None of their friends would speak to them. The two did not see their mother in the Bennet carriage because they stopped at Lucas Lodge on their way home, where they were told they were no longer welcome. Even Maria refused to see them again.
It was a great shock to Lydia Bennet; a girl not used to hearing the wordno.Bennet heard the wailing of his youngest two daughters and was sure it was nothing compared to what his wife’s lamentations would be when she returned home.
Fanny’s first stop was her sister’s house on Meryton’s High Street. She banged on the door and, after a moment or two, her sister’s housekeeper opened the door. “Step aside Campbell, I am here to see my sister,” Mrs. Bennet demanded.
“My apologies, Mrs. Bennet, but the mistress is not home to you,” the housekeeper informed Mrs. Bennet.
“Where is she? I come at this time twice a week and she is always home,” Mrs. Bennet insisted.
“I did not say she was not home, just that she is not home toyou, Madam,” Mrs. Campbell clarified.
“Move aside now, or I will make sure my sister sacks you without a character,” Mrs. Bennet screeched.
“What is this caterwauling at my front door?” Phillips asked as he replaced his housekeeper blocking the way. Fanny did not notice the growing crowd watching her performance?none of whom looked on her with a friendly eye.
“Brother, you need to sack that useless woman,” Fanny informed him and tried to push past him into the house, but he did not move.
“Mrs. Bennet,” Phillips intoned formally, “our housekeeper is acting onourinstructions. Neither you nor any of the Bennets of Longbourn are welcome in this house.”
Fanny stood with her mouth flapping open and closed and no sound coming out until she managed, “Why?”
“You tried to force my niece to marry that odious parson and then you and your horrible, wanton daughter banished her from her home and family. You have the temerity to ask why?” His voice rose in volume as his anger built. “We choose Lizzy, and as you have banished her from your family, you have cut us from it as well. Good day.” With that Phillips closed the door.
Then Fanny turned around and saw a hostile crowd?several of them were ladies she had counted as friends—Mrs. Long, Goulding, and Purvis. As one, the crowd turned its back to her, giving her the cut direct. Fanny scrambled into the carriage and told the driver to take her to Lucas Lodge. It seemed Fanny either forgot, or was unaware that, the Lucases counted Elizabeth—Eliza—as another daughter.
At Lucas Lodge a scene reminiscent of her time at the Phillipses played out. This time it was Sir William, Lady Lucas, and Miss Lucas who answered the door. Fanny might have been of mean understanding, but she recognised the unbridled disdain directed at her, even from the normally jovial Sir William.
“Fanny Bennet, you are a disgraceful parent and human being. Do not return, neither you nor any of your family who reside at Longbourn are welcome here,” Lady Lucas stated stridently. The three members of the Lucas family turned their backs on Fanny until she reboarded her carriage, then they closed the door.
When Bennet heard the wailing, which was many times louder than that of his youngest daughters, he knew his wife had returned and now was aware of the new normal in their lives.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A half an hour before they were to go to the post stop to meet Elizabeth and bring her back to Gracechurch Street, an express arrived from Meryton. Gardiner opened it. Even though he recognised Bennet’s script and almost consigned it to the fire without reading it, he was glad he did not.
11 November 1810
Longbourn
Gardiner:
By now I am sure you are aware what happened to Lizzy. It is with great shame I acknowledge I do not have the strength of character to stand up to your sister. I remember what you and Maddie told me some years ago about Jane; I know now it was an understatement.
I am fully aware that I have lost Lizzy’s affection and worse, her respect. I deserve no less, so this is a small attempt to make sure she will never be bothered by Fanny or anyone else from Longbourn again.
Yes, it is too little too late, but it is all I can do. The attached document, notarised by our brother Phillips, grants you full and irrevocable authority for Lizzy. Once she attains her majority, it will be up to her how she proceeds.
This way, once Fanny experiences the consequences of her actions, she will have no means, legal or otherwise, to demand Elizabeth’s return to Longbourn.
Bennet
Gardiner had no respect for Bennet, but he did credit him for doing at least this to protect Elizabeth. He would have his solicitor file the papers with the Court as soon as possible.
The Gardiners departed to meet their niece as soon as Gardiner locked the all-important document in his safe.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Miss Bingley did not expect a letter from Meryton so soon. She noted it was dated the Saturday after the ball?the day before they had put the little backwater town behind them forever.
