The Angel of Longbourn by Rowland Jann

Author:Rowland Jann [Jann, Rowland]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: One Good Sonnet Publishing
Published: 2017-03-21T04:00:00+00:00

When Lady Catherine came back down the stairs to the sitting-room, the family was not expecting much from her behavior. It was likely as not that having been thwarted by her nephew—and Elizabeth had little doubt that Mr. Darcy would not bow to her demands—her vitriol would flow, and the Bennets would be the recipients thereof. Mr. Bennet, in particular, Elizabeth thought, was bracing himself for the coming confrontation.

For his part, Mr. Collins seemed to sense the same thing, and his obvious air of satisfaction indicated his anticipation of the event. He was an odd man, Elizabeth decided—odder than she had thought. For a man to venerate a woman so much that he would anticipate such a confrontation seemed to suggest to Elizabeth a less than stable measure of sanity.

But Lady Catherine surprised them. For a lady who had seemed so intent on having her own way, her sudden change was unanticipated, though her insistence in having her own way never altered.

“It seems, Mr. Bennet,” said she upon entering the room, “that you have provided some small assistance to my nephew, and for that, I suppose I must be grateful.”

It was, perhaps, the most lukewarm thanks that Elizabeth had ever heard from another person.

“You are quite welcome, Lady Catherine,” said Mr. Bennet. His sardonic grin spoke to his determination to wring whatever amusement he was able out of the situation. “We have come to consider Mr. Darcy as part of the family. He is quite the amiable gentleman, indeed.”

The look which Lady Catherine shot Mr. Bennet would have caused whole rows of grain to shrivel and die. “I am not surprised. We Fitzwilliams are an amiable lot, I suppose. True nobility ensures the best of traits always breed true, and with Darcy’s paternal line, which, though untitled, is ancient, I must suppose that Darcy has received the very best of all characteristics.

“But I have not descended to discuss the splendid lines of his ancestry. It appears that Darcy’s physician is determined that he remain here for the present, and though I would much prefer that he recover in familiar surroundings, I suppose we must take into account what is best for his recovery.”

“You need have no concern for your nephew, Lady Catherine,” said Mr. Bennet. “We will ensure he is cared for to the best of our abilities.”

The superior sniff with which Lady Catherine favored them conveyed volumes as to her opinion of the Bennets’ care. Though she had viewed the lady with more amusement than offense, Elizabeth began to feel quite cross with her continued displays of ill breeding.

“Be that as it may, Mr. Bennet, I shall remain here until Darcy is prepared to quit your house.”

Mr. Bennet started and peered at her, likely wondering if he had heard her correctly. For that matter, Elizabeth was wondering if she had heard the lady properly herself.

“Stay at Longbourn?” asked Mr. Bennet.

“Of course,” replied Lady Catherine, as if inviting oneself to stay at another’s home were the most natural thing in the world.

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