Page 9 of Infamous Relations

It seemed her suspicions were correct. Anne smiled to herself slightly. One learned much if one simply sat quietly and observed. Darcy had been most agitated whenever in Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s company, and highly distracted whenever she was absent. The man was deeply, completely in love.

And Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins were hell-bent on ruining everything.

“Lady Catherine, I cannot tell you how deeply I regret bringing Miss Bennet into your august presence!” Mr. Collins cried. “I should never have permitted Mrs. Collins to invite her, I suspected when I met her in Hertfordshire what she was, for what decent woman would refuse a proposal such as mine? She has cast her allurements for your nephew, the shameless hussy, and surely Mr. Darcy cannot be blamed for falling victim to her wiles, for such are the arts of wanton women…”

“Indeed, Mr. Collins!” Lady Catherine cut him off mid-rant. “Your cousin brings shame upon her family, and will bring shame upon yours too, if you do not act swiftly! You must have her out of your house today. Nightfall, no later, or your reputation as a clergyman will be irrevocably damaged!”

“Of course, Lady Catherine! You are quite correct, Lady Catherine, as always!”

Anne closed her eyes in horror. Poor Miss Bennet. Though she was most curious to know what the letter was all about. Dishonourable, Darcy, she thought at her cousin, shaking her head. Unless the pair were already secretly engaged, and Darcy was only waiting for Miss Bennet to leave, to have his beloved safely out of range of Lady Catherine’s wrath, before breaking the news?

That must be it, Anne decided. Darcy would surely never jeopardise Elizabeth’s reputation unless they already had an understanding. Well, she would do her best to intercept and warn him before Lady Catherine set about him. There was nothing she could do for Elizabeth at this moment, but find Darcy and trust in him to set things right. She was about to rise when the butler entered and coughed politely.

“Dr. Trent to see you, your ladyship.”

“It can wait…” Lady Catherine was in the midst of a vitriolic harangue against Elizabeth Bennet, and all ‘conniving hussies of her ilk!’, and did not care to be interrupted.

The butler coughed. “I do beg your pardon, your ladyship, but it is an urgent matter.”

“Oh, very well,” Lady Catherine said petulantly, thinking that she would have plenty of time over the coming days to abuse Elizabeth into Mr. Collins’ willing ear. “Go, Mr. Collins, and send that shameless trollop packing at once!”

“Yes, your ladyship!”

Anne hadn’t thought the heavy-set clergyman could move so fast as he did then, for he fairly bolted from the room. She was about to rise to follow him, to go looking for her cousins, when it occurred to her that the doctor might be there to see her. She remained in her seat, for the time being.

The doctor entered, spotted Anne at once beside the fire and gave her a reassuring smile and a nod. She smiled back at him. They were good friends, she and Dr. Trent, of necessity. Anne’s health was truly poor, and she was fairly sure she would not have survived the last few winters without the good doctor’s excellent efforts and constant, careful attention.

“Lady Catherine,” Trent came to the point quickly after giving only a brief, though deeply courteous, bow. “Your butler and housekeeper have informed me that you must give approval for any ice from Rosings’ ice-house to be used, so I have to come to apply to you directly. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, with whom I know you are acquainted, has sustained a nasty head wound and requires ice to succour her.”

“Certainly not,” Lady Catherine said coldly.

Dr. Trent blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“Certainly not, Doctor. I will not permit it. In fact, I forbid you to treat her. Let her bleed to death.”

“Mother!” Anne cried, truly shocked.

Obviously shocked, Dr. Trent stared at the lady, who glared back at him with her head held high.

“Your ladyship, I cannot obey that command. The Hippocratic oath forbids it, even if Christian charity would permit me,” he said slowly. “I beg you to reconsider.”

“I will not. Leave my house this instant, and you will reconsider that choice if you wish to remain in my employ.” Lady Catherine yanked the bell pull. “Dr. Trent is leaving,” she said icily when the butler entered.

Chapter Seven

“There’s Trent now!” Fitzwilliam said to Darcy as they neared the house. The doctor was striding swiftly down the steps, cramming his hat onto his head.

“Doctor!” they both hurried towards him.

“I beg of you, sirs,” Trent said quickly as they reached him, “you must persuade your aunt to reconsider.”

“Reconsider what?” Darcy blinked.

“She will not grant permission for ice to be taken from the ice-house to succour Miss Bennet. I did my best, but she would not be moved. She is,” enraged and bemused by Lady Catherine’s attitude, he shook his head, frustrated. “She would not be reasoned with! She demanded that I not even treat Miss Bennet, threatened to dismiss me…”

“She cannot do that, since you are in my employ, not hers,” Darcy snapped, furious. “I shall see to the ice, Doctor, never fear!” He took the steps to the front door three at a time and strode inside.

“Colonel, I beg of you – what is going on?” Trent asked, utterly confused. “Why does Lady Catherine despise Miss Bennet so?”