Chapter 24
Once Mary persuaded Kitty to let her begin the conversation, they presented themselves at their father’s library that very afternoon. Mr. Bennet looked up from his book with curiosity at his daughters.
“Well, well, what is all this then? Are you two off to Meryton on this chilly day? Or to visit your aunt Phillips? Try not to be too long; you know how I hate a late dinner.”
“No, Papa, we are not going out. We have come to speak to you on a matter most…most urgent,” Mary said.
His eyebrows rose. “Indeed? Very well, let us all take seats.” He gestured to the settee and took the chair at the front of his desk to join them. “Now, what is troubling you? What is so important?”
For a moment, both Mary and Kitty were silent and exchanged nervous glances.
Then Mary began: “Papa, during the Yarbys’ visit just now it came to our attention…
that is, Kitty noticed something, and we wish to clarify the situation.
She may be mistaken, but she is certain…
or rather, she perhaps believes she saw something quite distressing. ”
“Oh? I thought it a very nice visit,” Mr. Bennet said. “Mr. Phillip Yarby seems a pleasant enough fellow—much like his brother and sister. What did you see that distressed you so?”
Mary twisted her hands in her lap. “Well…Kitty is under the impression that she saw…or noticed—and she could be mistaken, after all, but—”
“Why was Mrs. Withers wearing Mama’s gold bracelet?” blurted Kitty.
A long pause followed, during which Mr. Bennet’s eyes turned to the floor, unable to look at his daughters.
“I see that you do not deny it nor question what Kitty says,” Mary said quietly after the silence lingered. “That is confirmation indeed that what she believes she saw is true. Did you, Papa? Did you give Mama’s bracelet to Amelia?”
Mr. Bennet slowly nodded his head. “I did,” he replied softly. He seemed reluctant to speak further and still did not meet their gaze.
After another pause, Kitty spoke in a tearful voice: “But, Papa, why? Such a costly gift surely indicates a significant attachment. Just what is Mrs. Withers to you?”
“At this point, she is just my rector’s sister, but soon”—he raised his head and spoke more firmly—“I hope she will become family and…my wife.”
Mary drew a sharp intake of breath while Kitty gave a little shriek and began to weep.
Mr. Bennet continued. “I did not plan it nor intend for any of this to happen, my dear girls, but Amelia and I have…fallen quite deeply in love.”
Kitty stamped her foot. “Mama has been gone barely over seven months! I cannot believe you would do such a thing!” She fumbled for a handkerchief, unable to control her emotions.
“You are still in full mourning, Papa,” Mary said soberly. “It would not do to go flaunting your…relationship with Amelia around town.”
Mr. Bennet gave a wry smile. “Count on you to always think of the practical aspects, Mary. But no, while we have taken walks together and had one or two pleasant conversations in public settings such as church and the Christmas assembly, we have made every effort to be discreet. No one…suspects.”
Mary noticed his pause and thought it strange. “Until next May, when you are out of mourning.”
“At which time we shall begin to allow ourselves to be seen together in a more familiar manner, yes.” He reached out and patted the girls’ hands.
“As I said, I did not seek this, nor did I anticipate this ever happening, but Amelia has made me so happy these past months. I find myself quite a new man. I know you cannot accustom yourselves to all of this at once. But, Mary, you and Amelia are dear friends. You must not think that will change in any way once she and I are wed.”
“She shall not be my mother! She shall not!” Kitty snatched her hands back and leapt to her feet, then ran out of the library, sobbing loudly. Moments later, Mary and Mr. Bennet heard the slamming of her bedroom door as it echoed down to them.
“Does Mr. Yarby know?” Mary asked after a moment. How could he keep that information from her during their scripture studies?
“He does. At least, Amelia has told me he is aware of our attachment. He and I have not discussed it yet for the very reason you mentioned, Mary: I am still in mourning for your dear mother.”
“And Lydia, Jane, and Lizzy have no idea.”
“They do not.”
Mary took a deep breath. “I saw an odd expression on Amelia’s face when we were discussing love recently. I thought at the time that she was remembering her first husband with sorrowful longing, but now I see it was likely you of whom she was thinking.
“I must say, Papa, I am quite taken aback at this news. However, to own the truth, I know that you and Mama were not always a good match; your temperaments seemed different. You enjoy intellectual pursuits; Mama did not, and she was considerably more social than you were. And yet, despite the amount of time you enjoy in solitude here in your library, I cannot think it is healthy to be alone. In Genesis, the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a helper fit for him.’ Yes”—she nodded—“I believe Amelia would be a good companion for you, Papa. I mean, it is not as if she is as young as I am; she is nearly thirty-four and a respectable widow. Therefore, Amelia is quite a suitable wife for a man of your age.”
Mr. Bennet smiled. “True. I cannot think, once we make our attachment known, that there will be any scandal or salacious gossip generated.”
“I agree. The timing may be ill, but as long as you can keep your attachment well hidden until the summer, I cannot think it will damage anyone’s reputation,” Mary said thoughtfully.
“Thank you for your level-headed assessment. I am glad you are not as violently opposed as your sister seems to be at this moment.”
“Kitty will come around in time.” Mary rose and went to the library door, then turned to give her father a smile. “I suppose congratulations are in order.” At his nod of thanks, she left and went upstairs to comfort her sister.