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  Elizabeth smiled as she slipped into her seat. “I assume you are speaking of Charlotte?” she asked quietly.

  “Yes, I was just asking Georgiana if she could give me some information about the type of lady that Miss Lucas is, but you might be better able to assist me.”

  “I have known Charlotte all my life, my lady, so I may not be the most objective source of information.”

  “I disagree. I believe you would be a perfect person to tell me about her. You strike me as a very honest individual. I would not doubt anything you would tell me.”

  “I am honoured to be thought of so highly.” Elizabeth paused for a moment, remembering what Darcy had told her about Richard’s concern about his parents’ acceptance of Miss Lucas. Carefully she considered what information the mother of a gentleman might wish to know about the lady who had captured his attentions. “I shall tell you what I can. She is the eldest child of Sir William Lucas, whom you have met. He is both a landowner and a merchant. He made his wealth first through trade. Now, he holds his store for the sole purpose of providing an additional source of income for the inheritance of those children who are not his heir. Charlotte has three brothers and one sister. You have met Maria. Her brothers are Jacob, the oldest and heir, Matthew and Elijah.

  “Charlotte has an adequate dowry for her station in life, but I am not supposed to know about it. I happened to overhear the information, and cannot in good conscience tell you more than that. In fact, I have not even told Charlotte what I know. She will also have a portion of either the sale of her father’s store or a small annual income from the store upon her father’s death. Matthew will inherit the running of the store if he wishes to claim it, with the stipulation of the incomes for Charlotte, Maria and Elijah.” Elizabeth hoped that this information would allay some of Lady Matlock’s concerns. However, she was sure there were more questions to be answered, and she waited patiently.

  Lady Matlock tipped her head slightly to one side. “And her character, Miss Elizabeth, what is her character like?”

  Elizabeth smiled. It appeared Lady Matlock had accepted Charlotte’s connections if she were now inquiring about her character. “She is loyal and loving though she is not a romantic. Her goal in life is to have a home of her own, a comfortable situation. Although she would like to marry for love, she is, as she says, sensible enough to know that such arrangements are not available for everyone, and she will make her choice for practical reasons. She has no wish to be a burden to her family.”

  Lady Matlock prepared to ask a further question, but a commotion in the front hall forestalled it.

  “I must see my brother,” came a loud and angry voice.

  “Oh, dear,” said Lady Matlock. “I fear we are about to be fortunate enough to be visited by Lady Catherine, Georgiana.”

  “Elaine, where is Henry? I must speak with Henry this instant on business which cannot be delayed,” said Lady Catherine entering the drawing room.

  “He is in his study ─ in a meeting. Would you like some tea while you wait?” said Lady Matlock.

  “No, I could not possibly enjoy tea right now. My nerves are in such a state.” As she turned to take a seat, her eyes locked onto Elizabeth. “Are you Elizabeth Bennet?” she asked.

  “I am.”

  “Good. I would also like to speak with you.”

  “Me? To what may I ascribe this honour?” Elizabeth asked suspiciously.

  “A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told that not only is your sister Mary on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you would in all likelihood be following her. I have come to ascertain the veracity of this report. Is it true, Miss Elizabeth, that you are to wed my nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy?”

  “And from whom have you received this report, Lady Catherine?”

  “I have had it from not one but two sources. One is your own cousin, Mr. Collins, and the other is a friend of yours from London, a Miss Bingley.” Lady Catherine had found the largest remaining seat in the room and perched herself upon it.

  “And how do these sources claim to have come across this information?” Elizabeth struggled to keep the indignation out of her voice. A harsh answer would not serve in this situation.

  “Why from your father and you,” said Lady Catherine with a huff. “I would like you to verify that their reports are false as I know they must be since my nephew is engaged to my daughter, Anne.”

  “If you suppose the report to be false, I do not see why you would go to the trouble of travelling to London to question me about it.” Elizabeth continued quickly cutting off any response Lady Catherine was about to make, “If Mr. Darcy is indeed engaged to your daughter, I would think that you would trust his honour in fulfilling his commitment. However, if you doubt his honour, I wonder why you would allow your daughter to be engaged to him in the first place.” This comment drew a gasp from Georgiana and a pleased smile from Lady Matlock.

  Lady Catherine was not pleased. “This will not do. I will not have it. Are you, Miss Bennet, engaged to my nephew? I must know the truth,” bellowed Lady Catherine.

  “He has not spoken to my father,” said Elizabeth softly.

  “And will you promise to never enter into an arrangement with him?”

  “I did not say I did not have an understanding with him, Lady Catherine.” She was no longer able to keep the anger out of her voice. “I only said he has not spoken to my father. What I may or may not have agreed to when speaking with your nephew is of no importance to you.”

  “Such insolence is not to be borne! I shall know how to act,” screeched Lady Catherine. “Do not think that Mr. Collins will be allowed to marry your sister and remain comfortably situated at Hunsford if you persist in practicing your arts and enticements that have ensnared my nephew. No, it would not be proper for me to lend my support to a clergyman who insists on being associated with such a woman. Indeed, your reputation will throw disparagement on his authority within his congregation. Should the bishop hear of such a thing, he will surely look on it with displeasure!”

  “You would not!” gasped Elizabeth.

  “I would, and I shall. Would you be so selfish as to damage the hopes of your family? Loss of such a connection in regards to the entail on your father’s estate would be devastating. Do you think your sister will persist in this engagement once the misery of her situation is made clear to her? And what of your reputation and that of your family when your shameful pursuit and entrapment of a husband is made known?” Lady Catherine stepped menacingly toward Elizabeth.

  “What is going on in here?” roared Lord Matlock.

  “I am here to protect Anne’s position, Henry. This…” Lady Catherine poked a gnarled finger at Elizabeth. “This adventuress has tricked our nephew into forgetting about his familial duty.”

  Darcy pushed into the room and positioned himself between his aunt and Elizabeth. He glowered at Lady Catherine, “You shall not speak to her so.”

  “See he forgets his place.” She waved her hand in dismissal of Darcy’s words.

  “He has forgotten nothing, Catherine,” said Lord Matlock firmly. “The engagement between Anne and Darcy exists only in your mind.”

  “It does not. Darcy’s mother and I have always spoken of it,” retorted Lady Catherine.

  Lord Matlock stepped within inches of his sister and lowered his voice though it lost none of its displeasure. “No, you spoke of it, and no one spoke against you. There is a difference. Darcy is free to choose where he sees fit. He has no obligation to you or Anne. You will cease to speak of this foolishness, and you will insult Miss Elizabeth no longer. Do I make myself clear?”

  “You will regret this, Henry!” Lady Catherine spun to look at Elizabeth. “So will you! Do not think your sister will not feel the regret of your decision.” She wagged a finger at Darcy. “You, disregarding duty for a pretty…”

  Darcy took a threatening step towards her. “Take care, Aunt.” There was no mistaking the warning i
n his voice.

  “Your mother would be very disappointed, very disappointed indeed.” With that, she stomped out of the room.

  The colour drained from Elizabeth’s face, and she slumped down into her chair. Darcy looked first at Elizabeth and then at his sister and aunt. “What does she mean your sister will feel the regret?” he asked.

  “Mary,” Elizabeth began to explain, but the words caught in her throat with a sob, and she shook her head.

  Darcy looked again at his aunt for an explanation, but instead it was Georgiana who spoke. “As you know, Elizabeth’s sister Mary is engaged to Mr. Collins. Aunt Catherine is threatening to make life decidedly uncomfortable for Mary if she insists on going through with the marriage. She has threatened to speak to the bishop about the living being removed from Mr. Collins .”

  “I will send an express to your father,” began Lord Matlock. “He must receive all correspondence that enters his home. Catherine must not be able to contact Mr. Collins. I will also speak to her staff, perhaps they can redirect any messages to me before they are posted.” He paced the room. “I am sorry, Miss Elizabeth, that my sister has chosen to be so vicious.”

  He came to a stop at the door to the drawing room. “Mitchell,” he called to his butler. “Please notify my solicitor that I need to see him within the hour on urgent business.”

  He turned back to the room. “I believe it is time for Catherine to hand over the running of Rosings to her daughter. I will not allow her to return to her home if she follows through on her threats. I will see to the express now.” He walked over to his wife and whispered in her ear before he left the room.

  Lady Matlock rose and motioned for Georgiana to follow her. She gave Darcy a smile and nodded in Elizabeth’s direction before firmly closing the doors to the drawing room. Darcy needed no further invitation. He swiftly gathered Elizabeth into his arms and held her close. “All will be well,” he whispered. The emotions that Elizabeth had been fighting finally broke through, and she wept on his shoulder. “All will be well, my love,” he whispered once again.

  “I want to believe it, Fitzwilliam. I truly do.” She took the handkerchief he offered and dried her tears. “It has to be well. I cannot live with myself if I am the cause of my sister’s misery, nor can I live without you. It must be well for I cannot make such a decision. I will not make such a decision.”

  A soft knock sounded at the door. “Brother?” called Georgiana.

  Darcy led Elizabeth to a chair and made sure of her comfort before opening the door.

  “Dinner will be delayed until after Uncle has spoken to his solicitor. Aunt is packing and wishes for you to notify Bingley that she and Uncle will be travelling to Hertfordshire with us.”

  “But, you mustn’t tell him why.” Elizabeth’s voice was filled with panic. “Georgiana, remember what Lady Catherine said about her sources of information?”

  “Right. Miss Bingley was one of them.”

  “Miss Bingley?”

  “Oh!” Elizabeth stood and paced a few steps before turning to Darcy. “If Miss Bingley speaks to Mr. Collins, he will know of his patroness’ displeasure, and all of your uncle’s efforts will be undone. I will lose you.” The tears began to roll down her cheeks once more.

  Darcy pulled Elizabeth into his embrace once again. “You will not lose me, Elizabeth, for I cannot live without you.” He tipped her chin up so that he could look into her eyes. “I love you more than life itself, Elizabeth Bennet. You shall be my wife.” He bent to give her a kiss. Georgiana quietly stepped out of the room and closed the door.

  “Is Fitzwilliam within?” asked Lady Matlock. “I must speak to him about our travel arrangements.”

  Georgiana stood in front of the doors to the drawing room her hands remained firmly on the handles. “Yes, he is within, but I would not disturb him right now. Perhaps in a few moments it might be wise to interrupt him, but I would knock first.”

  “Oh?” Lady Matlock raised her eyebrows.

  “Elizabeth is quite distraught, and he is, um, comforting her,” Georgiana explained, her eyes focused on the floor in front of her and a faint blush colouring her cheeks. “She is afraid Miss Bingley will say something to Mr. Collins and all of Uncle’s efforts will be in vain, and she will lose Fitzwilliam.”

  “Lose Fitzwilliam?” her aunt repeated incredulously.

  “I do not think she will marry him if it means harming her sister,” said Georgiana softly. “And if she does not marry him, Aunt, after what I have witnessed, I fear for them both. Their devastation would be complete.” Tears stung the corners of Georgiana’s eyes.

  “Oh, dear, I knew she was devoted to those she loved. After all, she did place herself in the path of a bullet to protect her cousin. This is not good, Georgiana. Go tell your uncle to include in his express that no correspondence of any sort is to be delivered to Mr. Collins until after he and I arrive in Hertfordshire.”

  Georgiana scooted down the hall to her uncle’s study.

  Lady Matlock stepped to the door and knocked. She smiled as she heard a quick shuffling inside the room. Patiently, she waited for Darcy to open the door.

  Chapter 10

  “Good morning, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” greeted Lord Matlock as they stood in front of the Gardiner’s home waiting for the last trunk to be secured to the Gardiner’s carriage. “I pray you are in better spirits this morning, Miss Elizabeth.”

  “I am, thank you, but might I have a word with you in private?”

  “Certainly.” Lord Matlock extended his arm and the two of them began to stroll up the street a short distance.

  “I was thinking.” She looked away from Lord Matlock and drew a breath as if gathering her courage. “What if I break off my courtship with Mr. Darcy, for now—to give Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley the appearance that they are succeeding? This would then give my sister a chance to marry, and perhaps with your help and that of Mr. Darcy, we could find another parish for my cousin. One where he and my sister could be comfortable and perhaps even within a reasonable distance from my mother.” Again she drew a breath to steady her nerves. “After Mr. Collins is in possession of such an income, Mr. Darcy and I would be free to resume our courtship. I know it is a bit of subterfuge, and normally, I abhor all forms of deceit, but I can think of no other way to avoid hurting someone for whom I truly care.” Elizabeth looked at Lord Matlock, her eyes filled with disquiet.

  Lord Matlock considered her, a gentle smile on his face. “Yours is not a plan without merit.” He patted her arm. “I shall keep it in mind; however, I think we can get both you and your sister married without the interference of either my sister or Bingley’s. Will you trust me?”

  “Will you use my plan if yours does not work?”

  “I will.”

  “Then, I will trust you.” She paused, drew in another deep breath and looked into Lord Matlock’s eyes. “I love him, sir. With every ounce of my being, I love him, and I will do whatever you require not to lose him.”

  Lord Matlock’s eyes shimmered. “I understand, Miss Elizabeth. You shall not lose him,” he promised.

  “Thank you, sir. I shall hold you to your word.”

  Lord Matlock laughed softly. “I would expect no less, Miss Elizabeth. And how can I fail when I would have to answer to both you and my wife if I do? It is great motivation, my dear, for I do not wish to disappoint either of you.” He covered Elizabeth’s hand with his. “Now, if I do not return you to Darcy soon, he shall be after me.”

  “I fear you are too late, my lord.” Elizabeth leaned closer and spoke softly, giving a nod in the direction of Darcy, who strode towards them with very determined steps.

  “Bingley is here,” Darcy said as he approached. “He is only joined by his sister Louisa and her husband. Miss Bingley has decided, with her brother’s help, that remaining in town to enjoy the many events of the season would be more beneficial to her than coming to Netherfield.”

  “She will remain here alone?” asked Elizabe
th.

  “No, Bingley’s aunt and uncle from Scarborough will be joining her. Apparently, they had planned to come to town for the holidays, and their arrival presented a convenient way for Miss Bingley to remain in town.”

  Elizabeth arched her eyebrow and tilted her head as she looked at Lord Matlock suspiciously. “Part of your plan?” she asked.

  “Most definitely,” he said with a pleased smile. “Now, shall we depart? Richard plans to join us in a few days. Do you think Miss Lucas will mind having him in Meryton for the holidays?”

  “Not in the least, my lord, not in the least,” replied Elizabeth with a little laugh.

  ~*~*~*~*~*~

  At the last carriage stop, seats were rearranged at Lord Matlock’s insistence. “I assume this is another part of your plan.” Elizabeth settled into the comfortable seat in Lord Matlock’s carriage. “It would not do to have Mr. Darcy delivering me to my father’s house with Mr. Collins present, now would it?”

  Lord Matlock shook his head. “Miss Elizabeth, your perception amazes me. I did not wish for Mr. Collins to witness the friendship that you and Darcy have established until I had first had time to meet him and your father. Now, tell me more about your family. I want a good lay of the land, so to speak, before embarking on our campaign in earnest.”

  Elizabeth and Jane spent much of the remaining journey describing their home, their sisters and their parents to Lord and Lady Matlock.

  “You may completely change your mind about my suitability for your nephew once you have met them.” Elizabeth laughed nervously.

  “Could they be any worse than my sister?” asked Lord Matlock.

  “You have a point, sir. It seems neither of us is without embarrassing relatives. However, I have only met one such relative of yours, and you are about to meet several of mine.”

  “Do not fret. I assure you I have many more embarrassing relatives for you to meet at a later date, but to ensure that you marry my nephew, I shan’t introduce you to them until after the wedding.”