Chapter 3
Being so close to each other and sharing so many preferences, Elizabeth and her father missed each other dearly.
While loving all his daughters, Mr. Bennet never denied that Elizabeth was his favourite.
He was proud of her and considered she was cleverer, more decided, and more reliable than a son.
She missed one single quality: being a man, so she could inherit Longbourn one day.
In that respect, Mr. Bennet was disappointed by how unfair the inequality between men and women was.
In the eyes of society, his exceptional daughter was, in many ways, below the laughable, pompous Mr. Collins, to whom his property was entailed.
Elizabeth’s latest proof of worthiness in her father’s eyes had been her rejection of Mr. Collins’s proposal.
The thought of his beloved daughter married to that silly man—and actually becoming his property—made him cringe.
Fortunately, his Lizzy had shown her strength and obstinacy not just in refusing their cousin, but also in resisting her mother’s insistence.
Although he disagreed with his wife in almost every circumstance, Mr. Bennet could not blame her for her endless efforts to find good husbands for their five daughters.
There was no greater distress for a widow than to find herself with no fortune, no connections, no house and no dowry for her daughters.
Mrs. Bennet’s continuous nervous agitation, as annoying as it might seem to others, betrayed her love and care for her daughters.
And that realisation increased Mr. Bennet's guilt for not being diligent and careful enough to enhance his estate’s income and to save a small amount of money for the future.
Although it was God’s will that he had no son, his family’s precarious future was his fault for being too lazy and negligent with his finances.
When his brother Gardiner spoke to him about the opportunity to purchase some tea and spices from India, with the prospect of doubling the investment by selling it to London’s buyers, Mr. Bennet did not hesitate.
It was a unique chance to compensate for years of idleness and finally provide for his family.
He used the small amount he had from his wife’s portion, and Mr. Gardiner also loaned him the difference, so they could enter into the affair together, which although risky, held great potential.
And the worst thing they had feared had happened: due to the war, the ship that should have delivered the merchandise had been delayed for a full fortnight.
They were uncertain if it would dock safely, and how damaged the merchandise would be.
The prospect of losing the investment was devastating for both Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner, who was the Bennets’ only supporter and hope for shelter if they were to lose Longbourn.
Mr. Bennet revealed the circumstances to Elizabeth, as they spent some private time together in the library.
“Dear Papa, I am sorry you must face such tribulations. May I help you in any way?”
“No, sadly you may not. Just pray that the ship will eventually arrive and that the goods are not entirely ruined. And if we fail in this, we must put our hope in your uncle’s ability to limit the damage.”
Elizabeth struggled to conceal her fear and desperation. They were on the brink of wasting the little they had, and possibly even a step beyond it.
“But enough about me...How was Rosings Park, Lizzy? Were you as astounded by its greatness as Sir William and Mr. Collins? And how did you find Lady Catherine?”
“Everything was as I expected,” she smiled. “And yes, Rosings is large and impressive! Many, many windows and staircases!”
“How delightful! And Mr. Collins’s house? I hope you were not too jealous of Charlotte and did not regret your rejection too much!” Mr. Bennet mocked her further.
“Not at all, I assure you. But I was pleased to see Charlotte content, enjoying her new life. She has truly made a lovely home!”
“Well, it is a relief to hear she is such an excellent mistress, since she will also own Longbourn soon…”
“Papa, do not speak so! There is no ‘soon’, only a very distant happenstance, not worthy of being mentioned! You are still a young man!”
He waved his hand disapprovingly.
“Speaking of young men, how is Jane? Still grieving after Bingley?”
“Papa, please do not tease her. She is still out of spirits, I believe.”
“You know, I always believed that the man would return to Netherfield. He does not look like a man to make such drastic and sudden decisions. If he did, he must have been induced into it, by either his sisters or that friend of his—Darcy.”
“If Mr. Bingley is so easily influenced, perhaps he is not worthy of Jane. I hope she will find another man worthy of her affection soon.”
“Perhaps an earl or something? It would certainly solve all our problems,” Mr. Bennet jested.
Elizabeth tried to smile. She did have the solution in her power, offered by Mr. Darcy, together with his ardent love and admiration.
But she did not value him or his proposal enough to accept it, and it had suddenly turned into a secret she did not dare confess, even to the people most dear to her.
“No such fortunate outcome looks likely, Papa.”
“No? Then what is with this strange dinner invitation? I suspected the earl had fallen in love with one of you girls. There cannot be another explanation.”
“I am not sure either, Papa. But no, there is certainly no falling in love involved; I am sorry to disappoint you.”
“Well, well. Then perhaps I should decline. I see no opportunity to amuse myself and I loathe the notion of a long carriage ride twice in one evening.”
“Papa, you cannot abandon us! Let us suffer or make sport together. I missed you at every dinner with Lady Catherine de Bourgh—you cannot disappoint me again!” Elizabeth laughed and Mr. Bennet eventually surrendered to her smiles.
∞∞∞
The Barringtons’ large and elegant carriage arrived punctually and, after half an hour of smooth travelling and scarce conversation, they stopped on the edge of Hyde Park, in front of an impressive house.
“Lady Augusta must be very fond of your company, since she invited all of us,” Sir William said, staring at the mansion.
“Surprisingly, I tend to agree,” Mrs. Gardiner answered. “She must be desirous of the company of ladies.”
“In such a case, I would be happy to return home,” Mr. Bennet said.
“I will gladly join you,” Mr. Gardiner replied, as they exchanged amused glances.
“Gentlemen, behave!” Mrs. Gardiner scolded them both, a moment before the door opened and they were invited in.
Barrington House was everything spectacular and grandiose, and every step further inside it increased the guests’ puzzlement.
Their presence in that luxurious place was impossible to explain; even more so, Lady Augusta did not seem lonely, as there were three gentlemen and two other young ladies, as well as a much older one keeping them company in the drawing-room.
When the servant announced them, silence fell, then Lord Barrington hurried towards them.
They were introduced to Mr. George Lambert and his sister, Miss Fanny Lambert, as well as Mr. Blackmore and his fiancee, Lady Colleen Hodge.
Then followed Mr. Gill St. Claire and lastly, the elderly lady, who they noticed to be sitting in a wheelchair—Lady Henrietta Egerton, Countess of Sedgewick.
Near her, there was a Dr. Linfield, a gentleman apparently several years older than Mr. Bennet.
Sir William forgot to breathe, Maria was pale and barely managed a curtsey. Elizabeth, Jane and their aunt were stunned, while Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet experienced a growing desire to escape from what seemed a boring, formal gathering.
“We are delighted to have you here,” Lady Augusta declared. “I was just telling my sister-in-law—Lady Sedgewick—how fortuitously we met and how much we enjoyed your company afterwards.”
“We are honoured to be here,” Mrs. Gardiner replied, while Elizabeth, Jane and Maria sat together on a sofa.
“I shall not stay for dinner, as this doctor here is very strict with my schedule and diet,” Lady Sedgewick said.
“It is my duty to take care of your ladyship’s well being,” Dr. Linfield replied.
“Everybody is expecting me to die, but I am stubborn enough to cheat death and the living. I wish for another glass of port, please!” she demanded.
“Your ladyship!” the doctor intervened, but she dismissed him with a gesture.
“Come, Doctor—you already feared that I would die last month. And here I am, healthy enough to drink, eat and mind my own business. During that time, I enjoyed more glasses of port than I can count or remember. What harm can one more do?”
“My dear Aunt, you must listen to Dr. Linfield. We are all worried for you and we hope to have you with us for as long as possible!” Lord Barrington said, taking the lady’s hand affectionately. She dismissed him too.
“Yes, yes, you are frightened I will die before I put my business affairs in order!”
“Aunt!” the earl interrupted her indignantly. “That is hardly fair; I have always worried for your health.”
“Of course you have; my death will be useful only if it occurs under the appropriate circumstances. Let us not argue over what is obvious. Better give me that glass of port,” Lady Sedgewick demanded.
She took a sip, then glanced at the guests.
“Do not mind me, I am only an annoying and bitter woman. So lovely to make your acquaintance, I rarely meet new people these days, and as for the old ones, I hardly like them enough to miss them. So, Mr. Bennet, I understand you own a small estate in Hertfordshire?”
“Yes, ma’am” he answered, surprised by such illustrious interest.
“Your daughters are very pretty. Do you have any sons too?”
“No, no sons… Only three more daughters.”
“Five daughters? Dear Lord,” Lady Sedgewick exclaimed, making everyone uncomfortable.