Page 121 of His Pride and His Prejudice

“Such plans were never to come to fruition, aunt,” he said after a moment.

Lady Catherine stood up at that and paced over to the window. “How can you say as much when one considers what could be accomplished by such a marriage! Both of you descended on the maternal side, from the same noble, alpha line. And, on the father’s, from respectable, honourable, and ancient—though untitled—alpha families. Your fortunes on both sides are splendid. You are destined for each other by the voice of every member of your respective houses!”

“That is not so, aunt.”

“It is, and it must be!”

“Neither Anne nor I desire such a match,” Darcy said, as he had done so before!

“If you did not, why would you have continued such a regular correspondence these past years?” her ladyship demanded.

“We are friends.”

“Friends? Friends?” she scoffed. “What good is that for Anne?”

“I would imagine having such friendships with myself and Fitzwilliam can only benefit her,” Darcy said.

“Anne needs to wed! And soon,” Lady Catherine replied. “And I have always had in mind that it would be with you! The prospect of such a match being prevented by a young man of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family! It is insupportable!”

Darcy bristled at that. He did not like Elliot being referred to thus and quickly said so. “Elliot is my fated mate.”

Lady Catherine gasped. “Do not say those words.”

“They are truth.”

“They are anathema!” she said but she seemed to flag slightly before righting herself and spitting the next words out. “Where is your sense of duty, your honour?”

“They have no place in this conversation,” Darcy said. “And even if they did, neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude for that matter would have any possible claim on me. My feelings will not allow it to be so. It is love only that moves me on this. I intend to propose to Elliot Bennet, and if he will have me, we will be mated and married before the year is through.”

“If he will have you? Has he not been scheming for this exact thing these past months! He denies it of course, but I know it to be true!”

“What did you say to him?” Darcy demanded even as he stiffened at the idea of Lady Catherine interrogating Elliot. Not because Elliot couldn’t defend himself but because it was not her place to damn well do so!

“Nothing but truth.”

“Aunt…if you have upset him…” Darcy said softly.

“He is rude, insolent, and brash,” Lady Catherine responded. “The way he spoke to me… He was at great pains to inform me that given the chance he will mate and marry you and that it was no concern of mine if he did! The outrage!”

Something queer seemed to settle in Darcy’s chest then. It took him a moment to comprehend that it was relief.

At last.

At long, long last.

“He is correct.”

It was too much for Lady Catherine then and she spoke without considering her words. “If you mate with Elliot Bennet, he will have no place in our family. He will not be welcomed.”

“He will be welcomed by me.”

They both turned at those words.

“Georgiana!”

“Apologies, brother,” Miss Darcy said. “But I could not help but overhear.”

“You have no place in this conversation, young lady!” Lady Catherine snapped.

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