Page 151

Mary shook her head.

“Catherine has informed me that since Charlotte’s departure things have been turbulent at Lucas Lodge. She gets her information from Mariah, who is most unhappy at present. Lady Lucas has thrust most of Charlotte’s duties upon her. Just as Mama would do to me if you were to marry and leave. Aunt Philips has been less than discreet as usual and is speculating that Sir William was taken aback at how much work Charlotte was shouldering.”

“I have a letter for Mariah that Charlotte does not want her mother to intercept and open. She has heard the same thing as Kit-, sorry Catherine. That will take a while to sink in. Anyway, Charlotte’s industry was shielding not just Lady Lucas. Now you mentioned there was news with Lydia?”

“It is probably the thing I am most conflicted about. From the outside she is unchanged, still prone to being impulsive and with an unhealthy obsession with officers. Then there is this new friendship with the wife of the Colonel of the regiment. What I am struggling to comprehend is the subtle change in the last two months. This is not the work of a few days or even weeks. We just did not discern it even before you left for Kent.

“Where she did not, and would not, listen to us, she has listened to Mrs. Forster. I do not know exactly how much that lady has shared about money, but she must have shared a lot. Lydia has dropped her interest in the younger and more junior officers. And it was almost an instant switch. One day it was all Captain Denny this and Captain Denny that, the next day she all but cut him in the street. Lydia might be impulsive and far too much of a flirt but she is also mercenary. Catherine overheard her mumbling that she will not settle for anything, or rather anyone, less than a Major. The only Major with the Militia is married and so I think she wants to go to Brighton with the purpose of husband shopping.”

This was more sense than she had exhibited in the last year. Jane spotted an issue however.

“How will she decide if they are honourable with their intentions?”

A question that two maidens could not answer, or ask their father.

“That is by far my biggest worry. We both know Papa will send her off without a word of warning or advice. He will abandon the responsibility of her onto the Colonel. And Mama will actively encourage her to do.” There was a distasteful pause. “Whatever is necessary to secure a husband. She will be prime fodder for a smooth-talking rake. Especially one who is only in Brighton for a short time.”

“You think there is no way we can dissuade Papa from allowing her to undertake this trip?

“None at all. If she is not allowed then both Lydia and our mother will make such a noise with their wailing and gnashing of teeth that, to mix biblical stories, the walls of Papa’s study will fall.”

“Is there anything we can do?”

“In a word, no. Uncle Gardiner cannot travel. Young Edward is needed at the business and is too young to deal with someone like Lydia. Uncle Philips has his own business and cannot spare the time. And our father will not stir himself for the estate never mind chaperoning his youngest daughter. Other than Michael who is only eight, that is every male in the family. Oh, other than Mr. Collins.”

“Would father hire a companion?”

“I doubt it, but it is an idea. We need someone similar to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, or at least the way you described her in your letters.”

The laughed, at both the description and its truth.

“How is Lizzie? You said she was happy. Is she truly?”

“I underplayed it at the dinner table. She is radiant. You know that Charlotte and I both thought of her as having a hard edge to her when she was here in the autumn? Well that hardness has gone. There was a calmness to her, and acceptance of her lot in life. It was really obvious to me and more than a little humbling. The last time I saw her was the morning after Twelfth Night and she was this combination of sad, angry and bitter, all encased in a hard shell. But I can now look back and understand. She has not been banished, at least technically. She is still a Bennet but.”

She paused and thought.

“She is still a Bennet but I do not think she acknowledges Mama and Papa as her parents. It is a reverse disownment. Such a thing does not exist legally but I think it is the best way to describe her outlook on Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. She did not name father when talking at the weekend but she did talk of Mrs. Bennet rather than Mama.”

“What of the future?”

Jane clasped Mary’s hand.

“She talked to me about just staying in London. She said there would be many opportunities for me to find a husband. She also said you and I were welcome to stay at Pemberley, we could have a home there. From what you have said, I am sure she would welcome Catherine as well. But she is not even 17 until the summer so is under Papa’s control for four more years. You still have two years until you reach your majority. That is the challenge I face, we face. How do we move on with our lives while leaving the younger to deal with Longbourn?”

Chapter 32

After the drama during the first week of April, the rest of the month was much calmer. The Hursts left on the Saturday following the confrontation with the Bingleys sneaking out of town in the pre-dawn gloom of the Monday morning. With the scorned parties gone the vitriol and glee with which the rumours were spread started to abate. By the end of the month it was old news, although everyone was ready to pounce should a Bingley be spotted.

Elizabeth spent many hours with both Lady Maria and Lady Susan discussing her new position. Miss Darcy was a silent participant as there were many lessons that Elizabeth needed to learn, and this was an ideal opportunity for Georgiana to understand some of the hidden requirements of the mistress of an estate. By far the biggest issue was the number of additional gowns required.

“Elizabeth, you are an intelligent woman, and you are coming dangerously close to pouting.”

Lady Maria’s smile took the sting from her words but they had the intended salutary effect.

“Both Susan and I have assisted many times in gathering a trousseau, in my case including my brother’s now wife. You know that neither of us are slaves to the current fashion but do know the importance of presenting ourselves well. You are not going to be titled but you will be the preeminent lady of the district as well as an important member of the Ton. There are expectations of Mrs. Darcy that you cannot ignore, it would reflect badly on your husband.”

“Thank you for that dousing in a cold pond. You are right, however much it pains me to admit it. The expense, in my mind, is unnecessary and bordering on frivolous. I am incredibly grateful to you both for investing time in assisting me with this task. I will not argue with regard to numbers of gowns and other apparel, but I do have a style I prefer. Please do not think I will accept being festooned in lace, I will rebel.”