Page 33 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

“No.”

Lady Catherine picked up the paper she had brought, unfolded it, and read the first line. “The steward has sent me an estimate for the lower wall. He proposes to replace twelve yards when six will suffice. Men double every quantity when they believe a woman will not examine it.”

Georgiana waited. Lady Catherine read the figure a second time, folded the paper, and set it down. “You said several families.”

“Yes.”

“Does Darcy mention anyone else?”

The question came without emphasis, but Georgiana felt the closed drawer beneath her hand.

“He describes the Bennet family.”

“That is to be expected if Bingley has chosen one of them.”

“There are five.”

“Five daughters?” Lady Catherine removed her spectacles. “And no son, I suppose.”

“I do not know.”

“There will be no son. Families with five daughters seldom possess the good sense to produce one when it is required.”

Georgiana said nothing.

“Are they accomplished?”

“He does not discuss their accomplishments.”

“Then they have none.”

“He mentions the youngest two as lively.”

“Undisciplined.”

The word was close enough to Darcy’s that Georgiana looked up.

Lady Catherine noticed. “I am correct.”

“My brother wrote something similar.”

“Since I have known him from infancy, it would be extraordinary if I could not anticipate his judgment.”

She turned toward the fire, saw that it had fallen to a coal, and pulled the bell. “This room is cold. You should have rung before it reached this state.”

“I did not notice.”

“That is why young people require older judgment.”

A servant entered. Lady Catherine ordered more coal and remained where she stood until he finished. When the door closed, she returned to the writing table.

“Was that all?”

Georgiana considered saying yes, but Lady Catherine was watching her. “He mentioned a dog, a working collie belonging to the second Miss Bennet.”

Lady Catherine stared at her. “Darcy wrote to you about a dog?”

“Yes.”