Still, having reached the age of seven-and-twenty, he ought to make the engagement with Anne official. I should suggest this to him when he came for Easter. By the end of summer, he and Anne would be married.
One Month Later
Rosings Park
Lady Catherine
My daughter and I had been reading in the library for half an hour before she closed her book and set it aside.
“Mother, did you notice Darcy’s unusual comportment last night?”
I lowered my book to my lap. “To what do you refer?”
“He was even more silent and austere than usual, yet he showed a singular interest in Miss Bennet. His eyes followed her throughout the evening.”
A lump formed in my throat. “Now you mention it, I thought it odd when Darcy followed Miss Bennet and Richard to the pianoforte.” I frowned. Unbidden to my mind came a remembrance of the impertinent twist of Miss Bennet’s lips as she had responded to my inquiries at our first meeting. At times, it had almost seemed as though the young woman had been making a joke at my expense. But I dismissed the ridiculous notion—she would not have dared treat a lady so far above her with insolence. “I allow that Miss Bennet is an attractive girl in a common sort of way, but I have no fears for Darcy where she is concerned. He knows his place in the world and would never be tempted by a woman so below himself.”
I tapped my lower lip. “Now, if Richard had sufficient wealth to marry where he liked, he might be vulnerable to her charms.”
“I am sure you are correct.” Anne provided a weak smile and resumed reading her book.
Months later, I received shocking intelligence from my clergyman, Mr. Collins. His father-in-law, Sir William, upon the engagement of the eldest Bennet sister to Darcy’s friend Mr.Bingley, had predicted an imminent match between Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet!
Despite the unlikelihood of this pronouncement, I left at once to confront Miss Bennet at her home. To my dismay, she refused to satisfy my demand that she promise not to wed my nephew. Next, I went to Darcy, and after an infuriating argument, left without any concession from him. In desperation, I sought out my brother, Lord Matlock, but he refused to interfere, citing the sound judgment Darcy had demonstrated up to that point. Before I left London, a letter arrived from Darcy confirming my worst fear.
In utter defeat, I went home and found my daughter in her sitting room. I stood before her, placing a fair portion of weight on my walking stick, and told her that despite my best efforts, Darcy had become engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Anne uttered not a single word. She sobbed. Each of her cries stabbed at my heart. I could do naught but hang my head in utter helplessness. Were it not for the powerful loathing for Miss Elizabeth Bennet that rose within me, I might have collapsed. Of course, the recriminating knowledge that I bore part of the responsibility for this outcome mingled with the hatred. Indeed, as Anne peered up at me, blinking through her tears, did her eyes not impart an accusation? Yes, my daughter blamed me. And why not? I had invited the enemy into my home.
Over the next few years, my quiet and reserved daughter became morose and pettish. Moreover, her health took a turn for the worse. She had ever been prone to colds, but she began to suffer from insomnia, frequent headaches, and pains throughout her body. With Anne’s physical decline, her spirits sank even lower.
My daughter’s new symptoms puzzled Dr. Finch, the well-respected physician who had cared for Anne her entire life. He could do naught but offer a tincture mixed with laudanumfor her relief. Anne’s resentment towards me endured, and she shunned my company. Thus, I often spent time in town without her. My miserable, brooding daughter made life at Rosings unbearable.
Present Day
Pemberley
Lady Catherine
With a jolt, I roused from my ruminations. At Bennet’s frolicsome shout, my sight returned to the window. I glowered at the three of them and hissed through my teeth. They had no right to be so joyous with Anne in a state of misery! Maybe I ought to have taken her to Pemberley after all. My angry, sullen daughter’s presence may have dampened the Darcys’ happiness.
“They are a beautiful family, are they not?”
With a sharp intake of air, I dropped the curtain and stepped aside towards Mr. Graham, who gave me a proper bow. I inclined my head. “One might say so.” My sight tarried upon the strikingly handsome man. He could be useful in causing a rift between Elizabeth and my nephew. I simpered at him. “Mrs. Darcy is an uncommon beauty. Do you not agree?”
His weight shifted, and his gaze rested upon me. “Yes, I do. Nevertheless, your statement surprises me. I should have predicted you to be the last person to compliment her.”
I shrugged. “Even from our first meeting I recognised her admirable attributes. Still, she is not an appropriate match for my nephew. She would be much better suited to a gentleman like you.”
His musical laugh filled the room. “I suspect your discerning statement contains an insult to myself.”
“Not at all. I merely meant that my nephew, who has noble connections, should have chosen a bride with comparable relations.”
A merry shriek emanating from out on the lawn caught Mr. Graham’s attention, and he gazed out the window. “And yet it is obvious that Darcy is delighted with his choice of a wife.”
My grip tightened around my walking stick as my vision inexorably drew back to the scene out of doors where a grinning Elizabeth ran across the grass after the ball. I should not rest until that woman felt the full weight of my vengeance.
Chapter 8: A Suspicion of Doom
