“Lizzy, my rule for not exercising outside on your own still stands,” Gardiner told his eldest daughter. “I would rather be safe than sorry.”
“As I promised, I will follow your rules,” Elizabeth stated.
“If Mrs. Bennet were a man, I would have called her out,” Richard interjected.
“My big brave fiancé,” Charlotte teased.
Just then Nichols cleared his throat and brought the salver to the master with a note on it. “It is from Bennet,” Gardiner informed the assembled group. “I never forbade him to send a note.” Gardiner turned to his wife and eldest daughter. “Maddie and Lizzy, come with me to the study; please excuse us, everyone.”
Once the three were seated, Gardiner, with his wife on one side and daughter on the other, broke the seal. He held it so all three could read the note.
7 January 1811
Longbourn
Gardiner,
You have my apology for my wife’s affront today. Lydia informed me what happened and I must say that I agree with Lizzy’s assessment, but I will wait to hear what the doctors determine.
Of my three daughters at home, two are suffering from serious neglect. I refer to Mary and Kitty. We all know I am not the person to do it, but I believe with some loving attention, both would do very well.
The only option for Lydia would be the Phillipses. Hattie and Frank have the strength of will to deal with her, and I believe might improve her, eventually. It would be better for both, especially for Kitty, to be separated from Lydia.
If you and Phillips agree to take them, I will sign the documents relinquishing my parental rights as I did with Lizzy.
I wait to hear from you,
TB
“Unlike his wife, he is self-aware enough to know he is not a parent upon whom any child can rely,” Elizabeth stated dispassionately. She knew Mr. Bennet had placed her in the Gardiners’ loving care, but she still would not,could not, forgive him for not protecting her.
“Let us go and relax. On the morrow Phillips and Hattie will be here and we can discuss what is to be done,” Gardiner suggested. His wife and daughter agreed a night without having to consider weighty issues would be welcome.
Chapter 21
The day following Fanny Bennet’s arrest, after meeting with the Gardiners at Netherfield Park, Mr. Phillips invited Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner to meet with him at his office. Bennet had not expected to be welcomed as a brother, but he was not prepared for the frosty reception he encountered.
“Let us keep strictly to the reason we are here,” Gardiner stated after a terse greeting to Bennet. “The one thing we agree on is you are not a fit parent, and with Fanny out of the house, the inadequate attention Mary and Kitty receive will become non-existent.”
“I know my own limitations and am willing to sign whatever I need to.” Bennet turned to Phillips. “Your wife is one of the few who Lydia obeys. If you are willing to take her, it will be a long road to rid her, partially or entirely, of the bad habits my wife engrained in her. Contrary to my usual assertion about the silliest girls in the realm, the truth is all three of the younger girls are intelligent—mayhap not as much as Lizzy, but they are not deficient. As you know Lydia is boisterous, but I believe if one were to redirect her energy to positive activities and behaviours, she might turn out well in the end.”
“Let me ask you something, Bennet. If you understood and saw these things, why did you not do something about it? What made you hide in your library and allow Fanny to rule the roost?” Gardiner asked pointedly.
“Seeking peace was my main goal. Knowing has never been my problem, it is doing that has been too much effort for me,” Bennet stated. “I recognise I am indolent and did not do my duty to my family. For me it is too late, but not for my daughters. If I am not mistaken, Lizzy has bloomed in a loving and accepting family like yours, Gardiner.” Gardiner allowed it was so. “It is my belief if Mary and Kitty live in that environment, it will not be long until they are unrecognisable as the girls they are today.”
“Hattie and I spoke. As you know, we have always wanted a child and we are willing to accept Lydia into our household, but under the same terms as Lizzy was sent to my Brother Gardiner. You will make it irrevocable,” Phillips stated firmly.
“Maddie and I will take Mary and Kitty, butonlyif they want to come. We will not force them,” Gardiner informed Bennet. “Have them sent to Netherfield this afternoon at three. Lizzy will meet with them as well. If they decide to live with us, they will not be returning to Longbourn.”
“I have three documents prepared, one for each girl. If Mary and Kitty choose to stay with the Gardiners, then I will deliver the documents to Netherfield Park, if not, they will be consigned to the fire,” Phillips informed the other two men. Bennet signed all three, Phillips one, and Gardiner two. As Phillips was the named guardian in one document, his head clerk notarised the document pertaining to Lydia.
When Bennet departed the law offices, only two of his daughters remained under his protection; he suspected the number would be naught by that afternoon. He did not go to the gaol to visit his wife.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Jane Collins had just returned from visiting some parishioners when an express arrived from her father. When she read her mother was in gaol pending an examination by doctors who would evaluate her for Bedlam, Jane was not overly surprised.
It was sad any human being could end up in such straits, but Jane could not force herself to have sympathy for the woman. Jane now knew her mother had taught her all the wrong lessons, then abandoned her as soon as she was no longer of use.
