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"My cousin Elizabeth, it is an honour to present my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh," Mr Collins declared, "her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, and we are greatly honoured, too, that two of her ladyship's nephews have deigned to accompany her – Mr Darcy, whom I believe you met in Hertfordshire, and Colonel Fitzwilliam."

Belatedly, Elizabeth curtsied again, and both gentlemen bowed.

"I must sit," Lady Catherine declared.

Mr Collins hurried to place her in the finest chair by the window before ringing for tea.

"You know my nephew?" Lady Catherine asked, turning to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth swallowed and glanced briefly at Mr Darcy. As their eyes met, she felt an unexpected jolt in the pit of her stomach that she did not understand.

"Yes, Your Ladyship. We met when he visited Hertfordshire, and I stayed at his friend Mr Bingley's house while my sister Jane recovered from an illness."

"Indeed," Lady Catherine said, looking between them. She waved her nephews towards their seats; Miss de Bourgh had already quietly settled herself.

Then Lady Catherine fixed Elizabeth with the full force of her attention. "You are one of how many daughters?"

"Five, ma'am. My sister Jane is older than I am, and there are three younger sisters."

"Five daughters? Goodness me. And no son? Well, of course not, otherwise Mr Collins would not have inherited Longbourn."

Elizabeth swallowed against the familiar ache. "No, my lady. No sons."

"And none of you are yet married. Well, what am I saying? You cannot all be out yet. But your elder sister is still unwed?"

"None are yet married, Your Ladyship," Elizabeth replied. "Though we are all out. It would seem rather unfair upon the younger ones to wait until their elder sisters married before they might enjoy society, do you not think?"

Lady Catherine looked genuinely horrified.

Elizabeth heard what she suspected was a gasp from Mr Collins.

"Five daughters out? Goodness me. And how old is the youngest?"

"Fifteen, my lady."

She was painfully aware she was being judged and found wanting.

Unable to resist, she glanced towards the gentlemen. Colonel Fitzwilliam wore a pleasant expression, while Mr Darcy appeared thoughtful, as though quietly observing the exchange rather than condemning it.

"Well, I suppose none of you will be out for a while now that you are in mourning," Lady Catherine said, apparently satisfied that this settled the matter.

Elizabeth inclined her head. "No, my lady."

"Are you serving tea, Collins, or do you expect us all to sit here talking with dry mouths?" Lady Catherine suddenly demanded.

"My apologies, Lady Catherine. I have called for it, but allow me to discover the cause of the delay."

"You must have a plan then," Lady Catherine continued, turning immediately back to Elizabeth. "Now that you are to lose your home. Since you chose not to marry in order to secure it, I presume you have made other arrangements."

Elizabeth bristled. Lady Catherine had an extraordinary talent for probing directly at the most painful parts of another person's life.

"My sister is presently in London securing a new home for us," she replied. "From there we shall decide our future. I had rather thought I might seek a position as a governess."

"A governess?" Lady Catherine exclaimed.

"A governess? A gentleman's daughter become a governess? Good gracious, no. You must listen to me. The answer is a good marriage. You are not ill-looking – tolerable, at least – and your manners are pleasant enough, though you express your opinions rather too freely for one so young. You may not secure so advantageous a match as becoming Mrs Collins, but I am certain you can find some respectable gentleman to provide for you in a manner far more suitable than becoming a governess."

She spoke the final word as though it described some dreadful affliction.