Chapter 56 Parish Matters
On Sunday, Kitty saw Steven Goulding almost as soon as she came out of church.
He was speaking with Alexander and Mary near the churchyard gate, but when he saw Kitty, he excused himself and went to her.
“Miss Kitty.”
“Mr. Goulding.”
“I hoped we would see one another today.”
Kitty’s eyes brightened.
Steven Goulding drew a little nearer. “I confess, I also hoped you might be pleased to see me.”
“I am pleased, sir. In fact, I hoped you had not forgotten.”
He chuckled. “I had not.”
When they reached the gate, Mr. Goulding offered his arm. “Miss Kitty, may I escort you to your father’s carriage?”
“I should like that very much, sir.”
Mr. Goulding kept Kitty laughing as they crossed the churchyard, and when they reached the carriage, neither seemed in any hurry to end their conversation. They were still conversing when the rest of the family arrived and obliged them to part.
* * *
A few days later, Mary took her notebook to the rectory. Mr. Fernside had asked her to call after hearing about some of the needs she had encountered.
“The clothing has been easiest,” Mary said. “Lydia can find a use for almost anything. But some families need medicine, and others manage well enough until someone falls ill or a father loses a week’s wages.”
“That is the difficulty,” Mr. Fernside said. “We help one family through a hard week, only to find another in the same situation.”
Mary opened her notebook. “I have begun keeping a record of what each family needs and what we have already provided. I thought it might prevent us from helping one household repeatedly while overlooking another.”
Mr. Fernside held out his hand for the notebook.
Mary had recorded the families she had visited, the number and ages of their children, and what had been taken to each household. Beside several names she had added things still needed.
“This is very well done, Miss Mary.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He returned the notebook. “I think it is time we made this a parish effort. We could establish a small fund for necessities that cannot be donated and collect clothing and household goods regularly. I believe a good many people in the neighborhood would contribute if they knew what was needed.”
Mary set down her pencil. “Yes, sir. That is exactly the remedy. A fund to help families when the need arises.”
“There is a room adjoining the parish school that is not being used. I will have the caretaker clean it, and we can store the donations there.”
“Sir, we could bring the altered gowns here as they are finished. Volunteers could keep the room open at certain hours so families may come and take what they need.”
“I believe that is the best plan, Miss Mary. I will work toward that end.”
* * *
Mary had scarcely begun asking for contributions when the room beside the parish school began to fill. Once Mr. Fernside announced the collection at church, donations arrived throughout the week.
Lydia and Mary began the work, but soon other women of the parish volunteered their time.
One morning, Alexander entered carrying a wooden box.
“I was told I would find you here.”
He set the box beside Mary and removed paper, ink, sealing wax, and two new account books.
Mary picked up one of the books. “Thank you, Alexander. You purchased these for me?”
“I noticed that you have only a few blank pages left in your notebook.”
She looked through the other supplies. “This is exactly what I needed. You have thought of everything, sir.”
“My father has also agreed that I may have one of the farm carts on Thursday. If you give me the names of the families with larger things to contribute, I can collect them and bring them here.”
“You need not spend your morning collecting used clothes and blankets.”
“I want to help.”
Mary ran her fingers along the edge of the new account book before looking at him. “Then I shall find enough work to keep you occupied, Mr. Lucas.”
Alexander grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
He drew a chair nearer and sat beside her. “Where shall we begin?”
Mary moved the notebook between them, and they bent their heads over the work.
* * *
A few evenings later, the Bennets dined at Netherfield.
They arrived a little before dinner, and the gentlemen congregated around the sideboard to drink port and discuss the war.
Caroline remained at Mr. Darcy’s side, watching him as he spoke.
Elizabeth found Mr. Darcy’s copy of the Aeneid on a table.
She picked it up and had read several pages when Darcy approached.
“Dinner is served, Miss Elizabeth.”
She set the book on the table and took his offered arm.
Caroline had taken particular care with the meal. White soup was followed by lobster patties. Each time another course was served, Caroline leaned toward Mr. Darcy to speak to him in a lowered voice, often touching his arm and once laying her fingers upon his bare wrist.
Elizabeth found herself watching these familiarities and wondering what had prompted Miss Bingley’s sudden boldness when Caroline abruptly recalled her to the conversation.
“You seemed very absorbed in your book before dinner, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Yes. The Aeneid is a particular favorite of mine.”
Caroline paused. “The Aeneid? I confess, I cannot imagine what that is. I suppose one must be something of a bluestocking to be familiar with it.”
Elizabeth considered her answer, unwilling to meet Caroline’s sharpness with her own.
Darcy looked across the table at Elizabeth. “You may read any book of mine that pleases you, Miss Elizabeth.”
Caroline reached for her wine. “I confess I have never understood why some ladies are so eager to display their learning. Surely a woman may be accomplished without making certain that everyone in the drawing room knows it.”
She took a sip of wine. “One need not make an occupation of it.”
Bingley set down his fork. “Enough, Caroline. Miss Elizabeth was reading a book while we waited for dinner. There is nothing in that which deserves your ridicule.”
Caroline looked at her brother. “I did not mean to ridicule her, Charles.”
“Then I suggest we speak of something else.”
Jane glanced at Bingley, her expression warm. “Thank you, sir. I have no wish for scenes at Netherfield.”
After dinner, Caroline settled on the couch beside Elizabeth and looked her over, her attention lingering on Elizabeth’s black bombazine gown.
“Elizabeth, you really must allow me to recommend my dressmaker before the wedding.”
Elizabeth glanced down at her gown. “Is there something amiss with my dress?”
“Your mourning dress is so very plain. Not even a little black lace at the sleeves or neckline. A few scallops would improve it enormously.”
“I am quite satisfied with it.”
“But mourning need not be unbecoming.” Caroline studied the gown again. “A woman may dress appropriately without abandoning fashion altogether.”
Darcy, who stood nearby, looked at Elizabeth. “I can find nothing wanting in Miss Elizabeth’s appearance.”
Caroline’s expression tightened, but she made no response. She stood and moved to sit with Mrs. Hurst.
* * *
A few days later, Mr. Bennet handed Mary a note addressed to her in his care.
“Mr. Fernside reports that five families have pledged regular monetary contributions to your fund, payable quarterly. It appears your enterprise will continue without requiring you to chase down half the parish for subscriptions.”
Mary took the note, pleased. “That is very good news, Papa.”
Before she could say more, Lady Lucas was announced. She joined them in the drawing room, and after the usual greetings, her attention settled on Mr. Bennet.
“I understand the wedding breakfast at Netherfield is to be very small.”
“Yes. We thought it appropriate while we are still mourning Mrs. Bennet.”
“Your neighbors would like to see Jane and Elizabeth married and wish them happy. We all understand that they have lost their mother, but Frances would have been the first to insist upon a celebration. After all those years of fearing her daughters would be thrown into the hedgerows, she would hardly want them married without one.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes filled with moisture at the familiar refrain.
“Of course you are right. Frances loved a celebration. I shall leave it to my daughters. If they wish their friends and neighbors to attend, I will not object.”
Lady Lucas nodded. “I am glad, Thomas. Your family has had enough sorrow. Let your friends help you celebrate.”
She turned to Jane and Elizabeth. “You girls do not object to having your neighbors in attendance, do you?”
Jane answered for them both. “Not at all, Lady Lucas. Thank you. It would mean a great deal to us to celebrate with everyone who has been so kind to our family.”