Left to their own devices, discussions soon turned to details of the ball. Lady Matlock excused herself to collect their invitation from her study, Elizabeth followed, with a little trepidation.
“Pardon me, Your Ladyship. I, well, I am honoured, but…”
“You are surprised.” The look Lady Matlock gave her was cool.
“Yes.” Elizabeth was grateful Lady Matlock understood.
“Lord Matlock is proud of his status and his family name. I assure you he would find it difficult to acknowledge you were it not for young Lord Carrington. However,” her eyes softened looking down at Alex, “He is also a father, not only to our two sons, but also to our niece and nephew. Their happiness is important to him. Since your happiness is important to them, well…” She opened her hands as though to conclude her point.
Elizabeth was still confused, but she smiled and offered a little curtsey. Lady Matlock continued on her errand and Elizabeth returned to her sister and Georgiana.
They had no more than a few minutes to marvel over Lord Matlock’s offer when their soft conversation was shattered by a strident voice, intruding ever closer.
The harsh voice was soon joined by a tall, angular lady dressed in a fashion near twenty years out of date. She stood there amoment taking in the three women and finally entered once she focused on Elizabeth with Alex in her arms.
“L-Lady Catherine,” stuttered Georgiana, “What do you do here?”
Ignoring her, Lady Catherine stalked into the room, her cane thumping down with every other step. She stopped a few paces away from the settee and lifted the cane to point it at Elizabeth. “I see the rumours are true. How dare you, you brazen woman? You defile the memory of my departed daughter.” The old lady stood before them, red faced and breathing hard. Her eyes burned with rage and perhaps, insanity.
Lady Catherine thumped her cane once more into the carpeted floor. “Was he keeping you whilst he was married to my daughter? Is this,” she pointed to Alex who had begun to cry from the raucous noise, “His by blow?”
Elizabeth heard Jane gasp and was herself shocked for the second time that afternoon, but she was not going to sit pretty for this termagant or hold her tongue against the vile accusations about her son. “Madam, I know not who you are, but I owe you no explanation. However, I shall not have vicious gossip fly around the London drawing rooms.” She handed Alex to Jane and stood to her full, if diminutive height. “My son was born to me and my deceased husband, Captain Gregory Carrington. I had not even made the acquaintance of Miss and Mr Darcy until March of this year.”
Georgiana, seeing her aunt was completely out of control, ran red faced out of the room to seek out help.
“I will see you ruined.” The old woman shrilled, saliva oozing down from the corners of her mouth. “I will make sure the only place you can be found is a brothel in the bowels of seven dials-”
“Catherine!” roared Matlock he had entered, Darcy right behind him with a face like thunder. “You are shaming the Fitzwilliam name.”
“Matlock, never. This woman and Fitzwilliam—”
“Be silent.” He hissed. “You know nothing of what you speak.”
He turned to Elizabeth, “Mrs Carrington, excuse us. This... delusional woman will be removed, and she shall not disturb you again.”
“What are you about? I have nothing to be ashamed of. This harlot—” Lord Matlock grabbed her arm and held it in a bruising grip, pulling her close to his side. Her mouth opened and closed but no sound emerged.
He turned her in the direction of the door, grumbling “Young Lord Carrington,the earl, is here under my protection. You are a damn fool, Catherine.”
“A moment, Uncle.” Darcy stepped closer to them. “Lady Catherine, your presence here must mean you no longer wish to reside at Rosings.” His tone of voice was deceptively mild, in sharp contrast to his cold demeanour. “I am glad to hear it. I have a friend who is in need of leasing an estate close to town. Rosings shall do very nicely for him. Or perhaps I shall sell it for a sovereign, as Anne suggested.” He faced his uncle, “Lord Matlock, I trust you will be able to make living arrangements for your sister? The servants will pack up her possessions to make them ready for delivery.”
“Darcy–a sovereign–what? How dare you?” Lady Catherine wailed, “Rosings is mine!”
“It ismine. And as per Anne’s dictates, these are her wishes. We, madam, are done.” He turned away, cutting her both metaphorically and literally from his life.
Her gasp reverberated off the walls, as did her wail of ‘Darcy!’ as Lord Matlock dragged her out of the room grumbling to himself the whole way.
Georgiana had returned to the room with Lady Matlock. She approached Elizabeth with tears in her eyes, “Lizzy, I am so sorry. Please allow me to apologise for my aunt’s…”
“Georgiana, pray do not apologise. You did nothing wrong. In fact, I believe you thought rather quickly, calling for Lord Matlock and Mr Darcy.”
“I found them already on the way here. My aunt’s voice travelled.” A little frown of confusion pinched her forehead. “But how can she have learned of Elizabeth and Alex?”
“Probably one of her last remaining cronies from town circulating gossip. Were you not all together at the picnic you hosted? Anyone might have seen you there.” Lady Matlock was not pleased. If that kind of tittle-tattle spread, it would make her job introducing Elizabeth to theTonmuch more difficult.
Elizabeth and Jane left soon after. Georgiana was still upset over her aunt’s display, but Elizabeth was concerned about Darcy. The expression he wore was rigid and hard. His farewells were barely intelligible. Did he fear the spread of this gossip might affect Georgiana?
~ / ~
