The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,32
said.
“Technically, I suppose you could say so. The reality of the situation is that my father is a mill owner. Of two mills actually,” Prudence said with pride. “You made the presumption he was a cotton worker. The same way you presumed I’d be grateful if you obtained a position for me.”
Darcy’s eyes flew to his aunt’s, but she was looking aghast at Prudence. Darcy’s mouth set in a grim line. He should have known better. He had been played for a fool, used as a puppet by his aunt.
“What do you mean by this?” Lady Catherine demanded.
“That you presumed a lot about my father and I, and because of your preconceived ideas, you forgot to find out the reality of our situation. The truth of the matter, Aunt, is that I am an heiress to a substantial amount. My father was not always as wealthy as he is today, but even when he married my mother, he was able to give her a good living. Our house is not as grand as Rosings. After all we have only ten bedchambers to boast of, but it is within its own grounds. We have a handsome stable and are thought to be one of the richest families in the area.”
“I knew you were richer than Mama thought!” Anne said with glee. “The quality of your clothes was far too fine, but nobody seemed to really take note except me.”
“I did,” Fitzwilliam said quietly.
“But you didn’t really see, did you?” Prudence asked him sadly. “The evidence was there but you did not believe it. I mentioned I had been taught by a governess, for goodness sake! What more of a clue did you need? I suppose as far as you were concerned, I was the poor relative, and that was that.”
“I’m sorry,” Fitzwilliam said.
“So am I. More than I ever thought possible. I wanted to be liked because of who I was, not because of the money I have. I now realise it was never going to be so. It is time for me to leave.” Prudence walked to the door, but was stayed by her aunt’s words.
“How much are you worth?”
She smiled bitterly. “It truly is all about the money, isn’t it?” she asked sadly. “Not that it matters, but I shall bring eight thousand a year to any marriage I agree to.”
“But that is more than Anne has!” Lady Catherine exclaimed.
“Yes. Oh, and Aunt, just for your information. My jewels aren’t paste. Only the finest creations are made for the daughter of Mr. Bamber. Nor are they the only ones I own. I have my own diamonds, rubies, and pearls, but I did not wish to carry them. I shall bid you all a good-bye, for I doubt that our paths will ever cross again.”
Chapter 11
The room stilled when Prudence left. Lady Catherine looked as if to speak on numerous occasions, but the words didn’t actually form on her lips.
Fitzwilliam eventually stood and looked at his aunt and cousin. “I hope you are both proud of yourselves. I cannot believe we have treated anyone like we have treated her, and she is related to us!”
“Fitzwilliam, we weren’t to know,” Darcy said quietly.
“It is just as she said, isn’t it? You did not try to find out. The laughable result in all of this is that it doesn’t matter to you two. You,” he pointed at Lady Catherine, “will continue to lord it over your locality, and fools that they are, they will bow down to you time and again, and you,” he pointed at Darcy. “Will return to your lovely wife and family in your big house without a care in the world. In the meantime, you have managed to insult in every way possible a woman who is worth ten of either of you. Oh, and you have made sure that I will never marry the woman that I’m deeply in love with. A fine day’s work. I hope you’re both proud of your meddling. I too shall be leaving shortly, and although I might be forced to meet with you in the future, it shan’t be for a very long time.”
Darcy stood. “Fitzwilliam, do not leave like this.”
“How can it be remedied, Darcy? How can we persuade Prudence, after her receiving such ill-treatment here, that any one of us is genuine? For I wouldn’t believe us, if I were she,” Fitzwilliam said. “You have ruined the one chance I had of real happiness. Do you know that for