Chapter 41

Chapter Forty-One

F or a moment, silence fell over the room as everyone listened to Lydia rant. Suddenly, Jane reached over and slapped her youngest sister, silencing her hysterical demands. “You are a fool, Lydia. Despite everything you have been given, you still do not understand how easy your life has been so far. It could be far worse, especially if others had not taken pity on you, your mother, and your sisters. People have paid for your schooling, your clothing, and everything you need, and yet you continue to demand more. You seem to believe you have a say over what happens to you, forgetting that you are penniless and have yet to reach your majority. Our uncles are your guardians, and they can send you wherever they choose. You have complained about not receiving your allowance, but you were informed before you left for school that you would not be receiving one, nor did you need one.”

“In fact, you were informed you would only receive an allowance if your behaviour at school was acceptable,” Mrs. Gardiner inserted. “Your uncle has been in regular contact with the headmistress; even if you had received an allowance, you were not permitted to venture from the school to spend it anywhere. According to reports we received, you were on restrictions more often than not for your refusal to comply with the most basic of instructions or to complete assignments. Even had you wanted to, you could not go back to the school where you were.”

“What do you mean by that?” Lydia bit out.

“The last letter your uncle received from the headmistress just before your departure informed him that you were not welcome back. Neither the instructors nor your classmates wish for your company.”

Lydia scowled at that. “Why would I care about them? Lizzy will take me to London and help me find a spectacular match. If she will not, surely Jane and Collins can do so.”

Mrs. Gardiner laughed at that. “No one will take you anywhere, child, nor are you ready to participate in London society. You would be laughed at if you behave there the way you do everywhere else. You are far too young to even contemplate marriage.”

“I will be the youngest of my sisters married. Maria Lucas wrote to me that a company of militia soldiers will spend the autumn in Meryton; one of them will wish to marry me and take me far away from all of you. We will be happier and livelier, and I will have the best of everything.”

Such a foolish statement earned laughter from all gathered in the room. Mrs. Gardiner was the one who chose to address it, being the only one to whom Lydia might listen. “There are several things wrong with that statement, Lydia, though I wonder if anyone is able to help you see the error of your ways. When those militia officers come, know that none of them are acceptable suitors for you; none of them can give you the life you think you deserve. Those men typically have barely enough to live on themselves and will not be able to keep you in pretty dresses. Nor will you attend parties nearly as often as you think, for you will be too busy with the cleaning and the cooking to attend. Once children come, you will be kept even busier. ”

Lydia shrugged off such concerns. “La, you cannot stop me from doing as I wish. I will marry an officer who will adore me and give me everything I want.”

The housekeeper came into the room then, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Phillips. Though the letter had not been dispatched, Mrs. Gardiner had been expected, and the two hoped to speak to her about the exact issue that was presently being addressed.

“Ah, Sister, you are already here, and since Lydia is in the room, I must assume you already know what we wish to address with you. Something must be done about the girl before she completely ruins herself,” Mrs. Phillips said as she entered.

Lydia looked outraged but knew better than to speak as she had been doing in her uncle’s presence. The conversation after she had “borrowed” her sisters’ dresses had been uncomfortable, and she did not wish for a repeat of it.

“Lydia, you should return to the cottage you share with your mother. We will discuss what will be done about you, but I assure you, we can and will stop you from ruining yourself and the rest of your family along with you,’ Mrs. Gardiner said, before turning toward the housekeeper. “Mrs. Hill, can you ask my groom and manservant to escort Lydia to the cottage and remain there with her to ensure neither she nor her mother leave it?”

Pouting the whole way, Lydia complied with her aunt’s commands, especially when she saw the rather large footman who had been brought for this purpose. While she was escorted out, the rest sat down to speak.

“Catherine, can you tell all of us what Lydia has said in her letters to you? You mentioned some general concerns to me in London, but I would like the whole group to hear what she has said,” Mrs. Gardiner began .

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Catherine spoke up, revealing what she had kept to herself for months. “Lydia has been complaining endlessly. She is convinced she is owed an allowance, and when I told her otherwise, she accused Mr. Collins of being stingy and keeping what she believes is rightfully hers. She has even hinted at gathering enough funds to leave, possibly taking Mama with her although it seems more likely she intends to find someone to marry. Lydia also believes that Mr. Darcy has set aside a dowry for her and is under the impression she will gain access to it as soon as she marries.”

“No doubt her mother’s influence,” grumbled Phillips, for they all knew that Mrs. Bennet did not need the facts when she was convinced of something. “Lydia cannot be permitted to remain with her mother. Everyone will be better off if the two are kept apart. Nor do I think that any of us will be able to handle Lydia in our homes on a daily basis. No, I think it is best Lydia be sent to a school for difficult girls, one that will keep her there year-round. If after a year or so her behaviour improves, it is possible she can return home, but it may be best to find her a small cottage in an isolated place and set her up with a companion who is capable of keeping her under control. She obviously cannot be trusted right now.”

The others nodded their agreement, and further plans were made over the next several days. Four days after her arrival, Mrs. Gardiner returned to London accompanied by Lydia. The girl would be placed in a school as quickly as it could be arranged for Mrs. Gardiner intended to use her connections in town to find a place for the rebellious child.

Over the next month, Mrs. Gardiner was kept busy making arrangements for Lydia to be placed in a school. The school was in the Cumbrian region of England, so Mr. and Mrs. Phillips arranged to take the girl west while the Gardiners travelled north with Kitty and Mary. Lydia remained defiant and often complained about the perceived ill-treatment by her relations.

“I cannot understand why I am being sent away in this manner!” Lydia protested loudly one evening, her arms folded across her chest. “I am not a child, and yet I am treated like one. Everyone in this family is conspiring against me to prevent me from making the match that I deserve. You are all jealous of me.”

Mrs. Gardiner, with a calm but firm tone, replied, “It is not punishment, Lydia, but rather an opportunity. This school will teach you skills and discipline you will come to appreciate in time.”

Lydia huffed; her face flushed with indignation. “Skills? I already possess all the accomplishments I need. You simply will not allow me to seek a suitor who is worthy of me.”

“Lydia, you know it’s not true. We just want what’s best for you, truly, and hope that you can, in time, come to realise what you need to do to act as a proper lady.”

“I don’t need anyone deciding what’s best for me,” Lydia snapped, her voice laced with frustration. “You will all be sorry when I return and marry far higher than any of my sisters.”

The Collinses were to remain at Longbourn for the present, delaying their intended wedding trip to Pemberley and the Peak District as they sought a way to deal with Mrs. Bennet. In the month since Lydia had departed, Mrs. Bennet had grown increasingly agitated with the three daughters who remained nearby. They took turns visiting her, most often in pairs or accompanied by Mrs. Phillips or Mrs. Allen since her complaints and vitriol grew increasingly difficult to bear.

“Oh, why must you all torment me so!” Mrs. Bennet cried out during one of her frequent tirades. “First Lydia was sent away to some awful school—my poor, innocent girl—and now I am left here to rot, surrounded by ungrateful daughters! ”

Mary, attempting to console her mother, tried to reason with her. “Mother, Lydia's absence is for her own good. You must understand?—”

“Understand?” Mrs. Bennet interrupted, her eyes filled with indignation. “You all treat me like a fool, but I see what is happening. You and your sisters plot against me, just as you did with poor Lydia. If only Mr. Collins was more generous and Jane more of a dutiful daughter, I would not be stuck in this rundown cottage with barely any company, not nearly enough to eat, and no entertainment.”

Catherine, who had accompanied Mary on the visit, sighed softly. “Mama, no one is plotting against you. My sisters and I visit you regularly, along with several ladies from town, although your complaints tend to frighten them away. You are well cared for in this house and attend nearly every event to which you are invited. Just because Jane and her husband do not cater to all your whims does not mean you should feel slighted. You need to find peace and contentment in your situation, just as the rector has advised.”

Mrs. Bennet threw her hands up in exasperation. “Peace? I shall never know peace again! Not until all my girls are properly married—and not abandoned to that godforsaken school like my poor, poor Lydia.”

Then, Mrs. Bennet called for her salts and Longbourn’s housekeeper, only one of which was offered to her. The two girls helped settle Mrs. Bennet above stairs with a maid for company before returning to Longbourn.

That night, after dinner, Mary and Catherine told the others about their encounter. “I am afraid Mama is quite undone and am concerned our continuing to visit her is doing her no good. Catherine and I are scheduled to leave soon, and then visiting Mama will fall on you, my dear sister. She grows increasingly upset each time we visit, and I am afraid the staff will leave soon due to her outbursts. The maid who sat with her after her diatribe today was clearly unwilling to remain for long and has mentioned seeking other work. ”

Jane and Collins looked at each other and sighed. “I spoke of this with Aunt Gardiner when she took Lydia. I am concerned that the upheaval in her life over the last year or so has caused her to go a little mad. At the moment, I do not think she is a danger to anyone, but my aunt mentioned that if she progresses in her madness, she could become such,” Jane said.

The two younger girls gasped at that thought. “Do you truly think so?” Catherine asked.

Collins cleared his throat before replying. “I am uncertain what she is suffering from, but it appears to be some type of melancholia or perhaps hysteria. My wife and I have spoken together and thought it best to consult with the apothecary, Mr. Jones, first, and then, if needed, seek the opinion of a physician. I do not think she is fit for Bedlam, nor would I wish for her to be treated in such a way. If Mr. Jones believes some action to be necessary, we can hire a companion who will also serve as a nurse. Should that become necessary, we will make a decision then about her remaining in the dower house or whether another location would be better for her.”

For half an hour, the four of them discussed the various options and the concerns associated with each. However, by the end of their conversation, they remained no closer to a decision. They agreed to wait for the apothecary’s report before proceeding, and they also planned to consult Mr. Phillips. Collins wrote letters to both Mr. Phillips and Mr. Gardiner, informing them of their chosen course of action and seeking advice on the next steps. He also requested the name of a doctor in London who could be consulted, should it become necessary.