when you were at Pemberley during the summer.”
Kitty smiled. The man had recalled details of her life, and that pleased her. “Since the first of October. They prepare for a spring wedding.”
“Then the banns haven’t been called?” Mr. Winkler sliced his ham.
Bingley finally seated himself beside his wife. “They’ve placed a notice in the paper, but the banns will wait until the first of February. Mr. Grange will assume additional duties in Mr. Philips’s office in March. Philips is Mrs. Bennet’s brother in marriage,” he explained.
Winkler shot a glance at Kitty, and she blushed. “Miss Catherine will be the last Bennet sister to marry,” the clergyman summarized.
Bingley laughed lightly. “My wife’s mother will concentrate her energies on Kitty soon.” He winked at Kitty. “Of course, we assume Kitty hasn’t decided on a proper husband previously. For all we know, she plans to marry immediately. It only takes fifteen days to have the banns called three times. Do you have someone in mind, Kitty? Will you beat Mary to the altar?”
Kitty choked on her tea, and Mr. Winkler gently rubbed her back to curtail her coughing. His kindness made her instantly aware of his touch. Between clearing her throat and taking several steadying breaths, Kitty struggled to recover.
“I apologize, Kitty,” Bingley said earnestly. “I shouldn’t tease.”
She swallowed hard. Mr. Winkler’s hand remained. Kitty could feel his warmth radiating through her chest and sinking into her lower abdomen. “I swallowed tea rather than taking a breath,” she rasped. Realizing his hand still rested on her back, Mr. Winkler jerked it away, and Kitty found herself bereft of his touch. “I’ve… I’ve no plans.” She stopped to clear her throat. “No plans for a marriage.”
“Are you open to new possibilities?” Mr. Bingley’s teasing tone returned. “Do you seek a marriage, Sister Dear?”
“Charles! That’s enough,” Jane reprimanded. “I suspect that as a child you were quite unrelenting with your taunts to Caroline and Louisa.”
Bingley casually chuckled. “With two sisters, I had no choice.”
Caroline joined the conversation from her self-imposed isolation. “Louisa and I have always had your best interests at heart, Charles.”
Kitty thought of the pain Miss Bingley had caused Jane and Mr. Bingley when the lady’s manipulations had separated them — exposing Bingley to the censure of the world for caprice and instability and Jane to its derision for disappointed hopes, as well as involving them both in misery of the acutest kind.
Bingley kindly said, “You’ve devoted your time and your interest to my well-being, Caroline, and I’m forever in your debt; however, I’d cherish the opportunity to see you in your own home.You deserve the best, my dear.”
Edward tapped softly on Lady Catherine’s door and a maid admitted him immediately. Her Ladyship lounged on a chaise. She held toast in one hand and a teacup in the other. He bowed and then motioned the maid’s departure. “Thank you for agreeing to see me, Your Ladyship.”
“Why would I not, Edward? You’re a most beloved nephew. You’ve brought honor to the Fitzwilliam name.” She gestured him to a chair.
Edward took the seat, but he remained alert. Years of dealing with his aunt had taught him to never underestimate the woman. Dressed in a dark purple velvet gown, his aunt was a paragon of determination, and many shrank from her renowned inflexibility. She was dark of eye and hair, much darker than her brother, Edward’s father, and the complete opposite of the fair-haired Lady Anne, Darcy’s mother. She could convey her arrogance with a lift of her square chin or a glare along her straight, high-bridged nose. “My choice of military service came as the lesser of two evils, but I’m content with my time. I believe God has placed me in this role to save men from death’s grip. I’m thankful for that position.”
“As you well should be.” Lady Catherine pushed her way to a seated position. “Of what did you wish to speak, Colonel?”
Edward frowned deeply. “I’d like to know your true reason for coming to Pemberley uninvited.”
“You came to Pemberley uninvited,” she accused.
His eyes forcefully demanded that his aunt not fence verbally. “True. However, I’ve never expressed indignation regarding Darcy’s marriage. Neither did I send him language so very abusive, especially of Mrs. Darcy, when he announced his engagement. You’ve not spoken to Darcy or his wife for over two years, and then suddenly you appear on my cousin’s doorstep. I ask myself
“Possibly, I had no other recourse,” she said slyly.
Edward forced himself to hold her gaze. Years had taught him that Lady Catherine used her dominating stare to quell her dissenters. “I might believe you sought Pemberley’s safety if you hadn’t sent word to Mr. Collins before you left Matlock.”
“Georgiana told you that, did she?” Lady Catherine accused.
Edward struggled for an obliging response. “I’m Georgiana’s guardian. It would be natural for her to seek my advice. And I would warn Your Ladyship not to think that I’ll fall for your diversionary tactics. Georgiana isn’t the issue. Now, let’s revisit your motive for returning to Pemberley.”
Lady Catherine’s mouth tightened in a furious line. “In reality, I have no response.” She waited for his retort, but Edward’s silence demanded a longer explanation. “Matlock left for Lincolnshire. I’d already promised Collins a means to Kent.” She ticked off her reasons on her fingers. “The road conditions deteriorated before I could make other arrangements. I saw my niece in your family home some days prior, and I realized I missed my sister’s offspring.”
Edward’s eyebrow rose in disbelief. “Do you mean to say, Aunt, that you wished for a reconciliation with Darcy?”
“Marriage is forever. I cannot change what’s been done. Although I vehemently disagree with Darcy’s choice, I’ve come to realize that my objections are also keeping me from Georgiana. In order for my niece to have a successful Season, Georgiana needs the weight of her connections. Darcy’s position gives Georgiana impetus, but Matlock and Lindale’s names lend credence to her consequence.” His aunt’s words didn’t sit well with Edward, but he couldn’t identify what it was about the image of his cousin’s Society Come Out that bothered him most. It was certainly not Georgiana’s appearance; his cousin’s beauty would awe even the most hardened heart. Possibly, that was it: He couldn’t picture Georgiana in another man’s embrace. “The De Bourgh connection shall strengthen my niece’s suit.”
“So, for Georgiana’s sake, you’ll swallow your distress regarding Darcy’s marriage?” he said incredulously.
“Darcy has thrice sent correspondence offering an appeasement. Admittedly, I’ve ignored his olive branch, but Christmastide seemed a time for forgiveness.”
Edward certainly didn’t believe her reasons, but he knew from experience that his aunt believed what she said. Therefore, Lady Catherine’s frankness penetrated his reserve. “You are an intelligent woman,Your Ladyship, so I’ll forego the customary warning.You’re aware of Darcy’s nature. My cousin will never tolerate your condemnation of his wife or his guests.”
Surprised, he watched as Lady Catherine swallowed her temptation to criticize. “I am appalled by the people with whom Darcy surrounds himself, but I can tolerate his acquaintances without considering them my intimates.”
“I pray you can, Aunt.” Her sincerity rang of possibilities. “It’s comforting to think that you’ve considered Georgiana’s future, but you should also make room for Mrs. Darcy’s role in your life.You must maintain no delusions of Elizabeth ever being replaced in Darcy’s estimation. The man loves his wife, very much in the manner that the late Mr. Darcy loved Lady Anne.You must accept it, or Darcy will limit your access to Georgiana.” He hoped she didn’t practice some sort of chicanery.
Their conversation at an end, Edward prepared to leave her; however, Lady Catherine reached out to stay him. “Tell me what has transpired with Mrs. Darcy.”
