Chapter 52 Pemberley
“Papa, Jane writes that they are in London. Miss Bingley was married to Mr. Balfour on the twentieth of December.”
“That news makes me very happy, Lizzy. That woman would have proved a constant trial to your sister had she remained unmarried. Does Jane say how she feels?”
Elizabeth raised a brow. “You know how Jane is. She will not speak against anyone. She says only that she is happy for her.” She handed him the letter. “She also writes that the steward you engaged has performed so well that Charles has retained him to assist at Netherfield.”
“Good for him.”
Madeline Gardiner asked, “Does Jane say if they are expecting?”
“No, aunt, not a word.”
“Well, she is young and healthy. There is plenty of time.”
Elizabeth opened another letter and began to read. Raising her eyes, she said, “Charlotte inquires whether there are any eligible gentlemen in the parish. I must look about me for a suitable match for her.”
She turned back to the letter. “She says Alexander has returned after all these years. I always believed he and Jane would marry.”
“He was too young, Lizzy. Only a boy.” Mr. Bennet lowered his gaze once more to his newspaper.
Kitty entered and went directly to the sideboard to serve her plate. As she took her seat, her eye fell upon the letters.
“Did Jane write, Lizzy?”
“She did, and Charlotte also.” Elizabeth handed the letters to her.
Kitty had scarcely begun reading before a change came over her countenance. Elizabeth observed it at once.
“Are you well, Kitty?”
“Yes, perfectly. Charlotte writes that her brother has returned to Meryton.”
Bennet looked up then and met Elizabeth’s eye, his brow lifting in quiet inquiry.
“Lady Lucas must be much gratified,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “He has been absent these several years with rarely a visit home.”
The conversation continued, yet Kitty spoke little. She finished her meal in haste and soon excused herself, the letter still in her hand.
Mr. Bennet watched her go, his lips pursed in thought. “Well, Lizzy, what is your opinion? Is Kitty in love?”
“It would seem so, sir,” Elizabeth replied, “though I fear she is destined for disappointment.”
“Indeed? And why is that? Is a Bennet daughter not worthy of a Lucas?”
“That is not my meaning, Papa. Alexander has been to university and has seen something of the world.”
“Ah,” said he, folding his newspaper. “And such a gentleman must find little to admire in a young lady who has seen nothing beyond her own neighborhood.”
“Not at all, sir. I also had not seen anything beyond my own neighborhood, yet Mr. Darcy and I are perfectly matched. But Kitty is not a student of anything, Papa. She neither sings nor draws, and cannot boast of any particular accomplishment. She does not ride, nor even play at chess. And more importantly, Kitty has no command of conversation. I do not know how she is to attract Mr. Lucas, or indeed any gentleman.”
Mr. Bennet considered this with unusual gravity.
“You may be right, my dear. Tell me, do you suppose it is too late to do something for her? Is she to remain my charge for the rest of my life?”
After a moment’s reflection, Elizabeth replied, “I fear it is too late for her to become proficient at the pianoforte, though I might engage a master; perhaps she can sing. And you, sir, might instruct her in the art of conversation.”
Mr. Bennet rubbed his chin. “Yes, I believe I might. I shall speak with Kitty today.”
“You mean to assist her? Thank you, Papa.”
He gathered up a stack of newspapers. “I shall do what I can, and I depend upon you, Elizabeth, to help her discover some accomplishment.”
“I shall do my best, sir.”
With that, he left the room.
Later that same morning, Elizabeth had just concluded her business with Mrs. Reynolds when Kitty and Georgiana approached her together.
“Lizzy, may we accompany you on your tenant visits?” Kitty asked.
“Certainly.”
Georgiana added, “Kitty wishes to learn more of housekeeping and the management of tenants, as she hopes to marry soon.”
Elizabeth turned to her sister with a knowing look. “Is that so, Kitty? Have you someone particular in mind?”
Kitty blushed. “No one in particular, but I shall soon be eighteen, and I think it proper to prepare myself. Lizzy, might I lead the visits? If I falter, you may guide me.”
“A very sensible plan, my dear. I intend to make two calls this afternoon, and you are both welcome to join me.”
She turned then to Georgiana. “I believe you both should also attend me each morning when I meet with Mrs. Reynolds. You may take turns planning the menus and reviewing the household accounts.”
After a brief pause, she continued, “And we shall spend an hour each day in the stillroom. It is well that you both learn how to prepare simple remedies for your households.”
Kitty looked uncertain. “Remedies?”
“Yes, indeed. Tincture of willow bark, extract of echinacea, milk thistle, and peppermint. With a little knowledge, you may provide for the basic needs of your household, should you not always have a servant to manage such matters.”
“Do you not remember that Jane and I were responsible for the stillroom at Longbourn? Here at Pemberley, I have a servant who attends to the needs of both the household and the tenants.”
Kitty hesitated, then said, “Lizzy, I should like to return to Meryton as soon as possible. Now that Mr. Alexander has come back… perhaps I might attach him.”
“Perhaps you might,” Elizabeth replied gently, “but are you prepared to meet him now? I fear you would not readily engage his attention.”
She laid a hand upon her sister’s arm. “You must forgive me, Kitty, but you have little command of conversation. How do you expect to attach him?”
Kitty stared at her. “What do you mean, Lizzy?”
“Have you anything to say to him?”
Elizabeth turned to Georgiana. “You shall be Mr. Lucas. Kitty, imagine you have just been introduced at Lucas Lodge during one of Lady Lucas’s card parties. ‘Mister Alexander Lucas, this is Miss Kitty Bennet.’ Now, Kitty, let me see your best curtsy, and tell me what you would say.”
Georgiana entered into the spirit at once and bowed. “Miss Bennet, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Both young women looked to Kitty.
She flushed deeply and said nothing.
At last, she turned to Elizabeth and, distressed, said, “Lizzy, I shall never marry. I have nothing to say.” She turned to Georgiana and explained, “My sister always carried the conversation when we lived at home.”
Elizabeth regarded her with kindness, though she did not soften the truth. “Then there is no reason to hurry back to Meryton only to stand in a corner, simpering and hoping to be noticed. You no longer have Lydia to begin and carry the conversation for you.”
She continued more gently, “You would do far better to remain here at Pemberley. Learn what you may of managing a household, and allow Papa to assist in enlarging your understanding. You must have something worth saying if you are to engage a gentleman who has studied and traveled.”
Kitty drew out her handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “I am destined for spinsterhood. I cannot converse with Papa. I scarcely understand a word he says.”
Elizabeth rose. “Come, my dears, let us change for our tenant visits. And when we return, I shall sit with you, Kitty, while Papa instructs you.”
She turned to Georgiana. “And you also will benefit from such instruction. A lady ought to know something of the world. We shall begin with the Peninsular War, and how the duties upon tea serve to fund the conflict with France.”
Kitty began to weep again. Georgiana placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder.
“What is it, Kitty?”
“The tea tax,” she cried. “If I must learn of the tea tax and the Peninsular War, I shall never marry, for I am quite stupid.”
“Not at all, my dear,” Elizabeth said kindly. “You have simply never applied your mind to such subjects. Papa has already agreed to instruct you.”
“And I shall help you as well,” Georgiana added warmly. “Only imagine, Kitty, how you will look when your hair is dressed, and you appear in the prettiest gown at the Meryton assembly. You shall be the belle of the room.”
Gibbs had just finished arranging Elizabeth’s hair when a soft knock sounded at the door, and Mr. Darcy entered. The maid withdrew at once, and Elizabeth rose to meet him. He came forward and kissed her.
“Elizabeth, Gardiner, and I have spent the day together. We rode out to see the old mine at the far western edge of the estate, which gave us plenty of opportunity to converse. I made inquiries about the mills along the River Derwent near Cromford. It seems they are seeking to expand and require investors. I am inclined to consider it.”
They seated themselves near the fire, and Elizabeth listened with interest as he spoke of his plans.
She asked many questions, and as he answered them, his resolution strengthened.
The excitement surrounding the pioneering machinery and the growing system of factories appeared to him a venture of both profit and consequence.
That night, after he had fallen asleep, Elizabeth lay awake in his arms, listening to the slow, steady rhythm of his heart. Tears gathered in her eyes, tears of love for the man beside her, and of gratitude for the life now before her.
Her thoughts turned to her mother, and she was surprised to find that the remembrance no longer pained her.
Mrs. Bennet had done what she could within the limits of her understanding.
She had not been an educated woman. Her brother had studied and risen in the world, but she and Mrs. Phillips had remained as they were.
It would fall to Elizabeth to do better for her own daughters, and she resolved that she would, in whatever measure she could, help Kitty improve her mind.
Comforted with those thoughts, she at last fell asleep.