Chapter XXV

S urprisingly, though it should not have been, Miss Bingley did not fawn over Georgiana when she arrived. As Darcy had a healthy respect for the woman's ability to see what she wished, he would not have thought it odd had she ignored his reproof and continued in her quest to gain his approval. She had taken it to heart, or perhaps it was more correct to say that he had offended her so much that she did not think it necessary to offer her those compliments and excessive deference that had been so essential before.

She was not unkind, he supposed, as she welcomed Georgiana with civility, asking after her journey and expressing appreciation for her coming. To Darcy, Miss Bingley had nothing to say, which Darcy preferred. When the time came for Georgiana to retire to her room, it was Darcy who guided her there after Miss Bingley told him which room she would occupy. As they walked, Georgiana turned to him with the light of mischief in her eyes.

"If I did not recognize her, I might never have thought that was Miss Bingley. When you consider her behavior at the dinner just before the end of the season, the woman before us today is a different person!"

"Are you complaining?" asked Darcy, throwing a wry grin at his sister.

"Not at all," said Georgiana. "A stay at Netherfield free of her cloying attentions will suit my inclination very well, indeed."

"Yes, I suppose it will," said Darcy.

"The only question I have is whether her good humor will survive the news that we mean to visit Mr. Bingley's neighbors at once."

That was a good question, and one Darcy could not answer, though he jested: "Miss Bingley's humor was not at all good when we arrived."

Laughing, Georgiana agreed he had the right of it. When they reached her door, his sister promised to join him within fifteen minutes, and Darcy left her to refresh herself for their departure.

Darcy had suspected Miss Bingley was not of a mind to keep her opinion to herself when informed of their plans, so her response was no surprise. There was no reason for her to practice restraint, for Darcy had disabused her of the notion that he favored her, thus she was free to allow them all to see her distaste for the Bennets without disguise.

"I will own that I cannot understand this fascination for Longbourn or the Bennets," said Miss Bingley, her sniff of contempt accompanying her statement.

"Dearest Georgiana," added she, her tone and words a closer approximation of her usual behavior, "I know not what your brother has told you, but Longbourn is not a place I believe it wise to visit often. The family is not the best behaved, as you shall no doubt see within moments of making their acquaintance. I would not see your sensibilities offended when it was within my power to prevent it."

"William has promised to introduce me to the Miss Bennets," said Georgiana. "I cannot wait to make their acquaintance, so I insisted he take me there at once."

"There is no need for you to go if you do not wish, Miss Bingley," said Darcy. "My sister, however, is of age with several of those ladies and is eager to meet them."

Miss Bingley said nothing more to dissuade them, but she also did not refuse to go herself. Why that might be Darcy could not say, for it could not be a wish to prevent Darcy from speaking with Miss Bennet—she had not misunderstood his meaning, for her behavior had altered enough to give the lie to that supposition.

As an addendum to Miss Bingley's agreement to go to Longbourn, Darcy noted when they alighted from the carriages that she was sullen and uncommunicative, her reproachful glances at Lady Catherine evidence that something had happened between them. As Darcy recalled, the lady had offered to ride with Miss Bingley, so she might have had some chastisement in mind. Anne clarified matters as they entered the estate.

"Miss Bingley is truly admirable, Darcy," said she, the edge of hilarity in her tone. "She complained of their uncouthness, manners, unfashionable dress, and anything else she could imagine until we arrived in Meryton. Then my mother took her to task, reminding her that the Bennets are gentlefolk."

"I am certain the truth of Miss Bingley's descent was no small part of her reprimand," said Darcy, exasperated with the unpleasant woman all over again.

"It was, though it was no insinuation. For the rest of the journey, Miss Bingley was almost tolerable, only because she was silent. I thought Mr. Hurst would swallow his tongue with his attempts to appear unmoved."

Darcy nodded but did not reply, for they had reached the family. There, standing with her sisters stood Miss Elizabeth, looking as lovely as ever. With such a woman at hand, Darcy had no time to spare for Miss Bingley.

Elizabeth was pleased to see the visitors arrive at Longbourn so quickly after their return from London, and before she had time to consider the precise reason for it, they were before her. Anne entered with Mr. Darcy, while Mr. Bingley escorted a young lady of about Lydia or Kitty's age, tall and graceful, appearing interested in everything she saw. Combined with this interest was a hint of bashful unease hovering about her, clearly the shyness of which Mr. Darcy had spoken in his sister.

"Mrs. Bennet," said Anne, taking the lead for her family, "I should like to introduce my cousin and Darcy's sister to your acquaintance."

Anne performed the office, those newly acquainted spoke of their pleasure, and they soon sat down to visit. It was plain within moments that Miss Darcy's shyness kept her from responding; had Elizabeth still believed Mr. Wickham was anything other than a rogue, this evidence would have informed her that regarding Miss Darcy, he had related falsehood. With the girl's shyness and her sisters' uncertainty, it was Elizabeth's task to make her comfortable.

"How fortunate it is to make your acquaintance, Miss Darcy," said Elizabeth, offering her a warm smile. "Your brother and his friends have told us so much of you."

"Yes, it is fortunate that Mr. Darcy has deigned to introduce his precious sister to you," said Miss Bingley, that haughtiness of which Elizabeth had known her capable on full display. "For Mr. Darcy is most discriminating about who he allows to make her acquaintance."

"Is he?" asked Elizabeth, quirking an eyebrow at Miss Darcy. "That he has brought you to Longbourn within hours of your arrival must suggest that he considers the Bennet family acceptable."

"Without a doubt, Miss Elizabeth," said Mr. Darcy.

Miss Darcy stifled a giggle with her hand, and Mr. Darcy offered her a mysterious smile she thought Miss Bingley could not see from her position a little further along. Miss Bingley appeared annoyed Elizabeth had defeated her gambit so easily.

"That remains to be seen, Miss Eliza. When your sisters giggle and carry on, Mr. Darcy will rethink this mad design."

Such comments were beyond what Elizabeth would have expected in polite company, even from a woman as conceited as Miss Bingley. To reply with Miss Bingley's level of disdain would be to provoke an argument, so Elizabeth turned her attention back to Miss Darcy, pointedly ignoring the bitter woman.

"Have you stayed in London long, Miss Darcy?"

"Since the season began," replied the girl. "I am not yet out, but I always accompany my brother to London, for there is greater access to masters there."

"Mr. Darcy has told us that you play," said Mary eagerly.

"I do," said Miss Darcy, again proving her diffidence by adding: "It is one of my favorite activities, though I would not wish to excite your anticipation, for I am still learning."

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Miss Bingley. "Why, your performance is most exquisite, the execution far beyond your years."

Miss Bingley looked down her nose at Mary and said: "There are few performers as talented as Georgiana, for even those of greater years are pedantic and unpracticed next to her."

It was an insulting speech, and one calculated to provoke offense—given the identity of the woman who had delivered it, Elizabeth was certain it had. At that moment, however, Mr. Bingley stepped into the breach, collecting his sister and leading her to Jane with the pretense of wishing to foster good relations between them. It missed no one's attention, however, that he appeared animated as they moved, his tone not at all genial.

"It appears Miss Bingley has received the wages for her attacks," said Anne to no one in particular.

"I care little about what she says of me," said Mary, offering a credible pretense of being unaffected. Mary was sensitive about her playing; Elizabeth suspected her of being offended, but the next words between the company defused the tension.

"It is not Christian to express dislike," said Georgiana, "but I never much cared for Miss Bingley. She has always made me uncomfortable in her company."

"Do not concern yourself, dear," said Anne. "Miss Bingley makes us all uncomfortable."

The group laughed, the sound of their mirth drawing attention from all parts of the room, including the woman in question. That Mrs. Bennet was pleased to see their intimacy was plain, as was Miss Bingley's offense. As no one cared for her opinion, they ignored her annoyance and returned to their conversation. Soon, Georgiana was speaking happily to Mary about music, and when Kitty and Lydia joined them, Mary contributed less but was still a part of their group as they laughed and chatted.

"It does my heart good to see my sister accepted into their midst with so little effort," said Mr. Darcy.

"My sisters need no encouragement to become friendly with other young ladies," said Elizabeth. "Mary is far more reserved, but Lydia and Kitty will chat happily with anyone willing to listen to them."

"Should we worry for Georgiana's sensibilities?" teased Anne.

"Perhaps you should," rejoined Elizabeth. "The girls still speak of the officers incessantly; the subject will almost certainly arise before long."

"They are gone from Meryton," said Mr. Darcy, "so I see no need to intervene. Besides which, Georgiana would not feel comfortable chasing after them."

Elizabeth nodded and looked at him, asking softly: "Is she aware of my knowledge of her near misstep last summer?"

"I did not think it necessary to inform her," said Mr. Darcy. "When I spoke of your assistance to Anne, I told her nothing more than that you persuaded her against trusting Wickham. If I had told her, she would have fretted about your reception."

"Better she remains ignorant," said Anne. "I think it would be best if she put the event in the past as quickly as possible."

"She has ," said Mr. Darcy. "Last summer, her mood was fragile, but she has rebounded far better than I expected. I think she learned something, and that has led to greater maturity."

"That is well," said Elizabeth. "Unless she says something, I will not speak of it."

"I know you will not speak of it," said Anne, regarding Lady Catherine across the room where she sat with Mrs. Bennet, "but it would be best to keep this knowledge from my mother."

"Without a doubt," said Mr. Darcy. "There is no reason to set Lady Catherine on Georgiana when she has already recovered from the event so well."

"Speaking of my mother and yours," said Anne, after Elizabeth assured them she would remain silent, "how is Mrs. Bennet getting on with the advice my mother offered yesterday?"

Elizabeth laughed. "I convinced her that much of what Lady Catherine told her applies to houses larger than Longbourn. She has been the mistress of my father's house long enough to understand what is to be done; she is not insecure in her position."

"I sense a tale," said Mr. Darcy, regarding them with interest.

"Indeed, there is, Cousin," said Anne. "Yesterday I visited Longbourn in Mr. Bingley and my mother's company, and Elizabeth and I spoke of our agreement."

Mr. Darcy clearly understood the oblique reference, his eyes finding Elizabeth. "Did it work as you hoped?"

"You misunderstand, Darcy," said Anne. "There was no opportunity to direct my mother yesterday, but that did not mean she was not eager to dispense her wisdom."

Elizabeth could not help the mirth that built in her breast. "After listening to your mother pontificate on the best way to practice the pianoforte, I had little doubt of her suitability for the role we envisioned for her."

They all laughed at Elizabeth's witticism. "No, indeed!" exclaimed Anne. "Now we only need to direct her to the proper topic and listen to her expound upon it. As I recall, she spoke to you on the subject at Rosings."

"She did," confirmed Elizabeth. "At the time, I thought it was rather officious of her. That memory, however, offered a possible solution to our problems, for while Mama might not accept her counsel, it will surely put the notion of the need to improve my sisters' behavior into her head."

"Dare I ask after the subject of my aunt's advice?" said Mr. Darcy.

"Much as you might have thought, Darcy," said Anne. "Mama spoke of managing an estate, the duties of the mistress, handling tenants and servants, and anything else that entered her mind. It was most enlightening!"

"My mother said that she thought Lady Catherine most sensible."

"Sensible?" asked Colonel Fitzwilliam at that moment as he moved to join them. "We must combat such heretical notions, Miss Elizabeth, for I have long been of the firm opinion that Lady Catherine lacks any such qualities!"

"Fitzwilliam!" cried Anne, swatting his shoulder. "How dare you say such things, and to one who is not a member of the family!"

"Not at all, Anne," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, waggling his eyebrows. "Miss Elizabeth has observed the truth for herself—I am certain it is no surprise to learn that your mother is quite beyond saving."

"Fitzwilliam considers it part of his charm," offered Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth. "The rest of us consider his propensity to make such jests his greatest failing."

"I will have you know," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, "that most of the family finds my humor essential. It is only the curmudgeons, such as Darcy here, who do not appreciate it."

Anne giggled at his pompous statement, while Mr. Darcy only shook his head. Elizabeth, understanding the man, saw his humor as an essential part of his character, and smiled.

"So?" asked the colonel in a softer voice. "Might I suppose you are discussing how to put Lady Catherine on the path to enlightening your poor mother?"

"Something like that," was Mr. Darcy's wry response. "Have you any notion?"

"I do not at the moment," replied Colonel Fitzwilliam. "But if we attend them, I suspect an opportunity will present itself soon enough."

"That is astonishing, sir," said Elizabeth. "It is as if you met my mother."

Though it was clear her witticism at her mother's expense surprised her companions, they all laughed at it, regardless. Elizabeth looked over at her mother fondly, noting how Mrs. Bennet was hanging off every word Lady Catherine said, and she turned back to her companions, raising an eyebrow.

"I cannot say if Lady Catherine is the font of all sense," said Fitzwilliam dryly to her unspoken question, "but your mother appears to find her wisdom fascinating."

"Do not speak of my mother so, Fitzwilliam," sniffed Anne. "Do you not know she is attentive to the need to instruct others? She has a wide range of subjects about which she can speak intelligently."

"Regardless of her expertise in any of them!"

Laughter again erupted between them. Miss Bingley appeared to regard them all with her usual disdain, though Elizabeth thought she caught a hint of wistful longing as if she wished to be in Elizabeth's place. Lady Catherine glanced over at them, though her attention soon returned to Mrs. Bennet, while the younger girls did not even seem to notice, their thoughts fixed firmly on their discourse.

"Then, shall we?" asked Colonel Fitzwilliam. "We must be prepared to grasp the opportunity when presented with it."

In the end, it was absurdly easy to direct Lady Catherine to the subject Elizabeth thought her mother needed to hear. Their conversation slowed thereafter as they paid more attention to the lady's instructions, and they offered a comment or two when an opportunity appeared to present itself. Reminding Lady Catherine of what she had said to Elizabeth more than two months more did the trick and steered her to the subject of young ladies and their educations.

"I am excessively attentive to all such things." Lady Catherine was pontificating on a point she had made about propriety, the genesis of which Elizabeth had not heard. "If you follow my good advice, your standing in local society will increase.

"Of course," said Lady Catherine as an aside, "you have not the means to maintain much of a presence in London. Then again," the lady glanced at Mr. Bingley, and directed a more subtle look at Mr. Darcy, "with the company you have kept of late, you may gain access."

Mrs. Bennet appeared quite apprehensive at the notion. "Mr. Bennet does not much care for London society, and I do not know that I would understand how to behave."

"Hmm, then I suppose it may be best for you to refrain," said Lady Catherine, not unkindly. "Society in London is not for the faint of heart."

"But your daughters may benefit from it," said Anne, nodding to the younger girls. "There must be a larger circle with whom to associate there, and a much greater chance of finding good husbands than in a small society such as Meryton."

Anne had made the critical point, for Mrs. Bennet fairly glowed at the notion of her daughters marrying men of consequence. Then Mr. Darcy delivered the coup de grace.

"Of course," said he, projecting an offhand manner, "they would need to learn how to behave in a manner those in London would find acceptable. As they are not educated in such things, you would need to see to it before they come out in London society."

As Mrs. Bennet frowned at Mr. Darcy as she did at anyone who suggested her daughters were at all deficient, Lady Catherine's eyes widened in remembrance.

"Oh, yes, of course!" exclaimed she. "Mrs. Bennet, when Miss Elizabeth informed me that none of your daughters ever had a governess, I was appalled. For gentle families of any standing in society, a woman hired to train young ladies is not only desirable but essential."

"A governess?" asked Mrs. Bennet, appearing confused. "What need have they for a governess?"

Lady Catherine peered at Mrs. Bennet in that quelling manner she often used when she thought another was not paying her words the attention they warranted. Mrs. Bennet appeared to realize this, for she squeaked and fell silent as if expecting to feel the hammer of Lady Catherine's judgment come down upon her head. As if in satisfaction, Lady Catherine nodded.

"When they were girls, you should have had a governess, Mrs. Bennet, for a governess removes the responsibility of educating gentle ladies from their mothers. Estate mistresses should not take on that task themselves, for they become a slave to the demands of their children.

"However, in this you are correct—now that your youngest is a young woman, you do not need a governess. Instead, I highly recommend you consider hiring a companion for them at the first available opportunity."

Mrs. Bennet regarded Lady Catherine as if trying to understand. "I have heard some mention that sending them to school would be desirable."

For a moment, Lady Catherine pursed her lips as if considering. "While some recommend schools, I would advise it only in certain circumstances. Take Darcy and Georgiana, for example. Georgiana has a companion now, but when she was younger, she attended a school for young girls."

"It was due to my situation as my sister's guardian," said Mr. Darcy by way of explanation. "As she has no mother and no siblings close to her age and I am a bachelor, Fitzwilliam and I thought it best to expose her to other young ladies of her station."

"Yes, I can see that," said Mrs. Bennet, considering Mr. Darcy as if she had never seen him before. "Then you recommend a companion for my Lydia?"

"For all your youngest daughters, Mrs. Bennet," said Lady Catherine, allowing for no disagreement by her tone. "As your daughters' situations are not the same as my niece's, there is no reason for you to send them to school. These days, school is a device of the lower classes, used to teach their young ladies how to emulate the behavior of the quality. The more common practice is to hire a woman to provide the education they require, which can be done easily in the home without exposing them to undesirable elements that frequent today's schools."

Lady Catherine was only stating facts as she knew them, and not attempting to disparage. Given Miss Bingley's frequent boasts of the school she attended, others could construe it as an attack against her manners. From Miss Bingley's expression, carefully neutral, completely belied by her flashing eyes, she did not think it was so benign. Lady Catherine noticed nothing of this, for her focus remained upon Mrs. Bennet.

"Did Miss de Bourgh have a governess?" ventured Mrs. Bennet.

"Mrs. Jenkinson sees to Anne's needs to this day," said Lady Catherine. "She was Anne's governess when she was younger and became a companion when Anne reached the age that a companion was more appropriate. A companion not only provides education, but as the title suggests, she provides companionship when the woman becomes an adult."

It was clear Mrs. Bennet had another question, but equally evident she was uncertain how to ask it. Anne saw it and spoke, easing her curiosity.

"Mrs. Jenkinson does not teach me any longer, Mrs. Bennet, but she has become a genuine friend in every sense of the word. She is becoming a little too old to return to a position as a governess, but I will probably keep her with me when I marry and have children."

"Yes, I can understand why that might be desirable," was all Mrs. Bennet said. "Might I ask after the cost? We are not wealthy, after all."

"The cost is secondary, Mrs. Bennet," stated Lady Catherine. "This is a requirement of all gentle families—many others in your position do the same. You may be required to economize to ensure you can afford it, but if I may be blunt, you cannot afford to refrain. In the society your daughters will move when they come out, good behavior is not a luxury. Ensuring they know what they must is essential."

Lady Catherine continued to expound on the subject, enumerating the benefits of companionship for young ladies, leaving the conspirators to congratulate each other on the success of their plan. She spoke at length, not only extolling Mrs. Jenkinson and Mrs. Annesley but also recounting at length some behaviors she had noted in the youngest girls and how a companion might help them improve. This last Elizabeth thought inspired, for it appeared Lady Catherine had well and truly opened Mrs. Bennet's eyes to how others perceived them when they did not act as they ought.

"Well, Miss Elizabeth?" asked Mr. Darcy when the Netherfield party rose to depart. "Do you suppose that will be enough?"

"I think it is almost guaranteed to succeed, Mr. Darcy," replied Elizabeth. "I have never seen my mother appearing so thoughtful."

"And your sisters? What do you suppose will be their response?"

Elizabeth fixed the gentleman with a wry smile. "They will wail and cry, but if Mama and Papa unite, they will surrender in time."

"Excellent. Perhaps the incentive of moving in society outside Meryton will prompt them to learn what they must more quickly."

"You forget that I have not yet accepted you," was Elizabeth's arch reply. "For that matter, you have not even proposed."

Elizabeth left off the last word "again" much to Mr. Darcy's amusement. He did not seem affected at all when he fixed his resolute gaze on her and said: "Yet."

Not trusting herself to speak, Elizabeth settled for a nod. Thereafter, their new friends went away, leaving Elizabeth with hope for the future. Mr. Darcy's part in that future was not yet written, so she tried not to consider it. The notion was not so onerous as it had been before, leaving Elizabeth eager to discover what was to come.