“Well…” Lydia Bennet doubted herself for a moment, and then plunged on. “You see how strict my parents are with me. I am never allowed anywhere.”
“I beg your pardon, Miss Lydia, I do not wish to mortify you, but I am told that is because you were put out early and that it was not good for you.” Jane attempted to be gentle with the girl.
“Oh! I suppose it was not, but it can hardly bemy faultif my father allowed me to go uneducated! Lizzy says that even if I were ignorant and silly, it was Papa’s duty to ensure I did not continue that way! But now that I am backin,he still does not do anything. He never calls me into the library! He only keeps me locked in the house. I do know that locking me up and ignoring me will not make me any less stupid!” Lydia looked near tears. “The only reason that I am allowed into the library now, is because Kitty objected after you told us what your father said about a family’s library, and Papa does not like to be quarreled with. But he still does not help us in the library. If we want something, we must find it for ourselves.”
“Have you done any reading since you have been allowed in your father’s book room?” Jane asked curiously.
“Kitty is so mean, she says that I will only spoil everyone’s fun, so she would not let me join her and the other girls. But I took the book by Frances Burney when they finished it, and I am reading on my own.” Lydia pouted. “May I come and discuss it with you, if my mother allows me?”
“Of course you may. I am surprised at Miss Kitty.” Jane was dumbfounded. “Perhaps your sister truly believes that you have not changed, and that you only wish to poke fun. Have you tried to talk to her, sister to sister?”
“Kitty does not wish to spend a great deal of time with me since I nearly ran aw-” Lydia gasped, putting a hand over your mouth.
“It is all right. I am already aware that you came close to getting into trouble when you were at the seaside.” Jane reached out and touched the younger girl’s arm. “You may depend upon my secrecy. What do you wish me to do? Convince your father to educate you as he ought? Canyounot convince him? Have you presented yourself in his bookroom and demanded that he teach you something?”
“I wish to go to the grotto, but they will not let me!” Lydia cried. “How am I meant to be learning, when I am left out of the educational activities? I ought to be reading with the young ladies! I ought to visit the grotto and learn something with the others, should I not? Kitty is mean, she implored Papa to leave me at home so I would not ruin her day!”
“It is my understanding that it is a great privilege to be invited by your father on this outing, and that he takes you all in your turn when you reach a certain age. I can understand why Miss Kitty wishes for the distinction of her own turn,” Jane pointed out.
“Papa only says that now in order to put off taking us,” Lydia huffed. “He took Jane and Lizzy together, for he could not wait to take Lizzy to meet Mr and Mrs Hooper, because she is so clever. Then, he took Lizzyeveryyear, and made Mary wait until she was nearly twenty to go, and probably only because Lizzy was in Hunsford when he went last time, for he does not always go in winter. Kitty is nearly nineteen now! Lizzy went when she was thirteen!”
Jane raised her eyebrows. It was not her place to question Mr Bennet’s parentingOr is it? Perhaps it is, if things did not turn out as I planned.But it was obvious that there was clear favoritism amongst Mr Bennet and his children, and that Lydia was right, she could not be expected to learn if she was neglected.
“Mr Bennet!” Jane caught the man’s attention, and gestured for him to join them as he approached them and fell into a chair at their table. “Miss Lydia tells me something that concerns me. She has been brought back in, and with good reason, I understand. But now she is restless, and finds her time at home unfulfilling. She points out to me that she cannot learn if she is left out of the educational outing tomorrow, nor if she is not given guidance in the family library, and I must say, I am inclined to agree. I humbly beg your pardon, for I know that this is inappropriate of me to interfere, but would you consider allowing Miss Lydia to attend the outing on Monday as my guest? I assure you, she will remain in my company for the entire day, and I shall endeavour to ensure that the activity isbeneficial to her.”
Mr Bennet looked back and forth between them. “It is Kitty’s turn, and Kitty does not wish for her to go. Lizzy went with Jane at Jane’s invitation.”
“And couldyounot encourage your fourth daughter to be kinder to her sister? To give her a chance to improve herself, as I understand Miss Kitty has already done? If Miss Kitty can amend her behaviour, I believe Miss Lydia ought to be given the same opportunity.”
“On your own head, be it,” grumbled Mr Bennet. “Kitty, come here.” When the young lady left her table, which was nearby, he gave her the news. “Miss Jane insists that your younger sister be permitted to join us tomorrow.”
“That is no-” Jane began before she was interrupted by Miss Kitty.
“But she will ruineverything!”Kitty eyes welled up with tears. “She only wishes to go because she is waiting to make fun of me and Miss Darcy for sketching or reading! You promised it wasmyturn!” Kitty turned away and fled to another room, followed by Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, who both looked concerned.
“Well, you have got your wish, Miss Jane. I do hope that you will be equal to controlling my youngest daughter.” Mr Bennet rose and left them unceremoniously.
“That is not atallhow I intended him to reply!” Jane was indignant. The stubborn nature of some of her characters was nearly maddening to endure in company.
“Now Kitty is angry at me again!” Lydia said miserably. “What shall I do?”
“There is nothing you can do except be on your best behaviour tomorrow,” Jane advised. “Especially because now your behaviour ismyresponsibility. When Miss Kitty sees your improvements are sincere, she will be more rational.”
“Perhaps I could give her back all the bonnets I have taken.” Lydia wrinkled her nose. “But not the yellow one. I simplyadorethe yellow one.”
“I think thatallof the things you have taken, bonnets, ribbons, everything, should be returned to your sister in a gesture of goodwill.” Jane smiled at the younger girl. “Includingthe yellow one.”
1 Patience was the common name for the card game Solitaire in the British Regency.
Chapter Eighteen
There dwellsa fond desire in human minds,
When pleas'd, their pleasure to extend to those
Of kindred taste; and thence the' enchanting arts
Of picture and of song, the semblance fair
