Chapter Ten
Breakfast at Longbourn was rarely a quiet event, not even the morning after an assembly, or an event that ended late.
This morning, Mrs Bennet was possessed by what felt like a special energy.
Elizabeth could only assume that this was because the wedding was drawing so close.
Usually the morning after such an event, Longbourn might break their fast closer to town hours, but today, Mrs Bennet and Jane had much to do for the wedding, and so the entire family was roused and–except for Mr Bennet–prepared to help.
Due to Jane and Mrs Bennet’s machinations, their party was the last to leave Netherfield the night before, and at only nine o’clock, the family was already around the table. Elizabeth had barely seated herself when her mother’s remonstrations began.
“I hope that you are pleased with yourself, Lizzy, for I cannot imagine what Lady Lucas will be saying when she visits her friends this morning.”
The Bennet and the Lucas ladies would forgo their usual visit today after the ball, in consideration of all that must be prepared for the wedding.
“Mama, I cannot see what Lady Lucas might have to say about me.” Elizabeth shook her head as she accepted a cup of tea from Mary.
“Indeed! As if Lady Lucas would overlook your rushing upstairs the moment you arrived, only to return in a borrowed gown in order to attract notice at your sister’s engagement ball! Could you not allow Jane to be dressed better than you just for once?”
“I beg your pardon, but Jane is always better dressed than any of us, but I have never once complained, for she looks better in everything than anyone. Being the eldest and tallest, she receives more new clothes than anyone but Lydia, which is only proper.” Elizabeth drew in a long breath and then sighed in resignation that her morning was to be so difficult.
“The entire way to Netherfield you complained about the embarrassment of my muslin, even making me sit up top with the driver as punishment instead of Papa. I could hear you from outside the carriage the entire three miles. Obviously I took the first opportunity to resolve your embarrassment, though I would never have asked such a favour. It was very kind of Lady Priscilla to make such an offer. I will have you know, I could have worn the first gown she wanted to gift to me to marry a crown prince! I selected the plainest she had that was suitable, in an effort not to embarrass Mr Bingley and Jane with my white muslin.”
“Of course, Lady Priscilla likes to appear exceedingly generous,” Jane’s eyes expressed warm concern while her voice held none. “But she had to know how improper it was. Lizzy, you must see how it appeared.”
“Appeared to whom?” Elizabeth set down her knife after spreading jam on her muffin.
“To everyone!” Mrs Bennet exclaimed in utter exasperation. “You came downstairs overdone, then proceeded to swan about with Mr Darcy all night as if you were the mistress of Netherfield Park!”
“This is absurd,” Mr Bennet muttered. “Either the muslin was embarrassing, in which case the loan of the dress was providential, or the muslin was entirely suitable and ought to have been worn all night, but you cannot have it both ways, Mrs Bennet.”
“Whether or not it is absurd does not matter, Papa.” Jane’s voice was quiet. “What matters is that people notice such things and talk. Especially when Lizzy is always so animated that everyone is already inclined to observe her.”
Elizabeth’s face reddened. “I do not seek attention!”
“So you say,” Jane’s voice was tinged with sadness and a hint of disbelief.
“I know you claim not to seek to take the eyes of the room, but the fact remains that you always find a way to draw them nonetheless. I only wish you could have let me have my night with Charles. And perhaps my wedding day, Lizzy? Might I have that for myself as well? I have never objected to your brash attention seeking ways, for you are at least more refined than Lydia. But I never expected this meanness from you.”
“I beg your pardon, do not begin with me as well!” Lydia objected. “Kitty and I were angels all night!”
“Hardly, I saw you running from a lieutenant from whom you apparently liberated a sword, and the pair of you were disguised long before midnight, it was ridiculous. And Jane, I cannot just disappear because you have suddenly found me inconvenient. In case you did not notice, Mama insisted I attend last night, despite my not having a suitable gown.” Elizabeth pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.
“And we might as well address another unsuitable display while we are at it! Whatever is wrong with you, Mary Bennet?” their mother interrupted.
“Mama!” Mary straightened and answered in surprise.
“That performance was disgusting! Singing before half the county as if Netherfield was a concert hall, quite uninvited, I might add!” Mrs Bennet sniffed. “For all your sermonising, your vanity was as bad as Lizzy parading about in borrowed finery and putting on airs to which she has no right!”
“Miss Darcy asked Mrs Hurst’s permission after Miss Bingley left for London!” Mary cried. “Mrs Hurst is Mr Bingley’s hostess until the wedding!”
“You did not ask my permission, and it was my engagement ball,” Jane shook her head in disbelief, as if she could not believe the ignorance and cruelty of her sisters.
“We shall all keep in mind that we must obtain your permission in advance to give you a present, Jane,” Kitty sneered. “Though I highly doubt anyone smarter than Mr Bingley will ever make the attempt again. Even me and Lydia thought Mary sounded lovely, you were just jealous!”
“It was Miss Darcy’s idea, I did not know it was unsuitable!” Mary wailed, beginning to cry. “Even Lady Priscilla and Mrs Annesley encouraged us, I would never be vain!”
“Lady Priscilla and Miss Darcy are not my concern!” Mrs Bennet’s voice rose above her daughters as her husband sank lower in his chair behind his newspaper. “My concern is how unbecoming it is for any daughter of this house to seek admiration so openly!”
“Except Jane, of course. And Lydia, when it suits Mama,” Kitty replied sullenly, pushing her ham and eggs about her plate.
“Mama only means that being too forward in displaying oneself invites judgement. And we all know that judgement can all too often be cruel.” Jane’s face was as placid as always.
“I am not being cruel. Everyone knows that Mary likes to hear herself sing, and that Lizzy likes everyone to look at her. It was sweet of Miss Darcy to think of such a gesture. But sometimes gestures are mistaken for vanity.”
“Jane, Mama taught us all to be forward and to chase men and demand attention. And now we are to be punished for being noticed, when our behaviour has been far less scandalous than she ever instructed,” Elizabeth observed ironically.
“Mary and I have not even attempted to obey her, but we are somehow improper anyway.”
Mary’s tears turned to real sobs, then she jumped from the table and ran from the room.
“Mama, may I please be excused?” Elizabeth could tolerate no more of this absurdity. “I have a headache.”
Jane’s head snapped up sharply. “A headache?”
“Yes, Jane. A headache.” Elizabeth was out of patience. “I am known to have them when I am plagued with anxiety, and I can say this meal has brought me more than my share. Mama, may I please go? I am sorry about the dress. I cannot do anything besides apologise.”
Jane was not to be deterred. “Did not Lady Priscilla complain of a headache last night?”
“She did, yes, but I believe she only sought an excuse to retire early with her young cousin.” Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “She seemed entirely well. I do not see the significance.”
Jane’s eyes began to well up. “Oh heavens! Lizzy, you were in her room, wearing her clothes! Mama, what if it could be catching?”
“A headache?” Elizabeth laughed over Mrs Bennet’s gasp. “It was a brand new ball gown, Priscilla had never worn it before. I hardly borrowed the nightgown she slept in the night before, Jane.”
“I fall ill so easily! What if Lizzy were exposed to something without realising, and then I were to fall ill the very day before my wedding!”
“Jane, you are being ridiculous!” Elizabeth regarded her sister with astonishment.
“How would you know, Elizabeth Bennet, you do not know the first thing about illness!” Mrs Bennet cried. “To spend the whole of the evening in such close company with that earl’s daughter, visiting her room, wearing her clothes! How could you be so reckless, you dreadful girl?”
“I am not ill.” Elizabeth insisted.
“You just said you have a headache!” Mrs Bennet’s hysteria and her voice were rising. “You will not remain in this house another night! Go upstairs and pack your things, you are going to my brother in Gracechurch Street!”
“Mama!” Elizabeth was shocked. To banish her all the way to London for a headache was extreme.
“Mr Bennet, I insist that you make the carriage or the cart available to take Lizzy to my brother,” Mrs Bennet insisted.
“Your brother and his wife are arriving here tomorrow afternoon, Fanny,” Mr Bennet reminded his wife. “They will only bring her back with them again.”
“They are not bringing the children for the wedding because they are returning again so soon for the festive season.” Mrs Bennet would brook no argument. “Lizzy can stay at their home with the children.”
“It seems that Mama does not mind if her own young nieces and nephews become ill.” Lydia nudged Kitty sarcastically. “If only we could all be as beloved as Jane.”
“Little children do not die of trifling colds!” Jane began to weep. “You are all acting as if I am some sort of terrible person. I am only anxious about being ill at my own wedding! I do not wish to send Lizzy away, how can you be so cruel! It is only until we are sure!”