Page 58 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“It means nothing to either of them and will come to nothing from Father. But it might be nice to use our pin money as we wish,” Elizabeth said, emulating Mary’s indifference. “Wehave asked you many times to temper yourself, Mother. No one in Meryton, excepting Aunt Philips, acts as you do. You know it is not proper, yet you care not. I wish most for you to stop humiliating Jane. If you need to turn your words into an insult, feel free to insult me. I am used to it. It is worth my embarrassment to save Jane’s, though you often embarrass yourself and me when you do so in the company of others.”
“I worry so much”—Mrs. Bennet‘s spine straightened when Elizabeth rolled her eyes—“You girls knownothingof what I suffer.”
“Let me list them, and you can tell me which is pressing upon you this instant. Is it yourpoor nerves?Or is it palpitations? Thereisno reassurance after Father is dead. He has done nothing,nothingfor our future. Jane’s goodness will be wasted on someone less worthy, yet you keep pushing good prospects away with your dramatics,” Elizabeth said in anger.
“Elizabeth, may I see you in the study?” Bennet said from the doorway. “I know you are upset and have told me that your mother and youngest sister often ruin an evening’s pleasant atmosphere, but she has always loved you girls.”
“True, you should have checked us all, Father,” Elizabeth said, rubbing away the tears threatening her eyes on her way to his study.
“You will return and apologize to your mother when we finish speaking.”
“Of course.”
“Why did you not come to me with this?” Bennet asked, motioning for his favorite daughter to sit in her usual chair.
“I did and was ignored. Mother attempts to secure our futures, but in the wrong way. You take no interest in those matters. What does a daughter do when their father ignores his duty to provide what his family requires after he is gone?”
“Have I given the impression I care so little for my other daughters?”
“You let your youngest humiliate us at every turn, often making sport of her and my younger sisters. We both know Mary’s efforts in the stillroom will never be lauded. Still, you refuse to employ a master to help her develop the one talent she cares to excel in, one that society accepts. In favor of what? Purchasing books that you cannot read, written in languages you do not know. You refuse to check our mother, though she continues to humiliate Jane above all. And to have all this come about today when we have a guest—”
He held up a hand for her to stop speaking.
“This is how you see me?”
“It is impossible to have another opinion. With five daughters watching you, one of us would have noted were there was something else to see.”
“You said your sisters’ care…”
Elizabeth knew she had wounded him when she saw her father’s shoulders drop, but the embarrassment at the assembly and how their sisters had continued to speak of officers had left her bitter. At the same time, their mother spoke of Jane making a match in Miss Darcy’s presence was too much.
“I fear I must seek a position. One of us must take care of my sisters when you are gone. As you never had the inclination, I had best begin. The more I shall be able to save for when the time comes.”
Elizabeth did not look away from his gaze when her father pushed back in his chair to rub his stomach like his breakfast no longer agreed with him.
“I may dislike it, but I cannot fault your logic. Given my inability to care for your mother, I had assumed that this task would fall to your husbands. I can see that I've lost some of your respect with such an answer, but I had expected you and Jane tofind husbands who could bear the costs with little issue. Not for you to find a position…as what? A governess? A companion?”
“Whatever the case, it is not fair to our future husbands. I intend to aid Jane’s husband with this burden you have left on your daughters’ shoulders.”
“For today, let us attend to the list of things and coin Lydia has taken from you and Jane, with your mother’s permission.”
Mr. Bennet picked up his pen.
Chapter 6
Georgiana Enjoys Many Diversions During Her Day at Longbourn
“I must apologize, Miss Darcy. I had not expectedquiteso interesting a morning,” Miss Elizabeth said with forced cheer when she joined herself, Miss Mary, and Miss Bennet in the stillroom.
“I think you do not understand how lucky you are to have such a large family. I would give anything to be able to talk with my parents. I have enjoyed Miss Mary allowing me to help her ever so much. I have made my first tea blend, and Miss Mary says I can try it today,” Georgiana said, showing Miss Elizabeth the mix of dried flowers, herbs, and fruit pieces.
“We are just finished, so let us enjoy a walk in the gardens, Miss Darcy. You can see some of them through that pane. We are fortunate, our Mary makes certain none of our gardens are dull, not even in winter. This closest garden hasWood Sorrel, but another will have holly that is now showing brighter berries. If we are fortunate, the mistletoe may be growing greener,” Miss Bennet said, motioning toward a window.
“I will join you after I speak a moment with Mary,” Miss Elizabeth said, holding up her spencer and gloves.
Miss Kitty chose to walk with them when she and Miss Bennet made their way through the gardens. They talked of Town and what it was like to have a companion rather than sisters. The conversation turned to her studies, both with masters and her companion. Sounds of someone playing the pianoforte drifted from an open window. Georgiana stepped closer. Miss Bennet and Miss Kitty winced as Mary played a sonata.
“Has she had formal training?”
