“Now the jewellery. I shall give you something more appropriate. This may seem like madness, but there is method behind it. I shall introduce you in Meryton society as a good friend of a distant relative. That is notpreciselya lie, sincedistantcould mean nearly anything, and Mary being 50 miles away is distant enough. You should have a chance to learn to live without every fortune-hunting rake in the county calling to court or compromise you.”
Quite distressed, Anne said, “That is mad, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth laughed. “It is! That is the plan’s best feature. Come along; it will be fun.”
When Elizabeth finished the buttons, Anne removed her jewellery. Elizabeth turned her attention to Lady Catherine, who sat in befuddled amusement.
“Do not think you will escape, Little Frog.”
Lady Catherine laughed.
“You, my dear, have missed many of the pleasures of having a daughter, so I shall lend you one to practise on until your own returns.”
Lady Catherine raised her eyebrows, but did not reply.
“The best woman I know is my good friend Charlotte Lucas. She is kind, intelligent, stubborn, and everything wonderful; yet due to the dearth of suitors in Meryton, she remains unwed at 27.You shall fix that!”
Lady Catherine tilted her head curiously. “Andwhy exactlywill I do this?”
Elizabeth stepped closer, leaning down to meet her eyes, showing the matron was not the only stubborn one in the room.
“Because you want to!To be honest, I owe both you and Charlotte debts. You sent William Collins to Longbourn, and he has made my sister so happy. I was quite the harridan as a child, and Charlotte led me to the light. She turned me into a lady. She is just what you need. It will give you a new, diverting occupation. I trust you to do the right thing.”
Lady Catherine leaned back, clasped her hands beneath her chin, and considered deeply. She made up her mind and smiled.
“You win, Miss Bennet. Send your friend, and if she remains unwed a year from now, it will not be from lack of society.”
Elizabeth gave her a broad smile and boldly reached down to kiss the dowager on the cheek. “I thank you, my lady.”
“The thanks are all mine. I believe you will get Anne into all sorts of trouble.”
“Of course.”
Lady Catherine glanced at the mantel clock. “If your punctual coachman lives up to his reputation, you have 4 minutes to get to the front drive.”
Elizabeth and Anne laughed with abandon, kissed the lady one last time on either cheek, and ran like the two least decorous ladies in Kent through the grand foyer of Rosings, out through the front door, and into the coach. It had arrived within 30 seconds of the designated time, and the coachman held the door, looking impatient as always.
With a last wave, Anne sat back beside Elizabeth, leaving Lady Catherine on the steps to contemplate whatever future awaited them all.
The Theatre
“What do you mean, you have never been to the theatre?” Elizabeth asked in horror.
“Exactly what I said. It is plain English.”
Elizabeth shook her head in consternation. “You cannot blame your mother for that. The theatre requires you to walk a few hundred yards and sit for a few hours in a comfortable chair. You never had an excuse aside from laziness.”
Anne looked chagrined, and Elizabeth started to soften her stance, but Anne started speaking first.
“You are right. Old habits die hard. It took all my courage to ask you for help. You are correct that Icould havedone better had I been braver. I intend to remedy that, with your help.”
Embarrassed by her outburst, Elizabeth started to apologise, but Anne overruled her again.
“Do not apologise. I need to toughen up. I imagine your younger sisters will school me soon enough.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I hope you do toughen up. You know I will not be there for your entire stay. I travel with my aunt and uncle in the summer.”
“You mentioned that. Do you know where?”
