Page 32 of Roses from Pemberley
But instead she said, “I met your sister downstairs. She is a very beautiful young lady.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, she is, Your Ladyship. Both inside and out.”
“And Bingley is quite taken with her.”
“I believe he is.”
“It will be a good match for her,” said Lady Catherine, “as well as for him. He comes from trade but is wealthy. While she is poor but a gentleman’s daughter.”
“That is all true, Lady Catherine. But…they also love one another.”
“And do you think love is an important factor when choosing a spouse?”
Elizabeth did not know how she could be having such a conversation with Lady Catherine but, as she was enjoying it, she decided to let it run its course. And so she answered, “I would not marry where I did not love.”
Lady Catherine looked at her thoughtfully before saying, “Even if your estate was entailed from the female line and you had no significant dowry?”
That is all true,thought Elizabeth, realising that Lady Catherine was talking about her family. Then she recalled Darcy’s proposal more than a week ago and answered, “Perhaps I am too much governed by my heart but…I would not marry someone I did not love - even in such circumstances.”
“I am not certain your mother would approve of such notions.”
“True, she probably would not.”
A silence fell between them.
Eventually Lady Catherine changed the subject again and asked, “But you are better now, Miss Bennet? You are able to move about?”
“Alas, I have been confined to my room as I still feel quite weak. But I would like to go outside sometime soon.”
“My nephew, Darcy, is very fond of the outdoors,” said Lady Catherine, reverting back to that gentleman.
“Is he?”
“Yes. And perhaps…if he is available…you and he might take some air together one of these days.”
Elizabeth was again astonished but she only answered, “Yes, I would like that…whenever Mr. Darcy is free.”
Lady Catherine nodded and they spoke for a while about the areas near Rosings and the paths she and Darcy might take once she was able to walk further distances.
“Pemberley also has many lovely walking paths,” said Lady Catherine. “A little wilder than Rosings but…such were my sister’s tastes.”
Elizabeth was surprised at the mention of Pemberley, but only said, “I too am fond of wilder gardens.”
“Pemberley is likely the most beautiful estate in Derbyshire. And many ladies have tried and failed to become its mistress.”
“Oh, I see. You mean..?” Was Lady Catherine referring to the many women who pursued Darcy?
“Yes, precisely,” said Lady Catherine, almost as if she had heard Elizabeth’s unspoken thoughts. “Many have pursued Darcy over the years.”
“For himself or for Pemberley?” asked Elizabeth impulsively.
Lady Catherine eyed her thoughtfully before answering, “Most of them have not even looked at him beyond the exterior. So yes, it was Pemberley they were really after. I suppose he saw through them and realised he did not wish to be in a loveless marriage. Perhaps that is why I wished for him to marry Anne. At least they are fond of each other. And Anne, of course, is not mercenary.”
“Of course,” murmured Elizabeth, thinking that this was the most bizarre conversation she’d ever had with Lady Catherine. However, she only said, “You speak as if you no longer wish for a match between them.”
Lady Catherine shrugged. “They do not wish for it so…who am I to force them?”
“That is very generous of you…to consider their wishes,” said Elizabeth cautiously.
