Kitty, hovering close behind her, nodded vigorously. “Lieutenant Denny said they would be in town today.”
Elizabeth exchanged a glance with Jane. Jane’s smile was mild, though faintly apprehensive.
“I shall go,” Jane said gently. “It is a fine morning.”
“I as well,” Elizabeth added, knowing resistance would be useless and that it was far better to accompany her sisters than allow them free rein.
Mary, however, did not look up from her book.
“I shall remain at home,” she announced with dignity. “There are passages in Fordyce which require further reflection, and I believe it proper to devote the morning to improvement rather than frivolity.”
Elizabeth suppressed a smile.
Before Lydia could scoff, Mr. Collins—who had entered the room just in time to hear Mary’s declaration—spoke.
“In that case, Miss Mary, I shall forgo the expedition as well. It would afford me the greatest pleasure to remain and engage in instructive conversation.”
Mary’s head snapped up.
In that instant, comprehension dawned.
Shehad been selected.
Elizabeth very nearly was not able to prevent the small laugh from escaping her lips, but she quickly muffled it into a cough.
A flush crept up Mary’s neck—not of embarrassment, but of triumph. She set her well-worn copy of Fordyce aside with deliberate grace and straightened in her chair. Her shoulders drew back. Her chin lifted.
The transformation was remarkable.
The habitual pinching of her features eased; her eyes brightened; her mouth curved with satisfaction. For a fleeting moment, Elizabeth thought her nearly pretty—if not for theunmistakable air of self-importance settling over her like a mantle.
Lydia stared. “Well! Mary has found someone willing to listen to her sermons!”
Mary’s eyes flashed.
Mrs. Bennet, to Elizabeth’s astonishment, turned sharply. “Lydia! That will do. Your sister behaves with propriety.”
Elizabeth nearly dropped her cup.
Lydia, who was almost never hushed successfully, looked thunderstruck.
Mary swelled further.
“Yes,” she said with calm superiority. “Propriety ought always to be the object.”
“I am in complete agreement, my dear cousin,” Mr. Collins said with an oily smile.
Lydia narrowed her eyes, then stuck her tongue out at Mary in a gesture entirelydevoidof propriety before darting from the room.
“I shall fetch my wrap!” she cried as she ran up the stairs. “Kitty, do not leave without me!”
Kitty scampered after her.
Mary adjusted her posture once more, as though already imagining herself presiding over a rectory tea table.
Elizabeth caught Jane’s eye, and they both bent their heads to conceal their amusement as they readied themselves for their walk into Meryton, which ended up being a bit too lively for Elizabeth’s taste.
Lydia and Kitty hurried several paces ahead, whispering and laughing, then racing one another down the lane. They had scarcely reached the main street when Lydia gave a shriek of delight.
