Chapter 2
Over the next days, Elizabeth was treated to a thorough discussion of all she would need to do to restore the Brighton property.
As promised, her father had written to Aunt Bennet’s solicitor for additional details; the reply had not been encouraging.
After listening to her father enumerate the various tasks and concerns she would be required to oversee, she quickly yielded to the influence of parental persuasion, deciding that it was likely best to sell the place.
With that in mind, she and her father travelled to London to meet in person with the solicitor and a land agent to begin the arrangements for the sale.
As ever, her aunt and uncle Gardiner were more than glad to play host to them while they conducted their affairs.
“I must say that I do not see the wisdom in this scheme,” Mr Gardiner said as they sat around his dinner table. “Once the repairs are made, the house will be worth twice, perhaps thrice what Lizzy could get for it now. She would make back the expenses and far more.”
“That is by the bye,” Mr Bennet said. “She is a woman, and to involve herself with such persons would be unseemly. They would cheat her, to be sure.”
“I cannot agree,” said Mrs Gardiner. “It is the women who have the running of any great estate, is it not? The housekeeper, the mistress; Lizzy is as capable as any of them.”
“Indeed she is,” said Mr Gardiner warmly.
“A woman’s responsibilities within the home are far different from a man’s responsibilities on a property,” Mr Bennet persisted.
“Perhaps, then, you might act on her behalf,” Mrs Gardiner said lightly, though her point nevertheless landed rather heavily on the whole party, for an awkward silence arose.
Mr Bennet frowned self-consciously. “I have no more expertise in these matters than Lizzy. Besides, I cannot be away from Longbourn for such a length of time.”
It was not lost on Elizabeth that his profession of inexperience was at odds with his insistence that he knew best when he was trying to persuade her to give the place up.
She thought she knew the reason: her father suspected he would be drawn into the business, and he wanted none of it.
She did not blame him for his disinclination to superintend such a vast project; he scarcely seemed to have the inclination to manage Longbourn on most days.
She did, however, begin to wonder whether his predisposition towards an easy life, free of complication or exertion, was colouring his opinion on her own involvement.
“Nevertheless,” Mr Gardiner said, “I have reviewed the figures that your sister-in-law supplied, and the sum the property would fetch once completed is substantially more than its current valuation.” He named a figure that made the ladies gasp; even Mr Bennet looked taken aback.
Elizabeth put her fork down. “You cannot be in earnest, Uncle? Do you really think it would be so much?”
“Your aunt certainly thought so, and I daresay she was correct, perhaps even conservative. The land agent’s report shows that it is in the very best location, overlooking the sea. Some duke or another is sure to purchase it from you as a wedding gift for his wife,” he said with a little chuckle.
“Or perhaps you will wish to live there yourself,” Mrs Gardiner added. “Only imagine a summer by the sea! Perhaps you will meet the love of your life.”
“Not if she is to spend her days among coarse working men,” Mr Bennet interjected.
“She would not be required to do any such thing,” Mr Gardiner interrupted. “According to the paperwork, all the arrangements are made.”
“Oh?” Elizabeth asked, not insensible to the way her father would not meet her eye all of a sudden.
Her uncle sent a quick, displeased glance at her father before confirming, “Yes, your aunt Bennet lacked only for more time on her mortal coil to see to them. Everyone has been promised the work and given their assurances in turn; it will simply be a matter of ensuring that it all happens.”
“Is the place even habitable? Where would she live? Who would live with her?” Mr Bennet protested. “I surely cannot send her off on her own.”
“I may know of just the person to chaperon her,” said Mrs Gardiner.
The sense of things spinning out of her control beset Elizabeth.
She had been persuaded, by her father, that to restore the house was an impossible task, yet her aunt and uncle seemed to think it not only possible but ideal.
In the face of their more informed arguments, her father’s position sounded less persuasive by the moment.
It seemed increasingly that her suspicions had been correct: her father considered the project too burdensome and had given partial advice as a consequence.
But if the house had as much potential as her uncle claimed, the gains would be considerable, and if she kept it once the work was done, her mother would never need fear the hedgerows again.
Wiping her mouth with her napkin, she asked, “Who, Aunt?”
“You will remember that your uncle and I wished to go to the Lake District this summer? As it turns out, I am far less eager to go than I once was,” said Mrs Gardiner.
“Mrs Millhouse, whom your aunt has longed to see for many years now, will not be at home in the Lakes this summer. In fact, she is gone to Brighton…is likely there even now,” Mr Gardiner informed them. “Is not that a piece of good fortune!”
“She is in her husband’s establishment there—quite a large house from what I understand, and only the two of them and their young daughter Delphine to rattle about within. She assures me there is ample room for us…and I daresay a niece might be squeezed in among us.”
“It seems almost fated, the manner in which everything has transpired,” Mr Gardiner said. “But Lizzy, what do you think? The decision must be yours.”
Everyone quieted, their eyes fixed upon Elizabeth as she pondered the alteration in plans.
While her father had needed to persuade her to give up the house, she found that keeping it felt right.
A house by the sea. Her house by the sea.
She smiled. “On balance, I…I thank you for your counsel, Papa, but I believe I should like to keep the house.”
Amid happy exclamations and congratulations from Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mr Bennet said, somewhat resignedly, “Do not worry about offending me, Lizzy. I daresay these plans suit me well, for Lydia has been invited to go with the Forsters to Brighton. I shall never hear the end of it if I do not agree to her going, but I should be a good deal happier knowing that she will have more of her family nearby to protect her. Surely, with you there, Gardiner, no one would dare take advantage of either of my girls.”
Elizabeth was rather ashamed of her father’s readiness to hand responsibility for two of his daughters to his brother-in-law, and could only be grateful that her uncle did not appear to mind.
He extended his hand, and the two men shook. “You have my word, Bennet.” Indicating both Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner with a glance, he added, “We shall all keep an eye on Lydia, and by summer’s end, Lizzy, her property, and her youngest sister will be not only unharmed but vastly improved.”