Prelude to Pemberley: Lady Catherine Interferes by Diana Birchall

Welcome to our Pride & Prejudice prequel! P&P: Prelude to Pemberley tells the story of the time leading up to the events of Pride & Prejudice, including what Darcy and Elizabeth were doing and thinking, Georgiana Darcy’s story, the events of Ramsgate, how Mr. Bingley came to lease Netherfield, and much more! Join us on our journey as the Austen Variations authors post the events of 1811 in real time on the date they happened – 214 years in the future.

Lady Catherine Interferes

October 1, 1811

Lady Catherine de Bourgh had vehemently importuned Mr. Darcy on the necessity for himself and his sister Georgiana to stop at Rosings on their way back from inspecting Mr. Bingley’s new residence, Netherfield. Her primary object had been to persuade him altogether against the visit to his friend, which she felt to be unwise; but all had been arranged and Darcy would not hear of any change. Therefore she considered it all the more important to prevail upon him to bring Georgiana to her, on their way back to London. What happened at Netherfield might affect the rest of the girl’s future life; and considering her responsibility toward her niece, Lady Catherine would by no means neglect any opportunity to provide the most crucial advice and counsel.

Lady Catherine had further lectured her nephew in no uncertain terms. “You must not forget, Darcy, that I am poor Georgiana’s closest living female relation, as she has no mother, and no sisters. You, as a young man, cannot advise her as a woman would, and I therefore must insist on giving the child my counsel at what may be the most important time in her life, when she most needs a motherly ear.”

Darcy pointed out that his sister had Mrs. Annesley, her highly trusted female companion, to consult, but Lady Catherine scoffed. “A paid person!” she spat out coldly. “Never have I heard of such a thing. The Darcy family has not been used to depending upon servants to decide their most momentous matters. No, Georgiana requires me, her own blood, to tell her what to do.” Darcy did not seem as sure of this as was his aunt, but he had wisdom enough to say nothing, and Lady Catherine continued, “Besides, you will admit that Kent is no distance from Herefordshire, so it is scarcely going out of your way at all.”

Darcy mildly objected that Netherfield and Rosings were more than sixty miles apart, and that the detour would take them an additional thirty miles out of their way in either direction, but she would not hear a word. “Nonsense! So small a distance as that, can be of no concern to you, with your means and your excellent horses and carriage; further, you and Georgiana are young and in good health and can fear no rigours of such a journey.” Darcy gave in, prudently concluding that it was better to pay a visit that must unavoidably be paid at some time or other, rather than bear with an unpleasant attack that might continue for many months.

So it was that Darcy and Georgiana, after a day on the road with their barouche and outriders, arrived at Rosings in time for one of Lady Catherine’s heavy, elaborate dinners. Both brother and sister misdoubted that food of such richness might not be quite what their digestions desired after a long day of bumps on the road that even the finest carriage could not avoid. But there was nothing for it, and they were already prepared to endure worse annoyance in Lady Catherine’s interrogations. Worst of all, these would be conducted publicly, for Lady Catherine did not forbear from inviting Mr. and Mrs. Collins to dinner, and of course her daughter as well as Anne and Mrs. Annesley and Mrs. Jenkinson, the Rosings ladies’ companions, would all be present.

Georgina would have been embarrassed to the point of extreme fright even had the interview been conducted in private, but Darcy was in a state of exasperation and suppressed rage that did not bode well for a peaceful meal.

Lady Catherine started in on them at once, with the soup, which opened her first sally.

“Georgiana, I am infinitely concerned. I am not accustomed to make indelicate personal observations on either my menu or how those who dine at my table take it to themselves, but I would be remiss not to tell you of my concern. So little soup as you are eating! Does it not agree with you, my child? I trust you are not ill? Darcy, have you noticed any weakness growing upon her in your visit? Any fever, or discoloration?”

Georgiana seemed unable or unwilling to answer, and only looked at her soup plate, so Darcy, having been called upon, jumped in to rescue her.

“No, Aunt, Georgiana has been perfectly well during our visit into Hertfordshire. We both may be slightly disordered today, perhaps, after our journey, and not equal to doing full justice to a fine dinner; but it is nothing that a night’s rest will not repair.”

“I am glad to know that you take a proper interest in this child’s well doing, Darcy, for frankly, late events have given me reason to doubt.”

She nodded emphatically, shaking both her lace cap and her chins with emphasis.

“I should not have thought that you could stoop to imply that I do not know my duty toward my sister,” he answered with disapproval.

“No such thing. I am as surprised by such a thing, as you could be. It is almost the first time – well, perhaps no more than the second – that I have known you to lose sight of what you owe Georgiana, indeed, to all the family.”

Darcy looked at her in amazement, tinged with a touch of disdain. “What can you possibly mean by such an aspersion? I have always had Georgiana’s good entirely in mind.”

“So I once would have thought. But when I see you at the point of settling your sister in an unfortunate, unequal, unthinkable marriage – very nearly as bad as your own – then I have no choice but to speak out.”

For a moment it was uncertain whether Darcy might lose his temper entirely. He wavered, but his control and manners won out. He only said, in a clipped way, restraining emotion, “I must remind you, Aunt, that I have long made it clear to you that I will brook no insult nor lack of respect to my wife. No one who speaks of her, or treats her in such a way, is worthy to be our connection, or welcome at Pemberley. I hope that I have now made this clear, for once and for all.”

“Well, well, Darcy, I never thought to hear such words from my nephew, my dear sister Anne’s only son; but at the same time, I concede that there is no point in alluding to your wife. What is done is done, and I assure you it was only due to my extreme concern for Georgiana, that has made me sadly disordered.”

“But what can be the basis for your worry on that score? A marriage? I am not settling Georgiana in any kind of arrangement, it is not what I would dream of attempting. She is not a slave, or chattel, and not to be disposed of as such. She is a young woman of free mind; and while I would always guard and advise her, especially while she is not of age, I assure you I am not guilty of scheming in some sort of cold hearted matrimonial plot.”

“I trust not. Darcy, those are very fine words, but what am I to think when I see you engaged in what is plainly a maneuvering business?”

“What? Do you mean to say that you view a harmless country visit to my great friend, a man of perfect probity,  guiltless and incapable of scheming – as some sort of maneuvering plot?”

“I certainly do. What is more, I can sympathize with you to some extent, for your concern for your sister has been sorely tried. Do not think me ignorant, nephew, of the disgraceful business of her being sent from school. I was of use, I hope, in averting this scandal, and it is well for Georgiana that she has *some* relations who think about these things, and will protect her from her own foolish behavior.”

Too much of this was true for Darcy to deny it, though he could not bring himself to compliment Lady Catherine, and only gritted his teeth. She proceeded.

“Worse still, I have heard of things that make me suspect that Wickham still has designs upon her, but I possess enough confidence in you to be sure that you would foil any attempt of his to make her his prey.”

Darcy was relieved to realize that, whatever her suspicions, Lady Catherine was not aware of the whole story of what Wickham had done. Calming down, he was able to assure her that on that subject, they were both of one mind.

“That is well. I know you would fight that scoundrel to the death, rather than allow him within a mile of Georgiana.”

“Certainly.”

“But that does not mean that the girl is already so devalued that she is only fit for a nobody like your friend Charles Bingley! This is the consequence, you see, Darcy,” she nodded vigorously, “of your being coaxed into friendship with inferiors. Why, Bingley is barely a gentleman. You really must look higher in your friends, if Georgiana is ever to have any sort of suitable and equal husband.”

“I believe you look too lowly upon Charles,” he told her earnestly. “He would never disgrace Georgiana even in social position. I know no man who is more gentle, more amiable, and of the kindest disposition, than my friend. He is a person of property enough to please you, and means to live the most unblameable, useful of domestic lives in his new country home. I am sure it will be a happy one.”

“That is all very well,” she retorted tartly. “But he need not aspire to Miss Darcy of Pemberley. Let him marry his little Jane Bennet if he likes – I have heard she is his real object – and let Georgiana find her own level, several higher than this tradesman’s son, Mr. Bingley. I believe Lord Amberley is seeking an appropriate heiress for his son – “

Mr. Darcy stood up. “Lady Catherine, let us discuss this no farther. If Bingley seriously wishes to wed Miss Bennet – I suppose it was Mr. Collins who informed you of that?”

“To be sure,” she nodded. “He knows his duty as a rector. To tell me every thing.”

“Be that as it may,” Darcy concluded firmly, “Bingley’s heart is his own, as is Georgiana’s, and I will never act in such a way as to controvert either of them.”

Lady Catherine looked at him dubiously. Used to having her own way as she was, she saw that she could go no farther with her nephew. “I suppose that assurance will have to suffice,” she remarked in the most grumpy of tones, which from her, was enough to arouse panic in the weak.

Darcy was not of that description. He smiled blandly. “I see you have some very fine partridges upon the table,” he observed. “I believe I shall enjoy one. More wholesome than a made dish, after my travels, I am sure you will agree, Lady Catherine.”

Somewhat mollified, she acquiesced with a slightly less frozen expression. “You will be safe with my partridges, Darcy, very safe,” she said. “You are well acquainted with the rule for the serving of fowls at Rosings. Always more fresh than at any other table in the country.”

“That is so,” said Darcy, tucking in with appetite. “These are some of the finest I have ever tasted. But Georgiana,” he put down his fork for a moment, “I cannot recommend that you take them. You need a little longer to recover from the journey, I collect. Perhaps a little toast and tea will do for you?”

Georgiana found her voice, to the extent she could. “Yes, brother, I should like that. If it is not too much trouble, Lady Catherine?”

“Trouble!” exclaimed that lady. “A trifling matter for the cook. And for myself, my dear – “ she leaned forward, put her hand on Georgiana’s, and fixed her with a terrifyingly eat-you-up expression – “What do you think I would not do for the children of my very dear sister? Nothing, I assure you. Nothing. Have your toast my dear. Mrs. Jenkinson,” she added, turning to that functionary, “do hurry the girl, if you would. Miss Georgiana is waiting.”

Read all the scenes in Prelude to Pemberley here!