Chapter 19. Mrs Gardiner’s Arrangements #3
“I like Miss Elizabeth a great deal,” Georgiana said in a tone that would not brook argument.
When her brother did not respond in any manner, the sister prodded his side.
“Do you not think it very fortunate that your sister enjoys the company of Miss Elizabeth and can keep you apprised of all her comings and goings this winter?”
“Where is my shy, respectful sister?” Darcy asked with a severe mask on his face that slid away in mirth as the good feelings from the afternoon filled his heart.
Laughing Georgiana answered, “Miss Elizabeth has taught me to speak up.”
~~}{~~
Following the departure of their guests, Mr Bennet gathered Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Jane, Elizabeth and Mary in the parlour.
“Well, girls your Mamma will certainly regret missing this visit. What shall we tell her?”
“There is nothing of a particular nature to tell, Papa,” Elizabeth replied shyly. “My good friend Georgiana Darcy stopped to call on her way north for Christmas with her family.”
Mr Bennet laughed. “Miss Darcy? I believe it was her tall, handsome brother who desired this call to meet your family.”
Mr Gardiner looked at his wife, “And my dear wife who suggested that Mrs Bennet take Kitty to call on Mrs Phillips to show off the new bonnets and gowns we brought them for Christmas.”
“And it was Mr Gardiner who convinced Mr Collins that his place was with his parishioners in Hunsford and shared with him the best places to change coaches in crossing London,” Mrs Gardiner added.
Mr Bennet laughed. “I did not see this plotting around me. Mrs Bennet has met her match, Mrs Gardiner.”
~~}{~~
“Where did this fruit come from Lizzy?” asked Mrs Bennet late in the afternoon.
She had arrived home an hour earlier and spent the time telling Mrs Gardiner how Mrs Phillips admired the gowns and bonnets before noticing that the curtains in the parlour were thrown open and the chairs were not in the desired arrangement.
“My friend Georgiana Darcy stopped at Longbourn to refresh herself on her journey north for Christmas and she brought the fruit as well as gifts for my cousins and my sisters.”
“She must be very rich to purchase gifts for so many people,” Mrs Bennet observed.
Mrs Gardiner joined the conversation at that point, “I would say that the Darcy family is comfortable–Mr Gardiner does a great deal of trade with Mr Darcy.”
“Do you refer to her father?” Mrs Bennet asked innocently while examining the pretty boxes that Jane and Kitty each received.
“Sister,” Mrs Gardiner gently admonished. “Mr Darcy is a pleasant enough young man though he can glower most effectively when he needs.”
“But is he single and in possession of a fortune?” Mrs Bennet insisted.
At just that moment, Mr Bennet walked into the parlour and demanded his wife’s attention.
“Mrs Bennet! I insist you come and read this letter from Mr Collins. He has made demands of your dowry!”
“My dowry, Mr Bennet?”
“Attend me in my library–we have much to discuss.”
Elizabeth ignored her mother and father that the afternoon, thinking of Mr Darcy–William–as Georgiana called her brother.
He was very handsome and very kind with his family and good friends.
She had seen his temper, and his scowl aimed at others and wondered how she would feel if his temper were turned against herself someday.
But most of all, she remembered his kiss on her hand and how it made her feel. ‘I wonder what his kisses are like... what it would feel like if he kissed my mouth?’
~~}{~~
As the last days before Christmas slipped by, Elizabeth found that Jane was often to be found staring out the windows of Longbourn.
She said little and seldom smiled unless it was with their young cousins and their games.
Worried for her sister, Elizabeth ventured into her father’s study one morning after the family rose from breaking their fast.
“Yes, Lizzy?” Mr Bennet asked. “Do you need a new book today?”
“No sir,” she answered. “I came to speak of Jane and her engagement to Mr Collins.”
“There is nothing to speak of–the arrangements are complete.”
“But can we not improve Mr Collins, Father? He must be made to listen to sense.”
Mr Bennet paused to consider his daughter’s words before shaking his head. “Men in their majority answer to no one but the law. He is deaf to all my words. And it is a suitable arrangement for your mother’s future.”
“But perhaps...”
“Perhaps what Lizzy? Will Mr Darcy ask for your hand and save your sister from becoming Mrs Collins? He is very intelligent, but he is dour and according to your uncle, he has a hot temper. Will that make you a good husband?”
Elizabeth was silent considering the implications. “I like Mr Darcy very much, Father, but it is not fair to rush our attachment for financial security.”
The door to Mr Bennet’s study opened and Mrs Bennet swept into the room. From the frown on her face, it was obvious she had been listening at the door and decided to voice her opinion. Mr Bennet grinned at the coming confrontation.
“You are arguing with your father again–I tell you what Elizabeth Rose Bennet–I will not have it. You will not cause problems for Jane and Mr Collins–they will marry next summer and secure the future for your sisters and widowed mother.”
“But Papa is not dead yet Mamma. I would say that he looks perfectly healthy.”
“I believe that your mother looks forward to my demise Lizzy.”
“Mamma have you considered that Mr Collins may move you and your unmarried daughters into the dower cottage when he inherits?” Elizabeth asked. “If he and Jane have several children in the first years of marriage, Longbourn will not have enough room for everyone.”
Under the close scrutiny of her husband, Mrs Bennet sat in a chair as her mind considered this possibility. Elizabeth continued, “You had five children in just seven years–what if Jane is as fruitful?”
“You make my head spin! Be quiet!” Mrs Bennet glanced at her husband who returned to his books and then at her second daughter.
“You shall remain here after Christmas–the Gardiners have had your expense for two months this fall.”
“I agree,” Mr Bennet said inserting his opinion into the conversation.
“And I believe that Jane should be in charge of the house from now until her wedding next summer. She must learn how to manage the household and the estate. Mrs Bennet, you are relieved of all your duties and the household purse. You shall have your allowance and nothing else!”
“But Mr Bennet!”
“Out, both of you. I shall have my peace and quiet until supper.”
Outside in hall, Mrs Bennet sighed and took her daughter’s hand, “Elizabeth, you must hear me and understand my meaning. Women have nothing without their husband’s permission–my own dowry is not mine, but your father can do with it as he wants.
He grants me the allowance he deems deserving but buys books, port and horses as he pleases.
There is yet another horse in the stable since you were home last, and he rides less and less. ”
“Is Papa ill?”
“No but he is growing older,” Mrs Bennet replied. “He is ten years older, and I expect to be a widow for a long time.”
“But there is no reason why Papa cannot live to be an old man.”
Ignoring Elizabeth’s comment, Mrs Bennet asked, “Will your Mr Darcy be in town this winter?”
“He is not my Mr Darcy, and I believe Miss Darcy said they plan to remain in Derbyshire the entire winter. It will be spring before we meet again.”
“Your aunt believes the man will make an offer for you in the spring,” Mrs Bennet turned to her daughter and reached out to finger the material of her gown.
“We shall save the best gowns until spring and convince your father to send you to the Gardiners for another visit. My sister Gardiner and her maid are talented at altering gowns to the latest fashion. Perhaps you can make the match.”
Unable to speak for a moment, Elizabeth stared after her mother as she left to speak to Mrs Hill in the kitchens.
~~}{~~
In an afternoon with the Bennets distributed about the house, Elizabeth found a moment to speak with her uncle and aunt privately.
“Uncle, I am even more concerned for Jane’s future after meeting Mr Collins,” she told them. “I do not know how Jane will find the strength to endure this marriage. He will ruin Longbourn.”
“Have you said such to her?” asked Aunt Gardiner quickly.
Frowning and looking away, Elizabeth said, “No I would not speak thus to my sister.”
“Lizzy, it is not our place to criticize your father for making this engagement. We may advise him but unless something happens to break the entailment, Jane must marry Mr Collins next summer.”
“What would break the Longbourn entailment?”
“If your mother bears a son or Mr Collins dies, that will break the entailment.”
Elizabeth frowned; her mother had gone for almost fifteen years without bearing another child and she was not willing to murder Mr Collins.
“How could we break Jane’s engagement?” she asked after this moment of thought.
“There is a formal agreement in place already,” Mr Gardiner told his niece. “Jane cannot break the engagement without costing your family Longbourn. If Mr Collins breaks the engagement, he would default on the entailment.”
“And how would he break the engagement?”
Mr Gardiner shook his head, “If Mr Collins died or married another lady; that would break the engagement and save Jane.”
“But who would want to marry Mr Collins?” Elizabeth asked.
~~}{~~