Chapter 5 Lessons
Bennet released Lizzy's hands, which he had been examining as she explained why she wanted to pick the roses. "I understand you were trying to do something nice for your new aunt, Lizzy, but as you see by the condition of your hands, some actions have consequences."
"I would not have gotten hurt if Mama had not pulled me away while I was holding the rose bush," Lizzy explained.
"I was careful how I held the stems and only had a few small prickles on my fingers before that.
All she needed to do was ask me to stop and I would have let go.
There was no need to grab and shake me or yell at me like she did. "
"Yes, well, your mother often does not think her actions through, either. That makes all the more reason why you need to consider the consequences before you act."
"There is more of a problem than just Lizzy trying to pick the roses, Mr. Bennet. Apparently, my Aunt Catherine is at the root of Mrs. Bennet's extreme reaction," Richard told the men.
"Yes, Papa," Lizzy added quickly. "Miss Stanton reports every little thing I do to Lady Catherine, who then writes nasty letters to Mama telling her what a failure she is for having such a horrible daughter.
That is why Mama is always angry at me. I am not trying to upset Mama or be deliberately bad. "
Bennet shared a speculative look with his friend before answering.
"You and your sisters need a governess, Lizzy, and Miss Stanton appears well-qualified for the job and willing to do it.
I do not wish to replace her at this time.
You may as well learn now that there is always someone watching, whether it be to report to Lady Catherine, find gossip to spread in the village or to feed the interest of the Ton.
It is up to each of us to behave in ways that give them as little negative information to spread as possible.
I know you are not deliberately bad, Lizzy, but you are often heedless and quick to act in ways that come back to harm you.
I love you, my fierce, kind, intelligent daughter.
I would not wish to change the essence of who you are, but I think we can work on ways that you can be yourself while still following the rules of society and using good judgment.
However, I will not take Miss Stanton to task over reporting your behavior.
" He held up a hand to stop her protest "If I do, Lady Catherine will know her spy's effectiveness is compromised and she will find someone else we do not know to do the job. Do you understand?"
Lizzy looked at her father doubtfully for a moment before answering. "What if I cannot always behave the way she and Mama expect?"
The other three chuckled at the comment.
"I do not expect you to be perfect, dear girl," Bennet replied.
"Just do your best and be aware that others are watching you.
As for Lady Catherine, if she chooses to complain, she will complain and there is nothing anyone can do to stop her.
Again, if I try, she will know her spy has been identified.
I will, however, speak with your mother.
She should not take Lady Catherine's criticisms so much to heart.
I had not realized it had become such a problem.
Now, you need to get cleaned up and have those hands tended.
Right now, Miss Stanton is looking after Jane and Mary, and your mother is off venting her frustrations to her sister.
I will have Mrs. Hill take care of you before either of them sees you like this.
" He rang the bell pull that hung on the wall behind his desk.
"Thank you, Papa," Lizzy said contritely. "I did not intend to make you worry when I ran away to think. Richard told me you were going to come looking for me. I know that would make your shoulder and back hurt and I am very sorry."
"Of course, I would worry about seeing you run away as you did, Lizzy. And I would accept any pain necessary to find you, even if I would not like it."
Lizzy looked at Richard uncertainly. He spoke up.
"Lizzy and I talked about that, Mr. Bennet.
She is like me in that sometimes she must just get away from the situation that has made her angry or confused so she can think through it.
My father and I have an agreement over how long I can stay away before he worries and he knows my preferred places to think, in case he needs to find me before I return on my own.
Since it is inevitable Lizzy will need to step away again sometimes, we thought you and she could make a similar agreement. "
Bennet nodded thoughtfully. "That is a good idea, lad. I expect you are correct that it will happen again and that I will feel better about it if we have such an agreement. Lizzy, we can talk about the specifics later. Please do not run away before then."
Lizzy nodded enthusiastically and offered Richard a thankful smile. He decided to make the second request since the first one was received so well.
"I also told Lizzy that, after she is cleaned up and sometime before dinner, I would help her cut a bouquet of the damask roses for her new aunt. If you would give us permission to do so, of course."
"Have you turned gardener now, Richard?" his father asked teasingly. "I did not know you knew the proper way to cut flowers."
"Not quite, sir, but I thought I could learn. Lizzy's experience has taught me that, at the least, we need to use something other than just our hands to do the job right."
Chuckling, Bennet said, "Yes, it would be a shame for Lizzy to suffer the pains of the experience and still not learn the correct way to cut a bouquet or have one to offer to the new Mrs. Gardiner. Johns has cleaned up the mess and..." he stopped to respond to Mrs. Hill's knock at the study door.
She entered at his command. Catching sight of Lizzy, who truly looked pitiful with her dirty face and clothes, messy hair and battered hands, Mrs. Hill shook her head slightly, clucking as she did. "Oh, Miss Lizzy," she said quietly.
"Yes, Mrs. Hill," Bennet said, smiling at her reaction.
"Our Lizzy is in need of your assistance.
I would like to avoid having her current state come to the notice of either her mother or her governess.
Would you be able to get her into fresh clean clothes after a quick wash and brush up and put some salve or something on those hands without alerting them? "
"I believe so, sir, although they are certain to hear about it at some point. Still, hearing is different from seeing. Come along, Miss Lizzy. I will take care of you." She gestured with her hand to shoo the girl ahead of her out the door.
"Before you go, Mrs. Hill, I have another request," Bennet said.
The housekeeper looked at him questioningly.
"Once she is all cleaned up, she and young Richard need some assistance in the garden to cut a bouquet of roses.
Would you take them to Mr. Johns and let him know I have given my permission and request that he would show them how to do the job correctly. "
Mrs. Hill nodded knowingly, smiling as she did. "Of course, sir. It would be a shame if Miss Lizzy gained all those scratches without any return."
"My thoughts exactly, Mrs. Hill. Off with you now, Lizzy.
Oh, and I know your mother will probably still have much to say about this.
When she does, I suggest you do not attempt to blame her for the state of your hands.
While you are correct that you probably would not have been injured if she had not jerked you away, if you say so to her, it will go worse for you.
Simply accept this is a battle you will not win and behave accordingly.
Shaking her head slightly, Lizzy sighed heavily. Richard patted her lightly on the back before giving her a gentle push towards the door. "I will see you when you are cleaned up," he said.
"Thank you, Richard," she said, still rather subdued. "Thank you, Papa. Good afternoon, Viscount Rand." She offered them all a wobbly curtsy before leaving the room ahead of Mrs. Hill.
"I will let you know when she is ready, young sir," Mrs. Hill said to Richard. She also curtsied to the gentlemen before following her young charge out the door, which she closed behind her.
After a moment of silence, Bennet addressed Richard.
"Thank you for sparing me the trip to find her.
I know she has gone out like that previously, but I have not seen her so upset before.
I did not witness the argument with her mother, although I certainly heard the noise of shouting outside.
That was how I happened to be at the window to see Lizzy run away as fast as her legs could carry her. "
"I am not really surprised to hear that Catherine has a hand in all of this," Rand said, shaking his head slightly. "After all, the governess was her idea, and Miss Stanton was her recommendation."
"Oh, I knew your sister had something in mind when she insisted I needed to hire a governess.
I had not originally intended to do so, but the idea made sense, so I took her advice.
Expecting Fanny, whose own behavior is not always the best, to guide and teach five young girls was rather unreasonable of me. "
"You are not going to allow her to be too hard on Lizzy, are you?" Richard asked. "I like her the way she is."
Bennet turned to Richard in surprise, as if he had forgotten the boy was still in the room.
"I like her the way she is as well, lad.
A bit of polishing will not hurt her though, and she is strong enough to be made better by it," he said.
"Do not worry. I will not let Miss Stanton or your aunt crush my Lizzy's spirit.
Perhaps you should go brush yourself off before you have your gardening lesson.
Mrs. Hill has the usual guest room prepared for you. "