Page 37

Book 2 Chapter 4

“My dear Mr. Bennet, have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last. Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.”

Mary had been present when Mrs. Long almost burst into the parlour. She had stayed but five minutes before continuing her self-appointed mission of informing all the families in the neighbourhood.

It had been an awkward six months for the Bennet family. Charlotte had not immediately gossiped with the truth of Elizabeth’s banishment. It was Mrs. Bennet herself who invited the speculation when she announced that Mary was now to be known as Miss Bennet. Such a move indicated that Elizabeth was not expected to return to Longbourn. It might have been awkward for the family but it had been much more than that for the new Miss Bennet.

Her mother’s teaching was inconsistent both in its frequency and in what was covered. Mary spent as much time with Mrs. Hill, their long-suffering housekeeper, and with Cook learning from them directly. One positive aspect to her new position, as far as everyone else was concerned, Mary did not have as much time to reread, and quote, from her well-thumbed book of Sermons. The whole house welcomed the break from the Rev Fordyce’s ‘wisdom’.

Mary had been there when Mrs. Long stated that Netherfield Park had been let, to a single gentleman from the North. Jane might be married but Mrs. Bennet was a matchmaking mama with three single daughters under her control. Mary had not been looking forward to the Michaelmas Assembly but now it loomed even larger. The Midsummer Assembly, her first as Miss Bennet, had been a disaster.

“Kitty, are you ready to leave?”

Mary had been unaware of how much Jane and Elizabeth did around the estate, especially visits to all the tenant farmhouses. Neither parent bestirred themselves, it was left to the daughters to meet the responsibilities to their tenants. Kitty had been unwilling at first to assist, but Mrs. Bennet’s claims that she would treat her daughters equally did not last a month. Soon she was happy to escape Longbourn and her wilful younger sister. They left, not bothering to tell their mother where they were going.

“What do you think of the news Mary?”

“I think it will be good for you Kitty.”

“For me?”

“You have grown over the last year, you are tall and blonde, closer in features and figure to Jane than any of the rest of us. And you are social enough to enjoy dancing at the Assembly. June was a challenge for me. Think about the evening events, the small soirees at different houses. I was happy to sit on the side, and if there was informal dancing I never took part. And the upcoming Assembly will be worse.”

“Worse?”

“Mama is trying to present me as Miss Bennet, which in reality is just an excuse for her to scold me for not being like Jane. And you see her every day, her inclination is to push Lydia forward. Not that she needs any help.”

Kitty sighed sadly.

“Yes, we can all see two things pushing forward.”

“Kitty! Be careful there are no ears listening. You may think that, just as I do, but it should not be said out loud.”

“Is this single gentleman on his own?”

“That is the key question. If he does not have a hostess then it will limit everyone’s ability to meet him. If he brings a widowed mother, or an aunt, even a sister, then it will allow us the opportunity to call.”

“Do you think that he is a possibility?”

“For me? No. When standing next to you and Lydia I am plain. Standing next to Charlotte Lucas I am less plain, but it does not alter the fact that I have four prettier sisters.”

“How is Lizzie? I know that you collected a letter from Uncle Philips two days ago.”

“Having fun.”

“Fun?”

“She sees Jane every week, spends time with our aunt every day, plays and reads with our cousins, and is indulged by our uncle at the bookstores every fortnight. One of the ways she has changed the lives of the Gardiners is that she took the oldest two children out to the park, maids and footmen in attendance. Little Rebecca wanted to join her older two siblings so it ended up that all four of them now go to the park every week, the Nurse and Governess walking with them. Even Aunt Madeline accompanies them on occasion. It is procession of 10 or 11, it is fortunate that there is a park not too far away. If they had to take a carriage it would require two.”

“I can see Lizzie having fun organising all that.”

“She said in the last letter that Lily and young Eddie take turns being ‘in charge’.”

“What of the rest of her life?”

“She suspects Jane and Aunt Madeline to be matchmaking. They are trying to be subtle about it, but Lizzie is wise to their tricks.”

“Are there any gentlemen calling?”