Chapter 8
Fanny Bennet felt a wave of relief when she was able to see for herself Jane was well and truly on the mend. She had made her call with only Mary, leaving the two youngest Bennets at home—much to their consternation.
In a subsequent far ranging discussion with her husband, she had agreed that her two youngest daughters’ behaviour needed serious amendment, especially Lydia.
When their mother and next younger sister had entered the chamber, there were a few things which had forcefully struck Jane and Elizabeth. Their mother’s demeanour was far calmer than they had ever seen her; loud, flirtatious, boisterous Lydia was not with their mother; and lastly, Mary looked very different.
Her hair was arranged in an attractive style; she was without her spectacles; and her dress was a pale rose. The colour complemented her natural colouring and did not make her look pale like the severe and dark dresses she was wont to wear.
“Mary, how well you look,” Elizabeth complimented.
Not used to being admired for much of anything, especially her looks, Mary glowed with pleasure. “Thank you, Lizzy,” she responded shyly.
When Mama had come to speak to Mary yesternight, it had flabbergasted the middle Bennet daughter that her mother was paying her any attention—attention which was not critical of her looks or her studies.
You could have knocked her over with a feather when her mother had explained about the heir presumptive coming to visit who would be seeking a wife from among the Bennet sisters. Once the shock wore off, Mary had to agree with her mother’s logic—that in and of itself was a great surprise. Her mother told her that she was the daughter most suited to be a parson’s wife. In addition, Mary keenly felt the honour of possibly being able to save Longbourn for her family. She had always wanted to be of use to her family and as they never appreciated her pearls of wisdom by way of Reverand Fordyce, this was her chance.
Mama had handed Mary the letter Mr. Collins wrote to Papa and there was no denying the man was not an intelligent being. However, in Mary’s mind, if he chose her, and he was not a vicious man, she would more than likely accept him.
She appreciated the fact Mama had gone to great lengths to explain if Mr. Collins ever offered for her, the choice would be Mary’s and no one would try and pressure her to change her mind if her decision was negative.
By this morning, Mama had not forgotten her determination to make sure Mary was presented in the best possible light. She had directed Sarah—the maid the five Bennet sisters shared—to concentrate on Miss Mary.
Mary could not but smile as she remembered Lydia’s reaction when Mama refused to send Sarah to her. That explosion of temper had been nothing compared to Lydia’s tantrum when she was informed she and Kitty would remain home and not make the call to Netherfield Park.
Almost as confounding for the three Bennet sisters at Longbourn that morning was Papa’s behaviour. He had not hidden himself in his study, but rather he had come and ordered Lydia to be quiet. When the youngest Bennet increased the volume of her caterwauling—as was her wont to get her way—Papa told her she had just forfeited a quarter’s pin money.
If that was not enough, Papa then ordered Mr. Hill to have two footmen take and lock Lydia in her bedchamber. Most shocking of all was when Lydia appealed to their mother to step in. Mrs. Bennet had done nothing except tell herfavouriteto heed her father’s words.
“Jane, are you truly feeling better?” Fanny asked concernedly. She sat next to her eldest on the soft, very large four-poster bed and felt her forehead. She was well pleased to detect only the slightest of fevers.
Just then there was a knock on the door and Mr. Jones was admitted to examine his patient. After some minutes he turned to Mrs. Bennet. “It pleases me to tell you the worst is definitely behind Miss Bennet,” Jones stated. He turned to Elizabeth. “I assume there was no repeat of the issues from the previous night during the night past.”
“Her fever was somewhat elevated, but nothing like the night before,” Elizabeth reported. “There was no disturbance to Jane’s sleep and she slept for most of the night without waking. The one time she did wake it was just to drink some water.”
“Excellent, you are doing better than I had hoped for at this stage, Miss Bennet,” Jones stated with a smile.
“When will Jane be able to return home?” Elizabeth asked sure her mother was about to object and tell them to remain at Netherfield Park as long as possible.
Both Jane and Elizabeth looked to their mother waiting for the expected disapproval to be vociferously expressed regarding Jane’s return to Longbourn anytime soon. Much to their surprise, said reaction never occurred.
“That is a good question, Lizzy,” Fanny said calmly.
Jane and Elizabeth looked at one another and were independently wondering if this was someone else who had taken on the form of their mother.
“Once Miss Bennet is free of a fever for a day complete, it will be safe for her to travel home the next day,” Jones revealed.
“Lizzy, after Jane has been free of a fever, based on what Mr. Jones stated, send a note and the carriage will come and collect you,” Fanny told her astounded second daughter.
“Yes, Mama,” was all Elizabeth managed.
Mr. Jones took his leave. The two eldest Bennet sisters were looking at their mother trying to decipher what had caused such a sea change in her demeanour. “Jane, we are going to call on your hosts before we leave for Longbourn. Would you like Lizzy to remain with you?” Fanny enquired, “If not she can accompany us to the drawing room.”
“The maid will sit with me, Mama. Lizzy is free to join you downstairs,” Jane allowed. “Thank you so very much for coming to see me.”
“It was my pleasure, Jane dear,” Fanny stated. She kissed her eldest on her cheek and then headed for the door.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
