“I suppose it is too late for you to change now,” Charlotte said, still quite flustered.
“Very much too late!” Mr. Collins interjected, not understanding what was troubling his wife. “Come, we must hurry! Hurry! Lady Catherine does not tolerate tardiness!”
Elizabeth avoided Charlotte’s imploring gaze as the party hurried across the front yard of the parsonage, the lane that separated the parsonage from Rosings’ grounds, and then across the velvet lawns of Rosings Park.
Mr. Collins was quite out of breath by the time they arrived, and they were indeed about five minutes behind time. Mr. Morton announced them, and they walked into the Rosings drawing room. Elizabeth had the great satisfaction of seeing Mr. Darcy’s eyes widen and Lady Catherine’s eyes narrow to thin slits.
Upon being introduced to Lady Anne Darcy, Mr. Collins bowed quite low and the ladies curtsied.
“Late!” Lady Catherine announced, banging her stick.
“Entirely my fault,” Elizabeth replied, curtseying to her hostess. “I wanted to look my very best for my last visit with you, Lady Catherine.” She smiled sweetly at the lady, daring her to object.
“And you look very nice indeed,” Mr. Darcy said, finally able to speak. “But why is it your last visit? I had understood you were to stay for a month complete.”
“At her ladyship’s request, I am returning to Meryton tomorrow,” Elizabeth replied.
“Aunt Catherine?” the Colonel said, surprised. “You demanded that Miss Bennet return to Meryton?”
“Oh, please, it is no trouble,” Elizabeth interjected quickly. “I quite miss my home, though I have very much enjoyed my visit here. I thank you, Lady Catherine, for the many kindnesses you have shown me.” There was only the slightest hint of sarcasm in her voice.
Lady Catherine looked nonplused, so Lady Anne took the opportunity to speak. “That is quite a lovely gown you have on, Miss Bennet. The colour is new, if I am not mistaken.”
“I thank you, Lady Anne. My aunt sent me the fabric from London; my sister assisted me with the design, and the embroidery is entirely her work.”
“Your aunt?”
“Yes; my uncle imports fabrics from all over the world; my sisters and I are the fortunate recipients of his efforts.”
“You have an uncle in trade?” Lady Anne did not attempt to keep the sneer from her voice.
“Yes, and I have another uncle who is a solicitor in Meryton,” Elizabeth said promptly and unashamedly.
“But Miss Bennet’s father is a landowner,” Mr. Darcy put in quickly.
“There have been Bennets on our property for two hundred years,” Elizabeth said.
“Which is about to come to an end,” Lady Catherine said, having finally found her voice. “Mr. Collins here will inherit, as there is an entail on the estate.”
There was an awkward silence, which Elizabeth broke, saying, “We are fortunate that Mrs. Collins knows the estate well and will take excellent care of our tenants.”
“Tenants! Who cares about the tenants?” Miss de Bourgh interjected. “I should think that the least of your concerns. What of your own well-being and prospects?”
“The tenants are the lifeblood of any estate,” Elizabeth said, firmly. “And the well-being of the estate is of far higher importance than my own well-being.”
“It is not for you to correct my daughter, Miss Bennet!” Lady Catherine spat.
“Miss Bennet is nonetheless correct,” Mr. Darcy said, quickly. “And, Mother, I have heard you say the exact same thing about Pemberley and our own tenants.”
“Pemberley can hardly be compared with some insignificant estate in – where is it?” Lady Anne said.
“Hertfordshire, but the comparison is more than apt. An estate is only as successful as the tenants who inhabit it.” Mr. Darcy’s tone was firm. “Aunt Catherine, may your guests not be seated? They have been kept standing in your drawing room an unconscionably long time.”
Recalled to her manners, Lady Catherine motioned gracelessly to the various chairs and sofas, and the parsonage party sank gratefully into the furniture so indicated.
“Please sit beside me, Miss Bennet,” Lady Anne said, smoothly.
With an inner sigh, Elizabeth rose from the seat she had just taken beside Charlotte and took the chair Lady Anne designated. At least I am not sitting at her feet, Elizabeth thought, recalling her first introduction to Lady Catherine.
