It was, she supposed, the most likely outcome of what Lady Catherine had said. After the lady had informed them all that families in fashionable circles did not send their daughters to finishing school, no matter what Miss Bingley claimed, Mrs. Bennet would not suggest that for her daughters. It only made sense that she would latch onto Lady Catherine’s suggestion for a companion to see to their education. The question was what her father thought about such a notion.
“‘Interesting’ is all you can say?” said Mr. Bennet, appearing to be enjoying himself. “Tell me, Lizzy—did you have anything to do with your mother’s sudden change of heart?”
“You suspect me?” asked Elizabeth, discomposed that he had come to that conclusion so quickly.
Mr. Bennet regarded her evenly. “Allow me to state my perspective, Lizzy. You appear to be friendly with at least one of the Netherfield ladies—no one in Meryton is close to the Bingley sisters—and you esteem Colonel Fitzwilliam and, curiously, Mr. Darcy. Knowing how long you deplored your younger sisters’ behavior I suspect you concocted it to open your mother’s eyes to the truth of her youngest. Is my guess near the mark, or is there something else I do not know?”
It appeared there was little point in further obfuscation, and Elizabeth was concerned denying it would affect her father’s decision. “Iwasconcerned, Papa. More to the point, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are also concerned, to say nothing of Lady Catherine.”
“Then you confess the gentleman is interested in you?”
“Do I need to? Did you not see it for yourself?”
“I did,” chuckled her father, “but a little confirmation of your feelings is always welcome. Might I ask how this all came about?”
“I spoke with Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth with a shrug. “Mr. Darcy spoke to Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam, and betweenthem, they planned how to do it.”
“What of Lady Catherine?”
“Can you imagine making such an application to her?”
This time Mr. Bennet’s response was a laugh. “No, I suppose not.”
“It was not required, regardless,” said Elizabeth. “At Rosings, Lady Catherine learned that I never had a governess, that we were all left to acquire whatever education we wished. She was horrified by the notion.”
Mr. Bennet frowned. “That is not entirely accurate, Lizzy.”
“It is not,” replied she. “Yet that was how Lady Catherine saw it, and there is some truth regarding Kitty and Lydia.”
With a snort, Mr. Bennet said: “It is only because you were so much trouble that you wore your parents down with your inability to apply yourself.”
“Yet I believe I am the best educated of my sisters,” replied Elizabeth, a little primly.
“That you are,” said Mr. Bennet. “It is a testament to how much you settled when you outgrew your early childhood.
“With that in mind, I suppose all you did was direct Lady Catherine to the correct subject and let her pontificate to her heart’s content?”
“Yes, that is a fair approximation of what happened,” conceded Elizabeth.
“Then it was no less than inspired,” said Mr. Bennet.
Elizabeth was grateful her father had not taken offense. He appeared rather amused at the business, not unexpected given his character. The only question was what he thought of the notion and whether they could afford it. When Elizabeth asked him, he sat back and considered her.
“As you know, when I tally our yearly expenses, there is not much left for such things as paying a companion to educate your sisters. Thus, we must economize if we are to do this.”
“Do you suppose Mama will agree?”
“She must,” replied her father with a shrug. “If she does not, there is no money in our budget for this expense.
“For the record,” continued Mr. Bennet, “I agree with Lady Catherine’s assessment. You would not know, as I do not speak of it, but when I was a young man and before I married your mother, I had some experience in London society.”
Interested, Elizabeth regarded him. “No, I do not recall you speaking of this.”
“That is because it is not of much consequence,” shrugged Mr. Bennet. “My experiences form the basis for my opinion of society; as we do not possess the means to swim in those waters, it makes little difference if I disdain London.”
“Is there a particular event of which you speak?” asked Elizabeth, suspecting he had not told her all.
Mr. Bennet chuckled and regarded her with open affection. “That is my Lizzy—always perceptive. Yes, Elizabeth, there was a particular event that soured me to all things London.”
