12. Chapter Twelve

The air at Netherfield had taken on a distinctly frigid chill, despite the roaring fires blazing in every hearth. Mr. Darcy surveyed his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, as she paced the drawing room like a caged lioness, her sharp eyes darting about and her mouth set in a thin, furious line.

"I cannot believe the impertinence of that foolish, headstrong girl!" Lady Catherine exclaimed, her voice rising with each word. "To think that Elizabeth Bennet dared to defy me - me! The daughter of an earl! It is beyond the pale."

Darcy shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He longed to press his aunt for details of her confrontation with Miss Elizabeth, to learn what exactly had transpired between them, but he sensed now was not the opportune moment. Lady Catherine's temper was legendary and unpredictable. Better to let her vent her spleen first before venturing any inquiries.

"And now, to add insult to injury," Lady Catherine continued, her cheeks flushed an angry red, "I discover that everyone in this wretched place seems to think that upstart Miss Bingley has also set her cap for you, Darcy! The audacity! As if a man of your station and breeding would ever consider such an unsuitable match – your friendship with her brother is bad enough, but marriage! Their money came from trade!"

Darcy's jaw tightened at the slight to his friends. He was grateful that he and Lady Catherine were the only ones in the room at the present moment; he would not like Bingley to hear what Lady Catherine was saying.

"I have half a mind to whisk you back to Rosings this very instant, Darcy," Lady Catherine declared. "I'll not have you falling prey to the machinations of ambitious young ladies and their scheming families!" She whirled to face him, her eyes glinting with steely determination. "Yes, I believe that would be for the best. You must leave Hertfordshire at once."

Darcy shook his head, affecting a calm he did not feel. "Come now, Aunt Catherine," he said in a placating tone. "There's no need for such drastic measures. I assure you, I am in no danger from either Miss Elizabeth Bennet or Miss Bingley."

Lady Catherine studied him for a long moment, her shrewd gaze seeming to penetrate the very depths of his soul. At last, she gave a curt nod. "Very well, Darcy. I suppose I cannot exactly drag you away from here by the scruff of your neck. But mark my words - I will not stand idly by and watch you throw yourself away on some country nobody, or an upstart from a family of doubtful antecedents. The shades of Pemberley will not be thus polluted."

They sat in silence for a few moments, an uneasy truce reached, until Darcy ventured to speak again.

"Aunt Catherine," he began, his voice carefully measured, "I must speak with you about your conversation with Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

Lady Catherine's lips thinned into a tight line. "There is nothing to discuss, Darcy. The girl is entirely unsuitable for you, and I will not stand by and watch you throw away your future on a mere whim."

Darcy bristled at her words, his jaw clenching with barely suppressed anger. "Lady Catherine, I am not in any way involved with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and I cannot conceive where Mr. Collins gained the notion that I am… or the audacity to seek to interfere in my personal life!"

That gave Lady Catherine a moment's pause. "Perhaps it was not Mr. Collins' business," she allowed, "but you must make allowances for his feelings of hurt after being so summarily rejected by a woman who should have been grateful for his attentions."

"Grateful!" Darcy scoffed. "Mr. Collins is a foolish, fawning man with not one tenth of Miss Elizabeth's wit. It would have been a most unequal match and frankly, I applaud her decision to reject him."

"You do admire her." Sensing weakness, Lady Catherine leaned forward, her eyes narrowing.

"I do," Darcy admitted it freely. "But I have not made any pursuit or led Miss Elizabeth on in any way. I have been considering, in truth, the possibility of choosing to align myself with a family such as the Bennets, rather than pursuing a match for connections and wealth. I am leaning towards following the genuine emotion Miss Elizabeth has inspired in me."

"Genuine?" Lady Catherine scoffed. "What can you possibly know of genuine feeling? You are a Darcy, and with that comes certain obligations and expectations. You cannot simply follow your heart without considering the consequences!"

"And what consequences might those be?" Darcy asked, his tone growing more heated. "To marry for love, to find a partner who challenges and inspires me? I fail to see how that could be anything but a blessing."

Lady Catherine shook her head, her expression a mixture of pity and exasperation. "You are blinded by infatuation, nephew. Miss Bennet may have a pretty face and a sharp tongue, but she is far beneath you in every way that matters. Her family, her connections, her fortune – all are woefully inadequate for a man of your station."

Darcy paced the room, his agitation growing with every step. "I care nothing for her fortune or her connections. It is her mind, her spirit, that I admire."

"You are a fool, Darcy," Lady Catherine said coldly. "A fool who is willing to throw away everything for the sake of a passing fancy. I will not stand by and watch you ruin yourself and your family name."

"Then do not watch," Darcy said quietly, his voice filled with a steely resolve. "I am my own man, Aunt, and I will make my own choices. They are absolutely none of your concern, and should you seek to interfere further, I will have no choice but to show you exactly who is senior in our family."

Lady Catherine's face turned red, and her jaw worked as though she was chewing, but she said nothing. Darcy eyed her with a touch of pity.

"It gives me no pleasure to remind you that your husband saw fit to leave everything to his daughter in trust and not name you as one of the trustees," Darcy said quietly. "My cousin Fitzwilliam and I have chosen to allow you as much leeway to run Rosings as we are able, only visiting occasionally to handle such legal matters as require our presence or one of our signatures. But do not mistake me; attempting to interfere in my choice of a wife is considerably beyond your purview and I will not tolerate it."

A tense silence hung in the room as the two strong personalities eyed each other, Lady Catherine obviously considering if she could push Darcy further. "It was your mother's fondest wish…" she began, but Darcy held up his hand to stop her.

"Anne and I will never be married," he said flatly. "On that, the two of us agreed years ago. It is an idea you have clung to far too long, and it is clearly your bruiting it about that led Mr. Collins to run to you with his invented tale in the first place. I will tolerate it no longer. I have offered, numerous times, to assist you to take Anne to London for a Season, where no doubt she would be fêted as the great heiress she is, and have her choice of husbands. That offer remains open. Despite your claims of Anne being too weak for it, I think the only thing wrong with Anne is that you have spent years telling her she is sickly. She is too over-protected, and it is high time she saw a little more of the world. If you will not see to it, I will take it up with Lord and Lady Matlock when next I write to them."

Lady Catherine humphed. "You never used to be so impertinent, Darcy," she said, a little petulantly. "That Bennet girl has been a bad influence, I fear!"

Darcy would have dearly loved to ask just what Elizabeth had said to Lady Catherine that was so impertinent, but was prevented from trying once again to get the information out of his aunt as Mr. Bingley entered the drawing room at that moment, his usual affable smile firmly in place, even though he must have been able to hear their raised voices in the hall.

Darcy introduced his aunt and Bingley, who had not previously met.

Bingley bowed very deeply, and said; "Lady Catherine, I do hope you will extend your stay with us at Netherfield. It would be our great pleasure to have you as our guest for as long as you wish."

Lady Catherine sniffed, her eyes narrowing as she appraised the young man before her. "I suppose I have no choice but to accept your offer, Mr. Bingley. Someone must be here to ensure that my nephew does not make a complete fool of himself over that impertinent girl. Or any other girl who imagines herself worthy of him." She flicked a sideways glance at Darcy.

Bingley's smile faltered slightly, but he maintained his composure. "I am quite sure, my lady, that Mr. Darcy is more than capable of managing his own affairs."

As Bingley continued to make polite conversation with Lady Catherine, Darcy found his thoughts drifting to Elizabeth. He longed to see her, to speak with her, to assure himself that she had not been too distressed by his aunt's visit. But he knew that he must bide his time, that he must allow the situation to calm before he could approach her again.

For now, he would have to content himself with the knowledge that Elizabeth had refused to be intimidated by Lady Catherine's threats and ultimatums.

Lady Catherine allowed herself to be just a little charmed by Mr. Bingley, who Darcy thought sourly was probably capable of charming the birds from the trees if he put his mind to it, and he soon persuaded her to join him in the dining parlour where a light nuncheon buffet had been set out. Mr. Hurst was already there, as was Georgiana, and Anne walked in a few moments later.

Anne greeted Darcy with a smile, and he bowed to her before introducing her to Hurst and Bingley.

Bingley bowed. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss de Bourgh."

Anne curtsied awkwardly. "The pleasure is mine, sir."

"I will leave you two to get acquainted," Darcy said. "If you'll excuse me..."

He moved to help himself to some food, half-listening as Anne attempted stilted small talk with Bingley. After a few banal pleasantries about the weather, he noticed Anne's tone shift.

"It must be so dull for you here in the country," she said, fluttering her eyelashes in what Darcy presumed was an attempt at flirtation.

"Oh, not at all," Bingley replied obliviously. "The shooting is excellent."

Anne tittered and laid a hand on Bingley's arm in a way that made Darcy cringe. Bingley gently extracted himself, looking bemused.

Just then, the sound of an approaching carriage saved Bingley from further awkwardness. "Ah, I believe that will be the Bennets now. I am eager to introduce my fiancée, Miss Jane Bennet, to your notice, Miss de Bourgh!"

Anne's face fell comically as Bingley hurried away. Darcy had to stifle a chuckle at her failed flirtation. Some amusement after all, he thought wryly.

"Why are the Bennets here?" Lady Catherine demanded, her tone outraged.

"Aunt Catherine," Darcy said warningly. "The eldest Miss Bennet is Mr. Bingley's fiancée. With Miss Bingley indisposed and the wedding date fast approaching, Miss Bennet's presence at Netherfield daily is both expected and welcome. Generally she is accompanied by one or more of her sisters, and sometimes Mrs. Bennet too. Indeed, the younger Bennet girls have been very kind in befriending Georgiana; they are clever and lively, and I daresay Anne might like to get to know them too. Indeed, this is a good opportunity for Anne to encounter more people in social situations, is it not?" He gave Lady Catherine a pointed look. She pursed her lips, but finally gave a reluctant nod.

"Very well," she said, rather ungraciously. "Anne, you will befriend the younger Bennet daughters."

"Yes, Mama," Anne said, obviously startled, but Darcy could see excitement dawning on her face.

This would be good for Anne, he thought. She had too little opportunity to make friends her own age. Perhaps it was not so bad that Lady Catherine had come to Hertfordshire after all, if it led to Anne being able to live a little.

But his thoughts were soon interrupted by Georgiana, who approached him with a troubled expression on her face when he finished eating. "Brother," she whispered, drawing him aside, "I must speak with you privately."

Darcy followed his sister out of the room and into the library, where she took a deep breath and began to speak, her words coming out in a hasty rush. "Fitzwilliam, I must confess something to you. I... I walked into Meryton with Lydia and Kitty, and I saw Mr. Wickham there."

Darcy felt a surge of anger and fear at the mention of Wickham's name. "Did he speak to you?" he demanded, his voice low and urgent.

Georgiana looked away, not meeting his eyes. "I know he saw me, and I... I was afraid," she said.

Darcy wondered if she was prevaricating, but considering that she had just come to confide in him of her own free will, decided not to press her. Instead, he sighed and took his sister's hands in his own. "Georgiana, I am sorry that you had to face that alone. I should have been there to protect you."

Georgiana looked up at him with tearful eyes. "I am sorry, Fitzwilliam. I know I should not have gone into town without your permission. I promise I will not do so again."

Darcy nodded, his heart heavy with regret. He realised that he should have been more honest with Georgiana from the beginning, that he should have trusted her and told her about Wickham's presence in Meryton. But he had wanted to protect her, to shield her from the pain of the past. Instead, he had made her more vulnerable by concealing the truth.

Now, as he looked into his sister's eyes, he saw a new maturity there, a strength that he had not noticed before. Perhaps it was time for him to trust her, to treat her as the young woman she was becoming, rather than the fragile child he had always seen her as.

"Georgiana," he said softly, "I am proud of you. You have shown great courage in facing your fears, and I know that you will continue to grow in strength and wisdom. I am sorry that I did not trust you with the truth about Wickham, but I promise that from now on, I will be honest with you about everything."

Georgiana smiled through her tears and embraced her brother tightly. "Thank you, Fitzwilliam," she whispered. "I love you."

As they stepped back from their embrace, Georgiana's eyes shone with a newfound determination. "Brother," she began, her voice steady despite the slight quiver of her lip, "I understand now why you forbade me from leaving Netherfield. Seeing Mr. Wickham in Meryton brought back all the pain and shame of my foolish actions last summer. But I realize that I cannot hide from my past forever. I must learn to face it with courage and dignity, as you have taught me."

Darcy felt a surge of pride at his sister's words. She had grown so much in the past year, and he marvelled at the strength and resilience she now displayed. "Georgiana, I am sorry for not trusting you with the truth from the beginning. I thought I was protecting you, but I see now that you are capable of handling far more than I gave you credit for. It was wrong of me to keep you in the dark about Wickham's presence here."

Georgiana nodded, a small smile gracing her features. "I appreciate your apology, Fitzwilliam. I know that you only want what is best for me, but I am no longer a child. I want to be treated as an equal, as someone who can be trusted with the truth, no matter how painful it may be."

Darcy took his sister's hand in his, his eyes conveying the depth of his affection and respect for her. "You have my word, Georgiana. From this day forward, I will be honest with you about everything. No more secrets between us."

Georgiana's smile widened, and she squeezed her brother's hand in return. "Thank you, Fitzwilliam. That means more to me than you can know. And I promise, I will not leave Netherfield again without your permission. I understand the importance of propriety and the need to protect our family's reputation."

As they stood there, hand in hand, Darcy felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He had always carried the burden of protecting Georgiana, of shielding her from the harsh realities of the world. But now, he realized that she was stronger than he had ever imagined, and that together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

A knock at the door interrupted their moment of sibling bonding. Bingley entered, his usually jovial expression tinged with a hint of nervousness. "Darcy, might I have a word with you?"

Darcy nodded, releasing Georgiana's hand and turning to face his friend. "Of course, Bingley. What is on your mind?"

Bingley fidgeted with his cravat, a sure sign that he was anxious about something. "Well, you see, I need to go to London for a few days to consult with my solicitor regarding the marriage settlements. I was hoping that you might accompany me, as I value your opinion and could use your support."

Darcy considered the request, weighing his desire to be there for his friend against his reluctance to leave Georgiana and Netherfield. He glanced at his sister, who gave him an encouraging smile, as if to say that she would be fine in his absence. "Of course, Bingley. I would be happy to accompany you to London. When do you plan to depart?"

Bingley's relief was palpable. "I was thinking we could leave tomorrow morning, if that suits you. I do not wish to be away from Jane for too long, but I know that this is an important matter that requires my attention."

Darcy nodded, his mind already turning to the practical matters of the trip. "Very well. I will make the necessary arrangements and inform my staff. We can take my carriage, as it will be faster and more comfortable than yours."

As Bingley left to attend to his own preparations, Darcy turned back to Georgiana. "Will you be well here while I am gone, Georgiana? I do not like the idea of leaving you alone with our aunt and Miss Bingley."

Georgiana lifted her chin, a determined glint in her eye. "I will be fine, Fitzwilliam. I am stronger than you think. And besides, I am by no means friendless. I will have Mrs. Annesley to keep me company. She is improving from her illness. I would like to spend more time sitting with her, keeping her company, and I have a desire to come to know the elder Bennet sisters better too."

Darcy smiled, pride swelling in his chest at his sister's newfound courage and resilience. Perhaps this trip to London would be good for both of them - a chance for Bingley to settle his affairs and for Darcy to gain some much-needed perspective on his own feelings for Elizabeth. With a final squeeze of Georgiana's hand, he set off to make the necessary arrangements, his heart lighter than it had been in weeks.

As Darcy made his way through the halls of Netherfield, his thoughts turned to the other benefits of this impromptu trip to London. With any luck, his absence would allow Lady Catherine's infamous temper to cool. Darcy hoped that a few days apart might help to soothe her ruffled feathers.

And then there was the matter of Miss Bingley. Darcy suppressed a sigh as he thought of the calculating gleam he had seen in her eye of late. It was clear that she had set her sights on him as her future husband, despite his repeated attempts to discourage her attentions. Perhaps with Lady Catherine present to discourage her in the inimitable way only Lady Catherine could, Miss Bingley would finally realize the futility of her pursuit and turn her attentions elsewhere.

Lost in thought, Darcy nearly collided with a servant carrying a stack of linens. He apologized, his cheeks heating with embarrassment. It was not like him to be so distracted, but then again, nothing about his life had been normal since he had first laid eyes on Elizabeth Bennet.

As he entered his chambers to pack for the journey, Darcy's thoughts once again turned to Elizabeth. He wondered what she was doing at that very moment - perhaps taking a walk through the countryside, her cheeks flushed with the crisp wintry air. Or maybe she was curled up with a book, her clever mind absorbed in some new tale of adventure and romance.

Darcy shook his head, trying to banish such thoughts from his mind. It was time to put his feelings aside and focus on the matter at hand. Bingley needed his help, and Darcy would not let his friend down. And if, in the process, he managed to gain some clarity on his own heart's desire...well, that would be a most welcome development indeed.