choice, why may I not accept him?”
“Unnatural girl!” said Lady Catherine furiously. “I will not accept such impertinence. I had expected to find a more reasonable young woman. I shall not be satisfied until you give me the assurance I require. Has my nephew made you an offer of marriage?”
Elizabeth hesitated, then said, “No, he has not.”
Lady Catherine’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “And will you give your word never to enter into such an engagement?”
Elizabeth raised her chin. “I will make no promise of the kind.”
“Unfeeling, selfish girl! You refuse to obey the claims of duty, honour, and gratitude? You are determined to ruin Darcy in the opinion of all his friends, and make him the contempt of the world! How can you believe that one such as yourself—a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly lacking in connections and fortune—could have any right to claim Darcy’s name and affections?”
Elizabeth sprang to her feet. “Lady Catherine, you have insulted me in every possible method! I must beg to end this interview.” She turned to leave the room.
“Not so hasty, if you please!” cried Lady Catherine. “I have not been in the habit of brooking disappointment. I am determined to carry my purpose and I will not hesitate to use all means at my disposal... including vilifying your sister, Jane.”
Elizabeth froze.
Lady Catherine smiled. “Do not imagine me ignorant of your family’s condition. I am no stranger to the particulars of the scandalous events at the Netherfield ball and your sister’s infamous involvement with the highwayman as an accomplice in crime.”
“Jane is innocent!” said Elizabeth angrily. “It was inaccurate speculation and a premature arrest on the part of the authorities. She was fully cleared of all wrongdoing and absolved of any guilty connection with the highwayman.”
“Do you think such a patched-up business will satisfy the arbiters of society?” said Lady Catherine with a sneer. She leaned forwards. “I know that your sister is currently being courted by Mr Bingley, a young man of large fortune, and that her happiness—as well as your family’s fortunes—rest on a successful alliance with him.”
Elizabeth stiffened. “Your ladyship takes too much upon herself. With all due respect, Jane’s affairs are none of your concern.”
Lady Catherine smiled thinly. “Oh, but I can make them my concern. Yes, indeed. And I have the ear of all the top families and influential connections in all circles. I can cause your sister to be censured, slighted, and despised by everyone in society. Her name will be a disgrace, never mentioned by anyone of any standing.... and I shall ensure that Mr Bingley is made aware of the evils of such a match, so that he may never risk a proposal.”
“You would not do such a thing!” Elizabeth hissed.
Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes. “But do not deceive yourself into the belief that I will ever recede, Miss Bennet, or that your ambition will ever be gratified. I know you may be scornful of the attacks upon yourself, but would you be so bold as to ruin the happiness of a most beloved sister?”
Elizabeth stared back at the older woman, her stomach clenched in a tight knot. Fury, outrage, and resentment threatened to overwhelm her as she considered her situation. She thought back to Jane’s letter that morning—how happy her sister had sounded, how hopeful and expectant. It was vitally important that nothing should happen now to impede Jane’s chances of securing a proposal from Bingley. Lady Catherine was right in supposing that she would not dare trifle with Jane’s prospects. While she would not bow to such autocratic demands for her own sake, she could not behave so recklessly where Jane’s happiness was concerned.
There was a long silence. Then Elizabeth swallowed and said stiffly, “What would your ladyship propose?”
Lady Catherine lifted her chin. “That you promise you will not enter into an engagement with my nephew. Should he make an offer of marriage, you are to refuse him under no uncertain terms.”
Elizabeth hesitated, then nodded curtly. “You have my word.”
Lady Catherine smiled. “Good.”
Elizabeth turned and hurried from the room. As she stepped out into the hallway, she nearly collided with a gentleman standing outside. It was Colonel Fitzwilliam. For a fleeting second, Elizabeth wondered if he had overheard her interview with Lady Catherine. The door had been slightly ajar and both their voices had been raised in agitation.
He gave no sign of any covert knowledge, however, simply bowing to her and explaining that he had come to pay his respects to his aunt. He asked after Charlotte, and Elizabeth managed some reply, though she barely knew what she said for her head was still too full of the recent interview. She was relieved when they heard Lady Catherine’s voice calling him into her rooms and she was able to make her farewells and hurry away.
