Page 57 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
Elizabeth did not look at her father or partake in his amusement. That was too unkind, even for a man with such a sardonic disposition. She reminded herself that their father did notintendto be cruel.
Kitty said to their mother, “Miss Darcy was positively horrified by Lydia and me.”
“Itdoesmatter. Every day, the paper describes yet another example where reputations are ruined with one wrong word or an ill-considered comment,” Elizabeth said, picking up a paper.
“This is true, and you have often laughed over their ruin,” Kitty said, taking the paper which was open to the very page detailing it. “I would hate to have my folly read by the whole of England.”
Elizabeth knew the tension in her mother was too much for the lady to suffer with any semblance of restraint. It had begun at the assembly when Lydia and their mother did naught but embarrass them. But now with the impending arrival of eligible bachelors, one who seemed very kind, Elizabeth feared their mother’s efforts would sabotage any chance of Jane’s finding felicity. This, she felt, would be hard to excuse.
“Mother has always claimed beauty, lace, and a little flirtation would get us husbands,” Lydia said, crossing her arms in her huff.
“I mean no disrespect, Mama, but that is not true. Manners are a crucial aspect of a young woman’s success in Town. Proper conversation and politeness are what garner you an invitation to attend events. From there, she may, through manners and conversation which are not vapid, be admired,” Jane said with more terseness than was her wont.
“Might I have a companion for a few hours each day, Lizzy? I will let you keep my pin money.”
Elizabeth suspected their father might have ignored Kitty’s plea for instruction if it were not so desperate.
“A companion is someone who is an addition to a household, ever at the side of her charge or charges. It is not like being checked on when you are punished and must polish the silver. They would need room and board, and our pin money cannot cover the wages and extra food and clothing a companion requires,” Elizabeth said, explaining in detail what her sister had not considered.
“Then I will save mine for some lessons. I have some still, some that Lydia has not yet taken. I can return it to cover the cost. Mother has not yet told me I must give it to her, so Lydia’s complaining for another ribbon or bonnet does not tax her nerves.”
“Kitty, hush.” Lydia slapped her sister’s arm.
“Pardon?” Mr. Bennet asked, returning to the doorway he had just removed himself from. “I will speak to the two of you. Mrs. Bennet, I think your presence is also necessary,” Mr. Bennet said, glancing at his wife, who refused to meet his gaze. “The three of you are to come to the study.”
“I have a list, and Mary, too, has an accounting of the items we were told to remit to Lydia these last years,” Kitty said in helpfulness.
“Neither you nor Mary has need of alist,” Mrs. Bennet cried out in indignation.
“We refer to them, should someone ask what gifts we might like on the day of our births. We hope Lydia found satisfaction in the one we were required to give to her. Then we might be allowed to keep a gift we receive a second time.”
“I also have an account of what our youngest sister hasborrowedfrom Jane and me. I am well aware of the value ofkeeping accounts. I suspect the debt to Kitty is higher,” Elizabeth said, circumventing their mother’s anger toward Kitty. She had less and less patience and tolerance of her mother’s treatment of her sister these last months.
Their father moved to his study, and, before Lydia could stop her, Kitty flounced out of her chair to follow.
“You aresisters. Borrowing things is no more than what sisters do,” Mrs. Bennet said, her ire directed towards Elizabeth.
“That would be true if the items werereturned,not just taken. You have assured Lydia that everything we have is hers to enjoy, but you have not verified the return of the item. She whines until you support her. Kitty is told to follow her everywhere, but she is never asked if there is somethingshehopes to do.Sistersshould be considerate of those she loves and who love her,” Jane said. Her frustration, so rarely displayed, made all listen.
“There is a guest in this house. We will speak of this nonsense later,” Mrs. Bennet said with a dismissive gesture of her hand.
“It is not nonsense. It has been a difficulty we, your other daughters, are forced to accept. And the inappropriateness of your proclamations over Mr. Darcy’s ten thousand a year at the assembly embarrassed him, and us. Just as much as you're claiming Jane must look her best today to catch Mr. Bingley’s eye, you embarrassed us all and Miss Darcy.”
“I have not once embarrassed any of you.”
“To gossip about who might catch a gentleman’s attention so that all those dancing can hear you embarrasses not only us, but our partners, Mother. Your effusions of Lydia being but lively when she is flouncing about are humiliating. You insult Mary by claiming her to be the least beautiful amongst us is cruel.Noneof that is how a familyshouldact,” Elizabethexclaimed. “All are improprieties our neighbors notice and disapprove of.”
“Lizzy.” Jane clutched her sister’s hand.
Elizabeth knew Jane meant to warn her that she was on the verge of saying something she might one day regret. But it was impossible to imagine doing so just at this time.
“No, Jane.” Elizabeth released her sister’s hand. “Our mother should at last be told she is the reason your one suitor was chased off when you were fifteen. He told Father in front of you, Mary, and me at the last tea he attended here, he found it impossible to abide her flutterings, bouts of nerves, and constant complaints of things not yet upon us. Father asked we say nothing, and because the man was near Papa’s age, and you, far too young to suffer him, we were glad of it. But you cannot want her to run off Mr. Bingley in this same manner.”
“Lizzy, it does notmatter. I despised him and am glad he will never return. Our mother’s behaviors assured it. But I am done speaking of him, Lizzy. And I do mean forever, so do not bring him up again,” Jane said to Elizabeth in a sharp reprimand. “Yes, I fear she will run off with Mr. Bingley. But… Pray, excuse me. When done your accounting to Father, please join us in the stillroom.”
“It is but a full year’s allowance or two to recover those items taken,” Elizabeth said, sliding her chair back in and standing behind it. “I will join you now.”
“And ribbons, your favorite blanket, your drawing book, and the plates which you had hoped to use for your special gown to have made when you were sixteen and had your local come out.” Jane would have gone on, but Lydia and their mother’s ever-louder protests were not worth the effort to shout over.
