“Will have to do your afternoon chores as well as her own. Not the first time. And not your concern, in any case.”
It was very much Lydia’s concern, and she explained to Edith as soon as she could that she had not asked for this and would have preferred not to have to do it.
“Not want to! Ha! You swanning about in the ballroom while I am mopping floors!”
“But I did not ask for it, Edith! I know it is not fair for you to have to do extra work.”
“And how did all this dancing come about, in any case?” Edith stood over Lydia, hands on her hips.
“I was teaching Jack a few steps, is all, and Cook saw it.”
“Stay away from the footmen, I told ya!”
“You did tell me. I am sorry, Edith.” Lydia hung her head.
Edith finally relented. “It is not yer fault, I s’pose.”
“No, it is not my fault. But I think it is you Jack wants to dance with, so you may need to learn as well.” She grinned when she saw Edith’s face.
***
At one o’clock, Lydia was waiting in the ballroom, her hands twisting nervously in her grey skirt.
Miss Alice arrived a few minutes later, wearing a simple day dress. “I understand you know some of the dances, Lydia?” she said, kindly.
“Yes, Miss Alice,” Lydia said, staring at her feet.
“Come, Lydia, no need to be shy. I need help, I truly do, and I would be most grateful if you could provide it.”
At that, Lydia looked up. She took a deep breath and said, “Very well, let us begin! I used to take the gentleman’s part when I danced with my sisters because I was the tallest, and I shall do the same with you.”
***
An hour later, Lady Fielding peeked into the ballroom. Miss Alice and that maid, Lydia, were dancing together beautifully. Lydia was humming the tune of the dance, and occasionally calling out directions, which Alice followed with increasing ease.
Lady Greenfield immediately made her way to the housekeeper’s room. Mrs. Hodges rose to her feet at once.
“Mrs. Hodges, that Lydia appears to be an excellent instructress. I should like her to present herself in the ballroom at one o’clock every day for the remainder of the week.”
***
The lessons were a great success. When the dancing instructor returned to Greenfield House the following week, he professed himself extremely impressed with his pupil’s progress. “For you know,” he confided to Lady Greenfield. “I had truly begun to think that she would never become a proficient.”
Lady Greenfield would have very much liked to tell him that a maid in her employ had turned out to be a better instructor than he himself, but she managed to hold her tongue.
Chapter Forty-One
May I accompany you to Longbourn today, Charles?”
Mr. Bingley looked with considerable surprise at his sister. “What are you about, Caroline?”
“Merely doing as you instructed, Charles, being warm and welcoming to Miss Bennet. I can hardly do so if I never see her, now can I?”
Mr. Bingley considered this. While Louisa had accompanied him on his visits to the Bennets twice of late, this was the first time Caroline had asked to do so. “Caroline, you will behave yourself, will you not? Mr. Darcy and Georgiana will be there as well, you know.”
All the better, Caroline thought. She reassured her brother that her motives in wanting to pay this visit were everything kind.
***
