Page 36 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“I will pay them when Cathy de Bourgh is in Ramsgate,” Lady Barry answered with glee. “Indeed, I sent my acceptance to join the Darcys in their box at the theatre this very morning and even allowed my box to be opened along with theirs. Cathy will not be able to take two steps in Ramsgate without tripping over me.”

“Why do you dislike her?” Elizabeth asked curiously. “From what I saw and heard last night, there is little to like, I believe, but why do you dislike her more than anyone else, may I ask?”

“Tut, tut! Silly child, I do not dislike anyone. However, I will admit that I do not particularly like anyone either.” Lady Barry grinned. “Cathy’s nose is easier to tweak than most. She dominated her younger sister terribly when they were girls, though my Isobel took none of her abuse.”

She looked out the window of the carriage, remembering her daughter fondly before returning to the subject. “Cathy heard me giving Sir Charles the business once when he displeased me, which he did frequently. I heard her whisper to her sister, Lady Anne, that she prayed that she would be just like me when she was a grown woman. Then, when she realised she was overheard, she was embarrassed and took to behaving even worse. I have heard the words ‘I am the daughter of an earl’ from her lips so many times that I could use them to write a parody for the stage. I cannot wait. I have not annoyed the woman properly in years.”

The butler at Darcy Cottage opened the door with the air of a man who had heretofore borne too much. He seemed to deflate at the sight of Lady Barry, knowing this could not bode well, but he led them to the drawing room nonetheless.

Georgiana looked both happy to see them and panicked by what her aunt might do or say. Priscilla was quite obviously delighted by their appearance, knowing that Lady Barry could not be insulted, and that Elizabeth’s skin was too thick to be pierced.

The drawing room was conspicuously rearranged, and a magnificent chair Elizabeth had not seen before at Darcy Cottage was set in a location of importance. In the chair sat the lady who had rudely entered the dining room at dinner the night before.

Georgiana sat very straight, her hands folded tightly in her lap. Darcy was stationed by a window, staring outside with a grim expression. His poor father appeared ten years older than he had the night before, which Elizabeth found worrisome. Only Priscilla appeared at ease, and another young lady, blonde, sickly pale, yet possessed of an angelic beauty not dissimilar to Jane’s. Miss Anne de Bourgh said nothing when they were introduced.

“Why, Cathy, you are still here. How fortunate! It has been years since we had a friendly chat.” Lady Barry took a seat on a sofa with Elizabeth and accepted a cup of tea from the butler, who, after serving everyone, left the room and closed the door.

“Lady Barry, it did not surprise me to see you here the moment I arrived.” Lady Catherine gave a curt nod.

“You know I live in Ramsgate, Cathy.” Lady Barry smiled like a predator prepared to play with its meal. “My presence is hardly coincidental.”

“There is never anything whatsoever coincidental about your movements.” Lady Catherine scowled.

Elizabeth caught Priscilla’s eye and suppressed a grin.

Lady Catherine seemed to think the best way to deal with Lady Barry was to ignore her. “As I was about to say, Darcy, Georgiana cannot possibly be expected to manage a household properly.”

Her young niece blinked in surprise.

“Can she not?” Priscilla asked. “She has managed exceedingly well until you arrived. The dinner last night went particularly well until the end, when someone uninvited ruined the evening for everyone.”

“Silence, young miss!” Lady Catherine barked.

“I beg your pardon?” Priscilla sat up straight and gave her aunt a mock glare. “I am the daughter of an earl!”

Lady Catherine allowed this to pass. “Young women do not possess sufficient judgement to manage such affairs as household management.”

Lady Barry examined Georgiana thoughtfully. “Can you distinguish venison from curtains, girl?”

“Yes, Lady Barry,” Georgiana squeaked in terror.

“Well…that places you above many hostesses old enough to be your mother. Miss Darcy, if your family does not appreciate your merits, you may visit me and manage my house as often as you chuse. And I simply must place you in charge of my menus! I cannot recall when I ate so well as I did last night.”

“Thank you, Lady Barry.” Georgiana’s cheeks were pink.

Lady Catherine cleared her throat. “I have informed the staff that I will oversee all arrangements at Darcy Cottage myself until such time as proper standards are restored.”

Everyone simply stared at the lady.

Lady Barry looked about the room, then asked in incredulity. “You have taken the house on your first day in residence?”

“I have improved it,” Lady Catherine acknowledged.

“You said that a great deal as a girl when you managed your sister, and often even your own mother’s arrangements,” Lady Barry said with a snort. “I never saw any improvement, none at all.”

“Catherine, I will not permit you to set my daughter aside,” Mr Darcy began.

“Oh, Father, my aunt is only concerned for my comfort!” Georgiana objected. “Pray do not distress yourself, I could not bear it if you were to make yourself unwell on my account!”