Page 20 of What Comes Between Cousins

W HILE THE RESIDENTS of Longbourn might have preferred a more sedate remainder of their day, it was not to be. Elizabeth had suspected how it would be, given the characters of the people who were involved. It had all depended on how far Mr. Collins was forced to go before he was in a position to send word to his patroness, and how far away the woman herself lurked. That she arrived only three hours later informed them all that she had still been in the neighborhood as her father had suggested.

The lady descended on Longbourn with all the fury of a gale, pushing her way into the house, screeching at the top of her lungs, demanding satisfaction. Elizabeth neither knew nor cared where her lackey was. Knowing, as had his daughter, that the lady’s appearance was likely, Mr. Bennet was on hand to confront her.

“I demand to speak with Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” These were the first words out of Lady Catherine’s mouth, as she eschewed even the dignity of a greeting. “Where is she? I will speak with her at once!”

“Lady Catherine,” replied Mr. Bennet, rising and standing between the woman and his family, “I will ask you not to rush into my home making demands of us all. You are a guest here, and an unwelcome one at that. It would be best if you would simply depart before I have you forcibly removed.”

“I shall not go away until I have obtained the assurances I require! How dare you think to contradict me? Do you not know who I am?”

“You are a loud and obnoxious woman who has invaded my house and disturbed the tranquility therein.”

Lady Catherine regarded Mr. Bennet with fury, clearly unaccustomed to be spoken to in such a manner. For Elizabeth, it was all she could do not to laugh—she could never remember such a thing as tranquility existing at Longbourn. Her younger sisters and their antics made such a state unlikely in the extreme!

But Elizabeth was not about to allow her father to take the onus of confronting the lady on himself, not when she was the principal reason for the woman’s visit. As such, Elizabeth rose from the sofa on which she sat and approached the lady, her head held high.

“You!” cried Lady Catherine when she caught sight of Elizabeth. “Since your father is so unreasonable, I must appeal to your better sense. I require you to keep your distance from my nephews and cease this objectionable attempt to induce them to forget their duty. You will oblige me!”

“I have no notion of what you speak, Lady Catherine,” replied Elizabeth. “I have never attempted anything with either of your nephews. They are good and amiable men who have been welcome in the neighborhood because of their characters.”

“Of course, they are!” snapped Lady Catherine. “Their lineage will demand nothing less. But I am not unaware of stratagems employed by ladies of your station. You will desist at once!”

“Again, you are misinformed. I have done nothing improper, nor will I descend to such behavior.”

Into this whirlwind of heightened emotions and harsh words entered Mr. Collins, once again proving his propensity for arriving at the worst possible moment.

“Cousin, you must listen to Lady Catherine! Have you no care for decency or the credit of your family?”

“Collins, I told you not to return,” growled Mr. Bennet. “Shall I have Clive and Gordon run you off the estate?”

“I am here with Lady Catherine at her request,” replied Mr. Collins. Had his nose been any higher in the air, a bird may very well have perched upon it.

“He is my parson, and I trust his judgment,” said Lady Catherine with a sniff. “I will bring whomever I like wherever I go.”

“Your ladyship,” said Mr. Bennet, “I would not care if you were the Duke of Devonshire himself. You are on my land at present, and you are subject to my will. You will leave—both of you!”

“Not until I receive that assurance I require. You will give it to me now!”

“I would not give you a glass of water if you were dying of thirst!” exclaimed Elizabeth.

“How dare you speak to Lady Catherine in such a way!” cried Mr. Collins.

He stepped forward, his hands extended as if to grasp at Elizabeth, but she was ready for him and moved nimbly to one side, evading the enraged man. She was not forced to dodge him a second time, for the footmen and one of the stable hands seized Mr. Collins by the shoulders and held him tight, dragging him from the room. Mr. Bennet followed them to the door.

“If you so much as set foot on Longbourn’s land while I am still the master, I will turn you over to the magistrate,” said Mr. Bennet. Mr. Collins was screaming obscenities as he was dragged from the room, but the men holding him were inexorable, and for all Mr. Collins’s bulk, he was a weak man, struggling ineffectually against their strength. Soon, he was gone.

Lady Catherine, however, was not idle. She used the distraction of Mr. Collins’s actions to step up to Elizabeth, looming over her in a most intimidating way. She was a tall woman, was Elizabeth’s idle thought. She shook her cane in a threatening manner at Elizabeth, punctuating each word with a thrust of its wooden length.

“I will have your solemn promise, Miss Elizabeth. You will oblige me, for I am not in the habit of being contradicted. If my nephews approach you to speak, you will turn away from them. You will have no more contact with either.”

“I will do no such unreasonable thing,” said Elizabeth, glaring back at the lady. “It is foolish for you to think the cessation of such imagined attentions from Mr. Darcy to me would make it more likely that he would marry your daughter. Has he not already had ample time to come to such a determination?”

“He knows his duty,” cried Lady Catherine. “It is only you who is preventing him. You will promise me now!”

“I have done nothing wrong and will make no such promise!”

The lady’s eyes widened at Elizabeth’s refusal. Then they hardened in fury. But before she could take any further action, Mr. Bennet was once again there. He stepped in front of Elizabeth and looked down on Lady Catherine—he was several inches taller, Elizabeth noted—and his countenance, unlike the genial and sometimes sardonic father Elizabeth had always known, was anything but friendly.

“Lady Catherine, you will leave my home this instant, without any further harassment of my daughter. I give the same edict to you that I gave to Mr. Collins—if you so much as set foot on my estate again, I shall call the magistrate.”

The look the lady bestowed on him was anything but cowed. “Do you not know who I am Mr. Bennet? Do you not know the weight of the social and legal pressure which may be brought to bear against you?”

“You are naught but a trespasser who refuses to leave,” said Mr. Bennet. “I fear nothing you can do. No court in the land would do other than laugh at your claims should you make them, and since my family has the friendship of both Lord Chesterfield and Mr. Darcy, I doubt your brother would support you, even should you make an appeal to him. Your situation is untenable and your demands unreasonable. You will leave now, or I will have my men remove you.”

They stood toe to toe, neither giving an inch. Whatever Lady Catherine saw in Mr. Bennet’s face, it was clear she did not like it, for she grimaced and turned her glare on Elizabeth, shaking her cane.

“Do not imagine your ambitions will ever come to fruition. When I am finished with you, you will wish you had never met my nephews.”

And with that, Lady Catherine spun on her heel and stalked from the room, Mr. Bennet following to ensure she left. A moment later, the ladies remaining in the sitting-room could hear the sound of her carriage wheels rolling over the gravel of Longbourn’s drive, which soon faded away into the distance.

Unable to fathom what had just happened, Elizabeth sank down onto a nearby sofa. Her action was noted, as soon she was surrounded by a pair of most beloved sisters, who brought Elizabeth from her shock.

“Elizabeth, are you well?”

The question came from her mother, who stood in front of her, watching with concern. Elizabeth attempted a smile. “I believe I shall be, Mother.”

Mrs. Bennet nodded and patted Elizabeth’s knee. “I shall send for some tea. I dare say you could benefit from it.”

While Mrs. Bennet left the room to speak to the housekeeper, Jane and Mary leaned in close, providing comfort to Elizabeth. She was no closer to a resolution to her dilemma, and the weight of all that had happened that morning pressed down on her, threatening to crush her until she was no more.

“I hope, my dearest sister, you are not listening to anything that odious woman said.”

Surprised, Elizabeth turned to Mary, who had spoken, and raised an eyebrow. Mary only smiled and shook her head before turning a pointed and expectant look back on Elizabeth.

“I seem to remember a younger sister who was not quite this forceful.” Elizabeth attempted a chuckle but suspected it did not fool anyone.

“Then you have yourself to blame for changing me,” said Mary. “Now, shall you not answer me?”

With a shake of her head, Elizabeth said: “I do not give credence to anything Lady Catherine says. She is obviously a bitter termagant who has rarely been forced to yield in her entire life.

“But I cannot help but wonder . . .”

“What is it, Lizzy?” asked Jane when she did not speak again. Elizabeth shook her head, attempting to clear her thoughts.

“I simply wonder if it is all worth it.”

“ What ?”

“The attention of a man of high society. Surely this is but a taste of what I will face should I marry a high-ranking gentleman.”

Her sisters’ eyes widened together. “Has something happened of which we are not aware?” demanded Mary.

Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow hot. “Last night Mr. Darcy all but declared his intentions.”

“He is to speak to Papa?”

“No. He did not ask for a courtship. But he was very clear in stating his admiration and his wish to know me better.”

Both sisters regarded Elizabeth in silence for a moment, though to Elizabeth that moment was long and tense. When she could not bear it any longer she demanded: “Will you both not tell me what you are thinking?”

The answer came from an unexpected source. “They are likely thinking what I am thinking, Lizzy.”

Startled, Elizabeth looked up to see her father standing close, regarding them all. He grinned at her surprise, but it soon gave way to the seriousness of the subject. “For myself, I am wondering what has happened to my indomitable daughter.”

“She still exists, Papa. But more is required than courage in the face of trials. Would I be subjected to similar behavior from those of Mr. Darcy’s set at every turn?”

“You overestimate the ability of society to do you harm, Lizzy. Yes, there will always be those who are objectionable, but I hardly think they will all share Lady Catherine’s scorn. Furthermore, you are correct that more than courage is required. A good beginning would be the love and support of a good man. If you believe Mr. Darcy would stand by and allow others to slander his wife, I must wonder if you even know the man.”

“Papa is correct, Lizzy,” said Mary. “He is not the kind of man to allow any foolishness.”

“But a wife must stand on her own.”

“I am certain you are capable of it,” said Jane.

“Your sisters are correct, Lizzy.” Mr. Bennet smiled, leaned over, and kissed her on the head. “Allow a little time to pass and the shock to settle. I am certain you will rediscover your courage.”

The ordered tea service arrived shortly after, and Elizabeth began to feel like herself again, with the help of beloved sisters. Lady Catherine was, Elizabeth decided, an aberration, and while there would be others in society like her, she could hardly be representative of them all. Furthermore, few others would have a connection to the Darcy family such that they would protest so vehemently.

All this was mere supposition, though, for regardless of his words the previous night, Mr. Darcy had not asked for a courtship. The desire to know a young woman better did not necessarily precede a declaration of undying love. It was this, as much as anything else, which settled Elizabeth’s nerves and calmed her fears. She would allow events to unfold as they would. There was no need to be afraid.

By the time the next objectionable visitor arrived, Elizabeth was quite recovered. It was nearing the end of visiting hours when a coach made its way up the driveway. Kitty, who was situated nearest the window, pushed the curtains aside and looked out at the conveyance, reporting that it was a large chaise and four. But when the visitor stepped from it, her identity was surprising to them all.

“It is Miss Bingley,” said Kitty. “I did not know the Bingley carriage was so large and grand.”

“Mr. Bingley is gone to London today,” replied Jane. “She must have used Mr. Darcy’s or Lord Chesterfield’s carriage instead.”

Mrs. Bennet gazed long at Jane, clearly not having heard of Mr. Bingley’s departure from the neighborhood. But though Elizabeth wondered if a hint of her old hysteria was creeping into her mother’s manner again, Caroline was soon led into the room. Mrs. Bennet had the sense to hold her tongue, for which Elizabeth was grateful.

“Miss Bingley,” said Mrs. Bennet, greeting their guest. “How good of you to call. I trust everyone at Netherfield is well?”

“All very well, Mrs. Bennet,” replied Caroline, her supercilious disinterest evident for all to see. “But they are not all at Netherfield. My brother, you see, has left for London this morning, because of some business which could not be put off.”

Mrs. Bennet glanced at Jane. “Yes, we had heard something of that. Please accept my wishes for your brother’s safe journey and return.”

While Caroline’s fixed smile tightened at Mrs. Bennet’s observance, she did not reply. For the second time, a tea service was ordered and the ladies sat down to visit. It was clear within moments that Caroline had come to speak with Jane, though her purpose was not evident at once. Their amiable conversation passed the first few moments of Caroline’s presence until the tea service arrived. Mrs. Bennet served them all and then sat back and allowed Jane to converse with her friend, Mary and Elizabeth nearby to offer support if required.

“Do you expect your brother back soon?” said Jane after a few moments, asking after the woman’s brother as politeness dictated.

“His business, he informed us, is to take four or five days,” replied Caroline. The woman paused, and then spoke again, her countenance suggesting the imparting of some great secret. “Of course, you must understand that Charles is quite impulsive. He is, you see, apt to change his mind on a whim and without any previous notice. He stated his intention to return, but I expect he will be in no hurry to leave London when he is there.”

Jane’s face fell at the woman’s words, and Elizabeth was certain the woman noticed it, for there was a faint hint of satisfaction about her manner.

“In fact,” continued she in a blithe manner, “I would not be surprised should a summons arrive for us to join him there. Accordingly, I have already ordered some of our belongings packed and some of the secondary rooms closed in the expectation of it. There are many benefits to our removal to London for Christmas, not the least of which . . .” Caroline paused, appearing as if she had reconsidered her words, before she said: “Well, as nothing is settled, perhaps I should not speak of it.”

Jane opened her mouth, most likely to absolve Caroline of any obligation to speak further. Elizabeth, however, would not allow this woman to lie—for she was certain there was naught of truth coming from her lips.

“You may be assured of our secrecy, Caroline.”

“I have no doubt of it,” replied Caroline. Her self-satisfied smile suggested she thought she had obtained what she wished. “It is only that Charles has always possessed a tender regard for Mr. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana.

“Have I told you of Georgiana?” asked Caroline, feigning ignorance of the way Jane’s smile had turned brittle. “She is a wonderful girl. She is intelligent, handsome, and so accomplished. Why, I declare Charles could sit and listen to her play the pianoforte all day and not tire of it!

“And Mr. Darcy is eager, of course, to return to London and see his sister. And the dear viscount as well, for he is Georgiana’s other guardian, you understand. Yes, I expect that by the end of the week we shall all be gone to London. When we will return to Hertfordshire, I cannot say, but I do not think it would be soon.”

“That is quite interesting to hear you say that, Caroline,” said Elizabeth. “I fear there must be some misunderstanding, however, for Mr. Darcy was very clear in informing me last night that he has no intention of leaving Netherfield at present.”

Caroline turned a glare on Elizabeth, but to Elizabeth’s surprise, Jane frowned and spoke next. “And Mr. Bingley was careful to inform me that he would return within five days. I do not think he would have spoken in such a way if he meant to do otherwise.”

“I am certain he did,” said Caroline, but not before sniffing at Elizabeth and then ignoring her. “But I know my brother. I am certain how it will be. And if he does decide to stay in London, I can only applaud him, for I cannot think he could do better than Georgiana Darcy for a wife. She is everything lovely and amiable and, equally important, a member of our strata of society.”

Elizabeth could not hold in her snort of disgust for this woman, which prompted a malevolent glare in response. Having faced Lady Catherine, Elizabeth would not allow the likes of this woman intimidate her.

“You have my apologies, Miss Bingley, but I did not know the Darcy family had any near ancestors involved with trade. I shall have to ask Mr. Darcy about it, for I would be interested to hear of what manner of business they owned.”

“What nonsense do you speak?” demanded Miss Bingley—for Miss Bingley she was. All pretense at intimacy was being dissolved with their tense confrontation. “The Darcy family have owned Pemberley for centuries. There is no hint of trade to stain their background.”

“No, but your brother is descended from tradesmen.”

Miss Bingley’s head whipped around to look at Mr. Bennet who had spoken. Elizabeth’s father was watching her, a faint hint of disgust hovering in his eyes and about his mouth.

“I am sorry, Miss Bingley, but I must dispense with pleasantries, for it has been a trying day. Though you may look down on my family for our modest circumstances, you should know that my ancestors have been gentlemen for as long as Mr. Darcy’s have. Furthermore, for you to claim a level of society equal to that family’s is absurd, given your family’s background.

“I have no quarrel with your brother, for he is a good man. But do not attempt to lord over my daughters, who are daughters of a gentleman. That is one thing you will never be.”

Miss Bingley’s expression was all offense.

“Now, please return your conversation to acceptable comments for a morning visit. If you feel you have been insulted, you may, of course, depart.”

It was a surprise to no one when Miss Bingley chose the latter, though not without sweeping them all with a contemptuous glare. She rose without a word and nary a curtsey, and made her way from the room, leaving them all watching her with feelings no friendlier than her own.

“Good riddance,” said Elizabeth. “Her false friendship is exposed and dispensed with, and I, for one, cannot be happier.” Elizabeth turned to Jane. “I do not pity you, Jane, for the prospect of having such a sister as she.”

Jane, incapable as ever of speaking a negative word about anyone, chose to focus on another subject. “But what if she is correct? What if Mr. Bingley does not return?”

“I will eat my bonnet if he does not,” muttered Mary.

It struck Elizabeth as diverting, and she laughed, soon joined by her younger sister. Jane, however, just watched them, a hint of crossness appearing in the firm set of her mouth.

“I agree with Mary, Jane,” said Elizabeth, fondly laying a hand on her sister’s arm. “Miss Bingley’s purpose was obvious. I cannot state with any certainty Mr. Bingley’s feelings for Miss Darcy, but I doubt Mr. Darcy would allow any attachment at present. I understand she is naught but fifteen! He is not a man who would allow his sister to be the focus of any man when she is so young.”

It was clear Jane was still uncertain, so Elizabeth and Mary spent the rest of the afternoon cheering her. Whatever the case may be, Elizabeth was determined to ask Mr. Darcy about his sister when she next saw the man. Though Elizabeth was convinced Mr. Bingley would, indeed, return when five days had passed, any peace she could give her sister would be welcome.

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A S WAS TYPICAL, THE sound of Lady Catherine’s voice preceded her into the house, and Fitzwilliam, ensconced as he was with Hurst in the billiards room could hear her long before he could see her. It was apparent Darcy was also made aware of her presence the moment she arrived, for he was on hand to confront her.

What followed was as tiresome as ever, for the discussion had played out between them more times than Fitzwilliam cared to remember. Most of those previously held, of course, had not been with such . . . animation.

“I have never been subjected to such treatment in my life!” The lady’s words were spoken in the approximation of a scream. Fitzwilliam winced. He did not know how Sir Lewis had withstood this woman for a wife while he had lived.

“Those Bennets are artful, spiteful people, and they intend to ruin our family’s reputation forever! I absolutely insist you break off all contact with them and come directly to London with me. We shall quit this place at once!”

“You went to Longbourn?” asked Darcy.

Fitzwilliam did not miss the dangerous quality in Darcy’s voice, but Lady Catherine, as obtuse as ever, continued as if she had not heard. “Of course, I did! That little baggage refused Collins’s proposal, insisting that she must have you ! I went to demand her obedience, though she—and her odious father—were as disobliging as ever.”

“Lady Catherine, I have often thought you senseless, but I never expected you to be so lost to good behavior as this. Mr. Bennet is not about to bow to your demands, and I would think much less of Miss Elizabeth if she agreed to marry your loathsome caricature of a parson. Are you completely mad?”

“How dare you speak to me in such a way? I am your nearest relation. Of course, I will do this to protect your reputation.”

“Madam, I have no need of your protection, and I am quite certain your brother would take exception at your characterization of being my nearest relation, to say nothing of my own sister! If you had any sense at all you would leave and never return.”

“I shall not!” Lady Catherine was beyond reason. “We will leave at once and I shall publish the notice of your engagement to Anne. I insist upon being satisfied.”

“And I have no intention of satisfying you. I will not marry Anne, and if you send notice to any reputable paper, they will not print it, for I have already notified them that to do so will bring the threat of a suit against them.”

Lady Catherine stared at him, appearing dumb and unable to respond. Darcy took that moment to grasp her arm and march her from the room. The woman regained her wits, demanded he release her, and struggled against his grip, but Darcy was inexorable.

“You will leave this instant, Lady Catherine.” He stepped through the door, pulling the recalcitrant woman with him, his words floating back through it as they retreated through the halls. “Do not return, and do not try my patience any further. I will break all connection with you if you persist.”

“Your aunt is beyond belief,” observed Hurst.

Fitzwilliam nodded, but he did not respond. He was engaged in thinking of the matter of Lady Catherine and Darcy, and though he was not certain, a thought had occurred to him. For if Darcy did marry Anne, it would leave the field wide open for Fitzwilliam to swoop in and catch the fair Miss Elizabeth Bennet himself.