Chapter 1 #2
“Jane, would you like to go for a walk in the garden?” Elizabeth asked one day early in the spring, her voice hopeful that her sister might have finally forgiven her for whatever she had done to cause the rift between them.
Jane looked up from her sewing, her expression distant. “No, Lizzy, I think I prefer to stay here,” she replied softly.
Elizabeth’s heart sank. “But the flowers are beginning to bloom. You always loved seeing the flowers.”
“I know,” Jane said, forcing a small smile. “Perhaps another time.”
Elizabeth nodded, trying to hide her disappointment.
She missed the Jane who would have eagerly jumped at the chance to explore the garden, who would have laughed and chatted with her as they strolled among the flowers.
Now, Jane’s polite refusals and lack of enthusiasm were like a constant reminder of how much had changed.
As painful as Jane’s withdrawal was, it also meant that Mrs. Bennet’s treatment of her second daughter grew worse.
Mrs. Bennet, always quick to find fault in Elizabeth, seemed to take out her frustration and fear over Jane’s injury on her more than ever.
Every minor mistake Elizabeth made was met with sharp criticism.
Every attempt to defend herself or explain was dismissed out of hand.
"Enough of your excuses!" Mrs. Bennet snapped. "Why can you not be more like Jane? She never causes me such trouble."
Elizabeth bit her lip, feeling the sting of her mother’s words She tried her best to avoid doing anything that might provoke her mother’s ire, but it seemed that no matter how hard she tried, she could never do anything right in Mrs. Bennet’s eyes.
One evening, after yet another scolding, Elizabeth found herself in the kitchen, helping the maid with the dishes, a punishment for some perceived wrong she had committed during dinner. The warm, soapy water was soothing, and she found comfort in the simple, repetitive task.
The door opened behind her, and Elizabeth turned to see her father enter the room. He looked at her with a mixture of concern and sadness. “Elizabeth,” he said gently, “how are you, my dear?”
“I am well, Papa,” she replied automatically, then sighed.
“I just do not understand why Mama hates me. I did not do anything wrong. It was Jane who was determined to go to the stables, I only followed to convince her not to go. Jane even admits to that. But Mama will not listen and continues to blame me for what happened.”
“I know, Lizzy. I am sorry you are having such a difficult time,” Mr. Bennet said, stepping closer and placing a hand on her shoulder.
Finally, as the spring turned into summer, an unexpected guest arrived at Longbourn.
Elizabeth was pleased to see her Uncle Gardiner when she saw him step out of his carriage, though his own expression was stern and serious.
She felt a flicker of hope—perhaps he would intervene in the situation between her and her mother, perhaps he would make things right.
When he noticed Elizabeth standing there, his face lightened somewhat as he smiled gently at Elizabeth and told her to go pack her things.
“You will be coming to London with me for a time,” he said. “Your aunt and I want you with us.”
Elizabeth stared at him, her heart pounding. “Why, Uncle? Is Mama sending me away like she threatened?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“It has been decided that a change of scenery would do you good,” he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Elizabeth did as she was told but saw her uncle’s face turn angry again as he burst into her father’s study without so much as a knock.
After asking Mrs. Hill to bring a trunk down to her room and begin packing her things, she slipped into the small room by the stairs, where she could overhear what was said in the study.
She heard her father’s voice first. “Fanny will not allow her to stay any longer, not after Jane was injured again in her presence.”
“From what I heard you say, Elizabeth did not cause the injury. Both she and Jane insist it had been Jane's idea.”
“It does not matter whose idea it was. Fanny wants her gone. She refuses to let Jane to spend time with her and is constantly referring to her now as a changeling. She is making life intolerable here.”
“For God’s sake, are you unable to control your wife? I know she is difficult, but it is your place to resolve this.”
“Gardiner, I cannot be vigilant every second of the day. Things have deteriorated so much that I am afraid Fanny will actually injure Elizabeth, as her anger has only worsened. I think she is expecting again, which is perhaps contributing to her uncertain emotional state,” Bennet replied tiredly.
"Bennet, just so we understand each other, if I take Elizabeth, it will be for good. She will not return to this house. I want it in writing,” Gardiner demanded
“Of course, whatever you say,” her father said. Elizabeth gasped at his easy acceptance, though she hid it well.
“I had my solicitor draft this agreement before I came. She will continue to receive one hundred pounds per annum in your lifetime. You owe it to her to give her at least that much.”
“I will do as you insist.”
“There is no going back on this once it is done.”
“Yes, yes, she is yours. Call her Elizabeth Gardiner if you like. Fanny would certainly prefer it.”
“Will you write to her?”
Nothing was said, and Elizabeth assumed her father had declined. He never wrote any letters that he did not absolutely have to.
“Sign the damned paper, Thomas. Elizabeth is now my daughter, not yours. You will never have a claim on her again. If she is not allowed here, then neither will I visit.”
“You will cut off your sister and her family?”
“You are allowing her to cast off her child. Elizabeth will not be welcomed back here; you have said as much. You cannot expect us to leave her in London to travel here. If you wish to send any of her sisters to London, you are welcome to do so. I will, of course, not limit your ability to correspond with Elizabeth, but I will read any letters from you or your wife before giving them to Elizabeth.”
Bennet shrugged at this. It was unlikely he would expend the energy to write to Elizabeth once she left, but he might wish to one day. “I suppose you are correct that you could not leave her in town to come here. When will you be leaving?”
“As soon as Elizabeth is packed.”
With that, Elizabeth turned and ran toward her room, where Mrs. Hill was packing her things in a second trunk.
Many things had already been packed, as Mrs. Bennet no longer wanted the two eldest girls to share a room and intended for Elizabeth to move into a small bedroom upstairs, near where the servants stayed.
“I am going to London to live with the Gardiners,” she informed the housekeeper when she entered the room.
“I know, Miss Lizzy.”
“Papa says I will not come back. Ever.”
“I know, dear.”
“Why does Mrs. Bennet hate me?”
Mrs. Hill shook her head. “I have never understood it, my dear. But you will be happy with the Gardiners. They are very good people. It will be better for you there.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Thank you, Mrs. Hill.”
It did not take much longer for the rest of Elizabeth’s things to be packed into two trunks. Mr. Hill carried them downstairs and had them attached to the back of Mr. Gardiner’s carriage, and soon, the two were on their way south to London.