“If that is what you choose. Lilly, take the younger ones inside with Nurse, please,” Gardiner responded.
“We will remain here with you, Lizzy,” Giana stated for herself and her two cousins.
When the Bennet carriage halted, Fanny stepped out first and was too busy admiring the structure to notice the people looking at her with disgust. Hearing Lydia snapped her attention to the people at the top of the wide stone steps which led to the front door. “La, what isshedoing here?” Lydia was pointing.
Fanny Bennet looked where her baby was pointing and then she saw her. “How dare you show your face here you hoyden…” Fanny was cut off as an icy chill went down her spine when her brother, who she had not noticed before, spoke.
“Fanny Bennet, what did I tell you would happen to you the next time you intruded on my property?” Gardiner thundered. Both Fanny and Lydia blanched. “Mr. Nichols, have some footmen secure this trespasser and her daughter and send a groom to summon the magistrate and the constable.”
Before a frozen Fanny Bennet could speak, two burly footmen had her by her arms. Lydia, grasping the seriousness of the trouble her mother was in, began to wail. “How can you do this to me? I am your sister,” Fanny demanded once she found her voice. “You take that cursed girl’s side over…”
“You, Mrs. Bennet, belong in Bedlam,” Elizabeth turned to her father. “Father, I believe this woman is insane and is a danger to herself and others. We need her held to be evaluated by two doctors. If they agree then she will be committed to Bedlam where she will not be able to cause any more mischief to anyone.”
“I think our daughter has the right of it, Edward,” Madeline agreed.
“If I write to my father,the Earl,” Richard stated, emphasising who his father was so the woman would know how serious he was, “he can have two doctors sent from Bedlam here quickly; they will be able to evaluate this disturbed woman.”
Fanny stood, her mouth opening and closing as her pallor became as white as a sheet. Her brother and the others, including that wilful daughter of hers, were talking about her being insane and as if she were not there.
Gardiner looked at Lydia. “I will release your driver to return you to Longbourn. Tell your father if he wants to see his wife, she will be in the Meryton gaol until she is evaluated to see if she is a candidate for Bedlam. Let him know unless he receives a written invitation signed by me, he is not welcome here,” Gardiner told the sobbing girl. He nodded and a footman guided Lydia to the Bennet carriage which took off with all speed as soon as the door was closed.
Regardless of her protestations, within an hour Mrs. Bennet was on her way to the gaol where she was to remain until she was examined. If she was not deemed a candidate for Bedlam, she would stand trial for trespassing.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When a sobbing Lydia entered his study sans her mother, Bennet suspected Fanny had finally crossed a line from which she would not be able to retreat. He gave Lydia a thimbleful of brandy to calm her enough for her to relate what happened.
He had been correct in his supposition about the identity of the new owner of Netherfield Park. At a certain level, he felt some guilt over the position of acute distress in which he suspected that his wife now found herself, but at the same time he knew she could not be stopped, short of tying her down, once she set her mind to something—especially if she thought she could benefit from it.
As he tried to think logically about his wife, Bennet came to the conclusion she indeed might be insane. He did not know if such a malady always lurked under the surface, or if it built up over time to its current level. Whatever the reason, there was no way to argue with the conclusion.
He would not contravene Gardiner’s order that he not visit without a written invitation, but his brother-in-law had not forbidden him from writing a note. Bennet knew he was not the man to care for his three remaining daughters on his own, but his wife had not done such a good job of it, either.
Mary and Kitty escorted Lydia up to her bedchamber. As they walked up the stairs, the sounds of Lydia’s sobbing diminished. Bennet took a fresh piece of parchment, dipped his quill in ink, and began to write.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Mr. Collins, why are you no longer bringing me information on the tenants and the residents of Hunsford? I need to know what they are saying about me and what their dearest concerns are.” Lady Catherine demanded from her throne as Collins grovelled before her.
“How am I to force them to speak to me, your exulted Ladyship?” Collins squeaked.
“Does your wife not do her duty and visit the parishioners in the way I instructed her?” Lady Catherine barked.
“Yes, your Ladyship. She follows your instructions to the letter. If she did not, I would punish her,” Collins bowed low again.
“And she reports what the peasants tell her?”
“She tells me they refuse to tell her anything of import, just as they refuse to do for me. I most humbly apologise, my wise and all-knowing patroness.” As was his wont, Collins deified Lady Catherine. Although she was angry at not receiving information on her underlings, she preened at the deference the parson showed her.
“You may go, Mr. Collins. I will think of a solution and give you instructions as soon as I am ready.” Lady Catherine gave Collins a dismissive wave and he backed out of the drawing room, bowing as he went.
He was so busy genuflecting to his patroness he did not notice that Miss de Bourgh and her companion had been standing just outside the door, listening, and taking notes. He soon scurried back to the parsonage, bathed in sweat, and breathing heavily from the exertion of the short walk.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Are you well, Eliza?” Charlotte asked. She had accompanied her father to Netherfield Park, he being the local magistrate. Sending the vile Mrs. Bennet to gaol had been a pleasure for Sir William, who generally found that particular duty distasteful.
“I am well, my friend,” Elizabeth replied without hesitation. “We knew the woman would intrude here eventually; now it is behind us.”
