Chapter 9
A Difficult Night at Longbourn
Whilst Jane brushed Elizabeth’s hair, there was an unexpected knock on the door.
Their youngest sister rushed in and climbed onto the bed.
Crying, Lydia rested her head on Jane’s shoulder.
“I know I have not been so good a sister as Jane, but I wanted to hear her say she was sorry she snitched about my taking her pin money. She refused, and I was so mad that I broke all her drawing pencils again. Now she has locked herself in Mary’s room and will not come out. ”
“How could you?” Jane admonished.
“I lost everything this evening. I knew I would be punished, but Father had told me I was to use some of my pin money to buy those items that I no longer had to return to my sisters. Mother agreed with him, though she demanded that you give me your pin money. I lost half my gowns, half the ribbons I had—” Lydia hiccoughed.
“You lost what was never yours. But I am sorry you are upset, and that our mother is unhappy,” Elizabeth said, rubbing Lydia’s back.
“What do you care? You have never liked our mother. And Mother does not like you at all,” Lydia accused, flinching away from Elizabeth’s touch.
“Untrue. Today, I learnt my second daughter intends to help take care of her unmarried sisters and me. I am the one who made the lesser effort between us, not Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet said from the doorway.
“I will go to Kitty.” Elizabeth glared at their father, who stood behind their mother. She did not wait for an answer but pushed past their parents, coaxing Kitty to open the door to Mary’s room.
“Marry Mr. Darcy and take Mary and me with you,” Kitty begged, curling into a ball with her head on Mary’s pillow.
Stroking Kitty's hair, Elizabeth made no promises but warmed at the thought of being the wife of such a man.
Rather than go to bed, Elizabeth remained with her younger sister, who slept fitfully throughout the night. Unable to sleep, Elizabeth considered the teaching position at Pemberley that Mr. Darcy had suggested. The longer she mulled it over, the more it gained in appeal.
The following morning, Kitty joined Elizabeth on her walk about Longbourn. “Do you come this way on your morning rambles so that you do not wake the hounds and hens, Lizzy?”
“Yes. They are dreadful noisy at the start of the day, and I walk out to avoid the morning chaos at home. You are welcome to join me. I have said so before.”
“You enjoy your quiet the same as I claim when I draw.”
“Come, stand with me. Face the horizon to know the peace of the morning.”
Elizabeth faced the sun, pleased that her sister did the same. When Mr. Darcy appeared, she brushed Kitty’s hand with her own but otherwise did not react, allowing Kitty to calm with the understanding that Elizabeth was as surprised to encounter the gentleman as she was, but not in any way alarmed.
“I regret if I have intruded on your solitude.”
“I am glad for your company this morning, sir.”
“Then I am glad I have come.”
“Might I ask a favor? Will you take Kitty with you when you return to Netherfield Park so she can visit your sister and mine?”
“Consider it no favor. I am honored to be of service. No trolls shall abscond with her. But the faeries may outwit me. I have not yet had coffee, you see.”
“You need not fear them. They all are terrified of Mary,” Kitty said, the first sign of her spirits recovering.
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said.
Mr. Darcy gave Elizabeth the barest nod of acknowledgment before responding to Kitty. “If that is the case, then I would dislike upsetting Miss Mary more than the dragon who is my aunt.”
“Thank you, sir,” Kitty said when Mr. Darcy held out his arm.
“And we will see your sister soon. Miss Elizabeth, all at Netherfield Park anticipate your and Miss Bennet’s arrival for tea this afternoon. We will send a carriage for you.”
Upon reaching Longbourn, Elizabeth found Lydia and their mother arguing in the breakfast parlor. Heard Jane’s trembling voice when she attempted to intervene. Elizabeth slapped her hand on the table, startling them all into silence.
“Please. I need coffee before so discontented a start to the day. Then, we will get to the bottom of…whatever this is,” Elizabeth said, untying the bow of her bonnet.
“I will make your coffee.” Jane jumped up; the look she sent Elizabeth was a testament to her gratitude for her intercession.
After sipping from her cup, Elizabeth said, “Now, what is the cause of so great a ruckus before ten in the morning?”
“Your father brought us this list of items to be replaced,” Mrs. Bennet said, a finger tapping on one of the two sheets of paper between her and Lydia. “I am trying to make my youngest understand it was my fault she was indulged, so it shall fall to me to repay these debts to her sisters.”
Stunned at this explanation, Elizabeth glanced at Lydia.
“It was my selfishness alone,” said Lydia, shaking her head.
“My selfishness, my gluttony, which makes up the list. Therefore, I must replace these items. I have already started, Lizzy. I am to take Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst to the mantua-maker today so I can show them colors and patterns that favor them. They have promised I can select any ribbon, and I will choose one I can give Jane or you to replace what I took,” Lydia said, her arms crossed stubbornly.
Elizabeth failed to contain her mirth. When she laughed, their mirroring looks of incredulity caused her to laugh all the harder. Jane was equally unable to stifle her amusement. Moments later, Lydia’s and Mrs. Bennet's laughter mingled with theirs.
“First, let us look over this list,” Elizabeth said, leaving to retrieve the quill and ink from the sitting room.
Returning to the breakfast room, Elizabeth crossed off the items she had added, except for a piece of lace, a gift from Aunt Gardiner, which held sentimental value. Jane left only a scarf on the list, for it was necessary that Lydia make reparations.
“Now we come to Mary and Kitty. I will speak for neither, though I do advise you not to replace Mary’s nice shoes with the same size she wore when she was ten,” Elizabeth said with an affected sternness, relieved when all were receptive to her joshing advisement.
“There, this is far more manageable. Lydia, you should first replace Kitty’s pencils.
But more importantly, you must learn to manage your temper, even when your emotions are high. ”
The room became silent when Mr. Bennet walked in and settled with his coffee at the foot of the table.
“It just so happens your timing is impeccable, Father, to review Lydia’s list,” Elizabeth said, placing it next to him.
After scanning the list, he said, “You are right, Lizzy. I should have made certain my daughters were spoilt in equal measures, or, at least, learnt to give and take alike.”
Jane asked in her pleasant way, “Would anyone else like their tea refreshed?”