Page 11 of The Mistress of All & Torn

The two young ladies, Miss Lambert and Lady Colleen, appeared rather bored. However, their manners remained polite and lacked arrogance or disdain. When the gentlemen returned, they indulged the request for some music and each performed admirably, enjoying the praise and applause. Elizabeth and Jane decidedly refused any invitation to play or sing.

Eventually, the evening came to an end for their party, as Mr. Bennet claimed they still had a long ride back home. After a warm farewell and a promise to meet again, they returned to Gracechurch Street in the same elegant Barrington carriage. At the end of the day, it had been neither the most annoying, nor the most delightful gathering.

“Well, I am glad we are done with it,” Mr. Bennet said. “Sister, I beg you do not accept any other invitations on my behalf. I cannot drink enough brandy to alleviate such boredom.”

“Was it so unpleasant?”

“I would say the dinner was excellent and the company agreeable. Despite being introduced at St. James’s, it was the first time I had engaged myself in conversation with a countess,” Sir William said solemnly.

“You are much more a man of society than I, Sir William. I wish nothing else but to spend the rest of my evenings in the library. I still wonder why these people needed our presence. I suspected Lord Barrington had been charmed by my daughters but I saw no sign of partiality.”

“Let us agree it was an odd caprice of a rich family,” Mr. Gardiner concluded, while the carriage drove steadily along London’s animated streets.

The season had begun and, for many young people of consequence, it was a time for entertainment. Elizabeth and Jane, however, counted every minute until they reached the Gardiner’s house and found comfort in the solitude of their shared chamber.

For both, the evening had been tormenting without any particular reason and each was reluctant to express her distress to the other.

Chapter 4

The dinner at the Barringtons’ was the beginning of a nightmare that lasted a fortnight and afterwards continued to get worse. Much worse.

Early the following day, Sir William and Maria returned to Meryton, while Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner began their quest for an acceptable resolution to their unfortunate affair.

“Lord Barrington and his friend visited my office today,” Mr. Gardiner related on the second day, after dinner. “He said he happened to be in the neighbourhood. Sadly, we had no time to entertain him.”

“I cannot make out this young man’s intentions; he has shown attention towards us that could only signify his admiration for one of you. I first suspected Jane to be his preference, but now I cannot be sure. I did not notice any peculiar signs of affection—from him nor you.”

“Papa, there is nothing to observe. We barely know him and I assure you, I consider him nothing but a mere acquaintance, I am as surprised as you are,” Jane insisted, as she had already done, countless times.

“I am even more intrigued that his mother seemed to approve his behaviour.” Mr. Bennet continued. “I shall not deny that an advantageous marriage is precisely what we need to overcome the dreadful situation we are in, but I would never force your decision. However, if neither of you possess any interest in a further connection with Lord Barrington, perhaps we should indicate this to him more directly. Otherwise, it is a waste of time for all of us.”

“But Papa, we have done nothing to encourage him. And we do not even know if there is anything to encourage! I, for one, barely know him.”

“Be it as you say, Lizzy, Jane. I am in no disposition for an argument. I have a terrible headache that will not go away and I can barely keep my eyes open.”

“Papa, are you unwell? Should we call a doctor?”

“A doctor for what, Lizzy? To cure the reckless stupidity of your old father? No, rest will be enough.”

The conversation ended and the subject was closed for the next couple of days.

Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner were away most of the time, but it was apparent that they met with no success.

For Elizabeth, more aware of the risks faced by their father, her distress was matched by helplessness. Every time they returned home, her father and uncle were more tense, more burdened, more dispirited and the proof of their failure was more difficult to disguise. The consequences of the two men’s risky actions would soon befall both families and Elizabeth’s heart ached for the grief and remorse her father would have to bear. And for having no chance to comfort or help him.

From time to time, she could not help thinking of Mr. Darcy with mixed, yet strong feelings.

If he had not intervened, Jane would already be married to Mr. Bingley. Also, if she had known the distress her father was to go through, perhaps she would have accepted Mr. Darcy—against her heart, but for the benefit of her family.

She had never denied that he was a clever, well-educated and knowledgeable man. But he was also proud and disdainful, and bonding herself to him for her entire life would be painful. But she would have performed her duties and her father would have been safe. Also, by being married to Mr. Darcy, Jane would have surely met Mr. Bingley again. Her sacrifice would have been worth the price, for her sister and her father.

As soon as these thoughts arrived, she pushed them away. Accepting Darcy’s proposal would have been utterly dishonest, precisely because he had confessed to love and admire her ardently.

If she had disclosed her real feelings and opinions, he would never have married her. If she had not, she would have been deceitful and cruel in accepting him for pecuniary reasons only. She had rejected him rightfully. The matter was closed.

And yet, her thoughts insisted on returning to it, analysing it, speculating and pondering over it, increasing her distress. The more she witnessed her father’s daily turmoil, the deeper guilt assailed her.

On the third day of worrisome searching, Elizabeth happened upon a conversation between her uncle and aunt. Mr. Gardiner admitted to his wife that the chance of retrieving the merchandise was in God’s hands; they had likely failed in their enterprise and lost their investment.