Chapter 8

The return journey to Meryton was easy and comfortable, Diane alternately playing or reading with Mary and taking short naps in her mother's lap.

Elizabeth considered the changes waiting for them in Meryton, primarily her father's cousin visiting Longbourn and the regiment settling in the neighbourhood for the winter. She had not counted on being so fortunate. She expected to return to Meryton amidst a cloud of gossip and speculation regarding what could have taken Jane to town, and why Mary was now residing with her.

Thanks to new developments, there ought to be enough distraction amongst the town for Elizabeth and Mary to settle back into Lilac Cottage quietly and without excessive scrutiny. The only thing that concerned her was that with Mr Collins being in residence at Longbourn, Mrs Bennet was likely to demand Mary's return to the house. Elizabeth knew that since he happened to be single, Mrs Bennet would never allow the chance to marry a daughter to him in order to make Longbourn her permanent home to slip by.

Not that Elizabeth would allow such a thing. She would hide all her sisters in Scotland or even send them to Canada before she allowed them to be married against their will. She would rather not resort to such methods, but she would do so without hesitation if necessary. She had made it her business to know everything about the gentleman who was to inherit her father's estate some time ago, and he was reported to be quite ridiculous.

The carriage arrived at Lilac Cottage, and the ladies separated; Mary to try the music she brought from Astley House, and Elizabeth to check that all was ready for the servant's day off on Sunday. Mrs Byrd had cheerfully prepared everything, a simple meal to go into the oven when they returned from church, a cheerful pudding, a mountain of bread, rolls, muffins, and scones, as well as a simple cold spread for breakfast and dinner. After the busy week in town, Elizabeth was looking forward to the day of rest.

The next day, Elizabeth, Mary, and Diane walked to church. This was usually the only time she regretted not using her carriage on Sundays because Diane would tire quickly, but the servants who also walked to church would always help carry the child. Every head turned, and eyes were wide in shock at the appearance of the young lady with Elizabeth. With a few hours spent with Elizabeth, and the maids Sarah and Ethel, Mary learned to appreciate a number of softer hair styles. In a lovely pale pink gown, Mary was transformed into a beautiful and elegant lady.

They sat behind the Bennets who barely nodded to them, even though with her title Elizabeth could have taken the front pew without raising an eyebrow in the village. She preferred to maintain a more unobtrusive presence in her home county.

After services, Charlotte joined them after they spoke with the Meryton parson about the sermon, and then she took up the office of introducing to Elizabeth and Mary the most ridiculous bowing and scraping man they had ever seen. The man spoke on and on of his great honour of meeting his "fair cousins", then made sure they understood that while it was an honour, it was not as great an honour as it was to serve his benevolent patroness, the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Charlotte saved them from an impassioned soliloquy regarding the addition, by Lady Catherine's condescension, of shelves to all of the closets of his humble parsonage. As they greeted the other members of the parish, and promised the ladies they would be calling over the next few days. They then rendered a perfunctory greeting to the Bennets for appearances sake, hugged their youngest two sisters warmly, bade them come to visit when they were able, and then along with Charlotte, headed for home.

They chatted quietly about unimportant neighbourhood news as they walked back, and went to their rooms to change into drier and more comfortable clothes.

After an hour's rest, Elizabeth returned downstairs to find the others in the parlour. All three ladies and the little girl went to the kitchens to see about their luncheon. This was the first time Charlotte had joined Elizabeth on such a visit. She was charmed by the experience, and vowed to try it at Lucas Lodge with their household, if she could convince her mother.

As they sat down to their meal, they finally were at liberty to have the conversation they wanted. Charlotte told them about the whispers in the village after Elizabeth and her sisters had gone to town.

Elizabeth was relieved that Mrs Hill and most likely her father, had clamped down on any gossip leaving the house. Mrs Hill was dear friends with Mrs Nichols. Elizabeth had an agreement to provide both women with a cottage and pension to share upon their retirement, and so Mrs Hill would ensure that the staff at Longbourn would hold their tongues when required.She was not using Mrs Hill as a spy by any means, for Elizabeth had no interest in the tittle tattle of her father's house. It was more of an agreement that Mrs Hill and Mrs Nichols would be rewarded for watching vigilantly, and taking quick action to help Elizabeth protect the Bennet girls from their parents if necessary.

As much as Elizabeth loved and trusted Charlotte almost as a sister, she would not discuss what had happened in the Bennet household, even with her. Charlotte indicated that the speculation in the village suggested that Mrs Bennet must have created drama over Mr Bingley leaving the village so soon, and Jane must have bolted to her aunt and uncle until it blew over. No one seemed to notice that Jane had left for London first, and Elizabeth would not point it out. It would not help anything, so there was little point.

The subject turned to Mr Collins, and the arrival of the militia. Charlotte confirmed Elizabeth's fears when she told them about the "olive branch" the clergyman spoke of constantly. Mary and Elizabeth both knew what that meant, and were grateful Jane was in London, though they worried about Mrs Bennet's expectations for the other girls.

The militia had arrived and, according to Charlotte, the town's youngest ladies out, who were the younger Misses Bennet and her own sister Miss Maria, had made proper geese of themselves chasing after the officers. Elizabeth was concerned but there was not much she was able to do about it yet.

Elizabeth changed the subject to insignificant topics, such as their evening at the theatre, and Mary's new wardrobe. Mary innately sensed that Elizabeth did not boast of her connections in town while she was retiring in the country, and took her cue from Elizabeth, so they spoke little of their visits with Elizabeth's friends.

Elizabeth renewed her offer to have Charlotte visit her in town this Season. She would attend a few months in town with Mary, using Mary's status as not yet being presented to avoid most evening functions. But she wanted Charlotte to go with them, and finally meet some society outside of Meryton. The two of them could attend a small number of evening functions, leaving Mary at Astley House with Diane. Charlotte promised to speak to her mother about the plan.

They spent the afternoon in the parlour, alternately singing hymns with Diane, and reading Bible stories. Eventually they parted, each with a book to rest with for an hour or two before going to the kitchens for a plate. Mary taught Charlotte how to use the boiler and water pump in the bathing chamber attached to her suite, and all enjoyed a quiet and restful evening.

*****

On Monday, Elizabeth resumed her usual routine of riding early, then breakfasting and walking with Diane, Mary, and Charlotte. After their rather muddy walk with Beau, Diane and the dog went to the nursery for baths, and the ladies changed their gowns before leaving to return Charlotte home, and pay calls to their neighbours.

They visited Lucas Lodge, and behaved as if it were the most natural thing in the world that Mary and Jane should join Elizabeth for a visit to town, and that Jane should remain with her aunt and uncle. Since little other news had come from Longbourn, Lady Lucas played along, although everyone knew Mrs Bennet well enough to know that a drama must have occurred.

They left Charlotte at Lucas Lodge, and continued their visits about the neighbourhood. Elizabeth was impressed. Not even her Aunt Phillips knew of the events that happened at Longbourn. Mr Bennet must have somehow made Mrs Bennet understand how badly their behaviour would make them appear.

The visits went well, and Elizabeth found that Mary was much cleverer than she seemed, easily steering conversations away from questions about her change of residence by chattering happily about her new wardrobe, the menagerie, and the theatre. The matrons seemed to accept this new Mary with mixed feelings. Everyone liked and respected the three elder Bennet girls, even if Mary used to be rather tedious. They were happy to see her finally bloom, though those with daughters or nieces to marry off were slightly chagrined at another Bennet daughter making more competition for husbands.

There was much talk of the militia, each family wanting to be first to tell them this or that about certain officers. The general consensus of the neighbourhood was that they were fortunate that the officers all seemed well mannered and chivalrous, eager to please and be pleased by the society of Meryton.

When they returned to Lilac Cottage, they were informed that Mr Collins had called twice. Elizabeth and Mary rolled their eyes to each other as they removed their outer garments. It was unclear which of them he would be seeking out when he finally paid his call, but they were both certain it would be unpleasant.

The next morning there was a demand from Mrs Bennet for Mary to return home. "Do not even consider it, Mary. Papa has not demanded your return, and as long as you have his permission to be here, you need not return to Longbourn," Elizabeth soothed. "If necessary, I will spirit you away from the area until Mr Collins leaves Meryton, but for now let Mama not unsettle us."

Mr Collins turned up as they returned from their walk with Diane, clearly expecting to be invited in for a visit. Elizabeth did so reluctantly, since she must get it over with sometime, she told herself. As they entered the hall, Mary quietly slipped away to the nursery with Diane, and Elizabeth resolved herself to distracting the man for Mary's sake.

She spent a half hour allowing the man to prattle nonsensically about his patroness, her condescension, the windows and chimney piece at Rosings, and the shelves she had installed in his closets at the parsonage. Slyly allowing him to use up his time on useless chatter, Elizabeth could then remind him that the time for a polite visit had passed. The unwitting man never noticed that all of his subsequent visits followed the same pattern, and nothing of any value was ever discussed.

From the first of these tiresome visits, Elizabeth understood clearly that this man had no idea she was the unworthy upstart he and the great Lady Catherine had made such a fuss about in Kent. How the imbecile did not remember the name of the very woman whose reputation he had slandered was a mystery, but only proved to Elizabeth his sheer stupidity. He saw her only as the widow of a physician, living in a small dower house that he did not realise she owned, with her sister to help with her child, known only among her family and the village who knew her intimately, as Lizzy or Lady Astley. Some of his comments made it abundantly clear that he knew she had some money from her husband but apparently no idea exactly how much. He seemed keen to get his hands on it, however, with his silly prose and little elegant compliments that Mr Collins found so acceptable to the ladies .

The man preened and flattered, day in and day out for two weeks, while Elizabeth and her sister ignored the demands from Mrs Bennet that arrived each day. Finally an announcement to distract everyone appeared in the papers, with the news that Jane was to be married to Mr Bingley. Elizabeth was rather shocked at the speed at which the engagement had come about, but sent an express to Mr Gardiner, reminding him of the funds she had set aside for her sisters' dowries, and asking him to see to the inclusion of the funds in Jane's marriage settlement, as long as the terms she laid out for Jane's protection were in the document.

Elizabeth also asked him to make Jane and Mr Bingley aware that she owned Netherfield. She would rather not renew the lease, but she would not deny her sister if Jane wished to live there. She rather suspected Jane would refuse to live there once she knew. Three days later she received an express from Aunt Gardiner just after breakfast.

Dear Lizzy,

I regret to inform you that when the documents of the settlement were presented to Jane, she refused to sign them until your terms and the agreement for your settlement were removed. Mr Bingley has agreed to marry her without the dowry, or Jane will not have him.

I must tell you that I have argued the matter with her quite vehemently and tried to make her see how cruel and unkind and ungrateful it is for Jane to decline what you have worked so hard to provide for her and all of her sisters. I was shocked to have her inform me firmly that she will not even discuss the matter, and if I continued my admonishments, she would seek lodgings elsewhere. Your uncle is so enraged by her behaviour he cannot even speak in her presence for fear of losing his temper, and took dinner in his study last night.

She did not take well to hearing that you owned Netherfield. Mr Bingley has agreed to seek another lease elsewhere, as long as Jane would agree to return there for a few weeks after the wedding, to take their leave of the village and maintain appearances. I am quite shocked he is still willing to marry her under the circumstances, but they are determined to have each other. I wish I had better news to share.

Mrs Bennet has sent an express, demanding Jane's immediate return to plan the wedding; however, Jane and Mr Bingley plan to marry soon in London by common licence. They have agreed to go to Hertfordshire for Christmas, and they will return to London after Twelfth Night. Jane does not intend to notify Mrs Bennet of these plans, rather, an announcement will be made in the papers once the wedding has taken place. Jane has forbidden Mr Bingley from seeking her father's blessing, saying that her age and the blessing from her uncle is enough.

Your uncle and I long to see you and Mary when you return to town for the season. The children are all well and send their very best wishes. I anticipate my next letter from you, and remain your affectionate,

Aunt Madeleine

Elizabeth was sad as she read the letter and passed it wordlessly to Mary.

Mary was not sad; she was angry. "How dare she behave so badly! An angel indeed! Poor Mr Bingley is going to find himself married to a very peculiar sort of angel quite soon, I think! I simply must pen her a letter and tell her what I think of this!"

"Do not start a fight with your sister, Mary. Instead, let us go to Meryton and see if we can find a nice gift for you to send her with a congratulating letter."

"I have no desire to send that cruel creature a gift of any kind! I wish to reproach her most severely!" cried Mary.

"Yet send a gift you shall, for Jane has experienced enough fighting lately, and she does not need more from you. Jane has declared that she does not need my help, and has forged her own path. That is her right. There may come a day when you will be glad I have prevented you from fighting with your sister," insisted Elizabeth.

Before they could prepare to leave, Mr Banks announced Mr Collins. Mary made herself scarce, although she was not so lucky every time Mr Collins called. She must be present at some of his visits or it would be quite rude.

Mr Collins had not come to see Miss Mary however, and Elizabeth felt ill as the gentleman entered the room. She had a feeling she knew what was coming, she had received enough unwanted proposals to recognize the intent in the man's expression.

After listening to the man wax lyrical about his reasons for wanting to marry, Elizabeth's eyes glazed over as he expressed that the moment he met her he had chosen her as the companion of his future life, and assured her of the condescension she would receive from the beneficence of Lady Catherine.

Elizabeth eventually could stand no more. "I believe I received all the condescension from Lady Catherine and from you that I ever cared to receive, when I was attempting to quietly mourn my husband as I resided at Windmere Manor with my child two years ago, Mr Collins. If that is the sort of treatment a woman can expect as your wife, you will pardon me if I decline the honour."

The blood drained from Mr Collins face. "But you never said…"

"No, of course I never said, because I have manners, and I was rather amused watching you trip over yourself in an attempt to impress me when just a few years ago you declared to all of Kent that I was unworthy even to be seen in church on Sunday. Are the shades of Hunsford and Rosings to be thus polluted, sir? Surely Lady Catherine would not thank you for bringing home such a wife," Elizabeth said disdainfully.

"This will be the perfect way to soothe Lady Catherine's concerns about your rank! By marrying me, you would give up your late husband's title! Then as the wife of a parson, you would inhabit a sphere much more like that of your birth! What fortune that I have the ability to resolve this matter for Lady Catherine!" Mr Collins cried.

"There is nothing wrong with my rank, sir! If Lady Catherine objects, she may direct her complaints to where the offence came, which of course is Her Majesty, The Queen. I am sure Her Majesty will find Lady Catherine's account of Her mistakes in elevating those She esteems quite illuminating," Elizabeth replied coldly.

"But Lady Catherine said…" stammered Mr Collins.

"Lady Catherine knows not of which she speaks! I descend from a line of gentleman landowners who have held their property for over three hundred years on one side, and the cream of the nobility on the other. My lineage is perfectly acceptable in nearly any sphere," Elizabeth challenged.

"But Mrs Bennet is…" started Mr Collins weakly.

"Is not the mother of my birth, Mr Collins!" ground Elizabeth through her teeth.

Mr Collins gaped at her like a fish.

"Mrs Bennet is my stepmother. My father's first wife was Lady Cristina Hexham, youngest daughter of the 6th Earl of Hexham. I may not be the daughter of an earl, but I am certainly the granddaughter of one, and the niece of another. My connections in town put Lady Catherine's to shame, and I am received at the best houses in the kingdom, including Buckingham House! I have no need or desire for yours nor Lady Catherine's condescension, sir, and since the time for a polite call has lapsed, I must insist that you withdraw your person and your suit. I wish you the very best in your search for a wife. It will not bear fruit here," Elizabeth rose and rang the bell.

Mr Banks answered the call immediately. Elizabeth knew he had not been eavesdropping, rather just staying close by, for which she was grateful. They had together seen many men being shown out in such a fashion over the last year, and Elizabeth was thankful for her servant's loyalty and protection.

Mr Collins was shown out, head hanging low in dejection. Elizabeth sought Mary, and though it was usually considered quite rude to account for a gentleman's proposal in such a way, made her aware of the conversation. This was her sister after all, and the man had it coming for weeks.

*****

They finally made their trip to Meryton and Mary selected a lovely set of stationery and a ladies seal, monogrammed with the letter B, that she once saw Jane admiring but considered too dear a few months ago. Happily, Jane's last initial would not change upon her marriage. Elizabeth insisted on buying a similar set without the monogram, but decorated with a floral pattern for Mary. Elizabeth insisted Mary must have her own writing supplies and also ordered her a travelling writing desk that could be folded up and moved easily from one location to another.

When they left the shop, they came upon their younger sisters flirting with an officer and a gentleman near the entrance. "Lizzzyyyyyy! Mary! Come and meet Lieutenant Denny!" shouted Lydia as if she were a fishwife at the market.

"What are you up to, Lydia?" inquired Mary suspiciously as they approached the group. "It is inappropriate for you to greet gentlemen in the street unchaperoned."

"Our friend Lieutenant Denny is introducing us to his friend Mr Wickham, who is joining the regiment!" gushed Kitty.

Elizabeth followed the conversation between her sisters and the gentlemen, thinking to herself that it could only to be to his benefit for this man to join the militia, for even though he seemed older than most of the new officers, most of whom were in their early to mid twenties, his handsome countenance wanted only regimentals to perfect it.

He had not the type of looks Elizabeth usually preferred in a gentleman. She fancied taller men, usually with dark hair and eyes. This gentleman was just slightly shorter in stature than was average for a man, but his blonde hair, blue eyes, handsome face, and pleasing address seemed all a gentleman ought to be, and Elizabeth knew that many women in Meryton would fancy him.

Or at least so he seemed. But Elizabeth had heard her sisters' voices speaking with the men outside the shop for nigh on five minutes before they exited the establishment, so they must have been conversing about considerably more than just an introduction. Elizabeth was always suspicious of grown men who paid attention to very young girls. Mr Wickham appeared to be close to approaching thirty, making Lydia nearly half his age. This gentleman seemed a number of years older than Lieutenant Denny, who was about twenty-two or three. What could he possibly wish to converse about with such young, unchaperoned girls?

Their party broke up as the gentlemen began to make their way to the encampment. Elizabeth turned to her younger sisters. "I would not like to berate you in the middle of the village, girls, but it appears in Mary and Jane's absence, Mama has not troubled herself to chaperone you. You know you must not congregate in the street with officers like a gaggle of geese."

"La, Lizzy, do not be as dull as Mary!" laughed Lydia. "How am I to be married if I do not speak to gentlemen?"

"Lydia, this is not a conversation for the middle of the village," stated Elizabeth firmly. "But I do wish to speak with you about how you can expect to be married. Mary and I were just doing some shopping. How would you and Kitty like to visit the haberdashery with us? I will buy you each some ribbons, and then you can return to Lilac Cottage with us for luncheon, and we can chat. Mary and I bought you each a lovely bonnet when we were in London, and it was high time we gifted them to you. I hoped you might visit us when we returned," wheedled Elizabeth.

Mary looked at Elizabeth in amazement for her bribing of the spoiled young girls, but Elizabeth knew that the way to gain her youngest sisters' attention would be to show them how they could be rewarded by gaining her approval. None of Mrs Bennet's wails or admonishments could compare to a stylish bonnet from London that neither girl could have afforded with a quarter's pin money. Elizabeth was glad she had thought of it while they were shopping for Mary.

Lydia's eyes glazed over with anticipation. Bonnets were her greatest weakness. She even loved the ugly ones. The ladies made their way to the haberdashery, where Elizabeth nearly cleaned out the stock of ribbons. Kitty and Lydia were in high spirits as they made their way past Aunt Phillips house on their way back to Elizabeth's carriage.

Their aunt called out the window for them and the ladies stopped to say hello. Mrs Phillips invited them all to a card party at her home the next evening. They all promised to attend, and then returned to the carriage to repair to Lilac Cottage for luncheon. Elizabeth watched as her sisters rode their elation all the way back to the dower house, and introduced them to their niece as they entered the house. Elizabeth asked the nurse to keep Diane with her for lunch today, and then instructed Mr Banks to have lunch served buffet style on the sideboard so the sisters could speak privately in the dining room.

They sat in the drawing room for a half hour, during which time a maid was sent to retrieve the bonnets, which were exclaimed over as the loveliest things the girls had ever seen. Lydia and Kitty then played charmingly with Diane and Beau. Their light hearted delight in the child and the dog showed Elizabeth just how right she was that neither girl was at all ready to be out. The girls were still practically children themselves. Yet they were running about a village filled with soldiers with no supervision. Elizabeth could have cheerfully strangled her father at that moment.

Luncheon was announced and Diane and Beau returned to the nursery. The ladies entered the dining room, made their plates, and sat down to eat. After a few minutes of chatter, Elizabeth quietly asked the girls if they enjoyed the outing to the haberdashery and the bonnets. "Oh Lizzy, it has been an exquisite morning!" gushed Kitty. "It was terribly kind of you to be so generous with us!"

"Well, decide carefully whether you want the experience to be repeated, because if I ever find you again in the streets shrieking with the officers like a pair of hoydens, it will never happen again," said Elizabeth firmly. "Nor will you ever see the mountain of old gowns I have upstairs just waiting to be adjusted and made over for you."

"That would be quite a shame. The fabrics are some of the finest I've ever seen. There must be scores of gowns up there waiting to be made anew," said Mary, finally understanding her sister's motives, and getting into the spirit of the conversation.

The younger girls went completely silent, mouths agape. Lydia was the first to speak. "But we thought you were giving us our share, as you've been so generous with Mary. It is only fair!" she cried.

"Fair is as fair does, Lydia," countered Elizabeth. "and you are entitled to no share . Mary behaves in the way expected of a young lady, and therefore she is rewarded. Is it fair to Mary or was it fair to Jane that their reputations have been endangered by your behaviour with the officers? Pray what have you done for which to be rewarded?"

Seeing Lydia begin to work up to a tantrum, Elizabeth said gently but firmly, "Before you lose your temper. Lydia, think of the question you asked me before I invited you to the haberdashery. How do you expect to be married? I am in an excellent position to help you in whatever your endeavour is in this matter. Tell me, what manner of life would you like to live after you've married?"

"La! I wish to marry an officer, of course," laughed Lydia.

"And what sort of life do you think you will have as an officer's wife?" countered Elizabeth.

"I will go to parties, and balls, and dinners, and I will dance all night at every opportunity, of course!" Lydia answered with Kitty's agreement.

"And what of your household? What sort of home do you expect?" inquired Elizabeth.

"I am sure I will have some servants to help, and a charming house, perhaps like Aunt Phillips!" explained Lydia.

"A house like Aunt and Uncle Phillips? Uncle Phillips is a university educated man, a successful and highly respected country solicitor. Which of the officers have you noticed to have taken a home in Meryton that is as charming as Aunt Phillips' home?" Elizabeth drove her point home.

"Only Colonel Forster, but none of the other officers have taken a charming house yet. Even the married ones have small rented rooms with their wives and children," Kitty said quietly. "Remember when we visited Mrs Carter last week? Her little rooms with all her children were rather depressing, I was embarrassed."

"Girls, are you aware of how much income Mama will have a year from her dowry when Papa is gone?" Elizabeth asked as the girls shook their heads. "Two hundred pounds a year. Have you any idea what a captain in the militia makes in a year? Less than a quarter of that. If you pay attention at the assembly next week, you will notice Captain Carter might be present, and he will be dashing in his regimentals, but Mrs Carter likely will not be, for she will have sacrificed a proper evening gown so he could afford those regimentals, and she will need to stay home with her children, because she has no servants. This is the life of an officer's wife, Lydia. If Mama is so afraid to support four girls on two hundred a year that she would marry you now to a shopkeeper, how will you manage with your own children on less than a quarter of that amount?"

The girls were silent. Elizabeth continued gently. "I am not trying to spoil your fun, girls, but I must correct this terrible misinformation you have before you make a dreadful mistake. Mama tells you that you are ready to be married, and all you need to do is be pretty and lively, but Mama would also give you in marriage to a tenant farmer if she could get one to take you. Mama was not raised as a gentlewoman, so she sees no use for a gentlewoman's education. She has no idea what a gentleman desires in a bride, but I promise you that any man worth having does not desire a silly fifteen year old girl. There is nothing wrong with that. In a few years, if you apply yourself to behave as gentlewomen and learn how to manage a household, you will certainly be able to find worthy husbands who can provide you with the comforts you are used to.

"I have told you both that there is no rush to be married for anything but your own inclination. Now I will give you a little more information. There is indeed no need for you to marry at all if you decided you were not inclined," Elizabeth finished.

The younger girls gasped. "Not marry at all! What a dreadful notion!" gasped Lydia.

"Why is it such a dreadful notion, Lydia? A woman who is married is usually little better than a slave. Even the servants have more freedoms than she. She spends her life chained to her home, bearing child after child, rarely able to travel, keeping house for her husband. Her only excitements are paying calls upon her friends, and attending country parties. A single woman with her own fortune could spend her life doing anything she pleases."

"But we do not have our own fortunes," faltered Kitty.

"That is inaccurate. You both have respectable dowries. I do not spread it about, because Papa would attempt to make your husband sign it over to him. Mama would throw fits wanting to spend it on lace and refurbishing Longbourn, and it would draw every fortune hunter for miles. If you do not marry, the funds will be yours when you turn twenty-five. You have alternatives, girls. It is time you began making decisions on what you want to do with them."

"But Lizzy, if no one knows we have dowries, how will any gentleman want to court us? Even men who are not fortune hunters must pay some attention to money," asked Kitty sensibly.

"You are correct, Kitty. When you are of a better age to marry, and hopefully Mama will have settled down a bit, we will make it known that I will settle something on you. But neither of you are ready for marriage, and I do not want the news about just yet. I would like to see you enjoy your girlhood, and dance at assemblies. As you may have noticed, only some of the matrons dance a set or two, they spend the rest of the evenings sitting at the side of the room. When you are married, much of the fun and games of your youth are over. Why waste the pleasures of youth on marriage? Why relegate yourself to the side of the room and a lace cap? In the meantime, you could work on your address and ask Mrs Hill to start teaching you how to manage a household. Start helping Mama with the menus and the budget. Visit the tenants. These are the things a gentleman looks for in a lady.

"Mary will accompany me to London for a bit of the season this year. Next year she will be presented at court and participate in the season properly; I do not expect that she will remain unmarried long after that," continued Elizabeth. "Then it will be Kitty's turn, and then Lydia's. You will both have the London season and eventually the husband of your dreams if only you can avoid being compromised by an officer or ruining your reputations."

"I do not want to wait to be last! I want to be presented with Kitty!" wailed Lydia.

"Lydia stop this at once! Do I look like Mama to you? You cannot believe these tactics will work upon me!" Elizabeth declared firmly. "You do not realise, in your haste to have your turn, that it is rather nice to come out on your own. It will be your own time, when all eyes are upon you. Kitty shall have her turn as the centre of attention, and so shall you in your turn. You will enjoy it the better for having been patient. But none of it will happen if you do not learn to behave as I say, or if you allow Mama to force you into marriage as a poor man's drudge. You must wait for your time, and meanwhile, if you show me by your behaviour that you are sincere, then you will continue to receive nice things like bonnets, ribbons, and fine gowns to make over," she promised.

"Lizzy, now that Jane and Mary are gone from Longbourn, how will we learn what you wish us to learn?" asked Kitty, starting to think about the matter seriously. She did not think she was mercenary, but she loved her new bonnet, and sincerely admired the new gowns of Mary's that she had seen so far. Lydia could chase after officers if she wished, but Kitty was sure she would like her turn for such delights, now that she knew they were waiting for her.

"That is a good question, Kitty," said Elizabeth kindly. "I would say that for a start you should try to emulate the behaviour of other worthy ladies you know. In a situation, ask yourself, what would Jane or Charlotte Lucas do? You may also spend more time here, and we will help to instruct you. You would be much better served by walking over here for an hour or two each day than chasing officers about Meryton. Charlotte is a marvellous lady with lovely manners and she is extremely kind. If you asked her to correct you discreetly when she sees you out of order, she would be glad to help. I believe that would make an excellent start. I do hope you mean to give this your best, girls. I should very much enjoy seeing you enjoy your girlhood to the fullest and enjoy your debut as you deserve, rather than running away to be a poor officer's wife. Certainly many of the officers are all that is charming, but charming dance partners do not always make good husbands."

"There is one more thing before we finish here. Lydia, I would like you to apologise for all the wrongs you have done your sisters, particularly Mary. If you would like to continue on as we discussed, my terms are that you will apologise to Kitty and Mary for crying to Mama to take their belongings away to give to you, and especially to Mary for all the unkind and untrue things you have said about her looks, and preventing her from being dressed as she should have been as a Bennet sister," said Elizabeth quietly. "We are none of us going to tolerate any of us picking on or hurting the others. When one of us falls short of that, the others must remind her."

Lydia's lip quivered and she burst into tears. "I am so sorry Mary! Truly I did not mean all the awful things I said. I never believed you to be plain! I was only jealous, and greedy. I never should have behaved as I did. Kitty, I am sorry for making Mama give me your ribbons. Will you all forgive me?"

The sisters crowded around to hug Lydia, and Mary said, "For my part, I forgive you Lydia, as long as you do not lapse into your former ways. Jesus wanted us all to learn forgiveness."

"Oh there you are, Mary, I wondered where you were hiding," chuckled Kitty. "This is the first time you have mentioned The Lord today. Lydia, I forgive you as long as you give me my ribbons back. You know I will loan them to you if I am not using them. You and I must get busy improving ourselves. If Mary can give up Fordyce, we can learn to behave."

Elizabeth watched her sisters happily. If the girls could stick to their promises, they all would gain much happiness. "We are sisters and that is important. The greatest gift our parents could have given us is each other. We must cherish and protect one another with all of our hearts, and learn to build each other up rather than tear each other down. And I heartily agree, Lyddie. If you truly meant your words, you must go home and return all of Kitty's belongings to her. It is high time you were both off. We have spent a great portion of the day together, and I do not wish Mama and Papa to worry. And do not mention anything we discussed here today at Longbourn. I need to have a talk with both of our parents first."

Elizabeth sent the girls home in her carriage, hoping the Bennets would not be too angry about it, or the bonnets. She would call on Longbourn tomorrow. It was time she had a proper chat with Mrs Bennet.