Page 87 of The Slipper Scandal
"Mamma!" Elizabeth exclaimed, appalled. "That is quite enough."
Mrs. Abernathy's lips thinned to a tight line. "Mrs. Bennet, while we appreciate your enthusiasm for your daughter's situation, I must insist that you refrain from commenting on my daughter's affairs."
"Oh!" Her mother looked momentarily confused. "I meant no offense, of course. I have always said that one successful match leads to another."
Arabella rose abruptly from the table. "If you will excuse me. A sudden headache." She hurried from the room without meeting anyone's eyes.
Elizabeth wanted nothing more than to follow her friend and offer comfort, but she knew she could not leave her mother unattended, lest further damage be done. "Mamma,” she said firmly, “perhaps now would be a good time for you to rest and refresh yourself."
Before her mother could protest again, the butler appeared at the doorway. "Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy," he announced with formal gravity.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Elizabeth's heart sank. She rose from her chair, feeling as though she were moving through a particularly vivid nightmare.
Mr. Darcy entered the room with his usual dignified bearing. His expression, initially one of eager anticipation as his eyes sought Elizabeth's, quickly shifted to wary confusion as he took in the scene before him.
"Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Abernathy said, rising to greet him with what composure she could muster. "How kind of you to call. May I present Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth's mother, who has only just arrived from Hertfordshire."
Mr. Darcy bowed formally. "Mrs. Bennet, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Mamma had gone momentarily still, staring at Mr. Darcy as though he were a particularly magnificent specimen in a museum exhibition. Then, recovering herself with alarming swiftness, she erupted into a flurry of movement and exclamation.
"Mr. Darcy! Oh, Mr. Darcy! This is indeed an honour!" She rose and executed a curtsy so deep it threatened her balance. "I cannot express my delight. To think that you and my Lizzy—well, it is beyond all my hopes and expectations!"
Mr. Darcy's eyes flickered to Elizabeth, who could not bring herself to meet his gaze, her embarrassment too acute to bear.
"I trust your journey to London was comfortable, Mrs. Bennet?" he inquired politely.
"Oh, tolerably so, tolerably so. What are a few discomforts when one's daughter is to marry the master of Pemberley? I declare, the very thought makes my poor nerves flutter so." Mrs. Bennet pressed a hand to her breast. "You must tell me, Mr. Darcy, is Pemberley as grand as they say? I hear there are fountains and a lake, and no fewer than thirty bedchambers!"
Elizabeth wished fervently that the ground would open and swallow her. "Mamma, perhaps we should allow Mr. Darcy to sit down before you interrogate him."
"Interrogate him?” Mamma seemed offended, but thankfully she recalled who was in the room with them and refrained from demonstrating it. “Yes, of course, do sit down, Mr. Darcy. Forgive me, I am all in a flutter, for my clever girl has always said she would never marry. I suppose that was merely a show of resistance to heighten the gentlemen's interest, was it not?"
Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face. She risked a glance at Mr. Darcy and found him watching her with an expression she could not decipher.
"Mrs. Bennet, I assure you that your daughter's conduct has always been beyond reproach.”
“Oh, of course it has, of course! I would never suggest otherwise, not for a moment." Her mother was almost simpering. "But you must admit, Mr. Darcy, that Lizzy has shown remarkable cleverness in securing your affections. And such a grand estate! I must visit as soon as possible to advise onany necessary changes. The mistress of Pemberley will need to make her mark, after all."
Elizabeth could bear it no longer. "Mamma, you are fatigued from your journey. You will wish to retire to your room."
"Nonsense! I am in excellent spirits. Now, Mr. Darcy, we must discuss the wedding. I favour June, myself. The flowers at Longbourn are particularly fine then, though I suppose Pemberley's gardens are grander still."
Elizabeth looked desperately at Mrs. Abernathy.
"Mrs. Bennet," Mrs. Abernathy said steadily, "I insist that you allow yourself to be shown to your room. You have had a long journey, and a brief rest will refresh you." Before Elizabeth's mother could protest, Mrs. Abernathy had signalled to a waiting maid.
"Well, if you insist. Though I cannot imagine how anyone could need rest at such an exciting time!" Her mother allowed herself to be guided towards the door, pausing only to address Mr. Darcy once more. "We shall continue our discussion later, Mr. Darcy."
As the door closed behind her mother and Mrs. Abernathy, a heavy silence fell over the room. Mr. Abernathy cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I believe I have some correspondence to attend to in my study," he said, politely withdrawing and leaving Elizabeth alone with Mr. Darcy.
For a long moment, neither spoke. Elizabeth could not bring herself to look at him, certain that she would find contempt or, worse, pity in his expression. The shame was almost more than she could bear.
The day had started so promisingly.
