Supposing their appearance had something to do with Lady Catherine, Elizabeth said, “We are glad you could join us, Miss de Bourgh. Will you join us in the front parlor?” Of her cousin, she said nothing, for Elizabeth was not at all pleased to see him.
Miss de Bourgh clasped her hands together, peeking up at Fitzwilliam. “You will not let my mother harm Miss Elizabeth, I know it. Had I known you were here, I would have been more at ease, but I will lend what little support I may. If you permit me to help.”
Her gentle strength made Elizabeth happy she had interfered on Miss de Bourgh’s behalf, though she feared that the delay in a reply bode ill for her scheme.
“Of course, you may help, Anne,” Fitzwilliam reassured his cousin. “Your willingness to do so speaks well of you.”
Mr. Collins bowed. “As Miss de Bourgh so elegantlystated, I, too, am here to offer consolation and guidance where I may.”
If he had hoped for equal praise, he was soon disappointed. Fitzwilliam glared at Mr. Collins, and Elizabeth pushed the door open before the clergyman was put in his place. A proper set down would take too much time when Elizabeth’s memories tickled the edges of her consciousness.
Later, Mr. Collins. Later. You will get what is coming to you.
The four of them entered the front parlor.
“Anne, you are supposed to be in your rooms.” Lady Catherine rose to her full height, towering over her own daughter, both hands grasping her cane like a scepter.
“Mother, I cannot allow you to continue in this heartless course. It is unlike you.”
Elizabeth motioned to the chairs, but nobody sat.
Lady Catherine hissed. “Unlike me to protect the interests of my only child? An heiress?”
Fitzwilliam interjected, “Unlike you to undermine my happiness and Anne’s prospects. I have defended you against any involvement in the carriage accident—”
Pointing her finger at Elizabeth, Lady Catherine spat, “An accusation made bythat girl, no doubt.”
“Your own stubborn spite accuses you,” he said.
“How dare you accuse me of stooping so low over this insignificant chit. Can you not see how she isdriving a wedge between you and your own family? Will you forsake me for a conniving fortune hunter out to ruin you?”
“Elizabeth is my family as much as you are, only I havechosenher to be such. Someone sabotaged her carriage, resulting in harm to her person, and I will not relent until I find out who is responsible.”
Mr. Collins interrupted, “Was not Mr. Wickham accused of that crime … besides his many others?”
Neither Fitzwilliam nor his aunt heeded him, leaving Mr. Collins to wither into a corner where Elizabeth could only hope he would make himself unheard.
“You would accuse your own flesh and blood of such atrocities? I do not know you, Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
“Mother! You know not what you speak,” Miss de Bourgh plead.
Elizabeth sought to lessen the tension. Gesturing once again at the chairs, she said, “Please take a seat. Heated words will do nothing to mend the breach I am supposed to have caused.”
“Silence!” Lady Catherine demanded, jabbing her cane into the carpet.
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Elizabeth said, “You forget yourself. You imposed yourself on me. In my home. I am under no obligation to you.”
“You unabashedly hunted my nephew, preying on him with your feminine machinations. You are nothing more than a grubby upstart willing to sell yourself to gain Pemberley.”
Elizabeth forced a smile, the sting of Her Ladyship’s insults placated by her own purpose. She was on the verge of resurgence. “That is hardly the case.” She squeezed Fitzwilliam’s hand, wondering when he had reached for her … or if she had reached for him.
“You have the audacity to deny you only accepted his proposal after you had toured Pemberley and its properties?”
“Yes. That is precisely what I suggest because it is the truth.” Elizabeth was proud to say she had fallen in love with Fitzwilliam — the second time — with absolutely no memory of Pemberley. Any claims to the contrary had no leg to stand on. She knew it. Fitzwilliam knew it.
“Obstinate, headstrong girl! Have you no shame?”
Elizabeth’s head reeled, the people and the room whirling as past spun into the present. She and Lady Catherine faced each other, Her Ladyship demanding Elizabeth give up her last thread of hope and Elizabeth refusing.
