Page 54 of Knowing Mr. Darcy

“Now, that is not true,” said Lady Catherine, lifting her fork and pointing it at Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth, a governess will prevent idleness.” She turned back to Jane. “If I had known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage one. You see, if only I had been there, all should have been rectified.”

Elizabeth snorted.

Lady Catherine turned to look at her.

Elizabeth coughed, very hard. “Pardon me, your ladyship.”

“I am so very sorry we were not acquainted at that point,” said Jane earnestly, as if she truly believed this. Elizabethknew her sister well enough to know that she, in fact, did. “I’m sure someone like your ladyship is equipped with quite a great deal of helpful advice.”

“Oh, I am,” said Lady Catherine to Jane. “Why, just last week, I spoke to Miss Granger at church, and she was thanking me ever so much for my advice to her. She said that she treasured it. Truly, those were her precise words. ‘Lady Catherine, I treasure your words of advice.’ Just exactly that way. You may confirm it with Anne. She was there. Anne?”

Everyone at the table turned to look at Anne de Bourgh, who was reading a book under the table. “Yes, Mama?” said Anne, without looking up.

“You remember what Miss Granger said to me last week after the morning services?”

“That you were a treasure or something to that effect, yes?” said Anne, turning the page of her book.

“Anne, have you brought a novel to the dinner table?”

“No, Mama,” said Anne.

“Anne, please look at me.”

Anne lifted her gaze, smiling widely. “Yes, Mama?”

“Give me that book.”

Anne closed the book and handed it to Mr. Collins, who was seated next to her. “Give this to my mother?”

“Anne would have been very accomplished at playing the piano if her health had allowed it,” said Lady Catherine.

“Mmm, I’m incredibly sickly,” said Anne with a shrug. She picked up her glass of wine and drained it.

Lady Catherine snatched the book from Mr. Collins and slammed it down on the table. She turned to Jane. “Are your sisters out?”

“Oh, yes, all of us,” said Jane.

“All of you?” said Lady Catherine. “The younger ones too?”

“Yes,” said Jane.

“I’m glad you’re both here at Rosings,” said Lady Catherine. “You must stay as long as you possibly can, really, so that I may exert some influence on the waywardpaths your lives are taking, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. I confess, I see why Mr. Collins felt the need to chose outside your family.”

Elizabeth drew back, stung by the insult.

But Jane only nodded. “Yes, we are grateful for any help you might provide us, Lady Catherine.”

“As you can see,” offered Anne, “my mother’s advice is, you know, a treasure trove. Why, look atme.”

“Anne, quiet,” said Lady Catherine. “You’re too sickly to offer opinions.”

“Mmm,” said Anne. “I may be too sickly to do anything but read, in fact.”

Lady Catherine glared at her but she handed the book to Mr. Collins, who handed it back to Anne, who opened it up right on the table in front of everyone and ignored everything else that anyone said.

Elizabeth rather liked Anne de Bourgh, she had to admit.

“Now, how old are you both?” said Lady Catherine to Jane and Elizabeth.