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Lady Eleanor nodded approvingly. “I’ve spoken with Henry and he is nearly as furious as you are, particularly as he agrees with me regarding Catherine’s lack of scruples.

As you’ve already sent the announcement of your engagement to the London papers and it is known to any number of people here, she must understand that there would be scandal however we tried to solve it. ”

The Countess ignored Darcy’s grimace. “We’ve sent word ahead to the coaching inns with strict orders that fresh horses are to be held for you alone; with fresh teams and your own carriage, I would not be at all surprised if you were able to catch Catherine’s barouche box before they reach the Bennets’ estate. ”

Darcy nodded shortly, beginning to appreciate his Aunt’s planning.

“Second, the servants are packing for you, Georgiana, Mrs. Annesley, and Mrs. Jenkinson.”

When Darcy began to protest, Eleanor continued forcefully, “Traveling with two companions and your sister will make it nearly impossible for Catherine to work some contemptible plan to have you and Anne ‘accidentally’ discovered alone.”

The Countess paused before plunging into her final point, fearing that it would be the most difficult for her nephew to accept.

“Finally, Henry and I agreed to go on the offensive. We both fear that, regardless of the outcome of Catherine’s trip to Hertfordshire, she will do everything in her power to blacken the Bennet name, particularly your Miss Elizabeth. ”

Her nephew flushed with anger. “If she does… if she even hints at something…”

Eleanor touched his arm again. “Darcy, listen to me, please. Fighting her on this will require cunning. You and Henry have spent hours arguing with her and you must see that it has only made her more obstinate.”

Darcy shut his eyes in an attempt to control his temper and was forced to agree with the Countess. “Very well. What do you recommend?”

Eleanor smiled mischievously. “Your uncle and I have spent the past hours catching up on our correspondence. Specifically, we’ve been writing to all of our friends and acquaintances with the wonderful news of your engagement to Miss Bennet and how much the family approves of the match.

” Her eyes twinkled. “We may have also included a rather farcical summary of Catherine’s ridiculous proclamation that you have been betrothed to her daughter since birth. ”

Lucy made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snort, while Georgiana’s eyes grew very, very wide.

The Countess continued in a self-satisfied tone.

“Within the week, all of Society will know of your engagement to Miss Bennet and that the Fitzwilliam family fully supports you. They will also know that Matlock and I believe Lady Catherine has gone a little mad and that is why she spends most of her time in isolation at Rosings.”

Darcy barked a laugh, suddenly realizing that Lady Catherine’s behavior had pushed the Earl to throw all his support behind his nephew’s betrothal.

Had his aunt not acted in such a way, he had little doubt that Matlock would have proceeded far more cautiously before publically demonstrating his approval of Miss Bennet.

Darcy turned and met his aunt’s eyes, bowing slightly. “It appears that you have thought of everything, Aunt. What would you have me do?”

Eleanor smiled with satisfaction. “Go wash the horse smell off and change into your traveling clothes, then come down for luncheon.” Catching her nephew’s wrinkled brow, she explained further, “I promise it will be a brief meal and at the end, you can walk straight out the door into your carriage. For now, Henry and I believe it would be good for you and Georgiana to dine one last time with our extended family. The Earl has every intention of letting all and sundry know of his disgust at Catherine’s actions.

With so many at table, I have no doubt that his disapproval will be gossiped about far and wide within days. ”

After contemplating the matter for a moment, Darcy nodded, kissed his aunt’s cheek and headed for the stairs.

Unfortunately, even the most well planned ventures have some component that may go awry.

In mid-afternoon on the second day, the Darcy carriage stopped at Hertford to make what was to be its last change of horses.

Unfortunately, they arrived to find no fresh team awaiting them.

After questioning the stable men, it became clear that the messenger from Matlock had never arrived (a miscommunication had sent him to Hatfield, the Fitzwilliam family’s usual coaching stop on the road to London but some miles beyond the turnoff toward Meryton).

Mr. Darcy was even more frustrated when the innkeeper confirmed that the de Bourgh carriage had stopped there less than two hours before.

However, Darcy was not the sort of man who would abuse his animals for any but the gravest of reasons and he was forced to admit that, whatever he feared from his aunt, it was unlikely to be a matter of life or death.

His demeanor told his sister a great deal when he joined the ladies in the inn’s private parlor. After pouring him a cup of tea, Georgiana asked quietly, “What has happened?”

Her brother sipped his tea for a moment, trying to convince himself that there was no need to panic.

Even so, his tone was terse. “There are no fresh horses; we shall have to wait for the team we came in with to be watered and rested.” He forced himself to relax his hand before he crushed the crockery.

“Lady Catherine was here not two hours ago and we are but ten miles of good road from Meryton.” His frustration was palpable.

Miss Darcy was silent for a moment. “Is there a saddle horse you might rent and ride to Longbourn? I’ll be perfectly safe here with Mrs. Annesley and Mrs. Jenkinson; we could follow you with the carriage in an hour or so when the team is ready.”

When her brother gave her a considering look, Georgiana bravely met his eye.

“Fitzwilliam, I have no doubt that Elizabeth is strong enough to match wits with Lady Catherine, but I fear our aunt will say something unforgivable to her and her family… she has been so very… angry.” Georgiana ended on a faint note.

Darcy reached across the table and pressed his sister’s hand. With a small smile, he said, “Thank you. I will go check to see if there is a horse.”

Not much later, Fitzwilliam Darcy found himself on a nondescript brown gelding with a hard mouth and a penchant for pulling the odd little buck now and then in the hope of unseating his rider.

Much to the horse’s disgust, this particular rider was experienced enough to quickly put an end to such ambitions and they were soon well along the road to Meryton.

When Mr. Darcy turned down the drive to Longbourn, he was dismayed but not surprised to see the de Bourgh coach already standing before it.

The stoic driver from Rosings barely blinked when his mistress’ nephew handed him the reins of the rented horse and demanded the location of Lady Catherine and her daughter.

Prepared for a furious row, Darcy did not know what to think when a timid young maid admitted him to a nearly silent house. She pointed him toward the master’s study but the assembly that he discovered there was nothing like what he had expected.

His eyes immediately found Elizabeth; she was holding the hand of an elderly woman whom he vaguely recalled as Longbourn’s housekeeper, and at that woman’s feet kneeled Longbourn’s stableman.

His cousin was seated beside a crumpled, frightened version of his aunt that he would never have believed had he not seen it himself.

Finally, Mr. Bennet stood behind his desk, observing the group with a particularly diverted look on his face.

In a gay, jovial tone completely at odds with the mood of the room, Elizabeth’s father called out, “Ah, Mr. Darcy—excellent! How good of you to join us.”

Fitzwilliam observed his fiancée direct a disapproving look at her parent but, before she could interrupt, Miss de Bourgh spoke up in a similar tone.

“Indeed, Cousin, you are just in time. Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Davey Hill, my half-brother, and his mother, Mrs. Hill.” Anne let out a slightly hysterical giggle .

The reactions were varied; Mr. Bennet appeared to be vastly amused, Lady Catherine moaned a little and hunched further into the corner of her seat, the stable boy’s cheeks reddened, and the housekeeper looked pained.

And Elizabeth… Elizabeth stood and took charge of the situation.

With a look of apology toward Davey and Mrs. Hill and one of pity tinged with censure directed at Anne, she turned to him.

“Mr. Darcy, I’m afraid that your aunt and cousin have received something of a shock and shall need a bit of time to recover. ”

In short order, Lady Catherine and her daughter had been assisted upstairs to guest rooms. Darcy was at a loss for what to do when his aunt clung to his arm until Mrs. Hill came and said softly, “I’ll sit with her, sir.

I expect we’ve things enough to talk about.

” Lady Catherine had turned wide eyes on the housekeeper but didn’t argue.

When the door clicked shut behind the pair of elderly women, Darcy turned just in time to see Elizabeth closing another door down the hall. “Anne?” he asked in a low voice.

Elizabeth nodded tiredly. “I think she fell asleep the instant her head touched the pillow. Your aunt?”

“Your housekeeper is sitting with her.” Darcy had so many questions that he had no idea where to begin.

“Oh, Will,” said Elizabeth softly as she stepped into his arms, burrowing her face into his cravat and inhaling his comforting scent.

“I’m so very, very sorry, my love. I came as soon as I could—she left Matlock without telling anyone but I tried to catch up with her… Elizabeth, what on Earth happened here?”