Chapter Ninety-Six
Lady Catherine’s invitations were sent out, and the neighbourhood was soon overcome with a good deal of excitement. For the Rosings Balls to resume – well, that was certainly worthy of comment! Why, everyone wondered, had her ladyship come to this decision at this particular time?
After a good deal of discussion in a good many drawing rooms, it was settled that the reason for the Ball was simply this: her ladyship desired to see her daughter wed, without the nuisance and expense of a Season.
In this, they were not far wrong; as her ladyship had once told her nephew, the second son of a well-placed family would suit her very well as a son-in-law.
There would be no need for Anne to endure the possible horrors of a London Season, and also no need for Anne to ever leave Rosings.
If this meant that her ladyship would need to remove to the Dower House, well and good, for that house had been scrupulously maintained and furnished for just that purpose.
A dancing instructor had been hired and came every day to Rosings Park to work with Anne.
Anne very much wished that Georgiana was still with her, for what fun they would have had, dancing together!
But as it was, Anne was made to dance with the instructor, Mr. Sterling, a short tubby little man who nonetheless moved with great agility across Rosing’s dance floor, or Mrs. Jenkinson, who had been made to learn the man’s part in the various dances so that Anne could practice when Mr. Sterling was absent.
Lady Catherine herself taught Anne how to address various levels of nobility, including elder sons, younger sons, and daughters. Anne should probably have had someone rather more au courant than Mrs. Jenkinson as a companion these past few years, but it was too late to think of that now.
Lady Catherine determined that Anne should have a London modiste fashion her ballgown; come to that, she would need a new gown as well. In an unexpected fit of generosity, Lady Catherine invited Mrs. Jenkinson to come along and get a new gown as well.
She thought to stay again at Matlock House, as she thought it very possible that Darcy and his new bride would be at Darcy House, and it would be awkward for her to be there as well. This time she thought to send a message to her brother and sister, rather than simply arriving.
Eleanor,
Anne and I are to do a little shopping in London. Might we presume upon you to host us? Mrs. Jenkinson will be with us as well. I do not expect to stay more than one night.
Catherine
***
The message arrived just as the Countess was cudgeling her mind to think of how to amuse Georgiana. Having Anne here, even for one day, would be wonderful. The Countess wrote back at once.
Catherine,
As it happens, Georgiana is with us, but for just a few more days; if you make haste, the girls could see one another.
Eleanor