A/N: Now back to the Darcy House and a certain cantankerous relative shows up to add to the absurdity!
Darcy could not bring himself to speak for nearly ten minutes his rage was so intense. How could Elizabeth act so. She was never cruel to anyone except himself that is, he thought ruefully. She was always kind to all from the lowliest servant up to his own aunt. If she never spoke meanly to his aunt, who deserved it on occasion, how could she speak so to his sister. He ruminated silently over these reflections. He did not wish to upset his sister any further. She was quietly sniffling into her handkerchief and would not even look at him. When he felt his temper was sufficiently contained he gently asked his sister to explain what had happened.
Georgiana quietly began expounding upon her conversation with Miss Jane Bennet and her misapprehension of her identity. "Brother, she was everything you described, beautiful, kind and gracious. I just assumed she was your betrothed. I am so embarrassed. Please forgive me." she begged.
"You have nothing for which to apologize. I never told you Elizabeth's first name. Her appearance today was such that I almost did not recognize her." he replied. What was she playing at with her disguise he asked himself.
"Was Miss Elizabeth rude to you dearest? What did she say to upset you so?" he asked.
"No brother she was not rude just odd. I was overcome with mortification. I so wanted to make a good impression on her." his little sister replied sadly.
"Odd how my dear?" he asked suspiciously. "Please tell me all. This is so very perplexing."
"Well, she made many religious references. You did not inform me she was so very pious." Georgiana answered. "She quoted the good book and I believe Fordyce's
Sermons very often even when it did not fit the conversation." she answered.
"Did she now? How interesting. I was not aware of her religious fervor either dear. Please continue." Darcy insisted with a sarcastic tone.
"When my confusion about Miss Bennet's time in Hunsford revealed my misconception, Miss Elizabeth Bennet insisted I inform you of my disapproval of her mien and temperament. She was not rude but certainly was emphatic. It was almost as she wanted me to dislike her. I see it now but was so distraught at the time that I was not thinking clearly. All I could dwell on was how I offended my brother's future wife." she replied.
"Do you think the elder Miss Bennet was involved in this little drama?" Darcy asked.
"No brother, I don't believe so. She looked taken aback by her sister's appearance and demeanor but remained composed. Mrs. Gardiner said something about her wearing the maid's dress. I don't understand why she would do such a thing." Georgina said.
"I believe I am beginning to understand it my dear. It is not something I can discuss with you at the present but please know you did nothing wrong. I am sorry your outing was so disastrous dear. I know how much you were looking forward to meeting your future sister." Darcy answered as he inwardly cursed Elizabeth's duplicity.
"Brother, what will happen now? Should I write to Miss Elizabeth Bennet and apologize for my mistake?" she asked.
"You will do nothing of the kind. If there is an apology to be made it will not come from you." Darcy replied adamantly.
"Brother, may I ask you a personal question?" Georgiana said.
"Of course dear, what is it you wish to know?" he answered.
"Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet was nothing like you portrayed. I did not see a vivacious, humorous young lady. I cannot imagine you with a woman who voices moral platitudes continuously and does not smile. I am a bit confused about the, your, your attraction to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Where was the young lady you described to me?" said Georgiana.
"That is a very good question and one I intend to find the answer to. The young lady you met today was not the Elizabeth Bennet I fell in love with. I have some suspicions as to why she appeared as such but I will not address them now. Let us leave this matter alone for the time being, my dear." Darcy replied.
"Certainly brother, I think I have had enough unrest for one day." answered his dutiful little sister.
The next morning a missive arrived at Darcy House by the hand of a paid messenger. Darcy and his sister had just finished breaking their fast. The housekeeper approached and handed the letter to Miss Darcy. The young lady read the letter without expression.
"Who is your letter from, dear?" Mr. Darcy asked.
"I am not sure if I should say." she replied.
"Is it from that weasel Wickham?" he growled and snatched the letter from her hand.
"No, no, brother, I would not even open it if it was. It is from Miss Elizabeth Bennet." cried out a horrified Georgiana.
"Then why were you hesitant in telling me so?" he asked.
Miss Darcy looked down at the floor and mumbled almost incoherently, "She asked me not to tell you she wrote me a letter."
"Really?" Darcy said and handed the letter back to her. "Why the secrecy?" he continued.
"I am not sure brother. The letter is an apology from Miss Elizabeth Bennet regarding yesterday's visit." she replied.
"Did you find it sincere?" he asked.
"I suppose so but some of it is confusing to me. She references your engagement in a way that I do not understand. Perhaps you should read it yourself?" offered Georgiana.
"If you do not object." Darcy replied eagerly taking the letter from his sister's hand before she could even answer his question.
Darcy returned to his seat and read the letter many times over. The apology did seem sincere but did not contain any plans for a future acquaintance between herself and Georgiana. She only said "if" they were ever to meet again she would be kind. His earlier suspicions regarding her behavior the day before came back to him in force. The only conclusion he could draw was that she felt that by upsetting his sister he would withdraw from the arrangement. She just hadn't realized that his sister possessed such a delicate constitution and kind heart. She was probably expecting Georgiana to be of the same ilk as her own youngest sister and they could not be more dissimilar. Clearly, Elizabeth did not want him to read the letter because it might cause his anger with her to abate. What a clever but conniving woman! She assumed she had won! She obviously had no idea of his resolve. He would make sure that she knew they were still engaged and ensure that she never again involved his sister in her ridiculous conspiracies.
Darcy returned the letter to Georgiana. "I promise to speak with you about this further in the future but I have a very important errand I must attend to at once." As he left the room, her brother had a very strange smile on his face that confused Georgiana all the more.
Darcy needed exercise to clear his mind and proceeded swiftly on foot to Hatchard's Emporium on Bond Street. Once in the book store he found the most expensive copy of the volume he needed and purchased it. Upon his return to the house he wrote a brief note and had footman tasked with delivering the tome.
Elizabeth sat in the garden and wondered if Miss Darcy had read her letter. She hoped the girl had recovered her spirits and accepted her apology. She was interrupted an hour later by her uncle's footman carrying a small package.
"A delivery came for you Miss," the footman said as he handed her the plainly wrapped package.
"Thank you very much," Elizabeth said as she opened the bundle. Inside was a beautifully bound copy of the first volume of Sermons to Young Women. Inside the book was a note. She trembled with anger as she read the communication.
My Dear Fiancée,
My sister informs me that you are quite enamored of James Fordyce's work. I had not realized that you enjoyed such devout reading material. I was led to understand you much preferred Shakespeare. I had a hard time choosing between this book and Taming of the Shrew but you made your preferences for platitudes clear yesterday. Please accept this book as an engagement gift. I have marked a few chapters relating to the proper deportment for a Christian woman as well as those regarding ensuring sisterly devotion. Please make sure you study them before our next meeting. We will be having a rather detailed discussion concerning what you have learned.
Your Betrothed,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Elizabeth stormed into her Uncle's library and thrust the book and note at her father. Mr. Bennet chuckled and replied, "Well played Mr. Darcy." He was rewarded with an angry glare from his favorite daughter.
Elizabeth was at a loss regarding how to proceed. That stubborn man was not changing his mind. She had to admit his response to her behavior was shrewd. He must have read her letter to Georgiana and surmised what she had planned to do. She wished that he was as stupid as Mr. Collins. Things would be much easier if he was an imbecile.
She retired to the parlor. Today it was free of Mr. Bingley's presence. Her sister informed her of yesterday's discussion. She was so proud of Jane. The change in her sister's manners was remarkable. Perhaps her heartache had one positive outcome, Jane would no longer be anyone's fool. She wondered how Mr. Bingley would act. If he did not come to the obvious conclusion Jane would be better off without him.
Elizabeth's musings were interrupted by loud voices from the foyer. She looked up and saw Lady Catherine de Bourgh being shown into her aunt's parlor followed by her daughter Anne de Bourgh. Elizabeth steeled herself and performed the necessary introductions. Miss de Bourgh was very polite but Lady Catherine only deigned to nod at the inhabitants of Gracechurch Street.
"Miss Bennet, I demand your attention at once regarding a most serious matter. We will speak without the attendance of your family." the great lady huffed.
Mr. Gardiner looked quite offended. "Madam this is my home and I will not be thrown from the room. If Elizabeth desires to speak with you alone that will be her decision, not yours." he said sternly.
"Perhaps my father should stay." Elizabeth added, hoping Mr. Bennet was equal to whatever Lady Catherine had to say.
"I agree." Mr. Bennet added, curious as to what condescending lady had come to say to his daughter. The rest of the family reluctantly left the room and the remaining occupants waited awkwardly as the older woman waved a crumpled newspaper as she paced about the room.
"Miss Bennet I am most distressed. Yesterday I received the paper from London and resolved to set out for London immediately to speak with you. Mr. Collins provided me with your uncle's direction." she said with a disgusted look upon her face.
"How kind of Mr. Collins." Mr. Bennet said sarcastically.
"Miss Bennet there is a declaration in the London Times announcing your engagement to my daughter's fiancée. What do you have to say for yourself?" she demanded bitterly.
"Perhaps you should be asking our nephew that question." Elizabeth replied calmly.
"It was not posted by your own family?" she said disbelievingly.
"I am the head of the Bennet family, Madam. I can assure you this announcement was not placed by myself. In fact, it was done without my permission, much to my daughter's chagrin." Mr. Bennet replied.
"Then who posted this rubbish?" Lady Catherine growled.
"Your nephew." Mr. Bennet replied trying to hold in his laughter.
"Lies," the dragon lady shrieked.
"I am afraid not Lady Catherine." Elizabeth added.
"Enough of this nonsense. Are you engaged to my nephew?" she roared.
"He keeps telling me I am no matter how many times he has been told otherwise by myself." Elizabeth said grimly.
"Are you trying to tell me that my nephew made you an offer of marriage and you refused?" she scoffed.
"I did Lady Catherine. I only agreed to his second proposal under emotional distress. I do not mean for this marriage to ever occur." Elizabeth said angrily. As she retorted she became aware of the great opportunity that had been laid at her feet. Lady Catherine could stop the match. She wanted him so desperately for her own daughter. Perhaps she had the power to end this lunacy once and for all. Elizabeth fought to hide the grin that threatened to appear on her countenance.
"No, wait, my nephew had to propose to you more than once? Impossible! No sane woman would refuse Fitzwilliam Darcy. He owns most of Derbyshire. His grandfather was an Earl. Every woman in England want to be his wife!" Lady Catherine cried out in disbelief.
"I do not want to marry him mother," a quiet voice interjected.
"Anne now is not the time for this discussion. It has been decided you will marry your cousin. Miss Bennet will not!" She thundered at her daughter.
"I quite agree with your sentiments." Elizabeth added impertinently.
"You, you, what? I came here expecting you to do everything in your power to hold my nephew to his offer. I am quite prepared to offer you financial remuneration to walk away from this engagement quietly." she added arrogantly.
"That is quite insulting and not necessary Madam. My daughter has made it quite clear this engagement is not to her liking. I would suggest you work on your nephew. He is the one who refuses to end the commitment." Mr. Bennet said.
"I refuse to believe you. A daughter of an impoverished land owner with relations in trade would never refuse my nephew. This is some kind of trick." Lady Catherine replied.
"Lady Catherine, in our short acquaintance, have you ever known me to be dishonest? I believe I have spoken unadulterated truths to you frequently, enduring your disapproval when doing so." said a frustrated Elizabeth. "Please take my word on this. This engagement is not my doing or my wish." Lady Catherine nodded her head slightly as if confirming Elizabeth's honesty.
"I would add Lady Catherine that insulting my daughter's sincerity, position in life and family is most unwelcome. If you wish to continue this discourse, please do so civilly." Mr. Bennet demanded.
"I have never been talked to so in my entire life." Lady Catherine spurted out.
"Mama please," Anne interjected. "Let them marry. I have no desire to marry Fitzwilliam. We would never suit. He has not had a proper conversation with me in ten years. He is always so distant and aloof. He has never once acted in a manner that I wish for in a husband, if I every agree to marry that is."
"Miss de Bourgh, please, I am not suited to him either. You and Mr. Darcy are of the same sphere. You will unite two great estates. Your mother so wants this match between the two of you." Elizabeth pleaded to the other young lady.
"No, Miss Bennet, please. You must marry him. You will be able to bring out his good qualities. You will see. I am far too timid to be married to a man like Darcy. I could not stand up to him like you could. He delighted in your discussions at Rosings. I never saw him so interested in anyone before. He sought you out constantly when he was not sitting in a corner staring at you. He has never tried to engage me in anything." Anne de Bourgh replied.
"Miss de Bourgh, your mother knows best in this situation." Elizabeth said, not believing those words left her mouth. She was obviously becoming desperate if that was the only response she could make.
"No, not in this case." Anne replied. "Mother I have never asked you for anything in my life but please I beg of you, do not make me leave you and Rosings. I am comfortable in my own home. My health would never allow me to be a competent mistress of Pemberley. Miss Bennet has so much energy mother. She has a constitution I can only envy. She could visit the tenants and oversee the house. I was never trained to do such things. You have managed Rosings so wonderfully all my life. It is not what I want. I would only suffer and miss your company so."
Her mother faltered at this but only momentarily. "Am I to believe that you and Miss Bennet are fighting one another over who should not have to marry my nephew as if it is a punishment for some great sin?" the lady gasped.
Mr. Bennet could no longer contain his merriment at the absurdity of the conversation. He burst out laughing and said "Yes Madam, I am afraid that neither of these young ladies wishes to be Mrs. Darcy."
Lady Catherine gave him a very distasteful glare. "This is not to be borne. My nephew would be disgraced if such a thing was to become common knowledge."
"Then don't speak of it." Mr. Bennet chortled. Elizabeth glared at him. She could see Lady Catherine wavering and it would not benefit her at all. She did not want her father to make things worse with his brash rejoinders.
"Mother please," Anne pleaded. "You spoke about this with Aunt Anne so many years ago, before either Fitzwilliam or I developed personalities of our own. Surely you see that we are not meant to be together. I do not need his money or his estate. I am the heiress of Rosings. We do not need to change things. We are happy. Do want him constantly interfering in your management of the estate? You know he always criticizes when he visits to look over the books at Easter time. He will see Rosings as his own as would be his right as my husband. You will not have the final say over how anything is done. He may even install his own steward to run things and deny your spending." Anne cried out. She was becoming desperate as well and her final stratagem was an appeal to her mother's domineering ways.
Elizabeth paled at this suggestion. Anne de Bourgh was far more wily than she was given credit for. Lady Catherine was silent for a good two minutes. She looked back and forth appraisingly between the two girls. Elizabeth could practically hear the squeaky wheels turning in the older woman's mind. She had to get Lady Catherine back on path. "Lady Catherine, even if Mr. Darcy does not marry Miss de Bourgh surely you see I am an inappropriate match. I would never gain the approval of the ton. Your nephew would be censored and despised wherever he went if he married someone from my station in life. I am sure you don't want that for your nephew. Perhaps an heiress, or the daughter of an Earl, I am sure you have met many a worthy young woman more fitting to be Mrs. Darcy than I." This was bad, very bad she thought.
"Actually, I have not. With the exception of my Anne, I have not encountered a young woman who would suit him well. He cares not for town life and the opinion of the ton never mattered to him very much. I always felt he would be a good husband for my daughter due to his sense of duty and the respect he has for family. Miss Bennet you are obviously unwilling to quit your own sphere in life. I found this oddly admirably. Most girls in your situation would by far more grasping. You do not care for my nephew's wealth. That in and of itself makes me wonder about your good sense but at least you will not raid Pemberley's coffers and bankrupt my nephew as so many wealthy young women may be prone to do. You are a useful, energetic sort of girl. You are not without accomplishments although your father could have done much more in that regard. Really Mr. Bennet, five daughters and no governess. What were you thinking?" she huffed.
Before her father could come up with a witty reply Lady Catherine rose from her seat. "Come along Anne. I now know how to act. A strong wife, one who will not let him always have his way, interesting thought. You know I never left Sir Lewis bully me into anything." She left the parlor without another word. Miss de Bourgh had a very small smile upon her face. She whispered, "forgive me," and left the room.