Elizabeth stared at Lady Catherine for a moment and in return Lady Catherine stared at Elizabeth. It seemed that in the moment that nothing was said the whole world could have swallowed Elizabeth so she could not be seen blushing at the disgrace Lady Catherine showed in being in her home. It was at this that Lady Catherine turned to the servant who stood next to her.
"Take me to Mr Darcy." She said. To Elizabeth's shock and surprise Lady Catherine nodded her head to Elizabeth before following the servant.
Elizabeth turned quickly, finding herself short of breath after such a situation and rushed off to her chambers where Kitty and Georgiana sat waiting.
"Lizzy," Kitty said as she entered the room. "Where have you been, we were so worried." Elizabeth collapsed against the back of her door and looked at the young ladies who stood before her.
"What is it Lizzy?" Georgiana asked.
"Lady Catherine is here." Elizabeth said in no more than a whisper.
"Lady Catherine!" Georgiana said in shock. "Lady Catherine is here!" Elizabeth nodded.
"Mr Darcy will not be pleased that she has come without an invitation." Kitty said.
"He will be most displeased." Elizabeth said. "What business would bring her here?" She looked up at Georgiana.
"I do not know Lizzy, but be assured that I am not going down until she has left." Georgiana said.
"Nor I" Kitty added. Elizabeth walked over and sat in a chair in front of the fire.
"You shall have no need to fear her, she has no discontented feelings for you." Elizabeth said to her two younger sisters.
"Well, we shall not leave you Lizzy." Kitty said. "We shall give you company. Shall we perhaps play cards?" Everyone agreed.
They had played cards for a long time before there was a knock on the door. All the women's eyes met each others in anticipation before Elizabeth called the persons entry. The women sighed in relief slightly as a maid came in carrying a letter.
"Forgive the intrusion ma'am." The servant said to Elizabeth as she curtsied. "Mr Darcy has asked me to give you this letter." Elizabeth took the letter and looked down at it.
"Did Mr Darcy not wish to bring it himself?" Elizabeth asked the maid.
"Mr Darcy is still in the company of Lady Catherine ma'am." Elizabeth nodded and gave the servant permission to leave.
"Who is it from Lizzy?" Kitty asked. Elizabeth looked up from the letter to her sister.
"Lady Catherine." The two women's mouths opened quickly.
"What can she have to say to you Lizzy?" Georgiana asked as Elizabeth opened the letter.
"I could not guess Georgiana." Elizabeth unfolded the letter and looked down at the writing it said,
Dear Mrs Darcy,
I have to congratulate you on the news that you are to bring a child into this world. I hope that the child has a safe arrival and give you my best wishes toward your health and recovery.
I feel that after my last letter to you I do offer you an apology, I insulted you in the letter which was addressed to your husband, I should have understood that he would confide in you. It was my mistake to think I could write in confidence to my nephew and I am ashamed to say that I will not do such a thing again. However, on the matter of our meeting in Hertfordshire I cannot offer an apology. Even though it is from a period ago I cannot see that forgiveness can be granted for those things mentioned to me. I am sure that you feel similar feelings toward myself although the things I said were meant, they did not intend to harm other people such as my nephew.
You may wonder as to why I have visited your home today but I bring tidings to your husband which are of a grievous nature. I am not to inform you by letter, I am sure Mr Darcy will take enjoyment in telling you.
I thank you madam for talking time to read this letter, although it holds no apparition of joyful sentiments I assure you that I mean well. Some of the things mentioned in my previous letter are now regretted and I hope most cordially that you will visit Rosings after the birth of your child. I should hope that you could put aside our past feelings in company, you may say what you will out of my company but all of the Darcy family are welcome to Rosings, including yourself.
I hope that you will take my proposal in consideration and not dismiss it immediately.
Lady Catherine
Elizabeth looked up at Georgiana and Kitty with a look of confusion.
"What is it Lizzy?" Georgiana asked.
"I must see Mr Darcy immediately." She said. "Business which cannot be delayed."
"But Lizzy let my brother come to you, he is in a better state of health." Georgiana said.
"No. I must go to him." Elizabeth said as she stood up. A short pain in her stomach made her stop and place her hand where the child was growing. Georgiana and Kitty stood up quickly.
"What is it Lizzy?" They asked quickly.
""It is nothing!" Elizabeth snapped. Elizabeth stormed from the room. Georgiana and Kitty stood there looking at each other. They both knew what they had seen, Lizzy was starting to go into labour. They wanted to stop her but they knew that Lizzy would never listen, the only thing that they could do was talk to Mrs Reynolds or the physician, or even better Darcy.