Page 61 of The Shades of Pemberley
O nly a few days after the dinner party, the Darcys were to welcome Kitty and Georgiana back to their home.
Though there perhaps existed between them a wish they could remain in solitude, the situation did not allow it, not only because they were already attending events of the season.
The girls themselves were a joy to host, provoking complicated feelings, anticipating their arrival, even if they still wished to remain alone together.
Of greater concern in Elizabeth’s mind was the other facet of the scheme, which would see Mrs. Bennet and Lydia move to the earl’s house when Kitty and Georgiana left it—Jane was to remain, for Lord and Lady Matlock had both expressed their appreciation for her presence several times in Elizabeth’s hearing.
The problem was, of course, that Mrs. Bennet was unrestrained, had an imprecise notion of proper behavior, and could be counted on to make a spectacle of herself.
While this was perhaps a little hyperbole, for her mother was not so ill-behaved, Mrs. Bennet had no experience in even the level of society that William had inhabited, to say nothing of the first circles in which Lord Matlock and his wife moved.
Never let it be said that Lady Susan was not perceptive, for she appeared to see something in Elizabeth’s behavior the moment she arrived that morning to collect the girls.
William was dealing with a matter of business at the bank, as Elizabeth had offered to escort the girls back to the house.
The servants would move their effects, so there was nothing to do on that score.
“If you do not wish it,” said Lady Susan as they sat to visit while waiting for the girls to appear, “we are happy to continue to host the girls. Even my husband comments on the liveliness they have brought to our home since they arrived.”
“It is no trouble, Lady Susan,” replied Elizabeth, offering a smile to prove her willingness to accept them into her home. “Georgiana is eager to return to her rooms in our house, and William and I are pleased to have them stay with us.”
Lady Susan regarded her, seeing something in Elizabeth’s manners she had not revealed. “Yet there is something about this business that disquiets you. Will you not share your concerns with me?”
For a moment, Elizabeth wondered if it would be better to keep her concerns to herself. One did not speak about one’s parents in such terms, after all. Lady Susan’s concern for her, however, loosened Elizabeth’s tongue, such that she was speaking before she formed the resolve to do so.
“I have no concern about Georgiana and Kitty removing to our house. Rather, I will own a certain measure of trepidation about who will take their place with you.”
“Do you speak of your mother or your sister?”
“Lydia can be a force of nature when she wishes,” said Elizabeth with a sigh. “My mother is an adult, yet she was not born a gentlewoman. My father has done his best to educate her on how a gentlewoman behaves, but she can be a little...”
“Elizabeth,” said Lady Susan when she trailed off, “do you suppose I have never seen your mother’s like?”
“I do not suppose you have ever hosted such a woman in your home,” replied Elizabeth.
The eloquent shrug with which the lady responded spoke volumes as to her feelings on the subject.
“That is not relevant to the subject. I am not bereft of experience with such ladies as your mother and have every confidence that I can handle her and perhaps teach her better manners. I do not find your mother to be any more of a challenge than any other such woman I have met.”
“You are good to accept her into your home,” said Elizabeth, nodding at her ladyship with affection. “I wish you the best of luck with her, for my mother can be mulish.”
“Leave her to me.” Lady Susan paused and then said: “Have you given any thought to your youngest sister’s disposition?”
Uncertain as to her ladyship’s meaning, Elizabeth shook her head, which appeared to be enough of an answer.
“Though Miss Lydia will come to my home willingly, I cannot but suppose she will prefer to be with her sister and Georgiana. Have you not said that Kitty has been her companion?”
“Since they were girls,” replied Elizabeth, understanding Lady Susan’s point.
“Then I suspect she misses the company of her sister, and would prefer to remove to your husband’s house, rather than stay with me.”
Elizabeth regarded the countess, reflecting that she was likely accurate in her prediction.
Though Lydia had said little when they visited the Gardiners’, that in itself was a curiosity for a girl so verbose as Lydia Bennet.
Elizabeth could not imagine how she could raise the subject with her, for Lydia was also prone to complaining when she did not get her way, to say nothing of how she behaved when disappointed.
It may be better to allow the countess to take the lead, for she was not an intimate like Elizabeth was, and Lydia would not vent her spleen upon a woman for whom she possessed no little awe.
“Do not concern yourself, Elizabeth,” said Lady Susan, patting her hand. “I shall allow Lydia to settle into my house for a few days before I take up the subject with her. Should she express a wish to join with her sister at your house, I shall be certain to let you know.”
“Very well,” said Elizabeth. “I will wait to hear from you.”
“To own the truth,” said her ladyship, “I am anticipating the coming visit, whether your sister stays with us or removes to your house. I am also wondering how your mother will react to the sight of Mr. Bingley on my doorstep at all hours of the day and night, paying homage to your sister.”
Elizabeth could not help but laugh. “As my courtship with William is of long duration, she has not worried to excess about her future, but I know she wishes for us all to marry. Jane might well become distracted, for she will not appreciate Mama’s overt efforts to help her appear to the best advantage before Mr. Bingley. ”
“Then I shall need to intervene, if the sight of Mr. Bingley’s ardency does not do the trick by itself. You have witnessed little of it, Elizabeth, but I dare say that I have never seen a man so besotted with a woman.”
“I am happy for my sister, for Jane deserves every good thing that comes her way.”
“Yes, I dare say she does.”
Soon thereafter, the girls descended with their preparations complete, and they bid Lady Susan farewell.
Georgiana was affectionate with her aunt as expected, but Kitty’s easiness and how she embraced the countess, exclaiming her gratitude for her hospitality, surprised Elizabeth.
As Elizabeth watched her sister in the company of the other two ladies, the strides Kitty had made of late in becoming a mature young lady were clear.
If Lady Susan could work such miracles with Kitty, then perhaps she could help alter Mrs. Bennet and even the intractable and spoiled Lydia.
LADY SUSAN FITZWILLIAM was no stranger to ladies of suspect behavior, as she had informed Mrs. Darcy.
In hosting Kitty Bennet, she had faced no taxing of her abilities, for the girl was a joy to host, her manners already altered by taking Georgiana’s likeness.
Not that the change had all been on Kitty’s part, for Georgiana was unrecognizable from the shy, silent girl she had been.
She would never be as lively as Lydia, or even Kitty, but she now held her own in any conversation and would give her opinion as readily as any other. They were good for each other.
Lydia Bennet, however, was another matter entirely.
Even without Elizabeth’s testimony, Susan knew within moments of her entrance that Lydia was a handful.
While Susan knew little of her upbringing and that of her sisters, a few comments, both from Elizabeth and Darcy, had informed her that Mr. Bennet, though he had done his best to instill proper behavior in his family, was not a disciplinarian.
The eldest girls were lovely, and Miss Mary’s comportment was not unacceptable, though she could do with a little more liveliness.
Kitty had improved, but Lydia was not at all shy about pushing any boundaries she saw as restricting her enjoyment of life.
Mrs. Bennet would not be a problem to reform to the extent she needed it, and Mary wanted only a little guidance, but Susan knew she must focus her efforts on Lydia first.
“It is hard being the youngest.”
The comment, expected though it was, contained less petulance than Susan expected from a girl who often seemed an endless well of sulky recriminations.
That morning had seen an outburst from the girl at her continued exclusion as she saw it, though it was muted, Susan thought, because of her continued awe in her surroundings.
Much of the girl’s comments and behavior centered on her wish to be at balls and parties and every other pleasurable activity.
Susan had also detected a healthy measure of interest in those wearing scarlet that was not at all seemly for a girl of fifteen.
As the girl rambled on about her troubles, a circumstance brought about, Susan thought, because she had not yet received a reprimand, she considered what might be done to assist her.
Lydia was not a bad girl, but her lively character and tendency to leap without looking were problems. Time with Georgiana and the altered Kitty Bennet would assist, she thought, but in the end, she suspected the remedy for Miss Lydia would be to ensure she entered society at eighteen, intending to find a husband that season.
The man would need to be a strong-willed, nurturing sort, and it would not hurt if they found some retired colonel or other such officer that Lydia would respect.
Of paramount importance, however, was that she marry early, for that would keep her out of trouble.