Page 24 of Love Drunk for Mr Darcy

"Nothing," his cousin said, though the smile remained.

"Must you look quite so delighted?"

"I was merely considering how much Miss Elizabeth is going to enjoy discovering that you have written to her father before receiving her answer."

Darcy’s mouth tightened. "She will understand that it is an unusual situation."

Fitzwilliam took another leisurely drink of coffee. "I admire your confidence."

***

They found Lady Catherine in the drawing room with Anne seated beside the fire. Both women looked up as they entered, their physical resemblance divided by very different expressions. Anne wore a small determined smile while Darcy knew his aunt well enough to recognise the rigid set of her shoulders and tight line of her mouth as a warning. She did not invite either of her nephews to sit, but turned upon them the moment the door had closed.

"Darcy, I trust you have had sufficient time to reflect upon your behaviour last night."

Darcy glanced towards his cousin, who was standing as rigidly as if he was on parade with his regiment. His face was completely neutral.

"I have, Aunt," Darcy said stiffly.

"And have you reached any conclusions, nephew?"

Darcy considered this. He had reached a great many conclusions, though he doubted Lady Catherine would approve of any of them. "I regret leaving the ballroom in such a sudden manner. I am sorry if my actions caused distress."

"Regret?" Lady Catherine repeated. "Sorry to cause distress!" Her voice was becoming increasingly nasal and high-pitched as she went on. "You disappeared in the middle of my ball after behaving with extraordinary rudeness, and Richard was obliged to inform me that you had retired to your chambers because your temper had rendered you unfit for company. Your temper! As if a man of eight and twenty could have so little control over himself. Ridiculous! I endured several uncomfortable questions from my guests and poor Anne was utterly embarrassed."

Darcy turned slowly towards Anne. She looked neither embarrassed nor distressed. She was watching her mother with an expression of firm resolution, her back straight and chin lifted.

"I was not absent because of my temper," he said, turning back to his aunt. "Richard was attempting to spare you an explanation which could not properly be given last night."

"Careful cousin," Richard said under his breath.

Lady Catherine's eyes snapped to the Colonel and then settled back on Darcy. "And what explanation might that be?"

Darcy was conscious of Fitzwilliam becoming very still beside him. There were limits to what family loyalty could reasonably demand of a man. He had no intention of informing his aunt that while she had been entertaining her guests above stairs, he had been locked in her wine cellar with Elizabeth Bennet, spending a considerable portion of the night curled around her upon the floor. He lost himself in the memory of her warm body tucked closely against him. He shook his head to clear it. "I had arrangements to make."

"Arrangements?" His aunt's tone was now so high and sharp that he half expected the local cats to start yowling.

"Yes."

Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes. "What arrangements could possibly have been more important than your duty to your family?"

Darcy drew a breath. He had always known that sooner or later he would be obliged to correct his aunt's assumptions regarding Anne. He had hoped to do so under different circumstances, ideally after the lady he intended to marry had actually agreed to marry him. "I have come to a decision regarding my future."

Lady Catherine's expression went from suspicion to delight in a flash. Her eyes opened wide and she smiled widely, showing uneven teeth. The expression did not sit easily on her. "At last," she said with satisfaction. "I had begun to think you intended to leave the matter unsettled indefinitely. Anne, you see? Your cousin has only required time to recognise what has always been perfectly obvious."

"Aunt," Darcy said, before she could proceed any further, "you misunderstand me."

Lady Catherine opened her mouth to protest but he spoke quickly. "I have decided to marry, but I do not intend to marry Anne."

For several seconds there was absolute silence. Darcy had known his aunt all his life and had seen her displeasure in all its forms. He had seen her shout and whine, even bellow with rage. He had never before seen her rendered entirely incapable of speech. They all stood frozen with only the ticking of the ornate mantelpiece clock to punctuate the silence. Darcy’s eyes flicked to the maid who stood off to the side. She looked terrified.

After a long pause, she said in a quiet and unnaturally calm voice. "Not Anne? Then whom, pray?"

Darcy paused. Elizabeth had agreed that they must marry, but she had not yet properly accepted him. He had no doubt of his own intentions, but he would not give Lady Catherine her name—and the ammunition that would provide—before matters were settled between them.

"The lady's name is not presently important."

"Not presently important?" She bit off every word individually as if trying to make sense of them.