Page 55 of The Scarred Duchess
Mama rang for Miss Lawrence, who took Kitty and Lydia upstairs. Elizabeth, aware of the tension created by hersuggestion, raised her chin as she often did when trying to be brave. “No one else has someone who follows them about—” she protested, shooting a glance towards Jane— “so I only wonder why we must.”
“Since you choose to challenge my direction, Lizzy, you are old enough to learn of its origin.”
“Thomas?” Mama sounded uncertain.
“Franny, the girls must learn more of the world they inhabit. There are consequences to actions taken lightly.”
Papa looked at each of them earnestly, then began telling a shocking tale.
“Your grandfather, John Bennet, allowed his daughter, my aunt Meg, to have her way and make an unescorted tenant visit.” Papa looked at each of them. “His lack of foresight led to her ruin and the current entail. She died in childbirth.”
Elizabeth gasped, as did Jane and Mary.
“I failed to fully protect my family and Jane now bears the penalty for my oversight.” He gave Jane a sad smile before turning to look directly at Elizabeth.
“Rest assured, that mistake shall never be repeated.”
She whispered an apology to their father, who smiled kindly in reply. “I am not seeking to extinguish your fire, my dear girl. Only to see you direct it with circumspection.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The Gardiners, having arrived for their annual Christmas visit, sat with the Bennets in the Longbourn study. The gentlemen nursed tumblers of whiskey while sherry tickled the elegant throats of their wives. The warmth of the fire compounded the felicity felt by the family’s heads.
“I am concerned for Jane’s prospects. If she has truly determined she will not marry Mr Smyth, she must attend a Season,” said Mrs Gardiner.
“Jane has had enough of society’s censure. If she has a Season, it will be only to support Elizabeth in hers.” explained Mrs Bennet.
“If she has chosen not to do so, nothing shall move her,” advised Bennet; Gardiner agreed.
Mrs Gardiner waved them off. “Allow me to inform you of a recent request from Lady Matlock.”
“Your cousin?” asked Mrs Bennet.
“Yes. And a close connexion of both the Gardiners and Bennets.” She smiled. “Lady Matlock asked of Jane and Lizzy.
Mr Gardiner explained, “My dear wife mentioned her eldest two nieces planned to delay their come-out.”
“Lady Matlock and Lady Catherine have an interest. They wish to sponsor their curtsey and guide them through their Season.”
Mrs Bennet grasped Mrs Gardiner’s hand. “What remarkable largesse, is it not, Thomas?”
Bennet silently agreed. However, he had a question.
“I assume you have a scheme to budge a beautiful but immovable object?” he said. “Jane’s reluctance is quite set.”
“Indeed, I do.” Mrs Gardiner turned to Mrs Bennet. “What say you and I join the girls for an exhibition of fashion?”
Bennet and Gardiner moaned aloud.
The next afternoon, Jane, her eyes shrouded, allowed Kitty to walk her down the hall to the breakfast room. Lydia guided her from behind, her two hands upon Jane’s shoulders. When her blindfold was removed, she found her mother, Aunt Gardiner, Elizabeth, and Mary standing in front of her. They stepped aside, revealing four veiled bonnets in differing colours and styles arrayed on the table.
Jane was amazed. “What is this?”
“I have brought you the latest town creations,” announced her aunt. “We are having a fashion exhibition,”
“Featuring you, my dear girl,” added Mama.
“Let us begin,” Aunt Gardiner called out, clapping her hands.
