Author Note: There was some concern about the inappropriateness of a sexual assualt of a minor (who was willing, I'd like to clarify that for any that were confused) being called seduction to get her to agree to marriage in chapter 15 (none of the same concern was expressed over the earlier chapter where Wickham also "seduced" Lydia and had full on relations with her, evidently those that disliked the chapter 15 posting felt with Wickham it was fine, even if ge did more with her than the soldier who agreed to marry her). I apologize for any that were offended, I was merely following the common theme in many p&p variations that Lydia is promiscuous and easy.
Chapter 17
"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said with a small smile seeing her sitting on a bench, rather then on her walk as he strode toward her with long strides."I worried I had missed you this morning after my uncle's steward sought my attention. His cousin is my own steward. I had anticipated catching up to you while you were on your walk."
"I thought I might enjoy the view from here while I waited for pleasant company to join me on my walk, " Elizabeth said with an impish smile.
"You waited for me?" Darcy asked, holding his breath for her response.
"It would certainly be a long wait if I was anticipating Jane or Charlotte's company. Shall we, Mr. Darcy?" she said rising and grasping his arm.
"There is a view I believe you will appreciate if we go this way," Darcy said indicating a path as he fought the urge to pull her form so that she was flush against him and kiss her playful smile from her lips. He never would have thought he had moved high enough up in her regard to warrant her waiting for him to begin her walk. He reminded himself sternly, that while it was promising it was not an indication that she was ready for a proposal or for his more amorous attentions, those would need to wait until they were engaged.
…
"My cousin Lydia is married?" sputtered Mr. Collins in disbelief hearing one patron comment on it to another at the inn as he went to assit Lady Catherine into her carriage. "What's this?"
"Good riddance. One less chit for you to worry about," Lady Catherine said with a sniff. "Your cousin has no control over his daughters. His second has fled from him and he came groveling to me to help him find and retrive her," Lady Catherine said with satisfaction. She had enjoyed toying with the man yesterday and telling him she would need time to consider if she wished to assist him or not. Her assistance was of course in no doubt, she thought to herself, she needed the chit married to her parson and she would personally see it happened.
"No my lady, you don't understand," Collins said, distressed. "It was my cousin Lydia's unmarried state that compelled my cousin to give his consent to marrying my cousin Elizabeth after he had refused his consent. If she is married, he will recind his consent!"
"Then we threaten to sue him for breech of promise if he does so," Lady Catherine snapped as the carriage began moving.
"But we never signed settlement papers and the banns were not called," Collins said wringing his hands.
"The neighborhood knows of the engagement. His honor is engaged. Your cousin will marry you and learn to accept my guidance. I will break the insolent chit until she learns to respect her betters."
Silently Collins wondered if his cousin's honor was engaged considering he had blackmailed him for his agreement, but wisely chose to say nothing, instead saying, "Very good. You are most wise. My cousin needs to learn her place in the world and to serve those that are above her." Silently he added that that place was serving not just Lady Catherine but him as well. He was confident that his patroness would carry the day and he would end up with the spirited beauty as his wife, a fitting reward for his service.
…
Bennet and his close friend Sir William Lucas met each other's eyes and let out simultaneous chuckles as they listened to Lady Catherine's carriage leave. Before either could say anything, Mrs. Bennet burst into the room and hands out stretched to her husband, she lunged and grasped his throat and ranted, "How could you? I was finally to be rid of that awful girl! She would finally receive her due and you have the nerve to tell Mr. Collins no engagement existed!"
Pulling the Bennet matron off his friend, Sir William said, "See here Fanny Bennet, if you act like that, you'll find yourself in a deal of trouble. "
"My nerves! You'll pay for this Thomas Bennet! You and that precious daughter of yours! She isn't welcome in my home! You tell her to stay away! Stay away from here! I won't have her any longer!" Mrs. Bennet screamed ranting at her husband.
Rubbing his throat where she had grabbed him, he said, "Fanny, you have no right to dictate the exile of any of our daughters. I suggest you watch your tongue or you might find yourself out in those hedgegrows before Mr. Collins even inherits. I married you to avoid a scandal, I know just what type of woman you are, but push me to far and I just might decided the scandal is worth it. With any luck Jane will marry Mr. Bingley and will help her sisters find matches, starting with Lizzy!"
"That girl doesn't deserve a rich husband! She has been the bane of my existence since her birth! The stupid child was to be born a boy! But she couldn't even do that right! She certainly acts like one, running wild about the countryside! Acting like a boy doesn't make her one, but it does make her unfit to be a wife to any gentlemen other than Mr. Collins sort! I'll make sure the neighborhood knows just how unfit she is. I see to it that she will be ruined! I will tell the while neighborhood Mr. Collins called the engagement off because he found out she was of easy virtue and had spread her charms around to any-"
"Cease Woman!" Mr. Bennet thundered. "You will do no such thing! You will not spread slanderous lies and destroy all your daughters reputations and marriage prospects! Keeping scandal at bay is the only reason I haven't banished you from Longbourn, but if you intend to create rumors and lies out of whole cloth, that will ruin them anyway, there is nothing to stay my hand! Pack your bags! I shall have Gardiner help me find a boarding house for you in town, and provide you with a small allowance. William, I assume I can count on you to help me spread the story that Fanny was overcome by her nerves and has gone away to recuperate."
"Let us summon Josiah," Sir William said keeping a firm grip on Mrs. Bennet to prevent her from attacking again. "As the local apothocary he can help us make it appear the truth and as my brother-in-law he will naturally asssit."
"No! I am Mistress of Longbourn!" Mrs. Bennet shrieked hysterically. "I won't lose that! Longbourn is mine! Mine!"
Bennet retrived a small vial from his desk drawer and said grimly, "Take this, Fanny," but his hysterical wife refused, so he instructed Sir William, "Help hold her mouth open. This will calm her down until Josiah can arrive."
...
Hearing the commotion in the foyer, Lord Matlock let out an audible groan. His elder sister had arrived on his doorstep in high dungeon. His youngest son had alerted him to the fact that Lady Catherine was in Hertfordshire before Col. Fitzwilliam and Georgiana departed for that region themselves. He was tempted to slip out the back and hide out at his club. That though would never do, the harpy would either hunt him down there, causing a scene or settle in, making use of his home, to wait him out. With a last longing glance towards the route that would lead to a temporary escape, he turned towards the commotion.
"Cathy," Matlock said tightly stepping into the foyer. "What brings you from Kent? I thought you were quite ensconced there these last few years."
"Watch your tone with me, brother. You know I detest being called Cathy. It has been my estate that has helped prop up Matlock. You owe me and I am here to call in my favor."
"Not for many years, Cathy. Nor, as you very well know, is it your estate, whatever fiction you may tell yourself. When you began to make noise about a betrothal between Darcy and Anne I decided it was time to end Matlock's reliance on Rosings to keep the earldom solvent. Many of my peers might rely on their relations to prop up their titles, but Matlock no longer does."
"Impossible. You forget I know how much Matlock brings in. 5,000 a year is not enough to support the title. I married Sir Lewis and his 7,000 a year so the Earldom would have greater resources. It is time we bring Pemberley more into the fold. Darcy has been entirely to independent lately, refusing his duty. His marriage to Anne will ensure no one else has access to his coffeers. Matlock needs the wealth of Rosings and Pemberley. I am sure you would not wish to lose either. It may have been quite the coup when Anne snared George Darcy, but if we do not act, we will lose that tie. Darcy is infatuated with a penniless girl. Unless you forbid him from offering for her, he will marry the stupid chit. Mark my words. He has shown her specific attentions, attentions he has avoided showing more eligible parties."
"I am not the head of the Darcy family. William is. I have no power to forbid his marriage to Miss Elizabeth. Nor do you. I suggest you return to Kent, Cathy."
"Miss Elizabeth," Lady Catherine said with narrowed eyes. "I did not tell you who the chit was. How do you know her name?"
"Darcy must have mentioned it to me," Matlock said with a shrug. He was glad that his wife had befriended Madeline Gardiner and in turn introduced him to her husband, the tradesman that helped him to create a new source of income that allowed him to keep his title solvent without the aide of Rosings Park or Pemberley. His father had been happy to grant favor to either of his son-in-laws in exchange for financial aide and he had followed in his footsteps. Now though he could refuse his sister and not worry about financial repercussions, even if she threatened to marry Anne and Rosings' coffers to another eligible party. He would be happy to present her a list of peers in need of Rosings income to support their lifestyles she could sell her daughter off to if it meant he could be rid of his elder sister once and for all.
"You are harbouring the little harlot!" Lady Catherine accussed. "Where is she? Is she staying here? I will find her and she will honor her obligation to marry Mr. Collins!" Lady Catherine said making a beeline for the stairs, determined to open every door until she encountered her prey.
"Miss Elizabeth is not in London," Matlock said. "My understanding of the situation is that soon Miss Lydia Bennet will bear the name Bennet no longer and your parson's claim to Miss Elizabeth will end. William charged Richard with finding an officer. Your presence here suggests he was successful. I will not stand against William with you Cathy. I support him, not you. If you wish to continue presenting yourself as the Mistress of Rosings Park and maintaining the freedoms you do enjoy, do not press this matter. As trustee, I have the power to see you on a limited income in the dower house."
"I shall know how to act," Lady Catherine declared storming out, Collins following her.
Matlock shook his head at his sister's departing back. He would need to send an express to Matlock. It was doubtful his sister would heed his council and return to Rosings.