Page 7 of The Mistress of All & Torn

We have received your ladyship’s invitation with surprise and gratitude. We are deeply honoured by your attention and thankful for your kindness. Unfortunately, we are sad to be forced to decline. We are expecting my brother Bennet and a family friend from Hertfordshire—Sir William, Maria’s father—tomorrow night and they will stay with us for several more days before Elizabeth and Jane return home with their father.

We are delighted to convey our gratefulness and we hope to have the chance to meet your ladyship, as well as Lord Barrington, again one day.

Best regards,

M. Gardiner.

“What do you think, girls? Is it appropriate?”

“Perfect, Aunt,” Elizabeth smiled. “Thank God that Mama cannot read it, or else none of us would hear the end of it!”

“My sister, Bennet, will never forgive me if she ever finds out about my refusal,” Mrs. Gardiner replied. “But it is a risk I must take. I admit that I am a little bothered by Lady Augusta’s insistence. I cannot escape the feeling that she has a hidden plan for us, although I am well aware we are not worthy of her preoccupation. Now, let me send a servant with the letter and then fetch Maria. It is time for some shopping.”

For the next three hours, the ladies wandered around the shops, in search of some bonnets, reticules and gloves, as well as some gifts to be taken back to Hertfordshire. They returned home, exhausted but pleased, then prepared for dinner. The evening seemed to pass peacefully until another letter was delivered to Mrs. Gardiner by express. The sender—Lady Augusta—and the content left the entire family astonished and puzzled.

“Dear Mrs. Gardiner,

It would be our pleasure to enjoy your company—as well as that of your entire family. As my son always says, the more, the merrier.

If a dinner party with us is not repugnant to you or your lovely nieces, we are eagerly waiting for you all, on the established date. If this is convenient, we will send a carriage for you.

Best regards to you all.”

Maria clapped her hands with excitement, while the other three ladies and the master of the house glanced at each other, with frowns and many questions.

“My dear, is there something I should know? I was under the impression that your acquaintance with Lady Augusta was very new. An invitation to our extended family to dine is most astonishing.”

“Oh, but what an honour! We also dined at Rosings nine times!” Maria cried. “What an accomplishment! I shall be the most envied girl in Meryton!”

“My dear Maria, how lovely to see your eagerness,” Mrs. Gardiner smiled.

“Oh, Papa will be thrilled too! He has always been fond of titled people! I am so sorry Lydia and Kitty are not here!”

“I am not inclined to waste an evening with people I barely know. But I cannot imagine how we could refuse such generous proof of amiability,” Mr. Gardiner declared. “I admit I am rather distressed—I have some affairs to complete with my brother Bennet and I am worried about the success of our investment. A formal dinner where I have to guard my every gesture is not my sort of amusement.”

“I hope there is not too much trouble,” Elizabeth interjected. “Your business with Papa… It must be serious though since Papa has decided to come to town.”

“It is serious, but no more trouble than my usual business.”

“So, should I send our acceptance to Lady Augusta then?” the mistress of the house enquired.

“My dear wife, I believe you must. Besides, stepping into Lord Barrington and his mother’s circle might be helpful to us. And I am content to know that my brother Bennet will be even more annoyed with this invitation and I will appear to be the joyful one,” Mr. Gardiner concluded, much to the ladies’ amusement.

Chapter 3

Being so close to each other and sharing so many preferences, Elizabeth and her father missed each other dearly. While loving all his daughters, Mr. Bennet never denied that Elizabeth was his favourite. He was proud of her and considered she was cleverer, more decided, and more reliable than a son. She missed one single quality: being a man, so she could inherit Longbourn one day. In that respect, Mr. Bennet was disappointed by how unfair the inequality between men and women was. In the eyes of society, his exceptional daughter was, in many ways, below the laughable, pompous Mr. Collins, to whom his property was entailed.

Elizabeth’s latest proof of worthiness in her father’s eyes had been her rejection of Mr. Collins’s proposal. The thought of his beloved daughter married to that silly man—and actually becoming his property—made him cringe. Fortunately, his Lizzy had shown her strength and obstinacy not just in refusing their cousin, but also in resisting her mother’s insistence.

Although he disagreed with his wife in almost every circumstance, Mr. Bennet could not blame her for her endless efforts to find good husbands for their five daughters. There was no greater distress for a widow than to find herself with no fortune, no connections, no house and no dowry for her daughters. Mrs. Bennet’s continuous nervous agitation, as annoying as it might seem to others, betrayed her love and care for her daughters. And that realisation increased Mr. Bennet's guilt for not being diligent and careful enough to enhance his estate’s income and to save a small amount of money for the future. Although it was God’s will that he had no son, his family’s precarious future was his fault for being too lazy and negligent with his finances.

When his brother Gardiner spoke to him about the opportunity to purchase some tea and spices from India, with the prospect of doubling the investment by selling it to London’s buyers, Mr. Bennet did not hesitate. It was a unique chance to compensate for years of idleness and finally provide for his family. He used the small amount he had from his wife’s portion, and Mr. Gardiner also loaned him the difference, so they could enter into the affair together, which although risky, held great potential. And the worst thing they had feared had happened: due to the war, the ship that should have delivered the merchandise had been delayed for a full fortnight. They were uncertain if it would dock safely, and how damaged the merchandise would be. The prospect of losing the investment was devastating for both Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner, who was the Bennets’ only supporter and hope for shelter if they were to lose Longbourn.

Mr. Bennet revealed the circumstances to Elizabeth, as they spent some private time together in the library.

“Dear Papa, I am sorry you must face such tribulations. May I help you in any way?”

“No, sadly you may not. Just pray that the ship will eventually arrive and that the goods are not entirely ruined. And if we fail in this, we must put our hope in your uncle’s ability to limit the damage.”