Chapter 36

Elizabeth took a deep breath before knocking on the door of Lady Catherine's home on St. James' Square. She had been surprised to receive a missive requesting her presence for tea, but felt it would not do to offend the great lady any further than she already had. The butler showed her into the drawing room, where Lady Catherine sat with her pug on her lap.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Darcy," Lady Catherine greeted." How kind of you to join me. I was not certain whether you would come."

"I could hardly refuse Your Ladyship's summons," Elizabeth said stiffly. She glanced at the furnishings surrounding her. Lady Catherine's taste in decor was ostentatious. The sofa and chairs were upholstered in hideous shades of green and pink stripe, clashing with the orange curtains. Gaudy paintings, mirrors, knick knacks and porcelain figurines cluttered every available surface, and several large potted plants claimed the floor areas near the seating arrangement. Elizabeth settled uneasily onto one of the chairs.

Lady Catherine stroked her dog's fur while saying, "I feel we have gotten off on the wrong foot, you and I."

Elizabeth pursed her lips. "I feel I cannot take my share of the blame, Your Ladyship. I do not feel I have done anything deserving of your censure. Let us not forget it was you who accosted me in my own home just after my engagement to your nephew. "

"Yes, well, I have invited you here to ‘bury the hatchet', so to speak. We are family now, after all, and there is no use in recalling any past grievances. If you can overlook my past transgressions, I shall endeavor to overlook your shortcomings."

"Then let us think on the past only as it gives us pleasure," Elizabeth offered cordially, though she doubted the sincerity of this proffered olive branch from Lady Catherine.

"Won't you take some tea, Mrs. Darcy?" Lady Catherine offered.

"Thank you, I will," Elizabeth answered.

"It is my own special blend," Lady Catherine went on, as she began to prepare the tea on the small table before her. "It uses flowers and herbs from my rector's garden."

Elizabeth nodded. Cousin Collins had bragged before of his famous garden, and how he supplied Her Ladyship's tea from it.

Lady Catherine poured the blend into a china cup with garish purple flowers painted on it, and handed it to Elizabeth. "I hope you will find it pleasing. It has worked wonders for my ulcers."

Elizabeth tasted a sip. The tea was sweet, with floral and fruity notes, but a bitter aftertaste that made her stomach turn.

"Do you like it?"

Elizabeth nodded weakly. "Oh yes, it is delicious."

"Excellent." Lady Catherine's eyes gleamed. "Have a scone as well. They are my cook's special recipe."

Elizabeth accepted the offered treat. The scone contained some sort of dark colored berries, perhaps blueberries or currants. She took a nibble off the corner. Lady Catherine smiled widely, taking a sip of her own tea.

Lady Catherine's dog spotted a squirrel out the window. Leaping off her lap, he ran towards the window, yipping and wagging his tail. He leaped up on the windowsill and began rapidly pawing the glass, trying to reach the squirrel, his yips growing louder .

"Otis, no! Stop that racket at once," Lady Catherine commanded. She rose from her seat.

"Allow me, my lady," the butler said, walking over and closing the curtains, so the dog would stop.

Elizabeth used the distraction to dump the remainder of her tea into a nearby potted ficus. Otis gave one last "arf" to signal his displeasure at being shut out from the squirrel. He wandered around in circles a few times before settling near Elizabeth's feet. Lady Catherine returned to her seat.

"Ah, I see you have finished your tea. Would you care for some more?"

"No, thank you, Your Ladyship."

"And how do you like the scone?"

"It is delicious, thank you."

"Have another," Lady Catherine pressed, holding out the platter.

"Oh, no, I couldn't."

"Please, I insist."

Elizabeth added another scone to her plate, despite barely having touched the first one. "I notice you are not eating any, Your Ladyship."

"My doctor tells me I must reduce my figure," she replied.

The dog began sniffing around Elizabeth's leg. She reached down and patted him on the head.

Lady Catherine began speaking of her daughter, telling Elizabeth how much she wished Anne were well enough to join her in London. "Her health has always been poor, since childhood. It is such a pity, for she misses all the entertainment the Season has to offer."

Conjuring up a compliment she was sure Cousin Collins would be proud of, Elizabeth remarked, "The ton has been deprived of its brightest jewel, it would seem. "

This pleased Lady Catherine greatly, and she went on for several minutes about her daughter's skills at needlework and cards, lamenting that society in Kent was so limited, she had few opportunities to show off her talents.

While Lady Catherine was self-occupied, Elizabeth slipped one of the scones to the dog beside her, who happily gobbled it up. He then went to an empty chair on the opposite side and promptly went to sleep.

When a quarter's hour had elapsed, Elizabeth rose and thanked Lady Catherine for her invitation and the tea, and added that she hoped they might become better friends in due time.

"Certainly," Lady Catherine replied. "I am sure I shall have no cause to disagree with you in the future."

S

Elizabeth staggered as she came up the front steps of Darcy House. She pressed her hand to her head, attempting to clear the dizziness.

"Parker, ring for some tea, if you would, please," she requested as Parker took her bonnet and Spencer from her. "I must have a headache coming on."

"Certainly, madam," Parker answered.

Elizabeth made for the stairs, intent on heading to her room, but a sudden wave of blurred vision made the room spin. She thought better of it, and went to the library at the front of the house instead. Darcy was in the room, reading a book. He looked up when he saw Elizabeth enter.

"What is wrong? Are you ill?" he asked, as she slumped onto the sofa.

"I do not know. I believe it is the beginning of a headache. The light– it feels so bright. "

Darcy turned to the butler, who had come to bring Elizabeth's tea. "Bixby, would you please draw the drapes?"

Bixby set the tea down before her and closed all the drapes, making the room feel dark, almost like a cave. He lit a few candles so they could see.

Elizabeth sat up and attempted to drink the tea, but her hand was shaking so badly, she could not raise it to her lips. Her fingers lost their grip. The cup fell to the floor and shattered.

"Oh, how clumsy of me!" She bent to pick up the pieces, but Bixby stopped her.

"Never mind, madam, I shall take care of it." He promptly rang for a maid and instructed her to bring a broom and dustpan.

Darcy left his chair and sat beside Elizabeth on the sofa. He placed the back of his hand on her forehead. "Elizabeth, you appear quite ill. Shall I summon the doctor?" Her brown orbs were fully dilated, making her look especially beautiful, despite her languid condition.

"No, thank you, I shall be all right, I am certain."

"At least allow me to assist you up the stairs and to your bed."

Elizabeth nodded drowsily. With Darcy's help, she rose, and gingerly stepped over the broken pieces of china. They had not reached the door, however, before Elizabeth fainted. Darcy caught her, breaking her fall before she reached the floor. She hung limply in his arms, like a child's rag doll.

"Elizabeth!" he cried.