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Lady Catherine’s pale piercing eyes regarded her for what seemed to Elizabeth an eternity, as though to probe the depths of her soul. Then the great lady’s countenance softened.
“So the interest only goes in one direction,” Lady Catherine said quietly, as though to herself, looking away from Elizabeth and speaking into the distance. “That is good insofar as it goes but doesn’t entirely cure the problem.”
“I do not understand,” Elizabeth said, puzzled. “What problem?”
Lady Catherine started, and looked back at Elizabeth as though surprised to see she was still there. “It is nothing. I misspoke. I was misled, it would appear, by reports which have not been wholly accurate. But enough of my concerns. Are you and your family comfortable? Is everything here to your satisfaction?”
Elizabeth was again lost for words. The change in Lady Catherine, who was now smiling, was that profound.
“Of course you are satisfied. This is Rosings Park, after all. Do not be dismayed that my nephew is to come for Christmas. For although you do not wish his company, the house is large enough that you need never be in proximity to him.
“In this regard, I will assist you as best I can, for my only wish is that you are comfortable and at ease during your stay here,” Lady Catherine said solicitously. “You need see him only at a distance, and will never have to speak to him other than as politeness dictates.”
Elizabeth would have preferred not to see Mr. Darcy at all. And the prospect of having her family once again exposed to his censure made her shudder. But nothing co
uld be done about it now; they could hardly leave now.
“My mother may have words with Mr. Darcy, though I do not,” she said. “For she holds him in less regard even than I.”
“Your mother is a sensible woman,” Lady Catherine said, nodding her approval. “Very prudent and wise.”
Elizabeth then listened as Lady Catherine—now seemingly mollified by Elizabeth’s reaction to the news of Mr. Darcy’s impending arrival—regaled her with her elaborate plans for the Christmas festivities.
Lady Catherine had gone to great expense and great effort in preparing Rosings Park for Christmas, although precisely why she should put herself to such exertions, Elizabeth could not divine.
Gilding Rosings’ cupola according to Lady Catherine, had caused quite a stir and would guarantee a splendid turnout for her Christmas Eve fete.
“The ton are abuzz with my project,” Lady Catherine said with pride. “Invitations to the Christmas Eve party and the Twelfth Night ball are highly sought after. I was determined that this should be so, and to ensure it required certain inducements.
“By that, I do not mean,” she had hastily, “that they would not attend Anne’s coming out in any event, for they certainly would. She will be exposed to the same society had she been well enough to be presented at Court in the season.”
So this was the reason for the elaborate Christmas festivities, Elizabeth realized: it was to be Anne’s coming out.
“It is very thoughtful of you to have seen to things so well for Anne’s benefit,” Elizabeth said. “She is fortunate indeed.”
“And for your benefit! And your sisters!” Lady Catherine exclaimed. “For I wish you all to have the opportunity to secure a suitable match. It is little enough for me to do when you are all so unfortunately placed.”
“Your Ladyship is very kind,” said Elizabeth. But she did not believe that her patroness was sincere. Still, what did it matter? Lady Catherine’s motivations might not be pure, but Elizabeth and her sisters could nevertheless benefit from an introduction to such society as they would never be exposed to in Meryton. She did not need, as her mother might put it, to look this gift horse in the mouth.
“And I believe, Miss Bennet, that there is someone arriving tomorrow who is most suitable indeed and on whom you would do well to deploy your charms.”
“Arriving tomorrow?” Elizabeth asked. “Who might this gentleman be?”
“Lord Northover, the master of Hardwick Park,” Lady Catherine said, her tone conveying the greatest respect. “He is of noble lineage, and if you were to secure him, it would be the making of you, and your sisters too.”
“As I have not yet met him,” Elizabeth said, “I can hardly be expected to make any plans concerning him—to ‘secure’ him or otherwise.”
“And yet you are here, yes? You came because you knew it would be to your advantage.” Lady Catherine said. “You’re not a stupid girl, Miss Bennet. You will act in accord with your interests, of this I have no doubt.”
Elizabeth saw that Lady Catherine did not expect a response and so remained silent. She wondered whether Lord Northover would not have the same scruples towards marrying a woman without fortune or title as Mr. Darcy. What made Lady Catherine think Lord Northover would be any different from her nephew?
She had no opportunity to inquire of the great lady why the aristocrat who was to arrive on the morrow might find Miss Elizabeth Bennet a suitable match as, her business with Elizabeth apparently concluded, Lady Catherine dismissed her.
That night in Elizabeth’s room, which adjoined Jane’s, she confided to his sister all that had transpired in her interview with Lady Catherine, leaving nothing out.
“Are you worried about Mr. Darcy’s coming?” Jane asked. “I know that you did not wish to see him.”
“It is he who ought to be worried,” Elizabeth said, methodically brushing her auburn hair with long smooth strokes. “For it is he who behaved badly. For my part, I will be all politeness—for unlike Mr. Darcy I do not have an unforgiving temper—and enjoy my Christmas notwithstanding his presence.”
