Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

T he day Mr. Collins was expected to arrive at Longbourn came and went without that momentous event taking place. Mrs. Bennet fretted and wondered if he had somehow learned of the breach of contract and was already seeking the advice of a solicitor to sue the family.

Following his usual practice, Mr. Bennet ignored his wife’s fretfulness. That his cousin had yet to arrive was of little concern to him. More and more, he regretted sending his daughter away all those years ago and giving in to his wife’s demands that she take responsibility for their daughters’ education. She had not liked how much time her husband spent with her eldest two girls when they were small and believed that it had been Elizabeth’s influence that led Jane to agree to learn such unladylike subjects.

Before Elizabeth's banishment, his two oldest girls spent countless hours in his study, delving into subjects beyond the typical accomplishments for young ladies. Mr. Bennet immersed them in a variety of books, fostering discussions and debates, and imparting knowledge of scientific matters and mathematics well beyond societal expectations for women. Mrs. Bennet had not liked how much time her husband spent with them and constantly complained that he was making them unmarriageable by teaching them unladylike things.

The incident with Jane in the stables had served as a catalyst for Mrs. Bennet to persuade Jane to distance herself from her sister by convincing her that Elizabeth was to blame for the entire ordeal. In her vulnerable state, Jane believed her and had acquiesced in staying away from Elizabeth. It had not taken Jane long to recover from her injury, but by that time, it was too late. Elizabeth had already gone to London.

As her mother fretted about the absent heir, Jane pondered what had been said to her by Charlotte Lucas and her aunt. The most mortifying was recalling her behaviour with her sister’s husband. However, anger and frustration lingered in her mind for her mother had always told her she was the most beautiful daughter. Jane was a classic beauty, willowy and blonde, nothing like Elizabeth’s more buxom figure. Surely, she would shine in London, she thought, but it became apparent that Elizabeth wanted little do with her family.

She was angry at what Mr. Darcy had said to her about being beautiful on the inside as well as outwardly. Jane knew she was beautiful in appearance, but after receiving so many chastisements, she was uncertain if any man would find her beautiful on the inside as well.

All these revelations coming at once unsettled Jane, leaving her feeling increasingly disillusioned and not a little abandoned. She no longer knew what to think about anyone or anything and she followed the example that had been set for her throughout her childhood—she took to her bed.

While Jane contemplated these matters, Mary spent more time with the Allens. She began to accompany Mrs. Allen on her visits to parishioners, paying particular attention to what needed to be done for the tenants of Longbourn who lived in poor circumstances indeed.

As Mary walked alongside Mrs. Allen during the second week of these visits, thoughts swirled in her mind about what she could do to improve the lives of the tenants and what the master owed them.

“Mrs. Allen, do you think there is anything I can do to improve the living conditions for the tenants at Longbourn?” Mary asked, her voice laced with concern.

Mrs. Allen smiled warmly at Mary, impressed by her growing empathy for those less fortunate. Although it had been many years since the present Mr. Bennet's mother died, while she lived, the tenants had all they needed. She had already begun training Jane and Elizabeth to take over her role, but they were not old enough to care for the tenants when their grandmother died, and the present Mrs. Bennet had no interest in aiding the tenants. "I believe there is always something we can do to help, Mary. Let us make a list of their needs and discuss how we might address them."

After this discussion, they began visiting the homes of the tenants, listening to their grievances and noting their most pressing needs.

“It is heartbreaking to see the hardships they endure,” Mary remarked, her heart heavy with the realisation that her family ought to be doing more.

Mrs. Allen nodded in agreement. “Indeed it is, Mary. But with your determination and compassion, I have no doubt we can make a difference in their lives. Someday, you will do well as the mistress of an estate or the wife of a cleric.”

As they continued these visits, Mary felt a sense of purpose blossoming within her. She could not wait to write to Elizabeth about it.

Just a few days earlier, Mr. Phillips had delivered a reply from Elizabeth to Mary, indicating her tentative acceptance of Mary’s desire to begin a correspondence. She discussed the matter with Mrs. Allen who advised her to maintain a friendly tone in her letters without requesting favours. Following this advice, she replied in a manner that was both light and friendly yet maintained some distance.

Mrs. Bennet emerged from her bedroom a sennight after taking to her bed. Since they had received no word from Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet proceeded as she always had and began making her usual visits in the neighbourhood. As long as they heard nothing from Mr. Collins, they had no reason to fret, and perhaps she could find a way to get another of her daughters married before that event happened. Moreover, she had heard very little gossip since that ungrateful daughter of hers had caused her to take to her bed, and she needed to learn all she could about her new son.

On one of these visits, Mrs. Bennet was aghast to hear the ladies speaking well not only of Elizabeth, but of Mary for her efforts in helping Mrs. Allen with the parish poor. She immediately began to criticise her plainest daughter for what she considered unladylike pursuits.

“Mary, what is this I hear about you gallivanting about with Mrs. Allen instead of attending to your duties at home?” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, her disapproval evident.

Flushing, Mary lowered her gaze, accustomed to her mother’s harsh words. “I am merely assisting Mrs. Allen with her charitable endeavours, Mother. It is a noble cause and one that I think is beneficial,” she replied quietly, her voice tinged with defensiveness.

“Noble cause or not, a young lady of your station should not be traipsing about like some common servant. You are a gentlewoman and should be seen to act like one,” Mrs. Bennet retorted, her frustration growing.

Sensing the tension between the two, Mrs. Allen interjected gently, “Mrs. Bennet, Mary’s assistance has been invaluable. She has shown remarkable compassion and dedication in helping the less fortunate. Surely you would appreciate her desire to make a positive impact in our small community. Likewise, Mary’s help eases your own burden in educating your daughters to be proper mistresses of an estate. Aiding the poor is one of a gentlewoman’s responsibilities, one that is greatly popular among the great ladies in London.”

Mrs. Bennet waved her hand dismissively. “Compassion is all well and good, but a young lady’s place is within her own home, attending to her domestic duties and preparing herself for marriage, not gallivanting about the countryside.”

Mary’s shoulders tensed at her mother’s words, but she remained composed, silently vowing to continue her efforts to help those in need regardless of her mother’s disapproval. The conversation shifted with Mary adding nothing more.

However, Mrs. Allen had a different idea and spoke to Mary about it the next day. “Mary, while I do appreciate all you have done to help me, I feel that your mother will soon forbid you from taking part. Mr. Allen has heard back from his friend, and they have invited you to come for a visit to see if you can be of aid to their daughter. They live on a small estate near Maidstone below London. It is slightly larger than Longbourn and is well managed, and I think you could learn much while you are there. The family’s name is Winters and the daughter for you to befriend is Amelia. She is just fifteen, near your sister Kitty’s age.”

“I am uncertain that my parents will allow me to go if I ask. Do you think Mr. Allen might suggest it to my father? Perhaps departing without Mama learning of it will make it easier for me to leave?” Mary suggested.

“We will do all we can to arrange it. Mr. Allen has already suggested his friend send a carriage to collect you at the beginning of next week.”

“Thank you so much, Mrs. Allen. Mama has been displeased with me ever since she learned of my visits yesterday afternoon. The heir presumptive never appeared as scheduled, nor did he send word of his delay, so she is even more vociferous than usual. I would like to get away from her since I am a frequent target of her ire. I do worry what will happen to Kitty if I go, for she will inevitably become the next target.”

“Tell Miss Kitty to seek me out if she needs help. She is entirely too inclined to follow Miss Lydia wherever she leads, and the two will wreak havoc on our small town and your entire family if they are not restrained somehow,” Mrs. Allen said.

“They are too young to run wild as they do. However, Mama will not hear a word spoken against Lydia, saying she is only lively and young.”

Mrs. Allen patted the girl’s hand to reassure her. “Perhaps we can find a way to reach them as well. Do not worry too much right now since they are very young.”

“Yes, but Mama indulges Lydia and permits her to do whatever she likes. She is just thirteen years old, yet she attends events as though she is out. The neckline of her dresses gets lower and lower and is scarcely appropriate for a girl in the schoolroom,” Mary insisted.

Mrs. Allen sighed. “I know, my dear girl. While you are gone, we will see what may be done. Perhaps if she senses the censure of the neighbourhood, she would be inclined to make a change.”

Mary hesitated to scoff at such a suggestion from her mentor, knowing better than to underestimate the power of social opinion. However, she doubted that her youngest sister would be influenced by what their neighbours thought of her. Mrs. Bennet seemed blissfully unaware of anything she did not wish to acknowledge, content to invent reasons to justify her perception.

“I hope that to be true, Mrs. Allen. Thank you for your assistance and please let me know if Mr. Allen is successful in convincing Papa to allow me to go to your friend.”

Soon, their calls for the day were completed, and Mary made her way home. Since she returned home well before her mother arrived downstairs, nothing was said about her visits, but she knew it could not last.