A ladys reputation, p.3
A Lady's Reputation, page 3
She rang for the housekeeper and returned to sit with her cousin, shame marking every line of her being. Fitzwilliam regarded her with dismay, wondering at how quickly her elation had plunged into despair and feeling like the veriest wretch for having upset her so.
Mrs Hobbs entered within minutes, responding to Georgiana’s summons. “Yes, Miss Darcy?”
“Forgive me, Mrs Hobbs. My cousin has told me I must not interfere with my brother’s plans for his new bride. The orders I gave to clean the bedchamber and so forth—I fear it was not my place.”
Mrs Hobbs looked blankly between Georgiana and Fitzwilliam. “I do not understand. You wish the rooms to remain closed? We would not delay on your orders and have begun already to clean.”
Fitzwilliam rubbed his temples. Darcy would not be pleased by all that had transpired without his leave, but surely he would want Georgiana to be elated rather than downtrodden and humiliated? “Cleaning never hurts, does it?” he said before he could think better of it.
The smile that returned to Georgiana’s face showed him that his instinct had been correct. “No! No, cleaning could not hurt at all! Pray, carry on, Mrs Hobbs.” The housekeeper departed, a relieved smile on her face.
Fitzwilliam turned to his young cousin. “Your brother would not like to know, I think, that all of his household has been told news that was rightly his to tell. When he returns, allow him to make his announcement as though you had no suspicion of it. Will you promise me that?”
“Of course,” she agreed happily.
“Just feign ignorance,” Fitzwilliam advised. “He will never suspect otherwise.”
Monday, 13 April 1812, Hertfordshire
Darcy’s horse had slowed to a trot by the time he entered the drive to Longbourn, but he did nothing to urge the animal to a faster pace. Anxiety, held at bay for the ride from London, roared at him in full force. What form of indignity awaited? He had seen Mr Bennet at his finest and did not relish the notion of performing as the object of his satire.
The door opened almost immediately following his knock, and he was shown into the parlour directly. Within sat Mrs Bennet and her three youngest daughters with Lady Lucas, Mrs Philips, and Mrs Long. The ladies greeted him with varying degrees of propriety but an almost uniform measure of excessive and open curiosity. Astonishingly, it was Mrs Bennet who spoke the least, appearing dumbstruck by Darcy’s presence.
Mr Bennet appeared promptly and took him off to his book room. “Mr Darcy, I trust your journey was easy?”
“Very much so.” Hearing a certain stiffness in his tone, Darcy tried to sound friendlier. “I do hope you and your family have been well.”
“We are all in excellent health,” Mr Bennet said as the two men took their seats. “Sir, as I am almost painfully curious as to the purpose of this call, let us both agree the weather has been fine, the health of our families and acquaintances is good, and our recent travels have been easy and move on to the subject of interest.”
Darcy swallowed heavily, the moment of truth before him. “Of course.” He took a deep breath. “I am recently returned from Kent where I have had the pleasure of Miss Elizabeth’s company on several occasions.”
Mr Bennet nodded.
“While I was here in the autumn, I developed a regard for Miss Elizabeth, and on meeting her again in Kent, my regard was no less. Indeed, as the weeks passed and we furthered our acquaintance, it grew substantially. I came to understand that I…I love your daughter, and I wish to make her my wife.”
With a barely perceptible raise of one brow, Mr Bennet asked, “You proposed to Lizzy in Kent?”
“Not yet. I daresay, she expects my addresses.”
“She does? Why?”
“My attentions, while appropriate, could not have been misunderstood. We walked together nearly daily, I called as often as was proper, and we sat together at my aunt’s house.”
“Ah…” Mr Bennet looked pensive. Clearing his throat, he leaned forward. “Mr Darcy, you will forgive my confusion. Lizzy, alas, has failed to mention any of this in her letters home. Your letter was the first I had heard of any attachment between you.”
“I see.”
“I do not fool myself into thinking my grown daughter would regard me as her confidante, particularly in affairs of the heart.” Mr Bennet gave an indulgent chuckle.
Darcy forced a slight smile.
“However, all of that aside, I would be remiss if I did not make clear my reservations regarding this match.” Mr Bennet smiled kindly when he saw the look on Darcy’s face. “No, no, I do not intend to withhold my consent. I only wish to discuss my concerns for this marriage as a father who loves his daughter.”
Darcy nodded and cleared his throat. “Such as?”
“Your acquaintance began on unusual footing. I refer to the remark you made at the assembly—not handsome enough to tempt you, something of that nature?”
Darcy felt himself flush red. “I assure you it has been many months that I have considered her the handsomest woman of my acquaintance.”
Mr Bennet waved his hand. “Who would wish to marry someone he found disagreeable? But has Lizzy forgiven the slight? A woman’s memory is long in such situations, Mr Darcy.”
“I shall address this with her immediately.”
“Excellent. However, my largest concern remains, and I am afraid it will not be remedied so readily.”
Darcy shifted in his seat. “Which is?”
Mr Bennet’s face lost its previous geniality. “I am enough of a man of the world to understand that, although I am a gentleman, Lizzy has never been near to the form of society such as she would inhabit as your wife. Her reception among that sphere concerns me.”
“My uncle, the Earl of Matlock, has assured me of his and my aunt’s support and assistance. Some may not welcome her, but I do believe there are enough sensible people in London to appreciate her wit and her charm. She will have no cause to repine.”
Mr Bennet nodded. “Good. To be perfectly frank, Lizzy could never find happiness in wealth or in status. She must have true affection and regard for her felicity.”
Darcy felt a brief smile alight upon his usually sombre mien. “She will have true affection and regard in abundance, sir. I shall see to that myself.”
The two men spoke for a while longer regarding the more practical aspects of marriage, such as the settlement articles. “When do you wish to marry, Mr Darcy?”
Darcy now permitted himself a full smile. “As soon as is possible, sir.”
Mr Bennet chuckled. “I have rarely seen a man, once his mind is set towards matrimony, who wishes to delay. Only in the least auspicious circumstances, I suppose, would a young fellow like his nuptials deferred.”
He rose, beckoning Darcy to follow him. “As you might have noticed from your reception in the drawing room, Mrs Bennet has already surmised the purpose of your call today, and I imagine she will have much to say on the subjects of lace and wedding finery. Let us go to her now, but I warn you”—he paused to look at Darcy, his eyes twinkling—“this might become loud.”
Wednesday, 15 April 1812, Kent
“Hunsford is such a beautiful place,” said Elizabeth as she sat with her friend in her sunny parlour. “I am sorry to be leaving on Saturday.”
“No more than I am sorry to see you leave.” Charlotte smiled kindly, sipping her tea. “I cannot express how much I have enjoyed these weeks.”
“Let us not jump ahead to the melancholy of separation. I have always despised the natural tendency to lament the end of a thing, which takes away a part of the very thing we cherish! Let us think nothing of our parting at least until the morning it happens.”
“An excellent thought, though I do think the maids who pack your gowns must do differently,” Charlotte replied practically. “I must say, I was surprised that Mr Darcy and his cousin departed with such haste.”
“I suppose there was nothing that made them wish to linger.”
“And that was the very source of my surprise, for it seemed to me that Mr Darcy liked to linger about you a great deal. Yes, his eyes lingered on you quite often.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “This again! I assure you, he looks at me only to find fault.”
“And I suppose you must think he came upon you by pure coincidence these many days as you were on your walks? The groves and parks of Rosings are vast, my dear. Two people could wander within them all day, every day and never even catch sight of one another.”
“All the perverseness of mischance, then.” Elizabeth pursed her lips and shook her head teasingly at her friend. “In any case, he is gone, and I shall return to Longbourn. I doubt I shall ever cross his path again.”
The ladies spoke of different plans and schemes for the day. Mr Collins had risen early and gone off to Rosings, obeying an urgent summons from Lady Catherine. Charlotte knew nothing of the matter but was unconcerned. There were many urgent summonses that arose in the course of a week, and she suspected her ladyship simply enjoyed having her parson rush to attend her.
In the midst of their planning, Charlotte paused, her attention suddenly directed at the scene outside her window. “Is that her ladyship now? Look there, coming up the walk with Mr Collins.”
It was unmistakably Lady Catherine, Mr Collins fluttering anxiously beside her. “She looks seriously displeased,” Elizabeth observed.
“It is likely because she must enter so humble a dwelling as this,” Charlotte remarked wryly, surveying her small but neatly appointed parlour. The two ladies rose from their seats as they heard the door open. Mr Collins sounded flustered and upset, and Lady Catherine spoke angrily, but they could not comprehend the words.
Elizabeth turned to her friend, “Perhaps I should leave? Whatever distresses her is best left between those concerned.”
“You are likely right,” Charlotte agreed.
Elizabeth had not yet reached the door when it was forcefully thrust open. Lady Catherine was framed therein, large and magnificently purple with rage. She thrust one bejewelled hand at Elizabeth, nearly touching her nose as she hissed, “Jezebel!”
Mr Collins hovered behind her like a worried little grouse, muttering things about graciousness and condescension and the unworthiness of the Bennets.
As soon as she recovered from her shock, Elizabeth schooled herself to be pleasant, knowing that to express what she truly wished to say could only lead to ill will towards Charlotte. “I beg your pardon?”
“A report of a most alarming nature reached me this morning. A letter from my brother, the Earl of Matlock, proclaimed that you are soon to be united in matrimony to my own nephew. I summoned Mr Collins at once, imagining such a scandalous report must be immediately contradicted! But no! He too has heard this report, and by a different means than I. I insist on knowing the truth. Are you engaged to my nephew?”
Elizabeth felt a little flutter in her stomach. Colonel Fitzwilliam told his father he was engaged to her? It did not seemed likely, but perhaps his intentions had moved her way? “I am not engaged to your nephew.”
The hand with that dreadful pointing finger gradually lowered. “I knew you had far too much sense to reach so far beyond your own station.”
Perversely, this rankled. After all, she did not consider Colonel Fitzwilliam so far beyond her reach and, evidently, neither did he or his exalted father. “Your nephew has not yet paid me his addresses. But he is a fine man, and I hold him in the highest esteem. Such sentiments from him must certainly be gratified.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed. “I pray you do not speak your true mind, Miss Bennet. Such a match would never be tolerated within either the family or society. You would not be recognised by any who knew him, and you would cause him to be censured and despised.”
“I do not agree,” Elizabeth retorted. “I am a gentleman’s daughter, am I not?”
“Who are you to aspire to such a match? Who is your mother? Do not think me ignorant of your family situation.”
“If it is nothing to him, it can be nothing to you.”
Throughout this discourse, Mr Collins kept a running monologue, assuring Lady Catherine that she was entirely correct and Elizabeth was entirely wrong. Lady Catherine looked at him and barked, “Mr Collins! Silence, I beseech you.”
The room was at once eerily quiet.
She turned her gaze back to Elizabeth. “Perhaps you are unaware, Miss Bennet, of his prior attachment. He is already engaged to my daughter, a union planned by his mother and I while they were in their cradles. Now, what say you to that?”
This statement served the purpose of bringing Elizabeth up short. “Engaged to Miss de Bourgh? But I had heard of an existing attachment between Mr Darcy and your daughter.”
Lady Catherine looked as though Elizabeth had lost her wits. “Yes! This match to which you have the presumption to aspire will never occur. I shall not permit the pretensions of an upstart such as yourself to destroy the fondest wishes of myself and my sister for her son.”
It was then that Elizabeth finally understood, and the understanding nearly caused her to laugh aloud. Lady Catherine had somehow arrived at the notion she was engaged to Mr Darcy!
Lady Catherine was not happy to see an amused light appear in Elizabeth’s eyes and pushed for her assurances. “Miss Bennet, I shall not depart this place until you have given me your word that such an engagement does not and will not ever exist.”
Gladly! I shall never marry that odious man! Elizabeth was tempted to respond as such; however, she was still offended by Lady Catherine’s insulting speech, and it raised within her a spirit of mischief. She would never dream of marrying Mr Darcy, but that did not mean she had to admit as much to Lady Catherine.
“If Mr Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is he not permitted to make another choice? And if I am that choice, why may I not accept him?''
Lady Catherine sputtered in indignation. “Because honour, decorum, and prudence forbid it.”
Dangerously close to a wicked giggle, Elizabeth said, “I am sorry you feel this way. However, I shall act according to my own heart and my own conscience, not by any other dictate.”
“Obstinate, headstrong girl! I had hoped to find a more reasonable young lady.” With that, Lady Catherine turned on her heel, departing the parsonage with Mr Collins fluttering behind her anxiously.
Elizabeth felt triumphant for just a moment until she turned and saw Charlotte’s worried frown. “Charlotte? Oh no, I have created difficulty for you.”
“’Tis of no consequence, I am sure.” From Charlotte's pinched smile and worried brow, it was easy to see that she did not believe her own words.
“I shall apologise to her immediately.” Elizabeth was embarrassed, understanding that her pride had gotten in the way of her friend’s happiness.
“No, no,” Charlotte said immediately. “It would likely upset her more. Let us avoid her until Saturday, and all will be well, I am certain of it. But why does she believe you are to be married to Mr Darcy? And to have heard it from her own brother?”
“I cannot imagine.” Elizabeth had been so absorbed in the insults being served that she had not considered the implication of Lady Catherine’s charges. “She said Mr Collins had heard of it through an independent report as well. What did he hear?”
Charlotte shrugged. “I have not the least idea.”
By uneasy dismissal, the ladies agreed to wait until Mr Collins returned to ask him of the specific nature of the reports Lady Catherine had mentioned. However, when Mr Collins returned, his countenance clearly showed the distresses of his past hours. He would brook no opposition and no further discussion to the decisions and plans he had made. Cousin Eliza must leave post-haste, not on Saturday but this very day. Travel by post had been arranged, and she would be in London that evening. An express had already been sent to the Gardiner residence
In shock and dismay, Elizabeth assisted Charlotte’s maid in packing her things. Mortification that she had caused such trouble for the Collinses rendered her silent and humble, though she still could not abide Lady Catherine’s rudeness or such blatant abuse of one’s inferiors. Nevertheless, she would depart quietly and leave it to Mr and Mrs Collins to make amends with their benefactor.
Wednesday, 15 April 1812, London
The Gardiners received the express from Mr Collins at approximately the same time as they received the subject of it. All were gathered in the drawing room when Elizabeth appeared, and if they were surprised by her arrival, they were kind enough to put it aside to see to her comfort.
Elizabeth was embarrassed that her impulse to provoke Lady Catherine resulted in an immediate expulsion from Hunsford. In some sense, she felt she had been sent home in disgrace, though she believed it unlikely anyone else would see it so. Upon entering the Gardiner home, she was eager to explain the absurdity of what had happened that morning, hoping the Gardiners and her dear sister would understand the vices and follies of all involved—and over the most patently untrue and ridiculous rumour ever told.
Hugs and exclamations of greeting went all around while Elizabeth apologised for her precipitous appearance. “Has Mr Collins afforded you an explanation of the matter?”
Mr Gardiner said, “He did, and I must say—”
“Engaged to Mr Darcy! What a notion! Nevertheless, I should not have provoked Lady Catherine as I did. I would have done much better to tell her I was not engaged to Mr Darcy!” Elizabeth smiled her thanks at a servant who handed her a glass of wine. “This is all my fault.”
There was clear discomfort on Mr Gardiner’s face as he hesitantly enquired, “So, you are…not…engaged to Mr Darcy?”
“Of course not!” Elizabeth laughed. “Had I been accused of flying, it could hardly be less likely.”
Her aunt and uncle regarded her with a mixture of both puzzlement and uneasiness on their faces. Jane, at their side, twisted her hands anxiously.
