Page 16 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations
“Excuse me, what?” The earl spoke first. “Whose estate is entailed to whom? Which of Darcy’s friends marries whose sister? And whose arts and allurements do you mean?”
“I believe this charade has gone on long enough. My friend Bingley is to be married soon to Miss Jane Bennet, whose father’s estate is entailed upon Mr. Collins.”
“And the second daughter,” Lady Catherine interrupted, “is a spoilt, impertinent girl, headstrong and disrespectful, despite the kindness I showed her when she visited Mrs. Collins! She must have devised a scheme to trap Darcy! She seemed more inclined towards Geoffrey in the spring, but she is poor, and she must have discovered that our Colonel has no money either.”
Lord and Lady Matlock exchanged worried gazes, then glanced at their son. The colonel looked like he needed another moment to comprehend, then he began to laugh, so loud and so hard that he spilt his drink.
“Lady Catherine, you believe that Miss Elizabeth Bennet used her arts and allurements to trap Darcy?” the colonel finally managed to reply. “This is why you travelled from Kent to Hertfordshire?”
“Geoffrey, I find little amusement in this situation,” Darcy said severely.
“Oh, but you should find plenty of amusement in it, Cousin. I have never seen a woman loathe a man as much as Miss Elizabeth did Darcy, Aunt. And I have rarely seen Darcy treat a lady as coldly and severely as he treated Miss Elizabeth! Arts and allurements? Forgive me for laughing, Aunt, but this is ridiculous.”
“So…allow me to understand, Catherine. Your clergyman reported this rumour to you, and you took your carriage, travelled fifty miles, turned up uninvited at Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s house, and asked her not to marry Darcy, even though she was not engaged to him?”
Lady Catherine stared at her brother’s clarification, and for a moment she looked disconcerted.
“Dear Lord, this is hilarious,” the earl agreed, laughing together with his son, while Lady Catherine turned red.
Georgiana seemed too distressed to speak, while Darcy could not regain his composure.
“Dear Aunt,” the colonel continued, “whoever told you that was surely trying to mock you! If it was that clergyman, you should punish his audacity.”
“Mr. Collins would never deceive me,” the lady declared impetuously.
“Not on purpose, but he has not enough wit to understand things properly, and you are too partial to see his silliness,” the colonel concluded.
As they talked, the doctor entered the drawing-room; he greeted everyone and accepted an offered drink.
“How is Anne?” Lady Catherine asked. “I hope she is better— I plan to return to Rosings as soon as possible.”
“Lady Catherine, I have not had the pleasure of seeing Miss de Bourgh since she was a child,” Doctor Harris said. “I must say I find her weakness worrisome, especially as she said her fainting was not a singular event. And considering Lady Anne’s tragic death, we must show prudence.”
“I completely agree,” Lady Matlock replied.
“My doctor in Kent knows how to take care of Anne. She will be well when we return home,” Lady Catherine declared.
“I must respectfully disagree,” Doctor Harris said.
“Miss de Bourgh told me she is given some herbal teas, but she does not feel any improvement. I am not certain of the nature of Miss de Bourgh’s illness, and I would like to ask the opinion of two other colleagues.
I advise that she does not travel yet — she is too weak for further effort.
If she stays in London, I shall return to examine her tonight and again tomorrow morning. ”
“Out of the question!” Lady Catherine replied harshly. “We shall return home tomorrow unless Anne is to be married soon.”
Darcy attempted to respond, but the earl spoke first.
“Do not speak nonsense, Catherine. Anne is not to be married, and I insist she remain in town if Doctor Harris believes it is to her benefit.”
“We cannot stay in London! We shall sleep here tonight and leave tomorrow. My decision is made.”
“Catherine, do not force me to remind you that Lewis named me Anne’s guardian,” the earl continued, his voice stronger.
“Anne is of age, she does not need a guardian,” Lady Catherine said, coldly dismissing the claim.
“Since she is of age, she might decide for herself,” Lady Matlock intervened. “Georgiana, come with me, my dear. Let us talk to Anne while the gentlemen complete their business with your aunt.”
Despite Lady Catherine’s opposition, the two left the room, and the disagreement continued. Lady Catherine would not abandon her plans until Lady Matlock returned with the response that Anne was very weak and had insisted on remaining to rest.
“She is asleep now, and she will not be disturbed!”
“Honoria, you have no right to decide in regard to Anne!”
“But I do, Catherine,” the earl added. “Let us all be reasonable and judge the matter wisely. Anne will remain here and rest, and we shall discuss matters further tomorrow. You will come home with us. You need to rest and calm yourself, and so does Darcy. Being in his house would not help either of you.”
“I shall not leave Anne here alone!”
“Oh, do not be ridiculous, Catherine. It is decided then,” the earl concluded.
An hour later, after more harsh quarrels, Lady Catherine was left with no choice. She left with the Matlocks, insisting she would return later to see Anne.
Georgiana withdrew to her chamber, and Darcy found himself alone with the colonel, in a silence that felt strange after all that bustle.
“We need another drink to appraise this situation,” the colonel declared, still laughing. “You and Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Upon my word, I have never heard anything more ridiculous.”
Darcy, however, was deeply preoccupied, and he was barely listening to his cousin.
“Yes, pour some drinks, but we shall move to the library. I have two urgent letters to write and send immediately.”
“Now? What urgent letters? To whom?”
“To Bingley and to Mr. Bennet. I have not an instant to lose. Afterwards, we may enjoy as many drinks as you wish.”