As soon as Darcy entered the grove where he met Elizabeth, she spat out, "That horrid, horrid woman. I wish to strangle her with the ribbon of her oversized bonnet — to not let her daughter laugh. I swear I shall never complain about my mother again."

Darcy nodded sadly.

Elizabeth smacked her fist against her hand. "We won't stand for it. I will not allow my friend to stay under the thumb of that horrible, vile woman. We cannot let Anne remain here. You must find some way to get her away from Lady Catherine."

"What can I do? Anne is of age. It is her choice."

Elizabeth sneered dismissively at Darcy. Despite being a half foot shorter than him, she managed to look down on him. "She's your cousin. You have a duty to look out for her welfare."

Darcy didn't say anything.

Elizabeth peered at him; he frowned and rubbed at the back of his neck. She said, "You will find a way to help Anne."

"You have done a far better job of caring for the welfare of my family than I have."

"Heavens. I already tried to convince Anne to create her own establishment — far away from that vile creature who claims to be her mother. The tyrant has scared her too much. Anne feels deep down that, even though she is now at age and in control of her own fortune, should she disobey her mother some terrible punishment will inevitably follow. Invite her to Pemberley."

"Lady Catherine would refuse permission. She would interpret such a request in the worst manner."

Elizabeth stared at Darcy. Elizabeth expected him to do something.

Under her gaze he thought about the problem. "You are right. We must get Anne away. My uncle is to visit the day after tomorrow, and I will consult him about the matter. Lady Catherine holds Lord Matlock in a certain — limited — respect as the head of the family and an earl. If that does not work…" Darcy shrugged. "Anne would not object if all of us together abducted her when we leave."

"That is a decent scheme. We can grab her and force her into a carriage, and by the time we have reached Hertfordshire, she'll be delighted at the distance." Elizabeth clapped. "If your uncle cannot help, that shall be our plan."

"Your plan is for us to actually abduct my cousin? It may precipitate a bigger break with Lady Catherine than is ideal."

"Then find a better plan with your uncle. You say he visits the day after tomorrow. This is quite sudden, was it planned?"

Elizabeth suddenly jumped with enthusiasm. If Lord Matlock liked her sufficiently, maybe it would be possible for her to marry Darcy without costing him his estate. "I wish to meet him, very much. Shall he like me — or is he much like Lady Catherine?"

"Matlock is nothing like Lady Catherine." Darcy had a similar thought in his mind. While he would sell part of the estate to Mr. Windham if necessary, it was not his preferred solution. Before his marriage Bingley had been sure Lord Matlock could be brought around. "You shall charm him — you can charm anyone. He blusters and shouts and has a gruff manner. But he loves to laugh and talk, and he likes to speak with pretty women — but even now, three years after my aunt died, he is faithful to his wife's memory. He is mad for hound hunting and shooting, and though the season is wrong, we'll certainly gallop around the estate for some fun."

"His opinion matters very much to you."

"Yes — after my father died, he became like a second father to me. He dropped everything and spent months advising me how to get the most out of the estate. We rode over everything, and he told me stories about my mother and his youth. It was his connections that let me get top prices when I sold the townhouse and the lumber around Pemberley. We called on each other for a day or two every other week while he was resident at Matlock for the next year and… I hardly know what would have happened without him. I was driven but lonely also."

"I shall love him, I promise. Why is he coming down so sudden?"

"Apparently, Lady Catherine needs to consult him about some matter of importance, so she ordered him down by express. They will be closeted tomorrow evening when he arrives. I probably shall miss our walk the next day, as he might wish to consult me on the matter, or else Matlock will demand Richard and I hunt with him. That evening, unless matters devolve into a shouting match with my aunt, I will ensure you and the Collinses are invited for dinner."

Elizabeth took Darcy's arm and squeezed it. "I very much look forward to it."

MDVMDVMDV

The morning after Matlock arrived, Darcy was ordered to present himself to Lady Catherine and Lord Matlock in the library. He expected such a summons and had been playing billiards with Colonel Fitzwilliam. The two gentlemen looked at each other and shrugged. Colonel Fitzwilliam grabbed Darcy's cue stick from him and placed them both in the rack, and then they walked to the library.

Both Lord Matlock and Lady Catherine smiled widely, and Matlock had set down a now empty glass of brandy when Darcy and his younger son entered the room. While Matlock refilled his glass, Lady Catherine exclaimed, "Richard! You are not needed here — I had not called for you."

Before Colonel Fitzwilliam could turn around, Matlock pulled another glass from the tray and filled it. "Nonsense. You can celebrate with us too. This is a good day."

Matlock handed Darcy a glass which had sat full on the tray when they entered the room and gave his son the tumbler he had just poured. Darcy cautiously sipped the expensive brandy. What was the occasion?

A tickle of anxious speculation rose.

Lady Catherine banged her cane onto the floor of the drawing room several times. The floor was covered with a red rug with vibrant woven patterns imported from Persia. "Darcy, I've decided your scheme will succeed. You can marry Anne. She is not becoming younger, and my brother informed me that your situation is far better than I believed it to be. Do not hold your mouth open like that — a fly will enter it — in my day gentlemen always kept their composure when surprised. Always. I know you did not expect this, and no doubt hoped to convince her to elope with you, but you should have told me what your income was."

Darcy shook his head slowly and stepped back. Lady Catherine wanted him to marry Anne now?

"Well" — Lady Catherine growled menacingly at Darcy — "show some gratitude — thank me and we will call Anne into the room to give her the good news."

Darcy sputtered, "You have not yet spoken to Anne?"

Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes and slammed her cane down again. "I raised her well enough. My daughter will do what she is told. She will not run off and refuse if she cannot pick out her own husband" — Lady Catherine simultaneously looked pointedly at both Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam — "she is not like your former ward. Besides, for some fool reason Anne likes you."

Matlock had sat down in a stuffed armchair and crossed his legs. "Darcy, not all women are fools like Georgiana."

"I will say," Lady Catherine spoke, "you horribly managed your sister's education. The greatest blame goes to your awful father, but you two" — she stabbed her cane at Colonel Fitzwilliam and Darcy in turn — "failed as well. If only you had given me control over her education after Mr. Darcy died, none of this would've happened."

Darcy's mind raced. This was not how he wanted to inform his uncle that he was going to marry a girl without any dowry worth speaking of. Colonel Fitzwilliam frowned at him in concern.

Matlock laughed as the silence continued. "Behold, the lovestruck groom. You look like a man knocked out in a fight. Cheer up, Darcy, I promise you, the Parson's mousetrap is not so bad."

"I… I cannot understand, how did you come to decide this?"

Lady Catherine said, "You schemed for it to happen. Why are you so shocked that I researched your situation while you were daily making love to Anne?"

"I never made love to Anne. Uncle, I assure you nothing has been further from my mind than gaining Anne's hand. I—"

"By Jove, son — I've taught you to seize opportunity. Whether you planned this or not, you should be damned pleased. This will accomplish in less time than it takes to snap your fingers everything you've worked for. And I'll finally get all of the money I've loaned you back. You'll be clear and with your habits able to soon expand your holdings — In this degenerate age the crown gives titles to all sorts. Why not you? You shall have greater holdings than many earls, and" — Matlock grinned broadly — "while it does besmirch my modesty to say so, a better pedigree. How does Fitzwilliam Darcy, Earl of Pemberley sound to you?"

"I did not expect to marry so soon."

"Of course you did not, you're no mutton head. Suitable heiresses who'd overlook your debts are not two pence a dozen. But by Gad, when an opportunity of this sort arrives you seize it. You do not hesitate because you had not expected it."

"I know."

"This is not like you. It is your duty to marry Anne — you know it is."

"I know."

"Do not tell me you wish she was prettier. She did not look that plain last night, and it is beneath you anyways. Demanding everything look pretty, no matter how much it cost, was the sort of nonsense your father engaged in."

"I know."

Darcy stared at the corner of the room. The yellow and white winding geometric patterns of the wallpaper were intricate. Darcy's hand started to bounce on his leg with the tension. He pulled in a deep breath and sat tall. It was time to tell his uncle.

"I shall not marry Anne."

"What!" Lady Catherine screeched. "You two have been formed for each other since infancy. You are rich, and it will unite two of the greatest estates in England. I order you to marry her. What say you to that."

Darcy eyed his aunt contemptuously.

"You are mad!" Matlock burst out. "You cannot have another heiress on the string."

"I am in love with a girl who has no dowry, and I shall marry her or not marry at all. Nothing you can say shall have any effect upon me. I have considered this choice from every angle, and here I stand."

Matlock exploded to his feet and towered over his seated nephew who held his gaze confidently. "A fortune hunter! You've lost your mind. I had worried when you wouldn't see sense after Georgiana married that gambler but now — by Gad, after all I've done for you, you owe me this."

"I owe you every consideration, and in any other matter I would respect your desires. But it is impossible for me to do as you wish."

"By Gad, by Gad. You are just like your father. The spitting image of that man. This is worse than anything he did. Rosings is worth more than everything he threw away, and you want to lose it over a piece of penniless baggage. You swore up and down that you would be nothing like that man. And now you've lied. Fitzwilliam, you disappoint me."

"I know I am too much like father. But I cannot control my affection for Elizabeth, and I long since have realized it was a mistake to ever try. Even if I could, I no longer would."

"You damned well ought to control it. No real gentleman lets himself be led about by his whore pipe — you are too damned sensible to do this."

Darcy did not say anything. Matlock's words hurt because he loved his uncle. But he had made his choice. It did not matter if it was the same choice his father would have made. Elizabeth was a part of him.

He could easier cut his own arm off than marry another.

"You are just like your father, I'll cut off every loan I've given you and tell everyone I know to not extend you more credit. Then you'll have to sell that bloody estate, just like your father sold the land around Lambton. You hear me — if you do not marry Anne, you will destroy even more of the Darcy legacy than he did."

"I expected you would do so." Darcy stood. "It will not change my decision. I am sorry I disappointed you."

Darcy left the room as Lady Catherine screeched a demand to know who the baggage who dared to pollute the halls of Pemberley was.

After Darcy had left Lady Catherine's library, Matlock turned to his son and sister with a wide-eyed expression. "He didn't listen. I've never seen the boy act so in my life. Richard, you have been with him a great deal lately, do you know who this damned fortune hunter is? Can we work on her?"

Colonel Fitzwilliam said somberly, "Miss Bennet is not a fortune hunter."

"Her!" Lady Catherine slammed her cane against the floor with a splintering crack. "The sly piece of baggage who I let Anne speak to!"

"Yes, that Miss Bennet."

"The wretched, scheming hussy! That vile, artful, headstrong girl! Such ingratitude! I have had her over for cards; I allowed her to dine at Rosings Park a full five times! And she repays me so, by entrapping my nephew with her arts and allurements. By seeking to rise above her station!"

Lady Catherine waved her cane in front of Colonel Fitzwilliam's face. "You! You watched them! You've been friendly with the girl. And all this time you told me nothing — you already suspected! You must have!"

Colonel Fitzwilliam glared at Lady Catherine.

Matlock said, "Richard! A fortune hunter had her claws in Darcy, and you said nothing to me?"

"Miss Bennet is no fortune hunter."

"She is a girl who has no dowry and who wishes to marry a very rich man. She is a fortune hunter."

"That is a poor syllogism. Their attachment exists for reasons independent of the question of fortune."

"Obviously Darcy paid no attention to the question of fortune."

"On the contrary, he has paid far too much attention to it. You do not have my support in this matter, and you shall not gain it. I entirely support Darcy's hopes. Will you disown me as well?"

"Poor Anne!" Lady Catherine burst out, "Her friend has betrayed her; Miss Bennet feigned friendship to steal a husband from her. To think I have allowed my daughter to be hurt so! I shall order Mrs. Collins to have her friend turned out and sent back to Hertfordshire by dawn on the morrow."

"Wait!" Matlock said, "You know how loyal Darcy is. Harming the object of his affections will worsen the situation. He did not say he was engaged, and a woman can withdraw. Richard, tell me about this Miss Bennet. Can we convince her to refuse him?"

"Miss Bennet is the finest woman I've ever met, and she is completely devoted to Darcy's interests. You may be my father, but I will not help you."

Colonel Fitzwilliam left the room.

Lord Matlock bellowed, "Richard! Dickie! I didn't dismiss you!" He turned to his sister. "Ha! To be treated so by my own son and my beloved nephew. Why today has been an extraordinary day. Extraordinary! I'll cut Richard off if he is not careful. To treat me with such disrespect! Why when I was a boy, I never treated my father so."

Lady Catherine scowled at the open doorway, and she rapidly bounced her cane against the rug, making fast muffled taps. Matlock sat down and slumped backwards in the chair. "Damn," he muttered to himself, "and I had a perfect scheme for how to use the money once Darcy paid me back."

He poured himself another tumbler of brandy and drank it in one swallow.

They were both attached to this lady. Richard sounded half in love with the girl himself.

Young men. Not a particularly sensible lot.

Matlock settled his glass on the table. As a young man he had, in fact, treated his father that way. Several times. One of them he had even been right to do so. Richard had turned out well.

The whole situation was a pity.

Most likely this Miss Bennet was a fine deserving woman if she had the loyalty of both his son and nephew. It didn't matter though. Marrying a penniless girl was foolish.

Matlock wanted the money back. He ostentatiously bought a large chunk of every new issue of Consols to make clear his support for the government and the army. Between that and his aid to Darcy, it had been impossible to enlarge his landholdings for the past five years. With the rapidity at which prices kept going up, soon it might become impossible to expand.

He wouldn't force Darcy to sell part of the estate to pay back the loans. Land was power. Besides, even if Darcy currently was a mutton head, he loved his nephew like a son.

There likely was nothing he could do to stop Darcy from marrying this penniless Miss Bennet. He must decide how best to handle the inevitable. His estate was already plenty large in any case, and should the war ever end, his income from the government securities would be substantial.

Richard and Fitzwilliam were his favorite boys. Their good sense made it usually easy to manage them —ahem — to steer them away from mistakes he himself had explored as a youth. It was his eldest who gave Matlock headaches with his taste for expensive horses and women.

Matlock had just poured himself another brandy when Lady Catherine stood abruptly. She flung her chair violently backwards — making a mess of the room seemed to be the fashion today — and walked towards the door with an angry scowl.

"Where are you going, Cathy — it is too early to drink alone. I need you. "

Lady Catherine sneered at her brother. "I shall resolve this and see Miss Bennet off."

"Wait!" Lord Matlock set his glass down so quickly that the liquid sloshed onto the table. "You've not thought what you are about! If you shout at and mistreat this Miss Bennet, you shall arouse Darcy's protectiveness and honor. That will not separate the couple."

"I? Shout? Mistreat? I am the very soul and spirit of proper behavior. I admit I am frank, but it is right for a woman of my position to be so. It is Miss Bennet who has horribly mistreated our family. I merely wish to inform her that we know how horridly she has behaved and to appeal to her sense of duty, and honor, and… prudence. Yes, prudence, for we shall never acknowledge her were she to marry him."

Matlock stood. Lady Catherine's words had sparked an idea in his mind. "That might work! If she really is devoted to Darcy's interests, I can convince her that he will benefit if she abandons him. Cathy, you must promise not to insult her."

His sister's sneer did little to convince Matlock.