Chapter 6
“This is my youngest daughter put one, Miss Catherine Bennet,” Mrs Bennet introduced, thankfully remembering to place Kitty before Lydia. Kitty curtsied, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed. “And my youngest daughter, Miss Lydia Bennet,” Lydia curtsied likewise but her face held a look of pride and indifference. Elizabeth wondered at her. Had she no cognisance of the great honour of being introduced to the wife of the Prince Regent?
“Now Miss Catherine,” Mrs Fitzherbert began, “tell me a little about what you do with your time? What accomplishments do you enjoy?” she asked.
“I,…I like drawing,” Kitty replied, her voice quiet and uncertain. “But,” she continued. “I am not very accomplished at it, as I don’t have a great deal of time,” she said. “For drawing,” she clarified.
“No time,” Mrs Bennet interjected. “What nonsense is this?” Mrs Fitzherbert sent her a quelling look and she subsided into silence.
“I,” Kitty looked at her mother and then continued. “Well, I have to look after my younger sister,” she said. “Mama told me that it is my job to look after Lydia,” she said with a nod. “And, it is not easy,” she said, her voice growing stronger, a look of determination on her face. “But Mama told me it is my responsibility, so I spend my time looking after Lydia,” she said with a final nod.
Their mother looked mortified, and Kitty’s words had resulted in a rare condition of robbing her mother of words. Elizabeth felt all the embarrassment her mother suffered. How much responsibility had they all left to Kitty to look after the wilful Lydia?
Lydia tried to insert her denials but was quelled by a look from Mrs Fitzherbert.
“Well,” Mrs Fitzherbert responded, “that is admirable. But perhaps we might think of ways to reduce the burden on you.”
“Now, young Lydia,” she said finally turning her attention to the youngest Bennet. “Why don’t you tell me about your accomplishments?” she asked. Elizabeth had dreaded this question and Lydia did not disappoint.
“Oh la,” she responded, “I am too busy to be working on any silly accomplishments.” When Mrs Fitzherbert met this response with a raised eyebrow she continued. “I am doing as my Mama instructed,” she said. “I am the equal to Jane in looks and I am most lively,” she said, looking proud. “I am practicing my flirtations. There are not so many good men to practice on. Only the Lucas boys and the Ramseys. And they are almost like brothers. But you know there is a militia due to be quartered at Meryton, and I mean to find myself a husband.” And on this pronouncement Elizabeth, Jane and Mary all blushed. Elizabeth thought she even saw some reaction in her mother’s face. For her youngest child, not yet sixteen, to be a self-acknowledged flirt, was the height of embarrassment.
“Thank you Miss Lydia, I think that is clear. Catherine, and Lydia, you head on back to your Uncle’s house now,” Mrs Fitzherbert instructed.
Once Kitty and Lydia had exited the room Mrs Fitzherbert turned her eyes on the three older girls. “Now Mrs Bennet we must get these girls sorted,” said Mrs Fitzherbert.“I can see that you are pleased with your two eldest daughters. However, I am concerned about Miss Mary,” she said, sending a sympathetic look Mary’s way. “You say she is a good and godly woman. And that is a very fine thing indeed. Unfortunately, even the most pious of men will overlook a woman who hides what God bestowed upon her”. Mary gasped at this pronouncement.
“My dear Miss Mary, please do not be insulted or shocked by my plain speech,” she beseeched Mary. “Do you know there was once a time that I was called plain,” she said her eyebrow arching. Lizzy found this hard to believe. “However, once the Prince fell in love with me, I was considered one of the handsomest women in all of England. I can see that you are hiding your light under a bushel and that is not acceptable.”
“The Prince Regent is even now speaking to your father. I do not know the details of these discussions, but I am sure that he will be seeing about insuring some small amounts are settled on your five daughters by way of dowries. That being the case, I will arrange to have you and your three eldest daughters to London next season,” Mrs Fitzherbert confirmed. Mrs Bennet clasped Jane’s hand on hearing this.
“I will also see to ensuring that they are all properly attired for the season,” she said, and then looked at Mary. “And that includes you Miss Mary.” Mary nodded. “But something must be done in relation to your two younger girls.” Surprisingly, she awaited her mother’s assent before continuing. “As soon as we are settled in London I will make arrangements for a governess to be sent to Longbourn.”
Mrs Bennet nodded but Elizabeth was not sure that her father would agree with that expense. But Elizabeth would do everything in her power to persuade her father. If MrsFitzherbert sent a governess, she could not see how her father could send her away.
“As the younger girls are already out in local society it is perhaps not possible to put them back in. But, they are not to be out in London society until they are able to behave as gentlewomen aught.” And with that final command it seemed the interview was concluded.
Her father spent much time in his study with the Prince Regent and Elizabeth was racked with curiosity as to what they were discussing. When he finally exited he looked poleaxed. He was white as a sheet, and she was at first deeply concerned. But when she reached his side she saw his shining eyes and lopsided grin. “What is it Papa?” she asked. “What did the Prince Regent say?” she questioned.
“Not for now Lizzy,” he said, patting her back. “All will be well,” he said and then he repeated, “all will be well,” and wondered off to the garden as there was no other room available in the house, save his bedchamber.
Dinner that evening at Longbourn was the strangest in Elizabeth’s life. The evening started in the drawing room with introductions of Mrs Bennet and her daughters to the Prince Regent. After which they all stood around, fearful of sitting in the Prince Regent’s presence. Then Hill tapped on the door and stuck her head inside and Mr Bennet announced that dinner was served.
The family were all seated to dinner, but because the Prince Regent and Mrs Fitzherbert took precedence, they were none of them in their usual spots. Mrs Fitzherbert with inconspicuous nods directed everyone to the correct seats. The Prince Regent was ebullient. Her father rallied tolerably with the assistance of Mrs Fitzherbert. Her mother sat in silence, moving food around her plate, a glazed look on her face. And Elizabeth ventured a reply when the Prince directed a questionto the sisters as a whole. Seeing that Jane was incapable of a coherent reply. The family survived the encounter with the notoriously mercurial Prince. And the next morning the royal party took their leave. And everyone in Longbourn breathed a sigh of relief.
