“And what would Anne do if she accepts the lieutenant? Would the man expect her to remain at Rosings?”

“As Miss De Bourgh is your heir, it might be a time to instruct her regarding Anne’s responsibility to the land.”

Lady Catherine hastily said, “Anne has never shown any inclination that she cares to know of that which I see daily.”

“Miss De Bourgh shall have additional impetus for learning. Instructing the lieutenant could also be a choice,” Elizabeth ventured.

“It would be some time before either would be ready to assume Rosings’s helm,” Her Ladyship reasoned.

A deep voice from the doorway asked, “Would you ladies care for tea?” Darcy’s curiosity laced his tone.

Elizabeth’s eyebrow rose in amusement. “Were you not to see to Miss De Bourgh?”

“Mrs. Annesley has kindly agreed to sit with them. They await your company,” he said tentatively.

“Go away, Darcy,” Lady Catherine ordered. “Mrs. Darcy and I are conferring on the matter. I’ll inform you of our decision when one is reached.”

He did a poor job of hiding his surprise that his wife had garnered his aunt’s favor, but Elizabeth relished the fact that he’d braved Her Ladyship’s wrath to protect her. “We’re quite comfortable, Fitzwilliam. Mayhap, you’d see to the rest of our guests.”

“I thought my cousin could be of assistance,” he explained.

“When I’m ready, I’ll send for the whole family. Now, Darcy, leave us.” Lady Catherine shooed him several times. “Go!”

Darcy bowed stiffly. “As you wish, Aunt.” Elizabeth, however, caught his wink as he closed the door.

As if never interrupted, Lady Catherine said, “It would be necessary for me to instruct Anne and the lieutenant.”

“It would show your benevolence,” Elizabeth summarized.

“Do not placate me, Mrs. Darcy,” Her Ladyship warned. “It wouldn’t be the ideal situation for Anne — having me teaching her of the account books and who are the honest tradesmen.”

Elizabeth silently admired the woman. There was a time she’d thought that she could never agree with anything Lady Catherine said. “In all honesty, it’ll be difficult for you both. Miss De Bourgh must place herself in an uncomfortable position, and you must relinquish some of your control. Change can cause fears, but that doesn’t make it nonsensical. The lieutenant is accustomed to dealing with hard decisions, with people from all walks of life. With the changes coming to the English estates, the lieutenant may adapt faster than a titled gentleman.”

Lady Catherine’s gaze sharpened. “What other assets does the man possess?”

“It is my understanding that the lieutenant holds a connection to a former favorite, Mr. Knight.”

“I was unaware of the relationship. At least, Southland comes from the gentry,” Her Ladyship conceded.

Elizabeth leaned forward and caught Lady Catherine’s hands, holding them both tightly. “I expect Anne would not have accepted the lieutenant’s attentions if she’d not thought herself well satisfied. Anne is of age,Your Ladyship.”

“Meaning if I refuse, I could lose my daughter, and if I agree, I shall lose her.” Elizabeth observed the gamut of emotions displayed on the lady’s face. It was a telling moment that Darcy’s aunt showed any weakness whatsoever.

“If you permit their joining, Miss De Bourgh and the lieutenant would remain at Rosings,” Elizabeth reminded her.

As she pulled at her hands, Lady Catherine said defensively, “I wouldn’t be alone. Is that the implication, Mrs. Darcy?”

Elizabeth shot a doubtful glance toward the door. Should she ask Darcy to return? “None of us wishes to be alone, becoming tied to the earth. Being counted successful, but knowing a personal deprivation.” She released Lady Catherine’s fingertips. “It would be my choice in your situation to keep my family close — not because I was an object of pity, but because I have much knowledge to pass on to my child, leaving her secure in her future.”

“What makes you so certain, Mrs. Darcy, that if Anne aligns herself with Southland that I’ll have a care for her future?”

“Because, Your Ladyship, you honor family. You never wanted me at Pemberley because you wanted to align your branch of the family with that of your dear sister’s. You’ve returned to my husband’s house because you desire a connection to your family — to your niece and nephew.”

“Yet, neither wants me here,” Lady Catherine said unguardedly.

Elizabeth’s voice rose in her husband’s defense. “Mr. Darcy’s allegiance to family is as deep as yours, Ma’am. He’ll not turn his back on his cousin if Anne chooses Southland.”

“So, Darcy would circumvent my position if I object to Anne’s engagement?” Lady Catherine asked incredulously.

“You know Mr. Darcy’s sense of duty as well as any. Can you imagine his turning away from Miss De Bourgh?” After a few moments’ silence, Elizabeth said, “You didn’t appear earlier to have a strong disdain for Anne’s choice. Why is it that you have retreated from the possibility? With your familial deference, I cannot imagine your not wanting to experience the thrill of recognizing your own grandchildren. And what of your grand nieces and nephews? Tell me, Your Ladyship, that you have no desire to see your flesh give birth,” Elizabeth demanded.

“I never said I’ve no desire to know Anne’s children or Lindale’s or Fitzwilliam’s or those of Georgiana!”

Elizabeth took offense that Darcy’s aunt omitted knowing her children. “Then what are you saying, Your Ladyship?” Elizabeth was on her feet — no longer content to sit in subjugation to Darcy’s aunt.

“I’m saying, Mrs. Darcy, that I may not know any of these children beyond Lindale’s. I have little time: I’m dying, Madam!”

Chapter 17

Elizabeth froze in mid-step. “That’s not amusing, Your Ladyship.”

“It’s not a topic I would take lightly, Mrs. Darcy,” Lady Catherine said sadly.

Elizabeth returned to the footstool and recaptured Her Ladyship’s hands. “How do you know this?”

“Doctor Lipton — in London.” Lady Catherine’s eyes misted with tears, and Elizabeth noted the defeat in the woman’s shoulders. “I’ve an enlarged area in my stomach. It’s too great for the surgeon.”

Elizabeth’s own eyes blinked back tears. “How long?”

“Six months — a year — maybe two. As the illness progresses, Lipton shall gave me laudanum, but that shall be the extent of his assistance.”

Elizabeth fished a handkerchief from her sleeve and slipped it into Lady Catherine’s trembling hand. “Are you in much pain?” She choked back her grief.

“Constant discomfort, but not pain. Not yet.”

Elizabeth’s mind raced with a thousand questions. “Does Miss De Bourgh know?” If so, it might explain Anne’s speedy acceptance of the lieutenant’s attentions — someone to protect her.

Lady Catherine discreetly dabbed at her eyes. “No. No one knows but you.”

Elizabeth couldn’t fathom such a disclosure. “Why me? Why tell me?”

“Because I must tell someone,” Lady Catherine said flatly.“And if nothing else, Mrs. Darcy, you are circumspect. You would take a secret to your grave, and that’s exactly what I expect you to do.”

“Surely, you’ll allow me to tell Fitzwilliam.”

Her Ladyship frowned. “No one, Mrs. Darcy,” she said emphatically. “I want no one’s pity. If Darcy accepts my gestures, I wish it to be because he finds a need for his aunt in his life, not because he holds regret.”