“We were not. Any of us who wished to learn never wanted for the means. We were always encouraged to read and had all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be idle did not have as much education.”
“Idleness is the very thing a governess would have prevented,” Lady Catherine pontificated. “If I had known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage one. I always say that nothing is to be done in education without steady and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can give it. It is wonderful how many families I have been the means of supplying in that way. I am always happy to be of use to others.” She paused to take a breath. “Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?”
“They are all out.”
“What, all five out at once? That is not done! And you, only the second oldest, and as yet unmarried after you turned down Mr Collins’s offer. I think Mr Collins said your older sister is at least being courted, even if the man is the son of a tradesman. I suppose for your level of society a tradesman’s son is not so very bad. That the younger ones are out before the elder ones are married is unacceptable! Your younger sisters must be far too young to be in society?”
“My youngest sister is not yet sixteen. Perhaps she is fullyoung to be out in society.” The truth was Elizabeth thought that Kitty and Lydia should not be out, but she would not give Lady Catherine the satisfaction of agreeing with her. “Really, Lady Catherine, I think it would be very hard on my younger sisters if they were not to have their share of society and amusement. It is not their fault that their elder sisters have not married yet. I do not think it would promote sisterly affection if they had to languish at home because Jane or I have failed to marry.”
“Upon my word!” Lady Catherine exclaimed. “You give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?”
“As a lady with three younger sisters, Your Ladyship cannot expect me to freely own my age.” Elizabeth cared not who knew her age, but she was having fun confounding the inquisitive blowhard of a woman.
Lady Catherine was taken back at not receiving a direct answer. Elizabeth was certain that she was the first to come before thegreatlady who had ever dared to trifle with her in such an impertinent way.
“You cannot be more than twenty,” Lady Catherine said with a huff. “I am sure you have no good reason to conceal your age.”
“I was one and twenty just after the start of this month,” Elizabeth admitted.
Elizabeth could see that her cousin was not well pleased that she was confounding his dear patroness. After the inquisition, tea was ordered, and as soon as it was over, card tables were placed.
When Lady Catherine had played as long as she chose, the tables were removed without anyone else’s opinion being canvassed. Lady Catherine offered the use of one of her carriages. Before her husband could utter paeans of praise,Charlotte Collins gratefully accepted. The butler was summoned, and the conveyance ordered.
Prior to her guests’ departure, Lady Catherine determined what the weather would be on the morrow. Instructions of how to dress for the weather she had decided would be, were issued. As soon as the coach arrived, the butler informed the mistress. With excessive gratitude for her condescension from Mr Collins and many bows from him and Sir William, the parsonage party took its leave.
No sooner had the carriage begun to move than Mr Collins extolled the honour for Elizabeth to be able to see the magnificence of Rosings Park and bask in Lady Catherine’s company. He then added a lecture about what he perceived as his cousin’s disrespect of Lady Catherine. For Charlotte’s peace of mind, Elizabeth said nothing to contradict her buffoon of a cousin.
As much as she did not look forward to being in Lady Catherine’s company again, Elizabeth knew that for Charlotte’s sake she would endure the foolishness.
Chapter3
As they had planned to, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam departed from Darcy House at first light on Friday.
For the first hour, the cousins sat in silence, each one deep in thought as they enjoyed the smooth ride of the well sprung Darcy travelling coach. As much as he did not want them to be thusly engaged, Darcy’s thoughts were of the most handsome woman of his acquaintance. He was fascinated by her mind, by her playful character, and the witty way she had bantered with him at Netherfield Park without ever fawning over him as Miss Bingley was wont to do.
The latter lady’s name caused Darcy to remember how, once he was the master of Pemberley and all Darcy properties, he had begun to tolerate the presence of Miss Bingley for the sake of his friendship with Bingley. He had reconciled himself with the fact that an invitation to Bingley was interpreted as one to the Hursts and Miss Bingley as well.
She had set her cap for him the first time she met him; however, if she were the last possible woman in the world, Darcy would not offer for the harridan. The first time she had spent the night at Pemberley, Darcy had had the foresight of having Carstens, his valet, sleep on a cot in front of the door from the hallway into his chambers. Both of them had woken well after midnight to the sounds of the door handle being rattled. As the door was securely locked, the person—Darcy strongly suspected it was Miss Bingley—eventually left.
The next day Darcy sat in his study with Bingley. He told his friend to pass on to Miss Bingley in no uncertain terms thathe would never offer for her, and he would not gratify a compromise. He also told his friend that if his sister attempted to entrap him, and then thought she would get what she wanted by spreading rumours in society, he would be unscathed and she would be ruined.
If Bingley had actually conveyed the message, Darcy was unsure, but he doubted Bingley had as he hated conflict. Thoughts of Bingley brought his feelings of shame to the forefront once again. He was snapped out of his wool-gathering by his cousin.
“William, what ails Bingley?” Fitzwilliam asked.
“As far as I know, Bingley is well,” Darcy obfuscated. “To what do you refer?” He knew very well what caused Bingley’s melancholy, and he felt guilt for his part in it. However, not guilty enough to tell his friend the truth.
“Since his return from Hertfordshire, Bingley has looked like a puppy who was kicked by his master. You were there with him. Is it to do with one of his angels?”
Knowing that Richard had an uncanny ability to draw things out of him he wanted to keep to himself, Darcy decided to relate a condensed version of what had occurred. “I needed to rescue him from the clutches of one who had a very objectionable family. She would have accepted him for his fortune, regardless of not having tender feelings for him.” Darcy knew he was being dishonest again. He did not want to admit to his mistakes, not even to Richard.
“You must have known this woman very well to divine her feelings and motivations,” Fitzwilliam drawled. His cousin was far too arrogant at times.
“Bingley held a ball before we all left Netherfield Park, the estate he leased in Hertfordshire,” Darcy explained. “That night the woman’s younger sisters, who should not be out of the school room, behaved atrociously. The vulgar mother wastelling anyone near her, without lowering her voice mind you, how her daughter would soon be engaged to Bingley and then the daughter would be able to throw her sisters, of which there are many, in the paths of rich men. It was untenable. Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst, and I convinced him to give up the lease and not to return.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam could see how the subject discomposed William. He decided he would perhaps address it again when his cousin was calm. That meant not at Rosings Park while their aunt harped on about the supposed engagement between William and Anne. Being around their aunt blackened William’s mood greatly.
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