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“We should have a game of Commerce,” said Mr. Hurst. “Northover’s luck can’t extend to Commerce, surely.”
“I’m afraid that it can,” said Darcy, rising from the table. “But I must excuse myself in any event.”
“Are you to deprive us of your company, Mr. Darcy?” Caroline Bingley said. “That is most unfair of you, for we do not see you nearly enough.”
“Nevertheless,” said Darcy, “I must be off.” And bowing to the company, he departed.
Elizabeth watched him go. He seemed oddly determined, almost grim. She wondered what business he had that not only took him away from cards but caused him to suddenly appear so severe?
Although it was only late afternoon, the day was already darkening and the hallway along which Darcy strode was mired in gloom. He could hear the click of his heels on the marble, the hollow rhythmic sound echoing through the emptiness surrounding him.
; His appointed time with Lady Catherine had arrived, but, as pressing as his concern about the fencing of the common was, he was not looking forward to it.
It was only with reluctance that she had agreed to give him an audience. He had had to insist upon it.
She claimed to be too busy with the plans for the Twelfth Night Ball to speak to him, but had relented when he pressed her.
But after making his rounds of the poor on Boxing Day, and having them express to him their trepidation at the fencing of the common, and what it would mean to them, he had decided that he had no other choice but to take action.
He was at Lady Catherine’s mercy so far as that went. In the days since Boxing Day— which seemed long ago and almost a dream—he had thought of two things: how to prevent the fencing of the common; and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
He had no choice but to prevail upon Lady Catherine and force her to see reason. He had to convince her that her scheme was unfair and that she had to abandon it. He could not see those good people, whom he had known for so long and from whom he had learned so much, turned out of the only homes that they had ever known.
Surely, she would see the injustice of McGinty’s plan to use the National Enclosures Act to fence the common for profit. The steward had given him no satisfaction when Darcy had spoken to him on the day of the shooting party, disclaiming any responsibility for the scheme which he said was entirely the idea of his employer.
Darcy entered the chapel drawing room, which was the place Lady Catherine favored for private meetings. She was seated in a tall high-back chair, as imperious as a queen seated upon her throne.
She dismissed the footman and then, when they were alone, she turned to him.
“You have something so important to discuss with me, Fitzwilliam, that you need take me away from my duties? Planning the Twelfth Night ball is a matter which taxes even me. The arrangements concerning it are, as you can imagine, complex. Many distinguished persons will be in attendance.
“But I’ve made time for you, for, as always, I put my duty to family first and foremost.”
“Thank you, aunt,” said Darcy.
Lady Catherine smiled and nodded regally.
“It’s about your steward’s plan to fence the common. You know that it is wrong, and I must prevail again upon you to change your mind and leave it free for all to use,” Darcy said, declining her invitation to sit down which she made by a wave of her fan.
“Again the common,” said Lady Catherine. “It is a fixation for you, it seems.”
“As it should be for you,” said Darcy. He was at the point of exasperation. “You do not need the money. The income that fencing the common would add to your estate would be trifling in comparison to the wealth you already possess. Why, look at what you spent gilding the cupola. You do not need the money, aunt.”
“You are correct. I do not.”
“Then why on earth would you do such a thing?” Darcy asked. He stared at her, and she looked back at him. Her expression was inscrutable. “What could possess you to do such a thing?”
“Indeed.” Lady Catherine said, her tone soft and nonthreatening but her gaze as sharp as a hawk’s. “What could my motive be? Can you not think of one?”
Darcy could indeed think of a motive. It had first occurred to him on the day of the shooting party when Northover had explained Lady Catherine’s inducement to him to court Miss Bennet. But he had not believed his aunt capable of going this far. To use all those innocent people, and to subject them to ruin, to further her purpose.
“I can see by your expression that you understand the rationale behind my scheme,” Lady Catherine said, her voice smooth. “It is the reason that I retained McGinty as a steward, for he has experience in such matters. The idea to fence the common did not come from him. It came from me and it is why I chose him.
“If you do not wish the common to be fenced, Fitzwilliam, you know what you must do.”
“And you would go so far to as to retain Lord Northover to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet? To keep her from marrying me? That is also part of your scheme?” Darcy was at the point of fury, but with difficulty, he restrained himself and kept his voice to a level pitch.
