Chapter 7 - The Resentment of Lady Catherine de Burgh
Elizabeth had intended no offence toward him, quite the opposite. He had been nothing but kind to her, especially after her assault of his character in Kent. She had of course, been misled by Mr Wickham who's deception had been so very convincing. It had however, not been complicated for him to convince a prejudiced audience. And Elizabeth had indeed been prejudiced! She had prejudged Mr Darcy's character abominably, laying foundations of abhorrence only escalated by Mr Wickham.
Mr Wickham had now been discovered and her family rescued with an obligation to Mr Darcy. Mr Darcy had expressed his past so openly, especially when it concerned his sister in the scandal. It was of course, apparent which opinion she was to trust. She had no need to apply for the testimony of Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Her opinion of Mr Darcy had also altered, the un-gentleman-like individual she had encountered at the Meryton assembly had disappeared. It was apparent after he had openly expressed a wish to have her as Mistress of his estates, that he was very amiable. He had of course, the ability to discard her to the social scrutiny that she deserved, yet he also had input in the scandal. This input was enough for the high-raking Mr Darcy of Pemberley to take a wife from a lower social status who had no desirable connections. Therefore, he had risen somewhat in Elizabeth's estimation.
She was still apprehensive despite this. She had always assured herself that only the deepest affection would induce her into matrimony. Yet, now engaged to Mr Darcy she deemed it otherwise. She held no affection for him and he knew such. In order to rescue her family from the demise of a ruined daughter, she had to oblige. She only hoped that she would be able to develop a knew found opinion of Mr Darcy in which, he was as gentleman-like as Mr Wickham appeared to be. She held some prejudice of course, and the hope that this would diminished as she was named his wife, Mrs Darcy.
This prejudice was not improved when Elizabeth received an urgent express from Longbourn. Her Mother had finally found the opportunity to relay her nerves to paper for delivery to Town. The letter however, was not in her own hand but rather in the steady and correct scroll of Mary. As she seated herself in the window seat of her Gracechurch Street bedchamber she broke the wax and opened the rather large letter.
My dearest Elizabeth,
I find myself somewhat recovered after the astonishment of receiving Mr Gardiner's initial missive from Town. I do however, firstly have to express my sincere disappointment for not approaching Mr Darcy appropriately. If you had a desire to become his wife then you should never have allowed yourselves to be discovered in this situation, and by Miss Bingley of all individuals! Your Father and I would have made opportunities for you both to be alone and develop an attachment without the risk of scandal.
"Of course, Mama! That would not provoke scandal at all!" Elizabeth said aloud with a sarcastic smile.
I have forthwith received a letter from your Father insisting that you will be married to Mr Darcy with a matter of urgency. I am pleased, Lizzy for you shall now be so very rich! How many fine carriages shall you have? I am only disappointed that you should not be married from Longbourn with your sisters as your bridesmaids!
I would wish that you take our sister, Mrs Gardiner's advice on wedding clothes as you do not know which are the best warehouses! Your Father will provide you with an sufficient sum to see you adequately presented for your husband! Your husband, how great that sounds! Oh, My Lizzy married!
I have written an extensive list of warehouses and supplies that you shall need for your Aunt Gardiner as she has limited experience in these matters! You may find this enclosed.
Elizabeth gazed at the extensive additions of paper with all assortments of laces, materials and shops identified upon them. With a nervous laugh she set them aside, knowing that she would trust her Aunt's input on this matter rather than those of her Mother.
I can only conclude with the hope that you and Mr Darcy would soon journey onto Hertfordshire to call upon us! How I shall gloat to Lady Lucas upon your arrival!
With best wishes for your wedding,
Yours ect…
Elizabeth discarded the letter, more apprehensive than ever! Her Mother had not eased her present concerns, in fact she had escalated them! How would Mr Darcy ever comprehend the embarrassment so frequently bestowed by her Mother and upon occasion, her sisters!
Elizabeth and her Aunt took great enjoyment in gathering essentials for the hasty wedding. Their adventures took them past Bond Street where the pair stood and admired Mr Darcy's elaborate townhouse before venturing on further engagements. Before the week was out Elizabeth had managed, with her moderate allowance, to gather everything that she required. She hesitantly packed them all into her large trunk with her Aunt overseeing the project.
"Your Father has allowed you extra funds for the drapers." Her Aunt claimed as she collected a new pair of gloves from the table and gave them to her niece. "Despite the circumstances of your marriage, he feels that you should at least receive new dresses. He would not wish for you to be married with minimal belongings."
"That is very generous." Elizabeth stated boldly. "Yet I fear that he continues to punish me, however overtly."
"You are his favourite Lizzy, he feels no shame in expressing it. He is likely to be disappointed. You will see that this will all remedy when you are married." Elizabeth sighed heavily and ceased placing items into the trunk.
"What of his family?"
"Mr Darcy's family?" Elizabeth nodded silently. "His family should respect his choice of wife with content, as he does. He has never expressed any inclination of regret in offering you marriage, Lizzy."
"He has never openly expressed such, yet I feel as though I compromise him greatly. Oh, what his Aunt should say on the matter!" Elizabeth laughed nervously before returning to her trunk.
"Darcy, I shall not have it!" Lady Catherine's voice rattled through the townhouse with extreme velocity. "You are pre-contracted to Anne!" Darcy gazed at his Aunt across the drawing room as she paced angrily before the window.
"Neither I nor Anne wish for such an attachment! I have a duty to Miss Bennet which I endeavour to complete!"
"She is a country chit, Darcy. What is her reputation to you?" Darcy stood angrily from his chair.
"Her reputation is paramount madam! Would you contemplate your daughter in such an predicament?" Lady Catherine thumped her large wooden cane menacingly on the floor.
"Anne would never be found in such a situation! She has had an appropriate upbringing! She has been taught morals and duty!"
"As I was Madam! You forget that I am a Darcy! Yet I am responsible as Miss Bennet is for our actions!"
"I have heard of her family! Her sister's unchecked and scandalous, such girls to be my nephew's sister-in-laws!"
"Whatever her relations may be they can mean nothing to you!"
"Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?" Lady Catherine roared in anger.
"You mean to insult my home and my fiancée Madam! I insist that I shall continue with my venture to marry Elizabeth Bennet with or without your blessing! I do not yet understand how you have come to be made aware of such an arrangement! Nor do I claim to rationalise with you in respect of allowing Miss Elizabeth to return to Hertfordshire in disgrace. I was taught good principles, Madam which I believed you would encourage!"
"To burden yourself with such a woman, Darcy! What of her influence on Georgiana?" Darcy's anger flared again as his Aunt paced before him.
"Miss Bennet's influence will be one to be encouraged not chastised! If you are concerned for Georgiana's wellbeing then I should encourage her not to journey into Kent in the spring." Lady Catherine stilled at this, gazing toward her nephew.
"You would not discourage Georgiana from visiting Rosings Park!"
"I would happily deem it acceptable if it was to protect her from any slander you would wish to provoke upon myself or Miss Bennet!"
"This is scandalous! I will see to it that you are never accepted in London society unless you forget this notion immediately." Darcy turned from his Aunt at this, regaining his composure before responding with equal discourtesy.
"This notion you speak of is a woman's reputation which I am accountable to protect. You may punish me in any way you deem appropriate Madam!"
"If she were sensible of her own good she would not wish to quit the sphere in which she had been brought up!" Lady Catherine began pacing angrily again, determined to see her resolve applied.
"Lady Catherine, in marrying me I would not consider her as quitting that sphere. I am a gentleman, she is a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal!"
"But who is her Mother!" The sound of her screeches echoed through the townhouse, causing the poor housekeeper to usher the servants below stairs for fear of her rebuke. "Who are her Uncles and Aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of their condition! She holds no regard then for your honour or credit! Unfeeling, selfish girl!" Darcy retook his seat in frustration.
"I have no further input, Aunt! I am firm in my resolve! I act in a way to secure my own happiness without reference to you."
"Very well, Darcy! I shall know how to act!" She turned abruptly at this, leaving the room toward her waiting carriage with a venomous demeanour.
Darcy had always contemplated that his Aunt would take the refusal of his cousin as a bride poorly. But he had underestimated her acceptance of Elizabeth as his bride. It was perhaps with abhorrence that he had threatened her with refusal of Georgiana's company. Although, he was certain that his young sister would not find reason for complaint. His Aunt had, after all, provoked his sisters extreme shyness through excessive criticism. This criticism which often found Georgiana in Derbyshire rather than Kent in the Spring after numerous refusals to her brother to make the journey.
"Mr Darcy." The sound of his housekeeper drew Darcy from his reverie. He nodded softly. "Lady Catherine did inquire as to the location of Miss Bennet upon her departure." Darcy stood quickly but was halted by Mrs Jennings again. "She was unfortunately misinformed by the footman, Sir."
"Misinformed?" Mrs Jennings nodded gently.
"Thomas gave the coachman directions to Hartley Street rather than Gracechurch, Sir. I hope this does not displease you." Darcy laughed loudly.
"Not at all, Mrs Jennings! Please ensure that he is compensated generously for his mistake." The housekeeper curtsied swiftly.
"Of course, Mr Darcy. May I deliver orders to bring you anything?"
"You may pass orders for the carriage to be made ready. I need to prepare Miss Bennet for the resentment of Lady Catherine de Burgh!"
