Page 87 of May I Have the Pleasure
“He did!The man was like a snake in the grass—the most two-faced man I ever had the displeasure to meet—and I was as naïve as a woman with the worst characteristics of Jane and Lydia combined. He completely and utterly fooled me, my banker, and all my acquaintances. He was nothing but a common guttersnipe, who somehow acquired the dress, manner and look of a true gentleman. I only wish I had called on your judgment sooner, as you probably would have seen through him in a moment. I believe at this point I am the stupidest woman in England.”
“You are neither the first nor the last to be fooled by that man, so do not be so hard on yourself.You can lay his education at the feet of George Darcy. In fact—no, I shall not say it. There are things it is better you do not know.”
“If you know more dreadful things about my late husband, I prefer to remain in ignorance, as long as they will not come looking for me; and I would never criticise a man for the generosity of educating his steward’s son. Let us lay the blame where it belongs.”
“Your decision to return to the Bennet surname, with Lord Mawbry’s quick thinking about leaving town, should be adequate protection. Just do not mention that hated name ever again, and none in my family would either.”
“I shall never allow that name to be spoken in my presence again.”
“Very good. I must say, you do seem uncommonly skilled at ridding the world of unworthy men.”
“I see that my attempt to teach you some impertinence was successful.”
“Highly so!Let us have our tea and talk of more pleasant matters than men, matrimony, and money. There will be enough time for that tomorrow.”
“An admirable suggestion.”
“Welcome home, Elizabeth.”
“I fear it is no longer truly my home, as I still must learn to fly, but you will always be my family.”
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“Lady Catherine, I thank you for these days of respite, but it is time for me to learn to run my estate. I hope you can refer me to someone who can teach me how to do it—a trusted steward or man of business. I fear I am unprepared to be an estate owner, and I only hope the old steward has held the place together.”
“A sound idea, Elizabeth. I have just the man for the job. He knows more about estates than any five others, and I believe he has even visited yours. He will teach you to set the place to rights and make sure you have a good steward. Youhave a great deal of work in front of you, but you are capable and intelligent so all will be well. He has volunteered to spend the next month or two teaching you about estate management—though, I should forewarn you the part aboutvolunteeringmay be something of an exaggeration.”
“Exaggeration!Egads, what have you done?”
“My nephew, the colonel, told me a term they have in the army—appointing a volunteer.That is what I have done.”
“But why?Can I not find someone that I can simply pay to do their job well? Or at least, someone who wants to do me the favour?”
“Not at this time. In this stage of your education, you need someone trustworthy, and you need amaster. You not only need a master, but you needthe best master.You need paramount instruction. Nothing else will do for my protégé.”
“Who might this paragon be?”
“My nephew, of course.”
“I had no idea the colonel was so knowledgeable in estate matters.”
“Do not be obtuse!It does not suit you.I mean Darcy of course.”
“DARCY?”
“Yes, and wipe that startled expression off your face.”
“You do mean,Fitzwilliam Darcy?The man whose proposal I so spectacularly abused a year ago, and who probably burns me in effigy every fortnight?”
“You mean the man that got the comeuppance he needed a year ago and is undoubtably a better man for it.”
“Semantics! I would not have a man coerced into the job.”
“It is his duty, and he will do it.”
“That will be… awkward… very awkward… for both of us.”
“Most important things in life are, dear. Now get a bath and we shall have supper.”
