Elizabeth nodded, not at all certain what Jane meant.
“I suspect Anne just volunteered to bring our mother into the fold. Anne is now officially in charge of my wedding, or at least the part that involves bringing our mother to heel; and if that fails, she is to have charge ofeverything. Mother has met her match!”
Elizabeth paused and started laughing. Anne had little hope of success, but she could always drag Lady Catherine into the battle if necessary. Elizabeth was just happy to have one less awkward conversation before her.
Later, Mr and Mrs Gardiner peered into the parlour to discover whether any escapees from Bedlam had been installed within; but, finding only the three silliest girls in England, they left well enough alone.
Welcome Home
“Lizzy, welcome home!”
Elizabeth smiled at her family, who were lined up to welcome her. The greeting came simultaneously from her parents, Lydia, and Kitty, though at half their usual volume. Elizabeth smiled in return and waited for the rest… and waited… and waited… and waited.
Both her younger sisters made surprisingly proper curtsies, a substantial improvement on their usual sloppy efforts, and said not a single word about gossip or presents. Neither young lady giggled, whispered, ducked her head, or did any of the other expected things. Elizabeth had expectedsomeimprovement in her sisters' deportment, but this was… disconcerting.
“Welcome home, Elizabeth. Welcome to Longbourn, Miss de Bourgh,” her father added to the younger girls’ greetings.
“Oh, Lizzy! Where is Jane? I expected her to come home with you. Oh, how that girl vexes me. She has no compassion for my poor nerves. I have no idea what my sister has her up to in London. She has been there these 4 months and has not even—”
“There, there, my dear. I am certain Lizzy will tell you all about itlater!” Bennet interrupted.
Elizabeth was glad to see that at least some part of the world still operated as it should; she could work out the mystery of her youngest sisters at her leisure. Resolving not to let them out-manner her, she gave her own curtsey and began her introduction.
“Papa, Mama, Kitty, Lydia, might I introduce you to my particular friend, Miss Anne de Bourgh of Rosings Park in Kent. Anne, my family: Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet, Miss Katherine, though we call herKitty, and Miss Lydia.”
The introduction was superfluous, as Anne could have easily picked her sisters out of a crowded ballroom from their discussions alone. The very concept of sisters in general, and Elizabeth’s in particular, consumed all her curiosity; she matched their curtsies.
“You are welcome to our home, Miss de Bourgh,” Bennet said. “We are happy you decided to join us, though, from experience, I suspect my second daughter gave you Hobson’s Choice.”
Anne laughed. “Lizzy was correct. I am delighted to meet you all and heartened by your warm welcome.”
“Correct about what, exactly?”
“She said you would make an obscure literary reference within the day just to see if I could follow; or, if I could not, how I would react to it. She approximated 90% chance within the first day, 60% the first hour, and 50% the first quarter-hour.”
He quirked his eyebrow in question, which made Anne smile. “She said you are a studier of character, and you would want to know if I understood the reference; and if not, whether I would try to pretend I did, admit my ignorance, pretend I had not heard you, distract, or do something else.”
“Interesting, young lady. And what is it to be?”
Anne smiled and took Lizzy’s arm to walk towards the family. “You must await my reaction on your next attempt. I understood that reference perfectly. It was named for Hobson, a stable owner who rented horses in the 16thcentury. You took either the horse closest to the door or none at all.Hobson’s choicemeanstake it or leave it. You imply that anyone who opposed Elizabeth’s will was doomed to failure—a not unnatural surmise.”
Bennet chuckled. “I look forward to our acquaintance. How deep will I have to dig to stump you?”
“Let us just say that besting Anne in obscure literary references may be beyond even your capabilities,” Elizabeth said. “It is certainly beyond mine. Anne has her own story that could well make an excellent novel, but I will leave that to her to tell or not as she chooses.”
“I must say, Lizzy, that is a very nice gauntlet. Shame you had to throw it in the dirt like that, but I suspect I am up to the challenge. Prepare to be flummoxed, Miss de Bourgh.”
Everyone laughed except Mrs Bennet, who refrained because she had not understood a single word of the exchange. The two younger sisters laughed because if both Lizzy and her father thought it funny, it must be. They at least recognized that Miss de Bourgh had bested their father, and that was amusing in itself.
Bennet stepped back and gestured to the door. In the hallway, Mrs Hill beamed. “Welcome home, Miss Lizzy. Welcome to Longbourn, Miss de Bourgh. Am I to understand you intend to share a room? We have nice guest rooms available.”
“No, Mrs Hill, I thank you for your concern; good enough for Jane is good enough for me. You see,” she leaned in to whisper conspiratorially, “Lizzy and I have many secret affairs to discuss.”
Mrs Hill smiled hugely, though she had enough sense not to set Mrs Bennet off by laughing too loudly. “You should refresh yourselves after your long journey. I shall have tea in the parlour in half an hour.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I have no idea what we would do without you, Mrs Hill.”
“Oh hush, you. Get on with ye.”
