Mr Bennet arrived with Mary two hours later. Elizabeth was calmer after incessant restless pacing about her chamber. The judge had departed long ago, yet she had seen not a glimpse of Darcy.
“Papa!” Elizabeth hugged her father and then her sister. “How good of you to come. Please join me in the morning room and I shall order refreshments.”
Mr Bennet was frowning, so Elizabeth thought it might be best not to meet his eyes, or the tears she had finally defeated would surely fall.
“Mary, I am delighted you agreed to join us. We are to have a merry time exploring everything town has to offer.”
Her endeavour to sound cheerful did not remove her father’s frown, which deepened further despite her Herculean efforts to make merry.
“Do you have any news from home?”
“Yes, the militia is decamping to Brighton at the end of the month. Lydia has been invited as Mrs Forster’s particular friend and will join them. I declare that my house will be peaceful with only Kitty remaining at home.”
With the difficulties Elizabeth had faced after entering London’s society in mind, she could not help but be concerned for the reputation of the Bennet family, given the high animal spirits and natural self-consequence with which Lydia carried herself.
“But Papa, you cannot allow it! Lydia is certain to display herself as the most ridiculous girl who ever entered Brighton, and you know that such a woman as Mrs Forster will do nothing to correct her. She has less sense than Lydia, and I cannot think the good colonel so incredibly wise judging by his choice of wife. The probability of her being yet more imprudent with such companions must be even greater than at home.”
Mr Bennet listened attentively but replied, “Lydia will make a fool of herself wherever she goes. I would rather she do so in Brighton, with no inconvenience to me.”
Elizabeth fought the impulse to scoff. “Do you care nothing for the damage her unguarded manner will do the family’s standing in the eyes of society?”
“I care nothing for the squeamish who cannot bear a little absurdity. You sound missish. I hope that London’s supercilious society has not deprived you of your penchant for follies and nonsense. I thought better of you, Elizabeth, than to allow yourself to be so easily persuaded.”
A throat cleared behind her, bringing the discussion to an abrupt halt. Elizabeth whirled round to face her husband and his sister. She performed the introductions between Miss Darcy and her family whilst avoiding her husband’s probing gaze. Once that was over, she could think of nothing to say, and neither could anyone in her company.
Mr Bennet was the one who broke the awkward silence. “What? No discussions of frippery and lace? I am certain, Mary, that Lizzy will treat you to more gowns and the like than you will ever care to own.”
“Certainly not!” Elizabeth protested more harshly than necessary, but with the morning’s one-sided quarrel in mind, she did not have the funds to purchase anything without Darcy’s approval.
“Do not be uneasy, Elizabeth. I want for nothing,” Mary graciously replied.
Elizabeth smiled and would express her gratitude to Mary as soon as they were alone.
“Make an appointment for Miss Bennet with your seamstress, Georgiana, but not at Mrs Bean’s Magazin des Modes. Her prices are outrageous,” Darcy declared whilst looking directly at Elizabeth.
“I could not possibly accept,” Mary demurred.
“It is my pleasure to provide for my new sister,” Darcy insisted.
“Perhaps one morning dress,” Mary allowed.
“I am certain you will need evening attire as well.”
“If you insist…”
Elizabeth’s head swivelled back and forth between Mary and Mr Darcy as if she were watching a game of battledore and shuttlecock. She was amazed that after the uproar in his study he had a penny left to spend. Two thousand nine hundred and seventy-five pounds was a significant fortune that could keep a whole family from succumbing to poverty for years. She should have paid more heed…
“Madame Claudette is not likely to have a vacant appointment in the near future. She is in high demand,” Miss Darcy apprised them in an apologetic voice.
“We could enquire of Mrs Gardiner’s seamstress whether she has an appointment instead,” Elizabeth suggested, to the agreement of everyone.
“As pleasant as this has been, I must leave if I am to return to Longbourn at a reasonable hour.”
Mr Bennet rose, and Elizabeth hastened to entreat her father to stay the night.
“I thank you, but no. These old bones prefer to sleep in their own bed. Have a pleasant evening.”
“Have you heard from Grandmother?” Elizabeth called after her father’s retreating back.
