“They are gone from Meryton,” said Mr. Darcy, “so I see no need to intervene. Besides which, Georgiana would not feel comfortable chasing after them.”
Elizabeth nodded and looked at him, asking softly: “Is she aware of my knowledge of her near misstep last summer?”
“I did not think it necessary to inform her,” said Mr. Darcy. “When I spoke of your assistance to Anne, I told her nothing more than that you persuaded her against trusting Wickham. If I had told her, she would have fretted about your reception.”
“Better she remains ignorant,” said Anne. “I think it would be best if she put the event in the past as quickly as possible.”
“Shehas,” said Mr. Darcy. “Last summer, her mood was fragile, but she has rebounded far better than I expected. I thinkshe learned something, and that has led to greater maturity.”
“That is well,” said Elizabeth. “Unless she says something, I will not speak of it.”
“I know you will not speak of it,” said Anne, regarding Lady Catherine across the room where she sat with Mrs. Bennet, “but it would be best to keep this knowledge from my mother.”
“Without a doubt,” said Mr. Darcy. “There is no reason to set Lady Catherine on Georgiana when she has already recovered from the event so well.”
“Speaking of my mother and yours,” said Anne, after Elizabeth assured them she would remain silent, “how is Mrs. Bennet getting on with the advice my mother offered yesterday?”
Elizabeth laughed. “I convinced her that much of what Lady Catherine told her applies to houses larger than Longbourn. She has been the mistress of my father’s house long enough to understand what is to be done; she is not insecure in her position.”
“I sense a tale,” said Mr. Darcy, regarding them with interest.
“Indeed, there is, Cousin,” said Anne. “Yesterday I visited Longbourn in Mr. Bingley and my mother’s company, and Elizabeth and I spoke of our agreement.”
Mr. Darcy clearly understood the oblique reference, his eyes finding Elizabeth. “Did it work as you hoped?”
“You misunderstand, Darcy,” said Anne. “There was no opportunity to direct my mother yesterday, but that did not mean she was not eager to dispense her wisdom.”
Elizabeth could not help the mirth that built in her breast. “After listening to your mother pontificate on the best way to practice the pianoforte, I had little doubt of her suitability for the role we envisioned for her.”
They all laughed at Elizabeth’s witticism. “No, indeed!” exclaimed Anne. “Now we only need to direct her to the propertopic and listen to her expound upon it. As I recall, she spoke to you on the subject at Rosings.”
“She did,” confirmed Elizabeth. “At the time, I thought it was rather officious of her. That memory, however, offered a possible solution to our problems, for while Mama might not accept her counsel, it will surely put the notion of the need to improve my sisters’ behavior into her head.”
“Dare I ask after the subject of my aunt’s advice?” said Mr. Darcy.
“Much as you might have thought, Darcy,” said Anne. “Mama spoke of managing an estate, the duties of the mistress, handling tenants and servants, and anything else that entered her mind. It was most enlightening!”
“My mother said that she thought Lady Catherine most sensible.”
“Sensible?” asked Colonel Fitzwilliam at that moment as he moved to join them. “We must combat such heretical notions, Miss Elizabeth, for I have long been of the firm opinion that Lady Catherine lacks any such qualities!”
“Fitzwilliam!” cried Anne, swatting his shoulder. “How dare you say such things, and to one who is not a member of the family!”
“Not at all, Anne,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, waggling his eyebrows. “Miss Elizabeth has observed the truth for herself—I am certain it is no surprise to learn that your mother is quite beyond saving.”
“Fitzwilliam considers it part of his charm,” offered Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth. “The rest of us consider his propensity to make such jests his greatest failing.”
“I will have you know,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, “thatmostof the family finds my humor essential. It is only the curmudgeons, such as Darcy here, who do not appreciate it.”
Anne giggled at his pompous statement, while Mr. Darcyonly shook his head. Elizabeth, understanding the man, saw his humor as an essential part of his character, and smiled.
“So?” asked the colonel in a softer voice. “Might I suppose you are discussing how to put Lady Catherine on the path to enlightening your poor mother?”
“Something like that,” was Mr. Darcy’s wry response. “Have you any notion?”
“I do not at the moment,” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam. “But if we attend them, I suspect an opportunity will present itself soon enough.”
“That is astonishing, sir,” said Elizabeth. “It is as if youmetmy mother.”
