“And that makes her good enough to marry a Viscount?” her ladyship huffed.
“Certainly; as is your own daughter, Miss de Bourgh,” Elizabeth shot back.
At that, Anne burst out laughing. “Well, she has a point, Mother,” she said. “Iamthe daughter of a knight, you will recall.”
“And also the niece of an Earl, let us not forget!” Lady Catherine spat. “Has she any dowry, this Miss Lucas?”
“She does, indeed,” Elizabeth said.
“Ah. Good. How much?”
“Her dowry cannot be measured in mere pounds, your ladyship,” Elizabeth replied. “Her dowry is her intelligence, her common sense, her calm manner, her ability to solve any manner of difficulties and, best of all, her ability to aid your nephew in social situations.”
“And she plays the pianoforte quite well,” Mary added, trying not to laugh.
Lady Catherine sat back and stared at the two of them. Finally, she shook her head and said, “Well, ordinarily I would say that this is a dreadful match. But Reginald very much needs all those qualities, far more than he needs more money. If your report of her is accurate, then I shall have to give my consent to the wedding.”
Elizabeth rather doubted that her consent had been requested, but she held her tongue.
“In any case,” Lady Catherine continued, “Anne is invited as well. And evidently I am to convey you, Miss Bennet, to the wedding, so that you may stand up with Miss Lucas. We will leave on the thirteenth of January so as to attend the wedding the next day.”
Elizabeth clapped her hands before she could stop herself. Then, hands still clasped at her chest and eyes twinkling with delight, she said, joyfully, “I am so very, very grateful, your ladyship!”
“As well you should be,” Lady Catherine grumbled, but no one paid any mind. She continued, “Are you invited as well, Mrs. Collins?”
“I think it would be best if I stayed with Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine. We have only been married a short time.”
“Quite right, quite right,” was her ladyship’s opinion.
Elizabeth and Mary got up to walk back to the parsonage, and Anne insisted on accompanying them, despite her ladyship’s loudly voiced disapproval and dire predictions of Anne’s impending illness as a result of walking out in the cold, damp air.
“This is everything wonderful,” Anne exclaimed. “I could not think how to get the money to your father, but now I can simply carry it with me to the wedding. I already took it all out of my Mother’s safe.”
Mary said, “But it may be too late! The wedding is on the fourteenth, and Jane is likely already on her way to London!”
Anne had a ready response. “You must write at once to your relatives in London and tell them that the money is found, and will be in Mr. Bennet’s hands on the thirteenth of January. Also, Mother will want to inspect Miss Lucas before the wedding, so you had better warn Miss Lucas.”
“I will write both letters at once, Anne,” Elizabeth promised. “And may I say that you should not fear managing Rosings, as you are very evidently quite clever enough to do so!”
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Iknow not what to make of this,” Mrs. Gardiner declared.
“Has Mr. Bingley not yet proposed?” her husband asked, preparing to walk to his offices.
“No, and she has decided not to wait for him. Listen to this.” She read aloud.
Dearest Aunt Madeleine,
It seems to me the meanest of tricks to lure Mr. Bingley into making me an offer and then immediately demanding three thousand pounds from him. He could not look upon me with anything but disdain afterwards, and the idea of having him do so makes me utterly heartsick!
So I write to you today to ask you to send your carriage to bring me to London at once. I had rather marry someone I do not love, than to have the one man that Idolove regard me with dislike!
I cannot imagine why anyone would want me, with no dowry and needing money immediately, but I am willing to do my best.
Please let me know when to expect the carriage. I will be ready.
Your sad but determined niece,
