Chapter Seventeen
Later that evening, Jane made up a fourth at whist at a card party at the home of Mr and Mrs Phillips when the Bingleys and Hursts entered.
They were late, and there had been some small drama, for Mrs Hurst did not prefer to attend all of the entertainments hosted by the village, but her husband, being fond of food, drink, and cards, insisted on attending every event where the arrangements were expected to be particularly fine.
This meant every dinner thrown by Mrs Bennet, and all of Mrs Phillips’s card parties, for both ladies were skilled hostesses, and Mrs Phillips made up for the lack of space in her home for dancing by arranging lively, enjoyable card parties at least once each month.
Tonight the drawing room was indeed full.
Even Mr Bennet was present, and Jane knew that he never attended card parties.
Mr Bennet did not play. But he did make a great deal of conversation and wandered about the room, poking fun at his daughters, and speaking with their young men, as the players enjoyed their games.
Mrs Hurst, who mostly humoured her husband, had been positively adamant that she did not wish to attend the party, and her husband demanded that she would.
The two had fought constantly since Miss Bingley’s departure.
Mrs Hurst wanted to be in town with her sister, but her husband would not give up her brother’s hospitality while it was offered.
Eventually, Jane and the young ladies had travelled to the card party in Mr Darcy’s carriage while Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam rode their horses, and Mr and Mrs Bingley reasoned with his sister.
“Jane, dear, we feared you would never make it.” Mrs Phillips bussed Mrs Bingley’s cheek as the Netherfield party entered her drawing room.
“Not a chance, Aunt Phillips, my brother-in-law would never miss one of your card parties. You know that Mr Hurst is very fond of yours and Mrs Bennet’s engagements,” Bingley exclaimed as he assisted his wife with her pelisse.
Mrs Phillips wrinkled her nose as she regarded the Hursts and Mr Hursts' younger brother.
“Yes…well…welcome, Mr and Mrs Hurst. There is a table over there for you and your brother, I am certain that someone will make you up a fourth.” She made to turn away without greeting the young parson, when he addressed her.
“You are very good to invite us, Mrs Phillips. Such a charming little gathering.” Mr Rupert Hurst bowed.
“Little being the pertinent detail,” Mrs Hurst sighed as if much put upon as she swept over to the table that her hostess had indicated was theirs.
“We find such amusements keep us from becoming too proud of ourselves,” Mrs Phillips said with as much false civility as she could muster.
When the Hursts had seated themselves on the other side of the room, she said in an aside to Colonel Fitzwilliam, “That one will be obliged to sit with his family much of the night, I am sure. He should expect few other partners for cards, I hope he prefers Patience1.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam snickered as the Hursts implored first one, then two, then three other guests to make up their fourth but were firmly rebuffed. Eventually Bingley took the place to make the fact that no one else wished to play cards with the Hursts less noticeable.
Mrs Bingley made up a table with her sister Elizabeth, Mr Darcy, and Charlotte Collins, while the other tables continued their play.
Jane played with Kitty, Mary, and Miss Edwina Long, at least, until they had played several sets, then people began to rise and seek out new tables and new partners.
Then she found herself playing with Mr Rupert Hurst, Mr Collins, and Lady Lucas.
Mr Hurst and Mr Collins were speaking of their positions and parishes.
After five minutes of Mr Collins droning on about his patroness’s exacting standards of conduct in Kent, Mr Hurst attempted some levity. “I dare say Lady Catherine would not approve of these rural pastimes. Thankfully, my patron quite enjoys a country card table when the company is delightful.”
“Delightful! It was not three days past when you said that you would never waste yourself on the young women of Meryton. I can only breathe a sigh of relief that it is only our daughters whose company you consider merely tolerable.” Lady Lucas glared at the young man.
Jane laid down a spade, replying archly to Lady Lucas. “Is it not a relief to know that he can lower himself after all? At least a bit?”
Lady Lucas tittered at Jane’s humour as Mr Collins chuckled.
“How merrily the ladies jest! But Mr Hurst, it is no small matter to insult another clergyman’s future village.
My wife expects me to challenge you to some sort of parsons’ duel to give the village satisfaction.
Whatever did you mean by such a speech?”
Mr Rupert Hurst, in shock at being called to task for his rudeness–and by a person like Mr Collins no less–played his next card in silence, as a muscle twitched in his jaw.
An hour later, Jane was by the sideboard with Mrs Bennet and her sister as Colonel Fitzwilliam approached them.
“Reverend Hurst dismissed our Mary, and now even Lydia will not give him the time of day!” Mrs Bennet giggled.
“Did you see him attempt to partner Miss Goulding at the middle table? The poor girl denied herself the enjoyment of the game to avoid him, claiming a headache. It is kind of my Mary and Miss Darcy to keep her company on the settee.”
Mrs Phillips sipped her punch. “I daresay if she did have a headache, that he gave it to her. He will soon return to his home; there will be few new opportunities here to insult our girls.”
“I almost pity him,” Mrs Bennet laughed. “Almost.”
“Harden your heart, Mrs Bennet,” Colonel Fitzwilliam commanded.
“As the second son of an earl, I can say with authority that nothing about shewing kindness and civility to the young ladies of Meryton should pose a hardship to any man, let alone a member of the clergy. That sort of cruelty has no right to a welcome amongst decent people.”
“You should be grateful your cousin was not here when you insulted me at the Meryton Assembly, I believe he would have called you out,” Elizabeth teased Darcy as they joined them.
“I would have thrashed him on the dance floor at the very least, and promptly asked for your very next set, Lizzy,” Colonel Fitzwilliam assured her affectionately. “And perhaps you would now be betrothed to me.”
Elizabeth laughed out loud and replied, “Take care! We are only just rid of Mr Crawford.”
“Those are fighting words!” Mr Bennet cried. “Are you just going to take that lying down, Darcy? You cannot allow him to steal my Lizzy; I am certain that he does not have any library at all for me to visit.”
“Perish the thought that I should ever allow my cousin to let down his guard.” Fitzwilliam bowed. “I consider it my duty to the family to keep his instincts sharp.”
“I believe I shall join your cause soon.” Elizabeth looked up at Darcy. “Now you are in trouble.”
“I find myself strangely overjoyed about it.” Darcy smiled dazzlingly at her.
“Miss Jane! Miss Jane, you simply must join me for piquet!” Miss Lydia bounded up to them excitedly. “I wish to ask for your help in a matter of importance, and I need to speak with you!”
“Of course, Miss Lydia.” It was past time that Jane got to know the youngest Bennet better anyway. She was quite curious about her.
Jane followed the girl to a table, and Lydia began to shuffle and deal the cards. “How may I be of assistance to you, Miss Lydia?” Jane inquired. The younger girl reddened. “Do not worry. You have my confidence. Unless, of course, it is a matter of your safety.”
“Well…” Lydia Bennet doubted herself for a moment, and then plunged on. “You see how strict my parents are with me. I am never allowed anywhere.”
“I beg your pardon, Miss Lydia, I do not wish to mortify you, but I am told that is because you were put out early and that it was not good for you.” Jane attempted to be gentle with the girl.
“Oh! I suppose it was not, but it can hardly be my fault if my father allowed me to go uneducated! Lizzy says that even if I were ignorant and silly, it was Papa’s duty to ensure I did not continue that way!
But now that I am back in, he still does not do anything.
He never calls me into the library! He only keeps me locked in the house.
I do know that locking me up and ignoring me will not make me any less stupid!
” Lydia looked near tears. “The only reason that I am allowed into the library now, is because Kitty objected after you told us what your father said about a family’s library, and Papa does not like to be quarreled with.
But he still does not help us in the library.
If we want something, we must find it for ourselves. ”
“Have you done any reading since you have been allowed in your father’s book room?” Jane asked curiously.
“Kitty is so mean, she says that I will only spoil everyone’s fun, so she would not let me join her and the other girls. But I took the book by Frances Burney when they finished it, and I am reading on my own.” Lydia pouted. “May I come and discuss it with you, if my mother allows me?”
“Of course you may. I am surprised at Miss Kitty.” Jane was dumbfounded. “Perhaps your sister truly believes that you have not changed, and that you only wish to poke fun. Have you tried to talk to her, sister to sister?”
“Kitty does not wish to spend a great deal of time with me since I nearly ran aw-” Lydia gasped, putting a hand over your mouth.
“It is all right. I am already aware that you came close to getting into trouble when you were at the seaside.” Jane reached out and touched the younger girl’s arm.
“You may depend upon my secrecy. What do you wish me to do? Convince your father to educate you as he ought? Can you not convince him? Have you presented yourself in his bookroom and demanded that he teach you something?”
“I wish to go to the grotto, but they will not let me!” Lydia cried.
“How am I meant to be learning, when I am left out of the educational activities? I ought to be reading with the young ladies! I ought to visit the grotto and learn something with the others, should I not? Kitty is mean, she implored Papa to leave me at home so I would not ruin her day!”
“It is my understanding that it is a great privilege to be invited by your father on this outing, and that he takes you all in your turn when you reach a certain age. I can understand why Miss Kitty wishes for the distinction of her own turn,” Jane pointed out.
“Papa only says that now in order to put off taking us,” Lydia huffed.
“He took Jane and Lizzy together, for he could not wait to take Lizzy to meet Mr and Mrs Hooper, because she is so clever. Then, he took Lizzy every year, and made Mary wait until she was nearly twenty to go, and probably only because Lizzy was in Hunsford when he went last time, for he does not always go in winter. Kitty is nearly nineteen now! Lizzy went when she was thirteen!”
Jane raised her eyebrows. It was not her place to question Mr Bennet’s parenting Or is it?
Perhaps it is, if things did not turn out as I planned.
But it was obvious that there was clear favoritism amongst Mr Bennet and his children, and that Lydia was right, she could not be expected to learn if she was neglected.
“Mr Bennet!” Jane caught the man’s attention, and gestured for him to join them as he approached them and fell into a chair at their table.
“Miss Lydia tells me something that concerns me. She has been brought back in, and with good reason, I understand. But now she is restless, and finds her time at home unfulfilling. She points out to me that she cannot learn if she is left out of the educational outing tomorrow, nor if she is not given guidance in the family library, and I must say, I am inclined to agree. I humbly beg your pardon, for I know that this is inappropriate of me to interfere, but would you consider allowing Miss Lydia to attend the outing on Monday as my guest? I assure you, she will remain in my company for the entire day, and I shall endeavour to ensure that the activity is beneficial to her.”
Mr Bennet looked back and forth between them. “It is Kitty’s turn, and Kitty does not wish for her to go. Lizzy went with Jane at Jane’s invitation.”
“And could you not encourage your fourth daughter to be kinder to her sister? To give her a chance to improve herself, as I understand Miss Kitty has already done? If Miss Kitty can amend her behaviour, I believe Miss Lydia ought to be given the same opportunity.”
“On your own head, be it,” grumbled Mr Bennet. “Kitty, come here.” When the young lady left her table, which was nearby, he gave her the news. “Miss Jane insists that your younger sister be permitted to join us tomorrow.”
“That is no-” Jane began before she was interrupted by Miss Kitty.
“But she will ruin everything!” Kitty eyes welled up with tears.
“She only wishes to go because she is waiting to make fun of me and Miss Darcy for sketching or reading! You promised it was my turn!” Kitty turned away and fled to another room, followed by Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, who both looked concerned.
“Well, you have got your wish, Miss Jane. I do hope that you will be equal to controlling my youngest daughter.” Mr Bennet rose and left them unceremoniously.
“That is not at all how I intended him to reply!” Jane was indignant. The stubborn nature of some of her characters was nearly maddening to endure in company.
“Now Kitty is angry at me again!” Lydia said miserably. “What shall I do?”
“There is nothing you can do except be on your best behaviour tomorrow,” Jane advised. “Especially because now your behaviour is my responsibility. When Miss Kitty sees your improvements are sincere, she will be more rational.”
“Perhaps I could give her back all the bonnets I have taken.” Lydia wrinkled her nose. “But not the yellow one. I simply adore the yellow one.”
“I think that all of the things you have taken, bonnets, ribbons, everything, should be returned to your sister in a gesture of goodwill.” Jane smiled at the younger girl. “Including the yellow one.”
1 Patience was the common name for the card game Solitaire in the British Regency.