Page 59 of Saving Jane
“It was only the beginning. My aunt was pleased by my brother’s announcement but then mycousin Anne created a great disturbance with her own announcement. She informed Lady Catherine that she has decided that upon her marriage to my brother that they would make Rosings their seat and leave Pemberley to me.”
“Her marriage?” Elizabeth asked quietly though her heart pounded loudly. “I thought your cousin did not favour the match with Mr Darcy?”
“Oh, she does not intend the match but merely said such to pique my aunt’s temper,” Georgiana assured her, laying her hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “My brother was speechless, but Anne proceeded to debate the merits of Rosings as the home for her married life with my aunt removed to the dowager house. When Lady Catherine raised her voice in argument, my cousin proved equal to her mother with temper and volume.”
“I am amazed,” Elizabeth replied.
“This morning, Aunt Catherine had not come below stairs before we walked out to come to the parsonage, but Anne had taken her morning walk, broken her fast and consulted with the cook concerning changes she wanted in the menus. My aunt will be surprised to find ham instead of chicken for supper tonight, but Anne has asserted herself.”
Elizabeth managed a small smile as she said, “I fear Lady Catherine will not enjoy her daughter’s exercise of her majority.”
“My brother met with them both earlier this week and reminded my aunt of the conditions of my uncle’s will. The whole of Rosings is Anne’s without encumbrance upon her marriage.”
Chapter 27.Mr Bingley’s Unexpected Visitor
The party from Hunsford was invited for supper at Rosings on Wednesday evening following Easter. There was talk of visiting the stables to view a new foal born Monday evening but with the setting of the sun, the gentlemen suggested the ladies wait until tea the following day. They were about to adjourn to the dining room when Livingston, Lady Catherine’s butler came to the door and announced, “Forgive me your ladyship, but there is a young woman in the foyer who insists on speaking to Mr Bingley.”
“A young lady?” asked Lady Catherine, frowning toward her nephew’s guest. “What young lady?”
“Her card bears the name of Caroline Bingley, madam.”
“Your sister appears to have invited herself to supper, Mr Bingley,” Lady Catherine said coldly. “Please see to this matter quickly and quietly.”
Dismissed with the wave of one hand with a fluttering handkerchief, Charles bowed before leaving the room and following the butler toward the front of the house.
“Really Darcy, do all your friends in trade have family members appear at your door unannounced and uninvited?” Lady Catherine said disparagingly.
In turn, Miss de Bourgh fussed, “Mother, Darcy’s friend was just as surprised as the rest of us.”
Then Miss De Bourgh turned to Mr Collins. “Do you not agree sir? Did not Mr Bingley looked surprised and quite caught off guard?”
Without even glancing toward the Bennet ladies, Mr Collins began a monologue on Miss de Bourgh’s powers of observation and intelligence.
“Miss Elizabeth, I believe my brother desires to speak to you,” whispered Georgiana at her friend’s side. Glancing first at Georgiana who inclined her head toward her brother, Elizabeth turned toward Mr Darcy with a grimace on his face standing behind the opposite sofa before he cut his eyes toward the door.
“I shall discover what is needed,” Elizabeth whispered as she rose from her seat, curtsied to Lady Catherine, and moved toward the door that remained opened. Behind her, she heard Mr Collins praising Miss De Bourgh’s sharp mind as Jane, Mrs Gardiner andMrs Jenkins agreed in pleasant voices while Lady Catherine demanded praise for her own powers of observation.
“I need your help,” Darcy whispered. “Bingley must deal with his sister, and he needs our support.”
Stepping into the hallway, Elizabeth found Mr Bingley leaning with both hands on a tabletop. Darcy followed Elizabeth closely and they stepped near to Charles who shuddered before standing straight and turning around.
“Darcy, I shall not allow a repeat of last summer,” the younger man swore. “She cannot invite herself and then...”
Darcy placed one hand on Bingley’s shoulder before saying, “I am not concerned Charles. Miss Bingley cannot lodge in Rosings; my aunt will never invite her to stay a single night.”
“What shall I do with her then?”
From behind the men Elizabeth said, “Perhaps Mr Darcy could ask a favour of Mr Collins to lodge Miss Bingley at the parsonage.”
“Is there room for another guest and her maid?” asked Charles.
“Someone would have to relocate to the stable I fear,” Darcy said. “I shall ask nonetheless.”
He took Elizabeth’s hand for a moment, and she smiled with her eyebrows rising, reminding him of their previous conversations regarding his contentious acquaintances and family. “Miss Elizabeth, would you go with Mr Bingley to interview his sister while I return to speak to Mr Collins?”
Nodding her head, Elizabeth looked at Mr Bingley who grimaced. “Darcy fears I shall lose my temper with my sister, and he knows that with your attendance, I shall remain collected.”
Darcy was already at the door to the parlour, but he paused to catch Elizabeth’s eye and smiled briefly before returning to the conversations around his aunt.
