Page 31 of These Dreams (Heart to Heart Collection #1)
Chapter thirty-one
“M iss Elizabeth Bennet.” Lady Catherine swept her gaze over the three girls, seemingly unsurprised at the identity of at least one of Georgiana Darcy’s guests. Her eyes narrowed faintly as she appraised Lydia, then settled once more upon her niece.
“Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth curtseyed, but she was ignored.
“Georgiana Darcy, I trust you have not entirely forgotten your manners, despite evidence to the contrary,” Lady Catherine spoke coolly, flicking another look toward Lydia.
Georgiana, still shaken by the events of the morning, seemed pale and drawn as she considered her aunt’s demand. Her mouth trembled, her eyes darting first to Elizabeth, and then Lydia. “I—forgive me, Aunt. May I present Miss Elizabeth’s sister, Mrs Lydia Wickham. She… she is here as my guest.”
The haughty brow lifted. “Wickham! I have heard of this woman. Kinswoman to my parson and wed to the dissolute son of a steward! A patched-up job indeed,” the cold eyes passed once more over Lydia’s form. “I am surprised at you, Georgiana Darcy, for receiving such a woman into your house. It proves that things are as bad here as I had feared. You may, of course, be forgiven your youth, but you , Miss Bennet,” she turned to Elizabeth, “you of age by now, are you not? Are you yet so na?ve as to assume a fallen woman could associate with Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley? Or have you other motives in coming here?”
Elizabeth saw the flared nostrils, the flash of rebellion in her sister’s eyes, but she shook her head faintly, then smiled at the lady. “My sister is respectably married to a lieutenant in the Regulars, my lady, who is not always at liberty to entertain his wife. As for my interests, they are certainly the same as yours, Lady Catherine—to attend and console Miss Darcy by whatever means I may. It was most considerate of your ladyship to have come so far to comfort her.”
The lady frowned. “Comfort her! Nonsense. She may be young, but she is the mistress of Pemberley. She must be advised and governed, not coddled! I suppose it was Fitzwilliam’s notion to supply her with impractical company, that she might be kept happily installed here at Pemberley without the benefit of proper female relations. Georgiana Darcy, where is your cousin? I would speak with him.”
“He is… why, Richard has gone—” she bit her lip and rolled her eyes toward her friends as she fumbled for an explanation.
“He is away on estate business, my lady,” Elizabeth interjected. “He will be delighted to see that your ladyship has arrived, for we expect his return at almost any moment.”
“So soon! That is well. I shall depend upon him to make certain arrangements. I seem to recall, Miss Bennet, that your father cannot long do without you. He must be wishing for your return.” The hawkish gaze leveled in satisfaction, and the corner of her mouth lifted, but then creased darkly when Elizabeth spoke again.
“Not at all, my lady. As a matter of fact, I had a letter from him recently, and he asked most specifically after Miss Darcy’s wellbeing. As a parent of young ladies and master of property himself, my father appreciates the difficulties of her position, and was pleased to think that our family might be of service.”
Lady Catherine’s frown deepened. “Of what true benefit can the burden of guests be at such a time? And who is looking to matters of the estate? I wonder at the wisdom of your guardian, Georgiana, leaving you all here without proper escort. How long has Fitzwilliam been away?”
“Some days, my lady,” Elizabeth answered quickly. It was no falsehood—it was merely imprecise. “Your ladyship may be assured that he was reluctant to take his leave, but that it was a matter of the greatest import, and in the interests of Miss Darcy.”
Lady Catherine’s gaze had turned to ice. “I was speaking to my niece, if you please, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth bit her lip, chastened. You are not helping Georgiana! She tilted her head slightly to offer a look of encouragement to the young girl, one which could not be perceived by her aunt. Georgiana was still quaking and had actually taken a step or two backward. She met Elizabeth’s eyes with an imploring look of her own.
Lady Catherine’s cane stabbed the carpet. “Now then, Georgiana Darcy, how long has your cousin been away, and whence did he go? I shall have a straight answer this time!”
Georgiana’s eyes had dropped to the floor, but she lifted them again to Elizabeth before replying. Elizabeth made a faint gesture with her hand, a motion drawing upward toward her heart. She tipped her chin and offered a dazzling smile, lifting her shoulders into a cheerful poise. Lydia seconded the hint with a noise that was part laugh, part cough, and some light came to Georgiana’s eyes. Elizabeth nodded and drew herself back, as Georgiana seemed to perceive her meaning.
The girl cleared her throat, then squared her posture in precisely the same manner as she had seen Elizabeth do. When she spoke, her voice was light and easy, with no trace of distress. “He has been gone since he went away, Aunt, to the place where his business led, and he shall be back the moment we see his carriage.”
Lydia fairly snickered, and Georgiana’s cheeks were bright with both triumph and embarrassment. Elizabeth was rolling her eyes and smiling, but Lady Catherine was not amused.
“Impertinent girl! It is clear to me, Georgiana Darcy, that you want for discipline! Too long have you been left to your own follies,” here, the lady sent a chilling glare toward the Bennet sisters, “and I have thought little enough of that companion of yours. Her , I will dismiss forthwith. As for what is to be done with you , it is obvious that such liberty and unfettered privilege as you have been permitted has nearly ruined you. You shall accompany me to Rosings at once, where you will be reeducated properly and a suitable husband will be found before your respectability is permanently jeopardised.”
Georgiana emitted a small squeak of dismay, her eyes bulging as her former spark of bravado flickered and died. Elizabeth caught her hand, which had lifted defensively, but it was irreverent Lydia who dared to answer.
“What a good joke!” she snorted. “As if she had any authority over you! Don’t listen to a word of it, Georgiana, for the colonel himself said none but he could force you to do anything until you came of age. You are not dependent upon Lady Catherine! I see now why she is so high on Mr Collins, for he—”
“Is perfectly suited for his post, of course!” Elizabeth interrupted. “Lydia, dear, I fear the sun has got to your head today. Oughtn’t you to lie down and rest?”
Lydia stuck a fist into her hip. “Come, Lizzy, you thought him as ridiculous as we all did. It is a jolly good thing you refused to marry him. Think if you had to live at Rosings like poor Charlotte!”
Lady Catherine was aghast and quivering with rage. “You—you vile creature!” She extended one weathered, thin finger toward Lydia, and Elizabeth could have sworn that the woman would soon begin to spit fire.
“Begone, Jezebel! Out of my sight at once! You may be assured that I shall denounce your entire family in all decent society. Your name shall never be mentioned in Town, and as for your marriage, I know it all! How much did your uncle pay to hush up the matter of your infamous elopement, and where is that shameful son of a steward now? A fine bargain he made of it all! Foolish girl, you have no place here, polluting the very shades of Pemberley, of all places! That I should live to see my sister’s child sully herself by association with a shameless harlot!”
“And these are the manners of a noblewoman?” Elizabeth asked. Her tones were quiet, but her cheeks were hot, her colour high. Lady Catherine’s high-handedness she could bear, but her thoughtless command over Georgiana and her insults—however well-deserved—to her own sister brought the iron out in her blood.
Lady Catherine whirled upon her. “I have not done with you, Elizabeth Bennet! How you managed to insinuate yourself into my niece’s favour I know not, but I have my suspicions. You wanted my nephew for yourself, though he was sworn to Anne. Oh, yes, I am not blind! I saw how he admired your charms, but thank heaven he was a man of enough sense to deny such devious arts! When your allurements failed to secure him in life, you imposed yourself on his sister, knowing that she had not the wisdom to resist you!”
“That shows what you know,” grumbled an insulted Lydia. “Lizzy, trying to attract Mr Darcy’s notice? She would sooner have danced with his horse, but it was jolly fun watching Miss Bingl—”
“Lydia, please! ” hissed her sister. Elizabeth jerked her head toward the door, and Lydia, dropping her crossed arms in a huff, simply marched out of the room without a backward glance toward the noblewoman.
Lady Catherine was left with open mouth, staring after Lydia’s unceremonious departure. “I-i-insolent girl! That creature shall not remain a single moment longer in my sister’s home to corrupt her daughter! Where is the footman? I shall want her things packed this moment! She may go wherever will receive her, and you, Miss Bennet, shall follow!”
Tears were streaming down Georgiana’s face, and she was beginning to gasp helplessly, all the while imploring Elizabeth with stricken eyes to say something— anything . Elizabeth cringed in her heart. She had not desired to usurp Georgiana’s authority, tenuous as it was, but if she did nothing at all, the girl would never find the courage to resist her aunt’s wishes. The results could be worse than inconvenient or embarrassing—if none rose to defend Georgiana, and Colonel Fitzwilliam did not return before Lady Catherine had her way, the consequences for her would be life-altering. This, her conscience reminded her, this is why the colonel asked for you, and you gave your promise!
“Lady Catherine,” she heard herself answer haltingly, “perhaps my sister speaks out of turn, and her manners are in need of improvement, but she is my sister and the daughter of a gentleman, not to mention an officer’s wife who is nearing her first confinement. As such, I shall ask that your ladyship will refrain from speaking ill of her and threatening to cast her out of a home that is not your own. Pemberley belongs to Miss Darcy, and my sister and I shall remain or depart at her pleasure, not yours.”
Lady Catherine gaped wordlessly at Elizabeth for several seconds, then bore down again upon her niece. “Georgiana Darcy, do you hear this woman? She would deny me my place as your guardian and impose her company upon you in your time of mourning! This is precisely why young ladies must not be left without their guardians, for vultures such as these are like to take advantage of your na?veté! It is unpardonable that your own relations were not consulted in the choosing of your friendships. They have not even the proper connections—one uncle in trade and another an attorney! Do you realise the scandal when knowledge of this reaches London?”
“I….” Georgiana wetted her lips and her eyes skipped between her seething aunt and the woman who had become nearly a sister to her. “I w-want them h-here, Aunt,” she whispered.
The lady fairly growled, tsking and shaking her head. “You want! Hear you nothing I have said, Georgiana Darcy? These… women… they have no place here! You are a Darcy of Pemberley, and as such, these women are not even of your same sphere!”
“It is generally considered rude to speak before someone as though they are not present,” Elizabeth murmured.
“What was that?”
Elizabeth had clasped her hands behind her back and was gazing complacently toward the ceiling. She smiled faintly, causing Lady Catherine to step near in demand for answer. Elizabeth was happy to comply.
“It seems, Lady Catherine, that you take particular exception to my presence. I find that fact regrettable, but I would suggest that berating Miss Darcy regarding my invitation here shall profit her nothing. Pray, let us speak reasonably together, so that her best interests may be served.”
“Speak reasonably! Do you expect me to believe you have interests at heart other than your own?”
“Lady Catherine, had it not been for my sincere regard and affection for Miss Darcy, I would have remained happily in Hertfordshire. To there I would be pleased to return and resume my own life, but I have a duty to the Darcy family.”
The lady paused, her lips still opened to speak, but her gaze had turned quizzical. “A duty? Apart from the gratitude that must be natural for the condescension shown you by my niece, you are not indebted to the family, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth caught her lower lip between her teeth and met Georgiana’s wondering gaze. “I am afraid there is more, my lady. Mr Darcy was… uncommonly good to my own family. For reasons that must now remain purely his own, I learned after his death that he had exerted himself on behalf of my relations. Most of them will never know to whom they are indebted, but I am aware of his actions. I shall never repay his unmerited kindness, but I would cherish his sister as dearly as if she were my own, both for his sake and for hers.”
Lady Catherine stared witheringly at Elizabeth, as though trying to determine her sincerity. “Miss Bennet, you must be aware that your company can hardly be considered a credit to my niece in better society.”
“I have been told as much, my lady, though such awareness often fails me. Certainly, a woman with an uncle such as mine should have better known her place, but I am afraid I have nothing but the highest regard for my uncle. As such, I suffer a lamentable lack of humility for my circumstances, but it is to my benefit that my esteemed cousin took care to enlighten me regarding my own consequence during my sojourn in Kent.”
“Miss Bennet, I can see that one year has wrought no great improvement in your address. You still speak with decided freedom and impertinence.”
“A failing which,” Elizabeth smiled, “Miss Darcy’s example cannot help but remedy in time. I believe your ladyship once before remarked upon my lack of a governess, but Miss Darcy’s manners are the soul of propriety. I think I have much to learn from her manner.”
The lady almost grunted. “More often I find that the mannerly and genteel are corrupted by uncouth fellowship.”
Elizabeth permitted herself a smile. “Perhaps that is not entirely to Miss Darcy’s detriment, my lady. Is she not the mistress of Pemberley, and shall she not remain so, regardless of marriage or widowhood? I should be sorry indeed if she comes into her inheritance without having first learnt to disarm insult and pressure from those who would seek to influence her for their own gain. Surely your ladyship is a perfect example of a woman who knows how to carry her own will without the benefit of a husband to manage her affairs for her.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “I had the benefit of wise counselors and the very best education a young lady may receive, Miss Bennet. My niece’s situation has been dismally unsatisfactory.”
“Naturally, her education is not within my purview, but I trust your ladyship will take up the matter with Colonel Fitzwilliam upon his return. I understand that he alone may direct matters pertaining to the estate and Miss Darcy, save those arrangements specifically delegated to others for the time when he was to be away.”
“Fitzwilliam would have left such matters to his family,” Lady Catherine waved a dismissive hand.
Elizabeth caught Georgiana’s eye, and they shared a mischievous smile. The girl tiptoed softly toward the writing desk that had become Elizabeth’s private work space. “I believe, my lady, that he did leave a signed directive here, and another copy with Miss Darcy’s solicitor. Is that it, that you have found in the writing desk, Miss Darcy?” Georgiana came round the desk, a folded note in her hand. She passed it silently to her aunt and then stepped back, shielding herself behind Elizabeth from the firestorm that was to come.
Lady Catherine had taken the letterhead, and her countenance washed white with rage as she read. Elizabeth knew perfectly well what it said;
“’Miss Elizabeth Bennet is to hold administrative authority over household affairs during my absence, her judgment subject only to Miss Darcy’s wishes. Any business affairs Mr Jefferson would normally report to the Master or Mistress shall be directed through my agent, Edward Gardiner of Cheapside, London.’”
The note went on to specify the dates and events through which his wishes should remain in effect, and even named Mr Edward Gardiner and Mr Charles Bingley as proxy guardians to Miss Darcy, should some accident befall him in his travels.
The note crumpled slowly in her hand as it fell, shaking and ice cold. “Lies!” came the savage whisper. “Impossible!” she ejaculated more forcefully. “You would deny the claims of family, of interest, in favour of this… this interloper! Georgiana Darcy, I—”
Georgiana was still cowering as her aunt warmed up to her tirade. Insults and threats continued to shower down, causing her to flinch with each one, but Elizabeth stood stalwart, her expression serene. After a moment, she nudged the young mistress with an elbow and whispered something that Lady Catherine did not trouble herself to hear. Georgiana gaped back in astonishment, but Elizabeth smiled, tipped her head, and whispered, “You can do it!”
Georgiana took a trembling step from behind Elizabeth and drew a galvanising breath. Lady Catherine was still raging. “—My sister’s daughter, and my brother’s own son, handing over authority that rightly belongs only to our family, to a tradesman and a country ch… what do you have to say for yourself, Georgiana?” She ceased her vitriol long enough to pause mid-insult and point an accusing finger at her niece.
Georgiana cleared her throat and dropped a nervous curtsey. “If you please, Aunt, I shall have Mrs Reynolds prepare your favourite room. I am afraid I was conducting some business with my steward when you arrived, which remains unfinished. I must return to it now.” She swallowed, blinked hopefully at Elizabeth, then curtseyed once more before walking quickly to the door. She summoned the footman and gave her direction, curtseyed a third time to her speechless aunt, and then disappeared from sight. Elizabeth had no doubts that the girl had broken to a run as soon as she could.
Lady Catherine turned slowly back to Elizabeth, her expression black and her jaw welded in fury. Elizabeth smiled sweetly. “Would your ladyship care for some refreshment after the long drive?”
The lady’s mouth worked and she spat out a sullen, “No!” before turning on her heel and swirling from the room.
Elizabeth released a shaking breath. She still could not decide whether it was for the best that she had been present for that particular confrontation. It had been Colonel Fitzwilliam’s wish, and Georgiana had been grateful for it. That would have to suffice, she decided, but she still did not like feeling the intruder in what ought to have been a family matter.
Lady Catherine had scarcely been gone a moment when Lydia’s furtive shape peeked around the door frame. “Laws, I thought she would never leave! Has she really gone?”
“Only above stairs. I believe she has determined to remain some while.”
Lydia entered the room fully, fanning herself as she had begun to do of late. “What a horrid woman! I thought she was going to eat poor Georgie. Is she always so friendly?”
Elizabeth chuckled. “She is more amenable if one compliments her, but her fireplace and her grounds were not at hand today for me to admire.”
Lydia made a face. “I can see why she likes that nit-wit Collins for a parson. Only think, Lizzy, if you had married him! You never did back down from a match of words, and you never fake a compliment. It makes me laugh to think how she would have had to put up with you all the time! Oh, better yet, think if you were to marry a relation of hers—Colonel Fitzwilliam, for example. I think he likes you well enough, and would it not infuriate her? Better still, if you had married her favourite Mr Darcy—oh, how terribly funny it would have been! I daresay she would have driven all the way to Longbourn in the middle of the night, just to have her say—oh, I think my side shall split from laughing!”
Elizabeth sighed, her shoulders drooping. “Surely even Lady Catherine would not do such a thing. Come, dear, let us look in on Georgiana. I believe this day shall see even more trials before it is over!”