Page 14 of To Love And To Cherish
“Your mother believes Jane and Lydia will save this family,” Mr. Bennet replied. “Their beauty is their currency, and so Frannieis pushing Lydia to grow up too quickly. You’ll be shocked, your sister has grown three inches. She’s as tall as Mary and looks thirteen instead of eleven.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Papa, if she is truly as selfish as Mary has said, and Mamma is already pushing her toward men, she may well bring disgrace upon the family. Promise us that you will act; let us put our heads together and devise a plan.”
“You mean send her to the Gardiners?” he asked. “Or away to school?”
“I wouldn’t thrust her upon my uncle, Aunt Maddie is newly with child and in no state to manage Lydia. But if you tell Mother, Uncle has contrived a place for our sister in a fine school, approval will be granted at once. Better still, say the offer was made to me. Mamma will insist that Lydia go in my stead.”
Mr. Bennet looked thoughtful. “That child is disruptive, throwing tantrums every evening at dinner, with loud crying and screaming fits, all because she believes she’s been denied something she deserves, whether it be the largest slice of pie, the best seat at the table, or some trifling treat she failed to obtain during the day.”
“That conniving creature just wants attention,” Kitty said quietly. “Mamma lets her take whatever she asks for. She even takes my things, my dresses, my bonnets, not because she wants them, but because she knows she can have them.”
Elizabeth’s expression darkened. “This cannot continue, or she will ruin us. Surely you see that, Papa.”
“I’ll write to Edward,” Mr. Bennet said, standing. “If he knows of a respectable school and can make it sound like a privilege to attend, I’ll pay for it gladly, just for a bit of peace.”
He looked at his daughters. “But this must remain between us. If your mother hears of it, the whole plan will fall apart.”
Elizabeth broke the silence and said, “Jane wrote to warn me that she, Lydia, and Mamma would be absent when I arrived. It was meant as a deliberate slight. Where are they? Visiting the neighbors? When will my dear Jane return home?”
Mr. Bennet sighed and set down his cup. “Your mother took your sisters to call on Mrs. Long, whose nephew is expected next month, and Mrs. Golding, whose eldest son is to return from Cambridge by mid-July. Frannie’s parading Jane before the neighborhood matrons, as though they might have forgotten our eldest is still on the marriage mart.”
Elizabeth nodded solemnly. “Poor dear Jane. Always on parade. How mortifying it must be for her.
A week later, Thomas Bennet entered the breakfast parlor holding a letter overhead.
“Girls! Your uncle Edward has a treat in store for a very fortunate Bennet niece.”
He unfolded the letter and read aloud:
My dear Thomas,
There is one vacancy at a most select girls’ academy here in London. As you know, Madeline and I are acquainted with the dean who oversees admissions, and I have persuaded her to consider one of your daughters for immediate placement.
The girls who attend this academy include the daughters of peers. Such an opportunity is not likely to come again.
Lydia leapt from her chair with a shriek, “Ishould go! This is meant for me. Jane must stay and find a husband.”
Elizabeth frowned; Jane looked down at her hands, blushing over Lydia’s brash conduct, while Mary and Kitty regarded their sister with open distaste.
Mrs. Bennet turned on her second daughter. “What are you frowning about, Lizzy? Don’t think I’ll letyouhave this chance. My little Lydia is right. Jane must remain here and find a husband. My dear brother is always doing what he can for us; it’s only right that Lydia should go.”
Lydia twirled. “Oh, what shall I wear? I must have new gowns or I shall look a fright beside all those rich girls!”
Mr. Bennet held up a hand. “Let me finish reading.”
And though his tone was casual, Elizabeth saw the flicker of triumph in his eyes.
Pray, do not concern yourself with matters of attire; I shall see that my niece is suitably outfitted. Write to me again soon, and we shall settle the particulars.
Yours,
Edward Gardiner
Chapter 8: Calais to Dover
June 18, 1810
Fitzwilliam Darcy stood motionless, his hand trembling. The seal was his uncle’s, the handwriting unmistakable. A chill had passed through him even before he broke the wax, and his hair had risen with a sudden premonition.
