His Uncle's Favorite (48 page)

“It sounds a perfect arrangement, Mr. Darcy.” She smiled with delight.

“It will be perfect—almost two months of engagement at Pemberley. It will give you time to became accustomed to the estate and to make any changes you like.”

“I am certain I will love being engaged to you at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy,” she said teasingly, her smiling eyes moist with emotion.

His gaze became darker, and his voice lowered as he leaned to whisper to her.

“I am certain you will, Miss Bennet.”

A determined knock at the door interrupted their interlude. They separated hastily, and Elizabeth was certain her cheeks were burning when she greeted Mrs. Gardiner.

Their hostess glanced briefly at the couple; he was still holding Elizabeth’s hand. It was obvious something special had happened between them, and Mrs. Gardiner smiled to herself but said nothing.

She invited Mr. Darcy to join them for dinner, but he declined as he had some business to finish that evening. It was settled that Mr. Darcy with Mr. Bingley would return the next day around noon to fetch Elizabeth and Jane. A few minutes later, Mr. Darcy left, followed through the window by Elizabeth’s gaze; the happiness shining from her face was more dazzling than ever.

***

As busy as he was with preparations for his trip to Hertfordshire, Darcy thought little about the previous day’s events. Anne was well settled at Selina’s house, and there was no reason to worry about her, so Darcy turned his mind to more pleasant subjects—like the time he would spend with Elizabeth. Therefore, when the door opened and Lord Matlock and the colonel entered, red-faced and furious, Darcy needed some moments to understand his uncle’s anger.

“That woman is completely out of her mind. Where on earth can she be? I thought she came to see you! She left the house early this morning; heaven knows where she went. Upon my word, if she does something stupid, I shall never speak to her again!”

“Lady Catherine left without a word,” the colonel explained.

Darcy looked up in surprise. “Perhaps she returned to Rosings?”

“That would be reasonable behaviour, which is why I suspect you are wrong,” the earl replied. “I was afraid she was here, continuing to argue with you. We also checked with Selina, but she is not there either.”

“Uncle, you should not worry so much. Aunt Catherine has servants with her; she is not in danger, wherever she might have chosen to go. There is little she may do, really.”

“I surely hope so. Well, I think we should return home; I have wasted my morning in a most stressful manner. We shall call at Gracechurch Street to say goodbye to Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet. I trust you will take care of them during the journey, Darcy.”

“I would not worry about that,” said the colonel, laughing. “So, Darcy, you will return in about two weeks if I remember rightly.”

“Yes. I plan to finish all my business in town before summer, and then I shall travel to Pemberley before you to have everything prepared for your arrival.”

“Oh, nonsense,” the earl said. “Everything is always prepared at Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds is taking care of the house perfectly. You worry too much. Well, convey my best wishes to Mr. Bennet; I hope to see him again very soon. If not for this mess with Catherine, I would surely join you in Hertfordshire.”

“I have great hopes that you and Mr. Bennet will have many opportunities to spend time together in the future.” Darcy smiled as he made his farewell to his relatives.

***

Mr. Bennet could not remember another time in his life when he felt equally happy and content nor more grateful for the surprises that had permeated his life in recent weeks.

Though he had suspected it since his visit to Town, the confirmation that his eldest daughters were bound through deepest affection to two remarkable gentlemen filled his heart with joy, and it dissolved all the worries that had burdened him for years.

It was not only the knowledge that his family would have a secure future, no matter what happened to him, but the certainty that his daughters would have lives filled with love.

He felt his eyes burning with tears as he recollected all his discussions with Elizabeth since she was an infant—how proud he felt to have such a spirited, bright, witty daughter and how much he feared that she would never find a man to appreciate her qualities and allow her spirit to live free. He always feared that Elizabeth would choose never to marry, as her openly expressed wishes and expectations from a man were unlikely to be fulfilled. Even she used to joke about being a spinster and spending her life caring for Jane’s children. But his fears slowly dissipated when he met Darcy in London and easily guessed the gentleman’s admiration for his daughter.

Yes, he had never felt equally happy and content before, he thought, as he continued to enjoy the peace and silence of the library.

Mrs. Bennet was visiting her sister Philips in Meryton, together with Lydia and Kitty. Since he received and shared the news of Mr. Bingley’s proposal to Jane, Mrs. Bennet had little else to live for except making arrangements for a wedding whose date was not even settled and sharing her good fortune with everyone she knew. Regarding Mr. Darcy’s proposal, Mr. Bennet maintained perfect secrecy; if Mrs. Bennet discovered
that
truth, her entire attention would descend on Mr. Darcy—and that would be unfair to both gentlemen. Mr. Bennet laughed to himself at the prospect.

A mild source of disquiet at Longbourn was Lydia and Kitty’s behaviour. They were strangers to discipline and restrictions, and for the last two weeks as Mrs. Bennet was occupied with other things, Lydia and Kitty were left completely to themselves. They would come and go as they pleased, walking almost daily to Meryton to meet the officers, purchasing useless articles and then arguing over them for hours. Not a single moment of their time was spent in a beneficial way, and Mr. Bennet was neither oblivious nor indifferent to the consequences that might be suffered by their young minds and weak characters. However, since his wife seemed pleased and content with their younger daughters’ behaviour and saw no reason to restrain them, Mr. Bennet could do little that would not create friction within the family—which he did not wish to do.

With the latest fortunate events, Mr. Bennet hoped that his younger daughters would have opportunities to spend time with Jane and Elizabeth away from their mother’s lenience, and that their behaviour might change as they grew older.

However, until such time, it was distressing to bear the daily grievances about the regiment’s departure from Meryton and Lydia’s constant complaints about not following them to Brighton for the summer. He knew it would be foolish to allow Lydia to leave his sight—especially to a camp full of soldiers—but to have her constantly crying of her misfortune in being kept at home was even more difficult to endure.

His musings were abruptly interrupted by a din of voices that shattered the house; he thought he could recognise Hill but the other voice—so strong that he was uncertain whether it was a woman or a man—he had never heard before.

The library door was thrown open and slammed against the wall; Mr. Bennet had no time to rise from his chair before the guest invaded his room.

“You are Mr. Bennet, I presume!”

A puzzled gaze was his only reply while Mr. Bennet kept to his chair with perfect calm. The guest allowed the silence no longer and demanded with severity, “Well? Are you Mr. Bennet or not? I would appreciate an answer; I have no time to lose.”

“Forgive me; I was under the impression that you already had decided I was Mr. Bennet, so I never suspected you might require an answer regarding my identity,” the gentleman said with amusement after the first puzzling moments. “And speaking of identity, may I inquire to whom I have the pleasure of speaking in
my
library?”

“I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh!”

Mr. Bennet was positively shocked. All amazement, he finally rose from his chair.

“Of course—I should have guessed immediately; forgive my ignorance,” Mr. Bennet responded in all honesty. How was it possible that he did not recognise the formidable lady instantly as the noble patroness so warmly described by Mr. Collins? He attempted to form a proper invitation to the house, but she interrupted him.

“You have very small rooms here,” she said with a brief glance around. “Even smaller than Mr. Collins told me. This could hardly be called a library.”

“Yet, I do call it a library.” He did not dare presume what brought the illustrious lady into the neighbourhood, but obviously, it was not a courtesy visit. Lady Catherine was unhinged about something, and Mr. Bennet quickly anticipated an opportunity to amuse himself while solving the mystery.

“Lady Catherine, though your presence honours me, I confess I cannot imagine to what we owe your ladyship’s extraordinary visit. May we be of some assistance?”

“Yes, you may. I did not come here for the pleasure of the trip; you can be sure. I have rarely had such a disagreeable journey. Is your daughter at home? I need to speak to her.”

Mr. Bennet’s puzzlement increased as well as his amusement.

“You need to speak to my daughter? Is there a specific daughter you have in mind, or will any of them do? My eldest are expected from London later today, but my youngest will be home any minute.”

“Mr. Bennet, you should not assume me tolerant of your mockery! I did not come here to be the brunt of your jokes. I wish to speak to your daughter Elizabeth immediately!”

“With Lizzy? On what subject, if I may ask?”

“On the subject of her preposterous behaviour and questionable character! And you, as her father, should take appropriate measures to remedy this intolerable situation.”

“Lady Catherine, of what situation are you speaking? And I must insist that you explain your harsh words regarding my daughter. I can see you are upset, and I cannot imagine why.” At the offensive words about his favourite daughter, Mr. Bennet immediately became serious. There was no room for amusement.

“You can be at no loss, Mr. Bennet, to understand the reason for my journey hither. No matter how indolent you might be in your family, I was told you are perceptive enough to understand the situation.”

“Though your ladyship’s trust in my perception flatters me, I am afraid your praise is undeserved. I am not at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here.”

“Then I shall explain immediately! A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago, which involves your daughter Elizabeth. Your daughter, to whom I was exceedingly kind and generous in Kent, has repaid my generosity in the most detestable way. She used all manner of arts and allurements to make my nephew forget his duty and his family. She has addled his wits and is ready to expose him to ridicule.”

Suddenly, the relief of revelation washed away all Mr. Bennet’s worry.

“When you speak of your nephew, dare I presume you refer to Mr. Darcy?”

“I do refer to Darcy! So you are not as ignorant as you pretend to be!”

“I am ignorant about your ladyship’s displeasure, but I do know of Mr. Darcy’s admiration for Elizabeth. However, I do not understand in what way she would make him forget his duty and his family.”

“The admiration you are speaking of caused Darcy to break his promise to my daughter, Anne! What would a gentleman say to that?”

“Mr. Darcy is engaged to your daughter? I did not know that.”

“He is… In fact, their engagement is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the wish of his mother as well as hers. While they were in their cradles, we planned the union; and now, at the moment when the wishes of both sisters would be accomplished in their marriage, to be prevented by a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world and wholly unallied to the family!”

“Lady Catherine, I am afraid I am lost again. I understand your ladyship wants Mr. Darcy to marry your daughter, and I suspect he is not willing to do so. You pretend he was engaged to your daughter, but I understand it was not he who promised anything to his cousin but you and his mother planning for them. I have difficulty comprehending what my daughter’s fault is in this unfortunate situation. If Mr. Darcy admires Elizabeth, he surely cannot be bound either by affection or by honour to his cousin.”

“Your daughter’s fault is that she attempted to insinuate herself with him, to gain his attention by all manner of schemes, to trap him into a marriage, no doubt very advantageous for her and for your family but disastrous for him and his good name. But that will never happen—I shall never allow it to happen! And you, if you know the best interests of your family, will help me with this. If you are as sensible as I hope—”

“Lady Catherine, though I find this discussion entertaining, I still do not understand what your ladyship proposes to accomplish by coming here today. What would you expect me to do? Should I forbid Mr. Darcy’s admiring my daughter? Should I force him to marry your daughter? Do you believe he will obey if I ask him to do so?”

“You should demand that your daughter stay away from my nephew forever! You should keep her at home and make her understand that, no matter how hard she may try, a union with my nephew will never be possible.”

“Now…forgive me for being so bold, but I must ask—why would I do such thing? As far as I can see, there are only two choices here: either Mr. Darcy accepts your notion of his marrying your daughter or he does not. In the first instance, things would be settled to your liking. In the second, even if I keep my daughter at home and never allow her to see Mr. Darcy again, it would not make him return to his cousin. And if he indeed admires Elizabeth and has any serious design on her, why would I intentionally ruin my daughter’s chance for happiness? Why would I not welcome the union of such a worthy man with my daughter?”