Page 17 of A Different Impression

“I believe that could be arranged. The Hursts and Miss Bingley left us yesterday, and Netherfield is now a bachelor’s establishment. Unfortunately, we will not be able to return your hospitality at present, but I believe Bingley and I would enjoy the company on Sunday,” Darcy replied. “Perhaps we might have our game then, Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “I shall endeavour not to disappoint you, sir,” she said with a smile.

“I have every confidence that you will not,” Darcy replied.

Jane looked towards Mr Bingley. “I am sorry to hear your sister has left Netherfield. I had hoped to become better acquainted with her.”

“So had I,” Elizabeth added kindly. “I trust all is well?”

Bingley’s cheerful expression faltered for a moment. “Oh, yes, perfectly well. The country did not agree with my sister, and it necessitated a return to town, though she will soon be returning to our family’s home in Scarborough. The Hursts hope to return before Christmas, but my sister will reside with an aunt for the present.”

Darcy met Elizabeth’s gaze and gave the slightest shake of his head. Whatever passed between them, Elizabeth appeared to understand immediately.

The exchange gave Mr Bennet an unexpected pang. They were already communicating without words. He had seen enough courtships in his life to recognise the signs. The alarming part was not that they liked one another—it was how quickly it seemed to have happened. Elizabeth had long been his favourite companion as well as his favourite daughter, the one person at Longbourn whose conversation he genuinely sought. The prospect of losing that companionship saddened him more than he cared to admit, and he suspected the loss might come much sooner than he liked.

With a reluctant look at the clock, they stood to depart, and after a brief whispered conversation between Elizabeth and Jane, they were invited for dinner the following night. This invitation was accepted with alacrity, and the invitation for Sunday luncheon was also repeated for Bingley’s benefit.

Bingley apologised that he could not return this hospitality, but such protestations were waved away. After an extended leave-taking, the gentlemen departed, and Bennet remained in the drawing room with his daughters, surprising them all.

They were even more surprised when their father spoke.

“Girls, I have had a frank conversation with your mother and sisters, and, as of this morning, Kitty and Lydia are no longer out.”

Kitty coloured and looked down at her hands, but made no protest.

“Lydia, in particular, will require new gowns appropriate to her altered status. However, as she is presently confined to the schoolroom, what she wears will matter little. I have asked your uncle Gardiner and Mr Darcy to assist me in finding a school willing to accept a particularly challenging pupil.”

Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose noticeably at hearing her father place Mr Darcy alongside Uncle Gardiner, as though he had already become one of the family.

“Kitty will be placed under the supervision of a governess or companion, and, Mary, I believe you would also benefit from such a person. Until suitable arrangements can be made, I should like Jane and Elizabeth to spend time with Kitty each day, instructing her in comportment and etiquette. You two have benefited most from your Aunt Gardiner’s guidance, and I now recognise how greatly such instruction has been lacking for your younger sisters. Kitty must learn the importance of behaving with propriety and respectability—and of following your example rather than Lydia’s.”

Kitty squirmed a little in her seat, but said nothing.

“Mary,” he continued, turning towards her, “you will join me in my book room after breakfast each morning. You will read the texts I assign and discuss them with me. You have studied Fordyce long enough—it is time you broadened your reading to include other authors and subjects.”

Mary blinked at him as though uncertain whether she had been praised or reprimanded.

“I also hope to engage a music master for you. In the meantime, I shall ask your uncle Gardiner whether you might visit Gracechurch Street and take advantage of the masters available in town.”

Mr Bennet looked from one daughter to the next. Their astonishment was unmistakable. He supposed they had become so accustomed to his neglect that they scarcely knew what to make of his sudden resolve.

Realising how stunned the girls likely were by his pronouncements, Mr Bennet decided not to press the matter further. As he moved towards his book room, Mr Bennet wondered why it had taken him so many years to realise that laughter alone could not raise children. If he wished to save his family—and perhaps secure Elizabeth’s happiness—there was still much work to do.

Determined to take at least one step in that direction, he wrote a note to request Mr Darcy visit him the following morning to discuss Longbourn and some ideas for increasing its profits.

CHAPTER 8

Advice is Sought

Once again, Darcy and Elizabeth met on Oakham Mount the following morning.

“I received an interesting note last night, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said immediately upon seeing her.

Elizabeth arched her brow, and he laughed, recognising it as an invitation to continue.

“Your father wrote asking me to visit today to discuss ways to increase Longbourn’s profits. My first thought was that he had realised sending your youngest sister to school and hiring a companion for your other sister would be expensive, and that he needed to find the additional funds to provide for both. Still, most of what he may need to do will require at least a small initial investment and will take a year or two to have any true effect.”

Darcy watched as several emotions crossed Elizabeth’s face in quick succession: surprise first, then relief, and finally something nearer to cautious hope.