Chapter 28
Oh, Jane
Richard’s report of Mr. Bennet’s continued indolence was no surprise to anyone at Netherfield, especially concerning his reluctance to communicate the consequences to his wife and daughter for their actions.
It was evident to all that Elizabeth could not—nor should she—bear the burden of delivering such news to women who clearly detested her.
Once again, the responsibility fell upon Richard, but this time, he would be accompanied by Lady Anne and George Darcy.
The family believed that the presence of a titled lady and a wealthy landowner might aid in enlightening these women about the folly of their opinions regarding their worth.
The meeting proved to be challenging. Jane welcomed her guests into the room with a saccharine tone as they were ushered in. After the obligatory introductions and initial pleasantries were exchanged, she inquired with feigned sweetness, “How may I be of assistance to all of you today?”
The major was the first to speak. “We will wait on your mother. I know the housekeeper sent for her, but we need to speak to you both.”
Jane looked suspiciously at the rugged man dressed in uniform and pondered his presence in the room.
Opting to disregard him, she turned her attention to Mr. Darcy instead.
With a facade of innocence, she inquired, “Has my sister managed to cause any trouble for your family? I wouldn’t be surprised; she has always been quite headstrong.
It’s fortunate for you that your mother can still be the hostess of your home, sparing you from having to depend on her.
I assume you will seek a wife soon, someone who can follow in your dear mother’s footsteps.
” She attempted a coquettish flutter of her eyelashes, believing it to make her more appealing to the gentlemen.
He barely restrained a chuckle. “My brother could not have chosen a more perfect wife for himself. Both my mother and I have been very impressed with Mrs. Darcy, and I know my brother has no complaints about his choice.”
The major joined in. “I have rarely seen my cousin so happy,” he laughed. “He is far more open and content being out in society with his lovely wife by his side.”
Jane scowled at this compliment to her sister but honed in on the major’s connection to the Darcys. “I did not realise that you were related to the Darcys, Major Fitzwilliam,” she said.
“Yes, Lady Anne is my aunt; she is my father’s sister,” Richard confirmed.
“Lady Anne’s brother— he holds an earldom, does he not?
” she inquired. Her guests nodded in response.
Realising she was hosting an earl’s son, she shifted her attention toward that gentleman.
“So, you are also a member of the first circles? Well then, surely you agree that Mrs. Darcy is unfitting to be in such high company.”
“Not at all, Miss Bennet,” Richard replied.
“Had I met her first, I would have been tempted to marry her myself. She is extraordinarily lovely, charming, witty, intelligent, and will make any man an excellent wife. When I learned of her dowry, I cursed my cousin’s good luck in finding her first. Of course, she would likely have never looked at another—as I understand it, Cupid struck them both at first sight. ”
“Her dowry!” Jane exclaimed, her voice becoming shrill. “What dowry? My sisters and I each have one thousand pounds upon my mother’s death. How would Lizzy have gained additional funds?”
Her guests exchanged puzzled glances before Lady Anne finally spoke up. “I have not been privy to the particulars of her dowry, but I understood her grandmother left her a legacy,” she replied after a moment.
Jane was furious at this revelation and began to rant about her sister’s negative traits and the unfairness of others preferring her.
“My grandmother should have left that money to me as the eldest,” she ranted. “I should have been the one to have a dowry. I will make her rue the day she was born.”
“I believe she already does rue the day she was born into this particular family,” Richard said dryly. “Although she did have an excellent grandmother, her uncle and aunt in London are also admirable. It is just her immediate family that leaves much to be desired.”
“As I understand it, her younger sisters have some redeeming qualities,” Lady Anne rejoined. “And as Elizabeth is discussing their coming to Pemberley to share in Georgiana’s lessons, those qualities can be improved and added to.”
“My sisters are going to Pemberley?” Jane exclaimed. “Why?”
“Because they need instruction and attention, something they are not getting in this home. They needed parents who cared enough about them to teach them how to be proper ladies with accomplishments and perhaps even a touch of humility, which is not taught in this household,” Lady Anne answered calmly.
“If anyone should go to Pemberley, it should be me,” Jane stated, her face contorted into a rather unattractive pout.
“I realise we are still waiting on your mother, and we have not yet spoken of our reason for calling, but I can assure you, madam, that after handing me a glass filled with poison intended for my brother’s wife, you will never come to Pemberley.
You are fortunate that your attempt was so ill-advised and ill-concealed that no one was harmed and that your punishment, compared to the crime, will be light. ”
“Punishment,” she asked, her voice rising in volume and pitch.
At that moment, Mrs. Bennet joined the guests in the sitting room.
“What is this about a punishment? Have you decided that your son’s marriage to my daughter is a punishment and will encourage him to set her aside for my Jane?
Perhaps, though, it would simply be better for the elder to marry my Jane; then she can ensure that Lizzy is kept under control, and there will be no need for punishment. ”
Richard and George shook their heads in disbelief. “How often will you need to be told, madam, that my brother will never set aside his wife? He loves her dearly and would never choose to be parted from her,” George stated.
Lady Anne stood, causing everyone else to stand with her. “Boys, I think it is time you paid a call upon Mr. Bennet for a time,” she said. “I will speak with my dear Elizabeth’s family and inform them of our plans. Please ask Mrs. Hill to send in tea.”
Mrs. Bennet looked unhappy at this stranger directing her household. “I realise you hold a title, Lady Anne, but this is still my house and my servants, and you should not be ordering anyone about.”
Lady Anne laughed derisively. “Not for much longer, madam. You should sit while I tell you about the changes that are about to occur in your life and household.”
Although unhappy about this lady taking control, something in her voice made Mrs. Bennet do precisely as she was told.
She sat and listened as Lady Anne explained what she and her daughter did to deserve a punishment and listened impatiently as that punishment was outlined.
Mrs. Bennet attempted to protest a few times, but Lady Anne commanded her silence with a glare, proving just where her younger son learned that action and, after some time, finished explaining.
“But, madam, my husband is yet living; how can you say he must give up his estate to the heir and take us to live in Scotland? It is not to be borne,” Mrs. Bennet said when Lady Anne finished.
“Your husband has abdicated his role as master of this estate and, in truth, has done so for years. My son knows this Mr. Collins and intends to write to him about taking over the estate now and hiring a steward to help him as he learns to run it. As long as your husband lives, he will receive a small portion of the estate’s profits.
Some will, of course, be set aside for your youngest three daughters as a dowry one day,” Lady Anne replied, but Mrs. Bennet cut her off.
“Why will my Jane not receive funds toward her dowry?” she demanded.
“Why? She is lucky not to be tried and hanged for attempted murder—she will not marry now. I hope to make your youngest two into girls I can introduce to society, and they will need a dowry to make a match there. Of course, it will take a lot of work to train them from the wild creatures they are now, but with some care and discipline, I believe they will turn out well enough.”
“There is nothing wrong with my daughters,” Mrs. Bennet insisted.
“Believe that if you will, but if you refuse to do as we say, your daughter’s trial and subsequent hanging will ruin the rest of them.
Then, when Mr. Collins takes the estate anyway—did you know that the father can be made to answer for the crime of an unmarried daughter?
—you will have three daughters to support, along with yourself, and no one will aid you,” Lady Anne said.
While this might not have been wholly true, Mrs. Bennet was unlikely to know the difference, and the Darcy family wanted to protect the youngest daughters and offer them a chance at success.
She hoped appealing to what little sense Mrs. Bennet possessed would help her make the correct decision.
“So, my husband and I, along with Jane, will be sent to live in Scotland, living off the income from my portion and whatever amount Mr. Collins can be persuaded to send us?” Mrs. Bennet clarified.
“Otherwise, Jane will be hanged, and my daughters and I will be thrown to the hedgerows. What a poor choice for me. Jane, how could you have fallen so far as to believe that man? This is your father’s fault—he brought that Mr. Wickham to our door.
I knew he was no gentleman. Jane would not have acted this way otherwise.
And, of course, Lizzy stole Jane’s opportunity to marry.
None of this would have happened had she not gone to London. ”
Mrs. Bennet began to moan and complain, blaming anyone and everyone for the problems in her life. Lady Anne was grateful that Mrs. Bennet would no longer bother her or her family once she was in Scotland.