“Do not say such things, Lizzy!” exclaimed Mary.
“At least she is not here to hear us.”
The sisters laughed quietly together. Elizabeth had never felt close to Mary, for her character often made her aloof. At that moment, however, she felt a kinship, a common accord with this, the quietest of the Bennet sisters.
“I appreciate Papa’s actions,” added Mary after they had walked a little further. “Lydia has been treading the edge of propriety, especially since the regiment came.”
“Which is why it was best she did not go to Brighton,” replied Elizabeth.
Mary shuddered. “What that girl could get up to in Brighton does not bear consideration. I understand Papa’s reasons for refusing her, though I will own I had not expected it. This business of a companion, however, may finally teach them how to behave.
“It may also help me,” added Mary, her voice a murmur.
Elizabeth looked at her sister, interested to hear her suggest as much. Mary noticed her look and interpreted it correctly.
“I am not exactly comfortable in society, Lizzy.”
“Yes, I know,” replied Elizabeth. “You expect a companion would teach you how to be easier?”
“In part,” replied Mary, giving the impression of deep thought. “Since I was a girl, I have striven to abide by the tenets of faith and the conduct by which a good young woman must abide.”
At Elizabeth’s look of distaste, Mary chuckled. “I know you do not appreciate Fordyce, Lizzy. To own the truth, I now question his strict interpretations.”
“Fordyce’s sermons are often used to ridicule, Mary,” said Elizabeth. “At their heart, his words are not incorrect, but they are so restrictive as to be prudish.”
“That is what I mean. I read Fordyce and I try to emulate his instructions, yet I see you do not follow them, and I do not consider you improper. A companion with sufficient knowledge of how to act in society may be beneficial, not only to help me attain greater ease among my peers but also to know better what I may and may not do in society. I could never be so heedless as Lydia, but I think I could be a little more open if I understood what was acceptable.”
“I think Mary,” replied Elizabeth, “that propriety is no mystery. You have a good sense of decorum. If you act in a way that does not breach that, I suspect you will do well.”
Mary nodded, considering Elizabeth’s words. For the rest of their walk to the town, she remained quiet and contemplative, while Elizabeth enjoyed the scenery and the warmth of the sun on her face. The bonnet she wore restricted her enjoyment and always had, but it also protected her skin from the bright sunlight, for which Elizabeth was grateful. She would sometimes take the offending garment from her head and bask in the light warming her hair, but Mary would not appreciate such a breach, so she refrained.
“When do you suppose Papa will hire the companion?” asked Mary.
“As soon as he can find an appropriate woman,” replied Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy and Lady Catherine appear to have some knowledge of such things, so I imagine Papa will ask them for advice.”
Mary considered this. “If you will pardon me, Lizzy, I think one of the drawbacks to your refusal of Mr. Collins was the loss of Lady Catherine’s wisdom.”
It was all Elizabeth could do not to gape at her sister withamazement. Lady Catherine and wisdom used in the same sentence? The lady had proven more reasonable than Elizabeth had thought when she had been in Kent, but she would not live under the lady’s patronage for anything. The question was how to help Mary understand this.
“Lady Catherine is a good sort of woman,” said Elizabeth, pulling Mary’s attention to her. “But do you not suppose that living under her care would be... frustrating at the very least?”
“How do you mean?” asked Mary with a frown.
“I visited Charlotte, Mary, and I saw how Lady Catherine manages her home. Lady Catherine does not suggest—she decrees and others obey. Given her character and that of Mr. Collins, do you suppose Charlotte has any choice of whether she will accept or reject Lady Catherine’s instructions?”
“No, I suppose she does not,” said Mary in sudden understanding.
“Exactly.” Elizabeth smiled at her sister. “For most, the choice of whether to accept a man’s proposal concerns mostly a woman’s opinion of the man in question. The family is a consideration, of course, but in Mr. Collins’s case, Lady Catherine must be of primary concern. As I witnessed, a woman who marries a man who will not contradict her ladyship will not even be the mistress of her own home.”
“That would not be agreeable at all,” said Mary.
“No, it would not. Please understand that I am not belittling Lady Catherine. She has reasons for her behavior. At the same time, I would not wish to be under her thumb and subject to her whims.”
Mary directed a shrewd look at Elizabeth. “That must also hold when considering any potential suit from Mr. Darcy. Sheisa close relation.”
“Yes, she is,” acknowledged Elizabeth. “Yet the differences between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins are striking. Whatever elseMr. Darcy is, he is no sycophant. He is his own man, and his estate is at a distance from Lady Catherine’s home. If the lady remained adamant about the arrangement between Anne and Mr. Darcy, one might need to consider her reaction. But even then, if I esteemed Mr. Darcy enough to accept him, any measure of Lady Catherine’s displeasure would not prevent me from following my heart.”
“No, I do not suppose it would.” Mary smiled. “I hope you will allow others their opinions, Lizzy, for I cannot say I would fare well should I act against her ladyship’s designs.”
