“Whether they are greener, I cannot say,” said Bennet. “Yet I find that your son’s newly gained library is an excellent place to spend my days.” Bennet turned to Darcy. “Ididwarn you that I may never leave.”
“Wait until you see the library at Pemberley,” said Darcy. “They both ought to be good, for I have it on excellent authority that they have been the work of many generations.”
“No doubt you will add to them yourself,” said Mrs. Darcy.
“Of course. Now that I have inherited such a treasure, it would be criminal not to improve it in my turn.”
“That is the spirit, my boy,” murmured Bennet.
“Enough of libraries and other such dry subjects!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. “Come, Victoria. Let us settle you into the house, and then we will speak of the girls.”
“Of course, Margaret. I am at your disposal.”
In the ensuing days, the two women took firm control of the girls’ schedules and studies, providing guidance and love to three such young and impressionable girls. While their improvement continued apace—Bennet never thought Mrs. Younge the sort of model the girls should take as their guide, and she had never paid much attention to Kitty and Lydia anyway—Bennet was interested in witnessing the changes in his wife.
“There is something... new about your mother,” said he to Elizabeth one morning later that week. “It is as if she has foundsomething to rejuvenate her, found a purpose where she had none before.”
“Mama is unchanged in essentials,” said Elizabeth, watching as the three girls sat beside the two matrons in conversation. “Yet, I think she has learned much from Lady Susan, and she is taking that education and applying it to my sisters.”
“We may wish to put a stop to that,” quipped Bennet. “Your mother is not renowned as the most sensible or proper woman.”
“No, she is not,” said Elizabeth. “I can detect nothing she should not teach the girls, and William’s mother is there to assist.”
“Aye, that she is. Victoria Darcy is nothing if not proper; she has been of much assistance to your mother these many years.”
“I think it is a sense of purpose,” said Elizabeth after a moment of observing her mother. “Though Mama enjoyed staying with Lady Susan, I do not think she was ever comfortable in the company the Matlocks keep.”
“Your mother is no society woman,” agreed Bennet.
Elizabeth turned a smile on him. “If you want to get a sense of how matters are proceeding, watch the girls. Georgiana enjoys Mama’s company, and Kitty appreciates the attention she is receiving.”
With a laugh, Bennet agreed. “It was not palatable to Lydia at first, but it appears she has adjusted.”
“Mamahasalways favored Lydia,” agreed Elizabeth.
“And Jane. Then again, I could argue thatyoubecame her favorite child when Darcy made it clear that he could not live without you.”
Elizabeth shook her head and returned to the previous subject. “They are each providing the other with something they missed before. The girls have a figure to confide in and emulate, while to Mama, the girls are young ladies in need of guidance.”
“That is the truth. It makes me wonder what she will do when they all leave for their own homes.”
“Do you not know?” asked Elizabeth, fixing him with a mischievous grin. “By then, Mama will have grandchildren to spoil.”
Bennet released his mirth again. “Yes, I suppose you are correct. It will keep her occupied, but then she will wish to tour the countryside, visiting your homes one after the other.”
“As it will also take you into company with your daughters, I cannot imagine you will grumble much. Or perhaps you will, for you will consider it your duty.”
“Nonsense,” replied Bennet, waving her suggestion away. “Instead, I shall ensconce myself in your husband’s library and allow Mrs. Bennet to visit all her daughters in turn.”
A shaken head was all Elizabeth could do, for Darcy entered at that moment with the earl, countess, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Bennet’s two daughters not staying with them in tow. A chorus of greetings and welcomes ensued, and while Bennet made a few comments, he stayed clear of the fray. Soon, they all took their seats for a morning visit, and Bennet could not help but open the conversation with a jest.
“I am shocked, Lord Matlock, for I had expected Bingley to attend any visit you made. From what I have heard, the man lives at your house.”
Only the rosy hue of Jane’s cheeks exceeded the laughter this comment provoked, as Bennet had expected. Soon, however, she recovered her composure and proved she was Elizabeth’s sister by glaring at him. Unrepentant, he grinned and raised his eyebrows.
“Oh, Bingley has been a revelation, to be certain,” said Lady Susan. “Hehasbecome quite the fixture at my house, his ardor beyond even that displayed by my daughters’ husbands.”
“Mr. Bingleyisattentive,” said Jane, a classic understatement.
