The last statement made a deeper impression on Darcy than the lady assumed — and in a completely different way. His agitated mind understood that Elizabeth had refused to promise that she would never accept him and that she would give consideration to a potential marriage. If she had been completely opposed to him — as she had been last April — she would have certainly not hesitated to tell his aunt as much.
“Lady Catherine, you apparently cannot understand your error, so I shall not continue this argument. I shall write to Bingley and ask him to apologise to Miss Elizabeth and her family for any offence. After all, they will soon be his family too.”
“You will do no such thing!” the lady shouted. “I shall never apologise to that harlot!”
“I do not expect you to, Aunt, but I shall — although the damage is already done. Let us cease this conversation. We should be more concerned about Anne’s health.”
“Anne’s health is as good as can be expected. Your concern, if it is genuine, should be proved by establishing a date for your wedding, as everybody expects, not by forming a questionablefriendship with the impertinent Miss Elizabeth Bennet and taking her side.”
“What is wrong with Miss Elizabeth Bennet? She might be impertinent, but she is absolutely charming.” A new voice interrupted Lady Catherine.
With the door only half closed, Colonel Fitzwilliam and his parents entered with apparent haste.
“And you are impertinent in expressing your admiration for her, as you did in Kent, Geoffrey! Do not believe me ignorant of your behaviour,” Lady Catherine scolded him.
“Lady Catherine, what a lovely surprise to see you in London,” the colonel replied calmly. “I am sorry that I upset you, though I cannot remember when and how.”
“Oh, stop your irritating teasing,” the earl interjected. “Catherine, what on earth are you doing in London? You never sent word. Has something happened?”
“Where is Anne? How is she? Has the doctor arrived?” Lady Matlock added.
Darcy rubbed his temples, trying to soothe the sudden headache.
“Doctor Harris is with Anne. Let us go to the drawing room while we wait. May I call for some refreshments?”
“I know where the drinks are — I shall pour some,” the colonel offered.
Lady Matlock sat next to Georgiana, who looked quite distressed. Lady Catherine took an armchair, holding her cane and looking around the room with apparent displeasure.
“Catherine, would you tell us what you are doing in London?” Lord Matlock enquired.
“It is too difficult to understand this absurd story. We should wait for the doctor to tell us about Anne,” Darcy suggested.
“We were talking about Darcy deciding to marry Anne,” Lady Catherine responded.
“And you have come all the way from Kent for this?” Lord Matlock rolled his eyes. “Why are you even opening up this matter again? Is it not obvious to everyone that Darcy will not marry Anne?”
“I remember him saying so more than once,” Lady Matlock added. “Catherine, I know this is hard to accept, but you cannot force a gentleman of Darcy’s age into marriage.”
“I might have accepted that if he had made a better choice! If he was engaged to or at least courting someone prettier than Anne, or healthier or wealthier. But I cannot allow him to make a choice that will harm his name and reputation!”
“Catherine, I am sure you are wrong. One thing that defines Darcy’s character is his devotion to his family and his legacy. He would never do anything to ruin it, so I shall not even enquire further.”
“And there is nothing more immaculate than Darcy’s reputation!” The colonel laughed.
“I am glad you are all entertained, but the matter is rather delicate and distressing as it might harm a young lady’s reputation,” Darcy interjected, restless and vexed.
“Nobody cares about that lady’s reputation,” Lady Catherine replied spitefully. “I shall explain it to you — it is quite simple. My clergyman, Mr. Collins, informed me about a rumour involving Darcy and the daughter of a country gentleman, whose estate is entailed upon him. He claimed that not only would Darcy’s friend soon be married to the eldest sister but that Darcy himself might have been forced into an engagement by the second sister’s arts and allurements!”
Lady Matlock froze, her cup of tea in one hand and her eyes wide, while the earl and the colonel frowned.
“Excuse me, what?” The earl spoke first. “Whose estate is entailed to whom? Which of Darcy’s friends marries whose sister? And whose arts and allurements do you mean?”
“I believe this charade has gone on long enough. My friend Bingley is to be married soon to Miss Jane Bennet, whose father’s estate is entailed upon Mr. Collins.”
“And the second daughter,” Lady Catherine interrupted, “is a spoilt, impertinent girl, headstrong and disrespectful, despite the kindness I showed her when she visited Mrs. Collins! She must have devised a scheme to trap Darcy! She seemed more inclined towards Geoffrey in the spring, but she is poor, and she must have discovered that our Colonel has no money either.”
Lord and Lady Matlock exchanged worried gazes, then glanced at their son. The colonel looked like he needed another moment to comprehend, then he began to laugh, so loud and so hard that he spilt his drink.
