“How so? I have mentioned my frankness, so it seems reasonable to expect the same of you, so you may speak freely. Do not fear I will fail to convey my sentiments—subtlety is not among my more developed talents.”
Elizabeth laughed. “As expected. It would take a real simpleton to think otherwise, but, like you, I find it best to be explicit.”
“You have me full of curiosity. What is it you plan to shed light on?”
“It is a ratherprivatematter. I have been asked to offer guidance based on my facility with mathematics—or more likely, a combination of mathematics and social analysis.”
Lady Catherine harrumphed, which was not particularly ladylike, but Elizabeth enjoyed it anyway. “Mathematics is more the province of men, but since we discussed that topic in this very room a few weeks ago, I suppose this is no time to be missish?”
She raised her voice slightly so the footman could hear. “James, might you take the mysterious Miss Bennet’s valises to the yellow parlour, and have tea brought.”
“Why the yellow parlour, Mama? We have not been there for years.”
“We have had no occasion, but it seems appropriate for this moment.”
“I suppose so.”
Elizabeth wondered what magical properties this yellow parlour possessed. She had never seen anything remotely like it, but the house was so large it could have a folly or cricket field she was unaware of.
~~~
The yellow parlour turned out to be the smallest room she knew of at Rosings. Mrs Bennet’s closet was about the same size. It barely had room for one very small round table with three chairs and 10 feet of space around it. A small tea table stood inthe corner, but otherwise it was the plainest room Elizabeth had seen in some time.
Lady Catherine walked in. “Pray, choose your chair.”
“I suppose I must choose at random. There seems nothing to distinguish one from another.”
“Exactly! That was my purpose. My husband called this the Arthurian Parlour; the reference to the Round Table obvious. He came here when he wanted a meeting of equals.”
“I can see why you do not use it much, my lady. I cannot imagine you having many equals to deal with.”
The lady sighed. “I do not. I hope, for your sake, that you do not have to claw your way through a man’s world. As you well know, women are perfectly capable, but everything we do, must be done twice as well as a man just to get any credit. It is exhausting.”
“Why not take another husband, if I may be so bold?”
“Quite frankly, I take responsibility for the estate seriously and never liked any man well enough to hand it over. Men have all the power in a marriage, so if a woman like me marries, I go from a position of absolute power over my fate to being the legal property of a man. I never met a man I was willing to trust that much.”
Carefully, Elizabeth asked, “Do you believe such men do not exist?”
Lady Catherine took her hand. “Do not take the musings of a cynical old woman to heart. Good men exist, and given more effort, I might have found one.”
“Do you regret that?”
“Sometimes, but not often. Let us sit and see what you have to say.”
The ladies took their seats around the small table. The footman put Elizabeth’s valises beside her chair, and Lady Catherine dismissed the servants and poured the tea herself.
They allowed the tea to steep and enjoyed a few excellent biscuits.
Elizabeth sighed. “I suppose I must get on with it.”
“Please,” said Anne, who had said practically nothing during the encounter thus far.
Quality of Life
Elizabeth removed the stack of journals and a sheaf of papers with her notes. Anne started, but Elizabeth fixed her with a stare she knew was unnerving, until Anne acquiesced with a nod for her to proceed.Thiswas the moment of truth. Anne had to make a hard decision. Without it, Elizabeth would have been wasting her time; with permission granted, some possibility of progress remained.
“Pray keep in mind that Anneaskedme to intervene. I feel honour bound to do my best, which requires speaking clearly and frankly. May I proceed?”
