Christmas at Pemberley (44 page)

Darcy didn't protest. Over the past three years, they'd learned to trust each other exclusively. With a nod of understanding, he asked, “Anne, would you and Lieutenant Southland join me in the yellow sitting room?” He moved to lead the way.

Anne turned to her mother. “I'm sorry, Your Ladyship,” she whispered through silent sobs. “You must try to understand.” After a brief bow to both Elizabeth and Lady Catherine, Southland caught Anne's elbow and escorted her from the room.

Elizabeth waited for their departure before turning to Darcy's aunt. With a deep sigh, she pivoted, expecting to find an irate aristocrat whom she would have to appease, but was greeted by the distraught tear-stained face of Lady Catherine, and instantly, Elizabeth felt compassion for what she suspected to be a very lonely woman. “Your Ladyship,” she empathized and pulled a footstool over to sit at Lady Catherine's feet.

“Might I?” Lady Catherine held the glass for Elizabeth's view.

She took it immediately. “Of course.” Walking to the serving tray, Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder at the sunken figure resting back into the chair's cushions.
What happened to the imperious Lady Catherine? Where did all her fight go?
Returning to the footstool, she
sat and then eased the drink into the woman's gnarled grasp. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Elizabeth asked, “Would you like to speak of it, Your Ladyship? I realize I'm probably the last person with whom you would consult, but I'm at your disposal. You're my husband's aunt, and I desire only the best for you.”

Lady Catherine's gaze returned to Elizabeth's face. “Why would you treat me with respect? With compassion?” she murmured. “I've never treated you kindly.”

Elizabeth frowned. “We've known our contentious moments, but I understand your intensity.You wished the best for your child, and Mr. Darcy is truly the best of men. If I were to have my own child, I'd fight with a similar ferocity to secure his future.”

Admiration played across the lady's face. “I expect you would, Mrs. Darcy.You give as good as you receive. I doubt if Mr. Darcy had any idea of your tongue's viciousness.” Lady Catherine half smiled.

“I beg to differ,Your Ladyship.Your nephew was on the receiving end of more than one of my barbs. I like to think my sauciness was part of my charm,” Elizabeth impishly said.

The line of Lady Catherine's mouth tightened to hide her smile. “A certain
sauciness
on my sister's part attracted his father, and I am positive that Sir Lewis found it appealing.”

“I suspect you're correct,” Elizabeth said judiciously. “Therefore, although your words stung, after careful analysis, I accepted your intent. I can place those sentiments behind us if you agree.”

Lady Catherine's eyebrow rose in question. “I suppose we might make the effort for Darcy's sake.”

“Then for Mr. Darcy's familial benefit we'll persevere,” Elizabeth said contritely. “Now, with that settled may we address your concerns for Miss De Bourgh?”

“What is there to address? Anne must marry Edward's aide. She's been compromised.”

From what Mr. Nathan had shared, Darcy possessed an idea of what had occurred in the room occupied by his aunt and his wife. The fact that Elizabeth had directed him to a nearby room told him that his aunt's possible reaction worried his wife also. Luckily, he detected no raised voices. “Would you care to enlighten me, Lieutenant, as to what occurred?” he asked in hushed tones. Darcy refused to close the door. He might need to rush to his wife's defense.

The lieutenant swallowed hard, but he didn't retreat from Darcy's glare. Darcy supposed the man had become immune to its possible intensity, as the colonel often sported a similar intimidating tactic. “After speaking to you and the colonel last evening,” Southland began, “I sought Miss De Bourgh to secure her consent prior to speaking to Her Ladyship. Unfortunately, my suit surprised your cousin, and she required a moment to reorder her thoughts prior to our entrance in the morning room. We never considered the consequences of doing so. I grieve for the depth of alarm our actions have engendered, but my resolve remains the same.”

Darcy ignored the man's posturing. The lieutenant had compromised Anne, but if his cousin didn't wish the match, there were ways around the scandal. “Tell me the truth, Anne. Do you wish this joining? If not, the lieutenant will kindly withdraw his suit. Will you not, Sir?”

“If that's what the lady wishes.” Southland nervously shifted his weight.

“I've injured my mother,” Anne said as she choked back sobs.

“Not beyond repair,” Darcy said soothingly. “Her Ladyship can be assuaged no matter what you choose, Cousin, but it must be your choice. Do you welcome this match?”

His cousin appeared nervous, but she met his gaze, something Darcy found unexpectedly pleasant. “It was not the lieutenant's fault that my mother…found us in a private moment. It was purely of my own making.You see…I knew of Her Ladyship's presence. I recognized her tread on the stairs. I thought if my mother saw us…
thus engaged…that she couldn't refuse the lieutenant's suit. I would be Roman's wife. It's my grandest desire.”

“Although Miss De Bourgh's reputation is in danger, if it is Your Ladyship's desire, the impropriety can be hushed up. The servants involved are loyal to Mr. Darcy, and others in the house are family, except for Mr. Manneville. It could be easily managed. Mr. Darcy and I shall see to it if that's your wish.”

Lady Catherine hesitated, obviously considering the possibility. “It's shameful,” she said, “to want to agree to gamble on my daughter's reputation.”

Elizabeth quickly noted that the perfect, icy control, so characteristic of Darcy's aunt, had returned. “Is the lieutenant's suit so repugnant?”

“Although the man's attentions might delight some families, I'd hoped for higher connections for Anne.”

Elizabeth objected to the cynical amusement in Lady Catherine's tone, but she stilled her retort. What untruth had Darcy's aunt offered? Elizabeth's mother would celebrate such a connection. Keeping that in mind, she began to construct a version of the truth—actually, to “sell” the lieutenant to Her Ladyship. An ungodly thought: to think similarly to her mother. “Perhaps we should examine the lieutenant's assets.”

Lady Catherine said with a contemptuous snort, “The man has no assets.”

Ignoring the remark, Elizabeth countered, “There's his position in the military, and army officers are quite popular.”

“But he holds only a lieutenancy.”

Elizabeth disclosed, “Mr. Darcy indicated that the colonel planned to recommend the lieutenant for a promotion.” Luckily, last evening, Darcy had shared his conversation with Edward.

Considering Elizabeth's point, Her Ladyship acknowledged
the benefit of an advanced commission. “Being under Edward's command is to the lieutenant's advantage.”

“Unlike many in our country's service, Southland has seen action on two fronts: the Continent and the American hostilities. Few men can make such claims. And the lieutenant saved Edward's life at Bladensburg.”

“With Napoleon on Elba, the Prince is most enthralled with those who have served honorably.”

Elizabeth thanked her lucky stars that Darcy's aunt, at least, was considering the possible joining. With fortitude, Lady Catherine faced what must be a frightening emptiness. “And who's to say that additional commissions might not be forthcoming. The lieutenant will likely remain in his position for the foreseeable future.”

“And what would Anne do if she accepts the lieutenant? Would the man expect her to remain at Rosings?”

“As Miss De Bourgh is your heir, it might be a time to instruct her regarding Anne's responsibility to the land.”

Lady Catherine hastily said, “Anne has never shown any inclination that she cares to know of that which I see daily.”

“Miss De Bourgh shall have additional impetus for learning. Instructing the lieutenant could also be a choice,” Elizabeth ventured.

“It would be some time before either would be ready to assume Rosings's helm,” Her Ladyship reasoned.

A deep voice from the doorway asked, “Would you ladies care for tea?” Darcy's curiosity laced his tone.

Elizabeth's eyebrow rose in amusement. “Were you not to see to Miss De Bourgh?”

“Mrs. Annesley has kindly agreed to sit with them. They await your company,” he said tentatively.

“Go away, Darcy,” Lady Catherine ordered. “Mrs. Darcy and I are conferring on the matter. I'll inform you of our decision when one is reached.”

He did a poor job of hiding his surprise that his wife had garnered his aunt's favor, but Elizabeth relished the fact that he'd braved
Her Ladyship's wrath to protect her. “We're quite comfortable, Fitzwilliam. Mayhap, you'd see to the rest of our guests.”

“I thought my cousin could be of assistance,” he explained.

“When I'm ready, I'll send for the whole family. Now, Darcy, leave us.” Lady Catherine shooed him several times. “Go!”

Darcy bowed stiffly. “As you wish, Aunt.” Elizabeth, however, caught his wink as he closed the door.

As if never interrupted, Lady Catherine said, “It would be necessary for me to instruct Anne and the lieutenant.”

“It would show your benevolence,” Elizabeth summarized.

“Do not placate me, Mrs. Darcy,” Her Ladyship warned. “It wouldn't be the ideal situation for Anne—having me teaching her of the account books and who are the honest tradesmen.”

Elizabeth silently admired the woman. There was a time she'd thought that she could never agree with anything Lady Catherine said. “In all honesty, it'll be difficult for you both. Miss De Bourgh must place herself in an uncomfortable position, and you must relinquish some of your control. Change can cause fears, but that doesn't make it nonsensical. The lieutenant is accustomed to dealing with hard decisions, with people from all walks of life. With the changes coming to the English estates, the lieutenant may adapt faster than a titled gentleman.”

Lady Catherine's gaze sharpened. “What other
assets
does the man possess?”

“It is my understanding that the lieutenant holds a connection to a former favorite, Mr. Knight.”

“I was unaware of the relationship. At least, Southland comes from the gentry,” Her Ladyship conceded.

Elizabeth leaned forward and caught Lady Catherine's hands, holding them both tightly. “I expect Anne would not have accepted the lieutenant's attentions if she'd not thought herself well satisfied. Anne is of age,Your Ladyship.”

“Meaning if I refuse, I
could
lose my daughter, and if I agree, I
shall
lose her.” Elizabeth observed the gamut of emotions displayed
on the lady's face. It was a telling moment that Darcy's aunt showed any weakness whatsoever.

“If you permit their joining, Miss De Bourgh and the lieutenant would remain at Rosings,” Elizabeth reminded her.

As she pulled at her hands, Lady Catherine said defensively, “I wouldn't be alone. Is that the implication, Mrs. Darcy?”

Elizabeth shot a doubtful glance toward the door.
Should she ask Darcy to return?
“None of us wishes to be alone, becoming tied to the earth. Being counted successful, but knowing a personal deprivation.” She released Lady Catherine's fingertips. “It would be my choice in your situation to keep my family close—not because I was an object of pity, but because I have much knowledge to pass on to my child, leaving her secure in her future.”

“What makes you so certain, Mrs. Darcy, that if Anne aligns herself with Southland that I'll have a care for her future?”