The Ladies of Rosings Park – Chapter 13

The Ladies of Rosings Park is now published! Hooray! But in case you don’t have your own copy yet, I will continue posting chapters here every Monday until we finish Part One of the book (the time period covered in Pride and Prejudice). These early chapters read like P&P “missing scenes” – your favorite book from a different perspective.

Last week in chapter twelve, Lady Catherine confronted Darcy and inadvertently taught him to hope he still had a chance with Elizabeth. Today, it’s the exchange of letters afterward that confirms a full breach. Jane Austen tell us… Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew; and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character in her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time all intercourse was at an end. Here are those letters. (PS – I shared this chapter on my website/blog last summer, so if it sounds familiar to some of you, that’s why.)

To catch up first, see these previous posts: Prologue, Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight, Book Launch and Chapter Nine, Chapter Ten, Chapter Eleven, Chapter 12

– 13 –

 Lady Catherine

 Celebrating Frankness

I do not know what this world, and more particularly the British Empire, is coming to when young people no longer respect their elders, when members of the next generation no longer care to do their duty and obey the rightful heads of their families. The country shall surely fall into wreck and ruin, and the only crumb of comfort I find is in thinking that the final disaster may not descend upon our shores in my day.

I thanked heaven Anne had not yet been touched by this fever of rebellion. I could not be entirely satisfied with her behavior in the recent affair, but I believed her failures stemmed from weakness rather than obstinacy. While that might be just as provoking, it was more easily excused, since she could not help it. I have to continually remind myself that she has neither my excellent constitution nor my crusader’s heart to sustain her in the long fight, but I believed she would have abided by my wishes if it had been within her power. Moreover, the concessions she made, the things she said the day I confronted Darcy, were by way of saving face – a natural enough response. No, it is the other two who must shoulder the blame for this debacle.

I should not have been so surprised that Miss Bennet failed to recognize my authority, even after all my kindness to her; she was obviously very badly brought up. But Darcy has not the same excuse, which makes his downfall – caught, as he was, in the web of that young woman’s arts and allurements – all the more tragic. Still, I held out some hope that he might meditate further on my frank advice to him that day and come to his senses in time, that is, until I received this communication from him not long afterward.

Dear Aunt,

I am a most fortunate man. Miss Elizabeth Bennet has done me the great honor of accepting my proposal, and we are to be married in November. I do not delude myself into thinking you will receive this news gladly. However, now that everything is definitely settled, I pray you will endeavor to adjust your mind toward accepting my decision, that you will determine to put aside your former prejudices and welcome into the family the lady who is soon to be my wife. All further intercourse between Pemberley and Rosings depends on it, for my sister and I will by no means continue to associate with any person who persists in insulting someone we both care for so deeply. The matter is entirely in your hands, Madam.

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Words fail to adequately describe what I felt upon receiving this letter. Righteous indignation? Incensed? Livid? Outraged? Yes, all of these things and more. And when I considered that one who had been near and dear to me was the cause of my suffering… Again, the English language does not contain anything equal to the task.

Yet language was all that was left to me at that point. Therefore, I immediately sat down to get on with the job of making my position clearly known to my nephew, in order that I might have done, once and for all. There was nothing to be gained by delay. I wrote as follows:

Darcy,

I can no longer address you as ‘my dear nephew,’ for by your actions you have forfeited your right to any such regard. With this disgraceful marriage you plan to perpetrate upon the family, you spit in the face of everything I hold sacred. I only thank God your father and your sainted mother did not live to see this day!

As for your suggestion that I meekly accept your decision and your intended bride, this can never be! My character, which has been ever celebrated for its frankness, will not permit it. I shall speak my mind as long as I draw breath, and my opinion is this. Miss Bennet has behaved disgracefully. In total disregard for honor and right, she has forced herself in where she was not wanted. She has entered through the back door like a common thief and carried away the peace and integrity of a noble family, treating these things as cheaply as dirt. She has shown herself to be selfish, devious, and irreverent. Mark well my words, Darcy. She lusts after money and status. She cares nothing for you, your sister, or for your beloved Pemberley. She will ruin all three in the end.

If intercourse between our households must now cease, so be it. However, I refuse to take the blame. I lay it instead where it rightly belongs, at Miss Bennet’s feet. This is her doing. I warned her what she could expect if she succeeded in drawing you in – that she would never receive any notice from the family, that she would be censured and despised wherever she went, and that she would drag you down with her in the eyes of the world. That you were (and apparently still are) too blind to see it is most regrettable, but it in no way acquits you of responsibility.

I am most seriously displeased! But beyond refusing to see you again or to ever acknowledge your wife, it is not for me to mete out the punishment you deserve. Nevertheless, punishment is surely coming. The course you have set for yourself makes that certain. You are bound to suffer the inevitable consequences of this decision for years to come. Perhaps painful experience will finally teach you to repent of this foolishness where reason failed to do so. Unfortunately, by then it will be too late. I have done my best, but I now wash my hands of you.

C. de Bourgh

I folded the letter, wrote the direction, sealed and posted it the same day.

(continue reading chapters 14 and 15)

Well, we now know exactly what Lady Catherine thinks about the news of Darcy and Elizabeth’s engagement! But how will this development affect the other ladies of Rosings Park? Only a couple more episodes of Part One to go!

The Ladies of Rosings Park is currently available in paperback and Kindle, with audio coming soon. Learn more about Shannon Winslow and her books at www.shannonwinslow.com

At first glance, Anne de Bourgh doesn’t seem a promising heroine. But beneath that quiet exterior, there’s a lively mind at work, imagining how one day she will escape her poor health and her mother’s domination to find love and a life worth living.

Now Anne finally gets the chance to speak her mind. But Lady Catherine demands equal time. Even Charlotte Collins and Mrs. Jenkinson get into the act. Chapter by chapter, these ladies of Rosings Park take turns telling the tale from the moment Elizabeth Bennet sets foot in Hunsford, changing everything. Is Anne heartbroken or relieved to discover Mr. Darcy will never marry her? As an heiress, even a sickly one, she must have other suitors. Does Lady Catherine gracefully accept the defeat of her original plan or keep conniving? Will Anne’s health ever improve? And what really happened to her father?

Complete in itself, this work expands The Darcys of Pemberley series laterally, beginning during the timeline of Pride and Prejudice and carrying beyond to reveal the rest of Anne’s story. When a young lady is to be a heroine… something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way. (Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey)