"How fortunate for you," Elizabeth replied evenly. "There is a certain satisfaction in understanding how one's household operates. After all, should Mrs Whitmore ever take ill or abscond with the silver, you would at least know where to begin looking for replacement linens."
The remark sailed past Cassandra entirely. "Abscond with the silver? What a peculiar notion, Lizzy. Mrs Worthington has been with us for fifteen years and is perfectly trustworthy. Really, I cannot imagine why anyone would concern themselves with such unlikely scenarios." She shook her head with bemused tolerance. "What would Mr Lucas think if he knew his intended was spending her mornings inspecting bedsheets?"
"Mr Lucas is not my intended. He has called twice at Longbourn, and we have enjoyed very pleasant conversations. That is the extent of our acquaintance."
"For now, perhaps. But these things progress quickly once a gentleman has fixed his interest. Why, look at Mr Darcy and myself!"
Elizabeth had been expecting this turn in the conversation. Her friend had managed to bring Mr Darcy up at least once per conversation ever since her aunt and Mr Darcy’s aunt had suggested the match between them several weeks ago.
"Yes," she said. "I understand he danced with you twice at the assembly. Quite a signal of his regard."
"Oh, it was more than regard, Lizzy!" Cassandra leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement. "He was everything Lady Catherine promised—so handsome, so distinguished! And his manner towards me was marked with such particular attention. Everyone noticed. Even Miss Bingley remarked upon it, though she seemed rather put out by the whole affair. I believe she had hoped to secure his interest for herself."
"How disappointing for her."
"Indeed! But really, it could never have been. Mr Darcy requires a woman of proper breeding and fortune. Someone who understands what is expected of a gentleman's wife." Cassandra's gaze flickered over Elizabeth with a triumphant look. "Not everyone can meet such exacting standards, of course."
Elizabeth felt heat rise in her cheeks as the events of the Meryton assembly swept into memory. "No, I suppose not everyone fits into Mr Darcy's particular requirements."
"He was perfectly civil to everyone, naturally—good breeding demands as much. But I could tell he found the assembly rather provincial. The company was not what he wasaccustomed to. I heard he made some remark to Mr Bingley about the local ladies not being quite up to London standards."
So that mortifying comment had made its way through the gossip channels. Elizabeth should have expected as much. "How very obliging of him to attend at all, then."
Cassandra nodded in agreement. "That is precisely what I thought! It shows the depth of his interest in me that he would endure such a tedious evening merely for the pleasure of our acquaintance. And our conversation during the dances was so delightful. He has ten thousand a year, you know. Ten thousand! And Pemberley is said to be one of the finest estates in Derbyshire."
"You once mentioned." Elizabeth reached for the tea that had been brought in, grateful for something to occupy her hands.
"Did I? Well, it bears repeating. Such a match is not to be taken lightly." Cassandra's expression turned slightly reproachful. "I must say, Lizzy, I was surprised by your manner towards Mr Darcy at the assembly. Your teasing was rather forward. Men of his station prefer ladies who are more restrained in their address."
Elizabeth set down her teacup with careful precision. "I was perfectly civil."
"You were impertinent," Cassandra corrected with a gentleness specially made to soften the harshness of her words. "Oh, I do not mean to wound you—we have been friends too long for false flattery. But truly, is it any wonder he did not seek you out for a dance? Gentlemen like Mr Darcy admire proper conduct and modest demeanour. Your liveliness, whilecharming among country society, does not suit more elevated circles."
"How fortunate, then, that I have no ambitions towards elevated circles."
"Now you are being proud." Cassandra shook her head with the air of someone explaining simple arithmetic to a slow pupil. "There is no shame in acknowledging one's limitations, Lizzy. Not every woman can aspire to be the wife of a man like Mr Darcy. You will find someone more suited to your temperament, I am sure. Mr Lucas seems perfectly amiable, and he does not appear to mind your expressiveness."
"How generous of him to tolerate my numerous deficiencies."
Again, the barb went unnoticed. Cassandra was too absorbed in her own narrative to detect Elizabeth's wit. "You must not think I am criticising you. I only wish to help you understand how these things work. Men of consequence require wives who reflect well upon them."
Elizabeth felt her jaw tighten, but forced herself to respond calmly. "I was not aware that honesty and competence were such grievous faults. Thank you for bringing that to my attention."
"You're welcome. Now, speaking of Mr Darcy—" Cassandra brightened visibly, clearly happy to return to her favourite subject. "—he departed Hertfordshire the day after the assembly. There was some emergency at Pemberley. A mine shaft collapsed, I believe, injuring several workers. Terribly unfortunate timing, but of course, his responsibilities must take precedence."
"Of course," Elizabeth murmured. Despite her irritation, she felt a flicker of concern for the injured workers and their families. Whatever Mr Darcy's faults as a conversationalist, he presumably had obligations to his tenants.
"But—and this is the truly wonderful part—before he left, he made arrangements for us to correspond!" Cassandra's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Through Mama, naturally. We must observe the proprieties after all.”
"Very clever," Elizabeth acknowledged.
Cassandra gestured towards her writing desk, where a folded sheet of paper lay beside the standish. "His first letter arrived this morning. I have not yet replied, which is actually why I am so glad you have come."
Something in her tone put Elizabeth on alert. "Oh?"
"His letter is terribly long. Pages and pages about the mine collapse and his tenants and I cannot say what else. I confess I grew rather bored after the first paragraph and skimmed the rest."
"You found a letter from your intended suitor boring?"
