Page 37 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“There will be no need for our father to make himself ill in order to defend you, dear sister.” Darcy went to his sister and placed a reassuring hand upon her shoulder. “That is why I am here. The staff was assembled a half hour ago and informed that if any of them allow our aunt to countermand an instruction of yours, they will be dismissed immediately. Georgiana is the acting mistress of Darcy Cottage and all of our homes.”

“Hear, hear.” Lady Barry thumped her cane. “Your improvement shows itself to advantage today, young man.”

“I sincerely hope so, Lady Barry. My greatest object is to please you.” Darcy grinned.

“I hope not.” Lady Barry winked at him in mischief. “Your greatest object ought to be pleasing my young friend here.”

“That will be my next order of business.” Lady Catherine conveniently ignored her failure to seize the house. Her eyes narrowed on Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet.”

There was enough disapproval in the last three syllables she spoke to lay a frost upon the entire room, even in July. Lady Barry watched with interest and an air of protective possessiveness.

“I understand that you have lately formed expectations where none have any right to exist,” Lady Catherine continued.

Darcy’s face clouded with grim displeasure. “Aunt, I must insist–”

Lady Catherine pressed on. “You will immediately dismiss your unsuitable aspirations.”

“Do not humour her, Lizzy-girl, else I shall be seriously displeased,” Lady Barry instructed. “Unsuitable aspirations are my favourite kind.”

Elizabeth collected her mettle and replied. “I am not aware that I had confessed any aspirations, Lady Catherine.”

“That is inconsequential.” Lady Catherine sniffed.

“Of course,” Lady Barry snorted in amusement. “Consequence and merit never meant anything to you, did it, Cathy?”

“I beg your pardon–” Lady Catherine began.

“But my aunt is the daughter of an earl!” Priscilla interrupted.

“That is enough out of you, Priscilla Fitzwilliam!” Lady Catherine’s displeasure was too marked to be mistaken.

“But, Aunt! Daughters of earls must stick together!”

Elizabeth had to cover her mouth to hide a grin. Darcy returned to his window, his shoulders shaking in laughter.

“My daughter Anne has long been intended for my nephew, Fitzwilliam.” Lady Catherine fixed Elizabeth with an icy stare. “It is expected.”

“Is it?” Lady Barry said idly. “By whom, may I ask?”

“It has always been understood. Their union was planned while they were in their cradles.”

“Now I see why you need so much improvement, young man.” Lady Barry tutted. “You are at least six years older than your cousin. Poor boy, to be confined in a cradle so long.”

Priscilla could take no more. She burst out laughing in a most unladylike fashion, as the others in the room desperately held theirs in.

Lady Catherine ignored her niece and attempted to take back control of the conversation. “Since Miss Bennet must be redirected, I have decided that she would be better suited to her father’s cousin and heir presumptive, Mr Collins. He is calling upon her father even now to arrange the matter.”

The room fell silent. Elizabeth stared. Darcy glared. Lady Barry looked between them in open fascination.

Lady Catherine, taking silence for acceptance, went on. “He is a most respectable clergyman. You ought to be properly grateful.”

“How vindictive,” Lady Barry said in a strange tone, her eyes narrowing at Lady Catherine almost maliciously. “If you were still eleven, I would twist your ear clean off, Cathy de Bourgh.”

Elizabeth would remain silent no longer. “How generous, Lady Catherine, to concern yourself so intimately with my prospects. However, your information is out of date. Mr Collins’s claim to Longbourn vanished with the appearance of my brother.”

“Yes, I have heard of the curious change in the Bennet succession. I understand there has lately been a most suspicious development.”

“I beg your pardon?” Elizabeth bristled.