Page 15 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“Lizzy keeps a list she consults every Wednesday when they meet, and he always promises to look at itnextweek.”
“Thank you, Jane. You need not fear, Mary and I had an illuminating conversation this morning. I quite value her plain speaking. Now, tell me, how long is the list, Lizzy?”
“There are no funds to complete anything on it. No budget is adhered to,” Elizabeth said without censure.
“No one cares to economize other than Elizabeth, Jane, and me. More than once, we have used our allowance to assist with small things the tenants need or given them seeds to grow their kitchen gardens,” Mary said to their father.
“Icannotbelieve this. Know this now, girls. I will make a budget, and Iwilladhere to it,” Mrs. Bennet said with allthe authority of a decree. “Any funds I save, I will place into an account through my brother Philips. Can you aid me in this, Mary?”
“Of course.” Mary’s calm assurance helped Mrs. Bennet believe it possible.
“Still, I must determine how to pay for a governess.” Mrs. Bennet dropped her head into her hand, pressing a thumb on her temple to ease the pressure.
“Mother, there is an easier solution,” Elizabeth said, glancing at her sisters. “If you allow one of us to work with Lydia, and if you will agree the lessons are necessary rather than foolish, perhaps we do not need a governess?”
“What of me?” Kitty asked quietly.
“I hoped you might spend time with me, dearest,” Jane said, her expression conveying her love to her sister.
“You arenotdifficult, Kitty. It is Lydia who acted hoydenish at the assembly. Mr. Darcy stated, in no uncertain terms, she would be the ruin of us all were we in Town.” Mrs. Bennet whipped up a hand to stop her youngest daughter’s protest. “It ismyfault as much as it is yours, Daughter. We must correct our behaviors. You act out and are an embarrassment to your sisters. Do not protest, it is true. It is also true of me.”
“Excuse me!” Mr. Bennet called out, having been ignored but for his wife’s sarcastic welcome. “You willnothave your brother come to this house so he can determine if my estate is running at its full capacity.”
“I believe the marriage articles state our mother’s care while you are alive and the commitment to see she is taken care of after your demise, does it not? I have made many suggestions to increase the yield of our fields and household. You chose not to employ them, so we can presume you intend to secure our mother’s future care through other means. Your informing us ofthe means by which it will occur would go a long way to easing her mind,” Elizabeth said boldly.
Mrs. Bennet took great pleasure from her husband’s indignation when his favorite daughter did not appear to regret putting him in an impossible position. All knew food, clothing, and shelter were not enough if there were no sons and an entail to male heirs. Elizabeth was correct, though Mrs. Bennet did not believe her husband’s pride would allow him to confess it.
“Do tell me, Mr. Bennet, for I would very much like to know how you have satisfied those terms,” Mrs. Bennet said, breaking her roll in half.
“You know I have not,” Mr. Bennet said, looking down at his plate.
“Then it is what we believed. The question now is whether or not you could have and chose not to, or if it was not possible,” Mrs. Bennet said.
She could see that Mr. Bennet felt his world crashing around him. Mr. Bennet also knew he had no excuse, that no words could make up for his lack of care. Nor ignoring his duty. He had been self-indulgent in nearly every decision. He had failed to keep his promises in favor of indolence. She recognized in his behaviors those same things she was guilty of.
Having answers, or at least knowing his intentions,wouldgo a long way toward settling her. For now, her husband was coming to terms with his failure in his duties to her and their daughters, just as she was coming to terms with her own to him and their daughters.
Mrs. Bennet did not doubt that her husband bit back a complaint of palpitations in his chest when his breath became shallow. To see him struggle as she had under the weight of the entail was something she knew she should not enjoy, but found it quite a pleasure. She could well guess he pondered overhow her settlement had become their subject of interest. She wondered more at not having asked about it before.
And Mrs. Bennet was quite pleased her husband now knew he was wrong to presume she lacked the acumen to understand his duty. She had a right to know how he intended to address her care. More so if he had no intentions, she regretted their daughters’ need to manage what he had not. Pressing them to marry as soon as may be was, that morning, not so palpable to her when it had been her every thought these many years.
“Charlotte explained to me, in no uncertain terms, that I humiliate our daughters with my constant extolling of virtues or complaining of faults that do not exist in the measure I speak of. Mary, if you are finished, please join me in the sitting room that we might continue our talk.” Mrs. Bennet then turned her head to Elizabeth. “Would you pen the letter to my brother Gardiner requesting the review?”
“Of course. Also, I had thought to ask Charlotte if she might come for tea to meet Miss Darcy. Mr. Darcy asked if he might introduce her to our acquaintance today. But if you would rather, I can send Miss Darcy an invitation for tomorrow and invite Charlotte then.”
Mrs. Bennet felt some satisfaction to see that her husband’s favorite daughter now spoke to her with the same respect she gave him.
“I am glad to have them all come to tea. I remember your mentioning it now,” Mrs. Bennet said, though she well knew Elizabeth had not spoken of it before.
“Mother, I regret offending you last night. Mr. Darcy and I both hoped Jane and Mr. Bingley might come to know one another before you announced their attachment. Idoapologize,” Elizabeth said with her usual humor.
“I was out of my senses with excitement, announcing them matched before they had danced a full set together. Youneed not apologize. You were correct in asking me to cease my declarations. I did not consider that I put them both in so awkward a position,” Mrs. Bennet said, blinking back tears pressed upon her by heightened emotions.
“Excuse me?” Mr. Bennet attempted to gain the attention of all in the room.
“Do not pretend you do not enjoy our follies, Mr. Bennet. And do not for another moment think I do not recognize you have made a joke of me to our neighbors for these many years,” Mrs. Bennet said, dismissing her husband’s anger.
“I think I will refuse this Mr. Darcy's entry.” Mr. Bennet balled up his napkin and tossed it on the table.
