Longbourn, Meryton
“Mr. Bennet,” said Mrs. Bennet over breakfast. “I have been asking you these past two weeks to call on our new neighbor at Netherfield, Mr. Murray.”
Jane bit back a groan. Mama was going to raise the issue again. Would she never give up?
“Mrs. Long was here yesterday.” Mrs. Bennet buttered her toast, looking as if she had some saucy piece of gossip to impart. “She says the house is packed full of officers.Singleofficers. What a fine thing for our girls!”
“How so? How can it affect them?”
“My dear Mr. Bennet. How can you be so tiresome? You must know I am thinking of marriage.”
“You wish to marry an officer?”
Mrs. Bennet spluttered. Jane recognized the warning sighs. Mama was starting to work herself into an attack of the nerves. Why must Papa tease her so?
“Wish to marry an officer? Nonsense! You flatter me. I always was partial to an officer when I was younger.”
“Do you include wounded,incapacitatedofficers in your admiration?”
“How you take delight in vexing me! Of course not! But you must know, some of these officers may eventually recover from their injuries. And what then? It is very likely they will fall in love with our daughters.”
“In that case, I see no purpose in paying them a visit. If I do, they may fall in love with me, and that would not do at all. You and the girls may go, or you may send them instead, for you are as handsome as any of them. Mr. Murray may like you the best.”
“My dear, you flatter me, but I have four daughters to think of, and if you will not call on Mr. Murray, I will have to take matters into my own hands.”
Jane smiled. Papa had cleverly staved off one of Mama’s attacks, but he had now practically given her permission to plan one of her schemes. The light in Mama’s eyes did not bode well.
“I would not recommend it. Mr. Murray has made it perfectly clear he would not welcome intrusions.” He took up a newspaper, making it clear he did not wish to participate in the conversation any longer.
It was obvious that Mama was not in the least discouraged by his words. Why could Papa not be more forceful in expressing his preferences?.
Mrs. Bennet turned to her youngest daughter, Lydia, knowing she shared her mama’s interest in a man in uniform.
“Imagine, Lydia! A houseful of officers. Would you like to meet them?”
“Mama! You know I care nothing for officers.” Lydia sniffed and turned up her nose. “Have you forgotten that I will be going to anAcademy? I will be meeting many handsome youngmages, which is far more diverting. What are officers to mages? They are nothing.”
Lydia had been putting on airs ever since Elizabeth had promised she would be sent to an Academy to study magic. But Mama was not to be hindered by her favorite’s betrayal.
“Very true, and you may well marry a mage like your sister. But for Jane and the rest, they will have to settle for officers. Especially since Lizzy has shown no inclination to introduce any of us to her acquaintances in London. What is the use, pray, for her to marry a rich and powerful mage, when she does not spare a thought for her sisters? We must do what we can without her, and a houseful of officers is a windfall.”
“I would not wish to spend my life as a nursemaid to an injured officer, Mama,” said Kitty, irritably. No one had invited Kitty to attend an Academy, and she was feeling left out.
“That is because you care nothing for the poor officers’ plight.” Mary was looking disapproving. But, then, she often looked disapproving. Unlike Lydia and Kitty, Mary believed in upholding society’s values. “Iwould be happy to spend my life assisting an officer who has made such a sacrifice for his country.”
Lydia snorted. “Surely not even you, Mary, could wish for such a silly thing.”
A militant gleam came into Mary’s eye. Jane decided it was time to intervene. She hated to see anyone quarrel.
“I was in fact thinking of offering my assistance as Healer,” she announced. “Perhaps we can send a note to Mr. Murray informing him of my Talent.”
A calculating look entered Mama’s eyes.
“Now, that is an excellent idea, Jane. But there is no need to send a note. Mr. Murray might think it merely a polite enquiry. However, if you ride over, then he cannot turn you away without at least offering refreshments. It would be remarkably uncivil of him to turn away a young lady.”
Mr. Bennet cleared his throat. “Are you certain it is quite proper, my dear? Jane is a single young lady.”
“Nonsense. You yourself suggested it. Besides, Jane is a Healer. Healers are often called to the bedside of those who are ill. No one considers it improper.”
