Beginning, Section II
Jump to new as of November 22, 1998
Jump to new as of November 24, 1998
Jump to new as of November 25, 1998
Chapter 7: Lady Catherine and Lady Alicia, or the Contest.
That Summer passed peacefully.
Lord Sandall's romance with Katherine blossomed. Alas, it was not so with Mr. Melham and Georgiana.
Georgiana, unable to believe that her brother would approve of her marrying Mr. Melham, determined not to give him any encouragement that could only lead to disappointment. They spent time together, talking of everything but that which was on their mind, the weather, the estates, society, politics, religion, books, philosophy. In short, anything but love and romance.
It was breakfast time at the Steward's house on the De V--- Estates.
Lord Sandall was humming merrily, but his friend was a little morose.
"Sandall," said Melham. "I need your advice."
"Anything my friend," said Lord Sandall expansively.
Melham sighed. "You know of my feelings for Miss Darcy. I love her and would marry her if I thought she cared, but that is the problem. Every time I touch on the matter, she changes the subject, or finds some excuse to end the conversation. What do you think? You have observed her. Do I have a chance?"
"Well, Melham, I am sorry to say this, but your chances are slim indeed, in my view. She likes you, that is obvious enough. But love? I have seen no evidence."
Melham observed his devilled kidneys with a depressed expression. "Then it is settled. As soon as your business here is done, I shall return to the De V--- Estates in Yorkshire. My work here is complete, these lands now manage themselves, and I have no reason to stay. Someone else can occupy this house and run this portion of the De V--- Estates. By the way, at the rate you are progressing with Miss Bennet, I should imagine that a few weeks only should do the trick, and you will be leaving to seek her father's consent."
Lord Sandall looked a little sheepish at this. "Well. I did refer to the possibility of marrying Miss Bennet in a letter to my sister."
"And?" Said Melham in curiosity. He pushed a little piece of cabbage around his plate. It looked a little rotten, he thought.
"And she said that she would like to come for a visit. I think she wants to see if she approves of my new friend. Would you mind awfully if she and her husband were to stay with us for a week?"
"Why no, not at all."
Lord Sandall's face was all smiles.
Later that day, Lord Sandall announced at Pemberley, that his sister was to come to visit in two weeks.
The significance of this was not lost on the Pemberley party. It was clear that Lord Sandall had asked Lady Bereston to meet Katherine, and that the future of that particular friendship depended on her good opinion.
Unfortunately for Katherine, this was a week after the date fixed by Darcy's Aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh for her visit to Pemberley, and she was to stay for two weeks.
Elizabeth had an idea. "I shall send for Jane, Charles and their two children. Perhaps between their cherubim and ours, Lady Catherine might cut short her stay."
This, unfortunately was a plan that failed dismally. For even though Jane obliged by visiting at short notice, and both the Bingley and Darcy two year olds obliged by behaving as two year olds will, Lady Catherine held fast. The reason for this became apparent from the outset. Lady Catherine was thrusting her daughter Anne in front of Lord Sandall. This would have been laughable, if it were not that this involved an ingratiating fawning upon Lord Sandall, accompanied by carping criticism of Katherine, Georgiana, and Mr. Melham, who always seemed to get in the way whenever she tried to arrange for Lord Sandall and Anne to be alone together.
Thus it was on the appointed day, the Darcys and Lady Catherine waited outside the entranceway to Pemberley as the carriage bearing Lord Henry and Lady Alicia Bereston rolled to a halt.
Lord Bereston alighted first. He was a handsome man in his late forties with an easy, dignified bearing. Then Lady Alicia stepped out. Elizabeth was stunned. She had expected someone fearsome, in the mould of Lady Catherine, but here was a handsome young woman, scarcely turned thirty, with a smile on her face that would have charmed Pluto. Lady Bereston looked at her husband with an intimate look that Darcy recognised, having had many such from Elizabeth. They made their introductions, and went inside.
"Mrs. Darcy. You cannot imagine how delighted I am to meet you all. I have heard so much about you and your hospitality here, both from my brother, and from Mr. Melham." Lady Bereston was everything that was charming, but Elizabeth noted that she had indeed a very quick mind, and that there was not much that was escaping her attention. She noted her frequent glances at Katherine and, perhaps surprisingly also at Georgiana. She also took Lady Catherine in her stride, parrying pompous statements and ill directed questions with ease. Elizabeth also saw with a deal of admiration that Lady Bereston was well read and highly intelligent. In all, Lady Bereston was everything that Lady Catherine should have been, but was not.
Lord and Lady Bereston visited every day, and, much to Lady Catherine's disgust, seemed to be forming a friendship with Elizabeth, Jane, Katherine, Georgiana, and even Anne. Mr. Darcy reported to his wife that Lord Bereston had extended an invitation to the Bereston Estate next Summer. Elizabeth was ecstatic, this could mean only one thing, Lady Alicia approved of Miss Bennet. Lady Catherine, however did not take the news all that well.
On their last day in Derbyshire, Lord and Lady Bereston called on the Darcys to make their farewells, accompanied by Lord Sandall and Mr. Melham. It just so happened that they arrived just as Lady Catherine was about to leave for Rosings. Lord Sandall and Mr. Melham went to one side talking with Lord Bereston, While Lady Bereston joined Darcy and the other ladies as they farewelled Lady Catherine.
Georgiana was talking absent mindedly to Katherine about Mr. Melham, when Lady Catherine's patience finally snapped.
She hissed at Georgiana. "You talk a little too much about that man for your own good my girl!"
Georgiana, stood her ground. "Lady Catherine, I do not see why I should not admire a man with Mr. Melham's qualities. He is kind, gentle, industrious, clever, intelligent, well read, and handsome..."
"Oh!" Broke in Lady Catherine with a sneer, "And I suppose that you intend to marry this steward do you?"
"Lady Catherine, he has not asked me!" With that Georgiana turned and walked away. She did not wish to make a fuss, and hoped that Mr. Melham had not overheard.
"Well," crowed Lady Catherine to Darcy, "You should take control of your sister. Why, the very notion of marrying that man! He has no fortune, no family, he is not even a gentleman. If she were to marry him, where would she sit at any formal occasion? It would be all condescension for her! I have made it a point of keeping Anne as far from that man as possible. Georgiana will never be Mrs. Melham. You would never allow it. Although considering your own judgment in the matter of marriage..." She looked contemptuously at Elizabeth. "...perhaps you would."
Elizabeth felt Darcy stiffen, and sensed his anger. She squeezed his arm tightly to prevent a scene. At that moment, she noticed something strange. Lord Bereston, Lord Sandall and Mr. Melham were looking at Lady Bereston's hands with something like fear on their collective faces. Elizabeth followed their gaze and observed that she was opening and closing her fan. Her smile remained as pleasant as ever, but the fan was going click, click click. Elizabeth remembered the warning at the Lambton Ball those months ago. She did not have long to wait.
"Lady Catherine," Lady Alicia positively beamed, "Your observations on Mr. Melham are indeed correct. Your powers of perception do you great credit. The library at Rosings must have provided you with that information about Mr. Melham."
Darcy interrupted stiffly, "I am afraid that I do not understand you Lady Bereston."
"Ah Mr. Darcy, you should have followed the example of your Aunt, as she has obviously researched this matter most diligently. I note that there are several books on the Peerage in your library where you could have gleaned the same information as Lady Catherine."
Lady Catherine looked a little unsure of herself, as it seemed that she was being complimented, but she was unsure of the reason.
Lady Bereston continued. "For your benefit Mr. Darcy, I should inform you that Mr. Melham is the only son of the late Marquis De V---. However, that family has the peculiarity, that the heir apparent does not use his title, nor does he inherit the bulk of the estates - until he marries. It is a family tradition dating back to the Conquest, that the eldest son takes the family name of Melham, and the title of Steward of the De V--- Estates. Thus when Lady Catherine says that he has no fortune, that is quite correct - while he remains single. It is also an unfortunate truth that he has no family. There are no brothers and sisters, and his parents are dead. Since he is the son of a Marquis, of course he is not a gentleman - he is a nobleman. You are so obviously very attentive to such details, Lady Catherine."
Lady Catherine was turning a particular shade of grey at this information. Her mouth opened, but nothing was coming out. Elizabeth could hardly keep from laughing, and she could feel that her husband had also relaxed.
Lady Bereston had by no means finished though. "Your Ladyship was also right to point out that Miss Darcy would never be Mrs. Melham. If she agrees to marry him, she will become the Marchioness De V---, and will have been elevated to the top ranks of the peerage. And as your ladyship has pointed out, that inevitably will mean that she has to condescend to virtually any person she deals with, even a favourite Aunt."
It was quite obvious that Lady Catherine was having a great deal of difficulty coming to grips with the concept of having to defer to Georgiana. Elizabeth observed that her Ladyship seemed to be grinding her teeth.
"But Lady Catherine, I was also touched by the compliment you paid to Mrs. Darcy." Lady Catherine turned purple. The fan clicked open and shut. "When you likened Mrs. Darcy coming into your family, to the prospect of the family gaining a Marchioness, you were most kind."
Lady Catherine could not control herself at this. Through gritted teeth she exclaimed, "I did not mean that at all!"
"Ah then, then there is only one other interpretation to be put on your comment, Lady Catherine."
"Which is?" Said Darcy becoming amused by the whole scene.
"Well, Mr. Darcy. As I see it, this household is exceptionally well run. The servants are cheerful and industrious. Your wife keeps an excellent table. She is an excellent hostess. She has presented you with an heir to the estates and a little sister. Under her guidance, your own sister has gained the accomplishments to marry into the highest ranks of the nobility, should she wish. The only criticism that I might offer, is that you smile too much for a married man, sir. Would you deny that you have married most prudently?"
"I have no wish to deny it," laughed Darcy.
"Nor would he dare!" added Elizabeth looking at her husband with mock defiance. He in his turn looked at her, but the look was one that spoke of renewed appreciation of his wife. Their gaze held for several seconds.
Lady Alicia observed this, thinking that perhaps another addition to the Darcy clan could result from this. However, she returned to the sport at hand.
"It has now been established upon rational grounds that you have married most prudently, and Lady Catherine has stated that equal prudence attaches to a marriage between Mr. Melham and your sister. It follows in inescapable logic, that Lady Catherine has made a pretty compliment to both of them."
Lady Catherine was by now looking decidedly unwell, but more was to come.
Lady Bereston addressed her once more with a smile. "I do admire you for your sacrifice though, Lady Catherine. I mean, most mothers of my acquaintance would think nothing of hurling their daughters at Mr. Melham, considering his rank, and fortune after marriage. Yet you have most generously stood aside to let Miss Darcy have the advantage. Perhaps had Mr. Melham known your daughter a little better, it might have been she who is the prospective Marchioness De V---. But that is now not a possibility. I am sure that Miss Darcy will show her gratitude by condescending to you after her marriage, assuming she and her family are interested in an alliance, of course."
This was too much for Lady Catherine. She tottered to her carriage, followed by her daughter, without one further word.
Lady Bereston's fan snapped shut. She motioned for her husband who was with the other men, just out of earshot, to join her.
"Well, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy. Henry and I have so enjoyed our stay here, and look forward to seeing you when you visit next year." She then went over to her brother, where Elizabeth noted that she appeared to be giving him directions by means of some finger wagging. Whatever the advice was, he seemed to agree readily enough. Considering the drubbing Lady Bereston had administered to Lady Catherine, Elizabeth could well understand why he put up little resistance.
With that, the Berestons entered their coach and were off.
Katherine could hardly wait to tell Georgiana the news about Mr. Melham. Surely now, she would not have to worry about her brother consenting to their marriage.
"Georgiana! Come! Let's take a walk. I have something to tell you."
The two ladies started to walk inside, when suddenly there was an interruption.
"Miss Bennet." It was Lord Sandall. "May I have a word?" This was accompanied by an expression that is normally reserved for little puppy dogs. It was so expressive that Katherine and Georgiana knew exactly what he wanted.
"Georgiana, I must tell you about..." Began Katherine.
"Good heavens. Do not waste time! Lord Sandall awaits." Said Georgiana.
"Please Georgie? It is important!"
"It can wait. It is not as important as what Lord Sandall has to say to you, I will wager." And with this Georgiana ran off to end the conversation, leaving Katherine shaking her head.
Lord Sandall and Katherine were only gone for fifteen minutes. The scuff marks on his knees indicating that Katherine had extracted some humility from him, and the smile on his face stating that the sacrifice had been worth it. There were congratulations all round, and Lord Sandall announced his intention to set out for Longbourn on the morrow to seek Mr. Bennet's consent.
In the coach going back to the De V—estates, Lord Sandall observed Melham anxiously. His own happiness had not made him impervious to the feelings of his friend.
"I take it that you could not speak with Miss Darcy?" He asked gently.
"She didn't even speak to me." Melham was near to tears. "I cannot bear this any longer. After you leave tomorrow, so shall I."
Lord Sandall looked out of the carriage. He did not know what to say to comfort his friend.
At Pemberley, Georgiana was in shock at finally hearing the news from Katherine that Mr. Melham was indeed in love with her, and from her brother that he would not be so foolish as to deny his consent if it were sought.
She shook her head in disbelief. "But he has never said anything? How can he...?"
"But Georgie, you have never encouraged him, never given him any sign of your feelings. Why should he say anything?" Said Katherine in exasperation.
Jane spoke up. "Georgiana, I must admit that I almost lost Mr. Bingley by not encouraging him enough."
Darcy shifted a little embarrassedly at this, but Jane continued. "However, now you know of his feelings, and those of your family, all you have to do is let him know of your own. The rest will follow."
Georgiana still looked a little unsure, so the other ladies decided that they would go into Lambton on the next day and have her measured up for a gown. A gown, they assured Miss Darcy, that would snare Mr. Melham finally. Georgiana laughed at this, she felt optimism for the first time in the four years that she had known him, that perhaps they would be together.
The next morning after breakfast, the ladies set off for Lambton.
Their departure was witnessed by a solitary rider who made for Pemberley as soon as they disappeared from view.
"Good day to you Mr. Darcy."
"Good day to you Mr. Melham, and what brings you here?"
"Well Darcy, I am to quit the steward's cottage, and am heading for Yorkshire immediately." Said Melham.
Darcy was dumbfounded. "This is unexpected," he said in confusion. "But the ladies? Surely you will wish to say good-bye? They will only be a couple of hours at the most."
"Please give them my regards, and my regrets at not being able to bid them farewell. However, I have a long day's travel ahead of me, and I cannot tarry."
Melham extended his hand and shook Darcy's. "I thank you for all you have done for me Darcy. Your kindness I shall not forget. Good-bye sir."
With that, he turned on his heel and left.
Chapter 8: Georgie, or, Gotcha!
The carriage carrying the ladies from Lambton arrived back from Lambton two hours later.
Georgiana had been measured up for her new gown, and with the critical eyes of the other ladies, it was announced that this would surely secure the heart of even the most reluctant of men. It had been made to set off every one of Georgiana's best features, it was sleek and seductive. Katherine opined that Mr. Melham stood not a chance.
Thus they entered Pemberley. So it was with a deal of shock that first Elizabeth, then Jane and Katherine, and finally Georgiana heard of Mr. Melham's departure.
"Could you not have made him stay?" Cried Elizabeth in dismay.
"I tried may best," was Darcy's reply, "but he was determined to go. I could not stop him."
Georgiana stood up. "Well, if he does not wish to see me. I am sure that I shall be able to bear the loss, knowing that he was eager to go. Men!!" she cried, and ran out of the room and into her apartments upstairs.
The life had gone out of the gathering downstairs. Elizabeth went upstairs to speak with Georgiana.
"Lizzy, I am so miserable. Everybody told me that he loved me, and I believed them. For the first time in the last three years, I was really happy. My hopes and dreams were to come true, the man I love... loved," she corrected herself. "loved me, or so I was told." She burst into tears. "Now I find he is as inconstant as any of them. If he cared, he would have said something. Anything would have done."
"Georgiana, there must be some terrible mistake. Would Lady Bereston be so wrong? She has known him for years, there must be an explanation. Just have a little patience, I am sure that we can get to the bottom of this."
"Lizzy, I know you mean well, and thank you. But my mind is made up. I shall forget about him. He is gone, and I shall forget him, no matter how long it takes." This produced further tears. This time however, Georgiana was a little better able to compose herself. "I shall forget!"
The days turned into weeks (sorry 'bout the cliché).
Lord Sandall and Katherine married six weeks before Christmas. True to their word, Georgiana and Mr. Melham studiously avoided one another, and left Longbourn with only the minimum of greetings.
Lord and Lady Sandall did however, invite Georgiana to visit for two weeks before Christmas. However, even in this, Georgiana extracted a promise from (Lady) Katherine that she would not invite Mr. Melham at any time when she was to be with them. Georgiana was well aware of the propensity of newly married ladies to matchmake, and The De V--- family seat, and its Master, were but eight miles from Lord and Lady Sandall's home.
Thus it was that Georgiana spent her allotted time with the newlyweds. It was, however, not a good situation. Their incurable happiness, just made her own position the more miserable. Yet she tried to be as cheerful as she could. She was to leave them two days before Christmas, just in time to spend Christmas Eve with her brother and Elizabeth, and the two children.
While she was grateful for the time with Katherine, she was looking forward to going home.
Unfortunately, she was thwarted in this. A Winter storm had made the roads between Derbyshire and Yorkshire impassable. Georgiana would have to stay for Christmas Eve.
The decorations were put up, the food and wine laid out, and the servants all dismissed early to celebrate.
Georgiana was a little hungry, so she asked innocently. "What time should I present myself for dinner?"
"As soon as our guest arrives." Replied Lord Sandall.
"Guest?" Said Georgiana.
"Why yes, Katherine has invited Mr. Melham to dine with us this Christmas Eve"
Georgiana turned quickly to Katherine with an accusing glance. "You promised faithfully that you wouldn't...."
Katherine smiled sweetly. "I said that I wouldn't invite him when you were to be with us, and I did not. You were to have been gone from here by now. Besides, he is alone, and with no family over Christmas. Should he be made miserable just so that your feathers are not ruffled? Georgiana, it is Christmas, please can you extend a little charity to the man?"
Lord Sandall looked at his wife, thinking, good girl! Lay it on with a trowel! I should have organised a violinist to play something sentimental in the background.
Georgiana looked ashamed. "Forgive me, I am being a little silly."
At that moment, in strode Mr. Melham. On seeing Georgiana, he checked, almost ready to walk out. It was only the smell of the warm food and the remembrance of the bitter cold and wind outside that made him stay.
He greeted his host and hostess with pleasure, and Miss Darcy with civility.
They did not speak, and much of the meal was taken in silence.
Lord Sandall looked at his wife who cocked an eyebrow at him. "Oh very well, do as you please."
Both Melham and Georgiana thought this a strange exchange between husband and wife, and looked at Lord Sandall as if for explanation. Had they been looking at his lady, they would have observed her pouring a very large portion of gin into the glasses of mulled wine that she subsequently placed in front of Melham and Georgiana.
"Come. Let us drink a toast." Said his lordship. "To Christmas!"
They emptied their glasses. Lady Sandall obligingly refilled them.
"To the Darcy's at Pemberley!"
They emptied their glasses. Lady Sandall obligingly refilled them.
Melham was feeling rather relaxed at this point, and Georgiana was starting to giggle.
Lord Sandall whispered to his wife. "No more gin my dear."
"To our hosts!" Cried Melham.
They emptied their glasses. Georgiana refilled them rather clumsily.
"To the Bingleys!" It was Georgiana's turn.
They emptied their glasses. Georgiana did the honours again.
"It's your turn, Kitty. Come on, give us a toast!" Gurgled Georgiana.
Katherine was a little alarmed at the way this was turning out, but she saw no way of avoiding another toast.
"To the Darcy and Bingley children."
They emptied their glasses. Melham did the honours this time. Georgiana could not because she was swaying, and besides, there were now two of her.
Melham stood up and looked at his glass in what seemed to be a state of confusion. Finally he smiled in triumph. "Milord and Ladies. To his Majesty, The King!"
They emptied their glasses. Georgiana eyed off the wine bowl, now decidedly down to the dregs, and collapsed on the sofa giggling.
Melham looked at his host and hostess, trying to focus and stay upright. "I...I...I think therefore I... No that was Descartes. I think I should retire."
Sandall looked at his wife in resignation. Their little plot to loosen Melham and Georgiana up a little had worked too well. They were now quite incapable. In fact Georgiana was starting to make a spectacle of herself. He sighed, addressing Melham. "Certainly. You are in the green room, shall I come with you?"
"No, I know where that is, third left from the stairs. I stayed there last time. Good night to you."
He left the room and headed up the stairway, making heavy weather of it. Finally he made the room. He suddenly realised that there were no servants, so he would have to undress himself. This he managed to do. Hmm, he thought, those clothes look rather untidy, so he kicked them under the bed. That's better, now where is the nightgown? He could not focus, and all of a sudden he just felt the desire to go to bed. He managed to crawl under the covers, falling into a deep sleep.
Downstairs, Georgiana was in disarray. She was singing portions from Christmas carols, mixed with doggerel. Finally, she collapsed on the sofa.
"Bedtime for you Georgie!" Said Lady Katherine.
Georgiana struggled up and accompanied them upstairs. She bade them good night and Merry Christmas outside their bedroom, and headed for her own.
The room was dark, with only her candle to light it.
Georgiana remembered that the servants were dismissed, so she struggled out of her clothes, including a herculean struggle with her stays. She looked at the pile of clothes on the floor and kicked them under the bed. Oh bother, where is my nightgown, she thought. Suddenly, as with Mr. Melham, the effects of the drink overtook her and she too crawled under the covers and fell deep asleep.
The next morning, Stephen Melham woke up with three feelings. The first was a splitting headache, the second was a total numbness in his arm, the third, the reason for the numbness in his arm, was the weight of a female form lying upon it. A soft, warm, female form. Melham stiffened. "Oh lord, please don't let it be one of the chambermaids. He slowly turned his head. What he saw made him stiffen even more. It was Miss Darcy. The danger and impropriety of his situation hit him like a brick. He tried gently to remove the arm trapped underneath Georgiana. As he moved, however, she roused. Still half asleep, she rolled onto him. "My dearest darling Stephen, I love you," she whispered into his ear. Her hand reached across his chest, and she cuddled into his side. He was caught.
Suddenly her eyes flew wide open, comprehension flooding into her. She pulled away from him, clutching the eiderdown, covering herself. Unfortunately, in so doing, she completely removed the covers from Mr. Melham. Her eyes bulged. Although totally inexperienced in her dealings with men, Georgiana had taken a great deal of interest in the management of the Pemberley estates. As a result, she was very experienced in matters of animal husbandry and breeding. Thus the significance of the sight that greeted her was not missed.
Seeing the object of her gaze, Melham reached for the covers himself, and with a yank gained enough to cover himself. Unfortunately, this left insufficient for Georgiana, and she slid to the side of the bed out of view except for her head.
"That was a most ungentlemanly thing to do," she said.
"Oh, and I suppose that stare of yours was the epitome of ladylike behaviour was it?" He replied, a little wounded.
"Look, you must leave immediately."
"All right, but let me dress first." Said Melham.
"No! You must leave now. Please!"
Melham caught the tone of mortification and fear in her voice, scooped up the clothes from under the bed and headed for the door.
A little earlier that morning, Lord Sandall and his wife were up and about. They decided to check on their guests to see how they had survived the previous night's entertainment, and to wish them a Merry Christmas.
Lord Sandall greeted his wife with a frown. "Melham isn't in his room, and the bed hasn't been turned down."
"Neither is Georgiana in her room, nor has her bed been turned down," was the reply from his wife.
They looked at each other, suddenly the same thought occurred to each of them. "I wonder?"
Suddenly, they thought they heard voices in the room opposite their own bedroom.
Lord Sandall looked at his wife with a wicked grin. "Well dearest, I wonder who will come out first?"
"It doesn't matter. They are both so hopelessly compromised, but let us be ready for them."
They didn't have to wait long. The door burst open, and out propelled Mr. Melham, with only the clothes he held in his hand. He was caught. There stood Lord and Lady Sandall, by now with straight faces. Lady Sandall averted her gaze, and his lordship merely said to Mr. Melham. "I take it that you are now in the habit of wearing ladies' clothing to bed?"
Melham looked down in horror. He had picked up Georgiana's clothes by mistake.
Lady Sandall slipped past him into the room. "Georgiana," she shrieked. "Look at you! You haven't a stitch on! And what are these?" She picked up Mr. Melham's clothes, as a fisherman would his catch.
"I can explain." Pleaded Georgiana.
"There is no need to explain. It is all very apparent to me. You are going to marry Mr. Melham. His Lordship is making the necessary arrangements right now. As soon as you are dressed, you are going to write to your brother and Mrs. Darcy."
Georgiana gaped.
"Look Georgie, he loves you. You love him. And we have caught you both red handed, so there is no way of avoiding it."
Lady Katherine was right. On the other side of the door, a similar conversation was taking place.
It was done. That day, letters from Melham to Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam went out announcing his intention to call on them to ask for Georgiana's hand, along with the letter from Georgiana telling of the offer from Mr. Melham.
Later on Christmas Day, Lord Sandall and his wife had second thoughts about their conduct of the matter, thinking that perhaps they were wrong in hectoring the others into marriage. However, this opinion altered a little when they came upon Mr. Melham and Georgiana in the Library, their disposition leaving no doubt in the mind of their hosts as to the depth of their feelings.
The End