Chapter 3 Plots #3
Lady Catherine's daughter was now of an age to truly begin her education as a lady of high status.
Through her contacts, Lady Catherine found a gentlewoman of strained means and compliant nature to take on the position of governess.
Anne de Bourgh's education would follow strict guidelines, laid down by her mother, to mold her into a perfectly docile young woman of impeccable manners.
To her satisfaction and amusement, Lady Catherine received yet another invitation to a christening in Meryton.
Satisfaction, because the child was another girl, which fell in well with her plans.
Mrs. Bennet's pathetic attempt to gain Lady Catherine's patronage for yet another daughter by announcing her intention to name the girl Katherine, presumably in her Ladyship's honor, afforded the amusement.
With four daughters to provide for, Mrs. Bennet would need all the advantages she could manage.
Little did she know that all the gifts Lady Catherine would bestow on her girls would work to their downfall in the end.
In fact, remembering that the oldest girl was now nearly seven years of age, Lady Catherine thought it might be time to start the process.
She found another impoverished gentlewoman, this one older and with a bit more grit and backbone, who would prove grateful for respectable employment.
She brought the woman, Miss Clementine Stanton, to Rosings Park to thoroughly brief her on her true assignment before making arranging to have her hired on as the new governess at Longbourn.
"Remember, Miss Stanton," she addressed the woman sitting on the uncomfortable, spindly chair in the sitting room, "although Mr. Bennet will pay your wages, you will owe your position to me. I expect absolute loyalty and obedience to my instructions. Is that clear?"
The petite, blonde-haired woman nodded slightly while maintaining a steady gaze upon her benefactor. "Of course, your Ladyship. I am very much aware of my position, and I am at your command."
"Very good. So long as you follow my instructions, no hint of possible indiscretions in your past will ever be made public.
Now, you will, of course, be expected to teach all the girls.
There is no getting around that, since it is your stated reason for being there.
The mother is a vulgar creature with a background in trade.
" Lady Catherine's voice dripped with disdain as she spoke the final word.
"I do not know what effect that will have on the nature of her daughters but do your best to teach them deportment.
They should all learn at least the minimal accomplishments for young women of their station. "
"I shall do my best, your Ladyship."
"Yes, you will," Lady Catherine said firmly.
"Establish yourself with the oldest girl but concentrate your efforts on providing a superior education to the second girl, my goddaughter.
She must be truly proficient in all the accomplishments.
Insist on regular and consistent practice.
Accept no excuses. If her father, as is not unlikely, wishes her to learn Latin or other unladylike subjects, encourage her to excellence in them.
Encourage her and do not even whisper the pejorative 'bluestocking' in protest. Do you understand? "
Miss Stanton gazed steadily back at Lady Catherine. "I do not understand your reasons, your Ladyship, but I understand your instructions. It shall be done as you say."
"You do not need to know my reasons. Obedience is what I require.
That, and regular reports on the girl's progress.
" Lady Catherine paused and then smiled nastily as she continued.
"There is a possibility that the older two girls, in particular, may feel some special friendship towards each other.
I want you to undermine any such feeling between them.
Create tension if none exists. Make certain the older girl knows that it is her younger sister who receives all the benefits of the connection to me.
Make her aware of all she has lost through the death of my husband, her godfather.
Keep her envious of the extra teaching Elizabeth is to receive. "
Miss Stanton looked questioningly at Lady Catherine, but receiving no hint of an explanation, she once again acknowledged her instructions. "As you wish, Lady Catherine."
Bennet gave less trouble than Lady Catherine expected when she insisted his daughters would need a proper governess and offered Miss Stanton for the place.
Of course, writing to Mrs. Bennet and outlining all the benefits her daughters would gain from having a governess, did not hurt at all.
Being loud and vulgar meant that Mrs. Bennet could often influence her husband to give in to her wishes just to get her to be silent again for a time.
Miss Stanton took her place, and the training of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet began.
Through Miss Stanton's reports, Lady Catherine knew even before the invitation to the christening arrived that the child Mrs. Bennet bore only slightly more than a year later was yet another girl and that the event was difficult enough that there might be no more chances for a Bennet son to make an appearance.
All was going according to plan.