Elizabeth brushed away her tears. “I’ll endeavor to accept your explanation, Mary. It serves as well as any other.”
“You cannot argue with a woman named Mary so close to the celebration of our Lord’s birth,” Mrs. Joseph teasingly reasoned.
Elizabeth smiled easily. “No, I suppose, I cannot.”
“Mr. Manneville. There you are, Sir.” Mrs. Bennet had carefully watched for Caroline Bingley to return to her room to freshen her clothes for supper. Then she approached the American. From her observations, Mrs. Bennet had determined that within the household only Miss Bingley stood a better chance of attracting Mr. Manneville than did Kitty. She planned to emphasize Kitty’s assets.
Manneville rose to acknowledge the lady’s entrance. “Forgive me, Mrs. Bennet. I was unaware of your seeking me. How may I serve you, Ma’am?”
Mrs. Bennet breezed past him and seated herself on the same settee Manneville occupied. “I’ve no great need of you, Sir, other than to satisfy my curiosity about your home. You’ve piqued my interest, Mr. Manneville. I might even implore Mr. Bennet to take the family on an extended holiday once this crazy war ends.”
Manneville shrugged uncomfortably, but he politely said, “America’s not for the faint of heart. Luxuries are not spread consistently among our citizens. You may find the conditions quite rustic, Ma’am.”
“Naturally, you’d assume with my having two daughters so highly placed, that we Bennets are used to only the best, but I assure you, Mr. Manneville, my girls and I can do with much less. My youngest, Lydia, has but a let place, as Mr. Wickham is a lieutenant, very much like Mr. Southland, and, of course, you met my Mary’s betrothed. It’ll be several years of service before Mr. Grange knows a settled income.”
“I see,” Mr. Manneville said softly.
But Mrs. Bennet barely allowed the man time for those two simple words. “We’re far from poor, Mr. Manneville. I wouldn’t wish to leave you with that impression. Mr. Bennet has a fine property in Hertfordshire. What I mean to convey is that some women can adjust quite easily to less than pristine conditions, while others cannot. I brought my girls up with a sense of responsibility. Miss Darcy, for example, is a prime example. A girl raised under these auspicious conditions would never adjust to anything less. Neither could Miss De Bourgh. She is frail. Can one imagine her sailing across the ocean? The woman would never survive. Plus, she is seven and twenty. Quite on the shelf.”
“What of…” he began, but again the lady snatched his words away.
“What of Miss Bingley? I suppose that’s what you ask, is it not, Mr. Manneville? A man should inspect all the choices. Lord knows, that’s the way of the world. It’s quite smart of you to have sought my opinion on this matter.With five daughters, I’m quite fluent on a young lady’s ability to make a good wife, and you must believe me, Sir, that Miss Bingley isn’t the type to please any man. The lady is self-consumed. She caused my dear Jane much grief. A man like you needs a loving wife — an intelligent, unambitious girl, who could give you strong sons and daughters. Miss Bingley is four and twenty, nearly of the same age as Miss De Bourgh.You need someone younger.”
“Such as Miss Catherine,” Manneville said dryly.
“Kitty!” Mrs. Bennet gasped as if surprised. “I’d never thought of Kitty as a possible mate for a man such as you. I mean — obviously, Kitty has youth to her advantage, and she’s by far one of the most sensible girls a man might find. Mrs. Darcy and Mrs. Bingley have introduced Kitty to the best that life has to offer. She could manage any house. In fact, she and Miss Darcy are sharing duties until my Elizabeth returns.”
Manneville stood. “You’ve given me much upon which to think, Mrs. Bennet.” He bowed over her extended hand. “I thank you for your concern for my future marital happiness, Ma’am. Now, if you’ll excuse me?”
Mrs. Bennet preened under his attentions. She had accomplished what she’d planned. She’d planted the idea’s seed. Now, she’d place Kitty in the man’s way, starting at supper. While the others dressed for the evening meal, she would change the name cards so Kitty would have the opportunity to converse with Mr. Manneville this evening.
To Kitty’s horror, for the evening meal, she found herself between Mr. Manneville and Mr. Collins. The look of surprise on Georgiana’s face and the one of triumph on her mother’s told Kitty exactly what had happened.
“Miss Catherine,” Manneville acknowledged her as he took his place.
“Mr. Manneville,” she murmured. She shot a glance about the table. Her mother had certainly scrambled the seating arrangement. Poor Mr. Winkler was at the table’s other end between Miss Bingley and Mary. Mr. Grange was seated beside Miss De Bourgh. At her end of the table, she and Georgiana held court: the colonel, her father, Lieutenant Southland, Mr. Manneville, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Bingley made up their supper partners.
“It appears an imbalance in the seating has occurred,” Manneville said sardonically.
Kitty smiled purposely. “I’d not noticed, Mr. Manneville.”
“Had you not, Miss Catherine?” Irony played through his words.
Kitty didn’t appreciate the man’s attitude. She hissed, “If you find the situation disagreeable, Sir, I’m certain that Miss Darcy shall gladly permit you to change with any of her other guests. You’ll find either of my sisters or Mrs. Collins most cooperative.”
“Not your mother, Miss Catherine? Is she not cooperative also?” he insinuated.
Kitty kept her tone light so others wouldn’t see her anger, but her words spoke her true feelings. “I don’t know why, Sir, you believe yourself such a desirable supper partner that you’d imply some manipulation on my part to make your further acquaintance, but you are sadly mistaken. I’d happily relinquish my seat to another. Choose your partner, Mr. Manneville, and I’ll execute the exchange.” She felt a flush of color flood her face.
Manneville leaned closer. “I’m pleased that you possess a backbone, Miss Catherine. I feared a girl of tender years mightn’t express her mind. Tell Mrs. Bennet that I’ll keep you in mind when I make my decision for a wife.”
“You should shorten your list, Mr. Manneville. I assure you that I have no desire to see America.” Kitty turned her head to smile at Mr. Bingley, who sat across from her. Out of the corner of her mouth she murmured, “I hope that makes my position clear.”
“And if I made you an offer? You would turn it down,” he taunted.
Kitty leaned closer to whisper. “We Bennet sisters don’t jump at the first offer. Although my cousin will inherit our family home upon my father’s passing, my sister Elizabeth turned down Mr. Collins. And believe it or not, my father supported Lizzy’s decision. We accept only those offers which most please us.”
“Obviously, your older sister chose the superior offer.” Manneville nodded to the elaborate surroundings.
“Elizabeth did choose the superior man. Yet, her decision had nothing to do with Mr. Darcy’s consequence.” She noted the man’s disbelief. “In fact, despite the possibility of my mother and sisters losing Longbourn, Lizzy refused Mr. Darcy’s first proposal. Only when the man pleased her did Elizabeth change her mind. I have three married sisters, Mr. Manneville, and each has chosen the man she loves.” Kitty immediately thought of poor Lydia, who loved a man who didn’t return Lydia’s devotion, but Kitty hadn’t lied to the American.
Manneville frowned. “We’ll see if you’re a lady who speaks the truth, Miss Catherine.” When the man smiled at her, Kitty experienced a flash of dread shooting up her spine.
“Pardon, Miss Darcy,” Mr. Nathan stepped closer to whisper in Georgiana’s ear. “There’s one of the tenants at the kitchen door. He heard that Mr. Winkler dined with us this evening.”
“Is there a problem?” Edward asked softly.
Mr. Nathan turned his back to the other guests. “Old Mrs. Foxmour, Colonel. The lady is reportedly in a bad way. The doctor gave her but a few days nearly a week ago. The woman has requested to speak to a clergyman, and her son, Artie, asks that Mr. Winkler come and see to his mother’s spiritual needs.”
