Lady Catherine did not appreciate being so dismissed; her anger and her folly increased as she followed Darcy and Elizabeth into the study. Darcy closed the door behind his aunt and joined Elizabeth in the seating. He did not acknowledge the fact Lady Catherine still stood in the middle of the room. Finally, Lady Catherine seated herself across from them.
Darcy’s eyes left Elizabeth’s face, and he leveled an intense stare on his aunt. It was the kind of stare he used in difficult business dealings. Even Elizabeth feared approaching him when he looked as such, but Lady Catherine did not flinch. Elizabeth nearly admired the woman for it. “Your mother, my sister, would not be satisfied with your matrimonial situation, Fitzwilliam; you chose against your duty to your family. You dishonor your mother’s memory in both your choice of a wife and your denial of Anne.” Undaunted, Lady Catherine squared her shoulders and waited for Darcy’s response.
Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand, and she realized he stroked her wrist with his fingertips. How Darcy maintained his composure, Elizabeth did not know; her own stomach twisted and turned, and she knew she paled.
“My mother always wished for Georgiana and me to be happy. She married for love, and I believe my marriage to Elizabeth would please her for I am truly happy. As for Anne, I would think you would wish the same for her. Edward truly cares for Anne.”
Lady Catherine rolled her eyes in disgust. “Your mother would never accept the dishonor you brought to Pemberley. It will suffer with Miss Bennet as its mistress.”
Darcy knew if he allowed himself to react to Lady Catherine’s accusations as he wished to do, she would win, and he would never give his aunt the pleasure of such a victory.Therefore, Elizabeth felt his grip on her hand tighten as she, too, struggled not to let her countenance change. “Again, you misspeak, Aunt. Elizabeth won the hearts of the tenants with her compassion and her charity. I fear if I spoke out against her, I would have a riot on my hands. The future of Pemberley is more secure than ever; Elizabeth carries my child, an heir for Pemberley. Mrs. Darcy makes Pemberley a home rather than just a fine country estate.”
“So you do not intend to at least acknowledge your lack of caution put the Darcy name in jeopardy?” Lady Catherine fixed her gaze on Darcy, while totally ignoring Elizabeth.
Darcy fought to keep his voice even in his response. “I will not acknowledge that remark with a reply. I am the Darcy family now.” He purposely lifted Elizabeth’s hand to his lips for a kiss.
“Well, I see, Miss Bennet, you succeeded in capturing my nephew with your arts and allurements.” Lady Catherine shifted her attention to Elizabeth in hopes of breaking at least one of them. “You attained a position far above what you deserve, but your lack of breeding will betray you to society. Society will not be easily fooled by your charms.”
Elizabeth’s slight pressure on Darcy’s hand let him know she intended to respond on her own. She spoke quietly, but her voice held a strength Darcy recognized. “Lady Catherine, you are correct; I lack the breeding to purposely insult my loved ones and call it civilities. I also lack the breeding it takes to meddle in another person’s life to the point of putting my own happiness above his. If others choose to act as you do in such situations, I will be pleased to be excluded from their company. Yet, if my husband chooses to forgive your interference in his life, I will once again offer you my respect and begin our relationship anew.”
Lady Catherine’s distaste for such a situation became evident as a sneer formed upon her mouth. “I will never seek your respect, Miss Bennet.”
Darcy’s contempt played through his response. “Miss Bennet is Elizabeth’s sister Mary. My wife’s name is Mrs. Darcy, and you will address her as such, or you will not speak to her.”Then he turned to his wife before standing and offering his hand, palm up.“Are you ready, Elizabeth?”
As they started to exit, Lady Catherine’s demanding voice called out. “Wait, I am not finished with you, Fitzwilliam.”
Darcy paused only briefly to look at Elizabeth before they exited together, her hand on his proffered arm. “I thought I heard something, Mrs. Darcy, but I must be mistaken.” He gave her an amused look as his eyebrow shot up. Elizabeth pursed her lips and gifted him one of her enigmatic smiles.They were on the staircase before either of them took a breath.
As the extended party all sat down to dinner that evening, all went well. Lady Catherine completely ignored Darcy, Elizabeth, and Kitty. She did direct a few simple comments toward Georgiana, but more out of curiosity over Captain Rutherford rather than to offer her niece any form of civility. When the men retired to the study, Lady Matlock and Anne kept Lady Catherine company while Elizabeth, Kitty, Georgiana, and Lady Pennington moved to the far end of the drawing room to talk about gowns for tomorrow’s ball.The time passed quickly in quiet splendor. As the men rejoined the ladies in the drawing room, both Darcy and Elizabeth assumed the impasse of the last few hours would be the order of the evening, especially considering their earlier confrontation with Lady Catherine.
Darcy moved to sit with Elizabeth, taking her hand in an intimate grasp. Edward retrieved Anne from her mother’s side and brought Anne to sit across from Darcy and Elizabeth.The conversation began anew with the colonel sharing a story of their youth. “Darcy pulled Anne’s hair, causing her bonnet to slip to the side. Anne turned to grab the bonnet and ended up stepping ankle deep in the mud.” They all laughed at the colonel’s retelling.“Anne was so angry she chased after Darcy, tearing the hem of her dress. My aunt was furious.”
“My mother pretended to be angry,” Darcy added. “She took me to task with her words, but under the surface she fought back the laughter.”
“My sister would never laugh at Anne’s mistreatment by her son.” Lady Catherine’s words brought an icy silence to the room as she came forward to tower over them. “Lady Anne would be appalled then by Fitzwilliam’s treatment of Anne; she would be horrified at how he continues to mistreat my daughter by denying my sister’s wish they marry. Instead, he takes up with a woman of little or no consequence and brings shame to this entire family by bringing a child by her into this world.” By now Lady Catherine’s words reverberated in the silence of the room.
Darcy and Edward both jumped to their feet. Anne protested, “Mother!” while Elizabeth buried her face in her hands.
“Be quiet, Anne!” Lady Catherine snapped.“You should, at least, Sir, send the child away and not mark this family with the corruption of the ancestral name of Darcy.”
“That is enough, Madam!” Darcy’s voice boomed through the room, and even Lady Catherine retreated a few steps.“You will not speak of my wife in those terms.”
“Lady Catherine,” Edward tried to intervene, “Anne and I love each other. Please be happy for us and let Darcy’s choice be just that—his choice. My cousin has never been so happy.”
“Anne,” Lady Catherine looked past Edward, “you are not well; you should return to your room to rest.”
Automatically, Anne rose to follow her mother’s orders, but Edward’s hand gripped her arm, holding her in place. He never took his eyes from Lady Catherine as the control for Anne came to a head. “Anne is feeling perfectly fine, are you not, Anne?” Edward’s words demanded a like response from his intended.
Anne’s voice came out shaky, but there was a sense of resolve in her manner.“I will remain with Edward.”
“You will not control my daughter at your whim, Sir.You prove you care nothing for Anne for you jeopardize her health with your actions!” Lady Catherine’s challenge echoed through the room.
“It is you, Aunt, who made Anne an invalid.” Edward’s words pierced the air, and Anne steeled herself, knowing the confrontation loomed.“You browbeat her into submission, but I will not tolerate your doing so any longer!”
“This is your fault!” Lady Catherine turned back to Darcy. “Your denying your mother’s wishes means I must give my daughter to this—this—!”
“This what?” Lady Pennington took a step forward to join
those surrounding Lady Catherine.
Lady Catherine’s anger now consumed her, and she no longer guarded her words. “Anne deserves a fine estate of her own. Instead, all she receives out of this marriage is Edward’s title as a son of an Earl. Anne brings her wealth and bloodline to the marriage.What do you bring, Colonel?”
“He brings the kind of love to protect me, Mother.” Anne grasped Edward’s arm for support.
“I withdraw my consent, Child.”
“I am no child. I am of age, Mother; I do not need your consent.” Anne swayed against Edward, and he placed his arm around her shoulders to brace her.
“Catherine,” the Earl now intervened, “although you are my sister, and I normally offer you some latitude in your opinions, Edward, whom you deem unworthy of Anne’s regard, is still my son. I will not tolerate your censure of him. You will leave my house tomorrow morning; you are no longer welcome here!”
Lady Catherine began to protest,“I never!”
“That is just it, Catherine. None of us in this room ever stopped your censure, and we allowed you to hold court over everyone else.We will no longer tolerate such behavior. Please leave us immediately.”
Lady Catherine looked about her; no one in attendance gave her encouragement. In fact, Matlock, Darcy, and the colonel all literally turned their backs while the rest of the room dropped their eyes and refused to look at her.As if by consensus, everyone began conversations with those in close attendance, ignoring the old woman who stood mouth agape. “You will pay for this insult!” she barked before exiting the room.
Darcy immediately dropped to his knees in front of Elizabeth. “My Love, come with me,” he whispered in her ear. Elizabeth stood as he led her from the room. “We need fresh air,” he continued as he retrieved their outer garments against the cold. Darcy wrapped a pelisse around her, pulling a shawl from the shelf to give her extra protection. Elizabeth still covered her face with her hands so Darcy led her gingerly to the gardens.
“Elizabeth,” he began once they were clear of the house. “Elizabeth, please, do not shut me out.”
Elizabeth did not know why she still cried, but the agitation of her mind was painful. So much went awry; all of her family’s mistakes hit Elizabeth full force. “Fitzwilliam, I am sorry.” Elizabeth scrambled to his embrace, needing the solace only he gave her.
Darcy lifted her chin to kiss her lips lightly.“Sorry for what, my Love?”
“Everything you gave up for me!”The sobs began again.
He wiped away the tears with his handkerchief. “I received so much more of value in return.”
Elizabeth nearly wailed. “I made you the laughingstock of the ton; I cost you your position in society!”
“Elizabeth, I was never part of the ton; they tolerated me because of my family’s wealth, but I was always on the outside looking in. Do you not remember my actions at Meryton and at Netherfield? I hung on the outskirts of each group, listening and nodding, but not interacting. I hate each time I must be in large groups; I am never at my best. I become invisible, but you, Elizabeth Darcy, looked past my coat of invisibility; you saw me when I was not there.” Darcy locked eyes with her. “I do not need the ton. I do not need Lady Catherine. I need you—without you, I am nothing again.”
Elizabeth clung to him, desiring the strength of his devotion. Being held by Darcy created an intimacy Elizabeth needed.“I love you, Fitzwilliam.”
He traced her chin line with the back of his hand, and their eyes locked in an intimate moment.“I love you, my Lizzy.”
Elizabeth whispered to him,“You do not play fair, Sir.”
“I prefer to use all my advantages, Mrs. Darcy.” He kissed her gently again.
When she spoke, Elizabeth’s voice sounded shaky. “Then you do not regret aligning yourself with someone such as me?”
“Elizabeth, I sought your attention for nearly a year; desperation and depression were regularly my company. Each night I dreamed of your loving me, of having your eyes light up when I entered a room. I dreamed of your desiring me as much as I desired you. Now, all those dreams come true in you. Aligning myself with you is the answer to every dream I ever held; how could you doubt how much I love you?”
“But what of Georgiana? Have I not ruined her reputation as well? We prepare for her coming out, but I darken your sister’s chances.”
Darcy laughed lightly.“We both know if Georgiana had her way, her coming out would be postponed indefinitely. She rejoices in your current condition not totally for our sake. I suspect your confinement gives my sister joy for her coming out will need to be delayed another season. Georgiana will be accepted no matter what our situation. People in the ton respect money. Georgiana comes from money—she will succeed remarkably. Plus, under your tutelage my sister develops a confidence she never possessed. I am sure she would never question my choice in marrying you.”
“My brother’s right, Elizabeth.” They both spun around to find Georgiana standing tall and majestic in her confidence. “My aunt’s bitterness should never make you question your worth to Fitzwilliam or to me.You touch our lives in so many ways; you cannot suspect we have any regrets.You brought life to Pemberley.”
Elizabeth continued to sob throughout this exchange, but now the tears were those of joy rather than despair. She rushed to Georgiana’s arms.“Thank you, Georgiana.”
Offering them comfort, Darcy now moved to encompass both women in his embrace. “A man of lesser fortune would be wealthy to have the two of you in his life.”
After several minutes, Darcy encouraged them to return to the house. “Would you object to my foregoing the rest of the evening with your family and returning to our rooms instead?” Elizabeth pleaded for privacy.
“I will go with you,” Georgiana offered. Elizabeth nodded, and Darcy agreed.
Elizabeth caressed his cheek as they parted. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam.”
“I shall not be long, my Love. See to her, Georgiana,” he whispered to his sister before they ascended the staircase leading to the guest rooms.
“Fitzwilliam, how is Mrs. Darcy?” asked Lady Matlock when he reentered the room alone.
“Georgiana is with her. My wife begs your forgiveness for leaving the gathering early.” Darcy’s breeding took over his reactions. He moved to Edward’s side. “How are you dealing with this?”
“The prospects of returning to Rosings any time soon does not play well on my disposition at the moment.”
“Then you and Anne will extend your stay at Matlock?”
“Indefinitely,” Edward added while viewing Lady Pennington’s civilities to Anne. “Anne will need to recoup her resolve before facing our aunt again.”
“Do not stay away from Rosings too long, Edward. Her Ladyship will plot to keep the property upon your marriage; you must be there to prevent her deceit.Would Anne consider an earlier date for your marriage? It would resolve some of your issues.”
Edward shook his head in disbelief. “You are probably right, Darcy. The depth of Lady Catherine’s evil amazes me. How can she be the sister of your dear mother and my father? How can she abuse her daughter in the name of love?”
Darcy leaned in to share his private beliefs. “Do not allow Lady Catherine to stay on the estate. Place her in London or better yet in Vienna or Paris. Keep her away from Anne. Our aunt will never stop until she has her way in this family.”
“I fear you are correct, and that grieves me so. I will speak to my father; his support will lend viability to the solution. Now, if you will excuse me, Anne needs me as Elizabeth needed you.”
“Of course.” Darcy bowed to his cousin.
Edward and Lady Pennington helped Anne to her feet and led her toward her quarters. Captain Rutherford, thankfully, made a quiet exit when the ruckus started.The Matlocks and Lord Pennington conferred privately in the corner.
Darcy scanned the room, finding Kitty huddled in a chair in the corner. Her eyes were down, but he could see sobs shook her retracted shoulders. Until
of late, Darcy had very little interaction with his wife’s sister, his earlier opinions of Kitty Bennet tied closely to those he knew of Lydia. Darcy watched Kitty and Lydia as they chased after the members of the -shire stationed at Meryton, and he thought them to be quite silly and lacking in common proprieties.
Now, he saw his wife’s sister as a young woman hurt by his aunt’s words. What Lady Catherine said to him and to Elizabeth affected Kitty as well, so Darcy moved to sit beside her. He slid his arm around the girl’s shoulders, and Kitty surprised him by collapsing against him and allowing her tears to flow freely now. For a moment, Kitty reminded him of Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet—Kitty.” Darcy brushed her hair from her face as he spoke to her softly, encouraging her to trust him.
Finally, Darcy made out some of her words between the sobs. “Mr. Darcy—thank you for loving Lizzy—I was wrong—I do not want to be like Lydia—we brought you such mortifications—can you forgive us?”
“Kitty.” Darcy pulled the girl closer. “It is I who should apologize to you; it is my family who crossed the line of civilities tonight. I am sorry to see you suffer.”
Kitty pulled herself upright and looked Darcy in the eyes. He saw the shift of her shoulders, obviously, a Bennet trait. “Mr. Darcy, I am ashamed I once believed you to be prideful and haughty.”
“It seems your sister’s earliest opinions of me permeated the whole family,” he laughed lightly.“But I was just thinking something similar; I used to believe you to be very much like your youngest sister. Now, I see traces of my Elizabeth in you.” Darcy cupped Kitty’s chin when she started to drop her eyes again.
“Lydia brought much shame on our family. Our Uncle Gardiner paid dearly to save her foolish name, as well as ours. In Meryton, some people no longer speak to Mary and me. I hoped in coming to Pemberley, I could leave that behind.”
“Reputations are not something we can buy, Kitty; you must earn them with exemplary actions, and even then, some of lesser consequence, but more wealth, will set themselves in judgment.You must know in your heart your actions speak of your purity.”
Darcy's Temptation Page 7
