Page 32 of A Different Impression

“You would not fear Kitty proving a poor companion for your sister?”

“No, sir. Mrs Annesley has done an admirable job with Georgiana, and I have every confidence she would guide Miss Kitty just as well.”

For several moments Bennet said nothing.

At last he nodded.

“I believe you may be right. Give me a week to settle the particulars, and perhaps Lizzy might accompany her sister to London for a short visit as well.”

The remainder of their conversation centred upon Lady Matlock’s recommendations for schools suitable for Lydia. By the time Darcy rose to leave the study, Bennet had already reached for his writing desk, clearly intending to begin his correspondence without delay.

Over the next fortnight, the plans discussed in Mr Bennet’s study gradually came to fruition. Lady Matlock had recommended an unusual school in Northampton, one that accepted pupils throughout the year rather than only at the beginning of a term. Several letters passed between Longbourn and Northampton before word finally arrived that Miss Lydia had been accepted.

From his aunt’s description, Darcy understood the school differed considerably from most establishments for young ladies. It specialised in correcting wilful behaviour through firm discipline and structure. The girls were expected to care for their own rooms, complete daily chores, and earn privileges through good conduct. Free time was limited at first, and any misconduct resulted in additional duties or the loss of privileges.

Its isolated situation appealed to Darcy almost as much as its discipline. Situated several miles from the nearest village, the school offered few opportunities for mischief. Even letters home were read before being sent until a pupil had earned the complete confidence of the headmistress.

Elizabeth later told him that Lydia had objected loudly when her father explained the school’s rules, though her protests accomplished nothing. On the first of November, Mr Bennet accompanied his youngest daughter to Northampton, determined to see her settled there himself. When he returned two days later, Elizabeth reported that Lydia had been safely installed under the headmistress’s care, and Darcy hoped the experience would prove the making of her.

CHAPTER 14

A Question Answered

Changes continued to take place at Longbourn. Her father had written to her uncle to ask whether Kitty might visit until at least Christmas, suggesting that Elizabeth might join her if the arrangement was agreeable. Elizabeth had likewise sent letters to her aunt and uncle, describing her courtship with Mr Darcy and the changes at Longbourn since her Papa had taken a greater interest in their family.

She was pleased with the changes, although part of her wondered whether her father would maintain his interest or eventually abandon his efforts. He had taken a far more active role in the family than she had ever imagined, but she remained uncertain whether the improvement would endure.

Since returning from taking Lydia to school, her father had nearly abandoned his deliberate attempts to spend time with his daughters. He still asked what they had learnt each morning at breakfast and encouraged them to deepen their understanding of whatever subjects they had studied, but the longer conversations and shared activities had become increasingly infrequent. Elizabeth could not help wondering whether this was the beginning of a return to his former habits.

His interest had not diminished in every area. As far as Elizabeth knew, he was making a much greater effort on the estate and had spent considerable time speaking with Mr Darcy about how Longbourn might be made more profitable. Her father seemed to enjoy her suitor’s company, and Elizabeth hoped Mr Darcy’s influence might encourage him to persevere.

Elizabeth still met Mr Darcy most mornings at Oakham Mount, although they were frequently chaperoned by one of Elizabeth’s sisters, most often Kitty. Kitty had asked to accompany them ever since Mr Darcy had complimented her drawing and suggested that she might enjoy taking lessons in London or attending school. While Elizabeth and Mr Darcy spoke, Kitty sat nearby and sketched the view from the summit, and Elizabeth hoped she might consider giving her the finished picture as a wedding gift.

She blushed when the thought crossed her mind. Her sister had witnessed much of the courtship during these early morning walks, and Elizabeth wondered whether Kitty considered a wedding between the two of them a foregone conclusion—a conclusion Elizabeth had privately reached herself.

Any hope Elizabeth had of keeping her courtship private had quickly vanished. Wherever they went together, neighbours smiled knowingly, and conversations often ceased as she and Mr Darcy approached. Few dared mention the subject in her presence, but she could readily imagine the speculation taking place in parlours throughout the neighbourhood. Only her mother appeared determined to pretend the connexion was unlikely to last.

Their curiosity was hardly surprising. At every public gathering, she and Mr Darcy seemed to find their way to one another almost without intending it. Before long, they would be so absorbed in a conversation no one else appeared able to follow that they might as well have been alone.

“We have done it again,” she murmured to him one evening, glancing across the room to where Kitty and Maria Lucas were watching them with poorly concealed amusement.

“Done what?” Mr Darcy asked, his brow furrowing in evident confusion.

“We have very nearly forgotten that anyone else is present.” She tilted her head towards their audience. “I believe everyone in Hertfordshire expects you to marry me.”

His expression grew warm. “Then, for once, everyone in Hertfordshire has arrived at the correct conclusion.”

On one such occasion, Elizabeth noticed John Lucas watching her and Mr Darcy with an unusually sombre expression. Her mother had encouraged his attentions for months, although Elizabeth had never given him any reason to believe they would be welcome. When Mr Darcy was briefly drawn away by his friend, John approached her.

“I owe you an apology, Lizzy,” he began. “I behaved badly the last time we spoke, and I am ashamed of it. I have had sufficient time since to realise how foolish I was.” He gave her a rueful smile. “And I suppose I ought to congratulate you, though I cannot help wondering whether, had I acted sooner, matters might have ended differently.”

Elizabeth smiled gently. “I believe we would eventually have discovered that we were better suited as friends.”

He gave a rueful laugh. “More likely, you would have talked circles around me until I reached that conclusion myself.” His gaze moved towards Mr Darcy. “The two of you are remarkably well-matched. I cannot pretend I could have competed with him—and I do not mean merely in fortune.”

“Thank you, John.”

He inclined his head and moved away, and Elizabeth hoped that, freed from Mrs Bennet’s encouragement, he might soon find a lady who suited him far better than she ever could.