“Mrs Jenkinson answers to you and treats me as though I were decades older than I am. We neither travel nor receive company, except for the clergymen you choose to appoint. There are no young ladies near Rosings with whom I might form a natural acquaintance.”
While her gaze remained calm, a faint tremor touched her final words.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Perceiving that his presence was no longer required, Granfield rose and bowed, first to Matlock and then, after the briefest hesitation, to Anne.
“These matters no longer concern me; they touch your household more nearly than mine,” he said evenly. “I have spoken plainly and shall not intrude further.”
He inclined his head once more towards Matlock. “When you are at leisure, pray call at Talbot House, and we shall conclude our business.”
With one final, unreadable glance at Lady Catherine, he took his leave.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Lord Granfield returned to Millwood Cottage within a se’nnight of his departure. He was spared the immediate necessity of giving any account of his journey, for—to Elizabeth’s astonishment—he was not alone, but followed closely by his sister.
Elizabeth had scarcely risen before she recognised her and crossed the room at once. “Aunt Rosalind!” she exclaimed, all composure momentarily forgotten at the sight of her great-aunt.
The embrace that followed was warm and entirely unreserved, propriety yielding—as it sometimes might—to long absence and genuine affection. It had been several years since the two ladies had met in person, their intimacy sustained by frequent and uncommonly lengthy correspondence.
“My dear Elizabeth,” Aunt Rosalind said, drawing back only to examine her great-niece’s face with evident approval. “I declare I have seldom seen a young lady look so entirely content. Engagement—and your intended—must agree with you exceedingly well. I would not have missed being with you at such a time for the world.”
“You are the greatest comfort to me already,” Elizabeth replied, smiling. “I had only just written to beg your assistance.”
“So your letter and I have crossed upon the road,” Aunt Rosalind returned lightly. “Edmund hinted that I was needed upon urgent business in Hertfordshire, and I suspected it might have something to do with your wedding. But now, introduce me to your companions, my dear.”
Elizabeth turned, recovering her composure. “Miss Darcy, may I present my aunt, Lady Rosalind James—Lady Rosalind, Miss Georgiana Darcy—and Mrs Annesley, her companion.”
Georgiana, who had observed the reunion with gentle pleasure, stepped forward and curtsied. Aunt Rosalind received her with marked kindness.
“I am very happy to make your acquaintance, Miss Darcy,” she said warmly. “My great-niece has written of your companionship in these last weeks and, naturally, has also included much about your brother. I am glad at last to meet those who will soon be so closely connected with her.”
A faint blush rose in Georgiana’s cheeks, yet she answered with gentle steadiness. “You are very kind, ma’am. I am most happy in our connexion, and my brother’s happiness is very dear to me.”
Aunt Rosalind’s expression softened. “I can readily believe it.”
Georgiana inclined her head with a quiet smile. “While they are not yet married, I already esteem Elizabeth as a sister. I greatly enjoy her company.”
“Then I am pleased to have the opportunity to join you,” Aunt Rosalind replied, her tone both cordial and appraising. “Isuspect we shall find ourselves much engaged in one another’s company between now and the wedding—if my brother has permitted the happy couple to fix a date.”
Lord Granfield cleared his throat with faint resignation. “The date, I am told, will arrive rather sooner than I might have preferred,” he said drily, “which is precisely why I prevailed upon my sister to accompany me. Someone must ensure that matters are conducted with proper care, and I am certainly not equal to answering questions concerning lace and flowers.”
Aunt Rosalind cast him a look of mild amusement. “Edmund, you have always possessed excellent judgement. For the present, however, you may safely leave such concerns to the ladies, and allowusto determine what truly requires attention.”
Having thus been dismissed, and appearing content to have secured reinforcement, Lord Granfield withdrew, leaving the ladies to their conversation.
Elizabeth smiled; as the door closed behind her grandfather, Aunt Rosalind’s words about fixing a date lingered in her mind.
And therein lay the difficulty.
If her aunt had come to guide her in the practicalities of a wedding, she must first determine what it was she herself desired.
The question was not the gown she should wear, nor the guests to be invited, nor even the fixing of the date—at least not in its essence. It was something far more intimate: where did Elizabeth consider home?
It would be simple enough for them to marry at the church in Meryton. It was the parish she knew best, having spentmost of her life there, and she possessed many friends in the neighbourhood. The arrangement could be managed with ease and without display.
But was that suitable for such an occasion? Ought not at least some members of thetonbe invited?
