Page 13 of One Night with Mr. Darcy
“What does this matter?”
Lady Catherine put both of her hands on her hips. “You have danced with him?”
“Once,” said Elizabeth. “He…” She sighed. “The truth is, I suppose we did not like each other very much. But I am sure that he and I simply got off on the wrong foot. He is your nephew, and I, for one, shall do my best to squelch any negative feelings and to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Did not like each other?” Lady Catherine furrowed her brow. “Really? That’s what it is?”
“Whatwhatis?”
“I don’t know.” Lady Catherine sighed, rubbing her forehead. “I am old and grief-stricken and confused, I suppose.” She turned and gazed out a window, her countenance thoughtful. “You remind me of myself in so many ways, Elizabeth.”
What? Elizabeth was nothing like Lady Catherine. “What a nice thing to say, madam.”
Lady Catherine chuckled. “You’re getting better at that, my dear.”
“Better?”
“Yes, at your little polite half-truths,” said Lady Catherine, glancing at her affectionately and then turning back to the window. “One day, you will lie very smoothly, I think, and hopefully by the time you take over this estate.”
“I’m not lying—”
“Elizabeth, really.” Lady Catherine laughed. Then her expression gentled. “Yes, I see you with Mr. Collins, and I think that you must have chosen a man you could rule, and I think… but perhaps I’m projecting.”
“I think I’m confused, madam.”
“Anne was born early, too, you know. Several months early, but quite a large and healthy child.”
Elizabeth was stunned.
Lady Catherine turned to look at her. “Oh, dear, don’t give me that look. It is noticed when such a thing happens. It always is. People make comments. It’s always more helpful when one has a husband who is not particularly shrewd and who is easily led by his wife. Otherwise, men can be… well…” She shrugged. “You chose well, at any rate.”
Elizabeth’s mouth was dry.
“I chose well also,” said Lady Catherine. “I chose a man who would make our one and only child, well,myone and only child his heir. I chose a man who would do whatever it was I asked of him. But I had to do what I had to do. I don’t speak of the circumstances by which Anne was… Well, anyway, it was best to keep away fromthatman, let us say.”
Elizabeth must say something now. She must.
“If my nephew…” Lady Catherine drew herself up. “Even as a boy, he was a bit of a tyrant, I’m afraid. Never willing to give in on anything. I used to wish him married to Anne, but perhaps she was lucky not to have been saddled with him. He was never easily led, on anything, and would not be an agreeable husband, I don’t think. But then, I suppose, he tricked you? Made you promises? Reneged on them?”
Elizabeth could not speak, and she could not look at Lady Catherine.
Lady Catherine came closer. She touched Elizabeth, and Elizabeth had never been touched by the woman. It was just a hand on her shoulder, barely there, the hint of a touch more than a touch. Her voice was soft. “If he sees the child, if he puts it all together, he will be well within his rights to demand it, you know. He’ll destroy your marriage, ruin your reputation, and take your child, which the law will see as his property.”
Elizabeth’s face jerked up.
Lady Catherine nodded. “You should have told me. I would not have had you here when he was here.”
“B-but how could I have p-possibly spoken of such a thing?” Elizabeth’s voice was full of tears.
“Go home. I shall say you have a headache and can’t come to dinner. Consider all of your social obligations canceled. You do not even need to come for the funeral. I shall make appropriate excuses. We can say that Mr. Collins needs you. I shall see to it all, all right?”
Elizabeth let out a gasping breath. “Oh, thank you, Lady Catherine. You’re too good to me.”
“I am exactly the right amount of good,” said Lady Catherine. “This is a vicious world and there is often nothing good in it at all. Whatever I’m doing is a drop of water in a bucket of sorrows. I well know this. Now, off with you, and do not darken my door until my nephew has left this place entirely.”
“Yes, madam. Thank you, madam.” Elizabeth started out of the sitting room.
“Oh, Elizabeth!”
