Chapter 21
Elizabeth was so full of thought, and feeling, and questions for Jane that the journey between the Gardiner's and her destination scarcely signified. As the carriage halted, she wished for more time to consider her impressions of Miss Darcy, who had scarce been given a thought upon her departure. Elizabeth's thoughts were all for Jane, and what she must be imagining. Was Jane even now comparing herself to the young lady who, though timid, had everything important to the world that Jane lacked.
Catching something from the corner of her eye, Elizabeth's head suddenly jerked up. It was Mr. Darcy! He was escorting his aunt out of the door like an untrusted servant. Imagining the conversation that surely just passed between them, Elizabeth leaned as far back as could possibly be contrived. She considered even ducking her head, then disregarded the notion; it could only add to her humiliation if she were discovered thus. If her ladyship was so received, Elizabeth could not expect to be shown even the barest of civility; she had no desire for the humiliation of a dressing down on a public road. She was quite sure, had she spared the matter any thought, she would have been more prepared for this eventuality. There was no other destination Lady Catherine could have had in mind this morning. He is the primary person, indeed the only person of consequence, who could contradict Miss Bingley's letter. It can't come off the way she hopes without his consent. It seems Lady Catherine is not to have satisfaction.
To her relief, upon seeing her ladyship cross the threshold, Mr. Darcy's eyes did not tarry, nor look around, neither he did help her into the carriage, he simply turned and walked away. The conversation between two people, so entirely use to getting their own way, could not end with the contentment of either.
Lady Catherine demanded to be taken to her brother at once and was so immediately inside the carriage, Elizabeth wondered at how she had managed it. Her ladyship's vexation was so apparent that Elizabeth hesitated to greet her, lest her ire find a new target. What could be said on any account? I could hardly inquire of her morning after witnessing such a display. Her ladyship said not a word, further validating Elizabeth's decision to remain silent.
It was apparent that Lady Catherine was lost to all reason, her thoughts were now upon on what might be said to her brother; Elizabeth's were upon not drawing her ire. The air between them was heavy, Elizabeth dared not move enough to draw her ladyship's attention until it was apparent her temper was under better regulation. As she began wondering how long they would be stuck in such close confinement, the carriage again drew to a halt; it had only been a few blocks, but Elizabeth felt the short bit of time as though it were an hour complete.
Her ladyship again departed the carriage swiftly. Elizabeth hesitated; not entirely sure she wasn't meant to wait. Having witnessed Lady Catherine take the Bingley's to task, she was entirely uncertain if she would prefer to remain. Though Elizabeth suspected her ladyship to be calling in search of an ally, she could detect no desire to persuade the earl, it seemed her ladyship meant to make demands.
As they entered, Lady Catherine spoke abruptly, "Take me to my brother at once, I am on business that cannot be delayed. You may take Miss Bennet to my sister, I suppose."
The butler bowed and went first to Lady Matlock, knowing her ladyship to be more likely to take him to task if any impropriety could be heard in the street. "A Miss Bennet for you ma'am." As the lack of recognition showed on his employer's face, he hurried to say, "Shall I show her in? She is with your sister who is calling upon Lord Matlock."
Recognition dawned on her face, and she said, "Shown her in." Vexed, she made no attempt at stopping herself from thinking, leave it to Catherine to order the affairs in someone else's home, sticking me with the company of her guest while she harangues my husband, and makes demands of my staff.
As Elizabeth began to curtsy, just prior to saying everything polite, there came at once a loud uproar. The particulars could not be overheard, but nor could the muffled voices be mistaken. Lord Matlock's study must be very near here. It seems it is not uncommon for Lady Catherine to not wait to be announced.
Her Ladyship ignored the disturbance; Elizabeth followed her lead. The awkwardness of polite conversation in such a circumstance was not to be underestimated. After a few minutes of polite civilities, Lady Matlock delivered such impertinence, and with such unassuming ease, that her tone gave no hint of the impropriety.
"We must discuss your prospects Miss Bennet, and while my sister is still out of hearing. I would not have you subject to her notions of rank. You are a gentlemen's daughter, which gives you every right to marry advantageously. Your lively countenance might see you as well married as the well dowered if you play your cards as you ought. I can think of a number of gentlemen, some of them titled, that would think nothing of your lack of fortune, and regard only your fine face."
Hoping to dissuade her from her endeavors, Elizabeth said, "Your ladyship is too kind. Tis my sister that is known as the beauty, I am but the wit. I could not, in good conscience, trouble you to find me a husband, my mother finds it a grievous task and it is rightly her duty, she believes me a determined spinster."
"Nonsense, my dear, you could hardly make do without a husband. Your fortune yields less than a labor's wages. One must be particular in you circumstances though, lest you loss all consideration in the world. I insist you stay by my side and attempt ignore my sister. I shall see too your to partners. They will need, of course, to be of sufficient consequence to support an unfortunate family. Catherine will likely wish to see you wed to someone of modest circumstances. The trouble with that, you do realize, is that all of you then would have to marry well enough. It is much better to catch one big fish, then a half a dozen smaller ones. And indeed, it will be easier for your younger sisters to marry well if an elder has made an excellent alliance."
Affronted by her ladyship's audacity— as she was lacking so much as an apologetic tone—or even some attempt at delicacy, like a sympathetic look Elizabeth said coldly, "I fear my younger sister's shall need to fend for themselves, as it would take a great deal of respect and affection to induce me into matrimony."
Incredulous, her ladyship began to take her to task, "But you must marry, and one of you must marry very well. What will become of you when your father passes away? Do you mean to hang on someone's sleeve? You can't mean to end up a governess, that is assuming even that you have the education for it? Do you then, have some romantic notion of …."
Elizabeth, having had quite enough, politely interrupted with a cheerful but serious tone, as so to not give offense. "Indeed, I have no such romantic notion about being a governess, I shall instead teach my sisters children to play the pianoforte very ill, when she has them."
"Miss Bennet, you are being afforded an opportunity that not many of your circumstances could aspire to, I suggest you make the most of it and stay by my side. Save your opinions for after the ceremony, it wouldn't do to drive a gentleman away before he makes you an offer. After you wed, you may drive him off as often as you wish. It is a common enough sport for a married lady to occupy herself with, I assume you know."
Before Elizabeth could declare her disdain for such alliances, the butler entered, announcing Colonel Fitzwilliam. Before he could greet the ladies, his mother said, "And where have you been? Who fails to call upon their own mother? Miss Bennet, when you have your own sons you will see how little they can be brought to trouble themselves for their mother."
"Pray, forgive me," he replied, smirking like a schoolboy. "I had some business to attend."
"I suppose you're about the same business as Darcy then," she huffed, hardly believing it had kept them from observing proper decorum She was perfectly sure their business was insufficient to hinder a quarter of an hour call, unless they wished otherwise; that understanding only increased the affront, and so she glared at him.
"Indeed, though it is lovely to see you," he said to his mother, and then to turning to Elizabeth he said, "It is lovely to see you again, so soon as well. I pray Miss Bennet is in good spirits?"
Elizabeth nodded politely, and the Colonel winked discreetly at her, then continued, "It seems Lady Catherine saw fit to seek satisfaction from my father, after she found none with Darcy."
"I presume she is on about the same thing she always is, though we need not bring that matter up at present." Lady Matlock said, gesturing at bit to Elizabeth, who thought it grievous that she could accuse the colonel of being indiscrete after what she had just endured.
"Miss Bennet is well aware of Lady Catherine's object, I can assure you." He said, with a look of mischief about him. Wishing to be spared the discomfort of her machinations being exposed, Elizabeth hastily replied, "I pray her ladyship will get some clarity on her daughter's prospects, if only in order that the Miss de Bourgh would be afforded some freedoms in pursuing her own diversions."
He scoffed, "The only thing Ann wishes to pursue is her next bottle of laudanum. Though if Lady Catherine can be brought to reason, she is welcome to continue to cut up the peace here and at Darcy House. We have all heard enough of it, that we would happily endure a disagreement to have the matter settled."
That was too much for her ladyship, "I would thank you to conduct yourself as a gentleman while in my drawing room. Too say such a thing, about family, and in company! Miss Bennet can't know you well enough to know that you jest."
""I daresay, Miss Elizabeth has witnessed her more than a trifle disguised, but if it is civil whiskers you wish for, then polite discourse you will have, madam." He said, bowing slightly, making his audience perfectly aware he was willing to put on a show. Elizabeth struggled to hide a grin, though the amusement was apparent in her eyes; his mother, on the other hand, abhorred the entertainment.
"I daresay, my drawing room has not before been confused with a camp full of soldiers. Is it time I require you to quit your commission and marry, in order that my son's manner's might return?"
"I am convinced it is a harder task to find an amiable and willing heiress than you contend, but I am at your mercy madam. With whom shall I dance at your ball, aside from Miss Bennet that is?"
"I have a number of young ladies to whom I would have you introduced, all you need do is arrive, on time."
"I shall not disappoint." He promised his mother and then turned to Elizabeth saying, "And which set shall I have from you. I suspect if I don't reserve a set early, I might be left without the pleasure."
Before Elizabeth could reply—and her ladyship could interject that Darcy would be her first partner—there came a great crash. Elizabeth hoped it was some object of not of considerable expense; her ladyship was certain her sister had targeted something substantial.
"If you would please excuse me for a moment, now that you are entertained. I wish to greet my sister." Lady Matlock said to Elizabeth. She nodded politely, no wishing to draw any further notice to the happenings in Lord Matlock's study. The embarrassment was already sufficiently felt, Elizabeth was sure.
Colonel Fitzwilliam could not feel the sting of it and viewed it only as a source of amusement. He laughed and said, "Though I am no gamester, I would bet my small fortune Lady Catherine is instructing my mother on arranging frippery so that it fails to impose upon the guests."
Elizabeth felt it too impertinent to confirm his suspicions, but the amusement showed in her eyes. Not dissuaded, Colonel Fitzwilliam said, "I understand Bingley means to call upon your sister." Elizabeth looked up, attempting to understand his purpose. Is he for, or against Jane? Elizabeth could see no middle ground. Sensing her uneasiness, he went on to say, "I am happy to hear of it, for my part, I think them an excellent match."
Contented, Elizabeth said, "I am sorry there are others that do not share your views."
"I think you might find there are those who regret their participation in the scheme." He said softly.
Elizabeth looked at him incredulously, "I dare not give weight to the claim that his sisters would support him, for any reason other than their own comfort. They may, I suppose, not wish to quit the use of his houses."
The colonel again let out a short laugh, "I believe you have the correct measure of those ladies."
Before he could give some hint that it was Darcy who had relented, his mother returned with Lady Catherine, and someone Elizabeth did not know, but presumed to be the Earl. No introduction was requested; thus, none was given. Elizabeth had only began to consider if the slight was due to her lack of consequence, or to the misfortune of being Lady Catherine's guest, when Lady Catherine spoke, "We are taking our leave Miss Bennet." Thus, her question, she supposed, was now answered.
Elizabeth quickly obliged, saying everything that was polite, though she wished to finish her discourse with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Lady Catherine promptly scowled, implying to Elizabeth that her civility towards her ladyship's relations could only be construed as an insult to her host. How was one to kept from drawing ire, while keeping such company? Elizabeth wondered, finding yet another reason that Charlotte's situation in life was less then enviable. The dance she must dance is surely ill suited for my temperament. Such thoughts were all Elizabeth had to entertain her. She was again treated to Lady Catherine's silence in the Barouche Box, which, upon reflection, was greatly superior to the impertinence that Elizabeth had been treated to on the journey to town.
Hi Everyone, I may not be able to update as frequently as I have been for the next two weeks or so, though I'll try to post here and there. I need to journey home -my family lost a loved one- your prayers are certainly welcome.
In the mean time, A Frankness of Character is still free through Kindle Unlimited, if you'd like some more of my writing. I'm certainly grateful for readers and re-readers. Harry Frost did a brilliant job narrating it, if you prefer to listen.