“I have now met three of your relations, and I like them all. Shall my good fortune persist, do you think? Shall I find the others as agreeable?” she said.
Darcy could not prevent the resulting burst of laughter. “I cannot recall anyone calling Lady Catherine agreeable upon first acquaintance. More often it takes several years before they see beyond her intemperate words. As to your question, my love, for the most part, I think you will. If you do not mind, I would rather not talk about my family, now that I have you to myself for a few minutes.”
“Oh? What would you like to talk about instead, my good sir?”
He answered her with a kiss.
* * *
Later that afternoon, Darcy had a brief conversation about Elizabeth with Lady Catherine.
“I suppose I like her. Some people will disapprove of a lady from her background escorting Miss Darcy of Pemberley as she makes her entrance into society, but I care not for what fools think. Miss Bennet appears to be sensible, which is a trait far too few people display. I trust she will not encourage Georgiana to accept an offer simply for the sake of making a brilliant marriage.”
“She will not, and I shall not approve of any match unless Georgiana chooses with her heart as well as her head.”
Lady Catherine studied him for a long moment. “As you have done.”
It was not a question, but he treated it as such and nodded.
After an overly loud, no doubt exaggerated sigh, his aunt said, “I shall overlook that your marriage makes me, in a roundabout manner, related to my parson and his wife. Did you know Anne wishes to marry one of Sir Lewis’s nephews? Sir Lewis was the best of that family, and, as I told Anne, I cannot believe she will be happy married to one of them, but she insists she will be.”
Darcy sought reassuring words but failed to find any. “Where will they live?”
“Notat Rosings. It is mine for life, and I refuse to share a roof with that man. Anne is content to remove to his house, which is at the opposite side of Kent.”
Anne would inherit the estate upon her mother’s death, but it was good that the couple would not reside there in the meanwhile, their disagreeable natures causing discord and distress.
“Understanding what sort of man my daughter wants to marry, and having met your Miss Bennet, I see that it never would have worked between you and Anne. You know how I hate to admit I am wrong, so take this as a gift you are unlikely to receive again. I am pleased for you, Darcy, and my sister would have been as well.” Lady Catherine patted his arm.
Before he could thank her, she continued, reminding him of one of the difficulties about which he had gone to Kent in January. “Now, are you going to explain this business about the contracts or not? Georgiana will be here for dinner soon, and I do not hold with discussing such matters at the table.”
* * *
The following day, Elizabeth had the opportunity to meet Viscount Bramwell and the Reeds. Mr and Mrs Reed had kindly invited Elizabeth and Darcy to join them for dinner and a concert, featuring selections from Gluck, who happened to be one of Elizabeth’s favourite composers. The Reeds were a proper, courteous couple. Mr Reed was pleased to speak to her about her father with whom he had been at Oxford. He vowed to write to Mr Bennet with the hope of seeing his old friend again.
Mr and Mrs Reed largely left the young people to themselves, allowing them an opportunity to know each other. Elizabeth liked the viscount and Miss Reed very much. Within half an hour, Elizabeth was certain she and Miss Reed would be friends; they shared a similar way of thinking. Viscount Bramwell’s manner held a touch of sarcasm, which she found amusing.
When they could speak privately, Darcy told her the viscount was usually more biting in his remarks, though he meant no real harm—unless he particularly disliked the subject of his teasing. “He is on his best behaviour since the two of you just met.”
Elizabeth laughed. Oddly, or perhaps not so strangely, she often felt like laughing when she was with her beloved. The joy inside her was simply too much to contain. “Even when he is more sarcastic, I shall like him, provided he does not ridicule those I love.”
They were sitting at the back of the box at the concert, whispering to each other before the music began. Elizabeth thought they were being quiet enough not to be overheard, but evidently not. Lord Bramwell turned to face them.
“Dare I hope you were talking about me?” he said. “I am told I excel at ridiculing people, yet I am so charming and lovable, no one can fail to admire me.”
Darcy made a noise suggesting he found his cousin exasperating.
“I am afraid you have put me in a quandary,” Elizabeth said.
“Oh? Please, do go on, Miss Bennet, if only because I am presently annoying my cousin, which gives me great satisfaction.” One corner of Lord Bramwell’s mouth lifted in an amused smile.
Glancing at Darcy, Elizabeth saw that he was glaring at the viscount. She rested a hand on his arm, hoping to indicate he should not worry she would find his cousin disagreeable.
“I am not familiar enough with you to know for certain, but I suspect you would be overly pleased if I admitted we were referring to you, and it would encourage you to greater heights of sarcasm. That would increase the risk of you inadvertently injuring someone. Yet, I would hate to disappoint you by saying we were speaking of someone else lest you take a disliking to me. One of the two responses would be a falsehood, as well, and I do make it a practice not to lie. What am I to do?”
Viscount Bramwell guffawed, and Miss Reed, who was listening to their exchange, also laughed.
“What you should do is ignore him. If he believes you find him entertaining, it will puff up his ego, and I assure you, he does not need that!” Miss Reed said.
