Chapter 39 #2
“I doubt Mama is ill at all. I suspect it is only one of her schemes,” Elizabeth said irritably. “However, I shall provide her with the best care until you leave. Just please do not assume I am so silly as to believe her machinations.”
“But she fell, Lizzy!” her father insisted. “She must be hurt, and perhaps she caught a little cold.”
“Papa, please stop. I am quite sure you are not so silly as to believe her either!”
He lowered his eyes and mumbled something, while Mrs Gardiner sighed.
Elizabeth bit back her own sigh and answered, “My husband is out of town for a few days, so it will be no trouble if she stays here. You may stay too, Papa, if you want.”
Apparently surprised, he looked at Mrs Gardiner, then back at Elizabeth.
“I would like that very much, if you do not mind. It would be a wonderful opportunity for me to take advantage of Mr Darcy’s previous offer and have my fill of comfort, good books, and maybe good brandy.”
“Very well, then, it is settled. Here is my suggestion. You move all your belongings here, and you leave for Longbourn directly in four days. As my husband generously offered, you may take our carriage — the largest one. It is comfortable, spacious, and will take you safely home. The coachman will return with the carriage the following day. Is that acceptable?”
“I think that is an excellent and more than generous plan, Elizabeth,” Mrs Gardiner quickly agreed. “I shall send your trunks later today, and the day before your departure, Mr Gardiner and I shall come to visit you and take our farewells.”
“Excellent plan, indeed,” Elizabeth repeated, while her father only nodded warily.
The first day with her entire family in her home and her husband absent was a struggle for Elizabeth. Despite the large and effective household, she felt overwhelmed, ill-used, vexed, and needed all her self-control to act reasonably. Four days could not go fast enough.
At night, when everyone had retired to their rooms, she found some relief but not enough. Exhausted, she lay in bed, but sleep would not come; her mind and body recollected and missed the previous night when she had slept in her husband’s arms, wrapped in his warmth, his scent, his tenderness.
She had slept alone her entire life and had only shared a bed with him once. So how was it possible that she longed so deeply for that brief time when their bodies and hearts had been so close together? Would she be able to sleep at all while he was away?
But even when he returned, even if — when — they became husband and wife in every sense, would they sleep together every night? Did any couple in high society do such a thing? Would he want that? Would she? Yes, she knew the answer to that question.
It was long after midnight when her exhaustion overcame her restlessness, and Elizabeth finally fell asleep, her last conscious thoughts being about where her husband was and whether he was safe.
***
Two days later, Elizabeth’s patience was wearing thin.
Mrs Bennet had quickly asserted her position in the house, and her demands increased, from special cheeses and fruits to a hot bath.
Her ankle seemed to only hurt at convenient times, and her breathing was perfectly sound until the doctor came to examine her.
The rest of the time, she could be found wandering the halls, entering rooms to appraise the furnishings, making suggestions and demands.
Her scheme did not fool anyone, and even the servants began to share whispered rumours.
Despite being tired from sleepless nights and daily distress, Elizabeth forced herself to remain calm; after all, there were only two more days before the Bennets would return to Longbourn and the ordeal would be over.
She was grateful to Jane and Mr Bingley, who relieved the tension in the house for several hours a day by taking her younger sisters walking or for ices and teas in the neighbourhood.
As promised, a day prior to the Bennets’ departure, the Gardiners called.
Mrs Bennet suddenly declared an insupportable pain in her ankle and kept to her bed, asking everyone to come to her room.
She also asked for sherry, biscuits, and fruit, which were positioned on a small table within her reach.
“I am glad to see you looking so well, madam,” Mr Gardiner said.
“Then my appearance is deceptive as I do not feel well at all. I cannot blame anyone — the doctor has given me excellent care, but my body is not as resilient as I believe it used to be.”
“The doctor said there is nothing to be concerned about in your present state,” Mrs Gardiner said. “Besides, once you return to Longbourn, you will rest even better in your own bed.”
“My own bed is not half as comfortable as this one. And who will take care of me at Longbourn? The servants do not even like me. Cook always says she does not know how to make my favourite dishes!”
“The girls will take care of you, I am sure,” Mrs Gardiner said.
“What girls? These young misses could not care less about me, and Jane will stay in London, enjoying all this, while I am thrown out with no mercy.”
“What are you talking about, Fanny?” Mr Bennet interjected. “Who is throwing you out? We return home tomorrow, as we planned.”
“I am sure I would recover much better if I stayed here for Christmas! There are so many servants in this house that I have my own personal maid! This is something I have always dreamt of. Lizzy is actually living everything I have dreamt of! If only she were a good enough sister and daughter to share more of her good fortune with us! I am sure if Lydia and Kitty attended Lady Matlock’s ball they would soon find good husbands.
Then we would not dread the day that Mr Bennet dies and Mr Collins inherits Longbourn. ”
Elizabeth turned her back on her family, staring out of the window and praying for patience.
“Mama, we have already discussed this,” Jane replied. “Lady Matlock will not allow any additional guests at the party. I am grateful to be part of it myself.”
“Will she not? Then how come that Crawford suddenly received an invitation after we begged for one?” Not happy to be disregarded by Elizabeth, she cried out, “You care more about someone who proclaims to be related to your late mother than about us, your real family! By the way, does your husband know that you entertain that man in his absence?”
“Mama!” “Fanny!” “Mrs Bennet!” Jane, Mr Bennet, and Mrs Gardiner all cried out at the same time. Still standing with her back to the bed, Elizabeth took a deep breath, then turned and took a step closer to Mrs Bennet.
“You should be grateful that I do not throw you out of the house this very moment,” she said calmly.
“However, if you dare to say another word, I shall!” she continued, her voice rising.
“How dare you, you ungrateful, shameless woman! Throughout my entire life, you have continually hurt and offended me and my foolish father. You have lied and deceived everyone without a single care. You have demanded more than you deserve or are worthy of. Your every thought is about how to grasp more! You care nothing about anyone — not my father, not your daughters — unless it serves you in advancing your own schemes. Everything is about you, your greed, and your absurd vanity. And for the last ten years, after emptying Longbourn’s coffers, you have indulged your ridiculous pleasures with the money my late mother left me!
Are you not ashamed of the stupid, ridiculous scheme you used to force your way into my house?
Do you think you fooled me, the doctor, or anyone else for a single moment? ”
She knew she was now speaking so loudly that the servants could hear, and the shock on her stepmother’s countenance was evident — her eyes and mouth wide open in disbelief — but she was beyond caring.
“Lizzy…” Mrs Gardiner whispered, gently touching her arm.
“There is no Lizzy any longer. I am Elizabeth Darcy, and this is my home! You will pack your belongings and leave this house first thing in the morning. Where you go, I do not care. I shall still lend you the carriage because my generous husband promised it. It will transport you wherever you require and then return. And from now on, if any of you wishes for something particular from me, you will beg me, with proper gratitude and humbleness! Not asking, not demanding, but begging and showing thankfulness afterwards!”
She took a deep breath, while everyone else seemed frozen in astonishment.
“One more thing, Mrs Bennet. Even if Lady Matlock agreed, I would not want you or Lydia and Kitty at that party. Your manners, your behaviour, your way of speaking, prove only your vulgarity and mean understanding and would embarrass me in the eyes of my husband’s family and in front of London society.
Lydia and Kitty may still be able to improve, under proper guidance, which they certainly lack from you.
You, however, will never change and will suffer the appropriate consequences, at least from me. ”
She walked towards the door, then turned one final time.
“Tonight, I suggest you all eat in your rooms. We have had enough of each other’s company. As for tomorrow morning, I shall ask for baskets with refreshments to be prepared for you, as you will depart before breakfast. Have a pleasant journey.”
With that, she stepped out, closing the door behind her slowly. There was no need to slam it.