Chapter Five
Well?” Mrs. Bennet stood in the entryway, hands on her hips.
“Give me a moment to sit down, Mrs. Bennet.”
“Lizzy is in the drawing room; come and speak to us both,” she said.
Mr. Bennet obeyed. His step was a good deal lighter than it had been when he had left the property an hour before.
Elizabeth was in her favourite chair, tension emanating from every part of her body.
Mr. Bennet smiled when he saw her. “You may rest easy, dear Lizzy! His name is Mr. Bingley, and he is surely no more than five and twenty.”
Elizabeth’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “And?”
“And he is well-looking. Fair-haired, blue-eyed,. He is an outdoorsman, so rather tanned from the sun.”
Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands for joy. “Oh, far, far better than I had dared hope for!”
Elizabeth eyed her father closely and then said, “And?”
Mr. Bennet sighed. “I do not think him much of a reader. He seems to enjoy sports, primarily.”
Elizabeth could not hide her disappointment.
“Lizzy, do not be missish!” her mother reproved her. “He is young and handsome; it may have been a good deal worse.”
“I know that, Mama. I also know that I could write to the Gardiners and be in London by the end of the week! No,; hear me out. I did not cause this situation, and I am deeply unhappy that it nonetheless falls upon me to amend it. I have agreed to help my family, but I suggest that you do not push me too hard.”
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet stared at their second daughter. They had never heard this tone from her before, and both felt a shiver of unease. She was right, of course; if she wrote to her aunt and uncle in London about what was being asked of her, they would send their coach for her at once.
Mr. Bennet then said, “Oh, I nearly forgot. I told them we would invite them to a pheasant dinner; evidently, the older sister’s husband particularly enjoys the dish.”
Mrs. Bennet eyed her husband. “A dinner party, Mr. Bennet? Despite the expense?”
“Yes, a dinner party. I thought the sooner Mr. Bingley and Lizzy meet, the better.”
“Quite right, Mr. Bennet, quite right. Lizzy, you will wear your cream dress. I think you should embroider some pink roses around the hem; that would look very stylish.”
“I will do so, Mama. But remember, please, that Lydia and Kitty are not to be at the table.”
“Oh, they will not like that, not one bit!”
“I do not care; that was one of my conditions, you will recall.” Elizabeth was firm; it would be difficult enough to entice an unknown gentlemen; having to make excuses for Kitty and Lydia would not help an already difficult situation.
Mrs. Bennet nodded a reluctant agreement.