/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /
Chapter Ten
"My dear Mrs. Darcy, it has been too long," the Lady Catherine Du Burgh exclaimed with surety as she strode into the bedroom later that day.
"My dear aunt, my Lizzy has had a trying day; it would do not to disturb her in such a manner!" Darcy said with equal animosity that his aunt showed.
Lizzy pushed herself up into the pillows, making herself comfortable. She had a feeling that she was going to be a tedious task and wondered why the Lady Catherine wanted come and see her today. No doubt that some passerby had hurried off and told the in despicable woman of what had happened.
Lady Catherine stopped at the foot of the bed and appraised Elizabeth with her usual critical eye. Only instead of the curiosity that had hung about the woman when the two of them had first, Lady Catherine had an air of contempt, still wounded by the fact that her nephew married the likes of someone like Elizabeth rather than someone like Darcy's cousin. But it was too late and Darcy would have refused to budge.
Elizabeth inclined her head slightly. "It indeed has been too long, your ladyship."
"Still an opinionated, insufferable brat, I see," Lady Catherine sniffed.
"Aunt Catherine, is this really necessary?" Darcy asked, shifting his feet uncomfortable.
Elizabeth suddenly remembered the letter that had been sent to her husband by his aunt. Whatever had been written in that letter was the reason why Lady Catherine was here today and why Darcy didn't want Lady Catherine in her room. But she had to find out what was going once and for all. It had torn their little family up too much not to.
"I hear that you had written a rather extensive letter to my husband, Lady Catherine," Elizabeth said, ignoring her sharp comment.
"You are indeed very perceptive, young lady, and indeed that is the reason I am here," Lady Catherine sniffed, as if she shouldn't have had to explain why she was here.
Elizabeth sat up straight. "And indeed, if you haven't noticed, it has caused a lot of grief for this family."
"Selfish girl! Do you even know what that letter was about?" Lady Catherine said crisply.
"Only that you have reprimanded my husband for something that he feels he didn't commit. He married me out of love and has been very happy with the decision," Elizabeth retorted.
"There is no such thing as true love, you silly girl. And nobody marries for love; it is out of convenience and duty to the family. You know how much disdain has come down onto this family because my nephew married you?" Lady Catherine said. "You have polluted the shades of Pemberely to a disgusting respite and I cannot even go past it in my carriage without seeing how low it has descended."
"Are you truly that blind and prejudice to believe that it was my cause to your shame, Lady Catherine?" Elizabeth asked, feeling her anger welling up. "The last I heard it was you, not me who has brought the family to shame. People were so offended by your low regard for your own nephew and daughter that they wished to keep you out entirely. The only reason they come to you now is for their respect to the memory of your husband and the title that he had unfortunately bestowed upon you."
"And you are supposed to exemplify good breeding! How dare you insult me and muddy my husband's name!" Lady Catherine exploded.
"Aunt Catherine, that will be quite enough," Darcy exclaimed fearfully, taking a firm hold on his aunt's shoulder. "I will not tolerate such abuse towards my wife. She is your niece now and the mistress of Pemberely now. No rash words can undo what you wish to have undone."
Lady Catherine pulled away from her nephew and glared at him with utmost contempt. "You had known what your mother and I had arranged since you and your cousin's infancy, and yet you went against all of our wishes. I'm sure your mother has turned many times over in her grave since you married that poppycock!"
"She has indeed turned in her grave, mum, not over any action that I have done," Darcy said sternly. "She will be turning over the shameful behavior that you have shown towards me, my wife, and everyone that you have crossed since we married last year. Now, keep yourself controlled or I will have you escorted out. I do not wish anymore stress put upon this household."
Nothing was said for several moments. Elizabeth keep glanced back and forth between aunt and nephew. Both wore strained, angry expressions, their tension permeating the room and surely throughout the entire inn. Looking at Lady Catherine, Elizabeth couldn't help but think that the woman looked like a little child who was just told that she wouldn't be able to go to the Sunday church picnic.
Lady Catherine took a deep breath and turned slowly back around towards Elizabeth. Elizabeth felt herself tense against her ladyship's penetrating gaze. She knew that she was witty enough to pull herself through, but she wasn't so sure after her strange and upsetting bout this afternoon.
"I have every intention of redeeming the family reputation, Mrs. Darcy," Lady Catherine began.
"That shall be a fierce some thing to behold, indeed," Elizabeth said sarcastically.
"Do not trifle with me, Mrs. Darcy," Lady Catherine said.
Elizabeth bowed her head slightly. "Indeed I am sorry, madam, but I think the family reputation is quite solid thank you."
"Do not mock me, Elizabeth Darcy," Lady Catherine said dangerously.
Elizabeth said nothing. It was best not to trifle with the woman for too long, or Lady Catherine would certainly do something and it wouldn't be pretty.
"As you know, Elizabeth, this family needs to carry on the honor through our future children. I have told this to your husband. If you do not conceive a child, Mrs. Darcy, and a male child at that, you will be at risk for scandal and shame."
"I highly doubt that a barren woman could bring shame to the family so easily, Lady Catherine," Elizabeth said sharply. "There are many respectable women in high society who never had children."
"But they are from high society, and therefore know how to gain respect without much effort," Lady Catherine exclaimed.
"And therein lies my proof of what was mentioned earlier," Elizabeth said smugly.
Lady Catherine seethed. "I have never been treated thus in all my life!" She turned to Darcy. "Remember what I have said, Darcy, you might be depending upon it to save yourself from this outrage."
"If it does indeed come to that, it will be a comfort to know that I will go down in happiness," Darcy stated.
Without another word, Lady Catherine rushed out of the room, muttering under her breath of what the world is coming to and never been so badly treated in her life. As soon as she left, Darcy rushed to Elizabeth's bedside, and sitting down on the edge of the bed, he traced his wife's face lovingly.
"I am sorry that you had to endure my aunt's wrath after such a trying day, my love," Darcy said, concern edged in his voice. "I hope she hasn't upset you so."
Elizabeth smiled. "Nothing could upset me as long as you are here, Darcy, and by my side. I think she is still rather bitter about how the situation played out in the end and just wants to give us grief."
"Indeed. And you have not muddied the family name, Lizzy. Everybody loves you as their own. Even Lady Catherine's daughter finds you a pleasure to be around."
Elizabeth laughed. "That is indeed a comfort to know. I hope that you do not expect me to produce children left and right as if I were cattle or something of the sort."
Darcy shook his head. "No indeed. If we do have a litter of children beneath our feet, they will be there out of sheer love."
Elizabeth rose out of her pillows and rested her forehead against her husband's. "If they are indeed born out of love, then you are a very lucky man, my husband."
Darcy looked at her inquisitively. "What are you saying, my Lizzy?"
Elizabeth kissed Darcy gently on the lips before pulling away. "I am to be expecting a child in a few months' time. The doctor has informed me of thus when I woke up this morning."
Darcy's face broke from confusion and he broke out in a wide grin. "I'm going to be a father?"
"You are indeed," Elizabeth said, unable to stop smiling. Darcy's happiness was contagious.
"This is indeed wonderful news!" Darcy said excitedly, jumping up from the bed. "I must write a letter to Georgiana and Bingley, and then we must make haste home and make preparations. Then we must celebrate!"
"If you insist," Elizabeth said.
Darcy leaned known and kissed Elizabeth on the forehead. "Get some rest, Lizzy. I do not want you to make any more strain than necessary. I don't believe it! My Lizzy with a child! I shall be a father!"
Without another word, Darcy rushed out of the room, leaving Elizabeth in silence. And finally, for what seemed like the first time in a long time, Elizabeth could rest in happiness and peace, knowing her husband would never leave her disappointed.
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Author's Note: After much anticipation on everybody's part, I have finally managed to write the next chapter for this story and a long one at that. I hope it flows with the rest of the story and has satisfied everybody's curiosity for the time being. Thank you to those who have reviewed, I never expected such a response for this story, but I am happily surprised. I will try and not let this story become one of those "dead" stories that are never finished and keep it going until the end.
But alas, life gets in the way, so the progress might be a little slow. Please be patient and I will get the chapters out as soon and fast as I can and as it is convenient .