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Her response was an unrepentant smirk.

“I could be coy and try and utilise my vocabulary with words like ill-disciplined. But we both know the word that immediately comes to mind is rude. Mary and Jane are excused from the charge, and Kitty to an extent, but Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were rude. It was amazing how many different times they could be rude in so few minutes. And Papa.”

Elizabeth did not know how to finish that thought. Mr. Bennet had genuinely welcomed Elizabeth home but within 10 minutes had mocked her for not continuing her reading. The kind of reading he had guided her to four years earlier. Her current vociferous reading of newspaper, magazines and even specialist journals was dismissed with a casual wave of his hand. In hindsight it was not unexpected but it had still stung at the time. Claire continued.

“Within the first 15 minutes your mother complained that you were not married, passed comments on your figure and especially your dress, and looked on as Miss Lydia made even more snide comments. Miss Lydia complained you had not returned with presents for the family, made constant inappropriate mentions of your uncle’s wealth and seemed take great delight in mocking your dress and especially the lack of lace. She also constantly interrupted when you were trying to talk to Miss Jane and Miss Mary.

“I do not really know how Miss Jane is feeling. I was not able to discern her thoughts, either yesterday afternoon or in the evening. The only aspect of her personality that I have seen is her endless ability to try and see the best in people, even when they are clearly in the wrong. She tried to excuse Mr. Darcy, and Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia for drinking too much, and did not react to your mother at the Assembly.”

It was a devastating critique but Elizabeth could not fault it.

It had started from almost the moment she had entered the house. Elizabeth was not a mother, she was still a maiden, but she had raised three children who were only seven, six and three at the time of their mother’s death. For four years she had, with significant help from their nurse and the Gardiner housekeeper Mrs. Brewer, taught them how to behave in company. She was not some overly strict martinet, the children could still be children, but she had taught them the difference between behaviour amongst themselves when there was no outside scrutiny, and the behaviour expected when they were in the company of other people, especially adults. In short, she had taught the three children manners. Kitty and especially Lydia were ill-mannered, behaviour allowed and even encouraged by Mrs. Bennet.

Then there was the noise. And here Mrs. Bennet was without compare. Elizabeth had physically cringed the first time her mother screeched at her. For having the temerity to question whether she needed to attend the Assembly. The Pope had not made as much noise when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. It also led to the first glimpse of Mrs. Bennet’s ‘nerves’, something Elizabeth realised she had not missed during the last four years. Once Mrs. Bennet had started shouting and screeching, others in the room had resorted to the same tactic, if only to be heard. In hindsight, Elizabeth’s comment had not helped.

“Are we having fish for supper?”

This stunned everyone into silence. Mrs. Bennet rallied the quickest.

“Why are you asking that? What on earth do you mean by such a question?”

“Well as you are caterwauling like a Billingsgate fishwife, I assumed we were having fish.”

Elizabeth had sat there and endured a lengthy harangue from her mother before excusing herself and retiring to her room. Within a minute first Mary and then Jane squeezed into her small bed chamber.

“Lizzie, it is good to have you home. I thought it would take you at least a day to make Mama mad, and yet you managed within an hour of coming home.”

“Mary, do try and not sound so pleased. Lizzie, it is truly wonderful to have you back at Longbourn. You have been missed terribly.”

Elizabeth was not sure about the universality of that statement but hugged first Jane and then Mary.

“I could have done without the Assembly tonight. I have no wish to be paraded about like an animal at auction. But it cannot be helped. Mary, we spoke in July so forgive me if I ask my questions of Jane first. How are you Jane? You look very well, that is obvious from a glance, but how is everything else?”

“I have no right to complain, life is good, yet there is a sameness to it. There are so many men away because of the war that those that are left are few in number. As you can image Mama is excited and delighted that Netherfield Park is occupied again.”

“The Upton’s have returned?”

“No, they have leased it. The new tenant is rumoured to be young and wealthy.”

Jane did not have to say anything else to Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet was sure to be picking out Jane’s trousseau already.

“Is he attending the Assembly this evening?”

“No one knows for sure. The latest gossip is that he is waiting for a party from town, although the numbers vary wildly.”

Elizabeth thought about the carriage she had ended up following to Meryton before it turned off on the road to Netherfield Park.

“I can shed some light on the matter. I believe at least some of the group arrived today.”

She explained the journey, including the raised voices at the inn.

“So they appeared to be two couples?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“Well at least he has not brought more single women to the area. It will take weeks to catch up Lizzie, so many stories to share, but we should get ready for the Assembly. You are home where you belong.”

Even as Elizabeth was sharing another hug with Jane again all she could think of was how she was not sure of the last statement. It was far too soon to think anything of the sort. Mary remained once Jane left. She looked at Elizabeth intently, although not critically.