Bonus extra long chapter for my day off! just cuz you guys are awesome. :)
for those that caught the Mary slip. whops. shes such an unobtrusive character she slipped in even when she wasnt here! ive gone back and fixed it. ta for the heads up.
Chapter 27 - An unwanted caller
...
If anyone had asked Elizabeth for any detail of the party she would have been able to give none. The rest of the evening passed in a blur. She rarely left Mr Darcy's side and it was certain that there was gossip about the nature of their attachment after their obvious comfort with each other.
Elizabeth was quick to enlighten Jane to her new found status as an engaged woman.
"Are you certain, Lizzie. I know you do not seem to dislike him anymore. But do not marry without love."
Elizabeth smiled and drew Jane in for a hug. "Do not fear Jane. I cannot explain how quickly my feelings have changed, but he has changed so much for me. I cannot help that my feelings have changed with him. You saw how different he was in London, that was all for me. He cares for me, for us, as if we are his family. I have no doubt he would go above and beyond should our family need it."
Jane smiled at the enthusiasm with which her sister spoke.
"Well Lizzie, it seems you are set."
Lizzie laughed "I am quite set upon being the happiest of couples!"
They laughed again and lay together whispering of their future and what it would bring.
...
It was too early for visitors and yet Longborn was graced with an ornate carriage rolling down it's drive. When Elizabeth heard the carriage she assumed that Mr Darcy had come to speak to her father, but was disabused of that notion by her mother.
"What a grand carriage, although I do not recognise the crest. I wonder who it could be."
Lizzie, her interest piqued, joined her at the window. She did not, immediately recognise the carriage. But there could be no doubt who belonged to the imperious voice that soon after came ringing through the halls.
"This is a very small hall, so dark."
Mrs Hill, almost running, came in to the room only a step ahead of their guest.
"Lady Catherine de Bourgh."
There was a general silence throughout. Mrs Bennet still stood with Lizzie at the window and, after a moment, nudged Lizzie forth. Lizzie gave her a blank look but then realised she was the only personage whom had been introduced.
"Welcome Lady Catherine." She said but before she could go on; Lady Catherine swept in to a seat then nodded at Mrs Bennet.
"That woman I assume is your mother."
Elizabeth barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes.
"Yes, your ladyship. Mama this is Lady Catherine du Bourgh. Our cousin Mr Collins has the living at her estate in Kent. I believe you will remember him mentioning it."
Lady Catherine caught the tone and huffed. "And that I suppose is your sister."
Mrs Bennet, not to be outdone, piped up. "Yes, this is Lydia, my youngest. My oldest Jane is with her father and my son. They are discussing her upcoming nuptials." Mrs Bennet beamed with pride.
Lady Catherine rose abruptly, causing Mrs Bennet to jump.
"Miss Bennet, there is a prettying wilderness through yonder window. You will favour me with your company I presume?"
It was more a command than question but Elizabeth answered in the affirmative and quickly fetched her bonnet and pelisse.
"You can be at no loss, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, for the reason for my journey hither."
Elizabeth suspected she did know the reason, although why Lady Catherine felt the need to travel 50 miles just to see her was perplexing. She decided outward reluctance to answer would stand her in the best stead. Her dignity not wishing to give Lady Catherine the satisfaction of seeing her bow to her command.
"You are mistaken, my Lady, I cannot account for it at all."
"A report of a most alarming nature has reached me, that you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will be soon engaged to my nephew."
Elizabeth frowned, Lady Lucas could not have written so quickly since she came in to the neighbourhood, they had barely been home two days. Unless the news of Mr Darcy's return had been enough to spark suppositions. She shrugged, why did it matter how this meeting came to be. Luckily she was spared from formulating a reply as Lady Catherine continued to speak.
"I knew this must be a falsehood and so set off for this place. I have broken my journey in London only to find that Darcy has been calling upon you in London, to own the truth in Cheapside" she said the word Cheapside with a shudder, as if she was speaking of the very lowest part of England.
"I set off from My brother's town house at the earliest moment to see you today and put an end to this horrid and damaging rumour."
Elizabeth tilted her head "your ladyship must have had an early start to have come from London today. Your coming here, at such an early hour, would suggest a connection between our families. It might confirm any such rumour, were one to exist."
"Do you deny you are the instigator of such a rumour!" She exclaimed "that this is not your attempt to entrap my nephew?"
"I would vehemently deny ever acting in such an underhand way."
"And can you deny such a rumour exists?"
"Your very presence would suggest it does, indeed, exist. Where it originated is not for myself to speculate."
"Enough." Lady Catherine waved her hand irritably. "I take your point. What I wish to know is if the rumour has any basis in truth."
"Your ladyship declared it to be impossible." Was Elizabeth's only answer.
"It ought to be so, but you have your arts and allurements."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, was that a question or a compliment? "I thank you for thinking so; but if I were ever to use such, I would hardly admit it."
Lady Catherine stamped her foot and Elizabeth had to suppress the giggle that threatened. Who would have thought the daughter of an Earl would be reduced to actions befitting a child.
"Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I am his nearest relation and I am entitled to know his nearest concerns."
"But you are not mine." She pointed out "and you are asking after my concerns."
"Enough, answer me, Miss Bennet."
"I do not believe your Ladyship has asked a question."
"Are you engaged to my nephew?"
Elizabeth caught sight of Henry behind her and gave a slight shake of her head.
"I am."
"How dare you, He is engaged to my daughter. Your engagement cannot hold. Have the marriage articles been signed?"
Elizabeth thought back to her recent pique over Mr Darcy being matched with Lydia. That had been wholly in Mrs Bennet's head and she realised she had behaved out of jealousy. To this, more weighty, assertion she only raised her eyebrows and nodded to Henry.
"Madam!" His voice was commanding but not a shout. The low tone making it all the more ominous. "How dare you come to my house and speak to my sister this way."
Lady Catherine whirled around to face the newcomer.
"Mr Darcy is an honourable man and has approached me for my sister's hand. He would not have been free to do so if he were engaged elsewhere and I suggest you desist in blackening both his character and possibly ruining your daughter's reputation in the process."
Lady Catherine visibly started.
"A broken engagement would not appear in her favour. You have grossly underestimated my family if you believe your petty complaints will find any sympathetic ears here. I suggest you return to London post haste."
With that he turned and gestured towards her awaiting carriage.
"How dare you." She turned pointing at Elizabeth "after all my attention last month, my help in arranging your travel. This is how you repay that kindness. Do not think your cunning will be rewarded. I shall carry my point, I shall know how to act."
She swept around in a swish of skirts and started towards her carriage, cane snapping in to the ground.
Once at her carriage she put her nose firmly in the air and uttered her last "I take no leave of you Miss Bennet, I send no compliments to your mother, you deserve no such attention."
The carriage swept away and Henry and Elizabeth exchanged glances before laughing.
"As if we care about her leave taking." Henry uttered, shaking her head.
Elizabeth sighed "and yet, she will be my aunt."
Henry squeezed her.
"Do not fear, Kent is a long way from Derbyshire."
Elizabeth smiled, "indeed it is."
They were still stood on the drive when the sound of horses drew their attention. Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy and Mr Bingley were riding across the field from Netherfield.
Henry gave Elizabeth a cheeky look. "I'll wager they did not see the carriage. If Lady Catherine is hoping to speak to her nephew she will be disappointed."
...
Mr Darcy showed an impressive amount of perspicacity on beholding Henry and Elizabeth on the drive. He was off his horse and striding towards them before the other two had much time to call out a greeting.
"What has occurred?" He asked, glancing quickly between the faces of the two before him.
Elizabeth sighed "I suppose you should be told." She turned to Henry "why do you not show Miss Darcy and Mr Bingley to the drawing room whilst I walk with Mr Darcy?"
"Stay within sight of the house, if you please." The comment was directed at Elizabeth, but the glare was towards Darcy.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes "we shall."
Darcy offered her his arm and they strolled off towards the western side of the property, which the morning room overlooked. Henry nodded in approval and saw to the other two guests.
"How did you know there was something amiss?" Elizabeth asked, a look of innocence about her.
"Much as I would love to credit you with precognition, your presence on the drive suggested a visitor, your faces suggested an unwelcome one."
"To own the truth, it was your Aunt."
Darcy frowned "which Aunt?"
"Lady Catherine."
Darcy groaned and Elizabeth couldn't help but take some pleasure in how comfortable he felt with her. Such an expression of distaste would never be expressed in polite company "what did she want?" His tone was clipped, anger seething beneath the surface.
"Apparently some gossip has reached her, namely our engagement. She decided to sally forth to declare war upon us, well upon me."
Darcy chuckled at her tone. "I take it from your manner that you remain unscathed?" He asked, striving to keep his tone light.
"Indeed. She cannot have heard of our understanding from last night." She blushed as his eyes warmed "so I imagine she deduced from some gossip or assumptions. Unfortunately I could not deny her accusations. I believe she means to intercept you before you sign the marriage articles."
Darcy involuntarily pulled her closer as she spoke those words.
"She cited your prior engagement."
Darcy shook his head incredulously. "I see."
Elizabeth steered him around the side of the property as they reached the north west corner. She stopped on the path and Darcy turned towards her.
"Might I assume you do not wish to renege on your word?" She arched an eyebrow at him and he stared at her in shock.
"Of course not. There is no engagement .." he was stopped by her fingers on his lips as she stepped closer to him.
He looked around. They were stood just beyond the corner of the house, very close to the outer wall.
He looked down in to her sparkling eyes.
"We are in sight of the house." She said, suggestively.
He looked around again "and yet no windows overlook our current location?" He questioned.
"You are quite correct, sir. And no one else is out of doors at this time." She took a half step closer, tilting her chin up.
He smiled wolfishly at her "that is the best news I have heard all day." He whispered, closing the gap and pressing his lips to hers.
Elizabeth gasped as sensation raced throughout her body, this was no tame kiss from the night before. This was passion and heat rolled up in a desperate longing. She would never admit to being rattled by Lady Catherine, but his assurance came through his kiss and settled any doubt she may have had.
He tilted his face to the side, contending with the brim of her bonnet, to give him a better angle. An arm snaked around her waist and pulled her flush against him and her arms lifted to settle around his shoulders, pressing herself more firmly against him.
Waves of euphoria swept over her as they kissed, a deep, searing kiss which had her panting for breath. He pulled away after an indeterminate amount of time, both flushed and breathless. He kissed her lightly once, twice and a third time before allowing her to step back. His arms feeling cool without her in them.
After a moment he straightened his hat, which had remarkably stayed on, and offered his arm. Elizabeth fluttered a hand over her bonnet and straightened her skirts before taking it and strolling on.
"Well, I am certainly glad we are both in agreement about our future." She commented, lighthearted.
He grinned down at her "I suppose it is about time I speak to your father."
"What of Lady Catherine?"
He thought for a moment then a small smile appeared on his face. "I shall send her a note explaining where I am and why I am here and inviting her to call again if she wishes to speak to me."
Elizabeth cachinnated then clapped her hand over her mouth, suppressing the laughter. "You, sir, are going to be in trouble."
He shrugged "Right now, after the last five minutes of my life, I cannot say I care much."
They walked together back towards the front of the house, revelling in each other's company.