Page 46

“Lady Catherine de Bourgh and the Reverend William Collins,” the butler announced before stepping aside to let the two visitors into the room. While having a short time to prepare for their arrival, Bingley was still nervous. He stood to introduce himself, but Lady Catherine spoke before he could say anything.

“I have been informed my nieces are staying here.”

“Yes, I have two ladies staying with me. I had four last week,” he said with a nervous laugh. “Not including my two sisters, and I know you are not their aunt.” He said with a chuckle as he nervously rubbed his hands together.

“Are you deliberately playing the fool?”

“No, perhaps we have gotten off on the wrong foot. Charles Bingley, at your service,” he said with a slight bow.

“And where is Mrs Bingley.”

He turned a slight shade of pink. “At the moment, there is not Mrs Bingley. Although, I am looking to change that in the near future.”

“It will not be with one of my nieces, if that is your intention.”

“No. Heavens no. One of my neighbor’s daughters.”

Mr Collins leaned in and whispered to her. Lady Catherine’s look took on one of disgust.

“Are you telling me Darcy left my nieces with a bachelor? I will not have it. It is scandalous. What was he thinking?”

“My sisters are in residence. I can assure you nothing untoward is happening,” Bingley replied, slightly annoyed at her insinuation.

“Then explain the recent events with my nephew. God knows what my nieces might be subjected to with Darcy away. Where are they?” She demanded.

“They went out for some fresh air.”

“In this weather, that is preposterous. Is that how you take care of your guests?”

“It is not so bad, unseasonably warm today,” he answered, doing his best to remain civil.

“Have them fetched at once.”

“They should have been informed of your arrival by now. Would you care to make yourself comfortable until they arrive? Tea, perhaps?”

Lady Catherine accepted the former offer and declined the latter as she had tea waiting for directions. Bingley tried to make small talk with the two, but they refused to be drawn into conversation and only answered his questions with brief replies.

It was not long before the voices of the young ladies could be heard right before they entered the room.

“Aunt Catherine,” they both cried in unison.

“Why are you here?” Georgiana added.

Lady Catherine stood with Mr Collins mirroring her. “I have come to take…” her voice trailed off as Elizabeth entered and stood beside the girls. Lady Catherine’s eyes widened at the sight.

“What the devil?” Lady Catherine spat out.

Mr Collins gasped in shock at Lady Catherine’s exclamation.

“Hello,” Elizabeth said with a sweet smile.

“What is the meaning of this? How did you get here?”

Elizabeth looked down at her petticoat.

“Are you telling me you have come on foot?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“That is preposterous! Look at yourself, Miss Bennet, you are a spectacle. Mud all over your petticoats and hair disheveled. You look more the peasant than a gentleman’s daughter. Even one as insignificant as your father.” Her voice dripped with disdain.

“What do I care how I look. I came here with a purpose.”

“To thwart me? To look the fool?”

“Please, ladies,” Mr Bingley interjected. “Everyone is here for a good purpose.”

“Be quiet, sir! Georgiana, Anne, come with me. We are leaving this den of inequity.”

“No, Aunt Catherine, we are not. At least, I will not be leaving,” Georgiana said before looking at Anne.

“I am staying as well. Cousin Darcy wanted us here while he was in town and he will be back any day now.”

“You will do as you are told,” she said, pounding the floor with her cane. “Darcy is not here, so you are now my responsibility.”

“I don’t believe a guardianship works that way,” Elizabeth said. “Unless you are named as a co-guardian?” She asked, though she already knew the answer.

“How dare you question my authority,” Lady Catherine fumed.

“Cousin Elizabeth, you must see to reason.” Mr Collins pleaded.

“And whose reason is it to be. Yours, mine, or hers.”

“Lady de Bourgh’s,” he answered. “Naturally, she is their aunt and her position in society dictates we should defer to her judgment.”

“She has no authority here. Tell them, Mr Bingley.”

Bingley looked uncomfortable being put on the spot, but he had no choice but to nod. “Darcy did charge me with looking out for them while he was away. Along with my sisters, all three of us, not just me, of course.” He said nervously under the glare of Lady Catherine.

“That is irrelevant now that I am here,” she barked.

“Have you considered for a moment why both your sister and brother selected Mr Darcy as guardian instead of you, their own sister?” Elizabeth asked.

Collins gasped in dismay at his cousin’s affront on his patroness. He stammered incoherently as he tried to think of a reply. Lady Catherine turned to look at Georgiana.

“This is what my nephew, your bother, wants to marry, to sully the doorstep of Pemberley. Are the shades of our families Earldom to be polluted with this hoyden? Someone willing to traipse all over the countryside in order to do what? To turn my own nieces against me?” She bellowed.

“I have no intention to do such a thing. As I have already said, I’m here for their support. I will not stop them if they willingly decide to leave with you.”

“Aunt Catherine, I know you mean well, but William brought us here for a reason.” Georgiana said before looking at Anne, who nodded her affirmation. “We will remain until he returns or informs us otherwise.”

“You see what being in the company of social inferiors and uncouth country nobodies brings. Your mother would be embarrassed by your brother falling for such a woman.”

“I beg your pardon?” Mr Bingley exclaimed.

Georgiana startled by the comment looked at Elizabeth as a realization dawned on her. She turned back to her aunt, all fear of her gone.

“While I have no recollection of her, I think you are wrong. Mother would have felt the same if William believed she was worthy.”

“What would you know about what your mother would think? She was my sister!”

“I say, that was uncalled for,” Bingley stated, moving closer to the three ladies being verbally abused.

“I think my mother would have liked Elizabeth as well,” Anne added.

“Your mother was always headstrong. I warned my brother about her, but did he listen to me? No! And look where it got him.”

Anne gasped in shock and pain from the words that hit like a slap across the face. Bingley, who had always strived to see the best in people no matter the circumstance, could take no more.

“Lady Catherine,” he stated firmly, trying to control his rising anger. “You are no longer welcome in my home. Please leave immediately.”

Elizabeth wanted to say something but refrained, as she knew her words would bite deep into the vile, so-called lady. Instead, she turned her attention to Anne, who was on the verge of tears from the harsh words.

“I will leave when I am finished with my nieces.”

“I insist.”

“I will not. Not until I am satisfied in my mission to come here,” she said, sternly banging her cane on the floor for emphasis.

Bingley took a deep breath and stood straighter as he adjusted his coat. “Lady Catherine. You will depart forthwith, or I will have you tossed out.”

“You would not dare. Do you know who I am?”

“I would not care if you were the Queen of Bohemia. I will not tolerate you treating my guests this way. That they are your own nieces makes it worse,” he replied to her before turning to Mr Collins. “You seem like a decent chap, so I suggest you escort your friend out before I am forced to act.”

“I am leaving, but you have not heard this last. There will be consequences,” Lady Catherine shouted before leaving the room as Collins scuttled along behind her.

Except for Lady Anne’s soft crying on Elizabeth’s shoulder, the room was deathly quiet as they all processed the event that had transpired in a few short minutes.