Mrs. Hurst frowned at her sister, but Elizabeth only replied, “Just so, Miss Bingley. Please come and sit.”
Caroline scanned the crowd until she saw Darcy, then moved to his side and took ownership of his arm. Mr. Hill was sent to bring out more chairs.
Elizabeth noticed Bingley seated beside Jane, their smiles reserved for each other alone. Mrs. Bennet, however, was trying to monopolize the conversation. Elizabeth crossed to her mother and whispered, “Mamma, will you come to the kitchens with me? I need your assistance.”
Mrs. Bennet excused herself and followed her daughter. “Lizzy, I am certain there can be no problem important enough to require my notice. I was trying to help Jane attach Mr. Bingley.”
In the kitchen, Cook fell upon her mistress. “The scones burned. I have nothing else to serve, and Alice says we are running short of food.”
Mrs. Bennet turned to Elizabeth. “Why are you standing about being useless? Go back out and see to our guests. I will see to the food.”
Elizabeth returned to the garden, grateful for the shortage of scones, a stroke of good fortune on Jane’s behalf.
When Elizabeth rejoined the party, Mrs. Hurst was still standing. Elizabeth offered her mother’s chair. “Sit here, Mrs. Hurst. May I serve you tea?”
Mrs. Hurst hesitated. “That is your mother’s place.”
“My mother would not dream of leaving one of her most elegant guests standing,” Elizabeth said calmly.
When everyone was seated and eating, Elizabeth stood to one side and surveyed the company. Her cheeks warmed when she realized two pairs of eyes were fixed upon her: Mr. Collins’s and Mr. Darcy’s.
Collins stood surrounded by five single women, while Darcy endured Miss Bingley’s attentions.
Elizabeth smiled to herself, but was startled when Collins winked, and Darcy returned her smile. She flushed and turned away to prepare her own tea.
Chapter 6: Farewell, Little Sisters
“Oh, Mr. Bennet, you cannot mean it! You are taking my Lydia away to London without me? How long will she be gone?”
Thomas Bennet frowned. “Comport yourself, Mrs. Bennet. You will awaken the entire house with your groans.”
His tone was sharp, and she stopped to look at him. “Mr. Bennet, you are rude, sir.”
He snorted. “Am I, wife? And what are you? I say you are being unreasonable and childish. Comport yourself, or I will be forced to take action.”
She frowned. “Take action, sir? Whatever can you mean?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I do not know what I mean yet, but I will soon enough if you do not conduct yourself as befits a grown woman. Now, as I was saying, Mr. Collins and I are driving Kitty and Lydia to London. I will explain more when I know more, but for now, you will comport yourself as the mistress of Longbourn.”
He stood staring at her. She took a step back, then nodded. “Of course, sir. Am I allowed to say farewell to my daughters?”
“Of course you may, Mrs. Bennet. But only if you behave yourself as befits a gentlewoman. You will not upset my daughters. They are going to London to enjoy themselves, and I will not endure any hysterics from you.”
She drew a deep breath. “I understand.” She picked up her shawl, wrapped it around her shoulders, and began to descend the stairs. He followed her.
They found Mr. Collins in the breakfast parlor, with a full plate. He stood and bowed.
“Mrs. Bennet.”
“Mr. Collins.”
She curtsied and served herself. Bennet sat opposite, unfolded one of the papers, and laid it beside his plate. He ate and read in silence. All the sisters came down together except Elizabeth, who remained above stairs. Collins guessed she was probably avoiding him. He cursed himself for his rashness. He had pushed her too far with his teasing. They had not known each other three days, yet he was already speaking of marriage. He had behaved like an inexperienced boy rather than a grown man with a mistress.
He wrinkled his nose. His mistress. What would he do about Elena? He had been visiting her for six years, but, to be fair, she had kept two other men as well. She was no true mistress, only a lightskirt. If he had a woman like Elizabeth, he would not need a mistress.
When he finished eating, he went up to fetch his heavy jacket. The corridor stretched before him in two directions. Elizabeth must still be in her room at the far end of the family wing. Never mind. He would only be gone a week if he had anything to say about it. He meant to see Lydia properly chaperoned, or he would see her admitted to a suitable school, even if he had to pay the tuition himself. He would not inherit a house of shame.
Two hours later, the Bennets and Mr. Collins arrived in London. When the carriage pulled up to the Gardiners’ house, Collins was impressed. Though near Cheapside, the neighborhood was elegant, with wide, clean streets and large, imposing houses.Mrs. Gardiner was surprised to see so many unexpected visitors on her doorstep.
