Chapter 33
When the time came for their outing to town to shop for ribbons before the assembly, Miss Bingley joined them, hoping to ingrate herself to Elizabeth, Georgiana and Anne. She found the outing trying. None of the other ladies gave more than civil consideration to her and did not heed her opinions or advice. She watched with disdain as they purchased what she was sure were inferior goods with enthusiasm and pleasure. When she complained of fatigue, hoping to cut short the activity that she felt no pleasure in, Elizabeth graciously offered that the carriage would take her back to Harcourt and then return for the others.
...
While the younger females were exploring the shops of Newmarket, Lady Matlock and Lady Catherine were sending around their cards to the local matrons.
"I am all for showing condescension to the lower classes, Susan," Lady Catherine said with a huff, "but that Miss Bingley is naught but an upstart. Miss Bennet is demure, as befits her station; not putting herself forward at every opportunity, at least. Your daughter has some strange notions, treating the cousin of my parson as an intimate. She will never recommend herself to Darcy thusly. He had always recognized rank, as befitting his station, despite his friendship with this Mr. Bingley. I am afraid you are to be destined for disappointment. Her radical notions will not endear her to Darcy and you shall have to look elsewhere for a husband for her. Mark my words, her novelty shall wear off and he will do his duty by Anne."
"Ah, so you think your brother should resind his decree that he will not consider any suitors for Elizabeth yet, and secure Darcy now?" Lady Matlock asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Your daughter has just returned, certainly you do not wish to marry her off so quickly. I have had the privilege of Anne's company as she matured without such a long absence. It would not effect ME to have my daughter enter the married state as it would YOU," Lady Catherine said with emphasis. "I am just stating that my brother's notion will come to nothing, and I do not wish to see you disappointed when Darcy returns his attention to the proper direction. "
"The proper direction?" Lady Matlock said raising her eyebrow.
"Him and Anne were formed for each other. They are also much closer in age than him and your Elizabeth. What would he want with such a young girl, eight years his junior? Our nephew is a quiet gentleman, not the type to go gadding about; never has been. I have noticed your Elizabeth is a lively sort of girl; quite charming in its on way. I myself, find myself charmed by her manners, even if they perhaps show a greater tendency towards impertiance than is proper. But a gentleman like Darcy? No, no. It would not do. He would prefer a quiet, biddable wife, like my Anne. Have I not always said they were formed for each other? There quiet natures and noble bloodlines are proof of it," Lady Catherine concluded smugly.
"If that is what you choose to believe, Catherine, I shall not gainsay you. I suppose only time will tell," Lady Matlock responded mildly, hiding her irritation with her sister-in-law's words.
Not yet satisfied with Lady Matlock's compilance, Lady Catherine added, "Besides Darcy is nearing thirty and it is high time he begin setting up his nursery. He cannot afford to wait another year or two. A union with Elizabeth is out of the question therefore. So if the family wishes to secure Pemberley and Darcy for the next generation, it is high time you and my brother join me in bringing about his official proposal to Anne. It would not do to see Pemberly wasted on a creature like Miss Bingley. "
"I highly doubt Darcy would contemplate marrying Miss Bingley," Lady Matlock said dryly, "particularly if he would find Elizabeth's close friendship with the daughter of a country squire objectional."
"Of course he would not consider it," Lady Catherine barked, offended. "But he might feel honor bound if she used her arts and allurments to ensare him in a trap. I would not put it past the lower classes to resort to such strategems as a compromise to capture a husband above their sphere."
"That is enough!" Lady Matlock said rising. "I will remind you such behavior is not limited to the lower classes," she said attenpting to mask her anger.
"I should not speak ill of the dead," Lady Catherine said with a sniff of disgust, "but the family is certainly better off with that particular tie having been severed. If James were my son, I would never have allowed such a situation to occur."
"Undoubtedly," Lady Matlock said with cold civility. "I do believe I shall lie down, my head aches. Excuse me, Catherine."
"Yes. I cannot blame you. The thought of her would certainly give me a headache. I of course have never been the type of weak female to suffer from such a compliant. My constitution had always been most robust. Not that you are weak, dear. A headache in your case is entirely understandable and suitable. Mrs. Jenkinson has a recipe for a posset that Anne finds very soothing when her head aches. I shall have her send it to cook and arrange for it to be prepared for you."
"Thank you," Lady Matlock said pursing her lips against the urge to make a comment on Anne's sickly nature in regards to being an able Mistress of Pemberley, refusing to sink to the level of her sister-in-law. Darcy favoured her daughter, not Lady Catherine's. The least she could do, Lady Matlock reminded herself was be gracious in the face of the death of Lady Catherine's long held wish.
