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B ennet sipped his tea, wondering if he ought to have gone through to the sitting room today.

But he could hear enough of the noise through the two closed doors between them, and grimaced. It was too difficult to listen to conversations when there was a lot of hubbub in a room, although seeing the interactions between Elizabeth and the others would be interesting.

However, he would have to go through in a moment, before the duke arrived from Netherfield.

Elizabeth had arrived early this morning, walking across the fields, followed by her faithful retainers, and Bennet smiled.

The duke was not a happy man, but he could refuse her very little, and Bennet had been amused to watch the man reluctantly agree when Elizabeth laughed and reminded him how much effort is was for her to follow his wishes and be attired as a duke’s daughter for so many balls each week.

As she could with Bennet, Elizabeth could wrap her father around her little finger with her arch smile and winsome expression.

But this morning would be different. Bennet knew Elizabeth had spent many hours with her father at Netherfield, discussing the best way to deliver the agreed decision, and he had given way to her suggestions.

It would work for a time, Bennet knew. But Lydia would not accept it for long, and he knew what his wife wouldn’t, that the arrangements had already been made and Lydia and Kitty would be going to school sooner than they could imagine.

He drained his tea and stood up, looking around his book room. It had proved a haven from his increasingly noisy home, and he wondered how he would find the sudden changes that were coming.

Mrs. Bennet was still oblivious, but Bennet could see already the subtle changes in her which would mean another child in the house in the coming months.

Though he knew he would love any child of theirs, he prayed nightly for a son. It would make life easier for Elizabeth, and them all.

But today would be harder. His wife was already more emotional, more tearful, and he could not tell the duke the real reason. He hoped he could control her worst excesses.

He tightened his lips and crossed to the sitting room, the noise hitting him as he opened the door.

Elizabeth was sitting next to her mama, and trying to hold a conversation, while half a dozen officers talked more loudly than they ought, unaware they were trying to impress her, even though they thought they were paying attention to her sisters.

A slight cessation in the noise drew their attention, and he nodded at them. He would not say he was sorry to do this.

“I must ask you gentlemen to leave now. We are expecting callers for the formal visiting hours, and there is much to discuss.”

“Oh, Papa!” Lydia’s voice was the first and the loudest, as he had expected, and he glared at her. Several of the officers hadn’t moved, but seeing his expression, they jumped to their feet.

His youngest daughter rolled her eyes at him. “At least it is not raining. Kitty and I will walk with the officers into town while you have these callers.” Her voice was filled with bile, and Bennet could not fault the duke for what he thought of her.

“Sit down!” he snapped. “These discussions concern you as much as the rest of the family, and if you cannot behave yourself, you will find the hours I will allow callers here firmly restricted.” He turned to the officers.

“Thank you, gentlemen.”

There was a silence as they bowed and filed out quietly, although Bennet noted a thoughtful expression on a few faces, and a rather cunning one on Wickham’s features.

Lydia would be going to school not a moment too soon. He glanced at the clock. Another five minutes before they arrived.

He took his seat beside his wife, and reached for her hand. “How are you this morning, my dear?”

Jane and Bingley had arrived promptly with the duke, and she and Elizabeth were handing round the tea.

Kitty had noticed the look in her father’s eye and was helping with the pastries. Lydia was as oblivious as always, pouting and sighing. Bennet almost wished he could just order her away to school. But Mrs. Bennet needed to feel this was not a punishment, so he must refrain from comment.

Finally, the duke nodded at his daughter and put down his cup. The room hushed, despite Lydia’s mood.

Bennet squeezed his wife’s hand and she glanced at him, looking nervous, before turning her attention to the duke. Bennet knew she’d never be able to think of him as Elizabeth’s father.

He watched as the duke patted his daughter’s hand and turned to Mrs. Bennet, bowing his head politely.

“Madam, I thank you for your unfailing hospitality to me, and your love and care for my daughter these last twenty years.”

“Oh, well, she is a lovely girl, Your Grace. It has been a delight and a privilege. But you must know that.”

“Be that as it may, I wish to express my gratitude to you and your family.” The duke held her gaze. “You have raised a fine family, and your daughters deserve the best of husbands and settlements.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said faintly, and Bennet knew she was expecting a better fortune to be settled on them. He tightened his grasp.

“Yes, madam.” The duke nodded. “When they are ready to be introduced to society, Elizabeth and I will be able to sponsor them to a season in London.” He smiled thinly.

“However, of course, you have not been in a position to prepare them so that they may make the best impression and gain the hand of a gentleman you would feel worthy of them.”

He was clever, Bennet thought, blaming the circumstances and not her behaviour. He waited for the next words.

“I have been consulting with Elizabeth and with some relations, and have discovered there is a wonderful school for young ladies that Miss Lydia would find exceedingly enjoyable.”

There was a gasp from the seat by the window, and Bennet turned and silenced his youngest daughter with a glare.

“My Lydia? Go to school?” Her mother’s voice was faint.

“Mrs. Bennet,” the duke’s voice was gentle.

“It has been brought to my attention how skilled your daughter is with fashion, and this school specialises in teaching the elements of good design and the properties of all the best fabrics. She will be able to learn to work with top modistes to have a wonderful wardrobe, as well as learning the style of clothes and accessories suitable for high-class ladies in all the social occasions they may be required to attend.” He smiled.

“In addition, she will learn how to present herself to the best so that she may attract the attention of a quality gentleman, and become the mistress of a great estate.”

Bennet watched as both his wife and his youngest daughter took in what was happening.

“Really?” Lydia looked disbelieving. “But I thought schools were boring and made you learn things you didn’t want to.”

Elizabeth leaned forward. “Some things you think are boring might be necessary, Lydia. But think how sad it would be if something got spilled and stained a favourite gown you had spent hours designing. It would be better to learn how to ensure that things didn’t get spilled at table, because some stains never come out. ”

Lydia giggled. “That’s a silly reason, Lizzy. I would be able to make a new gown quite easily.”

“Yes, but only if you have enough fabric. That’s why you mustn’t marry a militia officer. You know they don’t earn enough to pay you any pin money.”

Lydia looked thoughtful.

“What about me?” Kitty had tears in her eyes, and the duke leaned forward.

“You are seventeen years old, Miss Catherine. I have discovered a school that says they can prepare you to come out in society in a much shorter time than many might feel necessary. There will be a lot to learn, but I have been assured that you are a very capable young lady and will not find it difficult at all.”

Kitty’s eyes were as round as Lydia’s, and Bennet wondered if this occasion would pass entirely without further objection.

Mrs. Bennet’s lace handkerchief was pressed into use, and Bennet leaned closer. “This is a privilege accorded to few families, Fanny,” he whispered. “Try to be brave.”

Elizabeth turned to her other sister. “We haven’t forgotten you, Mary. Father has worked hard to find something you would appreciate.”

Bennet watched carefully as the duke looked at Elizabeth. Mary’s expression was sour, and he thought she was determined not to give way to the suggestion she thought was coming, that of a school, although she also didn’t wish to be ignored and not offered the same opportunity as her sisters.

Elizabeth reached forward and took Mary’s hand.

“Father and I have talked to Papa. We wondered if you wanted to remain here at home for a time and have expert masters come to you.” She glanced back at her father.

“We’ve found a master for the pianoforte and composition, one for singing and one for the harp, because I remember you saying once that you were interested.

” She smiled at Mary’s disbelieving expression.

“And then we thought you might like to stay with me at Osborne House occasionally and go to concerts and the opera.”

“I …” Mary seemed completely lost for words for a few moments, and Elizabeth waited patiently for her to gather her composure. Bennet looked at Elizabeth thoughtfully. Already she was much changed from the impulsive girl he’d known for so long.

“I — thank you, Your Grace, and … and I accept with pleasure.” Mary finally stuttered out her thanks.

Already Lydia and Kitty were crowing to each other that they had the best of the offers.

Elizabeth turned to her mother. “Mama, I hope you feel these are wonderful opportunities for my sisters.”

Bennet saw the tears in his wife’s eyes, but they seemed to be for happiness, although there was sadness there, too.

“Oh, yes, Lizzy,” she needed to use her lace handkerchief. “I will miss them, of course.” She reached out to her two youngest.

“You will write to me very often, won’t you?”

Bennet caught Elizabeth’s eye. One thing he had stipulated was that the school would ensure regular letters from Lydia, and what she wrote would be curated before being sent.

Jane was smiling gently, listening to Mary rhapsodising animatedly about the masters she might get.

Bennet knew a moment of disquiet. Why had he always ignored his middle daughter?

However, he’d have time to get to know her after tomorrow, when Lydia and Kitty had left with Elizabeth, in the most luxurious coach they’d ever been in.

His eyes misted over. When might he see Elizabeth again?