Rosings Park
October 12, 1807
Mister Darcy,
A report of the most alarming nature sent chills down my spin not a two fortnights past when it was claimed that you and that deplorable Miss Elizabeth Bennett were to be married. Surely after my visit to you in London, I thought I had bestowed upon you the true character of the one that calls herself a gentleman's daughter. She, sir, has no better breeding than the mutts that litter the country side. She is, for I am now convinced and ashamed to have welcomed her a guest into my home), a common trollop, a fortune hunter at best.
Her alliance with this illustrious family WILL NOT BE BORNE!
Nephew, I do more than implore you in this matter, I insist that the foolishness that has befallen you simply because of pair of fine eyes and the challenge of a supposed conquest in one not so easily guiled by your charms. Let me warn you again, it is you who has been bewitched by this little guttersnipe who has had the audacity to forget her station in life in aspiring to follow in my dear sister's footsteps.
It simply is not her place. Anne is the rightful Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy and you must do your duty and honor and rid yourself of any ties to a Miss Elizabeth Bennett and any association in Merryton. The place itself reeks of foolishness.
Should you not choose to follow my most excellent advice and bear the scandal of denouncing your engagement to Miss Bennett, you will leave me with no further recourse. You shall be dead to me nephew, as you will to the rest of your family. In time, if you degrade yourself to marry one who is so bellow your station in life, you will be panged with embarrassment at your choice in a wife, and be haunted by the pangs of duty and obedience that Anne would have showed you.
I feel that you will clearly understand my point and that I will see a notice in the London papers declaring not your marriage to a Miss Nobody, but instead to Anne. Once this is done, you may come to Rosings and ask my permission and we shall see if your foolishness allows me to condasend my approval.
Yours etc
Lady Cathering DeBough
"Darcy, surely Aunt was in a fool mood when she wrote this letter," Colonel Fitzwilliam tried to reason. "She was in shock."
Mr. Darcy stood rigidly in his aunt's sitting room. He face was twisted into a dark mask of anger and extreme dislike. His cousin's presence did little to soothe his raging emotions, even if immediate presence was sought.
Both men new that the Colonel stood in the room only because Darcy had the great foresight to know that he would need an ally as he called to have an answer on his Aunt's great rudeness. They both knew, that the only thing that was about to save Lady Catherine from a thorough throttling was Colonel Fitzwilliam and his particular talents of difussing nearly and tense situation.
Lady Catherine in all of her perceived greatness sailed into the room dark skirts billowing behind her followed not so closely by Anne.
Darcy looked sympathetically at Anne, but she smiled at him. Could it be that Anne unlike her mother never wanted this marriage? His aunt on the other hand looked over her nephews with an inquisitive look before seating herself on her throne like chair.
"Darcy" said she " I see no reason why you bring the Colonel. While I am delighted to see you both, I do not think that a chaperone will be necessary."
Her smug smile fanned the flames welling up within Darcy. He fought desperately against the urge to throttle his condescending relative.
"Anne, first off I must make my apologies to you for what you must have suffered this last week." Lady Catherine's smile broadened, and it was Anne who became rigid as fear crossed her face. Surely Darcy of all people would not submit to her mother!
Turning to his aunt, Darcy crossed the room to hand his Aunt the morning paper form London. "Aunt if you'd be so kind to look at page three above the fold, I believe you will find an announce most to your liking."
With that said, Darcy bowed calmly to his Aunt and stepped back and she calmly, but with trembling hands turned to the specifed page.
In her excited, Lady Catherine began to read allowed so that all present may to enjoy her victory over her most stubborn nephew.
"Let it be known that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of
Pemberly located in the county of Derbyshire
is lately engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennett of
Longborn, daughter of Mr. Franklin Bennett,
Hertfordshire. Nuptuals to shared with Jane
Bennett, thesister of Miss E. Bennett who will
on the same day wed Mr. Charles Bingley lately
of Hertfordshire."
Darcy stared at his red-faced aunt, who took but a breathe before he could see her ready herself for a rant.
"Aunt" he silenced her, "until now I have been your most dutiful nephew. But I will do what makes me happy without any regard to your interference. I shall marry Miss Bennett and I do not under any circumstances owe any apologies to you. My engagement to Anne, while I do love her quite as a cousin should, has been a long imagined dream."
As Lady Catherine's face became twisted with rage Darcy silenced her with a deathly look.
"Aunt for your own good, I encourage you to accept my choice in a bride otherwise you will deprive yourself not only of your dear sister's son, but her daughter, as well as her son's children. The choice is yours, Anne good day, and best wishes."
With that Darcy quickly bowed and quit the room headed directly for his carriage, Colonel Fitzwilliam nearly running behind him as his Aunt began to howl and chase after the pair.
