Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (11 page)

“Oh.”  Michael frowned. “Should we check on them?”  Collectively they retraced their steps and had almost reached the bench when a barouche driving from the village stopped.  “Lady Catherine.” 

“Taken by surprise.”  De Bourgh watched.  “I thought we were safe until this afternoon, what with her attending services in Fenwick now.  Come on, reinforcements may be necessary.”  They watched Darcy and Elizabeth bow to her and the sound, if not the words, of his deep voice.  They arrived in time to hear Lady Catherine’s reply.

“He is risen indeed.”

Darcy turned to Elizabeth and began, “May I introduce . . .”

Lady Catherine interrupted, “So you have come at last.  Your upbringing failed you, neglecting your blood like this for well over a year.  I presume that my letters were lost.”  Darcy said nothing, refusing to let her provoke him, and privately fuming at her rudeness towards his wife.  “I have heard a great deal about the disgraceful occurrences in London, Darcy.”  She sniffed.  “The Darcy name in the papers, on the tongues of society.  Your father would be appalled.  My sister would be ashamed.”

“Fortunately the man responsible lies in his unmarked grave, Aunt, and society has moved on to fresher fodder.”  He said coldly.  “We do not dwell in the past.”

“Is that so?”  She looked over at Elizabeth, standing by his side and gripping his arm.  “How fortunate for you.  I prefer to remain there.” 

So explains your isolation.
  He thought to himself as she glared from her seat.  “We will expect you at dinner, madam.  I hope that you enjoy the remainder of this happy morning.  Perhaps reflection upon its significance will help raise your spirits and better prepare you to greet Mrs. Darcy properly when we meet again.”  Feeling Elizabeth’s hand squeeze his arm, he closed his eyes for a moment.  Without a word to him, Lady Catherine ordered the carriage to move on, and was soon gone.  His hand lifted to his temple to rub.  “Damn.” 

 “Will?”  Elizabeth asked softly.

“I expected no less, love.”  He remained still.  “I have been anticipating this for days; it was only a question of when.”

“Is it bad?”  She took his hand and squeezed.

“No.”  He sighed and finally looked at her.  “Not yet.”

Darcy felt Georgiana nudge him and he turned his head.  “Oh, Fitzwilliam.” 

Elizabeth watched the siblings embrace, “So that was Lady Catherine.”

“In the flesh.”  De Bourgh muttered. 

“She reminds me of someone.”  Kitty said thoughtfully.

“Yes, a hawk after its prey.”  Charlotte whispered. 

“Children, hush!”  Mrs. de Bourgh admonished. 

“That was not too awful.”  Elizabeth said softly and glanced at Darcy who shook his head.  “You certainly set the tone, in a gentlemanly way.”

“Which shows that I remembered my manners, I anticipate more of hers.”  He muttered while he squeezed his eyes shut against the bright sunshine.

“No dear, I think that you may be incorrect.  If that was her best, I would say that her effectiveness will not be lasting.  What else can she throw at you?  I believe that anything else will be weak and laughable in comparison.”  She squeezed his arm and kissed his cheek.  Darcy’s mouth curved slightly with her determined cheering, and he kissed her cheek in return.

“Elizabeth, you have not seen anything like our aunt when she is feeling imperious, that was just a little hint.”  Georgiana whispered. 

“She cannot hear you, Georgiana.”  Kitty laughed.  “We have heard worse, have we not, Lizzy?  She just seemed all puffed up.”

“Hot air.”  Darcy muttered again.  “Frozen heart.”

“She does not intimidate you?”  Charlotte asked.

Kitty, Mary, and Elizabeth all exchanged looks.  “No.” Elizabeth shook her head.  “I have certainly heard worse from Mama, and even from some women I have met in London.  Mary?”

“Oh, yes Mama certainly, and even some of the girls at school were rather cold to me at times.”  She looked at Kitty.

“Well there are enough snooty girls at our school with titles and things who think that I am nobody, and really after growing up with Lydia and Mama, Lady Catherine is no different, just old.”

“You amaze me.”  Darcy smiled and kissed Elizabeth’s cheek.  “All three of you.”

“We may have grown up in different circumstances, but people are people, no matter the cut of their clothes.”  She leaned on him and he nodded thoughtfully.  “And we three are all safely away from the place that formed our experience, so we can look at it with fresher perspectives.”

“I had not thought of it like that.”  Georgiana looked at Darcy.  “I was just always afraid of her.” 

The group began walking again and Mrs. de Bourgh smiled at the Bennet sisters.  “Just remember, she is angry, disappointed, and lonely.  Despite your confidence, you must be prepared for a barrage of ill-will.”

“I am certainly aware of that, I have no doubt that she will attempt to intimidate me once she deigns to allow the introduction, but that does not mean that I or any of us need to humour her.  I will not allow the wrinkles of her advanced age lull me into letting go the fact that she tortured her ill daughter, used her for her own schemes, and tried to force my husband at a time when he was very vulnerable to bend to her will, not for the benefit of her daughter, but to save herself from the fate that she is living now.”  Elizabeth spoke determinedly.  “If she does anything to hurt my husband or family, she will hear from me.”

“I appreciate your willingness to do battle with my aunt, love, but I am very capable of protecting you and our family.”  He saw her blush and kissed her hand.  “I am a gentleman, but I know when to set that aside.”

“I am sorry, Fitzwilliam, I did not mean to question your abilities.”  She sighed.  “I tend to become rather passionate when it applies to my loved ones.”

“A trait I have noticed in you, Miss Mary.”  De Bourgh said softly as he squeezed her hand.  “Something in the Bennet blood, perhaps?”

“Perhaps in the Gardiner blood.”  Elizabeth said thoughtfully.  Charlotte startled and she smiled at her.  “Well you grew up with us, which member of our family is more likely to be passionate about anything?”

“I cannot believe that you just admitted you resembled your mother.”  Charlotte laughed.

“I cannot either!”  Kitty gasped.

“Please let that be the end of it!”  Darcy begged.  Elizabeth sighed and he kissed her hand.  “Forgive me.”

“How is your head?” 

“Aching.”  He said softly as she caressed his temple.

Mrs. de Bourgh saw Elizabeth’s concern for him and offered her opinion.  “There are other ways to fight Lady Catherine besides fury, Mrs. Darcy.  I appreciate that you are angry and feel protective.  Just remember that all she has left is her anger and pride.  There are ways to take her down without being as bitter as she.  I have watched you.  You are a very clever woman.  Think before you speak.  Think before you do.  You are the one in control.  And her likely ire will be directed towards you.”

Elizabeth nodded and feeling fatigue creeping over her; gratefully saw that they had arrived at the house.  “I will keep that in mind.”  She turned to Darcy.  “Shall we go and rest until she arrives?” 

“That sounds like an excellent plan, love.”  They bid the family well and left for their chambers.  Each worried for their partner, and each grateful that the person they loved was agreeing to lie down without protest. 

Several hours passed and the company gathered together again in the drawing room, full of anticipation of what the former mistress of Rosings would do.  When she was announced, the family rose to greet her.  Instead of speaking to her host, she swept into the room, glared at the decor, nodded at Mrs. de Bourgh and turned, clearly full of ammunition.  “Darcy.” 

“Madam.”  He bowed but did not take the proffered hand to kiss.  Instead he stepped away and placed his hand on Elizabeth’s back.  Lady Catherine clutched her reticule, and seeing no response forthcoming, she sniffed and glanced at Elizabeth. “Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Miss Mary Bennet, Miss Catherine Bennet, may I introduce you to my aunt, the Dowager Lady Catherine de Bourgh.” 

De Bourgh repressed a smile and enjoyed immensely watching Darcy maintain his cool response, while Michael chose to study the ceiling.  “The
dowager
, Darcy?”  She glared.

“Do you not occupy the dower house, madam?”  He said with a slight lift of his brow.  “Or am I incorrect?”

“There is no new mistress of Rosings, Darcy.”  She shot a look at de Bourgh, who smiled.

“But I assure you, madam, there will be.”  He glanced at Mary, who blushed. 

“Shall we be seated?”  Mrs. de Bourgh suggested.  The collective group took their seats, and a generally uncomfortable silence reigned.  Mary cleared her throat and Lady Catherine’s sharp eyes took her in.  Instantly she looked down.  De Bourgh, sitting beside her, touched his boot to her slipper and caught her eye.  His attention did not go unnoticed but instead of pursuing that topic, Lady Catherine turned to Elizabeth.

“You are Mrs. Darcy.”

“As my husband indicated, yes I am.”  She felt the woman’s cold assessment.  Elizabeth met it head on. 

“You are the woman Darcy chose over my daughter.” 

“There was no choice to be made madam; the intimation of a choice indicates that there was ever any confusion in regards to preference.  My husband always maintained, even before we met, that he would not marry your daughter.”  She felt Darcy’s fingers entwine with hers.  “I am surprised that you did not understand his decision, few people are ever confused when my husband gives an opinion.  He is quite decided and rarely wavers.  Being a close relative you should have accepted his reply the first time.”

Michael’s eyes widened and he grinned at his brother from behind Lady Catherine.  De Bourgh, well-trained in combat, only allowed a slight lift to his lips to appear.  Kitty and Georgiana stared at each other and each fought to hide their smiles. 

Flummoxed, Lady Catherine returned to her nephew.  “How goes Pemberley, Darcy?”

“Very well, Aunt, it prospers.”  He became silent and took a sip of wine.  Elizabeth watched as a mask she had not seen for a very long time slipped into place.  His eyes were cold, his posture stiff.  The only sign of her husband still being present was the almost painful grip he maintained on her hand. She knew that he was not allowing his aunt any satisfaction by simply not exposing emotion.

“You have a child, I understand.”  Her eyes flicked to Elizabeth.  “A female.  You require an heir Darcy.  You do not want Pemberley to slip into unwanted hands.”

“Is that directed at me, Aunt?”  De Bourgh glared.

“I am sure that Lady Catherine was only referring to Pemberley.”  Mary said softly.  “She would not wish to insult the man who cares for her and her home.”  Mary looked up to see warmth and admiration appearing in de Bourgh’s eyes and then saw Elizabeth nod with approval. 

Mrs. de Bourgh smiled.  “I am sure that you are quite correct Miss Bennet.  What a fine mistress you will make one day, since you possess the compassion that a dependent relative will rely upon to maintain a comfortable existence during her declining years.  The man you marry will be happy to listen to you.”

“Undoubtedly.”  De Bourgh said positively.

“All men should be so fortunate to have such outstanding women as their wives.”  Darcy said just as strongly. 

“Thank you Fitzwilliam.”  Elizabeth smiled and turned to Lady Catherine. “To address your valid concern, yes, like you, our first child was a girl.  We hope that she is the first of many, however I am aware of Pemberley’s requirement for an heir, hopefully I will be more successful than
some
women.”  Everyone noticed the elder woman’s eyes narrow and Elizabeth paused for a long moment then added, “For example, our mother had five girls.”

“Oh.”

“Our dear Rosalie just reached her first birthday.”  She smiled at Darcy, and he lifted her hand to his lips.

“Rosalie?  Named for Ros . . .”

“Named for the rose bush planted near the place where she was born.”  Elizabeth looked at Darcy and winked.

He laughed softly and relaxed his grip on her hand.  “I delivered her.  Alone.  In the woods.”

“You
what
!”  Lady Catherine exclaimed.

“We are very proud of our Rosa.”  He continued.  “She is endlessly fascinating, like her mother.”

“Darcy you are behaving like a besotted fool.  It is unseemly.”  Lady Catherine sniffed but could not help but stare at them. 

“It is the sign of a man who chose precisely what he knew he wanted and needed to be happy.”  Darcy turned to her.  “A man who knows his mind and is not influenced by others.  How happy my father would be to know that his son is an independent thinker like himself.”  Watching her struggle to respond he shook his head.  “Give this up, Aunt.  Elizabeth was correct this morning when she observed you.  She said that you had fired your worst at me then, I did not listen and spent the day anticipating the battles of old I had heard from you.  The anger is there, the vindictiveness and bitterness, but it simply does not sting anymore.”  He looked down to Elizabeth and smiled.  “How can she harm me?”

“Other than attacking your character, she cannot, and that is a success only if you were foolish enough to believe her.”  She smiled at him and he leaned down to kiss her. 

“Mrs. de Bourgh, how can you tolerate such a display!”  Lady Catherine demanded.

Before she could answer they heard the sound of happy babbling then the appearance of Mrs. Robbins in the doorway.  “Forgive me, Mrs. Darcy, Mr. Darcy, but Miss Rosalie is . . . well she is doing something wonderful and I was so afraid that if she succeeded that you would miss the momentous event.”  She set the baby on the floor.  “Go on dear, show Mama and Papa.”

Lady Catherine stared open-mouthed at the little girl.  “What is this, Darcy!  What is she doing out of the nursery?  A child does not belong in . . .” She gasped to see Darcy move to kneel on the floor and Elizabeth join him.  “Darcy!  Mrs. Darcy!  Get off of the floor!  What are you doing?”

“Papa!”  Rosalie beamed.