Chapter 9

"Thank you Charlotte dear for indulging me today," Elizabeth said greeting her dear friend.

"Your intrigues keep my life amusing Eliza," Charlotte responded. "Am I to remain in suspense or will you tell me why the subterfuge about tea today?"

"Anne and The Grand Lady are in residence at Netherfield," Elizabeth informed her.

"I had not realized Mr. Bingley was connected to your friends," Charlotte commented.

"He is not. The Grand Lady's true name is Lady Catherine de Bough and her daughter is Miss Anne De Bough."

"Your cousin's patroness?" Charlotte said, disbelief coloring her tone.

"The very same."

Charlotte had been nearby when Mr. Collins had introduced himself to Mr. Darcy and added, "Mr. Darcy is her nephew."

"So I have learned myself just yesterday."

"And am I to assume, you requested I formally invite you to a private tea today, so that your mother would not suspect your absence, while you take tea at Netherfield?"

"Yes. I won't be able to hide The Grand Lady's presence for long from her, my father has written my godfather extending an invitation to visit and exert familia control over his aunt."

"Eliza, I don't mean to pry, but just who exactly is your Uncle Henry?"

"Viscount Millis, heir to the Earldom of Matlock."

"Your mother's nerves are going to explode."

"I know. I shall have to depend on The Grand Lady to defend me from my mother's attempts to throw me and my sister's into the paths of rich and titled gentlemen. "

"The Grand Lady may launch you at them herself. I hope her schemes do not wreck to much havoc on the neighborhood."

"You and me both. At least I will finally be able to introduce you to Anne," Elizabeth said brightly.

Charlotte started to laugh and when Elizabeth looked at her questioningly she responded, "Your mother is going to be so horrified she refused to allow your father to name his dear friend as Godfather to any of her other daughters."

"She only allowed a bachelor scholar to be named my godfather because she was so disappointed I had not been the son she was convinced she carried," Elizabeth agreed with a chuckle. "Well Charlotte, wish me luck. It is time for me to face the calvary."

"Good luck Eliza," Charlotte said laughing.

"Do not laugh Charlotte. I fully intend to haul you along for this farce once I have prepared The Grand Lady. Tomorrow your turn will come," Elizabeth warned her friend.

"I am not sure I want her sights set on me."

...

His aunt was undoubtedly up to something Darcy concluded as he watched her. She had called for Miss Bingley to attend her and insisted on a tour of the house before tea. Miss Bingley had simmpered and agreed, gleefully speaking to Lady Catherine. Now the tour was concluding and Miss Bingley was red faced and agitated as the pair entered the library.

"An utter disgrace, Miss Bingley," his aunt boomed after a cursory glance around the room. "A mistress of the house is responsible for her guests' comfort, yet you have done nothing to improve the collection in this room. Even if you are unaware of how to read, given your background, your brother might have guests that choose to read. To be an effective mistress of an estate you need to ensure you are prepared to host guests. Add this to your list of improvements for the estate, you have been sadly negligent. To your personal list of neccessary improvements you may add reading. I suggest you attempt to master this acomplishment after you learn a proper way of walking, and you too might eventually have a certian something in your air that will mark you as a mildly accomplished lady, you can never hope to be truly accomplished, but that is neither here nor there."

Darcy chocked on a laugh as his aunt prepared to sail out of the room with a disgruntled Miss Bingley. "Nephew, our guest should be arriving for tea soon. Do change into your green waistcoat, that one is entirely to dull," Lady Catherine called out.

"Guest!" Miss Bingley gasped out. "I have not invited any guests to tea."

"A cousin of my parson. My parson is expected to attend me later today. You may enjoy a light refreshment with us after I have concluded my buisness with him. And no feathers Miss Bingley. They offend me."

…

Miss Bingley prepared to greet her unexpected expected guest for tea. She wondered which of the Bennets it would be. She had assummed that Lady Catherine would be meeting whichever one Mr. Collins had choosen as his bride. She dearly hoped it would be Eliza. The idea of her rival married to a parson and under Lady Catherine's thumb thrilled her. She had been thoroughly irritated with Lady Catherine by the conclusion of the tour, but seeing Mr. Darcy had reminded her of why it was necessary to stay on the lady's good side. Angry people are seldom wise, and Miss Bingley had foolishly convinced herself that Lady Catherine had only been so harsh, so that she could help her become the best possible mistress of Pemberley.

When Miss Elizabeth Bennet was announced, Miss Bingley was on hand to smugly greet her. She dismissed the butler and offered to escort her to the parlor Lady Catherine had choosen for tea. Smiling slyly as they walked, Miss Bingley delivered what she believed to be her coup-de-gra and said, "Lady Catherine has been ever so attentive to me since her arrival. She has come to put her seal of approval on my upcoming match. Mr. Darcy is afterall her dear, dear nephew."

Seeing Elizabeth in the doorway Lady Catherine called for her to enter and not lurk in doorways. She then sent Miss Bingley off to check on the tea service. Darcy had made sure to be on hand in the room for tea, so as not to miss a single moment that could be spent in Elizabeth's presence. After he greeted her, she offered her congratulations on his betrothal to Miss Bingley.

Darcy turned red and immediately decried such an engagement as being false. Elizabeth apologized and said she must have misunderstood Miss Bingley. Darcy had looked at her intently and proclaimed that he had no interest in Miss Bingley and never had or would. He further went on to say that he hoped she thought his character more worthy then to be shackled to Miss Bingley for life.

Elizabeth had blushed and playfully responded that a week ago she would have thought him and Miss Bingley a perfect match. She went on to explain that having misjudged his character, she had decided to try Jane's philosophy, that all people were good, and assume she had misjudged Miss Bingley as well.

"I believe Lizzy that your original judgement of Miss Bingley was accurate and you need not adopt Jane's outlook on life," Anne said with a smile at her friend. "My cousin can now be relieved you do not wish Miss Bingley on him."

"No, I would not wish Miss Bingley on him," Elizabeth said with a smile at Darcy, one that he gratefully responded to with a smile of his own.

Miss Bingley atempted to rejoined the group for tea, but Lady Catherine sent her away, declaring the tea to be a private family affair between Miss Elizabeth and them. Miss Bingley assumed Lady Catherine intended to interrogate Elizabeth and insure she understood her place as the parson's wife. She was pleased that Darcy would be on hand to see the chit with fine eyes firmly put in her place.

Tea was an enjoyable affair for all involved and Darcy was happy to escort Elizabeth back to Longbourn afterwards. The two spoke and laughed. Today there was no dark spectrum of Darcy's poor previous behavior or Wickham's ill deeds. Neither noticed the scowling face of a man in regimentals.