Page 73 of Master of Himself

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Later that morning, Charles paced in Miss Huntington’s sitting parlour, waiting for the head mistress to receive him and his party.

“I expect you to be on your best behaviour, Lydia,” Mrs Gardiner said in a warning tone.

Lydia primly clasped her gloved hands in her lap. “Don’t worry, Aunt Madeline. I know what to do.”

Charles seriously doubted that this impetuous child had the slightest notion of how to conduct herself in polite society. He could only suppose that Mrs Gardiner had already lectured her, and was now hoping for the best.

At long last, the head mistress entered and made her curtsy. “Mr Bingley, how wonderful to see you again.”

Charles exchanged brief civilities with the woman and introduced her to Mrs Gardiner and her niece.

Once they were seated, Miss Huntington was everything gracious, but cast a discerning glance on Lydia, who kept her eyes fixed on the carpet, and to all appearances looked the part of a proper, modest young lady.

Thank the gods for small blessings.

“You’ve provided my sisters with the finest education, and when my friends inquired after the best seminary in town, I instantly thought of yours,” Charles said, gesturing to Mrs Gardiner who nodded her earnest agreement.

“We hope you’ll consider accepting my niece into your seminary, Miss Huntington. Her father is a gentleman from Hertfordshire, Mr Bennet of Longbourn.”

Upon hearing that this prospective student was a gentleman’s daughter, the headmistress’s eyes brightened. Since most of her students came from trade, Charles could well imagine that she must have considered this one as a triumph.

“Do you draw, Miss Bennet?”

“No, ma’am,” Lydia said in a quiet voice.

“Do you sing or play an instrument?”

“No, ma’am.”

Charles held his breath as the head mistress frowned. Lydia’s lack of accomplishments didn’t bode well for her admittance into the exclusive seminary.

“Do you dance?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Parlez-vous français?”

“Oui, madame.”

Miss Huntington smiled confidently. “Well then, that’s fortunate, but we have much work to do.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Charles released his breath and allowed his shoulders to relax. Lydia’s chances weren’t entirely hopeless. Fortunately, no inquiries were made concerning the circumstances surrounding this precipitous enrolment.

After a brief discussion on the tuition and terms of admission, and Mrs Gardiners’ promise to tender payment later that day, Miss Huntington shook everyone’s hand. “Welcome to Miss Huntington’s Seminary for Young Ladies, Miss Bennet. We look forward to seeing you at nine o’clock on Monday morning.”

After taking his leave of the ladies and seeing them off, Charles couldn’t help feeling triumphant. The Lydia Problem had been sorted, and Jane’s reputation wouldn’t suffer. All that remained was to tend to his pending business affairs, and he would be free to return to Netherfield and claim the lady’s hand. With that pleasing prospect in mind, he set off to meet with his man of business.

***

Darcy had correctly predicted that Georgiana would be grieved to hear that Wickham had nearly ruined another young girl.

“Poor Miss Lydia,” she said in despairing tones. “I can easily believe how she was misled into believing George was worthy of her, but how gallant you are to come to her aid.”

Darcy had employed more bribery than gallantry to gain Lydia’s cooperation, but he couldn’t have succeeded on his own. “Mr Bingley’s assistance was invaluable. We’re hopeful that Miss Huntington’s seminary can set her on the right course.”