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"Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew; and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character, in her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time all intercourse was at an end. But at length, by Elizabeth's persuasion, he was prevailed on to overlook the offence, and seek a reconciliation; and, after a little farther resistance on the part of his aunt, her resentment gave way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity to see how his wife conducted herself; and she condescended to wait on them at Pemberley, in spite of that pollution which its woods had received, not merely from the presence of such a mistress, but the visits of her uncle and aunt from the city." (Ch. LXI)
The letter
"Fitzwilliam, I think it is time to consider re-acquainting yourself with your aunt."
"Elizabeth!" exclaimed Darcy, "She has said so many awful things about you... she used such abusive language..." He shuddered at the thought.
"I know," replied Elizabeth, "But she is a proud woman used to having her own way, so it is no surprise that your marrying me instead of her daughter should have angered her so much. Everyone has flaws and yet if we gave up our connections to flawed relatives or friends, we'd have no connections at all."
"But we don't need her acquaintance. We're doing perfectly well without it."
"Yes, nevertheless I feel guilty about being the cause for the drift between you and your aunt."
"You oughtn't. The guilt is all on her part. And to be honest, I was never very fond of her."
"But she's your aunt. Don't you have some fond memories of her? Don't you want to be on speaking terms with her, even if not on intimate terms?"
Darcy shrugged his shoulders noncommittally. He hesitated, "Perhaps, if it would remove your feeling of guilt..."
Elizabeth smiled brightly and took her husband's face in her hands to pepper his lips with quick kisses, "Thank you," she breathed in between the kisses.
Darcy laughed, "If I had known it would elicit such joy and passion, I would have offered to do it a long time ago."
Elizabeth laughed along with him, "Who would have thought Lady Catherine could be such a consistent cause of joy and passion? Although, I must say it is not the first time. She brought us together by her interference."
"Her very rude interference."
"Indeed, her very rude interference. And therefore, we may hope that her acquaintance will bring further rude interferences that will only bring us closer together."
Elizabeth grinned cheekily at her husband who grinned back boyishly.
"You know," ventured Darcy, speaking slowly and thoughtfully, with a cheeky twinkle in his eyes, "I'm starting to wonder whether you just want Lady Catherine's acquaintance once more in order to be able to laugh about her."
Elizabeth punched him playfully on the arm, "Why, Sir! How dare you! Although I will admit I delight in anything ridiculous, and Lady Catherine is an unending supply of ridicule. I say this with all due respect to your aunt."
"Of course," replied Darcy who pretended to be offended and Elizabeth believed his mock stern expression for a moment before she realised he was teasing her and she laughed out loud.
The reply
"Unbelievable," mumbled Darcy as he read the letter.
"What is it, William?" asked Elizabeth.
Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy and Miss Darcy were having breakfast at Pemberley. The breakfast parlour overlooked the lake and this morning the view was particularly beautiful. Georgiana tore her eyes away from the view and looked with curiosity at her brother.
Darcy sighed, "Lady Catherine has replied."
"Ah," said Elizabeth, "And I take it the reply is rude and not at all conciliatory?"
Darcy sighed, "You know her too well. The reply is certainly rude. However, she does seem to have calmed down a bit since the last one. It is incredible that she should act as if we must be begging for her forgiveness and craving her acquaintance."
Elizabeth smiled, "A few more letters and she shall give in to curiosity and deign to visit us at Pemberley, despite the pollution its woods have received."
Georgiana gasped, "Lady Catherine said that?"
"Oh yes she did," replied Darcy in a grim tone.
Georgiana's face was marred with shock, "How did she dare?"
"Perhaps it's more due to foolishness than courage," said Darcy, "For she knows how witty and aggressive Elizabeth's repartee is and yet she persists in underestimating her."
"You flatter me, my handsome husband," Elizabeth laughed heartily.
Darcy grinned and when Georgiana wasn't looking, he winked at his wife, who stifled her laughter in her mug. Mr. Darcy had become much more playful and a lot less stern since his marriage, although in public he tended to behave as reservedly as he always had.
"What will you reply?" inquired Georgiana.
"I'm not sure – what do you recommend?"
"Her treatment of Elizabeth is appalling. Perhaps not replying is the most polite way out of this situation," mused Georgiana.
"You are a very thoughtful sister," complimented Elizabeth, "But I am strong and can withstand Lady Catherine's fury, contempt, and whatever else she may throw at me. Why not keep trying to mollify her?"
"I could very well use some assistance for this. I'm not sure that I'm capable of writing another such letter without losing all dignity."
"We'll help," replied Georgiana, "But the letter must be written by your hand, for she doesn't respect Elizabeth enough for correspondence and I prefer to avoid re-kindling my correspondence with Lady Catherine."
"All right," conceded Darcy, "I suppose I am the official intermediary to Lady Catherine. What should we write her?"
"'My dearest, most beloved aunt,'" dictated Elizabeth.
Georgiana gasped with shock before it sunk in that Elizabeth wasn't serious. Georgiana loved Elizabeth dearly but sometimes, despite her considerable intelligence, she lagged in understanding Elizabeth's humour. She was a fast learner though, and following Elizabeth's example, being increasingly daring, she ventured to continue the joke, "'It is with the utmost desolation that I find out you still, rightly of course, resent my marriage. I must beg for your forgiveness and implore you to grace us with your presence. Pemberley is miserable without Your Ladyship.'"
Darcy and Elizabeth laughed, with Darcy being pleasantly surprised at his sister's increasing nerve and open humour.
Condescension and mockery
Despite her claims to indifference and playful manner, Elizabeth was wringing her hands with slightly anxious anticipation. Her husband put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her and she leaned in gratefully. Georgiana was standing closest to the window and had the best view of the approaching carriage.
"She took her grandest carriage. She's stepping out... it looks like she didn't bring Anne with her after all."
Lady Catherine had written a thinly veiled reproach in her last letter, implying that Anne appreciated Mr. Darcy very much but that she was most likely too heartbroken by the break-off of their engagement to see him at this time. Georgiana and Fitzwilliam, knowing Anne quite well, were in no doubt that Lady Catherine's accusations were completely false, since Anne had never shown particular affection for her cousin and did not seem to care about her supposed engagement to Mr. Darcy either way.
"She's bellowing orders at the footman... and now she's talking to Mrs. Reynolds who came outside to greet her..." Georgiana narrated.
Elizabeth sighed deeply. "I can do this," she whispered.
Fitzwilliam turned to her with a half-amused, half-anxious expression, "Of course you can, dearest. You stood up to her very valiantly when you proclaimed you would not swear to refuse me."
Elizabeth laughed at the recollection, "My greatest declaration of love," she said.
(To be continued. Ideas, suggestions & reviews are welcome.)