“Do not attempt to wheedle out of this. You have ensnared my nephew in a moment of infatuation, a feat no other woman has accomplished. You must have been very artful to succeed so well. You will take your meals in your bedchamber until I determine what is to be done. My daughter is much attached to you, and I must consider my next steps with care, for I will not disturb the progress she has made, yet I will not allow you to continue in the ensnarement of my nephew.” She fixed Elizabeth with a narrow gaze. “I cannot endure the pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or fortune. The daughter of a mere country squire, who is far beneath the grandson of an earl. It shall not be borne.”
Elizabeth rose. “My lady, I require air.” She made her curtsy and left the room.
Voices sounded near the entrance, and she turned away. She hastened upstairs, exchanged her slippers for stout walking boots, drew on her pelisse, and then slipped down the servants’ stair, passed through the kitchen garden, and reached the meadow that bordered one side of the estate.
She followed the brook path she favored, Lady Catherine’s sharp words spinning in her mind. Trouble with her Ladyship could place her brother’s position in peril. Fear for her sister weighed heavily upon her, though Anne's repeated assurances eased her mind a little. Would Anne’s influence over her mother hold in regard to Mr. Collins and his preferment?
Her thoughts turned to Mr. Darcy.
If she were sent away now in humiliation and shame, whatever regard had grown between them must come to an abrupt end.She began to cry. What would her mother say when she learned Elizabeth had brought trouble upon the family? How could she endure the loss of Mr. Darcy? His dear face rose in her mind, and she grieved.
She continued along the path without thought until she realized she had come upon a thickly wooded area. She paused and looked about her. The landscape offered no familiarity. She had come farther than was her habit, but she was not afraid, for she had only to turn and follow the brook back to Rosings.
Lady Catherine had not dismissed her from concern for Anne. Perhaps that alone would spare her the full force of her wrath.
She studied her surroundings. No houses, no lane, no mark to guide her. An old tower stood in the distance, a mile or so farther on, and stirred her curiosity.
As she advanced, the sky darkened, low clouds gathered, and the air became damp. A gust of wind caught her hair and swept her skirts, and the first drops of rain fell.
Chapter 18: Caught In A Storm
No shelter offered itself but the tower rising above the woods. She broke into a run as a burst of rain, driven by gusting wind, descended upon her. By the time she reached it, her thin pelisse clung to her, soaked through.
She entered the tower and found the roof was sound, though the arched openings allowed the wind to sweep through unchecked. A stair rose along the wall in deep darkness. She ascended and found the first landing afforded better protection. There she seated herself upon the uppermost step and leaned against the stone, resolved to wait out the storm, her thoughts still consumed by the loss of Mr. Darcy.
After some time, she roused. She descended and looked out from the base of the tower. Rain fell in steady sheets, and dark clouds stretched without end. In the glooming light, she consulted her timepiece. It marked only half past two, though the heavy clouds lent the day the aspect of evening.
Fear stirred. Should the rain not abate, she must either return through the driving storm or remain the night in that cold, drafty refuge.
Sir Gareth took Anne’s hand and bowed over it. He lifted his gaze to hers and asked if he might call upon her on Sunday after church. She accepted with pleasure. Her two cousins stood beside her as Beaumont mounted his horse and rode away.
“I hope he receives a thorough soaking,” Richard said. “He has at least five miles to travel before he reaches his father’s estate.”
His cousins turned their gaze toward the horizon. Low, dark clouds gathered, and in the distance a sheet of rain advanced.
“He has a good hour before that downpour reaches this far,” Darcy said. “He should arrive home before it is upon us.”
They reentered the house, and Georgiana peeked down from the landing. “Fitzwilliam, may I come down now?”
“Yes, my dear. Anne’s guest has departed.”
They entered the drawing room and found only Lady Catherine within. Darcy noticed his book upon the couch where he and Elizabeth had sat. He took it up and placed it upon the table.
“Aunt Catherine, do you know where Lizzy has gone?” Georgiana asked.
“It is not my concern to keep account of a companion’s movements.”
Seeing Georgiana start at Lady Catherine’s angry reply, Darcy said, “Drake will know my dear. I shall ask him.”
He found the butler in the pantry. “Drake, has Miss Bennet gone up to her bedchamber?”
Drake hesitated and cleared his throat.
“What do you know? Speak plainly.”
“Sir, I overheard Lady Catherine reprimanding Miss Bennet.”
“My aunt reprimanded her?”
