Page 41 of The Shades of Pemberley

L ady Catherine might not have expected it, but the earl was no more receptive to her stupidity than Darcy had been.

Given certain threats the lady had made when Darcy had escorted her from Longbourn, he knew her first destination after leaving the estate would be London and the earl’s house.

When Lord Matlock’s letter arrived via express the morning after, Darcy had his proof of Lady Catherine’s intentions.

“Your uncle chased Lady Catherine back to Kent,” said Darcy to Georgiana when he finished reading the letter. “To the best of his knowledge, Lady Catherine went as instructed with his reprimand ringing in her ears.”

“As I told you,” said Georgiana with a curt nod, her manner informing Darcy of her recovery from the previous day’s fright and her anger with her aunt. “My uncle does not care for his sister and avoids her whenever possible, but he will not hesitate to put her in her place when necessary.”

Darcy nodded and turned back to the letter. “The earl also warns against complacency. Lady Catherine returned to Kent as he commanded, but he does not suppose that she has abandoned her designs.”

“One might wonder how a woman, even one high in society can hope to carry her point in such a matter as your future life.” Mrs. Darcy shook her head in equal parts disbelief and exasperation. “It is most irrational.”

“My aunt has long thought she ordered the world to her liking,” said Georgiana.

“The question is, what will she do next?”

It was a question that beset them all, for no one thought Lady Catherine would desist, given how far she had already taken the matter.

“Do you suppose she will try to interrupt your wedding?” ventured Georgiana. “Does she know the date?”

“Though it is unfortunate,” said Mrs. Darcy, “Mr. Collins knew, so Lady Catherine will also know.”

“There is little enough she can do,” said Darcy, though he did not feel as complacent about the matter as he attempted to portray. “Even if she appears at the wedding and objects to it, I cannot imagine that Longbourn’s parson would refuse to complete the ceremony.”

“No, Lady Catherine would not intimidate Mr. Smith at all,” agreed Mrs. Darcy. “I cannot suppose that Elizabeth wishes to remember her wedding day stained with Lady Catherine’s interference.”

“Nor do I,” said Darcy. “Perhaps we could change the date to put Lady Catherine off the scent.”

“If you do,” said his mother, “you must marry earlier, otherwise she will just return when she learns of the new date.”

Darcy nodded but did not venture a response.

Moving it forward was a palatable notion, for Darcy was most impatient to have Elizabeth for a wife.

Her mother would protest, which was understandable given the upheaval they had already endured.

Darcy made a note to consider the matter at greater length and bring it up with Elizabeth when the occasion permitted.

As an addendum to the earl’s letter, he informed Darcy that he had started an investigation into Mr. Collins’s behavior with the man’s bishop, a matter of immense satisfaction to Darcy.

He also mentioned his interest in attending Darcy’s wedding to show his support.

Though Darcy wondered if Mrs. Bennet would expire from the honor of having an earl and a countess at her daughter’s wedding, one did not put an earl off in such a manner.

When told of it, Elizabeth, having met the man, showed her courage, though she did not hesitate to laugh about how her mother might react at the news that an earl might attend their wedding.

“You may be correct, William,” said she, “for Mama will find such people most intimidating. She may even fear the countess more than the earl.”

It was a most apropos observation, one Darcy had not considered himself.

The day following the receipt of the earl’s letter, Darcy had found Elizabeth on the paths of her father’s estate as was his custom, and after an affectionate greeting, the sort in which they could not indulge with anyone else looking, they turned to walk the path in each other’s company, and Darcy related the latest news.

“Mama will rise to the occasion, of course,” continued Elizabeth, “but it will drive her into an even further frenzy to ensure everything is prepared to perfection.”

“That is not a quality singular to your mother. Any lady would act to ensure her arrangements were acceptable to the quality.”

“Aye, that is so,” agreed Elizabeth.

They walked on in silence for some time, Elizabeth caught up in her amusement at the notion of her mother’s reaction to Lady Susan, while Darcy considered the situation.

The greatest claim on Darcy’s thoughts was his mother’s suggestion that they change the date of their wedding to throw Lady Catherine off the scent and prevent her from making a scene.

Though Darcy had not thought to present the idea to Elizabeth, the intoxicating effect of being with her again and his nigh overwhelming desire to have her as a wife as soon as he could arrange loosened his tongue.

“Elizabeth,” said he, pulling her attention to him, “you know that Lady Catherine may yet be an impediment.”

The way Elizabeth’s nose wrinkled told Darcy she had considered the possibility herself. “Such a lady is not likely to surrender without a fight, even if the earl has put her in her place.”

“I see you understand her ladyship well. If you will listen, my mother had a notion of what to do about it.”

Her interest piqued, Elizabeth regarded him and nodded. “What does she suggest?”

“That we alter the timing of our wedding.”

Diverted at once, Elizabeth teased: “That is nothing more than your wish to wed with all haste, William.”

With a grin, Darcy did not deny his interest in the matter. “It is as you say, but my mother did suggest it. Mr. Collins knows the date, does he not?”

Her expression changing to distaste, Elizabeth allowed it to be so.

“Then we can be certain that Lady Catherine also knows.”

“The lady will not hesitate to interrupt and state her objections,” said Elizabeth, understanding his meaning at once.

“That she will. Mr. Smith will not give her silliness any credence, but if we allow it to happen, it will be a disruption. Mother suggested we move the date forward a few days—that will thwart Lady Catherine’s designs and allow our wedding to proceed without interruption.”

Elizabeth chewed her lip in thought, a habit that had always inflamed Darcy’s desire to kiss her senseless. “Mama will not appreciate it.”

“Not even to see us joined even sooner than she expects?” jested Darcy.

“Well, that might soothe her frayed nerves,” drawled Elizabeth, “but she has endured much upheaval and alteration of our original plans.” Elizabeth shook her head, a diverted show of exasperation for her mother.

“Mama complains about how much is yet to be done in preparation, but I am certain we have had all these things in order for months. All that needs to be done is to arrive at the church.”

“Then I should think she would not be unwilling to see it all done a few days earlier.”

A glance heavenward accompanied her prim: “You have met my mother, have you not?”

“Indeed, I have been admitted to the pleasure.” Darcy offered a smile and a shrug. “Nothing can be done to change your mother, Elizabeth, and I would not venture to try even if I could. I think it would be best to alter the date for the reasons I have stated.”

“Then I shall speak to her,” said Elizabeth. “Should she balk, we can have your mother take up the standard, for she listens to her better than she listens to me.”

It was the truth, and Darcy did not deny it. With that promise in hand, he turned his attention to enjoying Elizabeth’s company so long as he had it. It was not long before another subject arose between them.

“Today is the day that Mr. Bingley arrives with his sister,” observed Elizabeth, displaying far too much enjoyment for Darcy’s taste. “Are you anticipating her superior company, William? Why, I do not suppose you may get its like anywhere in Hertfordshire.”

“Of Miss Bingley’s company, a little goes a long way,” said Darcy, unable to keep the wry note from his voice. “This you will discover within moments of making her acquaintance.”

Elizabeth regarded him, a corner of her mouth rising of its own accord. “Tell me, William, is Miss Bingley as awful a woman as you portray her to be?”

“To me, she is,” confirmed Darcy without hesitation.

“‘To me?’” echoed she.

“Yes, to me.” Darcy offered her a helpless shrug. “To own the truth, those of her ilk are replete in London society, and more particularly in the circles we will inhabit when we arrive in London for the season.”

“Oh, aye, for even the country is not devoid of fortune hunters.” Elizabeth fixed him with a soft smile. “After all, if there was no man of excellent integrity, character, and morality living just to the east of my childhood home, I may now be staring into the abyss inhabited by old maids.”

“Never,” said Darcy, catching her hand and raising it to his lips. “Even had I never met you, I cannot imagine the entirety of the male species is so lacking in discernment as to dismiss you because of a lack of dowry.”

“And connections! Do not forget the lack of connections, for you will gain nothing more than my two uncles in the law and trade, and one silly parson!”

Darcy responded to her infectious laughter. “I hope you will pardon my wish that Mr. Collins will not become a connection.”

“No, my father made his opinion clear when he removed Mr. Collins from our home.”

With a shake of his head, Darcy returned to the original conversation.

“Miss Bingley is not a reprehensible woman, but she is ambitious. Jameson Darcy was not the first man to whom she recommended herself. While she may realize she has no chance of separating us, I cannot but suppose she will come here with at least some intention to recommend herself to me.”