“Keep that firmly in mind whenever you feel tempted to neglect the study of these new accomplishments.”
She then directed her attention toward Georgiana.
“My dear, you shall spend several hours each day with Elizabeth. You play well enough to instruct her upon the pianoforte yourself. Should she encounter any difficulty mastering these four pieces, you shall provide additional instruction.”
“Yes, Aunt Helen.”
“And you shall attend the deportment lessons so that you may afterward drill her yourself.”
“Yes, Aunt Helen.”
“Very well, Elizabeth. We have finished for the evening. Fitzwilliam shall arrive soon to collect you. Would you care for a drink while we wait?”
“No, thank you, Lady Helen, though I should like to ask a question, if I may.”
“Yes, of course.”
“In Hertfordshire, I count all the marriageable ladies among my friends. None would dream of competing for a gentleman who had already shown a decided preference for one of us. What shall I do, that is to say, how ought I to respond should Miss Honeyfield, Lady Isabella, or some other disappointed contender create a public scene?”
Lady Helen considered the question carefully.
“Elizabeth, you display great good sense in considering beforehand how you ought to conduct yourself under such circumstances. Since we cannot predict precisely what may occur, we shall instead discuss the general principles by which a lady of quality should govern herself.”
She folded her hands in her lap.
“In such a situation, your first response must be to remain still and listen. However, should the woman threaten violence, you must move away from her immediately and protect your face. Only last year, Lady Mirabell nearly had her eyes scratched out by a young debutante who believed herself entitled to Lord Warwick’s affections regardless of his own inclinations.”
Both Elizabeth and Georgiana looked deeply concerned.
“I have never witnessed such a spectacle either before or since. Most young ladies understand that such behavior destroys their hopes of marrying well, for no gentleman of consequence wishes to shackle himself to a harridan.”
Lady Helen leaned back in her chair.
“The second principle is this: always act the better woman. Should some foolish miss insult or berate you in public, merely smile graciously and say, ‘Indeed,’ in precisely such a manner as to suggest that you find her entirely de trop. If that fails to crush her pretensions, then simply remove yourself from her company, though do not turn your back upon her.”
Her mouth tightened with remembered annoyance.
“I witnessed a beautiful young debutante dragged to the ballroom floor by another young woman who seized her by the hair and pulled her down. That time, the dispute centered upon a gentleman who had been toying with both women at once.”
The following day, the music master presented himself at Sir Gareth’s townhouse promptly at eight o’clock.
Elizabeth had already progressed well into the first hour of her four-hour lesson when Mr. Darcy and Georgiana were announced.
Both Elizabeth and Mr. Steele rose when the siblings entered the room.
“Mr. Darcy.”
“Steele. Thank you for working Miss Elizabeth into your busy schedule. I know this arrangement has likely occasioned some inconvenience.”
“Not at all, sir. My wife managed to reschedule the other pupils.”
Mr. Darcy inclined his head. “I am pleased to hear it, sir. And how do you find Miss Elizabeth?”
The indulgent expression upon his face delighted Elizabeth. He plainly believed there could be no fault either in her person or in her performance.
Mr. Steele appeared to recognize the gentleman’s partiality and therefore framed his response with care.
“Her voice is superb, sir, though untrained. I feel certain that within four weeks, her performance will bring her credit in any drawing room in London, provided she devotes the necessary hours to practice.”
