The drawing room in Darcy's London townhouse was dark, at least by Lady Catherine's standards. The pompous woman marched across the thick carpet and primly seated herself down at a red velvet chaise lounge "Pray, my dear nephew, do try and do something to lighten up this dank room."

Darcy nodded at a servant who promptly drew open the thick curtains, permitting a soft, shadowy light to fill up the room. The windows faced north-west, and unlike those at Longbourn, Lady Catherine was pleased to note that the windows would not catch the sun in a way which would make the room inconvenient. Darcy thanked the servant briefly and stated that no more would be needed from him in for the present.

Lady Catherine watched the servant depart from the room, and the second that the heavy oak doors swung shut, she began to speak. "Mr. Darcy, I am, as you know, very fond of you, but I need to make you aware that I am deeply disturbed and offended by the appalling rumours that have come to my ears during days of late."

"What rumours do these be?" asked Darcy.

Lady Catherine regarded him with a face void of conciliation. "I need to have it out with you straight away. I have been entirely insulted by that young woman of no breeding from Longbourn. I made every effort to ascertain for myself the falsehood of the ridiculous rumour that you and Miss Bennett have formed some sort of attachment, but when I took the trouble to make the journey to speak to her myself, she was very unobliging. Mr. Darcy, I am relying on you to tell me it is all nonsense."

"What rumour is this?" Darcy exclaimed.

Lady Catherine de Bourg looked pleased. "You have heard no such rumour? You deny any engagement?"

"No, I cannot deny any such engagement," said Darcy firmly.

"But, Mr. Darcy! Why should you bring your loyalty into question? I am your nearest relation, save your dear sister, and I do declare that it was your mother's wish upon her parting that you would be promised to my daughter. Indeed, has not my daughter been set aside for you since infancy? What have you to say for this? Will you abandon your duty for an unruly, unsuitable woman?"

"Lady Catherine, I protest! Your daughter and I, although we are fond of each other and have every respect for your wishes, have not formed any such attachment," Darcy said calmly.

"Miss Bennett is an obstinate, headstrong girl with no sense of honour or propriety! I have come here on this day because I had hoped you may have more reason, but now I see that my judgements of you were misled! Am I not understood? There can be no better arrangement for a man of your position. Do you deny this? Is it of your intentions to lead Pemberly to ruin? Shall the family name be polluted by you marriage to anyone other than noble birth? I demand you answer me."

"Miss. Bennett is a gentlemen's daughter and I have socialised with her other relations who may not be landed gentry, but are affable and well mannered people. As for Miss. Bennett herself, she is a sweet girl who has proven to be loyal, gracious and an asset to any company."

Lady Catherine exploded, "And what for the younger Miss Bennett's wild behaviour and disgraceful elopement with none other than the son of your father's steward? The family is entirely ridiculous! Where is your honour?"

"Lady Catherine," Mr. Darcy viably restrained himself. "Don't we all have shortcomings? I find them to be much like many others in society."

Lady Catherine turned on her heel, "You are a great disappointment to me. I for one have no shortcomings." She haughtily departed from the room, "Mr. Darcy, if you propose to that woman, I shall never speak to you again."

Now alone in the drawing room, Darcy straightened his collar. "Very well." The statements made by Lady Catherine made him even more decided on his course of marriage. He would propose to Miss Bennett, and she must say yes.