Sorry, I had a fight with Lady Catherine last week and she won, so I couldn't post last week. Finally, I whipped her into shape! Happy reading and commenting!
CHAPTER TEN
Before Elizabeth could decide to help the Darcys or not, there was a knock on the door, and without waiting for permission, someone pushed it open.
"What is the meaning of this?" A portly gentleman in fine clothes entered with a scowl on his face.
"Uncle!" Elizabeth exclaimed. She tried to stand up but swayed due to her wobbly legs. Fitzwilliam, the nearest to her, steadied her by getting her to lean on his body. The other two men also stood.
"Unman my niece!" The uncle stepped forward and almost breathed the words down on Fitzwilliam's face.
Fitzwilliam was not one to be intimidated but the soft form of Miss Elizabeth pressed against his side was stirring up unwanted feelings in him. He did not want to be embarrassed in front of his relatives, especially not in front of Miss Elizabeth's angry uncle. He let go of her and allowed the uncle to help her sit down again.
"Uncle Gardiner, I'm feeling fine. You do not need to worry."
"Hannah sent Dawson to the warehouse to fetch me, saying that three gentlemen without appointment came for your séance. You know I only allow you to help communicate with the right people when they have been checked by my men. London is a dangerous place. I wouldn't put you in danger."
"Mr. Gardiner," Mr. Darcy jumped in. "I'm George Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire. And this is…"
Mr. Gardiner stopped his conversation with Elizabeth and scanned the three men in the room. Recognition dawned on him, and he said, "Judge Darcy, Your Honour!"
"You know my brother," George Darcy continued while the Judge acknowledged the greeting with a frown.
"I had a business case in front of His Honour about a year ago, and he was very fair in his judgement," Gardiner explained.
Judge Darcy put his hand forward and shook Mr. Gardiner's hand.
"Edward Gardiner of Gracechurch Street, London."
"Sorry, I couldn't remember your case, as I have many cases in front of me every day."
"It doesn't matter," Gardiner said. "I am more reassured now regarding Elizabeth's safety. Of course, I've heard of Pemberley and the upstanding character of the Darcys. My wife hailed from Lambton, just five miles from Pemberley. But I think this conversation is better served at my residence. My niece looks like she needs a rest as well."
Elizabeth opened her mouth, trying to protest but one look at her uncle told her she'd better agree, or her "practice" days in London would be numbered. The three gentlemen arranged with Mr. Gardiner to visit Gracechurch Street the following morning.
That evening, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner insisted on hearing the whole story of Elizabeth's dealing with the Darcys. After she retold the history, Mrs. Gardiner asked her with compassion, "What do you want to do, Lizzy?"
"I don't care for young Mr. Darcy's prejudice and haughty attitude. I think I've proven him wrong about my ability to communicate with ghosts."
"Then would you still like to help the Darcys?"
"I am not thinking of helping the Darcys in this world. I'm thinking of Lady Anne, the ghost in the transient world. I want to help her find peace."
"It is almost the same motivation," Mrs. Gardiner said. "In that case, we need to work out a satisfactory arrangement so you can go with the Darcys."
"I think they should go to Rosings first," Elizabeth said. "Instead of going back to Pemberley."
"Rosings?" Mr. Gardiner asked.
"It is the estate of Sir Lewis and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. It is in Kent."
"Ah, you think it is better to confront the person who gave the poisonous drink to Lady Anne first," Mr. Gardiner nodded.
"I actually do not think Lady Catherine killed her sister, based on what the Darcys revealed," Mrs. Gardiner said. "Since Her Ladyship from Kent was quite universally disliked by most of her 'friends', I'm wondering if she was, in fact, the target."
"Ah, my dear," Mr. Gardiner said. "I bow to your insights."
"I'm sure Lizzy would think of that once she has time to regain her strength," Mrs. Gardiner turned to her niece, "It seems to take you a lot of mental and physical strength to conjure up Lady Anne Darcy."
"I hate to disappoint you, Aunt," Elizabeth said. "I couldn't conjure up Her Ladyship. She came to me all by her own accord. I think she is looking forward to the closure. After all, it has been three long years since her death. But I can think of an excuse for me to visit Rosings, and I believe it would be beneficial for me to 'interrogate the suspects' with Lady Anne's presence."
"I beg to differ," Mrs. Gardiner said. "If you are not such a great psychic, I think she won't make an apparition so easily. You know I'm always in awe of your ability. But do share your idea about the interrogation."
"I have just received a letter from Jane. Mr. Bingley has asked her for a courtship. What if the Darcys asked Mr. Bingley's help, saying he is looking for a small estate to lease or purchase, with the view of offering marriage to Jane. It is entirely reasonable that the newlywed would not like to live with his parents and unmarried sister. Mr. Bingley could even say discreetly that he doesn't want to settle too near to Mama," Elizabeth said with her eyebrows raised.
The trio burst out laughing as they were all familiar with Elizabeth's mother interfering with the affairs of her daughters. The idea was put forward to the Darcys the following morning and was agreed upon immediately. Fitzwilliam returned to Netherfield to persuade Bingley and Miss Bennet to the scheme. At the same time, George Darcy sent a letter to Sir Lewis to secure an invitation for a party of six. Bingley did not ask for a lengthy explanation. He jumped at the chance to continue his courtship outside the eagle eyes of Mr. Bennet and the embarrassing behaviour of Mrs. Bennet. At first, Mr. Bennet was not so easy to part with his eldest daughter, but letters from Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth persuaded him to let his second most sensible daughter leave Longbourn in aid of Lady Anne Darcy. Sir Lewis loved to entertain, and he was very much into absurdity. He didn't need an elaborate reason to invite the Darcys and his friends to visit or to arrange a "fun room" as per George's request to play a prank on his wife.
Mr. Darcy had got Lady Catherine to welcome them with lofty cakes and tea in one of the draftiest and dark rooms in Rosings. The curtain was drawn and the candle burning bright despite only two in the afternoon.
"It feels so lovely to see you all again! And who might you be?" Lady Catherine de Bourgh asked, looking at Jane and Elizabeth. "Don't tell me! George and Fitzwilliam, you decide to marry these two girls in a double wedding and come to get my blessings. You will not have it!"
"No, no, Aunt," Fitzwilliam replied; his face turned red. "My friend Bingley is courting Miss Bennet. He is looking to lease or buy a small estate, away from the caring way of his parents. Father and I suggested to him that Kent is a wonderful county."
"Indeed! Kent is far superior to North Yorkshire or Hertfordshire," Lady Catherine sneered.
"And of course, I invited the party to stay in Rosings," Sir Lewis said. "when George mentioned it to me in his letter. We have not seen him and Fitzwilliam for ages. George has been roughing around the country like a gypsy while Fitzwilliam holed up in Pemberley like a hibernated turtle for three long years!"
"Why did you not tell me in advance?" Lady Catherine frowned at her husband. "And why did we welcome them in this cold and dark room we never use? Luckily Anne has retired to rest in her room. It would not do for our daughter's health to stay here for a minute. Even though young Bingley is the son of a tradesman-turned gentleman, he deserves better than this sorry excuse of a room. I said years ago that we should tear this monstrous room down."
"And make way to another gaudy set-up like your beloved parlour?" Sir Lewis argued. "This is a favourite room of my great-great-grandmother. She loved to use it to talk to her dead siblings."
"What nonsense sprouts from your mouth, Lewis! I have never heard you say your great-great-grandmother had siblings." Lady Catherine retorted.
"Oh, blame your senior moments, Catherine," Sir Lewis said, winking at George Darcy when Lady Catherine was not looking. Mr. Darcy had used some laughable reasons to persuade Sir Lewis to arrange the darkest room in Rosings to welcome them.
"Did you even have a great-great-grandmother?"
"Of course he had, Catherine," George Darcy jumped in. "Where did you think Sir Lewis and my niece Anne came from? Lewis, did you never teach your wife the story of the chicken and eggs?"
While Sir Lewis and George Darcy argued with Lady Catherine, Elizabeth closed her eyes and tried to call for Lady Anne silently. She had chosen to sit furthest away from Lady Catherine in the shadow of the room.
"Actually, we are here to ask you a few questions, Catherine. Do you mind?" Elizabeth suddenly said out loud, in Lady Anne's voice. The three Darcys who had seen Lady Anne's apparition a few days ago were less taken by surprise. But chills still travelled down their spines on hearing the ghostly voice of Her Ladyship. Jane, who had assisted Elizabeth during her séance when they were young, remained calm. She knew that most ghosts did not mean any harm to humans. Bingley choked on the cake on hearing the eerie voice, as he was the only one of the guest party without a clue of the possible appearance of the ghost.
"What is this?" Lady Catherine de Bourgh said; her voice trembled. "Who was speaking? Why did it sound so like my dearly departed Anne?"
"Yes, it's me, Catherine," Lady Anne continued.
"That can't be. You're dead."
"Did you not believe in ghosts?" Elizabeth said in the ghost's voice. "I thought you believed it when you were young. Lewis definitely did."
Sir Lewis recovered from his shocked silence. "Ah, one of the young ladies can mimic voices?"
"That is not funny!" Lady Catherine exclaimed. "Stop this instant! Anne was my beloved sister. She died too young. Lewis, where is our footman? I want both young girls thrown out of Rosings, now!"
"I'm happy that you consider me your beloved sister, Catherine." Lady Anne continued, ignoring her sister's demand to remove the Bennet sisters.
"Of course, I did, Anne. What nonsense! Was that you, George? Did you learn some illusionist skills from the gypsy and pretend to speak in Anne's voice? I said again, . !"
George Darcy looked like he would instead jump at the chance of speaking to Lady Anne. If only he found a great gypsy to teach him the skill of communicating with the dead as Elizabeth could.
"Stop protesting, Catherine, and let's humour the guests," Sir Lewis laughed and said. "This is way better than any card or parlour games. George, I salute you!"
"Weren't we close, Catherine?" Lady Anne asked.
"Why did you even need to ask, Anne," Lady Catherine replied, looking angry. "You were my best friend and my sister in one person. I loved you more than anything. Even in death, I still do."
"Do you have anything you admired about me?" The ghost continued; Fitzwilliam understood his mother's intention. He looked for any traces of hesitation or suspicious body movement on Lady Catherine as his mother interrogated her.
"A lot, actually. You have graces and perfect mannerisms. You set the best tables, and you had a beautiful pure heart. Your outward beauty too! You have the most perfect face, oh!"
"Thank you, Sister." Lady Anne said. "Would you desire to be like me in any way? To have any of the things I had?"
"Well…" Lady Catherine trailed off. "Your glassy skin, your lovely lifestyle, your husband— the way George treated you, I mean." Lady Catherine explained. "Lewis is never home and spends most of his free time with absurd distractions. I have to manage the finance of Rosings and our daughter's health. I was just saying I was glad you had George, that is all."
"Did you and I ever have fights?"
"What is this? The Spanish Inquisition? No! What do you mean by that? Why didn't you remember if you were really my sister Anne?" Lady Catherine cried, putting emphasis on the last word.
"But I remember, Sister Catherine, you didn't like me scolding you, mollycoddling your daughter."
"Oh, that! But that was years ago. When Anne and Fitzwilliam were in their teenage years. He was always running around, bringing frogs and wildflower to annoy Anne. My Anne was weak and sick. Fitzwilliam shouldn't bother her."
"So you berated Fitzwilliam for Anne's weak constitution, her inability to go outdoors? If you had insisted your daughter attempt a short daily walk every day, she would have built up her strength."
"But why are we arguing about events that were decades ago?"
"Because I am trying to settle my past mistakes in life."
"What are you saying, Anne? You are a ghost already. There is no point in doing that." Lady Catherine frowned and tried to look into the shadow of the room. "I demand to see you if you were really Anne's ghost."
"Perhaps I was not the one with past mistakes. Did you anger anyone, Catherine?"
"Nonsense, why would I antagonise anyone? I did not give out advice unless I was asked. And my advice was most sought after in Kent."
"Oh, clearly, my wife is delusional like a fly caught in a glass jar," Sir Lewis jumped in. "I would correct her sentence – she gave out advice whenever she was not asked, and her advice was most hated in Kent."
"I am sick and tired of your animal analogy, Lewis!" Lady Catherine cried out. "And you are intruding on my conversation with my beloved sister."
"I thought you didn't believe it was Anne's ghost."
"What if I believed it now?"
"Then tell me if you had treaded upon anyone in the last five to 10 years," Lady Anne interrupted the husband and wife's bickering.
"In that case, we would need a whole week here for Catherine offended more than dozens of people," Sir Lewis said, shaking his head. "No, maybe we need even a whole month!"
"What about right before Anne's party three years ago?" Judge Darcy commented. "Did Catherine make an enemy then?
"You exaggerate, my dear!" Lady Catherine exclaimed. "I feel like I'm being interrogated. I refuse to say another word unless you all tell me the true meaning behind all these questions and which of the Bennet girls is pretending to be Anne. I bet my chimney piece in Rosings that it is the impertinent Miss Elizabeth. Now come forward and sit in front of the candles so I can see what a fraud you are."
"Stop harassing the young girls, Catherine," Sir Lewis said. "I can answer for you, James. Catherine had an argument with Augusta right before that party."
"Lady Matlock? Why?" Judge Darcy said.
"She didn't like to give consequences to people whose fortune had been acquired by trade. When she learned that Anne had invited the Bingleys to the party, she sent a scathing letter to Augusta, recounting her lowly connections hundreds of years beforehand. For myself, I love the Bingleys. John is always fun to talk to."
"Again, you fabricate the truth. I only chided Augusta for two generations of her relations! As for the Bingleys, how could you even describe them as fun to talk to? His wife and daughter are atrocious?"
"What objections did you have about my mother and sisters?" Bingley finally found his voice.
"They are the worst fortune hunters in the whole of England. Anne told me Mrs. Bingley had tried to secure George before he married my sister. Failing that, she finally agreed to her poor father's arrangement and married the wealthy tradesman John Bingley. Mrs. Bingley was the one who promoted Augusta to secure my brother. And Miss Caroline Bingley was more than obvious in her intention over Fitzwilliam. But over my dead body, would she compromise Fitzwilliam!"
"That cannot be true," George murmured. "I had only danced once with Mrs. Bingley before her marriage. My eyes were always on Anne that season."
"Some ladies' imagination does not need encouragement," Lady Catherine sneered.
"But Caroline would never compromise, my friend!" Bingley repeated with an incredulous expression.
"Clearly, you do not know your own sister. My maid heard that hussy talking to her mother about the compromise plan. But the commotion after Anne collapsed of a weakened heart must have postponed Miss Bingley's plan."
"I see. What other people did you make an enemy right before the party?" Judge Darcy tried to steer the interrogation. He also agreed with Mrs. Gardiner that perhaps Lady Anne was not the intended target of the poisonous drink. Lady Catherine was a possible victim, given her manner of offending people. He wrote down in a mental note what to question Lord and Lady Matlock and the Bingleys later.
"What enemy?" Lady Catherine replied in a clearly annoyed manner. "Why would anyone want to be my enemy?"
"What about the Reverend William Collins?" Sir Lewis threw out another name with glee.
"What about him?" Lady Catherine retorted. "That was ancient history!"
"Catherine declined to accept Collins as the rector of Hunsford."
"That man is a fawning fool. I would burn down the church if I was forced to listen to him preach every Sunday!"
"That was exactly what she wrote back to the Bishop after her brief interview with the young reverend when he first graduated," Sir Lewis explained. "Collins told me privately that Catherine's letter set his career back for five long years."
"Until that stupid brother of mine bestowed the living of Stapleford on Collins. My Lord!"
"I am sure Augusta persuaded her husband to hire Collins to spite you, Catherine," Sir Lewis added with a laugh. "Now you must see the self-important man over dinner whenever you visit your brother."
"I have a check on Anne, and—" Lady Catherine clearly had enough of questions. She raised to leave the room but got cut off.
"One last question, please," Lady Anne said. "Did you have any argument with James and Molly?"
"Why would I quarrel with Judge Darcy and his wife? I would be a simpleton to disagree with a judge."
"But you did, Catherine!" Sir Lewis replied excitedly.
"No! Your memory fails you."
"No, my memory is as bright as the sunflower! You recommended a young person, who was merely accidentally mentioned to you to Molly's friend, Lady Metcalf, as her companion."
"I did. But I have no notion that this young Miss Pope is a fraud! The family were quite delighted with her at first. Lady Metcalf even sent me an express to thank me. She
found Miss Pope a treasure."
"Indeed, Miss Pope found Lady Metcalf's treasure instead and absconded with a few of them, not three months after. Lady Metcalf blamed Molly and you for the loss of her family treasure."
"Don't listen to Lewis. He distorts the truth. I must go to Anne now. Young ladies, you can stop pretending to be a psychic who could speak my sister's voice. I do not believe in you at all. Honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it. I have more important things to do! But I will not interfere with all the old and young foolish lads here if they believe your tricks. They are the silliest men of the whole of England!" With that, Lady Catherine left the room without a backward glance.
