And so the days established themselves. Each morning, the girls rose and had breakfast with the family, except Lydia who ate in the nursery on her own, then went on to one hour each of music, French and drawing lessons, though not necessarily in that order, followed by an hour of music practice. Once a week they would meet with their father to discuss what they were reading and give him a progress report on their other lessons. Twice a week they sat down with their mother and reviewed menus, looked at ledgers for household purchases and servants’ pay, and wrote and answered letters and invitations. Three times a week they met Cook in the kitchen and learned a thing or two about how to prepare food, something that Mrs. Bennet did not want them to learn but that she grudgingly admitted would be useful if one of them married a clergyman or an attorney. Of course, she didn’t think that was likely, at least not for Jane or Lydia and possibly not Kitty either, but she did admit it was a possibility for Mary and Elizabeth. At least it kept them all occupied and out of her way for an hour or two. And of course, nobody needed to know.

Kitty had taken the news of her reduced status in stride. Of course, that was largely because she had seen the punishments enacted on Lydia, and she had no desire to return to the nursery or eat nothing but porridge noon and night. And though it was uncharitable, Kitty felt a certain amount of glee in Lydia’s set down. Her younger sister had been usurping her for as long as she could remember and Kitty was ready for her own moment in the sun. She thought her chances were good that Jane and Elizabeth would both marry soon, and then it would just be she and Mary out; she could easily outshine her very serious sister. Then it would be a full two years before Lydia was out, and with any luck, she would be married or engaged by then. In the meantime, not being officially out relieved her of making tedious calls with her mother and entertaining bores in the drawing room. No, Kitty Bennet did not mind the change much at all.

Chapter 3

By the time the Gardiners, Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife, arrived from London for Christmas, the household was in a smooth routine. The girls had been practicing with their masters for more than two weeks, and the results were already beginning to show. The meals were much simpler, per the master’s request, and while tired, the girls were proud of their progress and satisfied in the way only a hard day’s work can provide.