Chapter 40

Chapter Forty

U nlike Elizabeth, Lydia was pleased to receive a letter from her mother. The two exchanged letters frequently, complaining about those who denied them what they most wanted. Lydia hated being made to wear mourning, but now that she was no longer in mourning, she complained about not having the funds to purchase new dresses. The dresses she had been provided to wear were too plain, too simple … ugly. School was boring—the dancing lessons were enjoyable, but what was the point in learning to dance when no gentlemen were nearby to dance and flirt with? There were no parties to attend, and no one at school seemed to care for the spoiled girl. Lydia could not understand that her lack of friends had more to do with her and less to do with the others.

Her letters to her mother were full of complaints about how the girls were mean to her, refusing to share their belongings with her, even when she asked nicely, nor did they give into her whims. The headmistress expected her to clean up after herself and regularly took away her privileges when her room was left a mess. Despite there being servants at the school, all the girls were expected to keep their rooms and clothing reasonably tidy. At Longbourn, it was not uncommon for Lydia to tear her room apart in search of a particular gown and then expect the servants to clean up after her. The first time she had done this at school, she had been severely reprimanded by the headmistress and while she had not done that again, her room was rarely as tidy as the other girls'.

This feeling of mistreatment seeped into all of Lydia's letters to her mother, who was the only one to sympathise with her. As Lydia's return home drew near, the two began to hatch a plan to free themselves of their wardens.

Mama,

My uncles expect me to return to school in the autumn, but I do not wish to do so. Surely there is something you can do so I will not have to. I would much prefer to remain home with you, although from what you have said, it is just as boring at Longbourn now that Cousin Collins is in charge. It is unfathomable that he will not give you funds for additional clothing for any of us. Since he was a clergyman, I suppose it was expected for him to be somewhat miserly, but I did not think he would be so bad as to forbid us new clothing. What of my allowance? I have not had one since I left home so I am due those funds …

Her letter continued in this vein for some time, mirroring the tone of her correspondence with her sisters. She sent one letter to Elizabeth requesting funds, along with an accusation of “casting their mother from Longbourn.” To Jane, she made a similar request and included complaints about their mother’s situation. Her letter to Kitty was filled with grievances about school, her eagerness to return home for the summer, and her disappointment that Elizabeth had not invited her to Pemberley. She demanded that Kitty insist on her inclusion in the trip. Finally, she wrote to Mary to lament the Collinses’ treatment of her and their mother, claiming they were forced to live in a dismal cottage at the back of the property, seemingly oblivious to the fact that it had been updated and redecorated to make it pleasant and comfortable.

Lydia returned to Meryton in June, furious that none of her family had come to fetch her from school. Instead, the Gardiners had sent a maid and a manservant to escort her home on the post coach from Leicestershire. In contrast, Catherine's school was closer to London, so Mrs. Gardiner collected her and took her to Longbourn, where she would stay for a few days to help everyone settle in.

All three girls had been given the choice to join Mrs. Bennet in the dower cottage or to stay at Longbourn. Mary had already chosen to remain with her elder sister, the two having formed a tenuous friendship they had not managed before. As with Elizabeth, it had begun through letters, but now that they were living in the same house, Jane and Mary had grown much closer to each other.

Catherine chose to stay at Longbourn for the short period between returning home from school and her visit to Pemberley later in the summer. One of the reasons Mrs. Gardiner accompanied her home was that Catherine requested her assistance in explaining this decision to her mother and youngest sister.

“Lydia will not be happy with me; she has written to me to complain already about not being invited to Pemberley this summer. I am afraid she will view my decision to stay at Longbourn as a betrayal. While Jane and Mary will support me in my decision, Lydia will abuse me for it, and I would prefer to have your support, Aunt,” Catherine explained to her aunt during one of her visits to her aunt and uncle’s home. During this last year, Catherine had visited her London family often during holidays and school breaks, growing close to her aunt in particular. Given her father’s indifference, Catherine was often uncertain how to be in company with her uncle although she adored spending time with her aunt and cousins .

Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece for several moments. “I will accompany you, but I admit, I find it difficult to be in Mrs. Bennet’s presence after what she has done and said. If you prefer it, you may stay with us in London until we head north to Pemberley. That may only delay the confrontation that will inevitably occur, depending on your plans after our visit. You are sixteen now, Catherine, and may do well to remain at home this coming year instead of returning to school. If you prefer to attend another year, you might.”

Catherine nodded at this. She knew what her options were but had not made any decisions just yet. “I want to spend this next month at Longbourn before I make any decisions. Elizabeth has introduced me to her sister by marriage through letters, and I have been corresponding with Georgiana Darcy. The two of us want to see how we get along, but she has invited me to stay with her at Pemberley. We have not discussed it with Elizabeth or Mr. Darcy, but she thinks we can share her companion and do our lessons together.”

“And Elizabeth and William do not know about this plan?” Mrs. Gardiner repeated.

Catherine flushed slightly. “No, we wanted to wait to see how well we got along before we mentioned the idea to them.”

Mrs. Gardiner smiled at her niece. “That seems wise. Well, when we are at Pemberley, I will see what I can do to forward the idea if I think it is sound after seeing the two of you together.”

“Thank you, Aunt,” she gushed. It was still such a novel notion to have someone want the best for her, something she now realised her parents had never done. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet had been far more concerned about themselves than ensuring their children had the support and education they needed.

When Catherine arrived at Longbourn, she was met by her two elder sisters. “I am sorry, Catherine, but Lydia sneaked into the main house yesterday and overheard us speaking of your intention to remain here with us. She was annoyed, certain we were lying, and I am afraid she will not receive your news well. We did not truly expect her to—she appears to have become more selfish at school rather than less—but I am afraid overhearing us has made her even less accepting of your decision.”

Catherine and Mrs. Gardiner both frowned at this news. After a moment Mrs. Gardiner looked at her nieces and shrugged. “I suppose it is for the best. They likely have gotten over the worst of their reaction by now, surely.”

Jane cleared her throat. “I do not think they have. They are rather upset that no one is willing to give into their demands. Lydia arrived home a few days ago and truly believed she would be able to move her and Mama back into Longbourn. She also expected me to hand the reins back over to Mama, allowing her control of the home and the funds. Since arriving, she has visited multiple times each day, attempting all manner of stunts to get what she wanted. She sneaked into mine and Mary’s rooms and went through our clothes, hoping to abscond with some dresses and other items. Each time, she was encountered by a servant, and now all the servants are aware of her intent. She surprised us yesterday when she arrived in the parlour, just as we were all sitting down to tea, which is how she learned of your plans.” She looked at Catherine as she said this, who appeared surprised at her youngest sister’s audacity.

“Lydia’s letters were full of plans. She was certain she would be able to work on you and Mr. Collins to obtain the dresses and other items she wanted. Several letters complained that she had not received an allowance since she had been at school, and I know she expected to be given those funds upon her arrival so she could purchase whatever she wanted,” Catherine answered.

“Well, she cannot make any purchases in town without ready cash—neither can you nor Mary. I apologise for what may seem an inconvenience, but it was easier to make it a requirement for all my sisters and mother rather than to make it seem as though I were singling out those at the dower cottage,” Jane told her .

“Are there funds in the study that Lydia can get to? I would not put it past her to take what she wants,” Mrs. Gardiner suggested.

Jane shook her head. “The study is kept locked, and Mr. Collins keeps the key on his person. Additionally, the household funds are kept in a safe which is always locked. Mrs. Hill has a small purse that she keeps in her pocket for the post and other small expenses.”

“I think that someone should keep an eye on Lydia and the dower cottage,” Mrs. Gardiner said, her brow creased with concern. “We cannot be certain what she might attempt, especially if she has already attempted to steal into the house and take things that are not hers. What has Mrs. Bennet said about any of this?”

“My husband escorted Lydia home after she was caught with the dresses and other items from our rooms. Mama excused her behaviour, claiming that Lydia was taking what she was owed since she had not been given her allowance in the last year. She also said that Longbourn was Lydia’s home, and that we could not prevent her from entering the house if she wished.”

Mrs. Gardiner shook her head sadly. “I am unsure what it will take for those two to see reason, or if they can even be persuaded to understand the truth of the situation. Jane, would you please send a note to the Phillipses asking them to visit? Mr. Phillips is Lydia’s guardian, along with Mr. Gardiner, and perhaps together they can address Lydia’s behaviour. She will only get worse the longer she remains with her mother. Surely there is a school where she can attend year-round until she learns to behave properly. If not, we may need to hire a companion whose sole responsibility will be to prevent Lydia from committing a crime or running away.”

Before Jane could do as asked, Lydia appeared in their midst. “I will not go back to school. You cannot make me,” she yelled.