by P. O. Dixon
“Surely you must realise the woman of whom he speaks in his letter is none other than Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Anne retrieved the letter from her companion. “I am aware of no such thing. Yes, I realise my cousin admires Miss Elizabeth, but admiring someone and wanting to spend your life with a person who is decidedly beneath you are entirely different matters. I know my cousin.”
“I do not think you know your cousin as well as you suppose. He has not spent all this time in Hertfordshire for naught. No doubt, he is wooing her.”
Refusing to allow Anne to look away, Mrs. Jenkinson said, “I shall not pretend to comprehend with certainty the nature of his motives. However, he is a man who is used to having his way.”
“No—I refuse to believe Miss Elizabeth is the object of his affections.” When I first met her, she did not even like my cousin. I am the one who endeavoured to change her low opinion of him—to assure her that she had been mistaken about his character.
“Anne, be honest with yourself; I implore you.”
Anne bit her lower lip. “Even if what you are suggesting is true, I am certain she does not return his love, else she would have said as much to me.”
“Yet, he remains in proximity to her.”
“Oh, Mrs. Jenkinson, what shall I do? Although he professes his love for another, I cannot help considering nothing has come of it. Perhaps—perhaps I might stand a chance—”
“We must speak to your mother. She will know what is to be done—before it is too late.”
Mere moments later, Lady Catherine de Bourgh barged into the room. “What is it the two of you are discussing? What is it you wish to speak with me about?”
Chapter 19
Her ladyship snatched the letter from her daughter. She read the missive in silence. Lady Catherine gasped. She coloured. The veins in her temples pounded. “This is not to be borne!” She tossed the letter aside. “What does my nephew mean in saying his heart is set upon another. What role does his heart play in any of this? Duty and honour oblige him to marry you! His beloved mother and I planned this union from your births. Together, we shared no greater wish.”
Her ladyship picked up the letter and perused it again. “Who is this woman whom he speaks of in his letter? Is she an acquaintance? What is her family’s situation?”
Anne looked at Mrs. Jenkinson, silently pleading she hold her tongue.
Lady Catherine turned towards the companion. “Well—do we know this young woman or not?”
Mrs. Jenkinson was about to speak when Anne interrupted. “Mrs. Jenkinson believes the woman is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. However, I believe it is not possible. Fitzwilliam would never align himself with someone of her standing.”
Lady Catherine ignored Anne’s last words and turned to her companion. “Why would you think the woman he speaks of is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Mrs. Jenkinson?”
“I beg your pardon your ladyship, but my opinion is well-founded. Mr. Darcy was most attentive to the young woman whilst she was here in Kent. I, myself, often observed them wandering about the park’s lanes, just the two of them—to say nothing of the times they spent alone at the Parsonage. Moreover, he has spent most of his time in Hertfordshire since she returned home.”
“Darcy has a friend who let an estate in Hertfordshire, does he not—a Charles Bingley? Perchance he was simply visiting his friend. I understand he spent most of last autumn helping him with the estate.”
“Indeed, your ladyship. However, I am also privy to the fact that both he and his friend spend the bulk of their time at Longbourn Village, Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s family estate. He makes no secret of it.”
Her ladyship glared at Anne. “This is not to be borne. This is exactly what comes about with the disregard of the distinction of birth and rank.”
Anne spoke not a word but rather regarded her mother curiously.
“Do you deny you befriended Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Do you deny taking her into your confidence whilst she was here? This is what becomes of taking a snake into one’s bosom. It is only a matter of time before the snake bites.”
“Mother!”
“Had you not befriended the young woman, she would never have presumed herself above her sphere. She would never have entertained the hope that she herself might be a credible object for Darcy’s affections. She is nothing to you. Reared in a household of five daughters with no governess—her youngest sisters all out before the eldest are married! What on earth is my nephew thinking?”
“Mother, I do not believe Miss Elizabeth is the object of my cousin’s affections. You will never convince me otherwise.”
“Anne, you have lived a sheltered life. You know nothing of the morals and values of a woman of Miss Bennet’s ilk.” Lady Catherine fanned her face with her hand. “I always suspected she would be a poor influence.” She turned away and headed for the door. “I shall get to the bottom of this myself.”
Anne stopped short of trailing after her mother. “What do you intend to do?”
“I shall travel to Hertfordshire post-haste and uncover the truth.”
Pray her mother was speaking in jest. Oh, how embarrassing it would be should her mother falsely accuse her friend. Powerless to stop her mother from doing anything once she had made up her mind, Anne sought to mitigate the damages.
“If you are determined to go, then I shall travel with you.”
Lady Catherine drew back her head, but it did not dissuade her daughter. Anne crossed her arms. “You shall discover you are mistaken about Miss Elizabeth. She is not the woman whom Fitzwilliam spoke of in his letter. Her character would never allow it.”
“Very well. We shall all travel to Hertfordshire.” Lady Catherine stormed out of the room leaving Anne’s mind pondering and her doubts stirring.
Had her cousin shaken off his haughty propensities and allowed himself to fall in love with Miss Elizabeth? Had Elizabeth fallen in love with him as well? Had winning her cousin’s heart for herself been a part of her plan all along? Anne’s nagging list of unanswered questions soon grew larger than her list of reassurances. She needed to see Elizabeth. Soon enough she would find the answers to her questions. Then she would know how to act.
Chapter 20
In the triumphant words of Mrs. Bennet when she learnt the day before that Bingley had asked for Jane’s hand—we are saved! Happiness and contentedness reigned up and down the halls of Longbourn. Elizabeth and Jane sat in a far corner of the room whilst their mother and sisters amused themselves—Mrs. Bennet and Kitty with their sewing and Mary with her reading. Even Mr. Bennet had joined them. He took turns listening to Mary read or nodding off in his comfortable chair—the likely result of a hearty supper and too many glasses of port with his future son-in-law earlier in the evening. Mr. Bingley had since returned to Netherfield Park. He had promised to return to Longbourn bright and early the next morning—an occasion that was greatly anticipated by all, especially Jane.
Smiling radiantly, she said, “Oh, Lizzy, I am so happy.”
Elizabeth was happy for her sister, and she did her best to show it. “You deserve it. I am convinced Mr. Bingley and you shall be the happiest couple in all of England.”
“If only everyone could be this happy. My dearest Lizzy, I would give anything to see you so. Mr. Bingley said Mr. Darcy travelled with him from London. I cannot fathom why he has not called on us since his return.”
Not wishing to intrude upon her sister’s joy, Elizabeth said nothing of having seen Mr. Darcy the previous day. “I suppose he has his reasons.”
“Perhaps he will call on you tomorrow.”
A disturbance outside in the hallway drew the eyes of everyone towards the door.
Hill entered the room. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Miss Anne de Bourgh.”
Before Mrs. Bennet could instruct Hill to show them in, her ladyship burst into the room, nearly knocking the servant aside in the process.
“Mrs. Bennet—I suppose?”
Elizabeth’s mother gather
ed herself and assumed a deferential posture. It was not every day that she entertained nobility. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh, welcome to my home—you and your lovely daughter. Please, allow me to introduce Mr. Bennet and my own daughters.”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the only one of your daughters whom I wish to see.” The heat from Lady Catherine’s glaring eyes was enough to give Elizabeth pause. The warmth from the fire was nothing in comparison.
“If it is not asking too much, I demand a private audience with Miss Elizabeth—now!”
The speed in which her father, her mother, and her sisters—even Jane—fled the room amazed Elizabeth. She could hardly blame them. She, too, wished to be any place but there. Jane glimpsed back at Elizabeth—silently apologised and then closed the door behind her.
Her ladyship wasted no time getting to the point. She approached Elizabeth and hovered over her with the presence of a fire-breathing dragon. “You surely suffer no doubt as to why I travelled all this way, young lady.”
Elizabeth did not falter. “I cannot imagine why you are here.”
“Well, allow me to enlighten you! A scandalous falsehood is being circulated that my nephew fancies himself in love with you. You—the daughter of a lowly country squire and a woman whose roots are steeped in trade. You—whose family is uncouth and severely wanting, lacking the morals possessed by creatures of even the lowest rungs of society.”
“You know nothing about my family. How dare you speak of them in this way!”
Lady Catherine twisted her mouth in disgust. “I know all about your family—such that it is. I know your youngest sister’s hushed up marriage was only brought about at the extraordinary expense of your uncles and your father. The marriage was nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt to mask her shame. Is such a person to be the sister of my nephew—her low-born husband, his brother? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?”
Elizabeth’s courage always rose with any attempt to intimidate her. This moment proved no different. Even though her words were wholly incongruent with her intentions, she did not mean to kowtow to anyone—especially someone as disrespectful and callous and derisive of her family as her ladyship.
Elizabeth stood firm. She jutted her chin. “If Mr. Darcy has no objections, then why should you?”
“This is not to be borne. My nephew would be a fool to tie his lot to the likes of you—someone who is so far beneath him in consequence as to be laughable. Do you dare to presume yourself beyond the sphere to which you were born and reared?”
“In agreeing to be Mr. Darcy’s wife, I would not be rising above my sphere. He is a gentleman. I am a gentleman’s daughter. In that, we are equals.”
Her ladyship released a decidedly unladylike snort. “Equals! Why you selfish, impertinent girl. I invited you into my home! My daughter befriended you. This is all the gratitude we are to receive?”
Their verbal sparring proved for naught. Neither woman aimed to concede. At length, Lady Catherine closed in on Elizabeth. “Are you or are you not engaged to my nephew?”
Elizabeth spoke just above a whisper. “I am not.”
Lady Catherine stood triumphant. “You most assuredly are not! My nephew is spoken for. He and Anne are to be married. Their engagement is of long standing.”
Elizabeth stared straight into the older woman’s menacing eyes. “If Anne is determined to have him, she will find that I am not the one standing in her way.”
“Young woman, do I have your word?”
“I have said all I wish to say in this matter, your ladyship. Please, leave my home at once, else I shall ask a footman to throw you out.”
Her ladyship huffed. “Why, I never!” She turned to her daughter who had witnessed the entire incident in silence. “Come along, Anne. There is nothing left for us here. I shall carry my point directly to my nephew.”
Anne held up her hand. “You go ahead to the carriage, Mother. I shall be right behind you. First, I would like a word with Miss Elizabeth—in privacy.”
Lady Catherine fought back her horror. “Five minutes—that is all I shall wait. A second longer and you shall rely upon your so-called friend to arrange for your return to Kent.”
Anne went to Elizabeth’s side after her mother had quitted the room.
Elizabeth spoke first. “Anne, I am so sorry. Nothing I said to Lady Catherine was intended to harm you. You must believe me.”
Anne placed her hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “I fear I should be apologizing to you—and not solely on behalf of my mother. I always realised my cousin held you in esteem. You will recall my telling you so when we first met. I am now beginning to appreciate how deeply he cares for you.
“My cousin wrote to me—affirming his love for another. I can no longer disbelieve the woman whom he spoke of is you. Until this moment, I never suspected you returned his affection.”
“Anne. I—”
“Elizabeth, I will not ask you to confirm or deny your feelings for my cousin, for it can have nothing at all to do with me. Yes—I love him. I believe I shall always love him, but he does not share my sentiments.” Her voice faltered. “His letter made his lack of regard for me painfully clear.
“Again, you need not confess your true feelings to me, but if there is a chance in the world for you to find happiness with my cousin, I would ask you not to let your friendship with me impede you in any way. I want you to be happy. If my cousin is the source of said happiness, then so be it. Further, if he should ever ask you to be his bride, I implore you to say yes.”
“Anne, you must understand. I never intended for any of this to happen. I never meant to hurt you. Oftentimes, things happen that are beyond one’s control.”
Both young ladies looked up and espied Mrs. Jenkinson coming into the room. “Miss Anne, your mother insists you join her in the carriage this instant.”
Anne embraced Elizabeth. “Good-bye, my friend.” Then Anne lifted her skirts and hurried out the door, leaving a startled Elizabeth standing in the middle of the dimly lighted room.
She hardly knew what to think or how to feel! What just happened?
*
His head throbbing with rage, Darcy gripped the back of the chair. His aunt was lucky that Bingley had such a kind heart and had invited her to spend the night in his home. It is doubtful I would have been as generous after what she has done.
“Cousin—”
When did she enter the room? “What is it, Anne!”
“You have no right to take such a scathing tone with me!”
Darcy turned to face his cousin. Glaring, he said, “Oh! Are you not here to pick up where your mother left off? To demand I honour my obligations to our family and my supposed engagement to you.”
“No—I, too, had a chance to speak with Elizabeth this evening.”
Darcy rolled his eyes.
“Are you not curious about what she and I discussed?”
“Well—let me just imagine. You are your mother’s daughter. No doubt you accused Miss Elizabeth of betraying your trust—of pursuing your purported betrothed.” Darcy walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a stiff drink. “I assure you, nothing of the sort ever took place. Miss Elizabeth’s loyalty to you has been a constant immoveable barrier between the two of us.”
“Is that my fault?”
“No, Anne.” His voice seethed with sarcasm. “I suppose you had nothing at all to do with befriending Miss Elizabeth, nor did you manipulate the situation to your advantage.”
“I did not! Elizabeth and I are friends. That is why I am here.”
Darcy looked at Anne expectantly. He could hardly wait to hear her rationale.
“In my defence, I had no reason to believe someone as haughty and proud as you would consider marriage to someone of Elizabeth’s station—not in a thousand years. When you wrote to tell me that you—” Anne paused to wipe away a tear inching down her face. “That you had fallen in love, I never suspected Elizabeth was the woman.
“Watching h
er with Mother earlier this evening, everything became clear to me. I read the pain on Elizabeth’s face as well as the dejection in her voice when she admitted to Mother that there is nothing between the two of you—that you are not engaged to be married.
“I stayed behind long enough to speak to her. I told her what she would not freely admit. I told her that she should not allow any sense of allegiance to me to stand in her way—that she should follow her heart.”
Darcy shook his head. He lowered his voice. “Anne, I know not what to say.”
Anne placed her hands upon her hips and all but stamped her foot. “You might apologise for falsely accusing me and questioning my motives, as a start.”
“Will you accept my apology?”
“I have no other choice. You and I are family. I am obligated to be in your company from time to time.”
“You have a point.” Darcy took a seat and stretched his long legs. His nightmare was nearing its end. “If only it were possible to smooth things over with your mother. I am furious with her now, but I would like to think that will not always be the case.”
“I advise you to do what you must in securing your own happiness. You are my mother’s favourite nephew after all. She depends upon you to supervise her affairs and give her good counsel. I believe she will forgive you anything.”
Anne smiled faintly. “Given a sufficient passage of time.”
Chapter 21
Thick haze hovered over the lonesome countryside. No one should have been up and about at that time of morning. Sleep eluded Elizabeth. Whilst Lady Catherine’s visit had rattled her more than she allowed, Anne’s visit had positively astounded her. Elizabeth spun around and around in the tree swing in concert with her bewildering thoughts.
Uneasiness disrupted the morning’s tranquillity, erasing the quietude. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Opening her eyes, Elizabeth halted the swing’s spiralling momentum. Movement in the distance sent her heart crashing against her chest.
Who would be out at this hour? She discerned a gentleman’s approach. Prudence dictated she head back inside to the safety of the manor house. Curiosity rooted her in place.
