Page 31

Book 2 Chapter 2

“Elizabeth Rose Bennet!”

Elizabeth knew it was going to be a trying morning, it had started with her full name, always the sign of Mrs. Bennet being particularly irate. Elizabeth deliberately finished chewing her mouthful of food before looking up at her mother. She said nothing, merely raised an enquiring eyebrow.

“What did you do to your sister?”

“I stayed up late talking about the day, how beautiful Jane looked as a bride, amongst many other things.”

“Do not lie to me, that is not what Lydia said happened.”

Elizabeth Bennet hoped that Jane would take her in if she was banished. She slowly rose to her feet, glaring at her mother.

“Are you calling me a liar, Mrs. Bennet?”

It was warmer at the North Pole than Longbourn right at that moment. Even Mrs. Bennet was taken aback at the vicious tone.

“Do not take that tone with me young lady.”

“What tone is that? The one that will not let you tarnish my reputation, call me a liar. Shall we adjourn to the study?”

“I do not care whether you were talking with Mary or Kitty.”

Of course she did not.

“I was asking you about Lydia.”

“You do not specify, only said sister. Do not accuse me of lying for your own careless use of language.”

Rather than address the complaint she moved on.

“I am your mother, you will mind your manners.”

“And I am the oldest remaining daughter here at Longbourn, the new Miss Bennet to the district. You will not scold and screech like I am a scullery maid.”

Yet again Mrs. Bennet ignored the previous conversation and moved on.

“Did you slap Lydia across the face?”

“I did.”

“How dare you act that way. You are nothing but a hoyden!”

“Mrs. Bennet. I will slap her in the face every day for the rest of my life if she is standing with her ear to the door like a sneak thief.”

There were gasps all round the room.

“She was all set to run off and complain that I had dared to open my door. She fell on the floor she had been pressed up against it so zealously. If she was going to run off and complain like a toddler then I decided to give her something to complain about.”

Elizabeth returned to her seat and started to eat her breakfast again.

“This is intolerable. We will see what your father says of this. Come with me.”

“No. I will finish my breakfast before it gets cold. You may go and tattle like Lydia if you wish.”

Mary thought she was in danger of having a seizure, her heart was beating so fast. Was Elizabeth trying to get banished the day after Jane’s wedding? She glanced at Kitty who rather than looking terrified was attempting, poorly, to hide a smile. Someone was enjoying Lydia getting a comeuppance. She watched Mrs. Bennet scurry out to beard Mr. Bennet in his study. Then Elizabeth finished her last bite and centred her cutlery on her plate. She was on her feet in an instant, stalking round the table towards Lydia.

“You thought you could tattle on me to Mama without consequence, did you? I guess one slap was not enough, let us see if a second on the other cheek makes a difference.”