All four ladies scrambled to straighten their skirts and clear the clutter as the visitors were seen in and divested of their coats and gloves. Mr Bennet even deigned to join them to see what the fuss was about.
Scarcely a minute after all were settled demurely (for Bennets), Mr Hill, the butler, ushered them in.
He prepared to announce them, but Jane said, “Thank you, Mr Hill. Let us not stand on ceremony. I will introduce my friends.”
Looking stoic and professional, he said, “Of course, Miss Bennet,” and would have gotten away with it just like a properbutler had he not winked at her and grinned at the last minute when nobody was looking.
Jane returned the wink, then walked into the room, drew a deep breath, and commenced the battle.
“My dear family, I hope you will excuse me if I sacrifice precedence for clarity. First, I would like you to meet my very particular friend, Miss Anne de Bourgh. She is Lady Catherine’s daughter, and the heir to Rosings. We have become quite close over the past weeks. Annie, my father, Mr Bennet, my mother, Mrs Bennet, and my sisters, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia.”
Kitty and Lydia managed to refrain from giggling, though only barely, and executed almost proper curtsies.
Anne said, “Mr and Mrs Bennet, Miss Mary, Miss Catherine, Miss Lydia… it is so good to finally meet you. Jane has told me so much about you, I feel I know you already.”
At the end of this, all three were gaping. There had not been a single mention of Jane acquiring a new friend, let alone such a rich and important heiress.
Anne was delighted to see one more vision of Lady Anne.
Claiming familiarity with people beyond what you already know is a good way to fit in, but do it carefully.It is easy to get caught out on the fib, but if you can pull it off, people will want to believe you and will make it easier for you to be accepted. It is all in your attitude, and how respectful you are with the new acquaintances.
She smiled at Darcy with a nod conveying his mother was alive and well—or rather, dead and well, but why quibble?
Once everyone had curtsied, Jane continued. “Mama, I hope you do not mind, but I have invited Anne to stay with us for a short while. She will occupy Lizzy’s place.”
Mrs Bennet flushed. “What!It is not to be thought of. In case you have forgotten, Lizzy sleeps with you. No, she must have the guest room!”
Anne stared at Jane in wonder, while Jane was enjoying herself immensely. She simply replied, as unperturbed as possible, “No, Mama. That room must be reserved for Mr Darcy. You remember him from last autumn, I hope. He is Anne’s cousin, and was volunteered to chaperone for her visit. Do not worry. He is quiet as a mouse and does not eat much.”
Everyone in the room stood stock still while Jane just stood there smiling. They gave her a thorough scrutiny to ascertain she was in fact Jane, not Lizzy, since the words sounded exactly like those her sister would say.
Mr Bennet finally broke the impasse by laughing quite loudly. “I stand corrected. I used to think you were the beautiful but agreeable daughter. Now I see you are the clever one, and Mr Darcy; why, I believe he will be an even better visitor than the last one.”
He studied Mr Darcy, surprised to see the gentleman break into a grin and chuckle. This naturally set Anne, Jane, and Ellen laughing, while the rest of the Bennet family watched in confusion.
As the laughter subsided, Darcy replied, “I shall do my level best to improve on Mr Collins, sir. He sends his regards, by the way.”
Mr Bennet laughed. “Now, Jane… a point of clarification. You said, ‘was volunteered’ instead of ‘has volunteered.’ Did you misspeak?”
“My apologies for not speaking clearly, Papa. I should have used the longer form, ‘was ordered to volunteer.’ Is that better?”
Mr Bennet laughed along with Darcy. “Welcome to the world of female relations, sir.”
“My thanks. I understand you to be a world-renowned expert.”
After a moment, the laughter died away, and Mary asked, “We all know Mr Darcy, but who is this with you?”
The presence of a maid travelling with a lady was nothing new. What was astounding was that this appeared to be an ordinary maid of all work, not a lady’s maid. Even more astonishing, she had come to the drawing room with the gentry instead of going straight to the kitchen to talk to the housekeeper.
Anne took Ellen’s arm. “This is my good friend, Ellen Taylor. She is my lady’s maid but is new to the profession. Might you help her with hairstyles and gowns and such? I have not even had time to refresh her wardrobe yet, so perhaps you could assist with that as well? I presume you are on good terms with the local dressmakers.”
Ellen looked at her and started to speak, but Anne winked so she desisted.
Mary said, “You are welcome. Should we call you Miss Taylor or Ellen?”
“I prefer Ellen, though Mr Darcy calls me Miss Taylor.”
Lydia, never one to let an opportunity for foolishness pass, said, “La, Mr Darcy talks to you. I can imagine that is very dreary.”
