Page 60

“No. I desire to speak with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. And I will not take no for an answer.”

Mrs. Bennet hadn’t been intending to give it. Although Lady Catherine was obviously intent upon causing trouble, it was equally obvious that she was not to be trifled with.

But when she spoke of taking a turn about the wilderness with Elizabeth as her companion, Mrs. Bennet put her foot down.

“You cannot have anything to say to Lizzy which her mother may not hear,” she said firmly.

Lady Catherine looked as though she was not accustomed to being spoken to in that manner; however, she said, “Very well. Since I have been given to understand that you have shared in her presumption.”

Mrs. Bennet knew what was coming next, and she had no doubt that her daughter did as well.

“You can be at no loss to know why I am here,” Lady Catherine said to Elizabeth.

“You are quite mistaken,” Elizabeth replied. “I suppose you must be in the neighbourhood for the purpose of seeing your nephew, but I am at a loss to know why you wish to speak with me.

“Impudent girl,” Lady Catherine cried. “I know exactly what you have been about.”

“Then perhaps you could enlighten me, for I am not aware of having done anything which might concern your ladyship.”

“You have pursued my nephew relentlessly and endeavoured with your arts and allurements to trick him into marrying you.”

“I must protest,” Mrs. Bennet said. “I do not know of anyone more opposed to employing arts and allurements than my daughter. She has often said that a husband who can be gained by such means is not the sort of husband she wants.”

Mrs. Bennet was almost wanting to pat herself on the back for such quick thinking, but Lady Catherine replied, “Am I to take your word for this? A woman who has instructed all her daughters to find themselves husbands in this manner.”

Mrs. Bennet was regretting having inserted herself into the conversation at all, but Kitty cried out in her defence, “Now I must protest. My mother has often advised us against flirting and other allurements.”

This was true, but only in recent weeks. Mrs. Bennet knew that her character could not stand up to much investigation.

But Lady Catherine resumed addressing Elizabeth. “I am here to tell you that the match to which you aspire will never take place. Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter. What have you to say to that?”

“That I wish them every happiness,” Elizabeth replied calmly.

Lady Catherine eyed her suspiciously. “I do not trust this dissembling. I have my information from a very reliable source.”

“What source?” Mary asked.

“I am not at liberty to reveal a name.”

“I think we know it anyway,” Mary said.

“Miss Bingley,” Jane said.

Lady Catherine’s expression confirmed that this was the truth. Mrs. Bennet decided it was time for her to attempt to take the upper hand. “Your so-called reliable source is a jealous, deceitful lady, who plots and schemes to make other people unhappy.”

The door opened this moment, and Mr. Collins walked into the room. “The carriage in the drive—” he started to say, but then he spotted Lady Catherine and turned his energy toward greeting her effusively.

After this, he asked, “Have you met my cousins?” Without waiting for an answer, Mr. Collins said, “This is my cousin Jane, who is on the verge of becoming engaged to a local landowner. Cousin Mary, who is soon to be betrothed to a gentleman I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. Cousin Elizabeth, who has recently become engaged—”

“Engaged!” Lady Catherine cried.

“Yes, to a neighbour, who is a very respectable gentleman. A widower, with two daughters. And this is my cousin Kitty, whose engagement I believe will be announced any day now.”

Kitty turned bright red, which Mrs. Bennet thought curious.

“And my cousin Lydia, whom I believe to be unattached.”

Evidently Mr. Collins hadn’t found a wife in the lane. And now Lydia was going to have her turn at being the object of his unwanted affections.

But at least Lady Catherine was on her way out the door. Without even properly taking leave, which was quite rude of her, but Mrs. Bennet had expected nothing else of a lady who presumed to tell others what they might and might not do.

***

As she and Elizabeth were readying themselves for bed at the end of the day, Jane sadly observed that it had been a very disappointing one. “But I shall not become discontented,” she declared. “We will yet be happy, won’t we, Lizzy.”

“We will,” Elizabeth agreed. “There are many ways in which we can find happiness.”

“Like being happy for others. It seems likely that Mr. Fordyce will propose to Mary after all. And Kitty and Lydia are very likely to marry someday.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Still wanting to make matches, are you?”

“I just want things to turn out well for them. And perhaps a few nieces and nephews for us to spoil. That will be a great source of joy.”

“It will indeed. And we can go on enjoying the privilege of being as good as aunts to Mr. Madison’s children.

But let us not pin all our hopes of happiness on the marriages of others.

We shall also have our books, interesting discussions, and our walks.

There is much comfort and joy to be found in nature. ”

“And the tasty favour of dry leaves,” Jane said.

After they had laughed over this, Elizabeth added, “And laughter.”