Page 64

Lady Catherine’s strategy was becoming clear - she meant to cut all ties, not just with the scandalous Bennets but with Mr Collins himself.

His connection to them, however slight, had tainted him in her eyes.

The great lady who had directed every aspect of his life, who had even chosen his future wife, was now casting him aside entirely.

Elizabeth sank down into a nearby seat, her knees suddenly weak.

Could it really be possible? After weeks of resigned acceptance, of forcing herself to see some good in the match, could her engagement truly be at an end?

The thought that Lydia’s thoughtless, selfish actions might actually prove to be her salvation made her head spin.

But Lady Catherine’s strident tones suggested the great lady was far from finished with her pronouncements.

Mr Collins must have made another suggestion, for Lady Catherine’s next words rang out with fresh scorn. “A cottage?” she demanded incredulously. “Why would that make any difference? Do you think housing them in some little cottage on the estate will somehow make this scandal more palatable?”

The sudden sound of their mother’s voice from the doorway made everyone jump. Mrs Bennet had finally emerged from her room, still in her morning wrapper with her hair in ribbons, looking bewildered at finding her usually peaceful drawing room in such a state of tension.

“Who is shouting like that?” Mrs Bennet demanded, one hand pressed to her temple.

Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile slightly - even in the midst of chaos, her mother’s curls were perfectly arranged in their ribbons, ready to face whatever crisis might arise.

Some things, at least, remained constant.

Mrs Gardiner moved swiftly to take charge of the situation, guiding her sister-in-law with gentle firmness to join Elizabeth, who remained in her seat by the window.

Jane immediately drew closer to her sister, her steadying hand on Elizabeth’s arm, as they all turned their attention to their mother, whose bewilderment was rapidly giving way to agitation.

“It’s Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” Mrs Gardiner explained quietly, maintaining her composure as always.

She turned to address Kitty, who had been hovering uncertainly near the tea table.

“Please pour some fresh tea for your mother, dear, and ring for Hill. We may need more hot water - I suspect we shall be here for quite some time.”

Mary piped up from the corner. “‘One of the chief beauties in a female character is that modest reserve, that retiring delicacy, which avoids the public eye.’ I believe that applies to raising one’s voice.”

Lady Catherine’s strident tones from the book-room made Mary’s words particularly apt.

Then they heard Lady Catherine’s voice again. Clearly Mr Collins had been explaining his plan in more detail, since that great lady had been silent, or at least not yelling for the last few minutes.

Lady Catherine’s voice rang out again after a brief silence.

“So you are to marry this girl, a Miss Smith who you met two days ago? And your cousins, including the girl you are engaged to, are to live in a small cottage on the grounds?” Her tone dripped with scorn.

“Is this your gratitude for my attentions to you over the last six months? You would be nothing without the support I have given you. Mr Collins, I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find a more reasonable young man, given your willingness to do what I have asked at Rosings. But do not deceive yourself that I will ever retreat from my position. I shall not go away till you have given me the assurance I require.”

Mrs Bennet’s hand shook so violently that the tea Kitty had just handed her sloshed dangerously close to the rim. Her face had gone quite pale, except for two bright spots of colour high on her cheeks.

“It looks like Mr Collins wants to break off your engagement, Lizzy,” Mrs Gardiner said with barely concealed satisfaction. “And speaking of marrying another girl - well, that would certainly constitute a breach of promise. Though we should confirm the legal details with Mr Phillips, of course.”

“But Lizzy has to marry Mr Collins!” Mrs Bennet’s voice rose shrilly, her hands fluttering in distress. “What is to become of us all if she does not?” Before anyone could respond to this familiar refrain, Lady Catherine’s voice cut through the air one final time.

“I take no leave of you, Mr Collins,” the great lady’s voice rang with cold fury. “I send no compliments to your cousins. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased!”

The book-room door crashed open, followed by the thunder of Lady Catherine’s footsteps in the hall and the resounding slam of the front door. The whole house seemed to shudder with her departure.

“Well!” Mrs Gardiner said into the ringing silence. “That was certainly illuminating.”

“But what are we to do?” Mrs Bennet wrung her hands. “If Mr Collins truly means to break the engagement-”

“I think,” Elizabeth said quietly, speaking for the first time since Lady Catherine’s tirade began, “we should wait to hear what Mr Collins has to say for himself.”

Kitty, who had been hovering anxiously near the window, suddenly pressed her face to the glass. “There’s a rider coming up the drive!” she exclaimed, momentarily distracted from the family drama. “An express rider, I think - no one we know.”

“Lydia!” Mrs Bennet cried, her earlier concerns about Mr Collins instantly forgotten. In her excitement, she knocked over her fresh cup of tea. “It must be news of my poor dear girl!”

Jane and Elizabeth exchanged a quick glance before moving to clean up the spilled tea, both grateful for something practical to do while they waited.

Elizabeth’s hands trembled slightly as she mopped up the tea - after Lady Catherine’s revelations and now possible news of Lydia, it seemed the morning’s surprises were far from over.

Hill appeared at the door, her usual composure slightly ruffled by the morning’s events. “An express has just arrived for you, Mrs Gardiner,” she announced, presenting the letter on a silver tray.

“Thank you, Hill,” Mrs Gardiner said calmly, though her hands betrayed her anxiety as she broke the seal.

Mrs Bennet immediately called for her smelling salts - “My nerves cannot bear this suspense!” - which Mary dutifully fetched, while the rest of the family watched Mrs Gardiner’s face intently as she read.

Mrs Gardiner unfolded the letter, her eyes moving rapidly across the page. The others watched as her expression shifted from relief to concern.

“What does it say?” Mrs Bennet demanded, clutching her smelling salts. “Tell us at once!”

“It is from Edward,” Mrs Gardiner said slowly, her eyes still moving across the page. “They have found Lydia-”

“Oh!” Mrs Bennet interrupted triumphantly. “They are married! My dear Lydia, not yet fifteen and already married! If only Mr Bennet had lived to see this day!”

“They are not married,” Mrs Gardiner said firmly.

“Mr Darcy’s quick action in pursuing them has kept Wickham constantly on the move.

Your uncle writes that they’ve found them shifting from inn to inn, never staying more than a few hours.

Wickham grows more desperate with each move, drinking heavily and watching the door.

Lydia is beginning to see him as he truly is, though pride keeps her from admitting her mistake.

They mean to remove her tonight, while Wickham’s nerves are frayed and before he can do any real harm. ”

Jane gasped. Mary’s face went white. Elizabeth leaned forward, her hands gripping the back of a chair. “But would that-” she began, then stopped, unable to finish the thought.

“Force?” Mrs Bennet’s voice rose shrilly. “What nonsense is this? Of course they must be married!”

“They will try to bring her home tonight,” Mrs Gardiner said with quiet authority. “They found them only hours ago. Mr Darcy-” she glanced at Elizabeth “-had a good idea where Mr Wickham might go. They’ve nearly caught up with them several times. We’ll have more news as soon as they can send it.”