“Thank you; and I am Lydia! But we have no money for such things,” Lydia said. “And you live on a grand estate, so there must be a good deal of money!”
Jane was horrified. “Lydia, it is everything impolite to talk about money!”
“Is it?” Anne asked, interested. “My mother talks about money a good deal.”
Jane stammered out, “I did not intend to criticise your –“
“Oh, no, it is no matter,” Anne stopped her. “I have never been in Society, and Elizabeth here was my very first friend. So I know very little about good manners and how one should go about in the world. In any case, thereismoney, you know, and I have every intention of going to London quite soon. Elizabeth has inspired me.”
“Take me with you!” Lydia put in at once.
“Me, too!” Kitty added.
“Anne,” Elizabeth said. “Ignore these two, or you will learn the very worst manners instead of the best.”
This set off another round of arguing between Kitty and Lydia as to which of them had the worst and best manners. Anne burst into laughter, which was the only correct response to such a display.
“There,” Elizabeth said. “Did I not promise you that Longbourn would be lively?”
“Come with us to Meryton,” Lydia suggested. “Perhaps we can find you something better to wear at your cousin’s wedding tomorrow!”
Immediately intrigued, Anne agreed at once. Jane decided to stay at home; after all, Mr. Bingley would call today!
Chapter Eighty-Nine
Imust meet the girl,” Lady Catherine insisted.
“I do not see why,” the Countess replied, coolly. “The Earl and I have already done so and we approve wholeheartedly.”
“His marriage reflects on me as well,” Lady Catherine argued. “I must make certain that this Miss Lucas is worthy of being part of my family.”
“I do not agree at all, Catherine,” the Earl finally put in. “But we do plan to go to Lucas Lodge, and we will allow you to join us, with this stipulation. If I have, at any moment, the slightest suspicion that you are about to say anything that is inappropriate or slighting to her or her family, I will march you out of there and let you stand alone in the front garden until Eleanor and I are ready to leave. Do you understand me?”
He held his sister’s gaze until she gave an abrupt nod and then looked away.
Mr. Fitzwilliam walked his parents and his Aunt Catherine to the carriage. “I still do not understand why I am not permitted to see Charlotte today. It seems nonsensical in every respect.”
His mother shook her head and said, “The groom not seeing his bride the day prior to the wedding is one of those traditions that has lingered on for no good reason, Reggie; butit is not worth raising a fuss over. After tomorrow, you will be with Charlotte every day.”
He frowned. “Tell her that I would have come today, were it not for this silly tradition. I shall research it to see where such nonsense originated. But make certain that she understands no slight is intended.”
Lady Matlock smiled. To see her odd eldest son succumb to romance was a pleasure she had never thought to have. “I shall, Reggie; have no fear.”
***
When the Matlock carriage rolled up in front of Lucas Lodge, Charlotte arranged her skirts hastily and checked her hair one last time.
The Earl and Countess of Matlock and Lady Catherine de Bourgh were announced. Thanks to a letter from Eliza, Charlotte and her mother had been expecting Lady Catherine.
The Earl and Countess greeted the Lucases warmly, introduced Lady Catherine, and the visitors were invited to sit. While the others made enquiries into one another’s health, Lady Catherine walked to Charlotte and asked her to stand up.
“Catherine,” the Earl began in a warning tone.
“Nonsense, George, I just want to see the girl! Please, Miss Lucas, I do not bite, rumours to the contrary.”
Charlotte had to smile at that, and she stood up.
“Well! Rather tall, are you not?”
