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11. Chapter Eleven

It was late when Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley returned from their day out, having been invited to and accepted an invitation to take dinner at Lucas Lodge. The amiable companionship of the Lucases had been a welcome respite from the tensions within Netherfield, and the two gentlemen found themselves in high spirits.

As the door opened, Mrs. Hurst stood before them, her countenance etched with worry. Her usual detached air of haughty disdain seemed to have abandoned her entirely, replaced by a palpable sense of panic.

"Oh my dear brother, and Mr. Darcy!" she exclaimed breathlessly, approaching them with hurried steps. "Thank goodness you have returned! I must speak with you immediately."

"Louisa, whatever is the matter?" inquired Mr. Bingley, concern evident in his voice as he observed his sister's disordered appearance.

"Caroline..." she hesitated, wringing her hands anxiously, "she has taken ill after... Well, after your aunt arrived and confronted her, Mr. Darcy."

"My aunt?" Darcy stared at her, confused. "Which aunt?"

"Lady Catherine de Bourgh! She accused Caroline of… of…" Mrs. Hurst clearly did not want to say the words, but with Darcy and her brother both staring at her, she had to admit the truth. "Of setting her cap for you," she confessed, in a near-whisper.

"And Lady Catherine came here to confront her about it?" Darcy queried, struggling to contain his surprise. It was hardly news to him that Miss Bingley imagined herself as the future mistress of Pemberley, but he had never anticipated Lady Catherine's involving herself in the matter.

"Caroline appears to have contracted the same influenza that has kept Mrs. Annesley abed since her arrival," Mrs. Hurst added, her voice laden with worry. "I fear the distress from Lady Catherine's tirade has only exacerbated her condition."

"I shall send for the doctor immediately," Bingley said. "Where is Lady Catherine now?"

"When you and Mr. Darcy did not return for dinner, she demanded rooms for herself and her daughter. I ordered the housekeeper to prepare the best guest suites we had available for them." Mrs. Hurst took a deep breath and seemed to pull herself together.

"Wait, my cousin Anne is here as well?" Darcy asked, wondering what his aunt could possibly be about. "Forgive me, Bingley. I did not anticipate my aunt's intrusion upon your hospitality."

"Think nothing of it, Darcy," Bingley replied, ever the amiable host. "We shall manage as best we can, even if Caroline is not well. Indeed, I am sure my dear Jane will be eager to step into the breach and learn the ways of Netherfield; you will not have to manage alone, Louisa!"

Mrs. Hurst hardly looked delighted at the prospect, but said nothing, perhaps realising that if she declined Jane's help she would have to manage everything herself until her sister recovered, which would not suit her inclination to indolence at all well.

Despite Bingley's assurances, Darcy could not shake the sense of foreboding that settled over him as he retired for the night. He braced himself for the confrontation with his imperious aunt that he knew would inevitably come.

The following morning, as Darcy descended the staircase to join his companions for breakfast, Lady Catherine appeared suddenly at his side. Her countenance was stormy, her eyes flashing with indignation as she launched into her tirade without preamble.

"Mr. Darcy, I must speak with you," she declared, her voice a mixture of wrath and hauteur. "It has come to my attention that a certain woman of inferior status has been pursuing you!"

Darcy opened his mouth, but she did not give him even a moment to speak.

"Surely you must know that such a match is out of the question," Lady Catherine continued, her words a veritable torrent of disapproval. "You are duty-bound to make a more advantageous alliance, one befitting a man of your station."

"Indeed, madam," Darcy replied, struggling to maintain his composure in the face of her accusations. "I assure you I have no intention of marrying any woman who does not meet the standards required of me by both family and society."

"And what if you are trapped by a designing female such at this? One who has rejected a perfectly suitable proposal from Mr. Collins! I can only assume that she believes she will receive a better offer!" Lady Catherine gave him a meaningful look.

Darcy's brow furrowed in confusion. Mr. Collins? Mr. Collins had proposed to Caroline Bingley? "Aunt Catherine," he ventured cautiously, "are you referring to Miss Bingley? Has she truly received a proposal from Mr. Collins?"

Lady Catherine's eyes widened in disbelief, her countenance betraying her incredulity at his suggestion. "Miss Bingley?" she echoed, a sneer forming on her lips. "Heavens, no! She is even less suited to be your wife than the lady I speak of… at least that one is a gentleman's daughter."

"Madam, I am still at a loss as to whom you are referring!" Darcy exclaimed, running out of patience.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" his aunt cried, infuriated.

"Miss Bennet?" Darcy repeated, his heart eluding his attempts to quell its sudden, inexplicable acceleration within his chest.

"Indeed," Lady Catherine confirmed, her voice laced with disdain. "It appears that she has spurned his suit, despite the fact that a match with such an upstanding clergyman would have secured the future of her entire family as well as herself."

Darcy struggled to conceal his astonishment, his mind whirring with the implications of this revelation. He had always known Elizabeth to be a young woman of exceptional wit and discernment, yet it seemed she had surpassed even his estimations in her refusal of Mr. Collins. Still, he could not allow his feelings to cloud his judgment or to betray him in front of his imperious aunt.

"Your concern for my welfare is most touching, Aunt," he replied evenly, striving to maintain a semblance of detachment. "However, I can assure you that there is no need for alarm. The situation is entirely under control."

"Under control, you say?" Lady Catherine scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Darcy. "I find it most alarming that a man of your consequence should be linked to a woman so clearly beneath you. I had expected better judgment on your part, nephew."

Darcy's jaw tightened, and he willed himself not to betray his true feelings. It would not do to give Lady Catherine any further ammunition.

"Your concern is noted, Aunt," he replied, forcing a polite smile. "Yet I must inform you that I have given no indication of any interest in Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I fear there has been some misunderstanding on Mr. Collins' part."

"Indeed," Lady Catherine huffed, clearly doubting his sincerity. "And yet, Mr. Collins appears quite convinced that you are enamoured with the young lady and that she is at any moment expecting your declaration, which is what has led her to refuse the most suitable proposal which Mr. Collins offered! Whatever could have given him such an impression?"

"Perhaps Mr. Collins is simply prone to flights of fancy," Darcy suggested, his voice dripping with false nonchalance. Inwardly, he cringed at how easily the falsehoods slipped from his lips. He did admire Elizabeth Bennet, far more than he should.

"Be that as it may," Lady Catherine said icily, "I intend to see this matter resolved forthwith. Pray tell me, where might one find this Elizabeth Bennet?"

Darcy hesitated, knowing full well that his aunt's interference would only serve to complicate matters further. Yet the truth was that he could not bear the thought of Lady Catherine confronting Elizabeth, and perhaps even damaging her reputation in the process.

Before Darcy could devise a plan to prevent Lady Catherine's from confronting Elizabeth, Mrs. Hurst eagerly stepped forward and provided detailed directions to Longbourn. Her voice was tinged with malicious satisfaction, her eyes glinting at the prospect of scandal, especially one which might damage the Bennet family.

"Longbourn is but a short ride from here," she informed Lady Catherine, who listened attentively. "Merely follow the main road through Meryton, and you shall arrive there soon enough."

"Excellent," Lady Catherine said, nodding curtly. "You have been most helpful, Mrs. Hurst."

"Always at your service, my lady," Mrs. Hurst replied, inclining her head in a shallow courtesy.

As Lady Catherine turned to leave, Darcy felt a surge of desperation. He could not allow his aunt to descend upon Elizabeth like a vengeful storm, wreaking havoc on the young woman's life. With a resolution born out of his growing affection for Elizabeth, he made a hasty decision.

As soon as Lady Catherine's carriage began rolling away, Darcy wasted no time in summoning his horse and urging it into a swift gallop, hoping to reach Longbourn before his aunt arrived.

With each thundering stride, Darcy's thoughts raced, consumed by the need to protect Elizabeth from Lady Catherine's wrath. Though he knew it would be impossible to deter his aunt entirely, he hoped that his presence might somehow shield Elizabeth from the worst of the confrontation.

As Darcy neared Longbourn, he prayed that he would arrive in time to provide whatever support Elizabeth might need in the face of Lady Catherine's formidable presence. He could not, and would not, allow her reputation or happiness to be marred by the machinations of his overbearing aunt. His heart pounded with urgency as he dismounted his horse and rushed to the door, praying that he had arrived before Lady Catherine. Upon reaching the entrance, he hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm himself before lifting the knocker.

"Mr. Darcy!" Elizabeth exclaimed, her eyes widening with surprise as he was shown into the parlour, where she was sitting alone. "To what do we owe this unexpected visit?"

"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy began, struggling to catch his breath, "I have come to warn you of an impending visit from my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She is under the impression that there is some... understanding between you and I, and has taken it upon herself to intervene."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, clearly bemused. "And pray tell, Mr. Darcy, what sort of understanding does your aunt believe exists between us?"

"An engagement, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy confessed, feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment. "She believes that you have refused an offer of marriage from Mr. Collins due to some connection between us."

Elizabeth looked quite stunned, before beginning to laugh. "So that is what Charlotte meant," she murmured, almost to herself, before looking back at him. "Well, I must say, that is quite the imaginative tale. As much as I appreciate your warning, Mr. Darcy, I assure you that I am not intimidated by your aunt's impending visit."

"Elizabeth," Darcy implored, so concerned for her welfare he slipped and addressed her only by her first name, "please reconsider. My aunt can be quite... forceful, and I fear the repercussions should she confront you directly."

"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth responded calmly, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of her lips, "if anything, your presence here is likely to give precisely the opposite impression to the one you intend. You must leave at once if you wish to avoid further fuelling your aunt's suspicions."

Darcy hesitated, torn between his desire to protect Elizabeth and his need to respect her wishes. In the end, it was her steady gaze and resolutely calm expression that convinced him to relent.

"Very well," he conceded, his voice heavy with reluctance. "I shall take my leave, but please know that I stand ready to support you should the need arise."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth replied softly, holding his gaze. "But rest assured, I am quite capable of handling Lady Catherine on my own."

As Darcy turned away from Longbourn, he could not help but be struck by the undeniable strength and courage that lay beneath Elizabeth's delicate exterior. It only served to deepen his admiration for her, even as he resigned himself to the reality that his presence might only complicate matters further.

Upon his return to Netherfield, Darcy's thoughts were consumed by Elizabeth and the potential confrontation with Lady Catherine. His admiration for her had only grown due to her unwavering resolve in the face of such an imposing figure as his aunt.

Entering the drawing room, Darcy found Bingley engaged in a game of cards with the Hursts. His friend looked up at his arrival and noted the troubled expression on Darcy's face.

"Is everything quite well, Darcy?" Bingley inquired, genuine concern in his voice. "You seem rather perturbed."

Darcy hesitated, unsure how much to reveal about the situation at Longbourn. He settled for a vague explanation, unwilling to betray Elizabeth's confidence.

"Merely a minor family matter," he replied, forcing a tight smile. "Nothing that need cause you any concern, Bingley."

"Very well," Bingley acquiesced, though he still eyed Darcy with concern. "If you are certain, my friend."

"Indeed, I am," Darcy assured him, though he could not completely shake the nagging worry that gnawed at him. As he joined his friends at the card table, his mind remained focused on Elizabeth, fervently hoping that she would emerge unscathed from her encounter with Lady Catherine.

As the afternoon wore on, Darcy found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on the game at hand, his thoughts constantly straying back to Longbourn and the spirited woman he was beginning to fear had captured his heart. He could only wait, and trust in her strength and courage to see her through the storm that awaited her.

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