Chapter 11
Mrs. Bennet is Guided to Greater Understanding
As the ball progressed, Mrs. Bennet stood rigid, declaring to all who passed her by that no one had ever been so betrayed.
Even after all her expounding of Jane’s beauty and her lauding of Lydia’s liveliness, her daughters had banded together against her.
And, in the end, her husband had not intervened, though he had promised to.
No one spoke to her when they moved to the dining area for supper.
She sat in the middle of a table with her husband, waiting for her friends to join her so she could expound on her grievances with them.
She was certain all would agree that her daughters had used her ill.
Yet, once all were seated, no one looked her way.
“Well, my dear, what do you suggest we do?” Mr. Bennet asked. “We have made ourselves ridiculous in the eyes of our neighbors, lost any respect our children held in our quest to see to our futures secured at the expense of theirs.”
“Which would be done if you would but intervene and order her to marry Mr. Collins,” Mrs. Bennet said in spitefulness.
“Mr. Collins is nowhere to be seen. And soon it will be known throughout the country that our Elizabeth has married one of England's greatest bachelors. I fear any further action against her will cause harm we cannot overcome, given Mr. Darcy’s position in the first circles,” Mr. Bennet said, emphasizing what he knew mattered most, though for separate reasons, to each of them.
Mrs. Bennet watched their daughters laughing together more than three tables away, the ire in her heart burning all the hotter for their expressions of joy and happiness.
Her husband leaned across the table to speak to her without their being overheard, “Jane mentioned your animosity. I had not given her warning any credence. You must cease all such feelings toward Elizabeth, Fanny. She was not born a son to God’s purpose, not for her choosing.”
“I will be satisfied in this,” Mrs. Bennet asserted, her voice shaking in her rage.
“If you do, you will lose everything just when you were about to see your wishes materialize. Two of your daughters will have husbands who can see to your care without any trouble. But neither will suffer any who are disingenuous or cutting of their wives. If you act as a mother should, you, too, may, on occasion, be gifted a jewel and have your wardrobe refreshed with regularity. Neither would have occurred with any regularity if your plans with Collins were carried out.”
“I believe I now comprehend your meaning, Mr. Bennet.”
“Do you? You, more we, have a very small opportunity to make amends. Mr. Darcy may prefer a special license, so we have just a few days. I cannot think he will allow Elizabeth to remain with us any longer,” Mr. Bennet said in a tone of defeat.
“I had not thought of that.”
“And the silliness of your thinking to run the house if Elizabeth were mistress? She would have done her Christian duty and little else if forced into such a marriage. You may well have been put in the back sitting room when visitors arrived until you learned to temper yourself.”
“She would have been so cruel.”
“Is it not the same as you treated her? She has never spoken ill of you until now, though you often insult our middle daughters. I know not by what right you claim to question God’s plan.
And, instead of granting us a future of only Longbourn, here before us we know a far grander one than what may have been had you given me a son. ”
“You call my Lydia silly.”
“Mary and Kitty only ever knew insults from us both. It is time to let go of your anger and fear, my dear. Let us attempt to repair that which we broke. This includes our reputation with our neighbors.”
“I should have chosen Jane. She is obliging and would have agreed I should remain as the mistress of Longbourn all my days.”
“I would not want to be faced again with Jane’s anger. I fear we have a smaller chance at reparation in that quarter than we do with Lizzy.”
“But she always does as I ask.”
“I no longer see her obedience due her parents the same as being obliging by choice. I believe there are to be uncomfortable days ahead, my dear. Just keep in mind that if you want your daughters to think well of you in the future, your opportunity to treat them the way a loving mother might has all but passed.”
Jane Takes Matters into Her Own Hands
“Lizzy and I are packed,” Jane said, walking from their room at Longbourn and stepping into the corridor. She motioned to the contingency of footmen ready to take their trunks down to the waiting carriage.
“The trunks for Kitty and Lydia are also filled,” Mary said, coming out from the room belonging to their youngest sisters.
“Are you certain you will not join us?” Jane asked. The two of them walked toward the entrance.
“I believe, of all of us, I was always destined to care for our parents in their dotage. I will learn what is necessary to fill the roles of both master and mistress of Longbourn. When Mr. Collins returns this evening or later in years, he will be easily led. In this, our father was correct.” Mary took Jane’s hands in her own.
“But you will not be his wife?”
“I will be able to manage him. When Mr. Collins returns, I promise to keep his interests at the fore. Should he not wed, I depend upon you, Jane, to provide the first Bennet child from the next generation who can inherit. We might hope he is soon dead so the estate can be rid of the entail to male heirs. I hope to do all I can here and that the first daughter of the firstborn might then be its master. You and Mr. Bingley must give us an heir if he does not. It is her interest I secure by staying.”
“I cannot thank you in a way that conveys how grateful I am, Mary. I will come to see you on occasion,” Jane promised.
“Do not. It will be some time before our parents rise above their anger and despondency. I will inform each of you when you are to come. I shall, however, be glad to hear from all of my sisters often. Our estate has no steward, so I will be the busiest. Therefore, you may write to me. Do inform Kitty and Lydia that they must do so twice a month. If I can visit, I do not doubt one of you will send a carriage.”
“You are too good,” Jane said, pressing a kiss to Mary's cheek.
“I am not. I am claiming my future, the one I have ever expected. All that was necessary was for my sisters to leave,” Mary said, her dry tone proving she was jesting.
“I will miss your wit, Mary, though I know our parents will need it,” Jane said, hugging her sister tight to her before she and one of the maids from Netherfield Park returned with her and Mr. Darcy’s valet, Mr. Carpe.
Jane departed Longbourn with a renewed sense of composure. She knew Charlotte would look after her middle sister. No words of appreciation could be given to their dear friend, but she would find a way to make her sentiments known.
Jane had wondered if she might cry when she walked down the steps of Longbourn for, perhaps, the final time, but it no longer felt like home.
She attempted to feel guilt over her lack of sadness, but the one regret she claimed was not having Mary come with them.
And so it was that Jane left Longbourn without a backward glance.