“If something makes me uncomfortable, I avoid it.” Lydia’s logic seemed unassailable to herself.
Kitty shook her head. “Lydia, that is not sensible. If we always avoid what is uncomfortable, we should never try new things, or grow, or…or anything!” She touched her hair, newly arranged for dinner. “Hairpins are dreadfully uncomfortable,” she said with conviction. “But I can bear them because they make me look elegant.”
Lydia looked bewildered. “Are they? Then I do not want to wear them.”
Mr Bennet interjected with gentle humour. “Then I suppose that means I am to keep you with me always, eh, Lydia? That suits me well. I shall never be without at least one daughter at Longbourn!”
Their laughter filled the room, and talk of distant cousins and discomfort was set aside for another time.
Chapter Twenty-Two
October 1811
Longbourn
Elizabeth
Elizabethbrokethesealto Suzanne’s letter with eager delight and began to read, savouring every line.
Godfrey House, London
10 October 1811
My Dear Lizzy,
Are you well, my dear friend? It has been an age since I last wrote—pray forgive me. I have been much occupied of late with other matters. The estate thrives under my steward’s care, and Arthur will have no cause to repine when he inherits.
My son speaks of you often, and I read portions of your letters to him when he is home. For the past year he has been at Eton. I miss him dreadfully, but he wishes to beamongst his peers. Were it otherwise, I would engage tutors and masters straightway, that he would remain always with me.
How does Elinor fare? I have only your poor artistic renderings to know who she resembles—and I have only myself to blame. I ought to have come to see you much sooner. How is it possible that so much time has passed since we were last in company? Despite the many assurances I gave before your departure from town, I have not once been to Hertfordshire to visit you. It is abominable, and I wish to repair the neglect as soon as may be.
Arthur is soon to begin a different course of study, and before that change, I would have him spend some weeks in the country. We shall come together and hope to stay two months complete. We can take rooms at the inn in Meryton should you have not room at Longbourn. While there, I hope to hear all your news. I have some of my own to share, and I fear you will despise me for it.
Write to me as soon as you are able, that I may make our arrangements.
Yours ever,
Suzanne
The hint of mystery in her friend’s closing words piqued her curiosity. What confidence could Suzanne hold that would prompt such a declaration?
“Papa.” She turned from the window, the letter still in her hand.
Mr Bennet looked up from the ledger before him. His spectacles had slipped to the bridge of his nose, lending him an air of gravity he did not truly possess. Adjusting them, he regarded her with interest.
“Yes, my dear?”
“Lady Westland writes to request a visit. She and Arthur wish to stay for two months complete. Have I your permission to offer them rooms at Longbourn?”
Mr Bennet considered the matter before replying, fingers drumming on the desk. “If we time the visit after my cousin’s departure, it should do very well. We have three guest chambers. I would not wish to overwhelm your mother by hosting an earl and dowager countess while Mr Collins is in residence.”
Her father’s reflection pleased Elizabeth. In former years, he might have found such confusion diverting, yet now he chose her mother’s comfort above his own amusement. “That would be perfect.” Well satisfied, she folded the letter.
Mr Bennet raised a hand. “Perhaps we should refer the matter to your mother. As mistress of this house, she must have the final word.”
Elizabeth agreed and left the room without delay, intent on finding her mother and composing her reply to Suzanne. She found Mrs Bennet in the housekeeper’s office, deep in consultation with Mrs Hill. “And see that we order a joint of beef,” her mother was saying, her eyes on a menu in her hand. “That will do very well for next Thursday.”
When Elizabeth entered, her mother’s abstraction gave way to a look of pleasure. “Good morning, Lizzy.” She returned the menu to Hill, who curtsied and withdrew, leaving them alone.
