Chapter 14
Lady Catherine quickly alighted from the carriage. Elizabeth followed at an unenthusiastic pace. Her ladyship beat on the door with such fury, her animosity so entirely apparent, that Elizabeth worried greatly at the further provocation of meeting Miss Bingley. She could not wish her scheme to end with death of her host, who, though a willing participant, was certainly somewhat unwitting to the whole of Elizabeth's particular scheme.
The door swung open so immediately it was as though some emergency were expected. Feeling herself too affronted to observe any ordinary stricture on decency and decorum, her ladyship spoke, "Where are Mr. and Miss Bingley. I demand to see them at once."
"Who may I say is calling Ma'am?" Inquired the Butler, clearly overwhelmed with the prospect before him. Poor man, thought Elizabeth, to be forced to choose between vexing his mistress and vexing Lady Catherine. Whatever he should choose, he shall surely repent it.
"Lady Catherine de Bourgh. You may tell them that my call is on account of Mr. Darcy, my nephew with whom I know them to be acquainted."
The butler nodded and proceeded to the drawing room to inquire of the family. Her ladyship followed and Elizabeth, not knowing what to do, eventually made to follow too.
She burst through the door where Mr. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst, and Miss Bingley were gathered, turned back to the butler and spoke, "That, I suppose, is Mr. Bingley, and that is Miss Bingley."
"Mr. Bingley is in his study Ma'am." Replied the butler.
"Fetch him at once," Turning immediately back to Miss Bingley, she said, "Do you know who I am?"
Miss Bingley looked to her guest confused, having been certain the Bennet's had no connections of note – but she also felt this woman carried herself as though she had some considerable consequence and was, therefore, not to be toyed with until her situation was ascertained. She looked again to Miss Bennet and back to her butler, clearly confused.
"Lady Catherine de Bourgh, her nephew is Mr. Darcy and with her now is Miss Bennet." Said the butler.
"Miss Bennet may perform the introductions. You are meant to be fetching Mr. Bingley. I am unaccustomed to being made to wait."
He looked immediately to Miss Bingley, fearing the woman may need to be removed but his mistress gestured for him to go.
Elizabeth summoned her courage, determined to not allow Miss Bingley to discern any hesitancy on her part. The audacity apparent in her schemes against Jane made Elizabeth sure she should show herself to be equally unfeeling. She performed the introductions, everything proper was said, anyone who had only begun to observe could not note anything amiss, her tone was civil but lacking in its customary warmth
Lady Catherine merely acknowledged the introduction with subtle tilt of her head. Miss Bingley began to speak all that was welcoming and insincere, "You are most welcome madam. Would you like some refreshment. Anyone so close to Darcy must always assume a welcome here."
Ignoring her, Lady Catherine said, "This must be the most vulgar and inconvenient sitting room to be seen on the fashionable side of town; the garishness immediately marks your family as without history or distinction. You ought to remove to a section of Town where your tastes would not seem so outlandish. Do you think those with ancient and respectable family lines will be so distracted by your decorations they will not notice your roots are in trade? It shall not be! You shall only draw their attention to it sooner. ''
Miss Bingley felt fully the sting of the affront. She eyes flitted from object to object, seeking the flaws in the room she had very nearly just redone. Though finding none, she said, "I have been meaning to have this room redone for quite some time."
Looking around, noting the newness of the fabric, Lady Catherine imparted a look of incredulity upon Miss Bingley and said, "See to it that your redecorating is done properly this time. You will never learn if you do not practice, I suppose. But you must know why I am here; your own conscience must tell you. Surely, you are deceived into believing me here to make you acceptable to those with more consequence than you."
Upon reason, upon reflection, upon everything, Miss Bingley could draw only one conclusion: Finally, he means to offer for me, and this hag means for me to quit him. He must have spoken to his family of me. Confident that she was about to receive her dearest wish, she smiled brilliantly, believing herself to hold the better hand, and said, "I cannot account for the honor of such a visit, but I am happy to entertain you all the same."
"I am not to be trifled with Miss Bingley. I understand you to be the source of scandalous falsehoods and vile gossip that can only ruin your entire family's reputation. That you have been writing to respectable people of such vulgar and untruthful rumors, that when brought to my attention, I could not but set out at once to have them immediately contradicted. To think you are silly enough to believe any of my nephew's intentions toward you might honorable and that I might allow your brother to marry my niece. I mean to expose you as the grasping, scheming, upstarts that you are! I come even now from planning the wedding of Darcy to my daughter, now what have you to say?"
"I only thought," began Miss Bingley, smile faltering, and began to sputter. He is to be married!
Lady Catherine interrupted. "Miss Bingley, if thinking led me to such stupid conclusions, I should be smart enough not to think at all. Your thinking, mark my word, shall end with you in some middling sort of brothel when your reputation is ruined and your relations refuse to tolerate you."
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst gasped, Elizabeth's eyes bulged, and Mr. Hurst finally said, "Now see here! She is of a good family in the north and has a twenty-thousand-pound dowry…"
"No, you see here, " Lady Catherine looked at him angrily and spouted, "If I were you I would not allow my sister to run about ruining the respectability of my family. She is lucky to have the rumors so contained by myself, and that the Bennet sisters are too sensible spread them abroad, or it should already be too late for her reputation. I see what you are, a man of more fashion than fortune; happy to pocket the dowery but too indolent to concern yourself with the connections you've acquired. Not many men would be so willing to marry into such a family— if the gossip becomes known— even with such inducement. To think, that a family, with nothing more than vulgarly obtained funds to recommend them, would connive to marry not one, but two members of such an illustrious family! It is not to be borne! I would not be and should not be tolerated amongst respectable people. I insist upon you righting your affairs and emptying your wine glass some place other than your gut."
Finally beginning to grasp what had actually brought on Lady Catherine's call, Miss Bingley countenance lost all color. But they have no connections of note. However much they wished it, how could they possibly have the reach to betray me to Darcy's relations? Her mind searched for the answer, the connections in trade, the solicitor….it must be the parson! Inwardly groaning she realized her mistake. One of them must have married the parson and shared the gossip with Darcy's aunt. Perhaps she can be brought to think the Bennet sisters are liars."
Gaining her composure, exuding a look of contrived innocence, Miss Bingley said, "Lady Catherine, there must surely be some misunderstanding."
"Do not presume to deceive me, Miss Bingley. I know it all!"
Before Miss Bingley could respond Charles Bingley arrived, clearly ignorant of the disharmony in his drawing room. "Miss Bennet, I am so very glad to see you. Your family are all well? I did not know you to be in London or I would have called upon you at once."
"I am delighted to see you as well! I have only just arrived; my sister Jane has been here for a few months now. I understand your sisters eventually returned her call."
Bingley's head swung in confusion over to his sisters, they attempted to mask their guilt, but Elizabeth's reply took them by surprise and they were not quick enough. Lady Catherine's eyes glimmered with rage, but she tempered her urge to censure, wishing to know if Mr. Bingley was complicit.
"I had no notion," he finally said, bewildered.
Thinking it best to usurp the conversation from Lady Catherine, Elizabeth said, "I was only just made aware of your ignorance from Mr. Darcy. I beg you would forgive my impertinence, but based on your sister's letter to Jane I congratulated Lady Catherine on your future alliance with her niece."
"But she's not yet out! I have no designs on her whatsoever!" He looked appalled. Lady Catherine looked satisfied. Elizabeth felt relief. He turned, knowing full well which sister was responsible, "Caroline, explain yourself!"
Attempting to salvage the situation, Caroline shrugged, and said "I really cannot begin to explain what Miss Elizabeth is about. You do know how little the sisters have to recommend them. Of course she is eager to closen her ties with Lady Catherine and help her sister secure you, by any means."
Elizabeth was indignant and made no attempt to conceal her contempt. She turned back to Mr. Bingley and said, "I am certain my sister retained Miss Bingley's letters. They serve as a reminder to her that she misunderstood your meaning and has only herself to blame for allowing her heart to be touched."
It hit him at once what his sisters were about. Deceiving us both into believing the other had no true affection. "Pray forgive me, I had no notion. I became convinced that I wasn't sufficient for her to hold me in too high a regard but was too polite to embarrass me." He said to Elizabeth.
"Forgive me but there is something else I must say. I realize the lack of delicacy, but my conscience could not bear keeping it from you. While I was at Rosing, Mr. Darcy was also present. He boasted of being complicit and working to conceal Jane's presence for you. At first, he said he was convinced of her lack of affection, but when I asserted otherwise, he scoffed, insisted he could not repent it, and that it was done for the best. He shares Miss Bingley's hopes for his sister is seems."
Lady Catherine nearly interjected and declared it impossible. Yet, she immediately stifled her defense of her nephew, upon this thought: It is better for the ties to be cut at once, lest this upstart convinces himself he is suitable to become a connection. Heaven and Earth, that Darcy means to encourage it! The company he has kept has caused him to forget what he owes himself and all his family. He is to be dealt with at once. His being a relation by no means meant that he should escape her wrath; Lady Catherine wondered if I could only add to the catastrophe if that call was put off until the morrow To call at such an hour just wasn't done; her nephew was no tradesman.
Mr. Bingley paused, hesitated, was disbelieving, and then looked at Elizabeth surprised, "And you are sure of this? He has said nothing to me of the matter."
Elizabeth feared for Jane, but still spoke the truth. "Yes, he confirmed it repeatedly and rejoiced in his success at separating you from my sister." If you mean to abandon her for a larger dowry and better connections it is better for Jane know now, she thought, for the first time doubting his affection and regretting her letter to Jane
The extent of the betrayal was evident; Mr. Bingley's shoulders slumped, he looked defeated. "My God, and to think that I thought him totally unbiased, and offering his opinion only out of friendship."
"I am sorry for you to find your friend so false. Forgive me for the disturbance I have brought to your door. Jane would be humiliated to know what offering my congratulations has brought about." Elizabeth said, feeling she truly meant her words even without repenting her actions.
"Think nothing of that, it would be a far worse thing not to know what they have been about. Pray, is your sister still in Town? Would my call still be welcome?" Mr. Bingley said nearly fearing the answer. The natural modesty Mr. Darcy had spoken of was now apparent to Elizabeth. And to think Mr. Darcy abused this man's self-doubt, while calling himself a friend and only to bring about his own scheme.
"Really, Charles! You cannot mean to call upon her after such a time," Miss Bingley exclaimed, giving her brother an exasperated look
Elizabeth ignored Miss Bingley so entirely it was as though she were no longer present. "Yes, she is, and I believe you shall be very welcome. Though I pray you would allow me to call upon her first. Would you be so kind as to give me a day or two?" Elizabeth looked to Lady Catherine, hoping she was willing to relay call upon her relations. Elizabeth knew not what else her ladyship meant to be about, but the recollection of the phase universally contradicted made her shudder. She cannot mean to take me to call upon Mr. Darcy! Lady Catherine eventually nodded her agreement; Elizabeth sighed in relief.
"As you wish. Would you be so kind as to give me the direction?" He said, glaring at Caroline, now knowing not to trust her direction.
As Elizabeth nodded her assent, Lady Catherine now interjected. "Not so fast, I insist upon having my say! I demand you take charge of your sister at once. She has slandered my niece and my nephew; attempting to tarnish their reputations to forced them to answer her expectations! I will never allow it! If her behavior is not checked I mean to have her cut from all good society. Her presence will not be tolerated in any respectable drawing room, not even to be scoffed at." "I can think of little that would better check my sister's behavior, but I can assure you of this, whatever you choose to do, she shall not be welcome in my home much longer."
"See to at once Mr. Bingley. I insist that she is properly looked after. As for you, you will not trifle with Miss Bennet. I insist you propose to her at once."
Elizabeth gaped. Jane would not like it at all if she believed Mr. Bingley's proposal to be for any cause other than his own affection. Half fearing, half hoping she may be put out, she hastily spoke, "Mr. Bingley I am certain Jane would not have you forced. She would wish you to answer your own inclinations on the matter."
Lady Catherine harrumphed, but it was Bingley who spoke. "Fear not, I should be happy request her hand, as soon as I may ascertain if she should wish it. Assuming Miss Bennet will forgive me, of course, and that her affections remain unchanged."
"Don't be a fool! I have never heard such indecent and continuous talk of affection, except at the theater. Such amusement ought to be banned for young people not yet married. I have not troubled myself on behalf of Miss Jane Bennet's affection, however much I am to hear of them. You are a good match. You have fortune, she has family. Not matter how tenuous her connection to the gentry it is far superior for your children to have a gentlewoman as their mother," Lady Catherine said, and then hastily added, "without grasping too high mind you."
Bingley looked taken aback, as did Elizabeth, but she still spoke, "Mr. Bingley I can assure you, my sister has not been quite the same since your departure las November."
"I have sorry to hear it, though I am happy for such encouragement. You have my word; I shall call upon her the day after tomorrow. Only your request has caused me to hesitate a moment longer than necessary."
"It is as it should be then. I expect your conduct to be such that I need not return." Lady Catherine said glaring at everyone but Elizabeth. "I shall carry my point. There will be no connection between my family and yours. You shall by no means expect me to acknowledge you in public; should you forget yourself, you may expect the cut direct."
Miss Bingley was livid at the insult, but her glare was for Miss Bennet. Elizabeth felt the embarrassment for Bingley's sake and gave him a sympathetic look, ignoring Miss Bingley. Let her eat her dessert. She has caused this indignity for all of us, Elizabeth thought. Bingley spoke with all humility. "I wouldn't presume to intimate a connection Ma'am. Thank you both for you call." Looking at Elizabeth, he said, "I pray I am to see you again soon Miss Bennet."
"As do I Mr. Bingley. I beg your forgiveness for my part in this disturbance." Elizabeth said, praying he would not guess the half of what her part entailed.
Upon taking their leave, Lady Catherine was careful to glare, silently reminding them they dare not defy her. Elizabeth's and Mr. Bingley parted with all warmth and affection. The parting of everyone else was conducted with the barest of civilities.