Page 30 of The Cheapside Runners
“Here is my proposal, which has my uncle’s approval. I would like to take my sisters to this course, which you are being offered free of charge. Once you agree, you must finish. The course takes a fortnight. If you pass the course, which means do exactly as you are instructed for a fortnight, then you will receive an extra six-month’s allowance, and one newLondonballgown each. You will also attend two entertainments in London, such as a play or a ball.”
Elizabeth could see that all of her sisters were at least thinking about it (for once), but Mrs Bennet unerringly went to the heart of the matter, at least as far as she was concerned.
“You said we would all have a reward. What is in it for me?”
“Do you mean aside from having daughters who just might attract reasonable suitors rather than ruining the family?” Elizabeth asked earnestly, hoping she might break through her parents’ intransigence.
“Do not double-talk me with your clever witticisms. There is not a whit wrong with my daughters. Why should I trade two lively girls who know how to attract a man’s attention for two more Marys?”
Mary flinched slightly but said nothing.
Elizabeth said, “Circle back to the beginning of this discussion, Mama. Papa is a dozen years older than you. Chances are good that you outlive him by a decade or two, and that is not even counting any unmarried daughters. You have been living one rabbit hole away from destitution for a quarter-century and have not saved a farthing. You will depend on your family’s charity, and I can assure you that havingallof your daughters pass this course is the price of that charity.”
At that point, all the logical arguments had been laid out, but the battle was hardly over. She now had to fight decades of stubbornness and the simple fact that nobody liked to lose an argument.
In the end, Elizabeth had to rely on her father, and even then, she had to use bribery as the lure. She also had a lash handy in case the lure failed, but she hoped it would be unnecessary.
“Father, if you agree with this, you will get a fortnight of blessed peace and quiet, and the course will leave the house much more peaceful even after your daughters return. You could even send Mama to stay with Aunt Gardiner during the course. After that, I give you my solemn promise that you will never hear another word on this subject for the rest of your life.”
She left unsaid that the promise was easy to keep because she would distance herself entirely from the family if they kept their present course toward ruin, likely even going as far as taking the Gardiner surname before Bennet was tainted—an action she was seriously considering, especially since she often used it already.
Eventually both parents agreed to the scheme, so Elizabeth struck while the iron was hot.
“We shall leave just after breakfast. I expect everyone at the table promptly at nine. Pack just one day dress, one evening gown, and smallclothes. The rest of your clothing is provided as part of the course. Be ready!”
12.Breakfast of Students
Breakfast found the Bennet ladies stuck somewhere between excitement, trepidation, and anticipation.
Mary alone thought they could actually use the education and regretted it had not happened sooner. She could care less about a new gown or attending yet another ball where she would be ignored; but it had become clear over the previous weeks that there was a great deal Elizabeth did not tell the family about what happened in London. She was excited to try to peel off a layer of the onion, having never gone anywhere or done anything of note in her life.
Jane was thoroughly convinced she had done nothing the least bit wrong, but she would go along as she always did. After all, she had been the one in the firing line all her life: Jane the eldest… Jane the serene… Jane the polite… Jane the pleasant… Jane whose beauty would save them from the hedgerows… Jane the only one who could calm their mother’s or younger sisters’ animal spirits.
Jane thought it was all well and good for Elizabeth to condemn the family, but since she hied off to London at the first opportunity after she came out and returned less than half the time, she had little right to criticise that which she had not endured.
Jane was unaware of Elizabeth’s arguments with her father over the years so she saw her sister’s interference as officious, but she would do her part and be done. With the abandonment of the Netherfield party, it was not as if she had anything better to do.
Lydia and Kitty were thoroughly disappointed they would miss a fortnight of the officers’ company, but with a new ballgown and six months’ pin money, they thought they could well afford to humour Lizzy. It was not as if theirsisterwas goingto succeed in reforming them when the condemnation of every other stick in the mud busybody in Meryton had failed. They just wanted to get the silly chore over with, as both of them had spent the evening making extensive lists of the ribbons, lace, and embellishments they planned to purchase with the proceeds, not to mention they might attract a handsome beau in one of the London excursions.
Elizabeth was the last to the table, and her sisters were somewhat startled when she placed a paper in front of each, an ink pot and pen in the centre, and a bible beside it.
“You will each read this pledge aloud with your hand on the Bible, then sign it. This is your agreement to give this course your absolute best effort. For a fortnight, you will do exactly as instructed without question or complaint. You will not be placed in any dangerif you follow instructions, but youwillbe placed in some uncomfortable but necessary situations.”
They all looked around in confusion, and when Lydia spoke up to object, Elizabeth said, “No arguments, Lydia. You made an agreement yesterday. If you cannot keep your solemn word for a fortnight, how can you possibly imagine you are ready to pledge your life to a man ‘til death us do part? You have often said you want to be the first married, but you baulk at a fortnight’s hard work. Make up your mind!”
The rest grumbled, but each eventually made the oath and signed the paper, mostly because nobody was willing to be the only one to miss the reward. None saw it as a bribe, though it could hardly be considered anything else.
Jane asked, “What is this about anonymity, Lizzy?”
“You will not be the only ones taking the course. As you all know, ladies’ reputations are somewhat brittle. You will do things that you would not like to be known in general society,” she replied, then looked around and held a hand up to Mary who was about to interrupt. “These things will not be dishonourableor dangerous, but some will be embarrassing or might make you uncomfortable. You keep your names secret to prevent gossip. That is all.”
They still looked confused, but Elizabeth let it go for the moment.
An hour later, they all gathered in the drive, where they found not only the Bennet coach but a second rather smart looking carriage as well. Each had a middle-aged matron present.
Elizabeth said, “This is Mrs Stockwell. She will chaperone you to London. Mrs Whitcomb will escort me in the other coach. We have three more students to pick up in Hertfordshire. Remember… for the next fortnight, no names.”
With that, she walked over to the other carriage while Mrs Stockwell herded the Bennets into their own and left for London.
