Page 41 of The Countess and Her Sister

On the journey home to Matlock Hall the next day, Jane spoke to her mother and sisters of her plans for the young Bennet girls. “I believe they will readily agree to come and reside with me, which I suppose they might have done when you did, Lizzy, but at the time it all felt like so much.”

“You had a baby, and lost your husband,” Elizabeth said. “And then your father – and they ought to have been in mourning themselves, living quietly, though our sisters have painted a very different pictures of their activities this last year.”

“I might have known Mrs. Bennet would not be able to resist socializing, even when contagion was still a concern,” Jane sighed. “Our sisters might have chafed at coming to reside with us before we came out of mourning, when we kept to ourselves.”

“But now it shall vex you a little less when they are so keen for pretty dresses and new friends,” Rebecca laughed.

“I should be happy to provide such things for them,” Jane cried. “I fear I have been remiss – that I have allowed my anger at their mother to cause them to suffer her longer than they might have done.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I think you are right in supposing that it might have been a less agreeable prospect for them before our mourning ended. Kitty and Lydia are still young enough that Mrs. Bennet’s influence might easily be remedied, and Mary was always sensible.”

“Perhaps I need not repent that they might have been just as cozy as we have been together,” Jane said. “They shall soon be so, and happier for it, I hope.”

“The year I lived at Longbourn without you, Lydia was twelve, and an unholy terror, and Kitty cried at everything! The time is right, now – but what about Mrs. Bennet?”

“She resides at Montrose at my pleasure,” Jane said with a confident shrug.

Rebecca grinned smugly. “Enjoying your power at last?”

Jane’s eyes twinkled with pleasure. “If I can put it to good use, why not? Mrs. Bennet is not in a strong position to protest. I hope she has enough sense to comprehend the benefit to them in their residing with me.”

Elizabeth was not convinced, “And if she does not?”

“Then let her be Sir Edward’s problem,” Rebecca huffed.

“The poor man,” Lady Augusta said fretfully. “Well, let us hope it does not come to that. But will your sisters not wish to see their mother sometimes?”

“I will not prevent their visiting Cameron Court unless it begins to shade their judgement. If their behavior is what it ought to be and they are willing to dedicate some time to improving themselves, that is all I can ask for. They will be brought among society when I am convinced they will be a credit to themselves and the family.”

“They could hardly live with daily proof of your goodness, Jane, and listen to your mother’s ignorant complaints,” Rebecca said.

Elizabeth smiled. “And you mean to include Mr. Bingley when you speak to our sisters?”

“Oho! Are you hoping he takes notes for bringing his own sister in hand?” Rebecca gave a hoot of wild laughter.

“I wish him to clearly and perfectly comprehend the terms of my arrangement with them, and to hint to them that he may perhaps be a part of the future of Matlock,” Jane replied.

Under her breath, Lady Augusta muttered, “About bloody time.”

***

The Bennet sisters’ visit took place a few days later.

Mr. Bingley came to visit that day, along with the other three gentlemen.

While Richard and Mr. Darcy went fishing with Sir Edward, Mr. Tilney distracted Rebecca with his nonsensical flirtation and Lady Augusta gossiped idly with Lady Gardiner as Jane, Elizabeth, and Mr. Bingley spoke to the Bennet sisters.

Lydia took to the idea of living at Matlock Hall with instant relish, and peppered Jane and Elizabeth with questions and effusions about how it would be. Mary listened reflectively and gave her own more measured consent. Kitty hesitated. “Will Mamma not be very cross? If she came to Matlock, too….”

“That is not possible, Kitty,” Elizabeth said.

“La, Kitty! Lizzy is still cross with Mamma for locking her up in her room on the day of Jane’s wedding! I am sure I would have run away if she ever did such a thing to me!”

Mr. Bingley looked between the sisters with horror and cleared his throat. “This would be a far cry from running away – it is the most natural thing in the world. I daresay your mother must have hoped that you would someday go to live with your sister, when she married for the first time.”

Jane briefly rested her hand atop Mr. Bingley’s before blushing as she withdrew. “Yes, exactly. I am certain she has expected this, and she must agree to what constitutes your best chance at bettering yourselves and, of course, finding husbands someday.”

“Though I hope that day will not come soon for any of you, for I can think only of how merry you shall make Matlock Hall, all together so charmingly,” Mr. Bingley said.

“I am sure I shall be the first to wed – of the three of us, at least,” Lydia said, giving Jane and Mr. Bingley a suggestive look.

Kitty did likewise. “Are you going to marry Mr. Bingley, Jane?”

“That is the sort of question you shall learn not to ask, for we mean to improve your manners before bringing you out,” Elizabeth said.

Then she gave them a quick wink and whispered, “If you cannot repress your urge to speculate, we all enjoy tease Lady Rebecca about making a match, for she swears she never shall!”

Jane smiled gratefully at Elizabeth, while Kitty and Lydia gasped as if they had been told that Rebecca was taking the veil. “But she is so beautiful,” Kitty said.

“And Mr. Tilney is so handsome!” Lydia directed her gaze to the corner, where Rebecca was presenting an expression of abject horror as Mr. Tilney read aloud from a book of poetry.

Mary frowned. “I heard Colonel Fitzwilliam say that she is a witch.”

“By all means, you might reform her when you reside here,” Mr. Bingley said with a hearty laugh before calling out to the subject of their speculation. “Lady Rebecca, Miss Mary has discovered your diabolical disposition, and means to reclaim your blackened soul.”

As Lady Augusta and Lady Gardiner tittered, Rebecca gave a dramatic flourish and came to join them. “Are you resolved to turn a sinner into a saint, Miss Mary?”

“She will be reading to you every night from Fordyce!” Lydia leaned against Kitty as she chortled.

“Then I shall read to you all from Wollstonecraft!”

Mr. Tilney pursued Rebecca and smiled dashingly at the young Bennet sisters. “Does anybody wish to read poetry ?”

“I would hear you without screwing up my face,” Lydia said to him. “Lizzy wants us all to become great readers.”

Rebecca made another droll face as Mr. Tilney sat down on a sofa and began to read to Lydia; across the room, Lady Augusta arched an eyebrow as if daring her daughter to admit that she did not like this development.

Mr. Tilney read on, and was often glancing over at Rebecca, as if hoping she would be bothered.

Instead, Rebecca sat with them as they all discussed the Bennet sisters moving to Matlock Hall. They agreed that it should occur a week hence, and Jane promised her sisters that she and their uncle would manage Mrs. Bennet’s displeasure, should she fail to accept the wisdom of the arrangement.

After this, Jane offered to turn the pages for Mary, and asked Kitty to come and observe them, for she desired them all to take lessons at the instrument. Mr. Bingley remained sitting with Elizabeth and Rebecca; his countenance grew serious.

“I ought to warn you that I heard a most alarming bit of news this morning – that Lady Catherine and General Tilney are in the area, on a journey north. They apparently intend to wed.”

Elizabeth wrinkled her nose with distaste; the alliance reeked of devious intentions.

Rebecca grinned. “Henry shall be my cousin twice over – I shall never be rid of him! But where is it they are travelling to? It cannot be mere happenstance that Lady Catherine is in the area. Neither she nor the General have any property in the area, and I am not aware of any mutual acquaintance they share, beyond Pemberley and Matlock.”

“Perhaps there is a great passion between them, and they are eloping to Gretna,” Mr. Bingley quipped.

“I do not like it,” Elizabeth said. “After all the mischief she has made….”

“We came to the country for a reprieve, and we shall have it,” Mr. Bingley said, sitting up a little straighter.

“I am the master of Cameron Court and a very serious fellow, now. She will find no more welcome at my home than any other in the area; with any luck, she will be on her way, for we shall grant her not leave to trifle with us.”

“Bravo, sir,” Rebecca said, clapping her hands. Jane had apparently been listening from her position at the pianoforte, as Mary and Kitty looked over the ample selection of music. Jane gave a nod of approval to them and smiled serenely, and Mr. Bingley stared at her with longing.

“I say, what if you select a tune that I can sing along to?! Lady Jane says I have a fine, strong voice, and I shall swell my song to drown out Tilney’s poetry!”

Mr. Tilney accepted the challenge merrily, and began reading louder as Mr. Bingley sang a song that Mary could easily play, while Kitty and Jane clung to one another with giddy amusement. “A glimpse of what is to come,” Rebecca said to Elizabeth.

“I think it is perfectly right and good,” Elizabeth replied. “But what is to become of you?” She glanced pointedly at Henry Tilney, who perceived their notice and gave Elizabeth and Rebecca a flirtatious wave.

“I suppose I shall see you and Jane soon wed, and then devote myself to turning your sisters into proper ladies – or, if that fails, devious witches.”

Elizabeth screwed up her face. “So, you are still determined to end an old maid?”