Chapter 34: Trouble

Lady Katherine was enraged beyond measure. Her mind refused to believe that her nephew, whom she saw as her son-in-law, could be engaged to someone other than her daughter.

This is ridiculous. How can this be true? Who is that girl? I will never allow this.

Her daughter Anne was worried about the repercussions of the news. She was not in a state to marry anyone. Let alone her cousin.

I must write to Fitzwilliam, before mother leaves to Hertfordshire.

She sent a letter through a rider and hoped it would reach on time.

The Bennet's were busy preparing for the wedding.

Mr Bingley decided to have a proper engagement party for both the couples at Netherfield. Darcy had already written to Georgiana, Richard, and other relatives about his engagement.

Netherfield was festive with preparations for the engagement party.

Mrs Hurst knew that her sister's silence was not for the good. She suspected that something was amiss.

"I feel Caroline is up to something. Ever since she heard about Elizabeth's engagement to Mr Darcy, she has been acting strangely." She said to her husband.

"What is it dear? Did she abuse her?" Asked Mr Hurst.

"No! That is what is bothering me. She has been strangely silent. Not a word against the match. She has kept to herself. I bet she is planning something. We need to monitor her correspondence. Please promise me you will protect Elizabeth from her. We cannot allow anything bad to happen to her or Mr Darcy."

"Louisa, I promise you. Nothing will." Mr Hurst resolved to monitor Miss Bingley's actions. He also felt that she was up to something.

The next day Darcy was surprised to receive a letter from Rosing's.

He thought it would be his aunt, giving him a piece of her mind. But it was not.

Fitzwilliam,

I hope this letter finds you well. Congratulations on your engagement.

Mother received a letter from Mr Collins about the same, and she has been agitated ever since.

Please understand that I have tried to convince her that I could never marry you. But she seems stubborn about forcing the match upon us.

She plans to start to Hertfordshire soon. Please be prepared. I am sure she will visit Miss Bennet and try to coax her out of the engagement.

I am unable to stop her.

Yours,

Anne

Darcy knew that his aunt would not take the news lightly. But her visit caught him off guard.

I have not mentioned much about her to Elizabeth. I need to talk to her.

He rode to Longbourn as fast as he could, and he saw his aunt's carriage there.

Oh! God! She is here.

He went inside the house, and Jane directed him to the parlour. He could hear his aunt yelling.

About ten minutes ago, the entire Bennet family was taken by surprise by the visitor, except Mr Collins.

"As your humble servant madam, I do not know how to express my sincere gratitude in the assistance of this matter about my cousin and your nephew. As you once said during dinner, Miss Anne is an angel waiting to decorate her cousin's life with sparkle or one could say joy or marital felicity…"

"Shut up Mr Collins. I did not come all the way here to listen to your rants. Which one of you is Miss Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth stepped forward. Lady Katherine looked at her with disgust. Conniving Minx.

"Can we speak in privacy?"

"If you wish." Elizabeth replied bluntly.

She let her to the parlour.

The rest of the house remained silent. Mr Bennet was not at home. Mr Collins rejoiced at the tongue-lashing Elizabeth was going to receive. Serve's her right for rejecting me.

"What is it that you wish to speak in privacy?"

"Don't jest. You know very well. Are you the sort of woman who chooses to marry an engaged man? My nephew is engaged to my daughter. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Your nephew told me that there was no such engagement. I have nothing to be ashamed of."

"You ill-mannered girl. How dare you speak to me this way? Do you know how I am? My status in the society?"

"I care nothing about your status. I have given you my answer, now please let me go."

"I know. You must have lured him with your unruly behaviour. You must have pursued him relentlessly with your charms."

"You seem to understand very little about your nephew. Mr Darcy is not the kind of man who would be carried away by the things you describe. Your words speak of your standards, not his."

"Then how did he fall for you? Your cousin wrote to me saying that you were injured. There is something fishy here. Did you blackmail him into marrying you?"

Elizabeth turned white with anger. She was beginning to forget about her abduction. Now it all came back to haunt her.

"I have no connection with you to answer your questions. I can speak as rudely as you do, but I give you respect as you are William's aunt. I can say that you do not understand him in any way, and by talking poorly of me, you are only causing insult to his character. Please leave."

"How dare you? I will..."

Before she could finish her sentence. "Lady Katherine. Stop this nonsense."

Both Elizabeth and Lady Katherine jumped on hearing Darcy's voice.

Darcy immediately moved near Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, I am so sorry. I heard what she said to you. I would have stopped her visit had I known."

Elizabeth smiled weakly.

"You need not apologise for her. It is not your fault."

"Lady Katherine, I heard your disgusting talk. I am not indebted to clarify anything to you, but I care about the feelings of my fiancé. Apologise to her right away. She will be the mistress of Pemberley; she has made me a happy man by accepting my proposal."

"Fiancé my foot. You seem to have taken to her charms. You will regret your choice in no time. Break this engagement. I will not stand my sister's estate to be polluted thus."

"Elizabeth will only add to the value to Pemberley and my life. You have no right over me. Now leave. I have nothing else to say to you."

He walked out of the room along with Elizabeth.

Lady Katherine stomped out of the room in fury. Mr Collins was aghast by the arrival of Darcy. He ran behind his patroness.

"Lady Katherine, were you able to break them off? I can offer for Elizabeth now. I will bring her to Hunsford, and you can teach her better values."

Darcy heard part of his words. "How dare he?" He set off after him, but Elizabeth stopped him.

"William, please. He is not worth the trouble."

"How dare he speaks about marrying you?"

"I guess I haven't told you. He offered for me, and I rejected him."

"What?"

Elizabeth smiled cheekily. "You see, William, I have had great suitors before your proposal."

"Elizabeth, do not jest about this. I cannot even imagine how you would have felt."

"I was amused."

"I need to speak to your father. He needs to leave immediately. I cannot risk your safety."

"He is always out of the house and comes only to dine. I am sure he will leave soon. I spoke rudely to your aunt, but I am not sorry."

"You stood up to her. I don't think she expected that. I am proud of you."

"Do you think the rest of your relatives will feel the same way about me?"

"Elizabeth, I have already written to Richard's parents. They are the closest to me. They are happy about our union. I am sure you know how Georgiana feels."

"She did write a two-page letter. She said she knew that you were in love with me. It is a pity that many knew about your feelings except me."

"Who else?"

"Charlotte. She told me that you admired me at the Lucas Lodge. I laughed it off."

"Elizabeth, I did admire you. I could not take my eyes off you. Miss Lucas has good judgment."

They walked back into the house. Darcy felt hesitant to leave. Elizabeth assured him that she was fine. They were excited about the engagement party at Netherfield that evening.

Mr Collins had tried desperately to get into the carriage along with his patroness. She shooed him away like a dog. He did not want to go back to the house. He was scared of facing Darcy.

How am I going to go back to Hunsford without a wife? This visit has gone in vain. I wanted to go back as a married man. And that "Elizabeth", there is no way of marrying her now.

He decided there was nothing for him in Hertfordshire. He planned to leave the next day.

He never realised that when he left Hertfordshire, he would leave as a married man. And his wife was going to give him headaches for the rest of his life.