Lydia added, “You and Jane need no longer tutor us. Our governess has us well in hand.”
For the second time that week, Elizabeth had her teacup at her lips at precisely the wrong moment, but at least that time shedid not spit anything all over the tray, electing instead to cough her lungs out.
“Governess? Since when have you a governess?”
“A week.”
Perplexed, Elizabeth asked, “Papa never mentioned any intention to engage a governess.”
“As you say, he is indolent. He has yet to say a single word on the subject. From his actions, it would be difficult to discern that he had engaged anyone at all.”
“So how do you come to have a governess?”
“Well, the woman arrived a week ago,” Lydia said. “Mama did not seem to expect her, but she had a fit of nerves that day anyway. Mrs Hill assigned her to Mary’s old room for the time being. Papa did not even deign to welcome her, so it was just us and Mrs Hill.”
Elizabeth’s ire started rising, but Kitty, who had seen the signs many times, squeezed her arm gently, with an implied message: she could squeeze hard enough to bruise, if necessary.
“Be easy, Lizzy. All is well. Lydia and I took care of everything—with Mrs Hill’s support, of course.”
“Yes!” Lydia said. “We were ever so curious about her, and she sought us out to ask if we might show her the pianoforte so she could practise.”
Kitty giggled. “Lydia asked if she was to be our governess, since that was the only reason we could think of for an unknown woman to appear.”
The story, confusing as it was, amused Elizabeth. “What did she say?”
Lydia looked chagrined. “Just before that, we had a small dispute over something or other, and it was a bit—”
“You need not describe it in detail.”
“I shan’t, then. She obviously heard our argument, for she looked at us like naughty children, but did not comment. Instead, she asked if we needed a governess.”
Elizabeth leaned forward. “And?”
“Kitty was very brave. She suggested that unless the woman was stone deaf, she know perfectly well we do!”
Elizabeth gasped, but both her younger sisters smiled again.
Kitty continued, “And she said, ‘Well then, I suppose I must be. I am Mrs Jenkinson. Shall we begin?’”
Elizabeth and Anne started, and Anne asked, “Mrs Jenkinson is your governess?”
Lydia bounced in her seat like a child before catching herself. “It is working out ever so well.She knows everything!She will make proper ladies of us yet.”
Elizabeth turned a curious eye on Anne, but she merely shrugged. “I happen to know the woman, and she is just what you need.”
“How do you know her?” Lydia asked.
Elizabeth wondered how Anne would handle such an awkward situation. Both ladies bore terrible guilt for not thinking of Anne’s companion in the rush of the new adventure, beyond assuming Lady Catherine would take care of her. It had never occurred to Elizabeth that Lady Catherine would send the companion to Longbourn without escort or introduction. It simply was not done.
“She was my companion for some time,” Anne said.
“Am I interrupting?” Mrs Jenkinson said, entering the parlour, as calm and collected as ever.
“Never,” Anne said. “I apologise for not finding you straightaway. I was unaware you were in residence until your charges told the story. Pray join us. Tea?”
Mrs Jenkinson sat, but declined refreshment.
“I am so happy to see you here,” Anne said. “Do you find your charges agreeable, and your duties to your liking?”
