Page 104 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“I am not. I am claiming my future, the one I have ever expected. All that was necessary was for my sisters toleave,” Mary said, her dry tone proving she was jesting.
“I will miss your wit, Mary, though I know our parents will need it,” Jane said, hugging her sister tight to her before she and one of the maids from Netherfield Park returned with her and Mr. Darcy’s valet, Mr. Carpe.
Jane departed Longbourn with a renewed sense of composure. She knew Charlotte would look after her middle sister. No words of appreciation could be given to their dear friend, but she would find a way to make her sentiments known.
Jane had wondered if she might cry when she walked down the steps of Longbourn for, perhaps, the final time, but it no longer felt like home. She attempted to feel guilt over her lack of sadness, but the one regret she claimed was not having Mary come with them. And so it was that Jane left Longbourn without a backward glance.
Chapter 12
A Man Prefers to be Home
After the ball, their brother Gardiner, Bennet, and Fanny headed to their carriage. Once within, they knew it would be a long wait before their coach made its way to the front of the estate. Gardiner took the seat opposite them, and Bennet could see that the man intended to ignore Fanny’s imploring that they all go to London.
“You can write to them in your effort to make reparations, but you must understand why they are not willing to stay at Longbourn. They fear they will be the next to have your ire directed at them,” Gardiner said, having no patience for his sister’s antics. “At the end of the year, and if letters are written with more consideration on both sides, you may enjoy some of the holiday season with your younger daughters. I do, of course, require that you put in writing permission for my taking guardianship of your three youngest, Bennet.”
Before Bennet could express that he saw no need for such measures, his wife spoke again.
“I will come with you. It must beIwho directs my daughter in her trousseau. She will not know what warehouses to visit.”
“Elizabeth asked my wife to assist her. You have visited warehouses but once in your life. Given these last few weeks, it should come as no surprise that neither Elizabeth nor Darcy wishes you to attend her now.”
“Neither sought my blessing,” Bennet groused.
“With her being of age, Lizzy can decide to marry him without anyone’s blessing. Still, she has mine.”
“Lizzy is of age,” Bennet repeated, swallowing again and again with each new comprehension of how grave an error he and his wife had made.
“And she is angry with you both for threatening to marry one of her sisters to Mr. Collins. Treat Mary with every kindness, or I fear you will know what it means to face the unrelenting anger of five ladies who love one another as sisters ought. Mary is the younger sister of two, so she will have their protection. And she, older sister of the other two, knows their devotion. She will not lie when they ask how she fares. And they will. Near daily, I expect.”
“I must attend Lizzy’s wedding.”
“You will not, Fanny. That was Elizabeth’s decree. Darcy maintains the stance of you both contacting her through him for the foreseeable future,” Gardiner explained.
“Lizzy will want her sisters to be present,” Bennet said, looking out the window to see the progress the carriage made toward the front of the house where the rest of his family stood.
“Of course she does.”
“They cannot refuse my attending their wedding vows, can they, Thomas?” Mrs. Bennet gasped, her indignation coming to the fore.
“Come, Fanny. Your propensity for outbursts means you would humiliate them and yourself before peers, one of whom is Darcy’s uncle. Elizabeth has no intention of allowing you another opportunity to destroy her happiness,” Gardiner said,taking no care with how the truth may have been imparted more gently.
“The entail—”
“You were assured after Elizabeth was born of your having a place with me, so I am finished with hearing that travesty of an excuse.” Gardiner opened the door to the carriage and jumped out, shutting it without assisting any of their daughters inside.
“What have we done, Thomas?” Mrs. Bennet looked at her husband.
“We made a grievous error, my dear. One that will be far more difficult to overcome than I suspected,” Bennet said with the same solemnity used when making his entreaty to Elizabeth. “Why did you never tell me of your brother’s assurances?”
“I had hoped it would compel at least one of our daughters to make certain I stayed at Longbourn, which has long been my home,” Mrs. Bennet said, lifting her chin in preparation to argue.
“You may have gone too far, but I claim some pride in your wish to stay in the home I provided you. I believe we have much to consider together, my dear girl.” Mr. Bennet took his wife’s hand.
“Why cannot all go back to the way it was? We must demand our right to attend the wedding once we are home. I will have this, at least. I insist you see it done, Mr. Bennet.”
Bennet was relieved when Kitty came down the steps of Netherfield Park and approached the carriage. She opened the door while denying a footman’s intent to assist her inside, proving she had no such intention.
“Mary chooses to stay at Longbourn. We will miss her very much. She awaits you in the drawing room. Assure her we will write her often, for Mary is very dear to us all,” Kitty saidwith an air of grace he had never before seen in her—one very similar to that of her eldest sister.
