Chapter 31
Jane, Elizbeth, Kitty, and Georgiana gathered in Mary’s room after she had bathed, to primp and fluff and generally make much over her.
Elizabeth’s maid, Tilly, attacked her dark hair with vigor, braiding and twisting it up into a lovely chignon with pearl tipped pins, which were a present from Jane.
Elizabeth loaned her a lovely set of antique pearls from the Darcy vaults for her neck, and Kitty gifted her a carefully embroidered blue handkerchief.
Georgiana presented her with a gold sovereign for her shoe.
Mrs. Bennet appeared just before time to leave and gasped in horror. “No! No, no, no! Where is the lace? Where is the silk? You cannot wear muslin as a bride!”
“Mama, Mary wished for a dress that she could wear again, not some monstrosity that would take up room in her closet.” Elizabeth informed her.
“But--”
“Mama, will you come speak with me for a moment?” Jane asked, stepping forward and taking her arm.
She dragged her from the room and across the hall to the sitting room beside her own room. Mrs. Bennet was still vibrating with anxiety and muttering under her breath as Jane shut the door.
“Mama, you need to remain calm and just listen to what I have to tell you.”
“Jane!” she gasped, clutching her chest in offense.
“I do not wish to embarrass you, Mama, which is why we are alone.” Jane reached for her hands and pulled her to sit on the sofa.
“Mama, your manners are atrocious. When you scream and wail and cause a scene, everyone is looking at you in disgust. They do not feel for your nerves. They do not look with understanding or commiseration. They are laughing at you. Do you wish to be the butt of every joke?”
Mrs. Bennet’s mouth flapped as she struggled to comprehend that her most complying daughter was taking her to task. “But I…” She began to think of Jane’s words and her eyes welled.
“Mama, you are capable of showing much more elegance and poise than you do. Papa spends his days holding you up to ridicule but if you would respond with graceful hurt rather than a loud harangue, you would be given that sympathy which you are looking for.”
“Dis--disgust?” she stuttered. “Laughing at me?”
“Yes.” She did not bend, her look demanding that her mother hear her, finally.
“Everyone?” she squeaked.
“Yes.”
“But surely someone would have said… something?”
“No one would be so rude. It was our father’s position to do so, or perhaps a family member, but Aunt Hattie acts the same and is equally reviled. Have you never noticed how respected my Uncle Gardiner and Aunt Madeline are?”
“I suppose.”
“And do they carry on and demand attention and flutter about?”
Her lip popped out in a pout. “Nooooo.”
“Then I hope that you might emulate their fine manners. Do no embarrass Lizzy and Mary before their new neighbors.” She gave her mother a quick embrace before returning to Mary’s chamber, leaving her to absorb what she had heard.
The sisters were enjoying a cup of tea and muffins, having finished Mary’s hair while Jane was occupied. Kitty asked if anyone had woken Lydia, and Elizabeth and Jane both shook their heads.
“She is a married woman,” Elizabeth declared with a frown. “She knew when the wedding was to begin, and the maids went to open her curtains just as they did for the rest of us.”
“You know she never wakes before ten unless forced,” Kitty reminded them, worrying her lip between her teeth.
“Well, we leave in a quarter of an hour, so if she is not prepared at this point, she will not be joining us. It is five miles to Lambton church, and we cannot keep David waiting or he might think that he is being left at the altar.” Mary had the last word as far as they were concerned and all stood to gather their outerwear and meet at the foyer.
“Was this your plan?” Jane whispered to Elizabeth as they descended the staircase together.
“Partially,” Elizabeth admitted.
“You know that will make her even worse during the wedding breakfast,” Jane cautioned.
“Oh, I know she will attempt it, but I am well prepared.” Elizabeth smirked. “Mrs. Timmons, one of our tenants, is a mother of ten and she has no tolerance for dramatics in any of her children. She has agreed to be Lydia’s bailiff for the day.”
“Ooo, you are wicked,” Jane laughed as Mary and their father joined them.
Mr. Bennet gave them each a look of expectation, but the ladies ignored his pique. “If none of you are willing to acknowledge your offences against me and apologize then I do not believe that I will give my consent to this marriage!” he grumbled.
“Do you know when my birthday is, Papa?” Mary challenged quietly.
“In April!” he declared with conviction.
“That is correct, but I reached my majority last April, not the April coming.” She paused and waited but he had no reply. “I would like for you to walk with me, but if you refuse to do so I suppose that William will willingly step in.”
“Are you threatening me?” he demanded, puffing up in outrage.
“Not at all, Papa,” Jane soothed. “Just giving you the option to step back if you are unwilling to stand by her. We would not wish for you to feel guilty for following your preference.”
“I do not appreciate your sarcasm, Jane!”
“I do not appreciate you demanding an apology under duress and refusing to do your duty once again,” she snapped.
“I am sorry, Papa, that you took offence. Some truths are difficult to swallow. Perhaps the library would be a more welcoming place for you.” Mary pointed down the hall toward the double doors.
His visage turned such a color of crimson that Jane began to worry that he would have an apoplexy, but in the end he threw his hat and gloves at a footman and marched away.
“I am sorry, Mary.” Elizabeth watched him leave with her heart in her eyes.
Mary shrugged delicately. “We were never close.”
The rest of the family, minus Lydia appeared and loaded into two carriages to travel to Lambton where Mr. Kirby and his curate awaited them in a church full of his congregants.
The Bennet ladies and Georgiana took their seats at the front of the chapel while Jane stood as bride’s matron for her sister.
Mary looked beautiful as she practically floated toward her fiancé on Darcy’s arm.
It seemed like only a moment, and they were signing the register.
Jane could not help her grin as she closed the door to allow the newlyweds a few moments of privacy.
They were such a well-paired couple, she was certain that they would have a happy marriage.
Looking about, she saw her mother surrounded by happy matrons complimenting her on the very great blessing which their family had received and exclaiming over the excellence of Mr. Kirby.
Mrs. Bennet looked shocked to see how well her calm and measured words were received by these ladies that she had never before met.
Jane sent her an encouraging smile as she joined Elizabeth and was introduced to her neighbors as they waited.
When the blushing couple appeared, a cheer went up amongst the gathered company and Darcy handed Kirby a purse of coins to throw from the carriage.
The children squealed and frisked as they dashed about gathering coins and the carriage took off to the call of another cheery farewell.
When things had quieted, Darcy informed the gathering that carriages and wagons had been provided for any who wished to join them at Pemberley for the wedding breakfast. Most everyone accepted and Elizabeth was glad that Mrs. Reynolds had insisted that they set up the ballroom for the meal.
She had thought that they would be a small group of just family at first, but it was obvious that Kirby was well loved by his congregants, and they all wished to celebrate with him.
Elizabeth hurried her sisters and mother into the carriages so that they could arrive in time to welcome all of the visitors.
Jane sat across from her mother on the rear facing seat and leaned forward to grab her hands. “I was very proud of you, Mama. Lizzy’s neighbors were most impressed.”
She blushed becomingly, highlighting her aging beauty. “They were very complimentary of Mary’s looks and kindness.”
“She is an estimable woman,” Jane agreed. “I am sure you will enjoy hosting the breakfast with Elizabeth. You have always been an excellent hostess.”
Mrs. Bennet gasped in excitement. Elizabeth had not made the invitation previously and she had been put out, but Jane and Elizabeth had decided that if she acted well, she ought to be rewarded.