Mr. Darcy instructed Mrs. Reynolds, his housekeeper, to take care of a few things. Then he walked into the breakfast room, ready to evict Miss Bingley when a loud voice was heard.
“Where is my nephew? I must see him at once!” Lady Catherine stalked into the room, unannounced.
Darcy turned to greet her. “Lady Catherine.”
“Fitzwilliam.” Lady Catherine surveyed the unknown faces in the room and asked archly, “Who are all these people?”
“Have a seat and some tea, Aunt. This is Mr. Gardiner, my guest. These individuals are Mr. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. They are relatives of my friend, Charles Bingley. Their carriage broke down near Pemberley. They are waiting here while it is being repaired, but they will be leaving very soon.”
“It is a cold autumn. There is no hunting or rambling. Whyever did you invite guests to Pemberley? And what sort of people would permit their carriage break down during such weather? Your friend’s relatives are most ill-planned. They should fire their head coachman. I have no time to spare for tea, for a report of the most alarming nature has reached me.”
“About?” Mr. Darcy asked dryly.
His aunt bridled, still standing, but she did accept a tea cup that a brave maid offered. “Do not be facetious, young man. I was told that you are engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, that young woman who had to take charity from her cousin’s invitation for a visit to my illustrious Rosings. Of course, it cannot be true! But I am distressed that anyone would even compose such a fiction.”
“It is no fiction,” he said flatly.
“What?” His aunt recoiled. “For shame, young man. For shame! How could you even consider lowering your standards for such a woman?”
Darcy gritted his teeth. He would not allow anyone to berate his fiancée but neither would he argue with his aunt in front of everyone. “Lady Catherine, we shall discuss this in my study.”
She look at him in astonishment. “I am having my tea now. Umh, surprisingly good tea, actually! Where did you procure it? I have been traveling from Kent for nearly three days, without pause. I am tired and I want answers. Simply tell me, once and for all, that it is not true.”
“It is quite true. Miss Elizabeth Bennet and I are engaged, and we shall be married in Longbourn, her father's estate in Hertfordshire, in two weeks. I intend to send out the invitation to you shortly.”
His aunt stiffened. “Engaged!” Her fingers tightened, and Mr. Darcy wondered whether the tea cup might shatter in her grip. “What nonsense is this? You are engaged to Anne!” Lady Catherine exclaimed.
“Engaged?” Caroline echoed. “Mr. Darcy, you cannot marry Miss Eliza. You simply cannot!”
“So soon!” Georgiana cried. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, I am so happy for you and Miss Elizabeth!” His sister sounded jubilant.
Mr. Gardiner was the only who remained silent.
“Silence, Georgiana!” his aunt thundered. “How can you congratulate your brother on such a match? This is not to be borne! The woman has no fortune and no connections. Besides, your brother is engaged to Anne. It was always the fondest wish of your mother. How can he defy the hope of his own mother? How can he ally himself with a woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world?”
Eyeing the assembled women sternly, Darcy asserted himself. “Miss Bingley, pray mind your language. I allow no one to slander my fiancée. Aunt, pray do not speak to Georgiana in such a manner. I am sorry to contradict you, Aunt, but I never once heard my mother speak about Anne and I marrying. I have only ever thought of Anne as my cousin. I would never offer for her, for I firmly believe that our temperaments would not suit. I am in no need of Miss Elizabeth’s fortune or connections. I am a gentleman and she is a gentleman’s daughter. In that sense, we are quite equal.”
“But who is her mother? Who are her uncles and aunts? They are merely lawyers or merchants of trade! How can you bear to link yourself with that sort of people?”
Mr. Gardiner finally spoke. “Lady Catherine, I am Elizabeth’s uncle – the one who is in trade,” he added wryly. “Perhaps you will not wish to continue to drinking tea, for I am responsible for its import from Ceylon. After all, you were quite clear that you do not wish to be linked with us in any way.”
Lady Catherine, who had indeed been sipping the tea, nearly had it burst out from her nose. “What?” she croaked, coughing. “Fitzwilliam, how can you allow a merchant to grace your table?”
“Aunt, if you are so strict with your associations, I must ask Miss Bingley to leave the room as well, for her family’s fortune was also from trade.”
Miss Bingley’s face turned bright red on hearing Darcy’s remarks. Lady Catherine sent her a condescending glance and continued, “No wonder she dresses in so vulgar a display of fortune, with such presumed elegance. Mark my words, Fitzwilliam! This merchant woman is after your wealth and position too.”
“Thank for your concern, Aunt. I consider myself to be a decent student of character, able to recognise those who are genuine in their regard for my well-being.”
“Mr. Darcy, I am only looking out for your best interests. Have you forgotten that Miss Eliza was amorously involved with one of those red-coat soldiers?” Miss Bingley demanded shrilly.
“Miss Bingley, pray do not speak regarding matters about which you know nothing. Miss Elizabeth’s heart was utterly untouched, except by me. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, you have best prepare for departure. Your carriage is repaired.”
“I do not care to leave just yet,” Miss Bingley said smugly. “Not until I have witnessed her downfall. You will know soon enough that your so-called fiancée is no better than a harlot…”
“What a very provocative statement, Miss Bingley. Did you also hear the alarming report that someone has been trying to harm her? She began to feel unwell, last night when we were chatting together. I am happy to reassure you all that I enjoyed looking after her throughout the night, as a fiancée should – under the chaperonage of Mrs. Gardiner, of course. Miss Elizabeth had quite recovered by this morning, and I have sent Mrs. Reynolds to search for the culprits and the evidence of their misdeed. Anyone who has tried to harm her will, naturally, have to answer to me."
Miss Bingley, whose eyes had widened upon hearing Darcy’s words, stood up and left the room abruptly, with Mrs. Hurst hard on her heels. Her husband, who was at a loss about what happened, nevertheless left, as well.
“You see?” Lady Catherine said witheringly. “This Miss Elizabeth brings nothing but jealousy into our midst. You would not wish to be harmed by association with her, as well.” She bent her narrowed gaze on him. “Remember that there are many people dependent upon you, Nephew, and that I am your nearest relative, the closest thing you have to a mother. You are morally obliged to take my advice. If you willfully act against the inclinations of all who care about you, you will be censured, slighted, and despised. You simply cannot marry that country upstart.”
“Aunt, pray do not berate my fiancée. She is the victim here, not the initiator of any trouble. Mother always said that I should choose a wife who loved me for myself, not for my position or wealth. Miss Elizabeth is charming, witty and intelligent. It has been many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest woman of my acquaintance. And I know for a certainty that she loves me for myself, not for what the Darcy name can bring.”
“Ha! How can you be so sure? She may have used arts and allurements during Easter time to blind you.”
“I know for a certainty because she declined my proposal when we were in Kent.”
“She refused you!” Georgiana gasped.
“What nonsense are you talking about? You proposed during your stay in Rosings?” Lady Catherine asked, looking as shocked by the locale as by the event.
“Yes. I have been in love with Miss Elizabeth since last November.” Darcy could see that his declaration surprised all of the people still in the room. “But she would not have me, for all my fortune and wealth. She found me arrogant in my treatment of people in Hertfordshire, and interfering regarding the romance of Mr. Bingley and her sister Miss Bennet. It has taken me many months to prove my worth and win her heart. I will not be swayed. Miss Elizabeth and I will be married next week. If you continue to criticise her, I must ask you to leave Pemberley at once. I will not tolerate her being abused in any way, now or in the future.”
“Then you are a fool! You do not know what you are getting into. Now bring me more tea and a full breakfast. I will leave for Matlock after that. Your uncle will know how to talk some sense into you.”
“As you wish, Aunt. I will leave you to break your fast.”
Mr. Gardiner could not help his smile. He followed Mr. and Miss Darcy out of the room, leaving the elderly lady to enjoy his tea.
The two men, accompanied by Georgiana, retreated to Mr. Darcy’s study.
“Darcy, why was I not told about someone trying to hurt Elizabeth?” Mr. Gardiner immediately asked.
“Yes, Fitzwilliam. Is she truly well now?” Georgiana added.
“Yes, she is well now, Georgiana, but I would take it kindly if you would check on Miss Bennet for me and send Mrs. Reynolds down to us.”
“Of course.”
After his sister had left, Mr. Darcy continued, “I did not know about it, either, until the early hours of this morning. I believe Miss Bingley to have performed some form of witchcraft on Miss Bennet. She has recovered now and Mrs. Gardiner is with her.”
“Witchcraft! What an evil woman! Do you really intend to allow Miss Bingley to leave, just like that?”
“I have asked Mrs. Reynolds to question all of their servants and to search her room, if required. Let us wait for her report.”
When the housekeeper entered, Darcy looked to her immediately. “Mrs. Reynolds, did Miss Bingley’s servants say anything?”
“Under the threat of being arrested for witchcraft, Miss Bingley’s maid was quite forthcoming. She said her mistress went to consult a witch in an obscure village on River Orwell. She did not know what Miss Bingley obtained there, but she helped me search the room. In the drawer of the table, we found this doll, with pins stuck in it, as well as some pieces of paper with strange writing. We could not make it out, as it was almost burned to ashes, but what is left appears to be instructions on how to perform the black magic.”
“Is that the only witchcraft she possessed?”
“The maid did not know, but that was the only thing we found among her possessions that looked like witchcraft. Still, the maid did tell me something about the witch. She said the woman was called Ipswich the Good Witch, famous for her good deeds and strict rules. She claimed that her curse would not work if the person did not deserve it, and that it normally had a beneficial effect on good people. And it was rumoured that evil people who asked for her spells would only get the worse end of the bargain, and would be unable to harm others ever again.”
“Is that so!” Mr. Darcy was relieved by that final piece of information. “Have you asked the maid for directions to find this witch? I would like to visit her, after my wedding. I want to make sure Miss Bennet will not suffer any permanent effects from this witchcraft.”
“Yes, the maid gave me some vague directions. She said that it was all she had heard about where the witch resided. The popular belief seems to be that only people who were meant to find her could succeed in doing so. But I have instructed the maid to inform Mr. Bingley if Miss Bingley should exhibit any strange behaviour.”
“Good. I will send an express to Bingley about all of this.”
“It seems we cannot do much more, for now,” Mr. Gardiner opined. “I think I will go and check on Elizabeth.”
Mr. Darcy put the doll in the safe box in the study, and then went out to see the Hursts and his aunt to their carriages. Miss Bingley, he observed, was not her usual haughty and collected self. She bumped into Lady Catherine in her rush to the carriage, and the contents of her reticule dropped out and onto the hem of the old lady’s dress.
Lady Catherine brushed them aside contemptuously. “No manners at all! Your friend should teach his sister to walk properly before allowing her out in society.”
Miss Bingley hurriedly collected the black candle and mirror from the ground, and dropped them back into her reticule, then favored the elderly lady with an angry glare and climbed up into the carriage.
Mr. Darcy breathed a heart-felt sigh of relief when the carriages containing his uninvited guests finally faded from view.
That night, dinner was a pleasant affair, all the more so because Elizabeth had sufficiently recovered her strength to join the others. With their newfound intimacy, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth could not help constantly gazing at and whispering to each other. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner smiled to see such lovestruck behaviour.
When everyone had retired for the night, Mr. Darcy slipped into Elizabeth’s room and joined her on the bed for a tight embrace.
“Are you feeling better, my love?”
She blushed and nodded. “I am fine, except for being a little bit sore.”
“Where? Perhaps I can massage your sore flesh.” His hands smoothed over her back.
“Fitzwilliam!”
He lowered his head and gave her a tender kiss. “I am only teasing, dearest. I know you are still too sore. And we will be leaving for Longbourn in a few days, so I do not want to completely wear you out. I simply want the pleasure of holding you, to assure myself that no lasting harm has come to you.”
“I still shudder to think of Miss Bingley’s witchcraft.”
“Remember what the maid said about the witch. We do not deserve an evil curse, and so it had a rather different effect on us. I spent the most amazing night with you, and I loved it that you were wild for me. I was hoping to teach you how to be wanton, after we marry. This just makes my task easier.”
“It is not wrong to be wanton?”
“I want you always to express your feelings freely with me, my dear. We are now of one flesh. I want you to make love to me as much as I want to love you in return.”
They shared another deep kiss before drifting off together into a deep sleep.
In the meantime, inside the Inn of Lambton, Miss Bingley took out the black candle and mirror and spread them on the desk. She had a second package in her reticule, one which, luckily, she had left with Louisa in the morning.
She was still furious with Mr. Darcy. How dare you send someone to go through my room! I will make your dear Miss Eliza suffer!
She no longer had any fallen hair from that impudent upstart because of the reticule incident, but she would conduct the witchcraft anyway. She pictured Miss Eliza in her mind and chanted, according to the instruction.
“Black magic flame, dance and call upon the Devil of Hell. With your fire, make her eyes criss-crossed. With your flame, distort her nose. Devil of Hell, pray let the world see the reality of her ugly form.”
After she finished the ritual, she reclined on the bed with a contented smile. If Miss Eliza had distorted eyes and nose, Mr. Darcy would soon tire of her, even if he did marry the chit.
When morning came, loud screams were heard in the Inn of Lambton. Miss Bingley woke up to find her nose twisted, like she had been punched and her eyes permanently crisscrossed. How could this have happened? It seemed without the hair of the intended victim, the witchcraft worked on the last one who touched the candle.