First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) (18 page)

“
Perhaps, but it was certainly Kitty of whom Mr. Darcy spoke.”

“
Kitty? Kitty?! KITTY!” Mrs. Bennet screeched as she hurried out the door. Mr. Bennet intercepted her just in time to prevent her from wrecking havoc throughout the household with her faulty information. He confessed his deception to his chagrined wife, but she made only quick mention of her fragile nerves before recovering her happy exclamations over Lizzy’s good fortune. That her daughter should make the finest match of anyone in her acquaintance! Mr. Bennet recognized the cruelty of playing such a trick on his wife but, as there was no harm done, he felt he deserved his share in the joke. He chuckled contentedly to himself as his wife bustled back out of the room, eager to attend to the happy couple.

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At this juncture, reader dear, I fear I’m in a bit of a quandary regarding what to share with you. I could regale you with a detailed account of the first kiss that was, presumably, shared at some point between our hero and heroine during the course of their courtship, but to do so, as I’m sure you’ll agree, would be an unforgivable intrusion on their privacy. Alternatively, I could provide a day to day account of events as they transpired at Longbourn – detailing all the many wedding preparations, the attending squabbles over yards of lace, and the arrangements that Lydia and Kitty enthusiastically made for their upcoming departure to a very respectable educational facility in Bath – but these occurrences are too mundane to require elaboration. So instead I’ll just assure you that everything proceeded with as much calm as can be expected, in a household such as Longbourn, between this time and the arrival of the Gardiners for their Christmas visit, but for two notable exceptions. For a proper rendering of the first, we must temporarily leave behind our friends in Hertfordshire and away to Kent.

Chapter 20

With conflicting emotions had Lady Catherine awaited the letter she finally received from her nephew, a full three days overdue by the great lady’s estimation. Its contents were as follows:

Netherfield Hall, Hertfordshire, 27 Nov.

My Dearest Aunt,

I am returned to Mr. Bingley’s home after an uneventful, if muddy, ride to London from Netherfield. Both Georgiana and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. I can only apologize again for both its spontaneity and brevity but, as I am sure you are now fully aware thanks to the intelligence which Mr. Collins undoubtedly provided you, I had pressing matters to attend to here.

Forgive me, Aunt Catherine, for not being more forthcoming with you, but I am afraid I was not certain of either my heart or my course of action until lately. It was my conversations with you and Georgiana that revealed my true feelings on the matter. Your words particularly directed me, as they had the wisdom of experience. When you charged me to find a strong, capable wife, untainted by societal affectations, I had no doubt that you would approve of my choice.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet has all the ability and elegance one could ask for in a mistress of Pemberley. You are familiar with the circumstances of the family and, particularly, the Longbourn estate – it has been the seat of the Bennets for generations. You performed an act of immeasurable kindness when you directed Mr. Collins to seek a bride amongst his cousins. A tragedy has been thwarted and an old and noble estate will not be deprived of its rightful lineage. I can also assure you that you will find Mary Bennet to be a most advantageous match for Mr. Collins – I only refrained from doing so earlier so as not to deprive him of the joy of announcing his good fortune to you himself.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet has little personal portion but I find I am glad of it. Had it not been for needful and honorable economy she would surely have been far more exposed to the exact society against which you warned me, potentially having lost the sincerity and goodness that so mark her: values that form the backbone of England’s honored country gentry.

I must admit, dear Aunt, that I am not looking forward to calling Mr. Collins Brother. I am sure he is an admirable rector, but I find his obsequiousness quite overwhelming. Yet I have great hopes that Miss Mary will improve him immeasurably, especially with the benefit of your example and guidance.

Miss Elizabeth and I plan to marry at Pemberley in the new year, on Thursday, the 9th of January. I know this is a far from ideal time of year for travel northwards, but I hope you and Anne will be able to attend nonetheless. Please relay my best wishes to my dear cousin. May God bless you both.

Your loving nephew,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Lady Catherine was surprised, having commenced reading in high dudgeon, to feel as mollified as she did upon finishing the letter. Darcy and Georgiana had just pulled away from the church when Mr. Collins began lamenting that he had not had the opportunity to assure Mr. Darcy of one Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s good health before his departure. Mere minutes extracted the entire story from Mr. Collins, rendering Lady Catherine extremely indignant ever since. This long awaited missive was perused with great interest and attention.

Darcy and she agreed on one point: Lady Catherine did not relish the notion of a familial connection to Mr. Collins. She had selected him to serve as her rector, not her relative, and her requirements for those two distinct roles could not be more different. In just the few short days since his return to Hunsford, she believed she could detect in him an increased air of importance, which she thought thoroughly unbecoming, attributing it to his presumed relationship with her own nephew. Granted, she would have been equally annoyed if he had failed to ascribe the appropriate value to such a potential relation and the honor thus conveyed. Some solace she found in Darcy’s assurance that this Mary Bennet was a girl of some sense – she would perhaps prove a valuable companion to Anne – but the future Mrs. Darcy she could only regard with distrust.

Unable to refute the advice she herself had provided her nephew, Lady Catherine could, nevertheless, dispute his interpretation of it. Her mind eagerly grasped for some logical ground upon which to object to the marriage. The idea of Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley connecting himself to a girl of no fortune was galling, an anathema to everything she valued. Unfortunately, as was made evident by his letter, arguments founded in status and wealth would not suffice to sway Darcy. Having never met the girl, what other means could she utilize in dissuading her nephew? “Well,” she decided, “that is a matter I certainly do have the power to rectify.” She would travel to Hertfordshire and see the lady for herself. Soon too, before the engagement was formally announced. Knowing full well that once the news became known every person in England of note would be speaking of little else than Fitzwilliam Darcy’s astounding proposal to an unknown country miss, she wasted no time in her purpose. Gathering her writing materials, Lady Catherine penned the following letter:

Rosings Park, 29 Nov.

Dear Nephew,

I cannot express how shocked I am by the contents of your letter. Mr. Collins did indeed mention a presumed attachment between yourself and the sister of his betrothed but never had I believed the thing should be settled to abruptly. Perhaps you are behaving precipitously – how long have you even known the lady? It falls upon me, nearly your closest relation, to advise you in this, the most critical decision of your life. To this end, I will depart for Hertfordshire tomorrow, stopping one night in London. Please advise Mr. Bingley that he may expect me Tuesday, between noon and one o’clock. I shall remain at Netherfield only long enough to insure that you have not made a grave mistake in your selection of a bride. As you are so sure of your choice, you may advise Mr. Bingley that he should not be imposed upon for long.

Your affectionate aunt,

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

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“
Good Lord,” Darcy moaned as he read his aunt’s missive at breakfast the following Monday.

“
Bad news Darcy?” Bingley inquired nonchalantly. When he received no response his concern became genuine. “Darcy?”

He was not pleased to have to inform Bingley of his aunt’s impending intrusion, though he was thankful she had at least regarded him the civility, so recently overlooked by himself, of providing notice, though it be short. He had twenty-four hours to prepare for her arrival, no extra time to lose.

Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst joined them in the breakfast parlor before he had responded to his friend. Following the obligatory civilities he immediately made his announcement.

“
It is fortunate you are all here,” he began, not bothering to consider Mr. Hurst’s absence, “for I have a rather unusual request to make. It seems my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, has some urgent business about which she wishes to speak to me and has already departed from Rosings. She expects to be welcomed by you as a guest tomorrow.”

Mrs. Hurst glanced at her sister in astonishment but received only a smirk in reply. Clearly Caroline presumed she had a very good idea what business brought Lady Catherine to Netherfield and found amusement in the scenario. Looking instead to her brother, who also correctly guessed Lady Catherine’s intentions, Louisa saw his agitation. Her siblings’ differing reactions left Mrs. Hurst with a confounding sense of foreboding.

“
Of course she will be most welcome,” Miss Bingley quickly chimed in before Mr. Darcy could continue. “It will be an honor to host such an illustrious guest.”

“
Yes Darcy,” Mr. Bingley seconded, “of course any connection of yours will always be welcome in my home.”

“
Thank you,” Mr. Darcy replied to both sister and brother. “I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may incur on my aunt’s behalf. She says she will arrive between noon and one. Knowing my aunt, that might possibly mean eleven.

“
I shall make the arrangements with the housekeeper at once,” Miss Bingley excused herself and exited the room. She did as she said, making sure every proper detail was attended to, but following that task she also informed another individual of the expected visitor, for reasons having little to do with hospitality.

“
I intend to leave for Longbourn immediately,” Darcy said tersely as he rose. Dryly he continued, “I have a feeling the Bennets also need time to prepare for the unsolicited honor they shall so soon be receiving.”

“
I shall accompany you,” Bingley replied. They bade Mrs. Hurst good morning and left the room, where she continued to contemplate her breakfast alone, wondering what worse Lady Catherine’s visit could portend than a hastily broken engagement.

“
So Lady Catherine is interested in meeting your fiancée?” Bingley asked in the hall. Darcy nodded. “I thought that might be at the root of this. Very well then. Let us be on our way.” They were in the saddle before the hour had elapsed.

Elizabeth and Jane were surprised to see their intendeds riding towards the house. They were not expected until much later, when they were to collect a small party of Bennets and escort them to Netherfield to dine. Now that Miss Bingley had ceased sulking about the house, Bingley felt it was well past time for him to repay all the hospitality he had been enjoying at Longbourn. Accordingly, the two eldest daughters and their parents had received invitations in Caroline’s own hand. Thus this unexpected arrival left the ladies rather perplexed. Jane smoothed her gown, wishing she had taken greater care with her toilet, while Elizabeth wondered what could possibly be amiss.

Despite the puzzlement of the ladies, the gentlemen received what had become their customary warm welcomes. Mr. Bingley joined Jane on the grounds while Mr. Darcy, having expressed to Elizabeth that he had something to announce to the entire family, was shown into the house. Mrs. Bennet only momentarily fussed over Mr. Darcy upon his entrance into the sitting room, having now become practiced at curbing her effusions in his company. Kitty and Lydia seemed pleasantly occupied contriving their new school wardrobes and the distant tones of the surprisingly lighthearted piece Mary was practicing softly enveloped the parlor. Mr. Darcy smiled on the scene. Perhaps there was reason to hope that Lady Catherine’s visit would go smoothly.

“
Please excuse our unexpected call this morning, but I have received news of some import which I felt should be shared promptly. My aunt, Lady Catherine, arrives at Netherfield tomorrow morning and I know she will be most anxious to make your acquaintance.”

“
Lady Catherine de Bourgh!” Mrs. Bennet squealed in much her typical fashion, loud enough that Mary apparently could hear her, that young lady having ceased to play. Darcy cringed at the shrill sound and feared he had been precipitous in his optimism, but Mrs. Bennet was quick to remember herself and checked her enthusiasm. With renewed composure, she happily bustled off to converse with Hill about fish and pheasant, just in case the great lady might be persuaded to join them for dinner. Kitty was frozen in frightened astonishment while Lydia went about her business, as unconcerned as if she routinely visited and entertained such distinguished personages.