“You are nothing to my niece and nephew. Release her hand, Georgiana, and come with me.”
“No.” I sat straighter and met my aunt’s gaze directly. Though I was unable to fully summon the Darcy glare, I held my head high and refused to flinch. “Brother instructed Kitty, that is Miss Catherine, and I to return to Netherfield together.”
Aunt Catherine’s eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in suspicion. “Then why were you stopped on the road?”
Feeling my false bravado slipping away, I was grateful when I heard another voice from outside the carriage.
“Our driver saw something in the woods and we went to investigate it. Forgive us for not moving our coach out of the way; we thought we would be but a moment.”
Aunt Catherine stepped back revealing Elizabeth just behind her. “And who are you?”
“Aunt, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, Kitty’s older sister. Elizabeth, this is my aunt, Lady Catherine de Burgh of Rosings Park in Kent.”
“Ah, Mr. Collins’ patroness,” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with mirth as she curtseyed. “We have heard much of you, madam.”
With a grunt, Aunt Catherine looked Elizabeth over from head to toe and back again. “I might say the same. You are also travelling to Netherfield under my nephew’s orders?”
A blush crept across Elizabeth’s countenance as she nodded. “Yes, he was quite insistent we remain there until he returned.”
Kitty and I glanced at each other and back at Elizabeth as she again lightly caressed the hand which had been kissed. I could see Kitty also fought the smile which threatened to overtake her, obviously knowing Aunt Catherine would not be amused.
Once more Aunt Catherine took Elizabeth’s measure before stepping back from the doorway. Holding Elizabeth’s gaze, she spoke. “Miss Elizabeth shall ride with her sister. Georgiana, you will accompany me. We shall all proceed to Netherfield and await Darcy there.”
I began to protest once more as I wanted to know if they had found the runaways, but Elizabeth smiled. “Of course, Lady Catherine, I am certain you miss your niece and wish time with her. Shall we lead the way?”
The great lady inhaled through her nose as she stood taller. “My coachman is perfectly capable of finding the estate.” She glanced into the carriage. “Come, Georgiana,” she commanded before turning and moving away.
Elizabeth nodded and I quickly embraced Kitty before slipping from the coach and following my aunt. I was no sooner seated than Aunt Catherine knocked on the roof with her cane and the equipage lurched forward, nearly sending me into her lap.
“Tell me what you know of this Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Aunt Catherine demanded.
“She is the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet of Longbourn, and a kind and giving person.” I wondered what else was expected of me; what my aunt might wish to know.
“What are her intentions toward your brother?”
“Her intentions?”
Releasing an exasperated sigh, Aunt Catherine leaned forward. “Yes, her intentions. She expects to be the next Mistress of Pemberley, does she not? She sees Darcy as a means to raise her family from their lowly status and rescue her mother and sisters from poverty should her father pass.”
“No!” I raised my head as my posture stiffened. “Why until I arrived, she disliked Brother. She cares not for what he has, only who he is.”
“The nephew of an earl!”
“No! A good man.” I was angry; something that rarely occurred. I knew I should not speak so to my aunt, but I was unable to stop myself. “Why are you here, Aunt? What brings you to this place?”
“Mr. Collins informed me that Miss Elizabeth was to marry him, but she saw the larger prize in my nephew and has been using her arts and allurements upon your brother.”
“Elizabeth has done no such thing. Brother fell in love with her without any encouragement.” As soon as the words had left my mouth, I knew I should not have said them. The look of astonishment on my aunt’s face, gave me but a moment to attempt to right my mistake. “They are formed for each other. Elizabeth eases Fitzwilliam’s discomfort in public. She makes him smile; something he has rarely done since Father passed.”
“Formed for each other? Anne and Darcy are formed for each other! They are descended on the maternal side from the same noble line; and on the father’s, from respectable, honourable, and ancient, though untitled families. Their fortune on both sides is splendid. They are destined for each other by the voice of every member of their respective houses …”
“Not every member,” I muttered.
“Every member who should have a say. It was the favourite wish of your parents. While in their cradles, your mother and I planned the union. Your father supported it, as does my brother.”
“I have never heard Uncle support a marriage between Anne and Fitzwilliam.”
“Why would he discuss such things with you? These are matters beyond your scope. I am here to see that the upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or fortune, and the romantic falderal of a child, do not distract your brother from what he knows is expected of him.”
I crossed my arms across my chest and glared at my aunt as the carriage made its final turn into Netherfield Park. Aunt Catherine returned the glare as she stared down her nose at me. We held this pose until the carriage rocked to a stop at the front steps of the manor. The door was opened and the steps lowered before the footman reached inside to assist Aunt Catherine from the coach and I followed her.
The Bennet carriage drew to a stop just behind us and Elizabeth and Kitty quickly climbed out and approached me. Aunt Catherine ignored them as she climbed the stairs. Looking up, I realized Jane stood at the door, her eyes wide as she glanced between us and the woman quickly approaching her. Curtseying, she welcomed Aunt Catherine to Netherfield.
“I assume you are Miss Bingley, the mistress of this estate. I shall require a room and a maid to wait upon me until my nephew returns. When he does, have him sent to me immediately.”
Jane’s eyes grew larger as she stared at Lady Catherine and then glanced toward me and her sister. “I … I am not Miss Bingley.”
“Aunt, this is Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth’s older sister. Miss Bingley has returned to London with Mr. Bingley. Jane, this is my aunt, Lady Catherine de Burgh of Rosings Park in Kent.”
“Am I to understand that Mr. Bingley and his sister have left their home and allowed the neighbourhood reign of it?”
“There was an unusual situation …” Jane tried to explain, but was interrupted.
“Will someone have a room prepared?” Lady Catherine bellowed and Jane stepped backward into the entryway.
Mrs. Nicholls stepped forward quickly and offered to escort Lady Catherine to a room. As they climbed the stairs, I could hear my aunt’s disgruntled mutterings.
Once the grand lady was out of sight, all remaining in the hall released a collective breath.
“Wherever did she come from?” Jane whispered.
“Mr. Collins sent for her.” I sighed before turning toward Elizabeth. “Did you find them? Were they at the house?”
Elizabeth glanced about and motioned us all toward the study. Once we were inside and the doors closed, she walked toward the window and looked out as though she were watching for something. A moment later, she nodded and turned back to us.
“Samuel and I found tracks indicating someone had been at the house. Before we could get close enough to see if they were there, we heard Lady Catherine’s carriage approaching. We were afraid you were still in the road.”
“No, Jeremy reacted quickly and moved us out of the way.” I bit the inside of my cheek. “So we are still uncertain if they are there?”
Nodding, Elizabeth motioned toward the window. “Samuel has just ridden out to inspect the house while Jeremy has gone for the men.”
“What house?” Jane asked.
“The Schmitts.” Elizabeth glanced toward Kitty. “Apparently Lydia has be
en tending their animals while they are away.”
“Lydia?” Jane asked clearly confused. “But Mrs. Schmitt told me the Jacksons were taking in their animals until they return.”
The entire room fell silent as what we had feared was confirmed. Lydia had lied. The question was, what had she been doing? I shuddered as I considered the consequences to my friends.
Chapter Twenty-Two
A hesitant knock, cracking like thunder in the silent room, brought us from our thoughts. “Enter,” Jane called as we all turned toward the door.
One of the maids stepped inside, her head down and hands clasping her apron. “Begging your pardon, Miss Bennet. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is asking for her niece to attend her.”
I sighed as I crossed the room. Stopping in the doorway, I looked back at the sisters. “I am certain Fitzwilliam will return as soon as he hears Lady Catherine is here. Until then, I will attempt to keep her in her room.”
The Bennets gave me a sympathetic look as I left. I followed the maid up the stairs, but paused before my aunt’s door. Laying a hand upon the maid’s shoulder, I indicated she need not announce me. The look of relief upon the servant’s countenance was nearly comical. After the girl had walked quickly away, I remained staring at the door. Finally, I took a deep breath and knocked.
“It is about time! Enter!”
Drawing my shoulders back and holding my head high, I opened the door and entered the room.
“Has word been sent to Darcy demanding he return?” Lady Catherine asked without turning around.
“One of the footmen rode out to locate him,” I replied sedately. I refused to allow my aunt to see anything more than a calm exterior.
Lady Catherine turned around, eyes narrowed as she studied me. We stood in this manner for a few minutes until she finally pointed toward a chair. “Well sit. I asked that woman to bring tea.”
“Mrs. Nicholls?” I asked as innocently as I could manage.
“If that is her name.” Lady Catherine took the seat opposite me, and continued to study me. Just as I felt the urge to squirm under her demanding gaze, she spoke. “It has been too long since we have been together, Georgiana. You have changed.”
“I am grown, Lady Catherine,” I said in a factual manner.
“Unlikely. You are only sixteen.” The older woman leaned forward and peered closer. “But there is something in your manner that reflects a certain impertinence. Your brother is obviously negligent in his care of you. He has allowed you to be influenced by those inferior to …”
“No, Aunt, I fear I must disagree. Brother has simply encouraged me to ask questions and speak out when I feel a situation is improper.” I could feel the heat suffusing my cheeks, but I would not allow my aunt to berate my brother who had done so much for me. “It is in keeping young girls ignorant of the evils of the world around them that they fall victim to the first scoundrel who crosses their path.”
Lady Catherine sat back in her chair, her eyes wide. “Upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person.”
“Indeed?” I drew up an innocent air once more. “When you were my age, did you speak your mind any less openly?” Knowing from stories my uncle had told that my aunt had always been very demanding and opinionated, I waited to see how the grand Lady would respond.
Lady Catherine’s jaw dropped and hung in a most unbecoming manner for a minute before the lady finally closed her mouth and the corners of her lips began to twitch. “You are inferring that outspokenness is a Fitzwilliam trait?”
Shrugging my shoulders, I glanced about the room in an attempt to fight the urge to laugh. “Have I any relatives, other than Anne, who do not display it? Even Lady Matlock who is only a Fitzwilliam by marriage has a certain commanding presence.”
A strange sound, almost like a humph, issued from Lady Catherine as she sat forward and straightened her skirt. “Do not let her fool you, Georgiana. She was not a soft spoken thing when she wed my brother, she only pretended to be.” Her eyes drilled into me once more. “I had always believed you to be like your mother. My sister Anne was the sweetest, most pliable, woman I have ever known.”
I tipped my head to the side as I considered my aunt’s words. “Truly? I have few memories of Mother, but Brother has told me she could be very determined when she felt passionately about something.”
“Ah, but determined and opinionated are quite different things.” Lady Catherine smiled and her eyes took on a distant look. Before any more could be said, there was a knock at the door. “Enter!” With that, the grand Dame had returned and the intriguing aunt was gone.
The maid entered with the tea service and set it on the table between us. “Will there be anything else, M’Lady?”
“Has my nephew returned?”
The imperious tone caused the young girl to tremble as she replied. “N-no, Ma’am.”
“He is to wait on me the moment he does.”
“Y-yes, Ma’am.” The girl hastily curtseyed and scurried from the room.
I caught the satisfactory gleam in my aunt’s eye as the door closed behind the frightened maid. “I do not understand why you take such delight in intimidating the servants,” I said as I began to pour out the tea. “I am certain they would be able to fulfill their duties in a more satisfactory manner without quivering in fear.”
Lady Catherine’s features set into a well-defined scowl. “Servants must always understand who their superiors are. I have seen far too many ladies become friendly with their ladies’ maids only to have them steal from or spread gossip about their mistresses. They must understand they can be let go at any moment for the simplest offense, in order to keep them properly submissive.”
As I opened my mouth to speak, another knock was heard. This was much firmer and demanding. I knew immediately my brother had arrived. A glance at my aunt revealed she was also certain of who waited on the other side of the door. I watched as a most discomposing smile crossed my aunt’s lips.
“Enter!”
The door swung open and my brother strolled into the room, followed closely by Richard.
“Fitzwilliam, what are you doing here? I was under the impression only Darcy was staying in this forsaken county.” Lady Catherine appeared a bit discommoded that her other nephew was in residence. “Do you not have duties to which you must attend?”
“Happily my commander saw fit to grant a day or two of leave so that I might enjoy a hunt with my cousin.” Richard stepped forward and bowed over her hand. “It is always a pleasure to see you also, Aunt.”
Waving him away, she turned her stabbing gaze on my brother. “And what have you to say for yourself?”
Fitzwilliam Darcy stepped past me and bowed stiffly over our aunt’s hand. “To what do we owe this pleasure, Lady Catherine?”
“You know why I am here.” Lady Catherine pulled her hand from his and leaned toward him. “I have it on the best authority that you are being importuned by what passes as gentility in this uncivilized society.”
Standing fully erect, Fitzwilliam squared his shoulders and glared down at Lady Catherine. “I suppose your authority would be the toad of a clergyman you sent to Hertfordshire in order to obtain a wife from amongst his cousins?”
“Mr. Collins notified me he was all but engaged when the object of his affections became captivated by your wealth and position in society. She then began making such advances upon you as to make you forget your duty to your family.”
“Ridiculous! Miss Elizabeth did not even like me at the time Mr. Collins entered the area.” Fitzwilliam sneered. “She cares not for wealth nor position.”
“Yet her feelings toward you changed? However do you explain her reversal?”
A quick, nearly imperceptible glance passed between Fitzwilliam and myself, but it was not fast enough to be missed by the woman. She turned her indignation upon me.
“You promoted a relationship between your brother and a country nobody?”
I was struck dumb by the v
ehemence in her voice, but Fitzwilliam came to my rescue. “You will not address my sister in such a manner. I believe it best you return home, Lady Catherine, for you shall accomplish nothing here.”
“You are quite mistaken, Darcy.” Lady Catherine rose from her seat and stood toe to toe with him. “If I return to Rosings, you shall accompany me in order to announce your engagement to your cousin Anne. I shall not leave you here to be worked upon by these …”
“I would not complete that sentence, Aunt.” Fitzwilliam’s teeth were clenched and his voice was barely audible. “My business in this area is incomplete. I shall remain until I have accomplished all I set out to do.” He took a deep breath and his shoulders relaxed a bit. “In regards to my cousin, though I care deeply for Anne’s well-being, I have proof that the supposed engagement you insistently mention is of your own fabrication. My mother was against the marriage you support.”
“That is not so. While you were in your cradles …”
“Lady Catherine, have you forgotten I am a full three years older than my cousin? I was well out of the cradle when she was born. I no longer wish to hear your claims and demands regarding my family’s expectations of my wife. The only obligation I feel is towards the happiness of myself and the woman I choose. That was my mother’s wish.”
I sat quietly, my eyes moving quickly between my brother and my aunt with an occasional glance at my cousin. Richard had taken on a soldier’s stance, masking his emotions, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. Fitzwilliam and Lady Catherine stared fiercely at one another, neither showing any sign of relenting.
A soft knock followed by a woman’s voice finally broke the tension in the room. “Forgive me.” Elizabeth stepped through the doorway. “The door was open,” she assured. Her eyes fell on Fitzwilliam, holding such emotion that she appeared as though she would rush into his arms. “Samuel has returned and wished to speak to the gentlemen.”
The smile which lit my brother’s face as he gazed at the woman he loved took my breath away. “I shall be with him momentarily.” He glanced at our cousin and nodded toward the hallway.
Georgiana Darcy, Matchmaker Page 21
