Elizabeth was in her favourite chair, tension emanating from every part of her body.
Mr. Bennet smiled when he saw her. “You may rest easy, dear Lizzy! His name is Mr. Bingley, and he is surely no more than five and twenty.”
Elizabeth’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “And?”
“And he is well-looking. Fair-haired, blue-eyed,. He is an outdoorsman, so rather tanned from the sun.”
Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands for joy. “Oh, far, far better than I had dared hope for!”
Elizabeth eyed her father closely and then said, “And?”
Mr. Bennet sighed. “I do not think him much of a reader. He seems to enjoy sports, primarily.”
Elizabeth could not hide her disappointment.
“Lizzy, do not be missish!” her mother reproved her. “He is young and handsome; it may have been a good deal worse.”
“I know that, Mama. I also know that I could write to the Gardiners and be in London by the end of the week! No,; hear me out. I did not cause this situation, and I am deeply unhappy that it nonetheless falls upon me to amend it. I have agreed to help my family, but I suggest that you do not push me too hard.”
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet stared at their second daughter. They had never heard this tone from her before, and both felt a shiver of unease. She was right, of course; if she wrote to her aunt and uncle in London about what was being asked of her, they would send their coach for her at once.
Mr. Bennet then said, “Oh, I nearly forgot. I told them we would invite them to a pheasant dinner; evidently, the older sister’s husband particularly enjoys the dish.”
Mrs. Bennet eyed her husband. “A dinner party, Mr. Bennet? Despite the expense?”
“Yes, a dinner party. I thought the sooner Mr. Bingley and Lizzy meet, the better.”
“Quite right, Mr. Bennet, quite right. Lizzy, you will wear your cream dress. I think you should embroider some pink roses around the hem; that would look very stylish.”
“I will do so, Mama. But remember, please, that Lydia and Kitty are not to be at the table.”
“Oh, they will not like that, not one bit!”
“I do not care; that was one of my conditions, you will recall.” Elizabeth was firm; it would be difficult enough to entice an unknown gentlemen; having to make excuses for Kitty and Lydia would not help an already difficult situation.
Mrs. Bennet nodded a reluctant agreement.
Chapter Six
The invitation for Mrs. Bennet’s dinner party, to be held that Friday, was brought to Netherfield. Mr. Bennet went out to hunt for pheasant; Mrs. Bennet was given a budget, and was enjoined to adhere to that budget.
Predictably enough, upon learning that they were not to attend the dinner, Kitty and Lydia set up a howl that surely could be heard at Lucas Lodge. Mrs. Bennet shrugged and nodded toward Elizabeth.
“What do you mean, not invited?” Lydia turned to Elizabeth, her face stormy.
Elizabeth remained impassive. “Just that, Lydia. There is a wealthy young gentleman now at Netherfield Park, and our parents wish me to try my luck with him. I think I will have a better chance at that if you two are not at the table.”
“I am much prettier than Lizzy, Mama! Why not letmehave a try?”
“But I am older than Lydia,” Kitty protested. “If Lydia is allowed to do so, then I should as well.”
“And this arguing is why you two are not invited to the dinner party,” Elizabeth said, irritably. “I am trying to present myself as an unobjectionable young lady of a good family, and the two of you do not enhance such a picture!”
“He will eventually learn that you have sisters, Lizzy,” Kitty said, reasonably.
“He will, yes; but it is important that I make a good first impression.”
***
