Page 11 of Stranded at Michaelmas

Elizabeth exchanged a glance with Jane and Mary but said nothing. The three girls returned to their meals, waiting to see what else might be revealed before dinner was finished.

After composing herself fully, her mother continued her interrupted speech.

“Mary, while Mr Bingley and his guests are here, I wish for you to consider not being in quite such a hurry to exhibit. It is unseemly to put yourself forward, and while I know you practise often and are quite accomplished, you ought not to place yourself before everyone else in the neighbourhood whenever someone asks for music.”

“Yes, Mama,” was all Mary said, scarcely looking up from her food.

“Kitty, you are seventeen, but I believe you would benefit from some more time in the schoolroom, and perhaps from spending more time with your elder sisters.”

“What if Kitty were to come to London with me?” Aunt Gardiner suggested. “Lizzy was extremely helpful with the children, but then you wrote for her to return. Kitty could take her place, and I could ensure that she receives some instruction in what is proper. It would also give her some time away from Lydia.”

“Yes, Madeline, I believe that would do very well,” her mother replied. “But I must admit I did not expect Lydia to react in such a way. She has heard us speaking of these matters for several days already, so she ought to have known this was coming. We wish to present our family in the best light, and having all five daughters out at once would hardly do so. Lydia has only been attending social events for a short time, and this would have been her first assembly.”

Elizabeth lowered her eyes to her plate, uncertain whether she was more astonished by Lydia’s banishment, her father’s sudden willingness to employ a governess, or the prospect of Kitty returning to the schoolroom and accompanying Aunt Gardiner to London. Mary had even accepted her mother’s admonition with scarcely a reaction. That she had not argued was hardly surprising, but Elizabeth had expected at least some sign that the criticism had stung. All of this had occurred in the space of one meal, and they had not yet reached the pudding.

She glanced towards Jane and found her sister looking equally bewildered by the events of the evening. Whatever Aunt Gardiner had intended when she began making her careful observations several days earlier, Elizabeth suspected even she could not have anticipated quite so thorough a result.

“Now,” their mother continued, “I understand that, along with Mr Bingley, a Mr Darcy, whose family your aunt knew when she was young, will be amongst the party at Netherfield. He is very wealthy and unlikely to be interested in any of you, but that is no reason not to make the best possible impression upon him. A gentleman such as Mr Darcy must have some influence with his friend, and if he thinks well of our family, Mr Bingley is more likely to do so as well.”

Apparently, Aunt Gardiner had neglected to mention that Elizabeth had already met Mr Darcy, however briefly. Elizabeth glanced towards her aunt and suspected at once that the omission had been deliberate. Considering her mother’s present preoccupation with presenting the family to advantage, she could only be grateful.

Still, she wondered how her mother would react when the truth emerged. Perhaps there might be some way to delay that discovery a little longer.

Her aunt met her gaze with unmistakable amusement, confirming that she had understood Elizabeth’s thoughts perfectly.

Since this conversation had taken place, Aunt Gardiner had returned to London with Kitty, her father had begun making enquiries about a governess, and Lydia had made her displeasure at being returned to the schoolroom known to everyone within hearing distance.

Thus, Longbourn had been in an almost constant state of uproar.

Elizabeth had begun to wonder whether peace would ever return when, late that morning, the day before Michaelmas, Hill entered the drawing room.

“Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy, and Mrs Annesley have arrived, ma’am,” she announced, her usually composed manner betraying a hint of excitement. “Mr Bingley has come to return Mr Bennet’s call.”

Although Elizabeth had suspected that her father had called at Netherfield the previous day, she had not been certain until that moment. He had said nothing of it, clearly preferring another opportunity to tease her mother by keeping her in suspense. The thought made Elizabeth sigh. Her mother was at least attempting to improve the manner in which their family presented itself; her father, it seemed, remained determined to find amusement wherever he could.

Mrs Bennet took a moment to collect herself before glancing around the room, eyeing each of her daughters critically to ensure they were presenting themselves as well as possible.

“Hill, after you show in our guests, see that Miss Lydia remains upstairs and keeps quiet, then inform Mr Bennet that Mr Bingley and his party have arrived.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Only when Hill had gone did Elizabeth notice the strain beneath her mother’s calm appearance. Anyone else might have missed it, but Elizabeth was watching her closely.

Shortly afterward, the four visitors were shown in. Mr Bingley looked around eagerly, but with no one present to perform the introductions, everyone stood somewhat uncertainly. Elizabeth had risen with the rest of her family and now glanced at Mr Darcy, hesitating as she wondered whether she ought to reveal her prior acquaintance with him to her mother quite so soon.

To her relief, she was spared the decision. Before the silence could become truly awkward, her father entered the room.

“Ah, gentlemen,” he said. “You have returned my call with admirable speed. I had not expected to see you again quite so soon, though perhaps the presence of this young lady explains the urgency.” His gaze shifted briefly towards Miss Darcy. “Allow me to perform the necessary office.”

He then introduced Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy to the ladies present, making excuses for his two youngest daughters. When he came to Elizabeth, her father cast her a knowing glance but made no mention of her previous acquaintance with Mr Darcy, presenting them as though they had never met. Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him slightly, but Mr Bennet merely looked amused.

Afterward, Mr Darcy presented his sister and Mrs Annesley.

That done, the group found their seats. Mr Bingley lost little time in taking a seat near Mrs Bennet and Jane, and Elizabeth could not help noticing how readily his attention settled upon her eldest sister. Mr and Miss Darcy, meanwhile, settled nearer to Elizabeth and Mary. Mrs Annesley sat nearby, though a little apart from the younger ladies, as was appropriate for her position.

After a brief survey of the room, Mr Bennet positioned himself between the two groups, where he could listen to both conversations without being obliged to contribute much to either.

“It is lovely to meet you, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth said, recognising a certain shyness in the girl. Beside her, Mary remained silent as well, and Elizabeth hoped she might somehow ease them both into greater comfort with one another.