Page 13 of Wedding at Pemberley

“I am certain of what I said, but what Mama discussed with Lady Catherine, I cannot know.”

“Yes, she may have persuaded her to sign,” the colonel said, but Lord Matlock shook his head.

“I do not know whether persuading someone to sign such a document would have been so simple. We must not forget that it could be a forgery. It is not easy for me to say, but that appears to be Anne’s signature.”

“What are you suggesting?” Darcy asked, as if awakening from a bad dream. “Must I marry Anne de Bourgh to honour my mother’s memory?”

“Similar situations appear to have arisen before. The solicitor told us of a duke who had made a promise of marriage. When he chose to withdraw, he reached an agreement with the lady’s family. I am uncertain of the particulars, but the sum involved appears to have been considerable. Your case is different, of course, if you gave no promise.”

“So I must pay Lady Catherine to release me from a promise I never made?” Darcy asked, increasingly confused.

“Unfortunately, Catherine is not interested in your money. She wants you for her son-in-law!” Lord Matlock replied.

“I am more puzzled than frightened, but why me and not the colonel?” Darcy asked.

Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere eased.

“We can laugh, and I am glad you have not lost your sense of humour,” Lord Matlock observed. “But the situation is serious. She can make your life miserable if you refuse. Mr Howell assures me that this document cannot compel the marriage, but society has rules of its own.”

“I shall never agree! Mama knew what she was saying until the day she died. And we know Lady Catherine has not always been honest. Do you remember what she did to her mother-in-law after Sir Lewis died? She turned her out of the house, and the poor woman had to live with strangers.”

“Indeed, we know her character, and it troubles me greatly,” Lord Matlock said sadly. “Catherine is not accustomed to being opposed, and she has carefully prepared this scheme. You may be certain of that.”

“What my father is trying to say, my dear cousin,” the colonel interposed, “is that Lady Catherine would be a dangerous enemy. She will appeal to your respect for your mother’s last wishes and expect you to yield as a gentleman. If you refuse, she may make the document public and accuse you of abandoning Anne after promising to marry her. She is using your mother’s memory to obtain what she wants.”

“I care not, Uncle!” Darcy exclaimed, standing beside the colonel, the two men looking like brothers in the candlelight. Watching them, Lord Matlock felt a measure of pride. He had taken a father’s place in Darcy’s life since his parents’ deaths and could not bear to see anyone interfere with his future and destroy his happiness. If Catherine persuaded society that Darcy had broken a promise of marriage, his reputation could suffer, and any lady he chose might find herself drawn into the scandal.

“Sit down,” he ordered. “You two vex me with your habit of standing about during such important conversations!”

The colonel and Darcy laughed. They had been grown men for some years, but Lord Matlock still regarded them as children. Nevertheless, it was comforting to have an elder looking after them with the same devotion as when they were young, and they took their seats on a sofa before him.

“At any rate, we may have two months to consider the matter. Mr Howell has insisted on examining the document before accepting it as authentic. He has also warned Catherine that making it public before those enquiries are complete could weaken her own claim. She has agreed to wait, apparently certain that he will confirm its authenticity. However, I cannot promise that she will keep her word.”

All three young men smiled, impressed by Lord Matlock’s prudence. He had at least gained some time for Darcy to decide how to oppose her.

“My dear boy, you will make your own decision, but Mr Howell suggested a course that might deprive Lady Catherine of much of her power to interfere.”

Darcy regarded his uncle with interest and confidence.

“If you were to marry before she made this declaration public, she could no longer prevent your wedding. Afterwards, she might still cause trouble, but you and your wife would already be married, and we should continue our enquiries.”

Silence fell over the room as they all looked at Darcy, who blushed faintly. They attributed it to the tension of their conversation. But, in truth, he was considering how often marriage had lately entered his thoughts and conversations. His discussion with Georgiana now seemed a remarkable preparation for his uncle’s suggestion. At the same time, Elizabeth’s reappearance in his life was a sign not so difficult to interpret.

“But Uncle, I do not intend to marry merely to escape Lady Catherine. It would be no different from marrying Anne if I hastily chose a wife solely for that purpose!”

“He is right, Father!” Arthur agreed.

“Wait, Arthur,” the colonel exclaimed. “Papa may have a point. What if our cousin already loves a worthy lady who might consent to an early marriage?”

Darcy looked searchingly at his cousin, wondering whether he suspected the identity of that lady. He did not know what had betrayed him, but they had grown up together, and the colonel had always been like a brother. Sometimes no words were necessary between them.

“Does this lady truly exist?” his uncle asked, with a mixture of amusement and kindness.

Darcy hesitated. He disliked revealing his feelings and did not know whether the lady he loved would accept his proposal. He had only Georgiana’s observations to encourage him, and he still regarded her as a young girl taking her first steps into the adult world.

He needed time to consider and plan. His uncle had gained him some time, but perhaps not enough to court and marry Elizabeth.

“Well, boy?” Lord Matlock was growing impatient. “Have you a particular lady in mind?”