Page 93 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

Elizabeth and Darcy glanced at each other. They kept their places, their hands still joined .

“William, do you know what might be the problem?” she asked.

“Bingley sent an express to inform them about his decision to remain at Netherfield. I imagine they are not happy about it. Bingley will be in my debt for this conversation. I shall meet them in the drawing room; hopefully, it will not last long.”

“No,” Elizabeth said calmly. “This will not do! Hodge, please tell Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst that we cannot receive them at this time. I would be happy to establish an appointment as soon as possible if they will only send me a note with specific details. Thank you.”

The servant glanced at his master, puzzled, then he returned to accomplish his duty.

Elizabeth looked at her husband, uncertain of his opinion. “I told them the rules that night at the opera. They chose to ignore them—I chose how to respond.”

“It sounds perfect to me,” he said as he took her hand again, resuming his caresses, and kindly asked Georgiana to continue playing.

Cries of disbelief and indignation could be heard from the main hall, louder than the piano.

“I am glad to see you commanding your wishes in the house,” he whispered, his lips touching her ear.

In the late afternoon, Darcy decided to take the plunge and visit Lady Catherine.

He avoided the moment as long as possible as he dreaded the certain ruin of one of the loveliest days of his life with a terrible argument.

His greatest concern was maintaining his composure whilst fighting with his mother’s sister and also putting an end to the outrageous offences she continually threw at Elizabeth.

He would have to be harsh—and he would be.

Elizabeth moved into the drawing room with Georgiana, allowing Mrs Annesley some time to rest. She asked Mrs Thomason to have tea with them and discuss some household issues—an invitation the housekeeper accepted with pleasure.

A few minutes later, she called for Peter and Libby as she wished to talk a little more with them.

In truth, she mostly wanted to fill the time until her husband’s return and to dissipate her anxiety.

A tumult of loud voices from the main hall startled them.

Both Mrs Thomason and Elizabeth hurried to see what was happening, followed by Peter.

Georgiana and Libby remained in the doorway.

Elizabeth halted, staring at a woman of impressive stature, wearing a most fashionable hat and holding a walking stick.

The servant said humbly but decidedly: “I apologise but I cannot allow you in! Mrs Darcy requires that you send a note, and she will set an appointment with you!”

The woman’s face turned red, and she yelled in anger, “Away from my face, you creature.” Then she furiously hit the servant with her stick and stepped forward. She stopped only when she laid eyes on Elizabeth.

Mrs Thomason curtseyed hesitantly to the newly arrived, “Lady Catherine…”

“Good day, Lady Catherine. I am Elizabeth Darcy. We have not been introduced,” Elizabeth said firmly.

“You are no Darcy but a country nobody, an impostor who deceived my nephew and usurped the place which belonged to my daughter! How dare you change the rules of this house? I can enter whenever I wish. This is my sister’s house, and you are the one who should be thrown out of here!”

“Lady Catherine, I understand you came to express your disapproval, which had already come to our attention through your letters. I am sorry that you are upset, but you must remember that you are a guest in this house, and you are in no position to offend or hurt anyone!”

“I am no guest! I am Darcy’s closest relative, and I shall not be prevented from saying what I want! My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, as well as for my loathing of chicanery! I shall not allow this scandalous charade of a marriage to go further! ”

“Aunt Catherine, you cannot speak to Elizabeth in such a way,” murmured Georgiana.

“Oh, shut your mouth, girl! You know nothing but playing the piano. I shall not speak to you. And your foolish brother is no better. He might be good at managing an estate but completely stupid and mindless when it comes to the important things of life!”

“Lady Catherine, you forget yourself! I am Mr Darcy’s wife and the mistress of this house, and I shall not allow this kind of behaviour!

I suggest you return home. Mr Darcy is on his way to visit you, and you will be able to speak properly.

I have nothing further to add!” Elizabeth struggled to speak whilst anger and shame suffocated her.

Drawn by the scandal, Stevens and Mrs Annesley also appeared near Mrs Thomason, staring without knowing how to intervene.

“I do not wish to speak to Darcy, but to you who made him neglect his mother’s strongest desire and throw away his family’s legacy and his own duty!

He must have lost his mind, and you are the only one to be blamed for that!

His parents would roll in their graves if they knew of how low their son had fallen because of the arts and allurements of a worthless woman! ”

Elizabeth stepped closer to speak in a lower voice.

“I wonder what Mr and Mrs Darcy would say on hearing the malicious offences you bestow on both their children! You pretend to be William’s close relative, but not even a mere stranger would be so spiteful and venomous in their accusation.

Your position might allow you to be frank, but then so does mine! You shall leave the house now!”

“I shall not! Not before I am certain you will disappear from our lives forever!” she yelled louder, which drew the attention of Lucky, who immediately barked and growled at his mistress’s feet.

Lady Catherine, only a few steps away, raised her cane. In an instant, Peter placed himself between the two women, his eyes narrowing in angry determination, and he held the cane with all his strength.

“You cannot speak to the mistress like that! She said to leave—you leave!” the boy yelled back. For a moment, shock silenced everybody. Lady Catherine’s rage distorted her face into a grimace, and she violently pulled back, but Peter resisted fiercely.

“Lady Catherine!” a strong voice thundered from the doorway, and Darcy’s strong hands held the woman’s arms. “You have completely lost yourself,” he said, grabbing her cane.

“Darcy! I am so glad you are here. Do you see what is happening? Did you see how this woman treated me? Me—your only aunt and your beloved mother’s sister!”

“Lady Catherine!” he repeated, staring at his aunt, his eyes dark, his face pale from anger. “A child of nine said it better than I could have: the mistress said to leave—you leave!”

“What? How dare you? Do you presume to cast me out of this house?” she yelled while Darcy held her arm tightly and pulled her through the front door, ignoring her curses.

He entered the carriage with her and left while Elizabeth gazed at the closed door, her strength fled completely under the burden of shame and pain.

She wiped her tears and turned to the servant, asking how badly he was injured.

The man assured her he was perfectly well, but she noticed he barely moved his arm, so she asked for Dr. Taylor to be fetched and sent Hodge to wait in his room.

Then she took Georgiana’s arm and returned to the drawing room, followed by Mrs Annesley.

Mrs Thomason and Stevens silently returned to their duties, feeling they had failed their mistress.

Georgiana ceased fighting her tears and embraced her sister-in-law, apologising for the distress she was made to endure.

Lucky came to comfort his mistress while Libby and Peter looked on from a few steps away, obviously shocked by the incident.

Elizabeth tried to calm Georgiana, then she smiled at the children and stretched her hand to Peter .

“You both may return to your mother. She must be worried for you. Peter, I thank you for being so courageous and protecting me,” Elizabeth said to the boy then gently kissed his cheeks while he looked at her, breathless.

On their way out, Libby said animatedly, “Peter, you are really brave—like a soldier!”

Elizabeth and Georgiana smiled at each other and could not agree more.

***

More than an hour passed before Darcy returned with an expression of deepest distress. His eyes met his wife’s, and he sat near her as he did not know nor dare what to do next.

“I am so sorry,” he whispered. “I feel so helpless and weak as I have failed again to protect you. The moment I was told she was not at home, I came here directly, but it was too late. I believe she must have stayed in the carriage, waiting for the moment I left the house, so she could enter and talk to you. Georgiana was correct: Lady Catherine is worse than ever. It is as if our marriage was a crossroad for her, and she lost all common sense. I sent for Robert, and we both spoke to Anne. We will make sure they return to Rosings tomorrow. I am so sorry. How are you feeling?”

“I am fine, do not worry. Dr. Taylor checked on Hodge. Lady Catherine hurt his arm quite badly. He will rest and perform no hard tasks until Dr. Taylor tells me he is fine. Dinner will be ready in two hours. And I ordered the dishes for tomorrow when my aunt and uncle dine with us. We should invite the Fitzwilliams too. It would be a lovely chance to introduce my uncle and aunt to Lady Matlock and Maryanne. Georgiana thinks it is a good idea.”

She spoke more and more animatedly, barely meeting his eyes, until he gently cupped her face and asked gently. “Elizabeth, how are you feeling , my love?”

Georgiana and Mrs Annesley left silently to allow them privacy. He embraced Elizabeth, pulling her head to his chest while kissing her hair.