Chapter 7
After the end-of-year festivities, Eleanor planned to return to London and take her nieces with her. Jane was already there with the Gardiners, so she intended to invite the rest of her brother's daughters as well.
When Eleanor spoke with Mary and Kitty, they were both surprised but gladly accepted the invitation.
She offered Mary piano lessons with an Italian maestro, whom she intended to hire especially for her.
Mary was overjoyed and accepted immediately, despite her fear of London and of meeting new people.
"I believe, my dear Mary, that you possess the dedication to learn anything you set your mind to. You simply need the proper guidance," Eleanor explained.
Deeply moved, Mary embraced her aunt before replying with great solemnity, "I shall not disappoint you, Aunt Eleanor."
"My dear, you have nothing to prove to me.
I only want you to enjoy the pleasure of learning.
And there is more than music that I hope you will discover.
At your age, I was very much like you. I knew so little of the world, and that made me vulnerable.
I want you to learn to feel at ease with other people.
Do not be afraid—I shall be there to support you. "
"Thank you, Aunt Eleanor," Mary replied happily.
Next, Eleanor spoke with Kitty. She knew that if she wished to persuade her niece, she first had to help her develop greater self-confidence and not allow others—especially Lydia—to influence her so easily.
When Kitty heard that her wealthy aunt was inviting her to London, she accepted at once.
Eleanor, however, made certain to temper her expectations.
"I shall not deceive you, my dear. If you come to London with me, you will not attend any social events outside my home.
In my opinion, a young lady of seventeen, with so little experience of the world, should not yet be introduced into society.
Instead, I shall engage a tutor to help you acquire everything you ought to know.
Then, next year, when you are eighteen, you may make your debut with confidence. "
At first, Kitty was disappointed, but she soon realized it was an opportunity she had never imagined she would have. Besides, she loved spending time with Eleanor.
"Thank you, Aunt. Of course, I want to go to London with you."
Eleanor then spoke with Lydia and explained the very same plan she had outlined to Kitty. Lydia, however, reacted quite differently.
"I am sorry, but I have no wish to go to London with you. Everything you have described sounds dreadfully dull. I would much rather remain at Longbourn with Mama and Kitty."
"I understand, Lydia. But Kitty is coming to London with me."
Inwardly, Eleanor felt a measure of relief. During the short time they had spent together, she had found it difficult to connect with her youngest niece and was uncertain whether she would be able to guide her wisely.
"Kitty will do whatever I tell her. Now, if you will excuse me, I have something far more important to do," Lydia declared petulantly.
After that conversation, Eleanor became even more concerned about her niece. Lydia was a spoiled, misguided child who had no understanding of what was truly best for her, and her parents allowed her to do exactly as she pleased.
Rather than dwelling on what she could not change, Eleanor resolved to devote all her attention to her other nieces. Taking a deep breath, she went in search of Elizabeth.
"My dear, I should dearly love for you to spend the entire season with me. There are so many delightful things we could do together. Besides, it would give you and your sisters the opportunity to meet new people."
Eleanor did not wish to show favouritism, but she could not deny that Elizabeth was one of her favourite people.
She was intelligent and quick-witted, and Eleanor could happily spend hours in conversation with her.
They also had much in common. Both enjoyed mathematics and loved reading on a wide variety of subjects.
"Thank you, Aunt Eleanor. But I can only stay with you for a month. I must return to Longbourn to assist my father. Besides, at the end of March, I am to visit my friend Charlotte in Kent. If you do not remember her, she is the one who married the heir to Longbourn," Elizabeth explained.
Eleanor felt a flicker of disappointment, but she quickly decided that another approach would be wiser. First, she needed to spend time with Elizabeth; only then could she help her see certain things more clearly.
"One month will still give us plenty of time to enjoy the city."
After speaking with Elizabeth, Eleanor walked through the garden for a while to collect her thoughts before speaking with her brother. Once she felt composed, she made her way to his study.
"Ella, I am busy. Whatever you wish to discuss can be settled with Fanny," Mr Bennet said without looking up from his book.
"Do not worry, Thomas. I shall not keep you long.
I intend to oversee Mary and Kitty's education and help Jane and Elizabeth make their entrance into society.
I also plan to provide each of them with a dowry when they marry.
Mary and Kitty will spend the entire season with me.
Elizabeth will remain for only a month. Jane is already staying with the Gardiners, but I shall continue to correspond with her.
Lydia declined my invitation because she objected to my conditions. "
"What conditions?" Mr Bennet asked, looking up for the first time since his sister had entered the room.
"That she is not to be introduced into society until she is eighteen, and after receiving instruction from several tutors in the accomplishments and etiquette expected in society"
"I see."
Thomas was not entirely displeased with the arrangement.
If his sister wished to take charge of Mary and Kitty, so much the better as far as he was concerned.
What he would not permit, however, was for Eleanor to become too close to Elizabeth.
She was the only daughter he truly loved.
The others were Fanny's daughters as well, and over the years, he had chosen to blame his wife for all his misfortunes.
"Very well. You have my permission to take my silly daughters with you. But Lizzy must return in a month. As for Mary and Kitty, they may remain with you forever if they so choose."
"I should be delighted if they decided to stay with me. They will always have a home in my house," Eleanor replied coolly. She disliked the dismissive way in which her brother spoke of his daughters.
With that, she left the study, while Mr Bennet quietly returned to his book as though nothing had happened.
That evening, Lydia went to Kitty's room, determined to change her mind.
"You cannot truly mean to leave me behind," Lydia protested. "What shall I do if you go to London? You must stay here with me."
"I have already given Aunt Eleanor my word," Kitty replied quietly. "Besides, I want to go."
"But she will not allow you to attend balls or meet officers. She intends to keep you shut up in the house, studying all day. It sounds dreadfully dull."
"I do not think it will be. Aunt Eleanor has promised to help me with my education, and next year I shall be introduced into society. I believe she knows what is best."
"Nonsense!" Lydia cried. "You belong here with me."
"I am sorry, Lydia, but I have made my decision."
Seeing that Kitty would not yield, Lydia burst into tears and hurried downstairs.
"Mama!" she exclaimed. "You cannot allow Kitty to leave. Aunt Eleanor is taking her away from us."
Mrs Bennet immediately embraced her youngest daughter.
"My poor Lydia! Thomas, you must forbid Kitty from going. It is cruel to separate the sisters."
Mr Bennet scarcely looked up from his book.
"Has Kitty changed her mind?"
"No, Papa," Kitty answered. "I still wish to go."
"There is your answer, Fanny. Kitty is old enough to decide for herself."
"But Lydia is heartbroken."
"Lydia will survive the disappointment," Mr Bennet replied calmly. "Kitty has my permission to accompany Eleanor to London, and that is the end of the matter."
Lydia stamped her foot in frustration before rushing from the room, while Kitty breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Eleanor watched the entire scene with a mixture of disappointment and concern.
Lydia's wilful behaviour troubled her deeply, and she was grateful that she would at least be able to take Kitty away from both that household and her younger sister's harmful influence.
For her part, Mary was equally relieved to leave a home where she had never truly felt accepted.
The following morning, Eleanor departed for London with Elizabeth, Mary, and Kitty.
◆◆◆
Georgiana invited Lady Claire and her mother to tea.
Despite their age difference, she had grown fond of her new friend because they had so much in common.
Both were shy, neither was considered a great beauty, and each had spent much of her life without close friends.
Although Claire still had her mother, they had never shared a close relationship.
In many ways, she, too, had grown up without a mother's affection.
Georgiana secretly hoped that her brother would fall in love with Claire, so she did everything she could to encourage them to spend time together.
Lady Claire would make an excellent wife for William and a wonderful sister to her.
She was also on friendly terms with Richard, and Georgiana intended to ask the colonel for his help in bringing the two of them closer together.
Claire was equally delighted with her new friendship.
Georgiana often spoke of Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Claire never grew tired of hearing about him.
Becoming close to Georgiana might also give her the opportunity to know Richard better.
Even so, she knew it was far too soon to confess how deeply she admired him.
First, she needed to know Georgiana well enough to decide whether she could trust her.