Page 70 of Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet

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“Milton! Come to raise Pemberley from the degradation into which it has fallen?”

“Ah, the pleasure of your company, Aunt.” Milton kissed Lady Catherine on her cheek. “How delightful that Cousin Anne accompanies you. We were not aware you had come to Derbyshire. Perchance you intend to visit Father as well as Uncle George?”

“Harrumph! I had discovered the most scandalous rumour: that a widow and her unmarried daughter were living in Lady Anne’s house—were the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted? I hurried here to remind George Darcy of his duty to my sister. But I, the sister of an earl, am disdained, my advice ignored!” The lady looked about the room. “And where is Mr. Collins? I specifically requested that he join me for breakfast.”

“Mr. Collins is taking breakfast with our other guests,” I said, a little unwisely.

Lady Catherine scowled at me. “And why should you be present, Miss Bennet, if a clergyman—a man of the cloth—is not?”

Milton laughed, winking at me. “My dear aunt, surely it is obvious. On such a beautiful day as this, I much prefer viewing Miss Bennet’s figure—her jacket fits very well indeed—than that of a clergyman, no doubt grown rotund attending your table at Rosings, and enjoying Mrs. Abernathy’s cooking.”

“You may joke about it, Milton. But now that my brother, the Earl, is here, we shall see the hussy and her mother run off!”

A silence descended upon the room. Milton stepped forward, likely to admonish Lady Catherine for her vulgarity and lack of civility. He looked to Darcy and me, but we both gave a slight shake of our heads, for we knew the reason for the Earl’s visit was not to expel Mrs. Bennet from the house, but to secure her position as mistress.

“Anne, how are you enjoying Derbyshire?” Her cousin effortlessly turned the conversation.

Frowning, Miss de Bourgh replied, “Mother told me that Darcy was to propose—I brought my finest gown to wear at our betrothal dinner, yet it hangs unused in the closet. I do not understand. With Rosings and Pemberley united, he would possess a great fortune. Am I not of equal rank to him, the granddaughter of an earl? Why does he deny his mother’s dearest wish that he and I should marry?” She gave me a spiteful look. “They speak of an injury to Miss Bennet, but I have seen no such thing—more likely, it was to conceal a foul injury to Darcy. For otherwise, she would not hold his merest glance, given the advantages of our union.”

Never before had she made such a long speech in all the week she had been at Pemberley. Clearly, her resentment had been building over the time. Darcy scowled, barely in control of himself; Georgiana, bless her, took his hand.

At that moment, if I could have declared that my affection for him was more than the love of a sister, I surely would have—thus rescuing him from such an unhappy alliance.

If he would have me…

I turned away, staring out towards the park, the oaks and elms clothed in the dark green of summer. Tears clouded my eyes; I could barely see the distant folly, where the statue of Diana mocked us with its immodest display. I flushed. Did Fitzwilliam hold more affection for me than a brother ought? Marianne held that it was so. My affection for him, I had supposed, was the equal of his…

‘Oh, Lizzy, I cannot but think of Fitzwilliam as beautiful, just as Lydia says.’ Kitty was disconsolate, yet there was little comfort I could afford her.

* * *

“Miss Bennet, on behalf of our family, I wish to thank you for rescuing our niece. It was bravely done.” Lord Matlock addressed me directly, following my introduction to his lordship and Lady Matlock. The Earl was tall like his sons, with a commanding presence that filled the room.

I glanced at Georgiana, whose broad smile was so like Darcy’s that I knew, without seeing, that she also had the sweetest dimples. “My lord, we both know it was foolhardy in the extreme. I am only grateful that Georgiana is safe. Then, and now, she is like a sister to me—I could have done no less.”

Lord Matlock held my gaze for a few moments, then nodded. “Notwithstanding your modesty, my dear, it was indeed boldly done.” He turned to Mr. Darcy. “I believe, George, we are very proud of our new niece.”

Hope flared. Was Mama truly to marry Mr. Darcy? Had the Earl and Countess given their blessing?

Mrs. Reynolds and Jacob quietly entered, carrying trays holding goblets of sparkling wine.

“A toast to Mrs. Bennet, soon Mrs. Darcy. Welcome, Fanny, to our family!” Lord Matlock raised his glass, and we all toasted Mama, who blushed, taking Mr. Darcy’s hand in hers.

“Thank you, Henry,” replied Mr. Darcy. “The blessing of the Fitzwilliams is well appreciated, very well indeed. Now, let us sit to breakfast, and enjoy this Sillery and Aÿ champagne, which has been sitting in my cellar far too long.”

“I never discovered it, Uncle,” said Milton, taking a long draught, which was quickly refilled by Jacob.

“Pemberley still has secrets, Milton. I was well advised that either you or Richard would search my cellars. Even Fitzwilliam does not know where I keep the very best wines.”

Darcy gave that quiet smile which I knew signified he held a secret himself.

As hot dishes were placed on the table—coddled eggs, grilled bacon, lamb chops, and kedgeree—Lady Catherine spoke up from the head of the table. Matlock had taken the seat at the foot, with Lady Matlock and Mrs. Bennet to either side. “Well, Henry, you are prepared to dishonour your sister’s memory by allowing this woman—” she glared at Mrs. Bennet “—to preside over Anne’s house. It is not to be borne!”

I caught Jacob’s eye—he quickly ushered the serving maids out of the room and closed the parlour door.

“Catherine, you will cease to speak so in front of the servants! Miss Bennet—nay, Elizabeth, for she is soon to be my niece—has the manners that you lack to ensure they are not privy to your ill temper. Mrs. Bennet, I apologise for my sister’s rudeness—she must be quite overcome with the events of the day.” Matlock glared at Lady Catherine, but the lady was not to be gainsaid.