Chapter 27 #2
Lady Catherine was taken aback—to be reproved by an upstart! However, she grudgingly acknowledged the chit had it right: observing the distinction of rank was always paramount—without exception. She should have been deferential when speaking of a duchess. So, she relented, but not entirely.
“Yes, the duchess, who is also your mother,” she said with a hint of exasperation.
“My mother is doing well, all things considered. It helps that very few people are ranked above her, and those below her cannot wait to befriend her and do not seem to see any defects in my mother’s decorum and character. She is, of course, not perfect, as all people are imperfect.”
Under her breath, Elizabeth muttered, “Except you, of course.”
“Upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person,” said her Ladyship. “What is your age?”
“The age of a lady, madam, is a woman’s prerogative to keep to herself. You may ask, but I do not wish to answer.”
Having received another sharp barb, Lady Catherine turned her attention to the elder sister, who appeared to be much more compliant.
“Lady Jane, what do you say? Does your new life agree with you?” Lady Catherine meant to provoke with a direct question.
Jane had always prided herself, as much as she admitted taking pride in anything, on thinking well of everyone.
Such a benevolent attitude had served her well in her days as Miss Bennet of Longbourn.
In this new life, she had not yet found her footing, and she was uncertain of what was expected of her.
She resorted to taking her cue from her younger sister and responded calmly, “Elizabeth and I grew up helping each other. Between the two of us, we are dealing with this new life as best we can. Do you not agree, Elizabeth?”
“Oh!” Elizabeth exclaimed softly. It was clever, even cunning, of Jane to pass the virago back to her; regardless, backing down from the challenge never entered her mind.
Evenly, she replied, “Madam, even though our family has been elevated to a level few occupy, we remain the same. The difference could be compared to someone who used to walk everywhere but now rides instead. It will take some time to get used to the change. That is where we are now. Sometimes we are wobbly, but other times we are quite sure-footed. The important thing is that whether walking or riding, the people and situations we encounter remain for us the same as always.”
“Humph,” grumbled the grand lady. She had no time for all this nonsense about walking and riding—she herself only rode in carriages—and was disappointed that these newly elevated provincials were not floundering and begging for her help. She loved so to be of use.
Mr. Darcy had resolved to appear as aloof as possible, but, as always in Elizabeth’s presence, he became mesmerized and forgot himself.
He teased, “M’lady, I remember you walking three miles in inclement weather to care for your ill sister,” and here he looked from Elizabeth to Jane, “because you did not ride. Since you are using a riding analogy… does it mean you now ride around your country home?”
“Ah, sir, you have found me out. Kennington Castle’s grounds cover a hundred thousand acres.
I am impatient to explore every corner. It would take me three lifetimes to do that on foot.
I have no choice but to get back on a horse.
I have always been able to ride, though not well.
The real reason I did not ride, in addition to truly loving a long walk, was we had only one horse trained for riding, and so I let poor Nelly have an accomplished rider like Jane instead of me. ”
The Colonel interjected, “M’ladies, we should organize a riding party during your visit.
I recently recovered from war-related injuries.
Riding with gentle riders around Rosings would be most enjoyable.
It is beautiful this time of the year in Kent.
In fact, we should do it tomorrow. The weather has been delightful, and we should make hay while the sun shines! ”
The Colonel made this proposal because he might have just one day to get to know Lady Jane ahead of Mr. Bingley’s appearance on the scene.
Now or never!
Lady Catherine, being observant, noticed—but could not understand—a tension between her son-in-law and the spunky young lady.
She was aware her parson had set his sights on the second daughter of the estate he was to inherit because the eldest, the beautiful one, had been taken.
And then he brought back an altogether different bride.
She could easily see why the high-spirited girl would reject that buffoon of a parson, but what about the eldest?
She did not act as if she were attached and, in fact, appeared to welcome the attentions showered on her by the Colonel.
“Darcy, you should drive Anne in the phaeton. She would enjoy an outing.”
Mr. Darcy looked at his aunt as if she had grown devil’s horns.
Anne reclined on a chaise instead of sitting up.
How could she be expected to sit up straight for any length of time—and in a moving vehicle?
He replied, “I shall inquire whether she is willing or believes herself able to join us. Before we make any firm plans, let us first inquire whether the ladies agree to ride tomorrow.”
Mr. Darcy turned to Jane and Elizabeth and asked, “Ladies, what do you say?”
Jane smilingly agreed, but Elizabeth did not look enthusiastic.
Jane was intrigued by the officer who actually had been to war, unlike the militia officers she had met in Meryton.
He was not handsome like his cousin, but more rugged-looking and in every way a gentleman.
More importantly, she felt inexplicably safe in his presence; perhaps because he, though a young man, had seen so much of the world.
They sat next to each other during dinner, and he recounted to her some of his fascinating wartime exploits.
He was attentive, but did not monopolize her time, unlike Mr. Bingley.
Jane and the Colonel had met twice in London, but there had been no opportunity to converse with such a large crowd of gentlemen surrounding her.
To the Colonel’s credit, he did not seek her out on those occasions, even at the Richmond Ball, where he sat and spoke with Lizzy.
Before Lizzy’s confession, Jane had thought her sister favored the Colonel.
She looked forward to knowing the Colonel better without interference from other gentlemen.
Elizabeth panicked when she heard she would be riding with the gentleman, whose presence alone made her heart race.
Equally important, she was not keen to exhibit to said gentleman her rudimentary riding skills on an unfamiliar horse.
He was no doubt an expert horseman, if she judged by his physique, which she had long noticed and admired.
Then Lady Catherine suggested that her daughter should come along, which was too much for Elizabeth.
She needed to get out of this impossible scheme.
“Well then, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy”—saying the lady’s title left a bitter taste in her mouth—” could serve as chaperones. Sadly, I did not bring my riding habit and must be excused from the merry party.”
It was decided the party would ride out late in the morning and stop at the parsonage so the Bennet-Fitzstuart sisters could finally visit their dear friend from Meryton.