Page 60 of Compromise & Consequence
“His wife.”
“Ah…”
Yet another reminder of how intimately acquainted she was with the nobility of Spain.
“His grace also expressed regret of your not joining them as planned when they return to Spain in June.”
“Things change,” Elizabeth said. “My cousin, Mary, would be quick to quote from the Bible how a man’s heart may devise his way but the Lord directs his steps. It seems He had other plans for my life, which brings me here,” she finished with a small smile directed at her new family members.
“I, for one, am glad those plans changed,” Lady Matlock said, her warm gaze falling on her newest niece. “You may have been unexpected, but are no less welcomed.”
Loud voices were heard in the foyer.
“She ishere? Has my whole family gone mad? This isnotto be borne!”
The door to the dining room flew open, crashing into the wall and Lady Catherine stormed into the room.
“Idemandyou make this harlot leave your houseimmediately!”
By this time Lord Matlock had risen to his feet and never, in his entire life, had Darcy ever seen him so angry.
“Carlisle, remove this woman from my sight,” he bellowed to the beleaguered butler who trailed in the wake of Aunt Catherine’s fury. “Take her to her room and lock the door.”
“You willnotsend me to my rooms like a recalcitrant child!”
“When you behave like one,Cathy, you will be treated like one. Leave.”
She did not move.
“Now!” he practically yelled and made to come around the table toward her.
“I am seriously displeased. You have not heard the last from me.” She turned her venomous gaze toward Elizabeth. “I will see you removed from this family if it is the last thing I do. My Anne will not be set aside by a country upstart.”
“Enough,” Darcy said, rising to his feet. “I have had enough of your histrionics to last a lifetime, Aunt Catherine. I am married to Elizabeth. I love Elizabeth.” He heard a small gasp from his wife. “I will grow old and have children with Elizabeth, there is nothing you can do about it. I will never marry Anne. She knows this and would tell you if you asked.”
“You are a fool, Fitzwilliam Darcy, much like your father,” she hissed. “What connections does this tart have? Anne would be the making of you.”
“I advise you to stop declaring my wife as a woman of loose morals. Mrs. Whittaker has the bedsheets that defy your claim.”
Aunt Catherine turned an interesting shade of puce and, once again, his wife caught her breath. He dared not turn his attention toward her. He abhorred deceit of every kind, but for Elizabeth, he’d walk the path to hell and back to defend her honor.
“I am so glad you mentioned family relations, Catherine,” Aunt Lucinda spoke into the pall of silence. “Did you know our Elizabeth is a cousin to the King of Spain, and the Duke of Alburquerque?”
“The Duke of where?”
“The Spanish ambassador to St James’s court. Elizabeth is their cousin. Is that not a lovely family connection to have?”
“She has bamboozled you. This Jezebel is nothing but the niece of a country squire whose estate is entailed away to my parson. She is not even a gentleman’s daughter; her father was in the Navy! She has no money and connections, and is dependent on her poor uncle for the very clothes on her back.”
“Her uncle, Thomas Bennet, is a country squire, but her father, Admiral James Bennet, married a woman of Spanish nobility. You have no footing here, Catherine. Go to your roomand leave for Kent at first light.”
“Very well,” Lady Catherine said as she pivoted to leave. “I know what needs to be done.”
Her walking stick banged on the marble floor, receding in volume as she made her way up the main staircase to the family wing. Uncle Robert and Darcy resumed their seats and silence gathered around them like an oppressive fog.
“I learned a new piece of music today,” Georgiana offered, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
“Bless you, Georgiana,” Aunt Lucinda said with a tender smile of relief. “I would love to hear you play after supper if you are willing.”
