“I have a right to believe it is ridiculous to allow emotions to sway such an important choice, but the world changes, whether I like it or not. I could never support an imprudent marriage, one where there was insufficient money or other objections to one of the parties involved. Miss Bennet may not bring a fortune or connexions to the union, but Mrs Collins assures me she is an admirable young woman—indeed, your sister speaks very highly of you, as does Mr Collins.”
The last was directed at Elizabeth. She smiled, thinking about the couple and imagining how they had talked her up once they received news of the engagement. “That was kind of them. I know from their letters that they are very happy in the Hunsford parsonage. My family and I are glad they are so well situated and grateful that you chose to entrust the living to him.”
Lady Catherine’s nod of acknowledgement was rather imperious. “Mr Collins claims you are exceptionally clever, despite not going to school or even having a governess. Can that possibly be true?”
“That I am clever? I am told it is so, but you must be the judge of whether you agree. As to my sisters and me having no governess, I am afraid it is true. In the end, I believe we managed well enough. My father was always willing to assist us with learning whatever interested us, and I took full advantage of it, I assure you.” She chuckled, in part out of awkwardness. There was no denying her mother and father could have,shouldhave, done better when it came to educating their daughters. Fortunately, they had been less indolent when it came to William, knowing he could not depend on the Longbourn estate to support him and his family before Mr Bennet’s death.
Lady Catherine appeared to appreciate the manner of her response; a brief, slight smile graced her countenance before she began to question Elizabeth about her accomplishments. Over the next while, she learnt that Elizabeth played the pianoforte and sang, knew French and Italian, could not draw or paint, but enjoyed arranging flowers and sewing, and especially liked being in the open air and reading, “and if I can combine the two, I am elated,” Elizabeth said.
“Do you know that I wanted Darcy and my daughter to marry?”
The woman’s eyes seemed to pierce into Elizabeth. Elizabeth glanced at Mr Darcy, who looked apologetic. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again when she shook her head.
“I do. I am sorry if you are disappointed,” Elizabeth said.
Lady Catherine pinched her lips together tightly and shrugged. “Theydid not like the idea, despite it being an excellent one, supported by both his mother and hers. There is fortune and good breeding on both sides.”
“You know very well—” Mr Darcy said.
“Yes, yes, you and Anne do not like each other.”
She rolled her eyes, to Elizabeth’s amusement. As for her intended, he looked ready to sink into the ground, evidently embarrassed that his aunt had done her best to squeeze every iota of information possible out of Elizabeth and often said things that were, at best, bordering on impolite.
“I still believe you could have learnt to get along well enough to be married and produce an heir or two. But neither of you wanted it, and you will not hear me mention my regret again. Miss Bennet, you would have been a more suitable wife for your cousin. Mrs Collins is full young for such a role.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I would have been quite miserable if I had married William—the complete opposite of how I shall feel to marry your nephew. My sisterisyoung. I cannot say otherwise. She will do well. Do not underestimate a Bennet lady. However we appear on the surface, we all possess a firm core and good principles. And, truly, William and I would not have been at all content as husband and wife, but he and Kitty love each other dearly.”
“So I have observed. I actually caught them holding hands when they were out walking one morning.” Lady Catherine let out an exasperated huff of air.
Her scandalised tone almost made Elizabeth laugh again, but she managed to control herself. She and Mr Darcy always held hands when they were alone, both indoors and outdoors. It felt natural, and she loved to have the physical connexion to him. She rather wished they were sitting together, their hands clasped, instead of opposite each other on the stiff satin chairs. Mr Darcy evidently struggled to contain himself too. Their eyes met, but they quickly looked away again to avoid laughing or blushing.
“I hate to also disagree with you, but Miss Elizabeth would make a terrible Mrs Collins. However, she will be an exemplary Mrs Darcy.”
“Spare me young fools in love,” Lady Catherine muttered. She continued in a louder voice. “I hope you will be very happy. I say that sincerely. Marriage requires effort, especially on the lady’s part. She must learn to anticipate her husband’s wishes, as well as execute the duties of her station flawlessly and bear children, which is a perilous endeavour. You seem to be up to the challenge, Miss Bennet, and I am glad of it. My niece may well benefit from your company. She could use more liveliness.” Her eyes flicked towards Mr Darcy. “As could you.”
“I thank you for your concern, but since my engagement, I am full of cheer and more light-hearted than I recall being since I was a boy.”
Mr Darcy may have spoken to his aunt, but his eyes never left Elizabeth. She could not look away, even if she had wanted to.
“Oh, dear, you are smitten.”
Lady Catherine stood and faced Elizabeth, who also climbed to her feet. “I return to Rosings tomorrow. I am willing to carry a letter to your sister, if you have one sent here before my departure.”
“That is very generous of you. Thank you, Lady Catherine, for that and for wishing to meet me.”
Lady Catherine accepted her gratitude and announced that she was returning to her apartment. “I shall permit the pair of you no more than ten minutes alone, with the door open. Good day, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth curtseyed and stood watching Mr Darcy until his aunt was out of the room.
CHAPTERFIFTY-FIVE
As soon as they were alone, Darcy closed the distance between him and Elizabeth. He grasped her hands and lowered his lips to hers. If he was not concerned with sounding fanciful, he would talk about stars appearing or feeling like he was floating above the ground whenever they kissed. He could so easily become lost in the pleasure of being this close to her, but restrained himself. Beyond not yet being married, they were in a public room in his uncle’s house and not safe from interruption.
“I am sorry I did not have a chance to better prepare you for meeting my aunt. I had no notion she would come to town to see you. When I wrote to inform her of our engagement, I mentioned we would be here for a few weeks this month.”
“To be sure, some of what she said was almost insulting, but I choose not to take it as such. I do not believe she meant to injure me. No doubt she would say she was simply stating her true opinions.”
His beautiful Elizabeth briefly tightened her grip on his hands, and he gave her another too-short kiss. Her smile widened and the look in her eyes appeared to soften.
