Colonel Fitzwilliam raised his nose and sniffed the air. "Lady Catherine, she is here," he pronounced ominously.
The tension in the room grew and, shortly, Evans entered to tell the assembled company the Lady Catherine's carriage had, indeed, entered the grounds of Raber Hill. He was instructed to send her in when she arrived. As he left, they all turned as one to stare at Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"How...," Louisa started to ask.
"It is the keen instincts of a soldier," he replied in all seriousness before shrugging. "That, and I saw the scout from the gatehouse pass by the window." Darcy rolled his eyes but relaxed a little at his cousin's antics.
Darcy looked at the group and almost felt sorry for his aunt. There were ten at the ready to face her. Luckily for her, the Bennets and Michaels had yet to arrive so she would not have to deal with almost a score of irate protectors. However, those in attendance today were only there to serve as silent witness. He would combat Lady Catherine alone and he was confident he would win the day. He would not settle for anything less.
"Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Miss Anne De Bourgh," Evans announced. Lady Catherine was surprised to see so many present as she swept into the room, but she focused on her niece and nephews.
"Darcy, I expected to find you here given the disgraceful gossip that has reached me. I suppose I should be surprised to find Fitzwilliam here, but I am not. Fitzwilliam, you have never shown the same loyalty to me and Anne that you have for Darcy. And that you should entangle Georgiana in your transgressions just shows you are both unfit to have her in your care. After I have resolved the matter at hand, I will see to her removal from your guardianship."
"No, Lady Catherine," Georgiana said. "I will remain under the supervision of my brother and my cousin." That Georgiana spoke to her so, and in front of strangers, seem to confound Lady Catherine.
"Now is not the time, child. Darcy, you will introduce me," she demanded.
"You shall receive no such courtesy, Lady Catherine. You have arrived unexpectedly, and may I stress, uninvited at the home of those you do not know. Your purpose for coming here is narcissistic and will, no doubt, offend these good people."
"Hmph," but to Lady Catherine's mind, Darcy's words mattered little. She had no desire to mingle longer than was required with those beneath her. She and Anne were offered seats, and she took hers as her due. Based on the descriptions she had received, she was able to ascertain which lady was Elizabeth. "Miss Hurst, there seems to be a smallish parterre garden," she indicated the view from the windows. "I should be glad to take a turn in it, if you will favor me with your company."
"No, thank you, Lady Catherine. I am quite comfortable where I am. I have not the least intention of walking," Elizabeth said pleasantly, as Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes at her.
"Very well, you can be at no loss, Miss Hurst, to understand the reason of my journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I come."
"Not at all, Lady Catherine. You are mistaken. I cannot account for the reason of seeing you here."
"Miss Hurst," replied her ladyship, tempering her angry tone only a bit in the presence of the others, "A report of a most alarming nature reached me one week ago. I was told that that you, Miss Elizabeth Hurst, have entered into a courtship and would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards engaged to my nephew, my own nephew, Mr. Darcy. I came immediately to hear you refute it. Will you declare there is no foundation to this report?"
"I cannot, Lady Catherine. In fact, there is a very solid foundation to the report." As Elizabeth exchanged smiles with Mr. Darcy, Lady Catherine's nostrils flared.
"Darcy, this is a scandalous falsehood. You are engaged to your cousin, tell her."
"Why Lady Catherine, I have never been engaged to my cousin. That would be quite a different scandal," Colonel Fitzwilliam replied as he squinted at Darcy. "I suppose he does have a rather brooding appeal, though."
"Spare me your prurient humor, Fitzwilliam," she said before returning her attention to Elizabeth. "Given your rather distasteful background, your ignorance of the situation is to be expected. It was the favorite wish of his mother and me. While in their cradles, we planned the union and it will not be thwarted by a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world - lacking family, fortune, or connections. It is no wonder you exhibit not a hint of propriety and delicacy. Is it not enough that you have been the cause of both of my nephews' refusal to attend Rosings Park this year?"
Mr. Hurst was about to unleash an angry retort when his wife indicated he should remain quiet. They had agreed this was Darcy's responsibility.
"Miss Hurst, you may have, in a moment of infatuation, made Darcy forget what he owes to himself and to all his family. You may have drawn him in, but this match to which you have the presumption to aspire, can never take place, thus, I will not even oblige you with an explanation of the of the dire consequences if you pursue this course."
"I shall be happy to articulate the dire consequences," Lady Catherine looked smugly satisfied at Darcy's words. "For you, Lady Catherine. Are you listening? If you continue in your attempts to disrupt my courtship you will not be welcome by the Darcys or the Fitzwilliams, either in London or Derbyshire. I know that means little as you seldom leave Kent, but it becomes more urgent when you consider what further actions will be taken.
"Anne and I decided long ago, if you succeeded in forcing a marriage between us, we would sell Rosings Park back to the De Bourghs for the sum of one pound. With her dowry, we would set up an establishment for her wherever she chose. Anne thinks she might like the Lake District. However, our plan can be easily applied to our current circumstances. Given that Anne inherited when she came of age, all that is needed is for our uncle to enforce the conditions of her father's will. I expect the De Bourghs will be pleased to have Rosings Park in their possession again and at such a bargain sum. I confess, though, we gave no consideration to your comfort so you would have to see to yourself."
"You cannot be lost to all sense, Darcy! That woman, with her arts and allurements—"
"Is immaterial to this argument. This is not about Miss Hurst." Darcy had warned Elizabeth that any conversation he had with his aunt was not a reflection for his feelings for her. She looked perfectly serene with no sign of discomfort. "This is about you and your selfish disregard of the feeling of others. You have no right or power to dictate how I live my life and that includes those I choose to bring into it. It is the height of arrogance to think your wishes more important than my own when it comes to the individual I wed. Before you state your claim of it being my mother's wish as well, I would tell her the same thing. However, if she ever even uttered that sentiment, my mother would have long since abandoned it once she knew it did not align with my own feelings."
"This is not a game or battle to win or lose, Aunt Catherine. Fitzwilliam does not seek or need your approval. You must simply decide whether you will accept your disappointment with dignity or turn it into anger and resentment, but you will not have your way. It is your life that will be more greatly impacted if you severe your connection to us, not ours." Georgiana said quietly.
Lady Catherine weighed what she heard. She was not pleased with her nephew, but she knew obstinance when she saw it. She did not believe Darcy would yield. That her own daughter had plotted against her meant little for she knew she could maneuver Anne to her way of thinking eventually. However, it was Georgiana's calm declaration that affected her most. Plain truth from a figure of goodness and innocence, stated without rancor or conflict, was hard to dispute.
"We will discuss this later, Darcy, in private." Though not explicit, Lady Catherine words amounted to an admission of defeat. She could not concede her position in a roomful of others. "You will see to our rooms, madam," Lady Catherine, having not been introduced, addressed Mrs. Lee.
"There are no rooms for you here, Lady Catherine." Mrs. Lee replied. Colonel Fitzwilliam intervened at this point.
"If you recall, you arrived unannounced, aunt, and you will not presume upon the Hursts' hospitality. Your rooms are at the inn in Nuneaton. I will take you there. You and Anne may rest for the night and then I will escort you to Matlock." Lady Catherine began to sputter at this news. "This is not negotiable. You will find that the carriage is still loaded and ready to continue your journey, but perhaps you would like to refresh yourself before you go."
As Lady Catherine followed a servant out of the room, Anne lingered. Once her mother was out of sight, Anne approach Darcy and gave him a quick hug. "Oh, thank you, Darcy. Will you introduce me to everybody?" Introductions were made and, though she did not accept, an invitation to stay was offered to Anne.
"I must see this through. Everything is almost at an end. I know it," Anne seemed quietly confident. "Though I see no need to relinquish Rosings Park at this time, some changes will need to be made. I must consult with our uncle while at Matlock. I have grown quite fond of the thought of a little cottage in the Lakes. Will you look into it for me, Darcy?
"Of course, Anne, I would be happy to."
"I must go before my mother comes for me. It has been so nice to meet you all. Miss Hurst, I hope to see you again soon and I look forward to having a good long chat. I have wonderful stories about Darcy I would like to share."
"Of course, Miss De Bourgh, I would like that as well. In the meantime, perhaps you would write to me."
"Oh, how delightful, of course I would. I hope I may soon wish you joy. Georgiana, will you take me to my mother." Georgiana and Anne left the room as Colonel Fitzwilliam paced, mumbling to himself.
"What was that, Richard?" David asked, as he went to the cupboard that revealed a variety of decanters and glasses. He poured a glass of wine and handed in to the colonel who downed it in a few swallows.
"The things I do for you, Darcy. The things I do. You should know, both of you," he pointed his empty glass at Darcy then Elizabeth, "that everything you acquire or create in the future must acknowledge me for my sacrifice. Everything. Houses, children, horses, dogs. All of them. After me." He pointed to his chest before holding out his glass for David to refill.
"I will spend hours shut-up in a carriage with her while the whole time she complains about Darcy. Oh, she sees the writing on the wall but that will not stop her. I will be lucky if I am not engaged to Anne before we reach Matlock. I shall have to distract myself with the thought of the welcome I will receive at Richard Abbey, your new estate in, say, Hertfordshire, or, even better, dangling little Richardina on my knee."
"Thank you, Colonel." Mrs. Hurst laid a hand on Richard's arm as she struggled not to laugh.
Richard sighed. "You know I would would do anything for you, ma'am. Even though you allowed my mangy cousin a dance before me." She kissed his cheek and shooed him on his way.
"I was prepared for a bigger fight than that," Mr. Hurst said. "I did not even get to tussle even a little bit."
"Darcy and Georgiana handled their aunt beautifully. I do not think that is cause to be disappointed." Mrs. Hurst said. "You are just upset you did not get your share of the conversation."
"Lacking family, fortune, and connections," Mr. Lee scoffed. "While our connections may be lacking, you more than make up for it in family. And as to fortune, I am not a braggart, but I dearly wanted to share that you have a dowry in excess of thirty-two thousand pounds and are heiress to Clessondale."
"How do you have a dowry of thirty-two thousand pounds? My Anne's is only twenty-five thousand pounds. And what is this Clessondale?" Lady Catherine had passed the open door to the sitting room as she prepared to depart Raber Hill.
"That is no business of yours, aunt. Come, the carriage is waiting for us. I will be with you in a moment." He handed his aunt off to the Evans as he said his farewells to the others. "Darce, will you see that my bag and horse follow us to Nuneaton? And I will remind you that my middle name is Joseph. Richard Joseph Darcy has a nice ring to it, does it not? Or Josephine Richardette? No need to make a decision today, I will send you a list." After a jaunty salute, he was gone.