Their carriage slowing as the grand residence of Lord and Lady Matlock came into view, Fitzwilliam’s lips curled at the glow in Georgiana’s eyes.
“Oh, brother,” she gleed, “we are here; do you think they shall like me? Us? All of us? Did Aunt Catherine respond to your letters? Perhaps she shall be here? Oh, I have never had a cousin before–well, I have of course, but not one I have met. It is exciting, is it not?”
“It is quite exciting,” he chuckled, sitting straighter as the carriage swayed at the halting of the horses. “I fear the majority of your questions shall have to be answered by our family. Though,” he admitted hesitantly as a footman hurried to open the door, “I can say that I have not received any response from Aunt Catherine, however, that does not mean she never wrote. No doubt a letter or two was mislaid–mine or hers–for I have corresponded with Aunt and Uncle here, and they have said nothing regarding Aunt Catherine being ill or out of the country. It could be that we shall see her today!”
Forcing himself to use the small steps of the carriage, Fitzwilliam alighted before holding out a hand to Georgiana.
“I do hope she is here. I know what I have heard has not always been favourable, but she is Mother’s older sister. She has to be a fine woman–merely misunderstood–I am certain.”
“Indeed,” he nodded as he helped Cathy from the carriage, “for Mother named our beautiful sister after her!”
Glancing down at Cathy before following the footman inside, Fitzwilliam returned his gaze to his sister in full confusion. She had worked her face upward into as near a smile as he had seen since the year prior; save this one came wreathed with the sadness which remained in her eyes and an almost pained turn to her mouth.
She had tried! It had not been honest, but the sight of it meant she recalled the motion. Wanted her family to worry less. And, unless it was a fruitless hope he now imagined, perhaps in time it would become real?
“Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, and Miss Catherine,” the butler said, startling Fitzwilliam as he, first realizing the footman had been replaced by the butler, now observed the faces of three of their family.
With the soft reply of Lady Matlock, the butler inched his way from the room, those remaining as still and silent as statues in a long gallery, though far from being as agreeable to look upon, or as well-lit for that matter. The roaring fire behind the Matlocks and Lady Catherine lent an imposing appearance as harsh shadows cut across their faces; the five candles scattered about the room doing little to improve things.
If they had not sold everything in America, he might well be tempted to return there now. But they were family. Far from gregarious in their manner, and far from the love and fawning he expected his sisters to be showered with… still, they were family. And what were a few minutes of awkward silence amongst family?
“Did you have a pleasant voyage?” Lady Matlock asked at last, breaking the silence without so much as a greeting.
Back straight, Fitzwilliam let his eyes cut toward his sisters whose stiffness matched his own.For them, he would make a greater effort.
Smiling, he nodded, “Pleasant enough. The seas were smooth, though the winds died down for the better part of three days at one point; between the heat and stillness, those days of our voyage were not overly agreeable, still, we made up a day of travel soon after, so that eased things.”
Silence.
With an awkward chuckle he added, “Our chief joy, however, is in being with you all at last. We trust you are all well?”
“As well as can be expected,” Lord Matlock answered, voice rumbling in a manner that spoke more of thunder than the welcoming tone of an uncle long absent from their lives. “You three then, I take it, mean to make England your home?”
Face pulling, Fitzwilliam studied his uncle as well as the low light allowed.They had written many times since the death of his parents and he had always been quite clear as to their intentions. Of their desire to be with family. Of selling everything in America to make that possible.
So why question him now when they stood in their home?
“Of course. That has been the plan since I first wrote you; nothing has changed.”
“Of all the selfish, disdainful,” Lady Catherine’s voice rose as she struck her cane on the floor. “Bringing the ilk of your father’s line to England. Well, it shall not mar my standing, nor that of my dear Anne–your foolish mother may have sought an alliance between yourself and my daughter, I however, would never stoop so low. Worse than trade!”
“Pardon?” Fitzwilliam managed between her raging, brows furrowed as he neared his sisters–Georgiana’s posture lowering as Aunt Catherine drew closer, her cane raised menacingly.
“You have no pardon from me, though you would do well to realize your father’s folly, and your grandfather before him. Whispers of their actions against our nation were spread in some circles before your birth, yet, if you thought they might have died off in the passing years, you are mistaken. Once the death of your parents found itself in our papers, those whispers grew until they were a cacophony in my ears and it is not to be borne.” Crinkling her nose in disdain, Lady Catherine lifted her head and scorned, “My sister was perhaps the most foolish woman in history! However, though the shades of Pemberley and the memory of my sister are thus polluted, never again shall I endure such shame. Henceforth, the Darcys are as strangers, and no blessing or help from me can ever be expected by you… or any who would have acquaintance with you.”
Walking past the Matlocks, Lady Catherine again warned, “Functions, dinners, even letters. Any of these in connection to the Darcys and I sever all ties.ALL.”
The grand lady, head raised as she moved toward the door, allowed her cane to announce her pique to all, preparing any servants of hers or the Matlocks to choose a proactive vigilance. Yet, to those remaining in the drawing room, it did nothing to help; the weight of each click of her cane felt in the silence.
How?A rather simple question he asked himself, yet no answer came. Only the truth that his letters had likely never gone amiss and that she had deemed them of little enough worth to bother answering them.
Why had she come then?he wondered.She certainly had not wished to see any of them. Not even his sweet sisters.
Fingers clenched, he scowled at the door his aunt had gone through before turning to his sisters with a far softer gaze. “Are you both alright?”
Face close to tears, Georgiana gave an unconvincing bob of her head, while Catherine set a hand upon her sister’s arm. “Georgie,” she soothed, “dear Georgie, there is nothing to concern yourself over. She is nothing to us, she said so herself; we still have each other. I swear I will not leave you!”
Arms wrapped around Cathy in an instant, Georgie gave a happy laugh.
