Chapter 16 #2
Elizabeth readily agreed, though she suspected their walk through Meryton would not pass unnoticed. News of the fire at Longbourn had spread quickly, and she had not yet ventured into the town since that night.
Her expectations proved correct. Before they had gone far along the street, they were greeted by several acquaintances eager to express sympathy and to hear some account of what had occurred.
Elizabeth answered their inquiries with patience, assuring them that the family had been fortunate that no lives were lost, though the house had suffered greatly.
Elizabeth suspected that Anne missed very little.
When at last they reached the dressmaker’s door, Anne paused only a moment before entering, then proceeded without seeking guidance.
Inside the shop, Mrs. Turner stepped forward. “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Good morning, Mrs. Turner. This is my friend, Miss de Bourgh.”
Mrs. Turner curtsied politely. “Good morning, Miss de Bourgh. How may I assist you ladies this morning?”
Elizabeth glanced toward Anne.
Anne smiled. “I require some new dresses. Something quite unlike this, I think.”
Mrs. Turner nodded and walked slowly around Anne, studying her figure with a professional eye.
“You have a very slight frame, Miss de Bourgh. I should recommend styles that are more elegant in line. They will suit you extremely well.”
Anne’s expression brightened at once, with a degree of animation Elizabeth had seldom seen in her. “That sounds wonderful.”
The next hour passed in a pleasant bustle of fabrics and fashion plates. Anne was measured, several materials were selected, and by the end of it she had ordered half a dozen dresses.
Mrs. Turner smiled approvingly. “We should have two of them completed within three days.”
Anne laughed. “I can hardly wait to show them to my mother.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I am quite certain it will be memorable.”
***
When Anne and Elizabeth entered the drawing room, the rest of the Bennet family were already assembled. They crossed the room and took seats near Mr. Darcy.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet sat near the fireplace, conversing quietly. The sight surprised Elizabeth, for her father rarely joined the family at tea. Mrs. Hurst occupied the sofa beside her husband, idly turning the pages of a book of fashion plates.
Miss Bingley was pouring tea and attending to the company with such cheerful animation that Elizabeth wondered whether the tea had been strengthened with something more spirited than usual.
Elizabeth accepted her cup. “Thank you, Miss Bingley. You appear especially cheerful today.”
Miss Bingley laughed as though the remark were particularly diverting. Elizabeth took a cautious sip but detected nothing unusual.
Soon Lady Catherine de Bourgh entered the room with Mr. Collins and seated herself with her usual air of authority.
Elizabeth hid her smile behind her teacup as she watched Miss Bingley move about the room like a butterfly, pouring tea and pressing cakes upon the company with tireless enthusiasm.
Glancing toward Mr. Darcy, she saw that he too appeared amused.
Their eyes met briefly, and they shared a small smile.
Lady Catherine noticed the silent exchange but offered no remark.
Elizabeth turned to Anne. “My good friend Charlotte Lucas is to be married tomorrow morning. Would you care to join us?”
Anne brightened immediately. “Oh yes, I should like that very much.”
Elizabeth noticed that Anne appeared in unusually good spirits. She spoke more readily than was her custom and seemed far less inclined to defer to every remark made by her mother.
Meanwhile, Mr. Collins launched into an enthusiastic discourse on the excellence of Lady Catherine and the improvements he was making at his parsonage. Elizabeth soon observed that no one appeared to be listening to him, including Lady Catherine herself.
***
After tea, most of the company dispersed to pursue other amusements.
Lady Catherine remained seated, considering all she had observed of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. If she were entirely honest, she rather liked the young woman. Miss Bennet possessed spirit and, more importantly, was not easily intimidated.
She sighed softly. For many years she had envisioned a marriage between Darcy and Anne.
The match had always seemed natural and desirable.
Yet she was not blind to the fact that Darcy had never shown particular interest in Anne, nor had Anne shown any inclination toward Darcy.
Indeed, Anne had assured her repeatedly that she had no wish for such a marriage.
Lady Catherine herself had never considered affection a necessary requirement in matrimony. Young people, however, seemed to place great importance upon such sentiments.
Even if she allowed that Darcy and Miss Bennet might suit tolerably well, there remained Anne to consider. She had imagined Anne as mistress of Pemberley for so long that she scarcely knew how to relinquish it.
Lady Catherine sighed again. The entire matter was exceedingly vexing.
Her reflections were interrupted when Miss Bingley entered the room.
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed slightly as Miss Bingley approached.
This was another young woman whose conduct required some attention.
She had already observed the manner in which Miss Bingley hovered about Darcy with persistent flattery.
Miss Bingley approached with a bright smile.
“I hope everything has been to your satisfaction, Lady Catherine.”
Lady Catherine inclined her head slightly. “Yes, it has been sufficient.”
Miss Bingley seated herself nearby. “Miss Eliza has certainly displayed a great deal of composure since the unfortunate fire.”
“Yes, so I have heard.”
Miss Bingley leaned forward slightly. “I was quite surprised to learn that she was directing the men during the fire and,” she paused delicately, “carrying buckets of water herself.”
Lady Catherine regarded her coolly. “I imagine that carrying water during a fire is not an unusual activity. It is certainly preferable to standing by while one’s house burns to ashes.”
Miss Bingley gave a small laugh. “I suppose country girls must be rather strong. I confess I should never think of carrying buckets in such a manner.”
Lady Catherine made no reply.
After a moment, Miss Bingley attempted another subject. “I have observed that Miss Eliza spends a great deal of time in Mr. Darcy’s company. They were riding together early this morning before breakfast.”
Lady Catherine nodded. “Darcy frequently rides early.”
Miss Bingley smiled slightly. “But I cannot help wondering whether Mr. Darcy fully appreciates how calculating young ladies in the country may sometimes be.”
Lady Catherine’s expression cooled noticeably. “My nephew is perfectly capable of choosing his own acquaintances.”
She rose. “I believe I shall rest before dinner.”