Page 27 of Idle Gossip

“Aunt, it is nearly midnight. Have you traveled all night?”

“I could do no less! Come now, we must be off. This…society is not to be borne.”

Was this woman his aunt who had written? It could not be. Elizabeth thought it was probably the one he called Lady Catherine.

“Let us take this conversation to another room, Aunt.” Darcy touched her elbow but she shook him off.

“Where is Elizabeth Bennet?” she asked disdainfully.

Murmurs began. Elizabeth ignored them and stepped forward.

“Pardon me, but we are not acquainted.” She would not be bullied by a harridan, even if she was Darcy’s aunt.

“You! You are the upstart responsible for this mess. Do not attempt to deny it. You spread the tales about London to secure a wealthy husband. Well, it will not work. Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter. What have you to say now?”

The man beside her interrupted before Elizabeth could formulate a reply. “It is impossible, of course, Lady Catherine. My cousin cannot possibly know how she has erred. One does not simply spread rumors so one might marry a man of Mr. Darcy’s consequence.”

“And who are you?” Mr. Bennet stepped forward, steel in his gaze.

“Cousin Bennet! Why, you look exactly as my father described. Mr. William Collins, sir, your heir presumptive and future master of Longbourn.”

“Silence, Collins! You are this trollop’s father?” Lady Catherine addressed Mr. Bennet.

“Lady Catherine, you will not speak of Miss Elizabeth in such a manner!” Darcy moved to place himself between Elizabeth and his angry relation.

“I will have my say, Darcy, and then we will depart. Rumors of a scandalous nature have reached me that you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, are soon to be united with my very own nephew, Mr. Darcy. Upon learning of Mr. Collins’s connection to your family, I demanded he accompany at once to see it universally contradicted.”

“Your coming here to see me will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report is in existence.” There was such a report, but she would not give this termagant the satisfaction of a straightforward reply.

“This is not to be borne. Miss Bennet, I insist on being satisfied. Has he, has my nephew, made you an offer of marriage?”

“Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.” She smirked, taking delight in the lady’s frustration.

“It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the use of his reason. But your arts and machinations have resulted in his name being paired with yours in town and across the country. He is being forced to relinquish that which he owes to himself and to all his family.” Lady Catherine tapped her walking stick against the floor to punctuate her words.

“If I have acted in such a manner, I shall be the last to confess it.” She stood tall, unwilling to give Lady Catherine any satisfaction.

“Aunt, please, this is Mr. Bingley’s home. Let us take this to another room.” Darcy’s tone turned placating. “Have some respect for my host.”

“And who is Mr. Bingley? Nothing but the son of a tradesman. I care not what he or his family thinks. We will resolve this now, and to my satisfaction.”

“I fear only one of those may come to pass, Aunt.”

“Nonsense. There is a simple solution. Mr. Collins will marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet. It will free you from any obligation you may feel toward her, leaving your honor intact. A marriage of any kind will ensure Miss Elizabeth’s reputation is not ruined. All will work for the best.”

“I cannot agree more, Lady Catherine. My cousin will certainly not object, for his estate is entailed away. Having one of his daughters installed as mistress will solve all the problems associated with inheritance—”

“Silence, Mr. Collins!” Lady Catherine snapped. “You will speak only when spoken to.”

Elizabeth was aware of the crowd behind her. All her neighbors and friends were witness to the very public attack.

My courage rises with every attempt to intimidate me, she thought. She would not allow this woman to win the day.

“Aunt, Miss Elizabeth and I are courting. I demand you cease speaking of her in such a manner. I am a gentleman and she is a gentleman’s daughter. So far we are equal.”

“But who is her mother? Who are her aunts and uncles and cousins? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?”

“I love her! I am my own man, Lady Catherine, and not subject to the demands of anyone. Whatever her connections may be, if I have no reservations, they can be nothing to you.”