Vol 2, Chapter 6 #2
“We will not be living at Longbourn any longer?” Esther asked in concern. “How will I see Maria?”
“There will be times when we reside at Longbourn, but it will no longer be our primary estate.” Bennet went on to explain what he and their mother had discussed in the study earlier.
“Charlotte will be my guest,” Elizabeth informed her younger sister, “I am sure if you ask Mama, she will be more than happy to invite Maria to visit us as well.”
To her youngest daughter’s relief, Priscilla agreed with Elizabeth’s words.
“Your father and I have much to arrange. Please be ready to depart no later than one,” Priscilla instructed her children as she dismissed them.
All stood and departed the breakfast parlour with the exception of Tom, who had been silent through the whole discussion.
“Father, Mother, will I remain at Oxford?” he asked carefully. “When I spoke to Uncle Sed, he told me how all of their family went to Cambridge, but I am loathe to leave all of my friends.”
“You will remain at Oxford, my son,” Bennet assured him. “Thanks to the third Duke’s cruelty, all Bennet men from the original Tom Bennet until you have attended Oxford, so I see no reason to change the tradition.”
“Other than the fact of our elevation, we are and will be the same people we were before, and we will never expect you or your sisters and brother to ever give up a friendship based on rank or fortune. It may be the way of some in the Ton, but it will never be our way!” Bennet stated forcefully.
A much-relieved Tom left his parents, aunts, and uncles in the breakfast parlour. Bennet turned to both couples. “What I just said to Tom very much applies to you as our family of long standing and new. Nothing will change between us; I wanted to assure you of that in case you were wondering.”
“We know your and Priscilla’s characters too well to have ever considered that as an option,” Gardiner grinned. “However, it is most gratifying to hear you affirm it.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Lizzy, what should I do with this letter I received from that wretched Miss Bingley? I have been debating whether to read it for entertainment or just consign it to the flames,” Jane asked breezily as she glanced to where she had dropped it for later consideration.
“It may be amusing to see what the superior sister has deigned to say to you, Lady Jane,” Elizabeth teased her as the two sat in their shared sitting room.
“In that case, I will read it aloud so we may both be diverted,” Jane replied as she broke the seal.
20 March 1811
Thistledown House
Scarborough
My friend, Miss Jane Bennet,
“Really, is the woman so very obtuse?” Jane shook her head.
I have realised that my behaviour may have been objectionable to those who witnessed it. I am sure you understand the compliment of one of my stature apologising to one so decidedly below me, so I trust that you will pardon any offences against you.
“Jane, the woman must be insane! She claims that she wants to apologise but insults you at the same time,” an incredulous Elizabeth stated.
“It is not worth dignifying the rest of her drivel by reading it,” Jane said with disgust as she tossed the missive into the fire. “If that harridan tries to approach me I will give her the cut direct!” Jane exclaimed.
“If you did not, I would think your brain addlepated!” Elizabeth teased.
“Can you believe I will marry Andrew a month from today? Oh,” Jane’s lips formed a perfect ‘O,’ as the facts of the day hit her.
“We will have to postpone the wedding for at least two months; we cannot marry so soon after Uncle Sed’s passing.
” Jane was distraught at the thought but felt there was little she could do as their uncle who had just so instrumentally changed their lives had passed.
“Before you change anything, Jane, let us ask Mama and Papa,” Elizabeth suggested, leading her sister out and finding their parents in the study with Uncles Gardiner and Phillips.
“Jane, what is it?” Priscilla asked, concerned that her daughter was carrying the weight of their Uncle Sed’s death unduly when she saw that Jane looked decidedly unhappy. She was the one who bore unhappiness the best of them.
“It is selfish of me to ask, Mama, but what about my wedding? Will we not have to postpone it?” Jane asked softly. “It is just that…” she swallowed around the lump in her throat, “if I had had my desire, we would have been married already!”
“There is no need to postpone your nuptials, Jane,” Bennet smiled, relieved she was already brightening with hope.
“How is that to be, Papa?” Elizabeth asked, knowing Jane would want to understand all but was unable to ask herself as she scarcely dared believe it possible.
“Uncle Sed was aware he might not be with us when you marry, Jane, so he directed, verbally and in writing, that if he was taken before the first of May, unless it were within a sennight of his passing, you were to marry Andrew as planned. He wanted to reaffirm life and the joy of continuing the lines of our families, not death,” Bennet explained to his daughters.
“I apologise for my being so remiss; I should have informed you and Andrew as soon as Uncle Sed made his wishes known.”
“You and Mama had so much to consider at that time, so of course you are forgiven, Papa,” Jane hugged her father, and a much happier daughter exited the study with Elizabeth.