“Well, she is young and healthy. There is plenty of time.”
Elizabeth opened another letter and began to read. Raising her eyes, she said, “Charlotte inquires whether there are any eligible gentlemen in the parish. I must look about me for a suitable match for her.”
She turned back to the letter. “She says Alexander has returned after all these years. I always believed he and Jane would marry.”
“He was too young, Lizzy. Only a boy.” Mr. Bennet lowered his gaze once more to his newspaper.
Kitty entered and went directly to the sideboard to serve her plate. As she took her seat, her eye fell upon the letters.
“Did Jane write, Lizzy?”
“She did, and Charlotte also.” Elizabeth handed the letters to her.
Kitty had scarcely begun reading before a change came over her countenance. Elizabeth observed it at once.
“Are you well, Kitty?”
“Yes, perfectly. Charlotte writes that her brother has returned to Meryton.”
Bennet looked up then and met Elizabeth’s eye, his brow lifting in quiet inquiry.
“Lady Lucas must be much gratified,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “He has been absent these several years with rarely a visit home.”
The conversation continued, yet Kitty spoke little. She finished her meal in haste and soon excused herself, the letter still in her hand.
Mr. Bennet watched her go, his lips pursed in thought. “Well, Lizzy, what is your opinion? Is Kitty in love?”
“It would seem so, sir,” Elizabeth replied, “though I fear she is destined for disappointment.”
“Indeed? And why is that? Is a Bennet daughter not worthy of a Lucas?”
“That is not my meaning, Papa. Alexander has been to university and has seen something of the world.”
“Ah,” said he, folding his newspaper. “And such a gentleman must find little to admire in a young lady who has seen nothing beyond her own neighborhood.”
“Not at all, sir. I also had not seen anything beyond my own neighborhood, yet Mr. Darcy and I are perfectly matched. But Kitty is not a student of anything, Papa. She neither sings nor draws, and cannot boast of any particular accomplishment. She does not ride, nor even play at chess. And more importantly, Kitty has no command of conversation. I do not know how she is to attract Mr. Lucas, or indeed any gentleman.”
Mr. Bennet considered this with unusual gravity.
“You may be right, my dear. Tell me, do you suppose it is too late to do something for her? Is she to remain my charge for the rest of my life?”
After a moment’s reflection, Elizabeth replied, “I fear it is too late for her to become proficient at the pianoforte, though I might engage a master; perhaps she can sing. And you, sir, might instruct her in the art of conversation.”
Mr. Bennet rubbed his chin. “Yes, I believe I might. I shall speak with Kitty today.”
“You mean to assist her? Thank you, Papa.”
He gathered up a stack of newspapers. “I shall do what I can, and I depend upon you, Elizabeth, to help her discover some accomplishment.”
“I shall do my best, sir.”
With that, he left the room.
Later that same morning, Elizabeth had just concluded her business with Mrs. Reynolds when Kitty and Georgiana approached her together.
“Lizzy, may we accompany you on your tenant visits?” Kitty asked.
“Certainly.”
