Page 2 of Saving Jane
“My dear, do not worry about marriages for our girls,” Mr Bennet said taking his wife’s hand. “Some young men will come along, and you can arrange the pairings as you wish then.”
He turned to his daughters; while Jane, Elizabeth and Mary waited to be dismissed, Kitty and Lydia were already heading up the stairs to their room. “Let us retire. I have a horse I want to take to the blacksmith for new shoes tomorrow morning.”
~~}{~~
As they prepared for bed, Elizabeth and Jane discussed their mother’s concerns and their father’s attitude.
“You are our father’s favourite, Lizzy,” Jane said. “Has he ever mentioned our futures?”
“He has not Jane. I work with him on the accounts and Longbourn is prosperous though there are improvements to several farms we could make and increase the income. But father uses the rents to buy Mamma new gowns and to pay for oats for his horses.”
“Papa is the only one who rides,” Jane conceded. “We walk everywhere.”
“But what do you think Mamma meant about ‘marrying well’?” asked Elizabeth. “Is it not important to marry for love?”
Jane was silent for a long moment but then she came and sat on the bed beside Elizabeth and answered her sister. “I am almost two and twenty and even though Mamma says that I am the loveliest girl in three counties, I have never had an offer of marriage. Our dowries are nothing to attract suitors. I believe we must consider marriage for security and then create love within that security.”
“Oh Jane, no!” cried Elizabeth. “An arranged marriage?”
“Elizabeth do not carry on so,” Jane said. “I am saying that I must consider such a thing. I do not want to end up on the shelf like Charlotte Lucas.”
“One of us must marry well–to secure the future for our sisters and Mamma when Papa passes away. As the eldest, it is my responsibility.”
Elizabeth frowned and considered her next words carefully. “I shall do everything I can to assist you. Perhaps I can find asuitable husband too.”
~~}{~~
As the family gathered in the dining room to break their fast late the next morning, Mr Bennet was buried in his newspaper and Mrs Bennet was again distracted with the lack of suitable men in the neighbourhood for her daughters.
“Lydia, eat something. You have not eaten any morning this week.”
“I am not hungry in the morning Mamma,” her youngest daughter replied. “My stomach always feels as though I drank too much punch at the assembly.”
“It was a fine gathering last evening,” Jane said to change the subject. “I think everyone had an enjoyable time.”
“Papa, did Mr Taylor shoe your horse this morning?”
“Yes, Lizzy. My mare has new shoes, and I shall ride her to the fox hunt at Lucas Lodge next week. Sir William and young John have found the den of foxes that are raiding the hen coops, and we shall deal with them.”
“John Lucas is a fine young man,” Mrs Bennet said, glancing over her daughters. Lydia and Kitty both rolled their eyes at their mother’s comment, but Mary blushed and looked down at her plate.
“Mary, I believe you and I shall go to Meryton today. There is some pretty blue material at one shop that may complement your complexion very well.”
“Mamma, I want a new gown!” Lydia complained. “I need one because I am growing so tall!”
“If you need a new gown, we can take one of Jane’s and re-work it for you,” Mrs Bennet replied. “It is time for Mary to have the new gown.”
“Lizzy, when you finish your tea, come to my study,” Mr Bennet said. “I have several things to decide for the farms and I need you to write out the orders.”
“Yes Papa,” Elizabeth replied.
~~}{~~
“And I want another delivery of oats before November,” Mr Bennet told his daughter. “Ned Johnson had a good harvest–he’ll have ample feed to sell.”
“Yes Papa,” Elizabeth replied making the notation in her journal.
“The tenant families have done well this autumn–your idea of goats for milk at each farm has worked well.”
