Chapter Seventy-Five
How very odd!” the Countess exclaimed.
“I should rather think we are growing accustomed to odd, m’dear. What is it this time?”
“Reggie wants to know if we are inviting Catherine!”
“I thought we did not wish to expose Miss Lucas to Catherine’s inevitable and unpleasant objections,” the Earl said, brow wrinkled.
“That is correct; but apparently Miss Lucas’ dearest friend is visiting with her sister, who is married to Catherine’s rector! It is of great importance to our future daughter that her friend stands up with her, and the only way that friend can get to Hertfordshire is if Catherine is attending.”
“Oh, Lord,” the Earl groaned. “Can we not just send a carriage for the young lady?”
“That would be easiest, yes. But if this girl’s sister is Catherine’s rector’s wife – oh, why is it always so complicated!
– then Catherine is sure to find out eventually that Reggie was married and she was not included.
I suppose we will have to invite Catherine, but I will tell her most firmly that if she so much as opens her mouth to say something nasty, we will have her removed from the church at once. ”
“Do not neglect Anne,” the Earl reminded his wife.
“It would be beneficial for the poor girl to get away from Rosings Park now and again. Oh, and might we not send a carriage for Georgiana? It would do her good to get away from Pemberley, as well. We shall have something of a family reunion in the country.”
“Of course,” the Countess replied, already headed for her writing desk.