“While I said it before,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, turning back to Mr. Bennet, “I shall repeat myself: you and your family have done us a favor we can never repay. No thanks can ever be sufficient for the service you rendered us today.”
Lady Catherine again huffed in exasperation, but no one paid her any heed.
“You have repeated yourself, and so shall I,” said Mr. Bennet. “We were happy to offer our assistance. Now, I think we need not speak of the subject again.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned again. “It is refreshing to see such humility, Mr. Bennet. There are not five families in London who would not use such circumstances as this to improve their standing in society.”
“As I quite despise London and the pretenders who frequent it, that is not precisely the allure others might think it is.”
Though Mrs. Bennet huffed her annoyance and Lady Catherine her disdain, Colonel Fitzwilliam allowed his mirth free rein. He then turned to Mr. Darcy and said: “There you are, Darcy. I believe you have a kindred spirit in Mr. Bennet.”
“The only thing I lack,” said Mr. Darcy wryly, “is the lack of standing to render my participation with that set unnecessary.”
“Then I believe I shall count myself the wealthier man, Mr.Darcy,” replied a grinning Mr. Bennet.
It appeared this exchange was too much for Lady Catherine’s sensibilities.
“What nonsense are you all speaking? If the Bennets prefer to avoid London, it is likely for the best, for no one there would accept them, regardless. The Fitzwilliam family was made for high society. It is where we are most comfortable.”
“To each his own, Lady Catherine,” said Mr. Bennet with a nod. “Some find themselves at home in such surroundings; I shall not say they are mistaken, for their perspective is necessarily different from my own.”
With a regal nod and a haughty sniff, Lady Catherine turned to Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Now that we have dispensed with the pleasantries, it is time to depart. I mean to return to London today so we may prepare for the future.”
“I think not, Lady Catherine,” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Why should that be?” demanded the lady.
“Because your daughter has traveled from Kent to London to Hertfordshire today,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, his glare pointed. “And you mean for her to take to the road again, not to arrive in London until well after dark?”
“That does not even account for the state of my horses,” added Mr. Darcy. “They have run quickly today, and while the journey is not long, I would like to rest them for at least a day or two.”
“And that is my cue,” said Mr. Bingley, speaking up for the first time since arriving. Until that moment, he had conversed with Jane in quiet voices, his actions the same as they had been the previous autumn when he had paid her exclusive attention. “Before we left this morning, I sent my carriage on to Netherfield with instructions to the housekeeper to open the house and prepare for my arrival.”
Mr. Bingley offered an apologetic smile. “As the timing of my arrival was uncertain, I was not specific. My housekeeper muststill hire new staff, but it should be adequate for our needs.”
“That would be for the best, Bingley,” said Mr. Darcy. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Yes, thank you,” said Anne. The way she was eyeing her mother suggested she thought her on the verge of another outburst. “It is agreeable to me to remain near my new friends for at least the next few days.”
“Anne!” exclaimed Lady Catherine. “Have I not told you about the sovereign importance of separation from the lower classes?”
“You make it sound as if they are tenants, rather than gentlefolk, Mother,” said Anne. “I am, after all, naught but the daughter of a knight. A knight is an auspicious title, but as it is not hereditary, a knight is, for all intents and purposes, a gentleman.”
“Perhaps that is so,” said Lady Catherine, grinding her teeth in frustration. “But what of your mother and your uncle? Are you not the granddaughter of an earl? Do the Bennets have relations to equal that which you possess? Do not imagine me ignorant of their position in life, for I heard it all from Mr. Collins.”
“That matters little, Mother,” said Anne. “I would ask you to refrain from your diatribes, for you are insulting our hosts, a family of whom I think highly.”
Lady Catherine stared at Anne, mouth agape with shock. “I do not appreciate your tone, Anne. I taught you better than this.”
“If you do not appreciate it,” said Anne, a definite edge of frost in her tone, “then you should not provoke it.”
No one in the room could fail to see the tension between mother and daughter, least of all their family. From what Elizabeth had seen of them during her stay in Kent, she did not think Anne had ever said one word in contradiction of her mother’s dictates. This behavior must be foreign to Lady Catherine. No doubt she would blame the Bennets for her daughter’s new recalcitrance, for so far as she was aware, Annewas the same docile woman she had always been. It was a matter of time before she exploded in anger, yet Anne was not giving an inch. Elizabeth was certain something else was at play, but she could not imagine what it was.
“Regardless,” said Mr. Darcy, inserting himself into the conflict, “it is best to stay at least one night, Aunt.”
“Very well,” said Lady Catherine, giving ground with only the greatest reluctance. “I suppose this Netherfield Park, inadequate though it must be, is better than this place.”
“Netherfieldisa handsome estate,” said Mr. Bennet. “As matters at Netherfield are still uncertain, I believe Mrs. Bennet will join me in hoping you will stay and dine with us.”
