Lady Catherine kept hold of her hands and continued gently, “In some ways, many of us were the poor creatures chained in the cave, and you helped us break free. I know I exaggerate for effect, but the sentiment is the same.”
“As much as I would like to dispute your reasoning, I assume you will demandevidenceto support my refusal,” Elizabeth replied softly.
“Probably, but why do you assume that?”
“My father did… and—”
“And I suppose Darcy did as well?”
Elizabeth nodded, unable to add more.
“Now, let us imagine that you are this mysterious chain-breaker, but you, in fact, never left the cave yourself. The shadows all came from a fire, so when you broke the creatures free, all you did was move them a few yards from their original positions so they could see the fire.”
“Yes—”
“Then someone comes along, who takes you entirely outside the cave. You would have become quite comfortable in your position as liberator, having saved the poor creatures from their chains, but supremely confident that, since you knew all there was to know about fires, you were master of the world. Suppose you went outside and were exposed to thesun. What then?”
“I feel sorry for poor Plato, considering how badly you abused his metaphor, but I understand. You suggest I am afraid to embrace the next reality of my life.”
Lady Catherine patted Elizabeth’s hands a few times. “That is more or less right, though I would have spent less time critiquing the quality of the discourse.”
Elizabeth laughed, her spirits restored. “Based on your story, I am outside the cave, looking in wonder at my first butterfly and wondering whether it is real or a fever dream.”
“You are young, and you have time. You need not work it all out today. May I ask a boon?”
“Of course!”
“Might I attend your sister’s wedding?”
The request perplexed Elizabeth, yet her answer came at once. “Of course! What a silly question. You are naturally welcome. Why would you even ask?”
“I am not entirely certain why. It seemed impolite to presume, and I do not know if you mean to keep me away from Anne entirely for this year.”
“As you can see, I abandoned Anne to her fate. In truth, I believe I did all I could within minutes of theFrogs in Potsepisode, but it was my father who suggested I leave.”
Lady Catherine laughed. “I can honestly say that you are likely the only person in my life to ever call meLittle Frog.”
Elizabeth smiled; it was all in fun.
“Speaking of Frogs, would your aunt and uncle object to my swapping Miss Lucas’ company for yours? I would like to speak more with you, and that seems the perfect opportunity.”
“I see no reason why not. I have been at their house for two months and will be travelling with them for weeks after the wedding. I imagine they will have their fill of my company. What do you wish to talk about?”
Lady Catherine smirked. “We shall start with Frogs and Pots.”
“I thought we exhausted that topic.”
“Not quite. I feel it my duty to inform you that if you put a frog into a teapot and subsequently swap the pot on the poor butler, the frog will definitely jump out when he is presented in the company of a duke. He might even land in the part of a lady’s anatomy that is ordinarily frog-free.”
Elizabeth laughed in consternation. The image of Lady Catherine with a frog on her was too much to bear.
“Who was the vile prankster who did this terrible deed to the poor defenceless frog?”
“And what of the poor defenceless lady?”
Elizabeth did not dignify that with a response but raised an eyebrow in question.
“Of course, the miscreant was one or both of my nephews. I have no idea who instigated the scheme, but Darcy was perfectly willing to take the blame or credit as appropriate.”
