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“I told her it was important for Jane to be the centre of attention. I asked for an extra year so that Jane could continue to shine. Neither Jane or I particularly cared but I did not want to be paraded around. It felt I was a prize cow being shown to all the prospective buyers. I was resigned to coming out at the end of the summer but then the accident happened. I am sorry Mary, but I do not know if you will be able to use the same excuse.”

“I understand. I hope to delay until I am at least 16, here in town it is normally 18, but I know that I am not that lucky. Anyway, the thing I did want to mention is Mama still goes on about the entail and us all marrying well, but she will often stop and. I do not know what the right way to finish that sentence is. She will stop and, well she does not calm down, but she will mutter something under her breath. I am not positive but I think she says ‘family’. Which is her way of thinking about you, and her brother.”

Elizabeth looked surprised but then turned thoughtful.

“Interesting. She sent one long letter before she visited with Papa, where she repeated everything in the letter. But that was back at the start of September. Since then she has only sent me two short letters and they have been, as you said, more calm than normal. She is right to be worried about the entail, I just wish she would not push it all down onto our shoulders.”

Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of their three young cousins and the rest of the afternoon was spent being entertained by them.

The visits from her sister over the course of the year were incorporated into the routine of the house. Elizabeth’s uncle insisted that she and whichever sister was visiting act like the gentle-born ladies they were. For seven days out of the two week visit they ventured into the more fashionable parts of London. During Mary’s three visits their trips were more academic and educational; museums, galleries and bookshops. This suited the temperament of both young women. During Jane’s single visit in the October there was more shopping and a trip to the theatre. They joined the party of one of Mr. Gardiner’s acquaintances and although Jane attracted many glances they were able to enjoy the play without being importuned. These four separate weeks of pleasure were important to Elizabeth as it reminded her that there was more to life than just managing the house, and assisting her uncle.

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1808 had an extra day being a leap year, but even that did not stop the year from seeming to be over in the blink of an eye. Birthdays came and went; anniversaries, including that most painful one in July; school holidays for young Edward; and suddenly Christmas was passed and Mary was visiting again. Jane had visited in October whilst Mary had visited in April and July after her January trip. Although Mary was to stay for the full two week visit Jane accompanied her for the first weekend as she missed her sister.

“Jane, you are here as well. It is wonderful to see you both.”

Hugs were exchanged before they were led up to their room. Soon they were back in the parlour and Elizabeth poured tea for all three of them.

“I am surprised Mama let you both come, are you here for the whole two weeks?”

“No Lizzie, I am only here for the weekend, I shall return on Monday whilst Mary is here for the full two weeks. I just wanted to see you, Christmas is not the same without you at Longbourn.”

It was impossible to hug as they were all holding fresh hot tea but Elizabeth beamed at her older sister.

“I know what you mean. Although with the younger children there is lots of Christmas joy. How is everyone at Longbourn?”

Elizabeth had been absent for 18 months but she still wanted to know the goings-on in the area. Mary indicated that Jane should talk first.

“The neighbourhood is unchanged since you left, all bar the fact that the Uptons vacated Netherfield Park in the spring. They have moved to Bath for the waters and the estate has not yet been leased. This year’s harvest was good, not as bountiful as last year, but still sufficient so that no one will starve. There have been several marriages and births in Meryton but you will know all that from Aunt Philips’ letters. Charlotte Lucas is attempting to convince Lady Lucas to let her visit you. The regular correspondence between the two of you is no substitute for actually sitting and talking with you, like Mary and I are doing right now. But Lady Lucas is insisting that Charlotte is needed at home. She is disappointed but is resigned to it. I do not know why Lady Lucas thinks she cannot cope for a week without Charlotte. If she ever marries then she will have to cope without her completely.”

This was as close to condemnation as Jane could manage.

“What I have not dared write in a letter in case Mama finds out, is that I received an offer of marriage.”

“Really! You have been here nearly two hours and you are only telling me now! Jane Bennet, priorities!”

All three of them laughed.

“I turned him down, Papa supported me, and Mama thinks that he left the area without making me an offer.”

“Who was he?”

“A widower with a small estate outside Luton. The problem was that he was older than Papa, quite a few years older, and wanted a young wife. He was never unpleasant in either word or deed but his gaze made me feel uncomfortable. So there is my latest news. The young man that caught my eye in the spring left with nary a backwards glance while the old man in the autumn made me an offer. So here I am, soon to be 20 years old, and still single.”

“How is Mama with all of this?”

“She is not an unkind woman but sometimes she is unkind without realising it. I worry that the phrase ‘she cannot be so pretty for nothing’ will be inscribed on my tombstone. Enough of my complaints. Mary came out at the June Assembly and danced all but one dance. You know this from our letters and visits. But the war with Napoleon and the French means that there are fewer young men and it was noticeable at both the Michaelmas and Christmas Assemblies. All the young ladies agreed to sit out at least one dance just so there was at least a semblance of balance.”

“What of our younger sisters?”

Jane looked down and Mary took up the tale.

“They are in much need of parental guidance. Angela at nine and Rebecca at nearly eight are both better behaved and more refined than both Kitty at 13 and Lydia at 12. It is a reflection on you, and a good one, that our cousins continue to be so well-mannered. Mama spoils Lydia, and Kitty in turn follows Lydia’s lead, if for no other reason than to get some attention from one of her parents. I am ignored and Jane is fussed over by Mama. Again, as Jane said about the neighbourhood, it is no different than when you were living at Longbourn.”

“And Papa?”

They all could tell Elizabeth knew, and at the same time dreaded, the answer.