With the house in such a state of upheaval, it was important to hire more help immediately if the work was to be completed by Thursday.
Elizabeth went back at once to speak to her mother.
“He is a wealthy landowner, with a huge estate in Derbyshire,” Mrs. Bennet was saying. “What a fine thing for our girls!”
When Elizabeth appeared, Mrs. Bennet waved for her to join them.
“Lizzy, Mrs. Philips and Lady Lucas are very keen to hear about your visit to Pemberley. I told them you were invited to dinner.”
Briefly, Elizabeth imagined what would happen if she told them what had really happened at that dinner. As if guessing her thoughts, Mrs. Bennet’s frowned in warning.
As if she would tell the whole world about such an embarrassing event! “Yes, I was invited by Mr. Darcy’s sister to Pemberley,” she said. “And I—” she paused, trying to think of what more she could say without lying. “I enjoyed her company very much.”
Her mother’s guests looked disappointed.
“Was Pemberley very grand?” inquired Mrs. Philips.
“It was one of the grandest estates I have visited,” said Elizabeth truthfully. “The Darcys are in possession of some priceless treasures. One of them is a Ming Vase.”
Mrs. Bennet, fearing the direction this conversation was going, rapidly interrupted. “I think I heard Mrs. Hill calling my name. I do hope there is no crisis.”
Elizabeth grasped at the reprieve. “I have just come from talking to Mrs. Hill. I believe we need more people from the village. There is still a lot to be done if we are to make the house worthy of Mr. Darcy’s arrival.”
“Yes, yes. Do tell Mrs. Hill to do what is necessary.”
Lizzy was more than happy to escape. She excused herself very prettily and hurried out of the room, glad her mother had not compelled her to perjure herself completely.
Thursday arrived. The house was ready, the five young ladies dressed. Mrs. Bennet was getting in everyone’s way, giving confusing last-minute orders in preparation for Mr. Darcy’s arrival late that afternoon. Mr. Bennet came to join them for breakfast, looking much more cheerful now that order had been restored in the library.
He helped himself to coffee, then turned to look at Lydia. “I hope you are not planning to receive Mr. Darcy like this?”
Lydia looked down at her morning dress in surprise. “What is wrong with it, Papa?”
“The ribbon is stained. You must either wash it immediately and hope it will dry in time for Mr. Darcy’s visit, or you must get a new one in Meryton at once.” Then he turned to Mrs. Bennet. “And I must say, I do not care for the lace on your sleeves. I think it is time to get some new lace. But you must hurry and get some so you can sew it in time.”
The ladies looked at each other in disbelief. Mr. Bennet was rarely so generous as to suggest going for purchases. Most of the time, they had to beg for extra pin money. There was a great deal of excitement at the prospect of buying new items of clothing.
“What about me, Papa?” said Kitty, hopefully, not wanting to be left out. “Do I look well enough to receive Mr. Darcy?”
“I think you and Mary could do with new shawls. These ones appear frayed. Hurry, though. You must go quickly, before it is too late.”
Lydia and Kitty shrieked at the prospect of having extra pin money to spend on fripperies. The prospect of lace sent Mrs. Bennet running up the stairs to fetch her pelisse, and even Mary looked pleased to be acquiring a new shawl.
“May we take the carriage, Papa?” said Mary.
“I am afraid not. The men are clearing brambles from the side of the road, and they will need the horses. You will have to walk.”
Only Jane and Elizabeth were left. Elizabeth looked at her sister in disbelief.
“I suppose our clothes have passed muster, Jane, since Papa did not send us gallivanting off. Everyone has gone giddy with the prospect of Mr. Darcy’s visit. It is like an illness.” She turned to her father, who was now comfortably reading his newspaper. “Papa, since when do you care about laces and shawls?”
“I care nothing about them at all. I just wanted them all out of the way. Your sisters are some of the silliest girls in England, and I do not want Mr. Darcy to be discouraged, which he will be if he meets them. I am hoping they will linger long enough for me to talk to Mr. Darcy in peace and without interruptions.”
“But surely they will not be away that long? Mr. Darcy is not arriving until four o’clock.” said Jane, puzzled.
“I’m afraid I may have misrepresented the time of his arrival. He is planning to be here at eleven o’clock, and he will be leaving as soon as we come to an agreement. Which means, if all goes to plan, he should be departing in about two hour’s time.”
Elizabeth burst out laughing. “Papa, I did not imagine you could be so devious.”
