Page 6 of Mr. Darcy’s Honor (Darcy and Elizabeth Forever: Pride and Prejudice Variations #1)

CHAPTER FOUR

WHIRLWIND OF WOE

“Fitzwilliam!”

Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s commanding voice ricocheted through the elegant drawing room of Darcy’s London townhouse. Even the footman who had announced her flinched before backing discreetly from the room.

Darcy rose from his desk, steeling himself. His aunt’s unexpected arrival in town, without prior notice, could mean only one thing. The news had reached her.

“Aunt Catherine,” he said, bowing with perfect courtesy despite the tension in his shoulders. “This is an unexpected pleasure.”

“Pleasure? There is nothing pleasurable about my business today,” she declared, sweeping into the room like a whirlwind of woe.

Her elaborate traveling dress rustled with indignation as she seated herself without invitation.

“I have just come from Rosings, where I was subjected to the most alarming intelligence from Mr. Collins.”

Darcy remained standing, his posture rigid. “Indeed?”

“Do not play the innocent with me, Nephew.” Lady Catherine fixed him with a penetrating stare. “All of Hertfordshire is apparently in uproar over some ridiculous Bennet girl—the one with the impertinent eyes who visited Charlotte Collins. They believe you compromised her.”

“I assure you, there is no substance to such claims.” Darcy’s voice remained steady, though he felt the familiar weight of guilt settling on his shoulders.

“No substance?” Lady Catherine’s voice vibrated with suppressed fury.

“Collins reports that this country nobody claims you proposed to her. That you were found alone with her on numerous occasions without proper supervision. The entire county is apparently in arms over your denial of these interactions. There are witnesses who claim to have seen you calling at the parsonage when she was unaccompanied.”

Darcy felt heat rise in his chest. Elizabeth’s betrayal still burned like acid in his veins, and now he was forced to defend himself against the consequences of her indiscretion. “Whatever Miss Bennet has claimed, I can assure you that?—”

“Sit down,” Lady Catherine commanded, pointing imperiously at his chair. “We must discuss this rationally before it destroys our family’s reputation entirely.”

Darcy remained standing. “There is nothing to discuss. Miss Bennet has created a fiction, and I will not dignify it with a detailed explanation.”

“A fiction?” Lady Catherine’s laugh was bitter.

“Collins writes that his wife’s sister witnessed your visits.

That half of Meryton society is rallying to her defense.

This threatens the honor of our entire family.

Why did you not consult me immediately? When my daughter’s future happiness is at stake? ”

“I did not wish to trouble you with such nonsense.” He had hoped his letter to Wickham would end the matter quietly, but clearly the situation had spiraled far beyond his control. “What exactly has Collins reported?

“He writes that Miss Bennet confided in some militia officer about your supposed proposal. When you denied it, the officer shared your letter at a public gathering, and now the entire neighborhood considers you a lying scoundrel who compromises innocent young women.”

“The officer being Lieutenant Wickham, I presume,” Darcy said grimly.

“Collins mentioned the name specifically. Apparently, this Wickham fellow presented himself as Miss Bennet’s defender and shared your correspondence with half the county. How could you be so careless as to put such denials in writing?”

Darcy’s hands clenched into fists. He had been outmaneuvered by Wickham once again, though this time the weapon had been Elizabeth’s loose tongue. “I believed the matter would remain private.”

“Private?” Lady Catherine shrieked. “You wrote to a known gossip about a supposed romantic entanglement and expected privacy? Have you taken leave of your senses entirely?”

The accusation stung because it carried an uncomfortable grain of truth. Darcy had been so focused on his wounded pride, so determined to punish Elizabeth for her betrayal, that he had played directly into Wickham’s hands.

“The situation can still be managed,” he said, though his confidence was shaken.

“Managed?” Lady Catherine’s voice dripped with scorn.

“Collins reports that the girl’s mother is already speaking of compromise and honor.

Charlotte Collins’ younger sister, Maria Lucas, is corroborating parts of her story.

She claims to have observed you calling at the parsonage when Mr. Collins was absent, specifically seeking out Miss Elizabeth Bennet. ”

Darcy turned away, walking to the window.

Outside, a fine drizzle had begun to fall, blurring the outlines of the London street.

He had not anticipated Maria Lucas’s involvement.

The awkward, plain-spoken younger sister of Charlotte Collins had indeed been present during his visits to the parsonage.

She could truthfully testify that he had called when only the ladies were at home, that he had inquired specifically after Elizabeth.

But she had not been present during the proposal itself. No one had.

“Mr. Collins is in quite a state,” Lady Catherine continued. “He fears his reputation may be damaged by association with this scandal. After all, these alleged improprieties occurred under his roof.”

“There were no improprieties,” Darcy said sharply.

“Then what were you doing alone with her repeatedly?” Lady Catherine demanded. “Collins may be a fool, but even he would not fabricate such specific details. You called at the parsonage multiple times when she was unaccompanied—do not attempt to deny it.”

Darcy’s silence was answer enough.

“I thought as much.” Lady Catherine’s voice rang with triumph and disgust. “You compromised yourself and her through your careless behavior, and now you expect to escape the consequences by simply denying everything.”

“Is that all, dear aunt?” Darcy had had enough of her tongue-lashing. “Do you not see that I, too, am concerned about these consequences? The interference by Wickham is regrettable, but not something I could have foreseen.”

Aunt Catherine brushed her sleeve as if flicking off a disgusting spider. “We must act decisively to quash this impertinent falsehood before it spreads further. Mr. Collins shall be our emissary,” she declared, walking to the doorway. “Valet, you may allow Mr. Collins to proceed.”

The library door opened sharply, and Mr. Collins burst into the room. His clerical coat was disheveled, his receding hair wild, and his round face shone with perspiration despite the cool spring weather.

“Your Ladyship! Mr. Darcy! Oh, the calamity that has befallen us all!” Collins wrung his hands dramatically. “I am quite beside myself with distress.”

“Compose yourself, Collins,” Lady Catherine said sharply. “Report exactly what has transpired in Hertfordshire.”

“Such accusations, Your Ladyship. Such scandal! The entire neighborhood speaks of nothing else.” Collins dabbed at his forehead with a wrinkled handkerchief. “They claim—oh, I can barely speak the words—they claim that Mr. Darcy compromised Miss Bennet during her visit to my humble parsonage.”

“We know what they claim,” Darcy said impatiently. “What do they intend to do about it?”

“Oh, my poor Charlotte.” Collins’s voice cracked.

“Mrs. Bennet demands that Charlotte provide testimony about the circumstances. The militia officers speak of defending Miss Bennet’s honor.

Sir William Lucas threatens to write to the magistrates.

Why, there are those who report that Mr. Bennet is contemplating challenging you to a duel. ”

Of the list of threats, Darcy doubted the indolent Mr. Bennet would put down his morning paper in preference of a pistol, but…

“And what does Charlotte say?” Lady Catherine asked with dangerous calm.

“She… she is most reluctant to discuss the matter,” Collins admitted. “She claims she was often absent from the parsonage on household duties and cannot provide specific details about the timing or nature of any visits.”

“Good,” Lady Catherine said approvingly. “Charlotte shows proper discretion.”

“But Your Ladyship, the pressure upon her is immense. She recoils from such obvious sin, and her mother requests her testimony.” Collins’s voice rose to a wail. “What am I to do? How can I protect the reputation of my patroness while serving truth and justice?”

“By serving truth,” Lady Catherine said coldly. “The truth being that no improper conduct occurred at your parsonage. Any suggestions to the contrary are malicious fabrications designed to entrap Mr. Darcy into an advantageous marriage.”

Collins blinked rapidly. “But Your Ladyship, if witnesses claim?—”

“Witnesses can be mistaken,” Lady Catherine interrupted. “Young ladies can misinterpret gentlemanly politeness. You, as my rector, have a duty to prevent such scandalous lies from spreading further.”

“I… yes, Your Ladyship, but…”

“No buts, Collins,” Lady Catherine’s voice was icy.

“You will return to Hertfordshire immediately. You will inform your wife that she is to deny any knowledge of improper conduct. She will state that any visits by Mr. Darcy were brief, public, and entirely proper. Miss Maria Lucas is a child whose testimony cannot be trusted. The Bennet family may have threatened or bribed her to support their fabrications.”

“Your Ladyship wishes me to ask Charlotte to…” Collins swallowed hard.

“I wish you to ensure that Charlotte tells the truth. The truth being that no compromise occurred, no improper proposals were made, and the Bennet family is attempting to create a scandal for their advantage.”

Darcy watched this exchange with growing unease. Lady Catherine’s solution was effective but brutal, requiring Charlotte to essentially perjure herself to protect his reputation.

“I shall convey Your Ladyship’s wishes to Charlotte,” Collins said miserably. “Though I fear the pressure from the Bennet and Lucas families will be considerable.”

“Then you must ensure that the pressure from the de Bourgh family is greater,” Lady Catherine said ruthlessly.

“Remind Mrs. Collins that her comfortable situation depends entirely upon my continued patronage. Remind her that speaking against the interests of the Darcy family would be most… inadvisable.”

Darcy felt sick as he listened to his aunt systematically plan the destruction of Elizabeth’s support network. Yet what choice did he have? Elizabeth had chosen to make war upon his reputation by confiding in Wickham. If she suffered for that choice, the fault was hers, not his.

“There is one more matter,” Lady Catherine continued. “This Lieutenant Wickham, who has appointed himself Miss Bennet’s champion, is the one who must repair the young lady’s honor. Mr. Bennet is your cousin, is he not?”

“Yes, yes, a distant second cousin,” Collins replied. “But what does he have to do with this man, Wickham?”

“Why, any responsible father would call this officer to task, dallying with his daughter and telling damaging stories. Collins, when you return to Hertfordshire, you will advise this Mr. Bennet to do the duty of a gentleman. Either challenge Wickham to a duel or demand he marry the young lady he has besmirched.”

Darcy’s stomach churned. Elizabeth married to Wickham?

The very thought made his blood run cold.

Despite her rejection, despite her apparent betrayal of his confidence, he could not bear to see her bound to a man he knew to be dissolute and mercenary.

His fingers curled into fists at his sides, nails digging into his palms, but the only other alternative was for him to make the offer, one which would be refused again.

“Yes, Your Ladyship.” Collins nodded obsequiously.

“Now, we must also consider Fitzwilliam’s immediate actions,” Lady Catherine continued, fixing Darcy with her penetrating stare. “You cannot remain in London while this scandal festers in Hertfordshire. Your absence will be interpreted as guilt or cowardice.”

“You suggest I return to face these accusations directly?” Darcy asked.

“Certainly not! You will visit Netherfield Park as previously planned for the summer. You will conduct yourself with perfect propriety and dignity, showing no awareness of these ridiculous claims. Your presence will demonstrate that you have nothing to hide while allowing you to monitor the situation personally.”

The thought of returning to Hertfordshire, of potentially encountering Elizabeth while this scandal raged around them, made Darcy’s chest tighten. Yet Aunt Catherine’s logic was sound—absence would appear suspicious.

“I understand,” he said resignedly.

“Excellent. Collins, you will ensure that Mr. Darcy’s visit to Netherfield is received with appropriate respect. Any attempt to embarrass or confront him will result in my extreme displeasure.”

“Of course, Your Ladyship!”

“Then our strategy is clear,” Lady Catherine declared with satisfaction. “We will crush these fabrications through superior social position and systematic discrediting of the accusers. Miss Bennet will discover that attacking the Darcy family has consequences far beyond her provincial imagination.”

As Collins scurried away to execute her commands and Lady Catherine began planning additional countermeasures, Darcy remained silent, staring out the window at the London street.

He had committed himself to a course that would destroy Elizabeth’s reputation and credibility, all to protect his wounded pride.

Even as he told himself she deserved whatever consequences came from her indiscretion, his heart rebelled against the thought of her suffering. Especially at his hands.

Elizabeth’s words haunted him with painful accuracy: Had you behaved in a more gentlemanly manner…

He had not behaved as a gentleman then, approaching her with arrogant condescension, expecting gratitude for his reluctant affection.

And he was not behaving as a gentleman now.