Chapter 31

Elizabeth's morning at Matlock House preceded precisely as one would expect. She and Lady Catherine arrived earlier than the rest of the callers, subjecting her to the very sort of condescension and impertinent instruction that could only be followed, later, with the polite veneer of civility from curious callers. Though receiving company in Lady Matlock's drawing room was meant to be to her advantage, she could not feel the compliment of their endeavors. The distinction had, perhaps, been felt too strong, along with their slights. Furthering her advancement in society, it seemed, was only so they might think with pleasure on their own importance, and, unshackled by her inferiority, occupy themselves primarily in boasting of their charity for furthering her cause.

Of all the gentlemen she had stood up with last evening there was only one she wished to have the pleasure of seeing again. Aside from Mr. Nelson's easy conversation and his being the master of an estate a bit larger than her father's, she knew very little of him, but still found him infinitely preferable to her other partners. Feeling certain she would instead have the displeasure of seeing those most likely to disdain her, she felt all the discomfort of knowing her morning was far from over even as the first caller was announced.

Lady Catherine, it seemed, had abandoned her object of seeing Elizabeth marry not at all above what someone in her situation ought to expect. This could no doubt be attributed only to the threat of being outmatched by Lady Matlock. Lady Catherine's ideas of rank and proper deference could not withstand the consideration of being out done by her rival. Elizabeth was now not only to marry, but to marry very well, if she was to believe the instructions given before callers began to arrive.

It was Lady Johnson who was first announced, the very lady to had been the source of Darcy's vexation the night before. Before she was so much as seated, or offered refreshment, or even offered some pretense of polite civilities, she began inquiring of Elizabeth. She demanded to know it all; the size of her father's estate, the number of sisters she had, could her portion really be so very little? She must have mis heard, she insisted. Elizabeth could not account for such marked interest in her situation and thought she must have some undesirable relation to dispense of in matrimony. Lady Matlock knew precisely what Lady Johnson was about. This harpy wishes to account for Darcy's interest. She was content to allow Elizabeth to feel her own lack of consequences for the duration of the other lady's inquiries. However, instantly upon hearing a question that tended to Miss Bennet's connection to Mr. Darcy, Lady Matlock was provoked to action. "Heavens, there is very little worth discussing in that regard. Darcy met her while staying at a friend's let estate in Hertfordshire. The subject is of no consequence; of that you may be assured."

Just as Lady Matlock finished her speech, Mr. Nelson was announced, whom Elizabeth did wish to see. As he was well known to the matrons, Elizabeth was required to wait her turn to greet him. Hoping to encourage his conversation and thus alleviate her displeasure at the rest of her company, she looked him in the eye and smiled brightly, saying, "I'm delighted to see you again Mr. Nelson. I hope you find yourself enjoying this fine morning."

"Indeed I am. I find myself in fine company after the excellent entertainments of last evening." he said, nodding at Lady Matlock, earning her approval, and annoying her sister. As the young people chatted about polite nothings, the three matrons appraised the situation; despite his compliments Lady Matlock could not think him enough for a young lady she was seen to support, despite excellent his connections. Lady Catherine thought him quite enough, and that her guest ought to aspire to no more. Such a gentleman seemed a tolerable compromise between her notions of breeding and her desire to not be outdone by her sister. Lady Johnson thought only of the gossip; that a well-connected young man with only three thousand pounds could steal her affections from Mr. Darcy. For her, this morning's call was by no means in vain; she had already received an ample portion of what she had come to claim. Her triumphs would not end there, as Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were announced.

Everyone but Elizabeth and Mr. Nelson noted Mr. Darcy's instant disapproval upon noticing his rival. Polite greetings were dispensed with, and Elizabeth searched for something to say that could also be uttered in company. She had not forgotten the letter, nor the sympathy it had garnered him; she hoped to alleviate the worry she must have caused while standing up with him. Finally, she arrived at what she might say, "Mr. Darcy I pray your family are all well? I myself find it a trial to keep up with my loved ones and my correspondence while in Town."

"When you have the opportunity of it, your connections, I am certain, are relieved to hear from you." He said, dispelling some of her concern.

"Indeed, young ladies most especially can read too much into any delay between letters. Though I hope to never go so long that I might cause them alarm."

At that, Mr. Nelson, interjected, "Are you particularly close to your sisters then Miss Bennet, that they expect to hear from you so frequently?"

"I am closest to my eldest sister who is also in Town. I am meant to spend tomorrow paying calls with her. We, therefore, shall not suffer from being to much apart."

Lady Catherine scowled. Darcy caught the inference his sister could still expect a return call and was grateful for it. Lady Matlock could not like the intensity her nephew's gaze; her guest was beginning to vex her. Lady Johnson was overjoyed that her call was thus rewarded. Colonel Fitzwilliam was concerned the women in his family would turn on Elizabeth and moved to distract Darcy. Mr. Nelson wondered what was between the two, if she truly did not prefer Darcy, or if they were in the midst of some sort of lovers' spat. Elizabeth only wished to give Mr. Darcy some hint of her sympathy for his sister without paying him too much mind and thus discouraging Mr. Nelson's attentions. Though she was by no means in love with him after only a set of dances, he provided the only hope of tolerable conversation while she suffered such matchmaking schemes. He was neither debauched, nor elderly, nor did he smell, which could only provide him with a considerable advantage over the other gentleman to whom she had been introduced.

More callers were announced, and more still those who were not expected and Lady Matlock and Lady Johnson could only attribute it to interest in the young lady who had slighted Darcy. A good number of handsome young suitors were now present, and requesting introductions, on the grounds that if Darcy wanted it must be worth having.

Richard easily saw what Darcy was missing: Everyone's attention was fixed on him. They were attempting to see past his reserve, and his glances were giving him away. Colonel Fitzwilliam relieved them of all of their conjectures, and drew their attention to himself, by saying to his mother, "And who amongst my dance partners was I meant to marry. I failed to arrive earlier enough to benefit from your instruction. I shall be happy to call upon her if you tell me who bride is meant to be."

Lady Matlock gave him a look with no small amount of censure, but it failed to halt her son. "Why, pray tell, so many maidens? I should be just as happy with an ace of spades."

She leaned in, speaking in a low but unyielding tone, so as not to be overheard. "There shall be no talk of merry widows in my company."

Undisturbed, and considerably louder than necessary he said, "Nay, you misunderstand my meaning Madam, I should be just as happy with a respectable widow as a merry one and all the more so if she was left with ample funds."

They all turned around. Disgusted, his mother said, "I think it time you took your leave Richard."

Unperturbed, as it was his father who managed his allowance, he looked at Darcy and nodded toward the door. He could only aid his cousin by removing him. They hardly needed to fuel the gossips any further.

It was considerably longer before Elizabeth was relieved of her vexations. Handsome young men made love to her a quarter of an hour at a time, and Elizabeth could not fathom the cause as her connection to her host was but a tenuous one. Not one of them can gain anything from me. I have no family of note, so little fortune, and very little worth looking at when compared to Jane. If Lady Catherine had not been so very vocal about her situation, Elizabeth feared they might be under some misapprehension as to her worth.

Though Elizabeth failed to notice, the removal of Darcy decreased her host's vexation with her. She saw only how they encouraged every gentleman who had come to call. Lady Matlock could not like her nephew's looks and neither could her sister. Lady Catherine particularly despised the civil tongue Elizabeth now employed while speaking with Darcy. She glared at her sister thinking she must be the cause; sure, that she must have scolded Elizabeth after her own departure. Lady Catherine's previous contempt for Elizabeth's disdain for Darcy was now gone, and she felt the danger of how much attention he paid to someone other than her daughter. Lady Catherine meant to make certain he would not be made to feel encouraged by her sudden civility. Though she had not yet heard the gossip, she already felt provocation enough to act.