Chapter 29 #2
“You should all begin packing—we have asked Mrs. Hill to bring down trunks for the three of you. You will travel as soon as arrangements can be made for a boat to transport you to Kirkwall, in the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Take your warmest things. I do not know for certain, but I would estimate that you can take no more than two trunks each. I suggest you think carefully about what you pack. Mr. Bennet, as far as I am concerned, the books are the estate’s property.
My cousin has already sent a letter to Mr. Collins, asking him to come here to transfer the ownership to him.
If he can arrive before you depart, perhaps he would be willing to allow you to take a few, but you will not be able to keep many. ”
Richard continued explaining details about their travel, although many details had yet to be arranged, and what they could expect once they arrived at their new home.
Lady Anne and Elizabeth both watched the women’s reactions to this news.
Mrs. Bennet looked aghast, while Jane merely looked resigned to it.
They were both clearly unhappy, but Elizabeth continued to wonder exactly what they were thinking.
Finally, Richard was done, and Mrs. Bennet immediately began. “Lizzy, how can you allow your new family to treat us this way?”
“I do not know why you should be surprised, madam,” Elizabeth replied, drawing on her husband’s strength.
“My entire life, you told me how worthless I am, and I have yet to hear you apologise for that. Your only reaction to my sister’s attempt to poison me was to comment that it was unsuccessful, and I sincerely doubt you said anything to Jane about it.
You are lucky my family is not vengeful.
Would you prefer Jane tried and hanged for her part?
It is not too late. Madam, my sister is being punished far less than she deserves. ”
“You could stop this if you wished,” she tried again.
“I could not and would not have intervened; Jane’s actions are a direct result of the lessons you’ve imparted,” Elizabeth retorted.
“You raised her to believe in her superiority over not only me but also our other sisters, instilling in her the belief that she could have anything she desired. However, she is now confronted with the reality that such a notion is far from the truth. As for me, once I leave Hertfordshire, I shall consider myself an orphan. My sole concern will be safeguarding my sisters from your misguided influence and my father’s indifference.
I am determined to secure them the education they should have, and eventually, they will find suitable matches.
I will do all I can to support them in their endeavours. ”
Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth to protest again, but her husband cut her off.
“Mrs. Bennet, that is enough from you,” he said tiredly.
“The decision has been made, and there is nothing we can do to reverse it now. The three of us will be in forced proximity for the rest of our lives with only ourselves for company, so we should learn to live with each other now. Let us allow our daughter and her family to depart as we prepare for our journey.”
As Mr. Bennet spoke, the men in the room observed him closely. His words lacked conviction and held a tone of resignation. It left them wondering whether this stemmed from being compelled to abandon his beloved books or from the prospect of living in such proximity to his wife and eldest daughter.
“Mr. Bennet,” Richard said as the rest stood, “if I might have a moment of your time, there is one additional thing I would like to say to you.” The two stepped into the bookroom and had a short conversation.
The rest of the party was still preparing to depart, and Elizabeth was farewelling the housekeeper.
Mrs. and Miss Bennet had already gone above stairs.
Kitty and Lydia ran boisterously down the stairs just as Mr. Bennet and Richard finished their conversation. They rushed to hug their sister. “Lizzy, I am so happy to see you again, and we are so pleased at the prospect of travelling to Pemberley with you,” Kitty cried.
Elizabeth hugged her sisters back. “Well, I will go as far as Oakridge with you, but then you will continue with Georgiana. Have you already spoken to Papa?”
“What does Papa care?” Lydia laughed. “He will be pleased to have fewer people and more quiet in the house so he can read his books.”
“So you do not know that Papa has decided to take our mother and sister to Scotland for their health? And that Mr. Collins will take over the estate?” Elizabeth asked.
“Oh, was that what Mama was crying about? What a good joke?” Lydia laughed again. “It serves Jane right—she has become very bitter now that no one in town will speak to her. Perhaps she will behave better in Scotland. Oh, what a long journey they will have.”
Elizabeth shook her head at her silly sister. “I do hope, Lydia, you will be sure to listen to Georgiana’s governess and will learn to conduct yourself more properly. I will see you often, I am sure, but you will need to write to me about your progress.”
“La, Lizzy, I do not like to write letters. Kitty can write you, or perhaps Georgiana will, but I do not care to apply myself that way,” Lydia protested.
“You must learn,” Elizabeth told her, sighing at her sister’s lack of care about her education.
“I have heard from Mary recently, and she is learning a lot from our aunt. She has a music master and a drawing master, although she does not care for that, and she has language tutors coming to help her and our cousins with their languages. There is still much you need to learn, girls, before you will be ready, and Lady Anne will not allow you out into society as early as our mother did, and certainly not without accomplishments. It would be best if you remembered that. Perhaps, Lady Anne, it would be better to remove them from Longbourn sooner rather than waiting until after the wedding.”
Lady Anne nodded as she, too, was concerned about what the girls might hear while still at Longbourn. “I will speak to Mr. Livesay and see what we can arrange. Perhaps they can come this afternoon?” she suggested.
Lydia and Kitty were pleased with that idea, and Mr. Bennet, who stood in the hall, merely waved his hand. It seemed he no longer cared what happened to his girls.