AN: Thank you to Oddybobo for clarifying whenQueen Charlotte actually ceased functioning as the Royal Matriarch. To quote: "The Queen didn't disappear in 1811, and until 1814, she was the female figurehead for the kingdom-appearing at all formal gatherings and as hostess for the Monarchy. The Prince Regent and his wife were estranged. She likely had little to no real political power during that time, but she was Queen, and did continue to have allies. After the Regency Bill, it was said the relationship between the Prince Regent and his mother softened." I appreciate that, though I still have the quandary of my story line to deal with. This does help.

Chapter Thirty-One – It's Good to be Queen

Lady Catherine de Bourgh wore a malevolent smile as she perused the Royal Invitation again. Her sources had confirmed that her dishonored nephew and that hussy would also be invited. Now it was time to implement her plan.

Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam had once been a great power among the debutantes of the Ton. In her younger days she had broken many another young woman who got in her way. Granted, she did not find her own Duke to marry, but that was only because the only one available failed to meet her stringent criteria for a husband. The man was far to stubborn and determined, whereas Lady Catherine had been seeking a tractable, easily controlled husband. If she had wanted the single Duke, or even an Earl, be sure that she would have prevailed!

Louis de Bourgh had perfectly matched her criteria, however. He was a noble, though only a Baron. He was very wealthy and in possession of a fine estate, though she had determined to improve the grand house as soon as possible. He was the last of the de Bourgh line, ensuring that no pestilent relatives would have any claims to his estate. And most importantly, he was a tractable, easily led man in his middle years. Lady Catherine had no desire to be under the thumb of any man. It was bad enough that her brother would inherit her father's title and thus become head of the Fitzwilliam family. That would never happen in her home!

And so, despite the fact that her younger sister, Anne, had secured the prize of Pemberley, Catherine was more than pleased to drag Louis de Bourgh to the altar.

Naturally, the single ladies of the Ton at the time breathed a sigh of relief when Lady Catherine married. They hoped that her removal from the lists also removed a snake from their midst. Unfortunately, it was only another year before she was back as a matron, inserting her malignant presence into the workings of the season. The only relief was when she delivered an heir and a daughter.

Then, five years later, sickness struck down Baron de Bourgh and the heir, as well as almost killing both Lady Catherine and her daughter, Anne. Everyone expected that she would return in power soone thereafter, but she chose instead to remain at Rosings for most of each year.

Occasionally, the dragon would leave her lair and reach out her hungry maw to chew up some unsuspecting victim, but most of her focus was on her Anne and the marriage she was attempting to promote between her sick little daughter and Fitzwilliam Darcy, the heir to Pemberley.

Despite her distraction and self-imposed exile, however, Lady Catherine de Bourgh had kept her contacts. She used them now as she penned letter after letter, planning for the ruin of that upstart country hussy who dared to disrupt her plans.

oOo

Not many miles away from Rosings, in the small seaside town of Margate, Elizabeth and Darcy were joined by Georgiana, Catherine, and Bosun Toliver. The Bosun was immediately placed in a place of prominence on the porch of the great house, overlooking the sea. The young ladies, with accompanying protectors, of course, were free to roam the community and the beaches, almost without restriction.

Darcy and Elizabeth made occasional appearances, but disappeared just as often, either above-stairs or on long, private walks. That is not to suggest that their time was entirely spent on pleasure. The pair were constitutionally unable to completely relax, so they had brought the details of their estates with them. On the occasions when it suited them, they would have documents and plans spread across their dining room table, heads-in as they discussed their ideas.

It was a source of great amusement to Toliver and the two young ladies. In fact, Toliver, when his voice held-out, and Catherine often shared stories of "Lizzie's" industrious ventures and how, even as a very young lady, Elizabeth had raised the income and productivity of Longbourn. In her turn, Georgiana proudly told of her own brother's efforts, both before and after their father's death. All three agreed that it would be useless and pointless to try and hold the pair back from any venture they planned, even during their supposed honey-month.

Their most immediate scheme was the disposition of the property where Dover House had stood. Perhaps with the thought of progeny in mind, the Duke and Duchess agreed on a scheme to remove all traces of the great house and turn the entire property into a private park, to be enjoyed by the neighborhood. They spent many fond hours imagining their own children running about with the children of the Archers, Bingleys, and many more in the coming years. More often than not, after contemplating such bliss, they then adjourned to a private place to set about creating the reality.

Regardless of their own desires for peace and privacy, the date for the Royal Gala drew near, and the outside world once again intruded on the couple's lives.

oOo

Lady Catherine was out of patience with many of the ladies she had once considered allies... or at least puppets. They would persist in suggesting that, with the wedding past and the clears signs of Royal favor, it was too late to intervene. Lady Catherine would not accept such weak-willed thinking. She persisted, through dint of threats and bribes of influence, until she had assembled a bevy of powerful matrons who would answer the call.

Her plan was quite simple. As far as she was concerned, the Queen was basically a non-player in the Ton. She might be able to exert influence from the throne, but in the drawing rooms and ballrooms of London she was an outsider. What was needed, therefore, was an indisputable sign that, regardless of supposed Royal favor, Elizabeth Bennet would never receive acceptance from the people in society who truly mattered. So the matrons would, as a group, await the arrival of the upstart and then, with great ceremony, they would turn their backs to the pretentious pretender and cut her.

Lady Catherine dipped heavily into the coffers to commission the most exquisite dress that the Ton had ever seen. Not for her the simple styles of this new designer Katerina! No, a true lady of fashion spurned such plain accouter in favor of fashion which made a statement. Lady Catherine intended to diminish that grasping tart in every manner, even in the comparison of her dress to that of the hussy. Not one detail escaped her planning. After all, in controlling the Ton, she considered herself a true proficient.

She arrived at St. James Palace earlier than fashion dictated, intent on giving backbone to any of her troop who might have caviled. It was a fine night for so late in the years and Lady Catherine de Bourgh was feeling her power as she exited her carriage and glided into the palace. She was old enough now to remember when this building had taken prominence, and it gave her a certain feeling of ownership. This is my world, little girl, and you shall regret trying to take what is rightfully mine!

Her name was announced and as she surveyed the already teeming crowd she was surprised to find so many already in attendance. This younger generation does not know how to conduct themselves. Irritating as it was, however, it also suited her purposes. That would only mean that there were sufficient witnesses to the hussy's humiliation. Now to rally her troops.

"Lady Catherine," a harried matron rushed up, "I'm afraid..."

"Of course you are afraid," Lady Catherine snapped, "Which is why I have come early to instill some backbone in you and the others."

Another, dowager Countess who had always been one of her staunchest supporters in the past, tried to speak, "No, Lady Catherine, please listen, I do not think..."

"Well do not think then! Simply follow through with our plan as I presented it. We must gather together. They might arrive at any time!"

The first speaker wrung her hands and tried again, "But, Lady Catherine, there is a problem..."

"There are no problems that we cannot overcome if you will simply do as I tell you! Now..."

A tinkling laughter could be heard from over at the raised throne dais, followed by other laughter, both male and female. Lady Catherine's sycophants flinched, looking down in frustration. Something about the interaction on that side of the vast room pricked at her nerves and set her back up, but she didn't know why. Perhaps it was that one of the deep, laughing voices sounded distinctly like her nephew, though that was impossible since the boy never laughed!

As if by some magic, the crowd parted between Lady Catherine and the dais. Her eyes involuntarily swiveled in that direction. Her body then turned, almost of its own volition. There, on the dais, in a semi-circle on either side of the thrones, sat several comfortable chairs. Lady Catherine immediately recognized Princess Esterhazy, Lady Castlereagh, Lady Sefton, and Lady Lamb. Seated with them were several of their spouses and two prominent Ducal couples, as well a the Duke of Carlisle... and that upstart usurper... seated closest to Queen Charlotte's throne.

As Lady Catherin stared, her "friends" melted away from her and into the crowd. She was suddenly snapped out of her reveries when a tall, distinguished man in Royal liverie cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Her Majesty requests your presence before the throne."

With no choice but to comply, Lady Catherine de Bourgh made the long and humiliating walk across the great hall under the watchful eyes of the Ton, until she stood at the foot of the dais. She saw now that it had been deliberately expanded to accommodate the additional seats. She, on the other hand, was required to stop at the foot of the dais and curtsy to her Queen. Unfortunately, with that little chit in the position immediately to the Queen's right, it also seemed as if she was offering her curtsy to her.

"Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Your father was the Earl of Matlock, We understand, though your own dear, departed husband was a Baronet," the Queen intoned with great authority, as if clarifying a point of confusion, "How delightful that you could make it tonight."

"Your Majesty," Lady Catherine managed to return.

"Ah, but I don't believe that you've met my special guests for tonight, have you?" Without waiting for a reply, the Queen continued, "Fitzwilliam Darcy, the Duke of Carlisle and Earl of Longbourn you know, of course. Now it pleases Us to introduce Elizabeth Darcy, Duchess of Carlisle and Countess of Longbourn." With gritted teeth, Lady Catherine de Bourgh was left with no choice but to extend formal greetings to her nephew's chosen.

Her humiliation was nearly complete, but Queen Charlotte was not done with her yet. "Her Grace was just telling us a delightful story about her childhood. She is indeed quite a gifted storyteller. We all," she gestured to her distinguished guests, including most of the Patronesses of Almacs and leaders of the Ton, "have been enjoying her company most pleasantly. Your nephew had made a fine match indeed, wouldn't you agree, Lady Catherine?"

Once again left without a choice, Lady Catherine was forced to answer in the affirmative, though her words were barely audible. Queen Charlotte met hers with purposeful intent, "We are pleased that you agree. Now, thank you for your attendance. I believe that it is time to let Her Grace continue with her story." With that, she turned in her seat to give her attention fully to the petite, dark-haired lady with the laughing eyes. All other eyes on the dais followed suit, leaving Lady Catherine de Bourgh to back away from the throne and disappear back into the crowd.

She made her escape shortly thereafter, not allowing her coachmen to rest or change teams until she was safely back in Rosings. It was ten days before she left her rooms. She never left Rosings from that day on. The Earl of Matlock visited only once and took
Miss Anne de Bourgh away with him upon his departure

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